cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Parkinson Drug Timing on Cardiovascular Response during Treadmill Exercise in a Person with Parkinson Disease and Freezing of Gait.

Purpose: To examine the response of cerebral oxygenation during treadmill walking in a person with Parkinson disease (PD) who experiences freezing of gait (FOG) and to determine whether the oxygen response was related to the timing of his PD medication. Client Description: A 61-year-old man with PD performed two bouts of treadmill testing on the same day, during the on- and off-phases of his PD medication. Measures and Outcome: The client experienced two FOG episodes during the first testing session (on-phase with hypokinetic movement session). Cerebral oxygen response (measured by near-infrared spectroscopy) was stable until the FOG episodes occurred, at which point it decreased until the FOG episode was over. No electrocardiogram (ECG) changes or lightheadedness were noted; blood pressure (BP) remained stable. During the second exercise testing session (off-phase with dyskinetic movement session), the client did not experience any FOG episodes, and his cerebral oxygen response remained stable. Toward the end of the second testing session, he experienced lightheadedness and a drop in BP of approximately 30 mmHg, along with significant ST segment depression on his ECG. Implications: Haemodynamic and cerebral oxygen changes occurred that were specific to the timing of the client's PD medication and to his FOG episodes. This case study shows a person with PD demonstrating decreased cerebral oxygenation during FOG, which may be based on his variable response to levodopa medication or may be attributable to as yet unidentified physiologic mechanisms.
Relational databases for SSC design and control

To respond to SSC (Superconducting Supercollider) data processing needs, a number of techniques, utilities, and libraries are being developed. They will allow efficient and well-managed transfer of data between the database and scientific data-collection, display, and analysis programs. They use a commercial relational database management system, Sybase, running on a Sun 2-280 dataserver, and a data discipline, SDS (self describing standard), which attaches format and context information to datasets wherever they are. Two applications are considered: management of, and access to, raw and analyzed test data from the magnet R&D laboratories and management and integrity control of the lattice design databases. >
Tumor Treatment Response Based on Visual and Quantitative Changes in Global Tumor Glycolysis Using PET-FDG Imaging. The Visual Response Score and the Change in Total Lesion Glycolysis.

Abstract “Functional” tumor treatment response parameters have been developed to measure treatment induced biochemical changes in the entire tumor mass, using positron emission tomography (PET) and [F-18] fludeoxyglucose (FDG). These new parameters are intended to measure global changes in tumor glycolysis. The response parameters are determined by comparing the pre- and posttreatment PET-FDG images either visually from the change in image appearance in the region of the tumor, or quantitatively based on features of the calibrated digital PET image. The visually assessed parameters are expressed as a visual response score (VRS), or visual response index (VRI), as the estimated percent response of the tumor. Visual Response Score (VRS) is recorded on a 5 point response scale (0–4): 0: no response or progression; 1: 1–33%; 2: >33%–66%; 3: >66%–99%; and 4: >99%, estimated response, respectively. The quantitative changes are expressed as total lesion glycolysis TLG or as the change in TLG during treatment, also called δTLG or Larson-Ginsberg Index (LGI), expressed as percent response. The volume of the lesion is determined from the PET-FDG images by an adaptive thresholding technique. This response index is computed as, δTLG (LGI) = {[(SUVave)1 * (Vol)1 – (SUVave)2 * (Vol)2]/[(SUVave)1 * (Vol)1]} * 100. Where “1” and “2” denote the pre- and posttreatment PET-FDG, scans respectively. Pre- and posttreatment PET-FDG scans were performed on a group of 41 locally advanced lung (2), rectal (17), esophageal (16) and gastric (6) cancers. These patients were treated before surgery with neoadjuvant chemo-radiation. Four experienced PET readers determined individual VRS and VRI blinded to each other as well as to the clinical history. Consensus VRS was obtained based on a discussion. The interobserver variability captured by intraclass correlation coefficient was 89.7%. In addition, reader reliability was assessed for the categorized VRS using Kendall's coefficient of concordance for ordinal data and was found to be equal to 85% This provided assurance that these response parameters were highly reproducible. The correlation of δTLG with % change in SUVave and % change in SUVmax, as widely used parameters of response, were 0.73 and 0.78 (P
Upper bounds on the Bayes-optimal procedure for ranking & selection with independent normal priors

We consider the Bayesian formulation of the ranking and selection problem, with an independent normal prior, independent samples, and a cost per sample. While a number of procedures have been developed for this problem in the literature, the gap between the best existing procedure and the Bayes-optimal one remains unknown, because computation of the Bayes-optimal procedure using existing methods requires solving a stochastic dynamic program whose dimension increases with the number of alternatives. In this paper, we give a tractable method for computing an upper bound on the value of the Bayes-optimal procedure, which uses a decomposition technique to break a high-dimensional dynamic program into a number of low-dimensional ones, avoiding the curse of dimensionality. This allows calculation of the optimality gap for any given problem setting, giving information about how much additional benefit we may obtain through further algorithmic development. We apply this technique to several problem settings, finding some in which the gap is small, and others in which it is large.
Subject Acquisition for Web-Based Surveys

This article provides a basic report about subject recruitment processes for Web-based surveys. Using data from our ongoing Internet Survey of American Opinion project, two different recruitment techniques (banner advertisement and subscription campaigns) are compared. This comparison, together with a typology of Web-based surveys, provides insight into the validity and generalizability of Internet survey data. The results from this analysis show that, although Internet survey respondents differ demographically from the American population, the relationships among variables are similar across recruitment methods and match those implied by substantive theory. Thus, our research documents the basic methodology of subject acquisition for Web-based surveys, which, as we argue in our conclusion, may soon become the survey interview mode of choice for social scientists.
Memory impairment in amnesia and dementia: implications for the use of animal models.

Cases of amnesia, in which there is a stable memory impairment with sparing of other cognitive functions, have taught us a great deal about the neuroanatomic basis of memory storage and retrieval; animal models of amnesia have provided even more precise information about the brain mechanisms responsible for specific aspects of memory functioning. Amnestic syndromes are rare, however, and constitute only a tiny fraction of the clinical cases in which memory is impaired. Dementia, particularly that due to Alzheimer's disease, is much more common but differs from the amnestic syndromes in three important ways: (1) a variety of cognitive functions including language and praxis are affected, (2) the condition is usually progressive with gradual loss of several neuronal populations, and (3) the etiology of dementia is not well understood at present but clinical data suggest some role for genetic, viral, vascular and toxic environmental factors. It is argued that animal models should give greater attention to these important features of the common clinical dementias.
The evolution of the photospheric network

A time-lapse sequence of spectroheliograms in the bandhead of CN at λ3883 reveals the following behavior of the photospheric network with time: (1) There is a steady flow of bright ‘points’ (≃ 1000 km in diameter) laterally outward from sunspots at speeds on the order of 1 km·sec−1. After traveling about 10 000 km from a sunspot they either conglomerate to form fragments of the photospheric network or disappear. (2) Spatial changes in the network pattern seem to take place by means of the shifting of network fragments laterally on the solar surface. Although most small-scale details are recognizable after 5–10 minutes, within 30 minutes nearly all the details have changed completely. In contrast to this, the large-scale network pattern seems relatively unchanged after 2 1/2 hours. (3) Occasionally ‘new’ network, not resulting from the lateral motion of bright features from either previously existing network or sunspots, appears on the solar surface. This process consists of the formation in approximately 10 minutes of bright points and a darker-than-average feature between them. The dark feature disappears in another 5–10 minutes and the bright points separate at a relative speed of a few km·sec−1. If the event is of a sufficiently large magnitude, a sunspot will appear.
Infectious complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: An automated surveillance system for detecting postprocedure bacteremia

We have developed an automated surveillance system to detect bloodstream infection (BSI) occurring after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We retrospectively applied this automated surveillance tool to all patients who underwent ERCP at out institution between July 2004 and April 2006 to determine the baseline rates of BSI after ERCP and identify the epidemiology of the pathogens. A total of 2052 ERCPs were performed during the study period; 46 BSIs occurred within 30 days after ERCP (overall rate of post-ERCP BSI, 2.24/100 procedures). The most commonly isolated organisms were Enterobacteriaceae (n = 18; 29%) and enterococci (n = 14; 22%). Because invasive procedures are performed in various outpatient and inpatient settings, novel methods are needed to conduct effective surveillance for infection.
Modernization of Physical Appearance and Solution Color Tests Using Quantitative Tristimulus Colorimetry: Advantages, Harmonization, and Validation Strategies

Color measurements, including physical appearance, are important yet often misunderstood and underappreciated aspects of a control strategy for drug substances and drug products. From a patient safety perspective, color can be an important control point for detecting contamination, impurities, and degradation products, with human visual acuity often more sensitive for colored impurities than instrumental techniques such as HPLC. Physical appearance tests and solution color tests can also serve an important role in ensuring that appropriate steps are taken such that clinical trials do not become unblinded when the active material is compared with another product or a placebo. Despite the importance of color tests, compendial visual tests are not harmonized across the major pharmacopoeias, which results in ambiguous specifications of little value, difficult communication of true sample color, and significant extra work required for global registration. Some pharmacopoeias have not yet recognized or adopted technical advances in the instrumental measurement of color and appearance, whereas others begin to acknowledge the advantage of instrumental colorimetry, yet leave implementation of the technology ambiguous. This commentary will highlight the above-mentioned inconsistencies, provide an avenue toward harmonization and modernization, and outline a scientifically sound approach for implementing quantitative technologies for improved measurement, communication, and control of color and appearance for both solutions and solids. Importantly, this manuscript, for the first time, outlines a color method validation approach that is consistent with the International Conference on Harmonization's guidance on the topic of method validation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 104:3299–3313, 2015
Reinforcement Learning to Play an Optimal Nash Equilibrium in Team Markov Games

Multiagent learning is a key problem in AI. In the presence of multiple Nash equilibria, even agents with non-conflicting interests may not be able to learn an optimal coordination policy. The problem is exaccerbated if the agents do not know the game and independently receive noisy payoffs. So, multiagent reinforfcement learning involves two interrelated problems: identifying the game and learning to play. In this paper, we present optimal adaptive learning, the first algorithm that converges to an optimal Nash equilibrium with probability 1 in any team Markov game. We provide a convergence proof, and show that the algorithm's parameters are easy to set to meet the convergence conditions.
Particulate air pollution and chronic ischemic heart disease in the eastern United States: a county level ecological study using satellite aerosol data

There are several known factors that cause ischemic heart disease. However, the part played by air pollution still remains something of a mystery. Recent attention has focused on the chronic effect of particulate matter on heart disease. Satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) was found to be correlated with PM 2.5 in the eastern US. The objective of this study was to examine if there is an association between aerosol air pollution as indicated by AOD and chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) in the eastern US. An ecological geographic study method was employed. Race and age standardized mortality rate (SMR) of CIHD was computed for each of the 2306 counties for the time period 2003–2004. A mean AOD raster grid for the same period was derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) aerosol data and the average AOD was calculated for each county. A bivariate Moran's I scatter plot, a map of local indicator of spatial association (LISA) clusters, and three regression models (ordinary least square, spatial lag, and spatial error) were used to analyze the relationship between AOD and CIHD SMR. The global Moran's I value is 0.2673 (p = 0.001), indicating an overall positive spatial correlation of CIHD SMR and AOD. The entire study area is dominated by spatial clusters of AOD against SMR (high AOD and high SMR in the east, and low AOD and low SMR in the west) (permutations = 999, p = 0.05). Of the three regression models, the spatial error model achieved the best fit (R2 = 0.28). The effect of AOD is positive and significant (beta = 0.7774, p = 0.01). Aerosol particle pollution has adverse effect on CIHD mortality risk in the eastern US. High risk of CIHD mortality was found in areas with elevated levels of outdoor aerosol air pollution as indicated by satellite derived AOD. The evidence of the association would support targeting of policy interventions on such areas to reduce air pollution levels. Remote sensing AOD data could be used as an alternative health-related indictor of air quality.
A variant of p22(phox), involved in generation of reactive oxygen species in the vessel wall, is associated with progression of coronary atherosclerosis

A series of pro-oxidant and antioxidant enzymes, such as the NADPH oxidase system, maintain the redox state in the vessel wall. A major component of NADPH oxidase is p22(phox), which is implicated in atherosclerosis. We prospectively studied the association of the histidine (H)(72)-->tyrosine (Y) mutation in p22(phox) with the severity and progression/regression of coronary artery disease (CAD), plasma lipid levels, clinical events, and response to treatment with fluvastatin in a well-characterized population. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion with RsaI enzyme in 368 subjects in the Lipoprotein and Coronary Atherosclerosis Study (LCAS). Fasting plasma lipids and quantitative coronary angiograms were obtained at baseline and 2.5 years after randomization to fluvastatin or placebo. Subjects with CC genotype (n=157) were identified by the presence of 396-bp and 113-bp products on gel electrophoresis. Those with TT (n=39) were identified by the presence of 316-bp, 113-bp, and 80-bp products, and those with CT (n=172) by the presence of 396-bp, 316-bp, 113-bp, and 80-bp products. Baseline and final plasma levels of lipids and the baseline severity of CAD were not significantly different among the genotypes. In the placebo group, subjects with the mutation had a 3- to 5-fold greater loss in mean minimum lumen diameter (MLD) (TT: -0.15+/-0.15; CT: -0.17+/-0.26; and CC: -0.03+/-0.22 mm; P=0. 006) and lesion-specific MLD (TT: -0.15+/-0.06; CT: -0.18+/-0.03; and CC: -0.06+/-0.03 mm; P=0.038) than those without. Progression was also more (TT: 8/17 [47%]; CT: 35/73 [48%]; and CC: 17/62 [27%]) and regression less (TT: 0/17 [0%]; CT: 1/73 [1%]; and CC: 11/72 [18%]) common in those with the mutation (P=0.002). The C(242)T mutation in p22(phox), involved in maintaining the redox state in the vessel wall, is associated with progression of coronary atherosclerosis in the LCAS population.
Tension Management in the Kinetochore

The kinetochore is the protein machine built at the centromere that integrates mechanical force and chemical energy from dynamic microtubules into directed chromosome motion. The kinetochore also provides a powerful signaling function that is able to alter the properties of the spindle checkpoint and initiate a signal transduction cascade that leads to inhibition of the anaphase promoting complex and cell cycle arrest. Together, the kinetochore accomplishes the feat of chromosome segregation with unparalleled accuracy. Errors in segregation lead to Down's syndrome, the most frequent inherited birth defect, pregnancy loss, and cancer. Over a century after the discovery of the kinetochore, an architectural map comprising greater than 100 proteins is emerging. Understanding the architecture and physical biology of the key components provides new insights into how this fascinating machine moves genomes.
4-Aminopyridine derivatives enhance impulse conduction in guinea-pig spinal cord following traumatic injury.

4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), a potassium channel blocker, is capable of restoring conduction in the injured spinal cord. However, the maximal tolerated level of 4-AP in humans is 100 times lower than the optimal dose in in vitro animal studies due to its substantially negative side effects. As an initial step toward the goal of identifying alternative potassium channel blockers with a similar ability of enhancing conduction and with fewer side effects, we have synthesized structurally distinct pyridine-based blockers. Using isolated guinea-pig spinal cord white matter and a double sucrose gap recording device, we have found three pyridine derivatives, N-(4-pyridyl)-methyl carbamate (100 μM), N-(4-pyridyl)-ethyl carbamate (100 μM), and N-(4-pyridyl)-tertbutyl (10 μM) can significantly enhance conduction in spinal cord white matter following stretch. Similar to 4-AP, the derivatives did not preferentially enhance conduction based on axonal caliber. Unlike 4-AP, the derivatives did not change the overall electrical responsiveness of axons to multiple stimuli, indicating the axons recruited by the derivatives conducted in a manner similar to healthy axons. These results demonstrate the ability of novel constructs to serve as an alternative to 4-AP for the purpose of reversing conduction deficits.
MUC16 Is Lost from the Uterodome (Pinopode) Surface of the Receptive Human Endometrium: In Vitro Evidence That MUC16 Is a Barrier to Trophoblast Adherence

In order for the preimplantation embryo to implant into the uterus, the trophoblast cells must initially adhere to the uterine epithelial surface. In preparation, the luminal secretory cells of the epithelium lose their nonadhesive character and their surface microvilli and bulge into the lumen, forming uterodomes (pinopodes; uterodome is used instead of pinopode, since in humans the surface membrane exocytoses rather than endocytoses (Murphy, Hum Reprod 2000; 15:2451–2454). Previous research has led to the hypothesis that loss of the nonadhesive membrane-spanning mucin MUC1 from the uterodome surface allows trophoblast adherence. Immunofluorescence microscopic assay of luminal epithelia on human uterine biopsies taken from LHþ 0t o LH þ13 show that another membrane-spanning mucin, MUC16, was lost from uterodome surfaces in all samples taken during the receptive phase, LHþ 6t o LH þ 8( n¼ 12), and that MUC1 was present on uterodomes in 4 of 12 samples and on all ciliated cells of the epithelium in the receptive phase. Short interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of MUC16 in a uterine epithelial cell line ECC-1 that, like uterine epithelium, expresses MUC16 and MUC1 allowed increased adherence of cells of a trophoblast cell line. In parallel experiments, siRNA knockdown of MUC1 did not affect trophoblast cell adherence. These data indicate that MUC16 is a membrane component of the nonreceptive luminal uterine surface, which prevents cell adhesion, and that its removal during uterodome formation facilitates adhesion of the trophoblast. female reproductive tract, implantation, trophoblast, uterus
Effect of an active abdominal pulse generator on defibrillation thresholds with a dual-coil, transvenous ICD lead system.

Introduction: Many patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have older lead systems, which are usually not replaced at the time of pulse generator replacement unless a malfunction is noted. Therefore, optimization of defibrillation with these lead systems is clinically important. The objective of this prospective study was to determine if an active abdominal pulse generator (Can) affects chronic defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) with a dual-coil, transvenous ICD lead system. Methods and Results: The study population consisted of 39 patients who presented for routine abdominal pulse generator replacement. Each patient underwent two assessments of DFT using a step-down protocol, with the order of testing randomized. The distal right ventricular (RV) coil was the anode for the first phase of the biphasic shocks. The proximal superior vena cava (SVC) coil was the cathode for the Lead Alone configuration (RV SVC). For the Active Can configuration, the SVC coil and Can were connected electrically as the cathode (RV SVC + Can). The Active Can configuration was associated with a significant decrease in shock impedance (39.5 ± 5.8 Ω vs. 50.0 ± 7.6 Ω, P < 0.01) and a significant increase in peak current (8.3 ± 2.6 A vs. 7.2 ± 2.4 A, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in DFT energy (9.0 ± 4.6 J vs. 9.8 ± 5.2 J) or leading edge voltage (319 ± 86 V vs. 315 ± 83 V). An adequate safety margin for defibrillation (≥10 J) was present in all patients with both shocking configurations. Conclusion: DFTs are similar with the Active Can and Lead Alone configurations when a dual-coil, transvenous lead is used with a left abdominal pulse generator. Since most commercially available ICDs are only available with an active can, our data support the use of an active can device with this lead system for patients who present for routine pulse generator replacement.
Droplet activation of wet particles: development of the Wet CCN approach

Abstract. Relationships between critical supersaturation required for activation and particle dry diameter have been the primary means for experimentally characterizing cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity; however, use of the dry diameter inherently limits the application to cases where the dry diameter can be used to accurately estimate solute volume. This study challenges the requirement and proposes a new experimental approach, Wet CCN, for studying CCN activity without the need for a drying step. The new approach directly measures the subsaturated portion of the Kohler curves. The experimental setup consists of a humidity-controlled differential mobility analyzer and a CCN counter; wet diameter equilibrated at known relative humidity is used to characterize CCN activity instead of the dry diameter. The experimental approach was validated against ammonium sulfate, glucose, and nonspherical ammonium oxalate monohydrate. Further, the approach was applied to a mixture of nonspherical iodine oxide particles. The Wet CCN approach successfully determined the hygroscopicity of nonspherical particles by collapsing them into spherical, deliquesced droplets. We further show that the Wet CCN approach offers unique insights into the physical and chemical impacts of the aqueous phase on CCN activity; a potential application is to investigate the impact of evaporation/co-condensation of water-soluble semivolatile species on CCN activity.
May I check your cap

Modernizing a classic technique to study microtubules has revealed that the stability of a microtubule is related to its growth rate.
Effect of Sulfurizing Agents on Speciation of Heavy Metals in Poultry Litter

The five step sequential extraction procedure developed by Tessier was used to investigate speciation of the heavy metal( Zn,Cu,Mn,and Cr) in poultry litter when sodium sulfide and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate were added during shake flask test. And the immobilization effects of sulfuring agents on heavy metals had been explored. From the results,it can be seen that with the addition of sulfurizing agents, contents of heavy metals with exchangeable and bound to carbonate speciation in poultry litter were decreased obviously.Preferable immobilization effect can be achieved when sulfuring agent dosage was 2 g / kg. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate have better immobilization effect on four heavy metals than sodium sulfide.When sodium diethyldithiocarbamate was added,contents of heavy metals with exchangeable and bound to carbonate speciation were still decreased evidently in slightly acidic condition. However,better immobilization effect of heavy metals can be obtained in neutral or alkaline environment when sodium sulfide was used as immobilizing agent. Analytical chemistry and structural chemistry analysis demonstrated that,when sodium sulfide was used as immobilizing agent,precipitation reaction may occur between sulfur ion( or its hydrolysis product) and heavy metal ions. Nevertheless,sodium diethyldithiocarbamate can immobilize heavy metals by the formation of stable four-membered ring chelates.
Analysis of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections after lung transplantation.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are important pathogens in lung transplant recipients. This study describes the spectrum of NTM respiratory tract infections and examines the association of NTM infections with lung transplant complications.Data from 208 recipients transplanted from November 1990 to November 2005 were analyzed. Follow-up data were available to November 2010. Lung infection was defined by bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, or blood cultures in the appropriate clinical setting. All identified NTM respiratory tract infections were tabulated. The cohort of patients with NTM lung infections (NTM+) were compared to the cohort without infection (NTM-). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine characteristics associated with NTM infection. Survival analyses for overall survival and development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) were also performed.In total, 52 isolates of NTM lung infection were identified in 30 patients. The isolates included Mycobacterium abscessus (46%), Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) (36%), Mycobacterium gordonae (9%), Mycobacterium chelonae (7%), and Mycobacterium fortuitum (2%), with multiple NTM isolates seen on 3 different occasions. The overall incidence was 14%, whereas cumulative incidences at 1, 3, and 5 years after lung transplantation were 11%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. Comparisons between the NTM+ and NTM- cohorts revealed that NTM+ patients were more likely to be African-American and have cytomegalovirus mismatch. Although no difference was seen in survival, the NTM+ cohort was more likely to develop BOS (80% vs. 58%, P = 0.02). NTM+ infection, however, was not independently associated with development of BOS by multivariate analysis.With nearly 20 years of follow-up, 14% of lung recipients develop NTM respiratory tract infections, with M. abscessus and MAC more commonly identified. M. gordonae was considered responsible for nearly 10% of NTM infections. Although survival of patients with NTM infections is similar, a striking difference in BOS rates is present in the NTM+ and NTM- groups.
Musculoskeletal infections in immunocompromised hosts.

SUMMARY Infection of the skeletal system in immunocompromised hosts is a legitimate concern. Indolent presentations and unusual pathogens are more common among impaired hosts. Delays in diagnosis may lead to joint destruction and disability. Accurate diagnosis requires specific requests for the microbiology laboratory to plate specimens onto fungal, mycobacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal culture medium. Effective treatment appears to require (1) open drainage or debridement of the affected site more frequently in immunocompromised patients than in normal hosts and (2) prolonged antimicrobial therapy.
Electron diffraction study of cobalt-rich Hf-Co

Abstract Intermetallic compounds having compositions from HfCo 4 to HfCo 8 were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. A major crystalline phase, closely related to the orthorhombic Zr 2 Co 11 phase in structure, has been observed in the samples with the composition ranges from HfCo 6 to HfCo 8 . The phase, referred to as either Hf 2 Co 11 or HfCo 7 phase in the literature, is actually one common phase, having a broad composition range and referred to as μ -phase in the present paper. In addition to the μ -phase, we have found coexisted fcc-Co phase and a minor Hf 2 Co 7 phase. The Hf 6 Co 23 phase has been identified in the HfCo 4 and HfCo 5 samples. Tilt-series electron diffraction revealed that the μ -phase is a one-dimensional incommensurate structure, which can be described approximately as B-centered orthorhombic with a = 0.47 nm, b = 0.82 nm, and c = 3.86 nm.
Abundance of Two Pelagibacter ubique Bacteriophage Genotypes along a Latitudinal Transect in the North and South Atlantic Oceans

This study characterizes viral and bacterial dynamics along a latitudinal transect in the Atlantic Ocean from approximately 10N to 40S. Overall viral abundance decreased with depth, on average there were 1.64 ± 0.71 x107 virus like particles (VLPs) in surface waters, decreasing to an average of 6.50 ± 2.26 x105 VLPs in Antarctic Bottom Water. This decrease was highly correlated to bacterial abundance. There are six major water masses in the Southern Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and inclusion of water mass, temperature and salinity variables explained a majority of the variation in total viral abundance. Recent discovery of phages infecting bacteria of the SAR11 clade of Alphaproteobacteria (i.e. pelagiphages) leads to intriguing questions about the roles they play in shaping epipelagic communities. Viral-size fraction DNA from epipelagic water was used to quantify the abundance of two pelagiphages, using pelagiphage-specific quantitative PCR primers and probes along the transect. We found that HTVC010P, a member of a podoviridae sub-family, was most abundant in surface waters. Copy numbers ranged from an average of 1.03 ± 2.38 x 105 copies ml-1 in surface waters, to 5.79 ± 2.86 x103 in the deep chlorophyll maximum. HTVC008M, a T4-like myovirus, was present in the deep chlorophyll maximum (5.42±2.8x103 copies ml-1 on average), although it was not as highly abundant as HTVC010P in surface waters (6.05±3.01x103 copies ml-1 on average). Interestingly, HTVC008M was only present at a few of the most southern stations, suggesting latitudinal biogeography of SAR11 phages.
Professionalism as proxy for business education: Considering Arts and Science majors pursuing business minors

With increased scrutiny over the value and promise of higher education, liberal arts degrees face criticism, in favor of professional degrees like business that position students for a linear career path to lucrative work. Research for this article is based on 20 interviews with college students majoring in Arts and Sciences, who completed a summer program to obtain a business minor. Our findings demonstrate that participants talk about the business minor as a key factor in ‘selling themselves’ to potential employers by (1) highlighting the discipline required to complete the program, (2) acting as a conversation starter with potential employees, and (3) emphasizing the broad applicability of a business minor. Implications demonstrate the power of professionalism to render specialized knowledge (like business knowledge) insignificant while offering an extension of Williams’ ideal-worker norm to young people.
The Classical Problems of the Calculus of Variations: Necessary Conditions and Sufficient Conditions; Convexity and Lower Semicontinuity

We are concerned here with classical Lagrange problems of the calculus of variations (see Section 1.1). Precisely, we are concerned with minima and maxima of the functional $$ I\left[ x \right] = \int_{{{{t}_{1}}}}^{{{{t}_{2}}}} {{{f}_{0}}(t,x(t),x'(t))dt,x(t) = ({{x}^{1}}, \ldots ,{{x}^{n}})} , $$ (2.1.1) with constraints and boundary conditions $$\left( {t,x\left( t \right)} \right) \in A,{\text{ t}} \in \left[ {{t_1},{t_2}} \right],{\text{ }}\left( {{t_1},x\left( {{t_1}} \right),{t_2},x\left( {{t_2}} \right)} \right) \in B$$ (2.1.2)
Neuroprotective genes activated in the liver in response to experimental stroke

Ischemic stroke causes brain infarction and neurological deficits. Along with these pathological changes, ischemic stroke also activates neuroprotective mechanisms that mitigate brain injury. It has long been recognized that the ischemic brain can upregulate neuroprotective genes to support neuronal survival. The present investigation demonstrated that, in addition to the ischemic brain, the liver was able to respond to ischemic stroke to upregulate genes encoding secreted neuroprotective proteins, including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), resistin-like molecule γ (RELMγ), and trefoil factor 3 (TFF3). These proteins access the ischemic brain via the circulation to protect ischemic neurons from injury. This report shows how these liver-derived neuroprotective genes were identified by transcriptomic analysis and neuroprotective protein screening.
Multi-porous quaternized chitosan/polystyrene microbeads for scalable, efficient heparin recovery

Abstract Heparin is a commercially valuable polysaccharide used as an anticoagulant for surgical procedures. However, it is difficult to isolate at high concentrations from the complex tissues from which it is derived. To address this problem, we fabricated novel porous polystyrene (PS) supported chitosan (CS)-coated microbeads by electrostatic assembly for the efficient, scalable, and selective recovery of heparin. These CS/PS microbeads were further reacted and quaternized using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride to improve their heparin adsorption efficiency at high pH values. Additionally, a tetrahydrofuran/n-heptane treatment was used to introduce multi-porosity throughout the quaternized-CS/PS microbead structure, increasing the functional surface area. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the effects of pre- and post-treatments on the bead surface morphology. The adsorption efficiency of the CS/PS microbeads vs. Amberlite FPA98 Cl resin, a commercially available adsorbent, was evaluated as a function of pH (4.1–9.2). Heparin adsorption was demonstrated to improve with both the introduction of a multi-porous bead structure and the quaternization of the CS/PS microbeads to provide a pH-independent cationic polyelectrolyte character. We also demonstrated that the CS/PS microbeads could be effectively regenerated using a saturated NaCl solution and used for repeated heparin recovery without significant adsorption capacity loss. Moreover, multi-porous quaternized-CS/PS microbeads selectively adsorbed heparin in the presence of bovine serum albumin at pH 9 by adding 0.5 M NaCl to screen electrostatics between the CS and proteins. In addition, microbeads selectively adsorbed heparin in a real sample, composed of a mixture of biological solution containing heparin isolated from porcine intestinal mucosa.
A Customizable, Low-Cost Perfusion System for Sustaining Tissue Constructs.

The fabrication of engineered vascularized tissues and organs requiring sustained, controlled perfusion has been facilitated by the development of several pump systems. Currently, researchers in th...
Devising Pest Management Tactics Based on Plant Defense Mechanisms, Theoretical and Practical Considerations

Among naturally occurring plant-insect systems, large-scale mortality or even severe damage to host plants is uncommon. Yet the innate reproductive capacities of the insect species involved are clearly sufficient to cause eruptive population growth. This implies that certain regulatory mechanisms are keeping the activities of insects and insect populations below the point at which plant reproduction is severely impaired. The most critical processes are those which intensify their effects as the insect population grows.
Angiographic Success and Procedural Complications in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions : A Weighted Meta-Analysis of 18,061 Patients From 65 Studies

Objectives This study sought to perform a weighted meta-analysis of the complication risk during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background The safety profile of CTO PCI has received limited study. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of 65 studies published between 2000 and 2011 reporting procedural complications of CTO PCI. Data on the frequency of death, emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, stroke, myocardial infarction, perforation, tamponade, stent thrombosis, major vascular or bleeding events, contrast nephropathy, and radiation skin injury were collected. Results A total of 65 studies with 18,061 patients and 18,941 target CTO vessels were included. Pooled estimates of outcomes were as follows: angiographic success 77% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74.3% to 79.6%); death 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1% to 0.3%); emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery 0.1% (95% CI: 0.0% to 0.2%); stroke Conclusions CTO PCI carries low risk for procedural complications despite high success rates.
Glomerulosclerosis and body growth are mediated by different portions of bovine growth hormone. Studies in transgenic mice.

BACKGROUND Mice transgenic for bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene have increased body weight and severe glomerulosclerosis leading to death in uremia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The aim of this study was to determine if body growth and glomerulosclerosis were mediated by different bGH regions. Amino acid substitutions in the bGH alpha-helix III were generated, and lines of transgenic mice that expressed these products were developed. Female transgenic mice carrying the native bGH gene (bGH mice), a mutated bGH gene that encodes a destabilized alpha-helix III (bGH-L121P, E126G; bGH-m11 mice), or a mutated bGH gene that encodes a perfect amphiphilic alpha-helix III (bGH-E117L, G119R, A122D; bGH-m8 mice) were examined at 2-3 months and 6-9 months of age. Body, kidney, and heart weights were measured. Urinary glucose, albumin, creatinine, and serum glucose were measured in all mice. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were measured in the 2-3 month group. Whole blood hemoglobin A1 was measured in some mice of the 6-9 month group. Kidney sections were examined by light and immunofluorescence microscopy. Glomerular volume was measured and related to body weight by allometry. RESULTS The bGH-m11 mice developed glomerulosclerosis indistinguishable from that seen in bGH transgenic mice, even though they had normal body size. Glomerular growth exceeded body growth by allometry in both bGH and bGH-m11 strains. bGH-m8 mice had glomeruli of appropriate size and normal histologic appearance; however, they were dwarfs. IGF-I was increased in bGH mice; they also had an increased albumin/creatinine ratio at 6-9 months. None of the mice were hyperglycemic. CONCLUSIONS These data indicated that development of glomerulosclerosis and body growth promotion were mediated by different regions of the growth hormone molecule. The glomerular response to bGH was unique and consisted of increased size and glomerulosclerosis.
Neuropeptide gene families in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Neuropeptides are short sequences of amino acids that function in all multicellular organisms to communicate information between cells. The first sequence of a neuropeptide was reported in 19701 and the number of identified neuropeptides remained relatively small until the 1990s when the DNA sequence of multiple genomes revealed treasure troves of information. By blasting away at the genome, gene families, the sizes of which were previously unknown, could now be determined. This information has led to an exponential increase in the number of putative neuropeptides and their respective gene families.
Racioethnic Identity as a Boundary Condition in the Similarity-Attraction Hypothesis

We examine the role of individuals’ identification with their racioethnicity as a boundary condition within the similarity-attraction hypothesis. Using a sample of Whites, we examine experimentally...
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Preserved to Mildly Reduced Systolic Function

Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been proven to be clearly beneficial for patients with heart failure, a prolonged QRS duration, and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%. Ejection fraction cutoff, however, is arbitrary and very likely excludes many patients who could benefit from cardiac resynchronization. This article describes the major detrimental effects of left bundle branch block and summarizes the data regarding the potential beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 35%.
Ensemble malware analysis for evaluating the integrity of mission critical devices poster: poster

The rapid evolution of technology in our sociality has brought great advantages, but at the same time it has increased the cybersecurity threats associated with a constantly expanded surface exposure. At the forefront of these threats is the proliferation of malware from traditional computing platforms to the rapidly expanding Internet-of-things. Our premise is that malware needs to be detected as soon as possible to prevent extensive consequence linked to the fulfillment of its malicious activity. Our proposed framework analyzes task structure features as well as the system calls and memory access patterns made by a process to determine its validity and integrity. The proposed scheme would use all three approaches applying an ensemble technique to detect malware.
Estimating the temperatures of possibly habitable extrasolar planets

A possible extension activity to a recently published exercise on using actual real data from the Kepler mission to identify “possibly habitable” exoplanets in the habitable zones of their stars that could be offered to students is, once they have been identified, to calculate average surface temperatures for these planets and see if they are indeed within the habitability range of temperatures, 273 K to 373 K, at which water can exist as liquid.
Pectus Excavatum Repair (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for pectus excavatum repair as performed by the following approaches: open and thoracoscopic. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as that found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: thoracic access and exploration, (optional) exposure and excision of malformed costal cartilages with wedge osteotomies, substernal dissection, passage of a tunneling device and pectus bar, flipping and securement of bar, and closure of incisions.
Deletion of the SAPS1 subunit of protein phosphatase 6 in mice increases radiosensitivity and impairs the cellular DNA damage response.

Abstract Cellular responses to DNA damage include activation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) through, among others, the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 (PP6). We previously showed that recognition of DNA-PKcs is mediated by the SAPS1 PP6 regulatory subunit. Here, we report and characterize a SAPS1 null mouse and investigate the effects of deletion on DNA damage signaling and repair. Strikingly, neither SAPS1-null animals nor cells derived from them show gross defects, unless subjected to DNA damage by radiation or chemical agents. The overall survival of SAPS1-null animals following whole body irradiation is significantly shortened as compared to wild-type mice, and the clonogenic survival of null cells subjected to ionizing radiation is reduced. The dephosphorylation of DNA damage/repair markers, such as γH2AX, p53 and Kap1, is diminished in SAPS1-null cells as compared to wild-type controls. Our results demonstrate that loss of SAPS1 confers sensitivity to DNA damage and confirms previously reported cellular phenotypes of SAPS1 knock-down in human glioma cells. The results support a role for PP6 regulatory subunit SAPS1 in DNA damage responses, and offer a novel target for sensitization to enhance current tumor therapies, with a potential for limited deleterious side effects.
Yogurt Acid Whey Utilization for Production of Baked Goods: Pancakes and Pizza Crust.

The increased production of Greek-style yogurt in the past decade has induced the need for the reintroduction of the nutrients of its byproduct, yogurt acid whey (YAW), into the food system to combat food waste and aid sustainability. However, the processing and treatment of acid whey, which can be environmentally damaging if disposed of incorrectly, can be costly and complex. Upscaling YAW as an ingredient in food products with minimal re-processing is a cost-effective way to bypass the need for further abatement. To span a broad spectrum of baked products (sweet and savory, biologically and chemically leavened, dairy or water based, oven or surface baked, batter or dough, etc.), pilot commercial pizza crust and pancake formulations incorporating acid whey as a functional ingredient were developed. Dimensions and physico-chemical properties of samples were measured at production and over shelf life at room temperature (23 °C). Consumer sensory testing (n = 120 and n = 108, respectively, Just About Right (JAR), nine-point hedonic, purchase intent, and demographics) were conducted for both products. All instrumental trials and analyses (°Brix, aw, color attributes, viscosity, dimension measurements, and texture analysis) were conducted in triplicate for statistical analysis. Cochran’s Q and post-hoc tests on sensory data showed that liking for at least one experimental YAW sample for each of the pizza and pancake formulations were on par with their respective commercial product, despite the reduction of buttermilk, salt and sugar from the YAW formulations. Adding sustainability claims brought the purchase intent on par with the controls. Replacement of water by weight of YAW was more appropriate than by water content of the YAW. Sourness was the main undesirable trait of YAW samples based on penalty analysis. The use of YAW improved the shelf life of baked goods based on their respective failure mechanisms (textural properties and mold growth). YAW is a suitable ingredient in the formulation of sustainable, healthy, safe, and commercially successful baked products that have a tolerance or can benefit from a sour flavor profile.