cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EGFR activation suppresses respiratory virus-induced IRF1-dependent CXCL10 production

Airway epithelial cells are the primary cell type involved in respiratory viral infection. Upon infection, airway epithelium plays a critical role in host defense against viral infection by contributing to innate and adaptive immune responses. Influenza A virus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represent a broad range of human viral pathogens that cause viral pneumonia and induce exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These respiratory viruses induce airway epithelial production of IL-8, which involves epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation. EGFR activation involves an integrated signaling pathway that includes NADPH oxidase activation of metalloproteinase, and EGFR proligand release that activates EGFR. Because respiratory viruses have been shown to activate EGFR via this signaling pathway in airway epithelium, we investigated the effect of virus-induced EGFR activation on airway epithelial antiviral responses. CXCL10, a chemokine produced by airway epithelial cells in response to respiratory viral infection, contributes to the recruitment of lymphocytes to target and kill virus-infected cells. While respiratory viruses activate EGFR, the interaction between CXCL10 and EGFR signaling pathways is unclear, and the potential for EGFR signaling to suppress CXCL10 has not been explored. Here, we report that respiratory virus-induced EGFR activation suppresses CXCL10 production. We found that influenza virus-, rhinovirus-, and RSV-induced EGFR activation suppressed IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 1-dependent CXCL10 production. In addition, inhibition of EGFR during viral infection augmented IRF1 and CXCL10. These findings describe a novel mechanism that viruses use to suppress endogenous antiviral defenses, and provide potential targets for future therapies.
MEASUREMENT OF PREFERENCES FOR SIGNALS OF CORRECTNESS: CHILDREN'S STATUS, RACE, AND GENDER

Three experiments strongly supported the developmental theory of reward preferences and showed that signals of correctness possess powerful incentive properties. High status fifth graders consistently exhibited a significant preference for signals of correctness over tangible rewards. Exps. 1 and 2 (ns = 60 and 20, respectively) also supported a mathematical model of choice times. Both presented a selective learning task which required children to choose repeatedly between a correctness-cue and a money-cue, and both showed that selective learning evoked impulsive choices, suggesting that this method impairs acquisition of the cue-incentive association. Exp. 2 confirmed this by indicating that selective learning impairs acquisition, thus underestimating incentive preferences. Exp. 3 measured fifth graders' (n = 40) preferences more accurately. As predicted, social status enhanced preferences for signals of correctness but race (black versus white) and gender (in Exp. 1) exerted no influence. The recent, hi...
Role of β-hairpin formation in aggregation: the self-assembly of the amyloid-β(25-35) peptide.

The amyloid-β(25–35) peptide plays a key role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease due to its extreme toxicity even in the absence of aging. Because of its high tendency to aggregate and its low solubility in water, the structure of this peptide is still unknown. In this work, we sought to understand the early stages of aggregation of the amyloid-β(25–35) peptide by conducting simulations of oligomers ranging from monomers to tetramers. Our simulations show that although the monomer preferentially adopts a β-hairpin conformation, larger aggregates have extended structures, and a clear transition from compact β-hairpin conformations to extended β-strand structures occurs between dimers and trimers. Even though β-hairpins are not present in the final architecture of the fibril, our simulations indicate that they play a critical role in fibril growth. Our simulations also show that β-sheet structures are stabilized when a β-hairpin is present at the edge of the sheet. The binding of the hairpin to the sheet leads to a subsequent destabilization of the hairpin, with part of the hairpin backbone dangling in solution. This free section of the peptide can then recruit an extra monomer from solution, leading to further sheet extension. Our simulations indicate that the peptide must possess sufficient conformational flexibility to switch between a hairpin and an extended conformation in order for β-sheet extension to occur, and offer a rationalization for the experimental observation that overstabilizing a hairpin conformation in the monomeric state (for example, through chemical cross-linking) significantly hampers the fibrillization process.
Expert testimony and jury decision making: An empirical analysis

This experiment examines the influence of expert psychological testimony on juror decision making in eyewitness identification cases. Experienced jurors and undergraduate mock jurors viewed versions of a videotaped trial, rated the credibility of the eyewitness and the strength of the prosecution's and defense's cases, and rendered verdicts. In the absence of expert testimony jurors were insensitive to eyewitness evidence. Expert testimony improved juror sensitivity to eyewitness evidence without making them more skeptical about the accuracy of the eyewitness identification. Few differences emerged between the experienced jurors and undergraduate mock jurors.
International nursing students: A phenomenological perspective

Colleges and universities are faced with the challenge of how to create learning environments relevant to the internationalization of society and culture. International learning experiences, the focus of this article, may be one effective tool for internationalizing nursing curricula. Baccalaureate nursing students with international education experiences who were residing in a rural USA state were invited to participate in a qualitative descriptive study informed by phenomenology. Sixteen nursing students participated in mail surveys and eleven in interviews. Participants were mainly female, Caucasian, university seniors with an average age of 31 years. Thematic statements were isolated into nine experiential structures and four essential themes. Themes were identified as preparing, adjusting, caring, and transforming and were found to be influenced by culture, values, and ethics. A descriptive diagram was created summarizing the structure of meaning. Significance of this nursing study was the identification of plausible descriptive insights that may be useful to educators who assist students with international education experiences.
Intracellular Human Immunodeficiency Virus Tat Expression in Astrocytes Promotes Astrocyte Survival but Induces Potent Neurotoxicity at Distant Sites via Axonal Transport

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-Tat protein has been implicated in the neuropathogenesis of HIV infection. However, its role in modulating astroglial-neuronal relationships is poorly understood. Astrocyte infection with HIV has been associated with rapid progression of dementia. We thus initially transfected astrocytes with HIV proviral DNA and confirmed Tat production in these cells. Subsequently, using stably Tat-producing asytocyte cell lines, we observed that Tat promoted astrocyte survival by causing a prominent antioxidant effect and resistance to cell injury in these cells. Tat was released extracellularly where it could be taken up by other cells. Tat remained functionally active following uptake and caused long terminal repeat (LTR) transactivation in lymphocytic and astrocytic cell lines. Tat released from astrocytes caused mitochondrial dysfunction, trimming of neurites, and cell death in neurons. Tat neurotoxicity was attenuated by anti-Tat antibodies, kynurenate or heparan sulfate. The neurotoxic effects of Tat were caused at concentrations lower than that needed to cause LTR transactivation. When Tat-expressing cells were injected into the rat dentate gyrus, Tat was taken up by granule cells and transported along neuronal pathways to the CA3 region where it caused glial cell activation and neurotoxicity. The arginine-rich domain of Tat was essential for both the LTR transactivation and the neurotoxic properties of Tat. Thus HIV-Tat is a potent neurotoxin that may act at distant sites while at the same time it assures its production by preventing cell death in astrocytes where it is produced.
ADHD, substance use disorders, and psychostimulant treatment: current literature and treatment guidelines.

Objective: This review explores the relationship between ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD), factors that determine the abuse potential of psychostimulants, and strategies for identifying and tr...
Growth, Livability, and Feed Conversion of 1957 vs 1991 Broilers When Fed “Typical” 1957 and 1991 Broiler Diets

The relative contributions of genetic selection and dietary regimen on the performance of broilers was assessed. Body weight, feed consumption, mortality (M), and the degree of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) were measured in the 1957 Athens-Canadian Randombred Control (ACRBC) strain of broilers and in the 1991 Arbor Acres (AA) feather-sexable strain when fed "typical" 1957 and 1991 diets. Energy and protein levels, vitamin and mineral packs, and the coccidiostats used in the two dietary regimens were chosen to be representative of those in use by the industry for the two time periods. Eight treatment groups, i.e., two strains, two sexes, and two dietary regimens, were assigned into four blocks of eight litter floor pens for grow out. The 1957 diets were fed as mash, and the 1991 starter and grower diets were fed as crumbles and pellets, respectively. Feed consumption and BW were recorded at 21, 42, 56, 70, and 84 d of age, a period covering the normal marketing ages for the two broilers. Mortality and the cause of death was recorded daily. The incidence and severity of TD was assessed using a Lixiscope at 42 d of age. Average BW were 190, 508, 790, 1,087, and 1,400 g for the ACRBC on the 1957 diets vs 700, 2,132, 3,108, 3,812, and 4,498 g for the AA on the 1991 diets at 21, 42, 56, 70, and 84 d of age, respectively. The 1991 diets increased the BW of the AA by an average of 14% (20% at 42 d, but only 8% at 84 d) and of the ACRBC by 22%. The BW advantage for the 1991 diet over the 1957 diet for the AA was less for males than for females after 42 d of age, and the advantage decreased with age, probably due to the increasing incidence of leg problems. The M for AA was 9.1% vs 3.3% for the ACRBC at 42 d. Most of the ACRBC M occurred before 21 d, whereas M occurred throughout for the AA, with most after 21 d due to flip-overs and ascites. The feed conversion at 42 d for the ACRBC on the 1957 diet was 3.00 vs 2.04 for the AA on the 1991 diet. The AA on the 1991 diet had a 48.6% incidence of TD vs 25.6% on the 1957 diet. The ACRBC had approximately 1.2% TD on both diets. The TD was more severe with the 1991 diet.
Shedding light on protein folding landscapes by single-molecule fluorescence

Single-molecule (SM) fluorescence methods have been increasingly instrumental in our current understanding of a number of key aspects of protein folding and aggregation landscapes over the past decade. With the advantage of a model free approach and the power of probing multiple subpopulations and stochastic dynamics directly in a heterogeneous structural ensemble, SM methods have emerged as a principle technique for studying complex systems such as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), globular proteins in the unfolded basin and during folding, and early steps of protein aggregation in amyloidogenesis. This review highlights the application of these methods in investigating the free energy landscapes, folding properties and dynamics of individual protein molecules and their complexes, with an emphasis on inherently flexible systems such as IDPs.
Normal epiphyseal cartilage measurements in the knee in children: an alternative sonographic approach.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to validate previously reported distal femoral cartilage measurements in healthy children of different ages using an alternative sonographic imaging plane and patient position than previously reported and to provide preliminary proximal tibial epiphyseal cartilage measurements in healthy children. Methods Distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphyseal cartilage thickness was measured using sonography in a cohort of healthy children based on a coronal image at the medial aspect of the femorotibial joint with the knee in 30° of flexion. The average of 3 measurements of femoral and tibial epiphyseal cartilage was obtained and correlated with age and sex. Femoral epiphyseal cartilage measurements were compared to recently reported measurements at the patellofemoral joint. Results Sixty children (31 boys and 29 girls; newborn to 21 years; mean, 9 years; median, 7 years 11 months) were imaged. Seventy-four percent of distal femoral cartilage epiphyseal measurements fell into the 95% confidence intervals predicted by previously published reports. At age ranges outside those previously reported, there was less concordance between measured cartilage thickness values and those predicted. Conclusions Values of distal femoral epiphyseal cartilage thickness measured by sonography of the femorotibial joint are similar to those reported at the patellofemoral joint. We propose that femoral epiphyseal cartilage thickness be measured on the basis of a coronal image at the medial femorotibial joint. This technique requires less knee flexion, which may prove advantageous when evaluating cartilage in patients with joint inflammation and a limited range of motion. It also allows concurrent measurement of tibial epiphyseal cartilage and thus provides another parameter for assessing cartilage loss.
Protein–protein binding affinities by pulse proteolysis: Application to TEM‐1/BLIP protein complexes

Efficient methods for quantifying dissociation constants have become increasingly important for high-throughput mutagenesis studies in the postgenomic era. However, experimentally determining binding affinity is often laborious, requires large amounts of purified protein, and utilizes specialized equipment. Recently, pulse proteolysis has been shown to be a robust and simple method to determine the dissociation constants for a protein–ligand pair based on the increase in thermodynamic stability upon ligand binding. Here, we extend this technique to determine binding affinities for a protein–protein complex involving the β-lactamase TEM-1 and various β-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP) mutants. Interaction with BLIP results in an increase in the denaturation curve midpoint, Cm, of TEM-1, which correlates with the rank order of binding affinities for several BLIP mutants. Hence, pulse proteolysis is a simple, effective method to assay for mutations that modulate binding affinity in protein–protein complexes. From a small set (n = 4) of TEM-1/BLIP mutant complexes, a linear relationship between energy of stabilization (dissociation constant) and ΔCm was observed. From this “calibration curve,” accurate dissociation constants for two additional BLIP mutants were calculated directly from proteolysis-derived ΔCm values. Therefore, in addition to qualitative information, armed with knowledge of the dissociation constants from the WT protein and a limited number of mutants, accurate quantitation of binding affinities can be determined for additional mutants from pulse proteolysis. Minimal sample requirements and the suitability of impure protein preparations are important advantages that make pulse proteolysis a powerful tool for high-throughput mutagenesis binding studies.
Object parts matching using Hopfield neural networks

An optimization approach is used to solve the Cyclic Ordered Assignment (COA) problem which occurs when matching 2D object parts for recognition. The solution space for the COA problem becomes very large when partially occluded objects are considered. By associating the solutions of the COA problem with the local minima of the energy function for a 2D binary Hopfield network, a network is presented which can solve the problem by converging from an initial state to a local minima. The initial state of the network is an array representing the probabilities of matches between the corresponding parts of an unknown object and a known template object. By taking advantage of the computational power and parallel processing of the network we can arrive at a fast, accurate solution for each input state presented to the network.
Intimomedial Interface Damage and Adventitial Inflammation Is Increased Beneath Disrupted Atherosclerosis in the Aorta Implications for Plaque Vulnerability

Background— Atherosclerotic plaque progression is frequently accompanied by compensatory enlargement to preserve the lumen. These enlarging plaques develop features of vulnerability, however, leadi...
Allergic vascular purpura.

Abstract An instance of nonthrombocytopenic vascular purpura is reported due to tartrazine sensitivity. There were no abnormal hematologic findings present. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in this condition are discussed.
Effects of enzymatic treatments on the depth‐dependent viscoelastic shear properties of articular cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that involves the erosion and structural weakening of articular cartilage. OA is characterized by the degradation of collagen and proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix (ECM), particularly at the articular surface by proteinases including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs). 1 Degradation of collagen and proteoglycans is known to alter shear mechanical properties of cartilage, but study of this phenomenon has been focused on bulk tissue properties. The purpose of this study was to assess microscale cartilage damage induced by trypsin or collagenase using a technique to measure the local shear viscoelastic properties. Safranin-O histology revealed a decrease in proteoglycans near the articular surface after collagenase and trypsin digestions, with proteoglycan depletion increasing in time. Similarly, confocal reflectance micrographs showed increasing collagen degradation in collagenase treated samples, although the collagen network remained intact after trypsin treatment. Both treatments induced changes in shear modulus that were confined to a narrow range (� 400mm) near tissue surface. In addition, collagenase altered the total energy dissipation distribution by up to a factor of 100, with longer digestion times corresponding to higher energy dissipation. The ability to detect local mechanical signatures in tissue composition and mechanics is an important tool for understanding the spatially non-uniform changes that occur in articular cartilage diseases such as OA. 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Final results from the tuning of the NMS/spl I.bar/6b weather code

The nonhydrostatic model simulation (NMS) /spl I.bar/6b weather code is commonly used by weather forecasters at television stations across the country. It is also of interest to the US Army due to its superior ability to predict weather in mountainous terrain. It was developed by Dr. Greg Tripoli of the University of Wisconsin (1992). Currently this code exists only as a shared memory application parallelized using OpenMP. Attempts to parallelize it for distributed memory systems using MPI proved to be beyond the scope of the project that the author was involved in. This paper discusses efforts to improve the performance of the code at both the processor level and at the level of parallel performance.
Leveraging synchronous language principles for heterogeneous modeling and design of embedded systems

This paper gives a semantics for discrete-event (DE) models that generalizes that of synchronous/reactive (SR) languages, and a continuous-time (CT) semantics that generalizes the DE semantics. It shows that all three semantic models can be used in actor-oriented composition languages, and that despite the fact that CT is the most general, there are good reasons for using each of the more specialized semantics. Moreover, because of the generalization relationship between them, these three models of computation (MoCs) compose hierarchically in arbitrary order. We describe a design system that supports arbitrary combinations of these three MoCs, leveraging the actor abstract semantics of Ptolemy II.
Biosorption of manganese onto chitin and associated proteins during the treatment of mine impacted water

The manganese removal capacity of two purities of crab-shell chitin was evaluated under different pH conditions by means of kinetic tests and sorption isotherms. Demineralized (DM-SC20) and demineralized/deproteinized (DMP-SC20) crab-shell chitin were tested and compared to evaluate the contribution of chitin and its associated proteins to biosorption. The kinetics of manganese adsorption onto both types of solids was well described by the pseudo-second order model. The adsorption rates depended on the pH of system and the type of solid, with faster changes occurring under alkaline conditions and with DMP-SC20 (k2 = 0.411–0.535 g/mg min) than with DM-SC20 (k2 = 0.125–0.197 g/mg min). The adsorption equilibrium isotherms were best fit by the Langmuir, rather than Freundlich, model. The maximum sorption capacity (qm, mg/g) was found to depend greatly on the pH of the solution, with minimal or no sorption observed at pH <5. At higher pH regimes, qm values ranged from 0.165 (at pH 5.4) to 0.981 (at pH 8.7) for “pure” chitin (DMP-SC20) and increased from 0.878 (at pH 5.2) to 5.437 (at pH 8.6) when both chitin and protein were present (DM-SC20). Results clearly suggest that the chitin-associated proteins offer additional sorption sites for manganese. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Mobile security agents for network traffic analysis

This paper describes the implementation of a distributed agent architecture for intrusion detection and response in networked computers. Unlike conventional intrusion detection systems (IDS), this security system attempts to emulate mechanisms of the natural immune system using Java-based mobile software agents. These security agents monitor multiple levels (packet process, system, and user) of networked computers to determine correlation among the observed anomalous patterns, reporting such abnormal behavior to the network administrator and/or possibly taking some action to counter a suspected security violation. The paper focuses on the design aspects of such an intrusion detection system by integrating different artificial intelligence techniques and a mobile agent architecture. Specifically, IBM's Aglets (TM) Software Development Kit (ASDK) is used as the base agent architecture, along with adaptive resonance theory (ART-2) neural networks for network pattern classification, and a fuzzy logic controller for decision/action resolution. The feasibility and implementation of the mobile security agent system is demonstrated and some preliminary results are reported.
Comparison of Respiration in Adult Harmonia axyridis Pallas and Hippodamia convergens Guerrin-Manaville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract Specific metabolic heat rates (Rq) and respiration rates (RCO2) of adult Harmonia axyridis Pallas, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, and Hippodamia convergens Guerrin-Manaville, the convergent lady beetle, were measured in isothermal calorimeters at 5°C intervals from 0 to 40°C. Anabolic rates and Rq/RCO2 ratios were calculated as functions of temperature from the calorespirometric data. The two species have similar heat and CO2 rates from 0 to 10°C, but both rates are higher for H. convergens at all other temperatures. Anabolic rates and Rq/RCO2 ratios indicated high-temperature stress in H. convergens at 40°C and at 35 and 40°C in H. axyridis. Anabolic rates and Rq/RCO2 ratios for the two species differed markedly from 15 to 30°C, where H. convergens had a higher anabolic rate and lower Rq/RCO2 ratio (i.e., greater metabolic efficiency) than H. axyridis. The data show that H. axyridis maximizes the anabolic rate, and therefore the biosynthesis rate, at low temperatures around 5°C and maximize...
Effects of exercise training on LV performance and mortality in a murine model of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, and nonpharmacological therapies, such as exercise training, have been suggested. The effects of exercise on left ventric...
Issues in the Modelling of Precipitation

In this part of the panel presentations I shall attempt to summarize the recent developments in the modelling of precipitation, both at a point and in space, and to discuss the major strengths and weaknesses of these models. In doing so and following Dennis Lettenmaier’s path, I shall report on what I have read about and what are my own thoughts in this matter.
Developing therapies for rare tumors: opportunities, challenges and progress

Introduction: Rare tumors account for one fourth of adult tumors; in children, rare tumors represent approximately 15–20% of childhood malignancies, thus accounting for a significant burden of disease. The rarity of these individual diseases creates many challenges, from developing a thorough understanding of the disease pathophysiology, clinical characterization, to the conduct of meaningful clinical trials and eventually the development of effective therapies.Areas covered: Despite these challenges, substantial advances have been made in recent years including the development of novel clinical trial designs and endpoints including molecularly driven treatment trials that have resulted in approval of novel therapies for rare diseases. Collaboration amongst basic and clinical researchers, patient advocacy groups, industry and regulatory agencies has proven successful in select cases and holds promise for future progress in the treatment of rare tumors. In this review, we will highlight several examples of...
Estimating Limiting Nutrient Loadings in an Interacting Surface and Ground Water Basin

Watershed management requires the determination of both point and non-point sources of pollution within a watershed. The primary non-point source pollutants in a typical watershed are nutrients (mainly nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment, and pesticides. In the Snake River Basin, in Idaho, nutrients from non-point sources (primarily agricultural) are delivered to streams via storm water and irrigation runoff. However, the objectives of this study were to estimate the phosphorus loading from different sources in the Snake River Basin due to storm water events, to calculate the total nitrogen/phosphorus (TN/TP) ratios for land uses, and to compare and a precipitation runoff model and statistical regression with the measurements. The study used the Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) model to perform the analysis and to estimate the loss and gain in phosphorus loading. The gain was due to ground water discharge and point sources from industrial and commercial trout farms. The loss was attributed to phosphorus absorbance, existence of riparian vegetation, ground water discharge, or dilution from spring inflows. The results showed that phosphorus is the limiting nutrient. The L-THIA model gave more accurate results than the simple statistical regression.
The Original Public Meaning of the Fifth Amendment and Pre-Miranda Silence

The right against self-incrimination originated in the maxim nemo tenetur seipsum prodere (“no man shall be compelled to criminate himself”). The history and constitutionalization of that maxim illuminate several findings relevant to the right’s applicability in pre-Miranda situations. One of the main motivations in securing the right to silence was to avoid the “cruel trilemma,” thereby preserving individual autonomy. The cruel trilemma is the decision a defendant would face if forced to choose between maintaining her silence and being held in contempt of court, or speaking and thereby either perjuring or incriminating herself. The Fifth Amendment provides individuals a way out of this cruel choice — remain silent without fear of contempt. And absent real protection of the right to remain silent in pre-Miranda situations, the Fifth Amendment ceases to be a barrier to cruel trilemmas. A second historical finding relevant to pre-Miranda situations is that as originally understood the right to remain silent first attached, not upon the reading of a Miranda-like incantation, but when the defendant reasonably believed that her statement might be used against her at a criminal trial or lead the investigator to inculpatory evidence. In other words, this right was available outside of the courthouse. The Constitution itself reflects this understanding. While the Sixth Amendment uses the word “accused” in protecting certain trial rights, the Fifth Amendment uses the word “person.” Two further factors support precluding prosecutorial use of pre-Miranda silence. First, history shows that the right was developed in the face of executive-like bodies exercising the prerogative power of the crown. In America, the right soon grew to protect people from having to give incriminating information to clerical bodies, tax collectors, and even the Supreme Court’s interrogatories. Second, the right precluded judges and juries from making inferences from a person’s silence in the face of accusations. That preclusion is based not only on the fact that it is necessary in order for the right to be real protection, but also on the understanding that not all innocent people object to false accusations. Taken together, these four factors show that the original understanding of the Fifth Amendment supports excluding pre-Miranda silence when an individual has reason to fear that she may be the subject of a criminal prosecution.
Automated Modeling of Dynamic Reliability Block Diagrams Using Colored Petri Nets

Computer system reliability is conventionally modeled and analyzed using techniques such as fault tree analysis and reliability block diagrams (RBDs), which provide static representations of system reliability properties. A recent extension to RBDs, called dynamic RBDs (DRBD), defines a framework for modeling the dynamic reliability behavior of computer-based systems. However, analyzing a DRBD model in order to locate and identify design errors, such as a deadlock error or faulty state, is not trivial when done manually. A feasible approach to verifying it is to develop its formal model and then analyze it using programmatic methods. In this paper, we first define a reliability markup language that can be used to formally describe DRBD models. Then, we present an algorithm that automatically converts a DRBD model into a colored Petri net. We use a case study to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach and demonstrate how system properties of a DRBD model can be verified using an existing Petri net tool. Our formal modeling approach is compositional; thus, it provides a potential solution to automated verification of DRBD models.
Dimensions and Types of Supervisory Control: Effects on Salesperson Performance and Satisfaction:

The authors extend the conceptual work of Anderson and Oliver (1987) and Jaworski (1988) on control in three ways. First, they account for the independent effects of the reinforcement dimension of ...
Artificial Neural Network Based Wind Power Short Term Prediction System

Wind power prediction is important to the operation of power system with comparatively large amount of wind power.A summarization of the research status,basic principle and forecast methods of wind power prediction was presented in the paper.The system framework was designed.A wind power prediction system based on artificial neural network was established,and the system will soon be applied in the Jilin power grid dispatch center.The system relies on numerical weather prediction,has friendly man-machine interface,and realizes seamless connection to the energy management system(EMS).The results of the test data indicate that the prediction system is reliable and the root of mean square error(RMSE) is about 15%.The economic benefit of the forecasting system was also estimated.
P-LEACH: Energy efficient routing protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) are of paramount significance since they are responsible for maintaining the routes in the network, data forwarding, and ensuring reliable multi-hop communication. The main requirement of a wireless sensor network is to prolong network energy efficiency and lifetime. Researchers have developed protocols Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) and Power-Efficient Gathering in Sensor Information Systems (PEGASIS) for reducing energy consumption in the network. However, the existing routing protocols experience many shortcomings with respect to energy and power consumption. LEACH features the dynamicity but has limitations due to its cluster-based architecture, while PEGASIS overcomes the limitations of LEACH but lacks dynamicity. In this paper, we introduce PEGASIS-LEACH (P-LEACH), a near optimal cluster-based chain protocol that is an improvement over PEGASIS and LEACH both. This protocol uses an energy-efficient routing algorithm to transfer the data in WSN. To validate the energy effectiveness of P-LEACH, we simulate the performance using Network Simulator (NS2) and MATLAB.
Tranexamic acid in hip fracture patients: a protocol for a randomised, placebo controlled trial on the efficacy of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in hip fracture patients

Introduction There is a high incidence of blood transfusion following hip fractures in elderly patients. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has proven efficacy in decreasing blood loss in general trauma patients as well as patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. A randomised controlled trial will measure the effect of TXA in a population of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Methods This is a double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Patients admitted through the emergency room that are diagnosed with an intertrochanteric or femoral neck fracture will be eligible for enrolment and randomised to either treatment with 1 g of intravenous TXA or intravenous saline at the time of skin incision. Patients undergoing percutaneous intervention for non-displaced or minimally displaced femoral neck fractures will not be eligible for enrolment. Postoperative transfusion rates will be recorded and blood loss will be calculated from serial haematocrits. Ethics and dissemination This protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and is registered with clinicaltrials.gov. The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Trial registration number NCT01940536.
Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The light driven electrochemical reduction of CO 2 can be accomplished in a monolithic device composed of a semiconductor cathode coupled to anode forming a photoelectrochemical cell, or in a multiunit system in which a carbon dioxide electrolyzer is coupled to a photovoltaic array. The photoelectrochemical cell employs a semiconductor to absorb light energy, generate charge, and carryout the interfacial charge transfer leading to CO 2 reduction. As such, the semiconductor electrode has both optical and heterogeneous catalytic roles. In a solar driven electrolyzer system, metal electrodes are employed and thus, the electrode processes are limited electrocatalysis. In both systems, the impingent light energy must overcome both the positive ΔG rxn associated with the multielectron reduction of CO 2 , and the free energy of activation, ΔG ‡ . This latter quantity, when converted to an electrochemical potential is referred to as the reaction “overpotential”. The properties of semiconductor and metal cathodes are considered in light of the energetic and kinetic parameters noted here. Attention is directed toward semiconductor materials that exhibit cathodic properties under illumination (i.e. p-type semiconductors), along with the physics of semiconductor-electrolyte interfaces, and molecular species that can electrocatalyze CO 2 reduction to CO, formate, and methanol. Areas of limitation and chemical advances that will enhance the efficiency of CO 2 reduction are identified.
Reform of Planning and Economic Institutions in the Sixties

The revolution in economic thought described in Chapter 7, is only a prelude and accompanying motif to reform of the Soviet-type economy. If these insights are to have any effect on the functioning and performance of the economy, there must be some change in the institutions and procedures that affect decision making. The purpose of this chapter is to survey the changes that have taken place so far.
LARGE-SCALE HIGH-THROUGHPUT APPROACHES FOR OPTICAL IMAGING AND STIMULATION OF THE BRAIN

We investigate the kinematics of light sources using high-speed imaging techniques. We show that intriguing effects, such as temporal inversion, pair creation and annihilation, appear for sources moving at superluminal velocities.
Neuroimaging of Dystonia

The primary dystonias are movement disorders characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that produce abnormal postures of different parts of the body. Named for the body part affected, the common adult onset focal dystonias are blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, and focal hand dystonia. Their pathophysiology and even underlying anatomy remain largely unknown. Neuroimaging does not presently have a clinical role except to rule out secondary dystonias, in which dystonia is a result of defined central nervous system lesions. However, neuroimaging plays a role in trying to define where pathology might be, although till date, the findings have not been robust. In this chapter, we review studies using different imaging modalities, aiming to understand the structural and functional deficits the patients might have. Gray matter studies, based on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images and morphometric techniques, suggest the presence of structural changes in basal ganglia and sensorimotor cortices of dystonia patients. White matter integrity, measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and modeled using tractography methods, indicate deficits in different aspects of the cerebellar-thalamo-cortical and basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical pathways. Changes in blood flow, function, and metabolism, measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) also support widespread deficits within the basal ganglia and beyond. Involvement of the cerebral cortex, in particular sensorimotor, supplementary motor area, and parietal association areas, are consistent in all the primary dystonias. The cerebellum is also affected in all the dystonias discussed here.
Development and validation of a Weibull–Arrhenius model to predict thermal inactivation of black mustard (Brassica nigra) seeds under fluctuating temperature regimens

Soil solarisation uses solar heating for management of soilborne pests including weed seeds. Because soil temperatures under solarisation fluctuate diurnally, models predicting weed seed inactivation as a function of time and fluctuating temperatures are needed to provide accurate treatment guidelines. Inactivation times for Brassica nigra (black mustard) seeds in moist sand were determined at constant temperatures of 42, 46, 50, and 54 °C. Logistic and Weibull models predicting inactivation at each constant temperature were developed with nonlinear regression. The Weibull model was combined with the Arrhenius equation to incorporate temperature dependence, and nonlinear regression was repeated across temperatures to develop a combined Weibull–Arrhenius model. Four validation trials were conducted, using diurnally-fluctuating temperature regimens, to evaluate accuracy of the Weibull–Arrhenius model to predict inactivation with fluctuating temperatures. Seeds reached complete mortality by 3 h at 54 °C, 16 h at 50 °C, 72 h at 46 °C, and 240 h at 42 °C. At 42, 46 and 50 °C, logistic and Weibull models predicted similar times to mortality. Across temperatures, the Weibull shape parameter estimate was 1.03 at 95% CI, indicating sufficiency of first order models to describe B. nigra seed inactivation. The Weibull–Arrhenius model accurately predicted mortality under fluctuating diurnal temperatures, varying ( P
3D printing from MRI Data: Harnessing strengths and minimizing weaknesses

3D printing facilitates the creation of accurate physical models of patient-specific anatomy from medical imaging datasets. While the majority of models to date are created from computed tomography (CT) data, there is increasing interest in creating models from other datasets, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI, in particular, holds great potential for 3D printing, given its excellent tissue characterization and lack of ionizing radiation. There are, however, challenges to 3D printing from MRI data as well. Here we review the basics of 3D printing, explore the current strengths and weaknesses of printing from MRI data as they pertain to model accuracy, and discuss considerations in the design of MRI sequences for 3D printing. Finally, we explore the future of 3D printing and MRI, including creative applications and new materials. Level of Evidence: 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016.
Private Graph Intersection Protocol

A wide range of applications can benefit from storing and managing data as graph structures, and graph theory algorithms can be used to solve various computing problems. In this paper, we propose a secure two-party private graph intersection protocol against semi-honest servers. The protocol allows a server and a client, each holding a private graph, to jointly compute the intersection of their graphs. The protocol utilizes homomorphic encryptions and a private set intersection sub-protocol to prevent information leakage during the process. At the end of the protocol, the server learns the graph intersection, and the client learns the vertex intersection.
Staffing, Equipment, Monitoring Considerations for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Although the reasons for the recent growth in adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are multifactorial, much of the success may be attributed to the development of well-trained staff and the technological innovations in equipment and monitoring devices used during extracorporeal support. In this article, the authors discuss general educational formats for the ECMO bedside provider, staffing support models, and devices designed to best meet the needs of the patient while simultaneously ensuring the proper delivery of ECMO-related care.
The Distribution of Planetary Nebula Nuclei in the Log L-Log T Plane: Inferences from Theory

The expected distribution of planetary nebula nuclei (PNNs) on the log L-log T plane is calculated based upon modern stellar evolutionary theory, the initial mass function (IMF), and various assumptions concerning mass loss during post-main sequence evolution. The distribution is found to be insensitive to the assumed range of main-sequence progenitor mass, and to reasonable variations in the age and the star forming history of the galactic disk. Rather, the distribution is determined primarily by the heavy dependence of the evolution rate upon core mass, and secondarily upon the steepness of the IMF and other factors. The distribution is rather different than any found from observations, and probably reveals strong observational selection effects.
Flow field analysis of turbojet combustion chamber

The paper presents some results regarding the identification of a turbojet engine’s optimal combustion chamber geometry, characterized by small dimensions, with enhanced possibilities for air and fuel mixture circulation in the primary combustion zone in order to obtain good residence time in the flame tube, higher turbulence and optimal radial temperature distribution. Also, it deals with the identification of some solutions of the differential equation for reduced temperature under imposed initial conditions. Some models of combustion numerical computations have been applied, as presented by the specialized documentation, to establish the combustion rate and flame speed for laminar combustion. The geometry of a combustion chamber, with twenty-four injectors and size comparable to a real combustion chamber, has been created in order to obtain the speed and temperature flow field within the flame tube. The major conclusion of the current research is that the distribution of holes within the liner does not need to be symmetric, which means that they have to be positioned in such as a manner as to ensure a higher degree of turbulence in the combustion primary zone and a helical shape of stream lines in the proximity of the walls of the flame tube.
Lipophilic Efficiency as an Important Metric in Drug Design

Lipophilic efficiency (LipE) is an important metric that has been increasingly applied in drug discovery medicinal chemistry lead optimization programs. In this Perspective, using literature drug discovery examples, we discuss the concept of rigorously applying LipE to guide medicinal chemistry lead optimization toward drug candidates with potential for superior in vivo efficacy and safety, especially when guided by physiochemical property-based optimization (PPBO). Also highlighted are examples of small structural modifications such as addition of single atoms, small functional groups, and cyclization that produce large increases in LipE. Understanding the factors that may contribute to LipE changes through analysis of ligand–protein crystal structures and using structure-based drug design (SBDD) to increase LipE by design is also discussed. Herein we advocate for use of LipE analysis coupled with PPBO and SBDD as an efficient mechanism for drug design.
Third generation 3d watermarking: applied computational intelligence techniques

With the explosion of multimedia content and its ease of distribution over Internet, there is a need for copyright protection of digital content. Whether it is music albums swapped over peer to peer networks or video files uploaded over websites such as YouTube.com or 3D models such as Shrek, artists need to protect their ownership of content. 3D Watermarking provides a deterrent to piracy of 3D models by embedding a hidden piece of information in the original content. Watermarking algorithms have a basic requirement that the watermark should be imperceptible to avoid being detected and not cause visible distortion to the viewer. It is desired that the amount of watermark inserted at each location in the 3D model should be as high as possible to withstand intentional attacks and to allow insertion of multiple or redundant or biometric watermarks. Insertion of watermark at as many random locations in the 3D model as possible will make it extremely difficult for an attacker to find the watermark and then make substantial changes in the 3D model to remove or overwrite the watermark. However, inserting large amounts of information as watermark can cause distortion. The watermark should also be robust to withstand unintentional attacks. The design of watermarking algorithms involves a trade off between imperceptibility, amount of information inserted and robustness. The first generation of 3D watermarking techniques inserted low amount of watermark based on spatial geometry and have poor robustness. The second generation of algorithms explored use of multiresolution transform for watermark insertion to improve the robustness. This dissertation explores use of computational intelligence techniques to build third generation watermarking algorithms, that insert robust, high amount of watermark and go the extra mile in terms of hiding more information than the first and second generation techniques. The focus of this study is to optimize the energy of the watermark and intelligently selecting information pockets in 3D model for watermark insertion and at the same time still maintaining randomness in the process to avoid detection. Use of Fuzzy Logic, Genetic Algorithms, and Artificial Neural Networks are proposed and assessed.