cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell adhesion on ligand gradient substrates: A thermodynamic study

Gradient distribution of bio-adhesive proteins can regulate multiple cellular processes, including adhesion, growth, and migration. The ability to control the cell function by changing the surface density of immobilized ligands has become increasingly important in design of implantable medical devices and tissue regenerating scaffolds. Recent techniques in fabrication of substrates with controlled surface properties allow the examination of cell sensitivity to a wide range of adhesion gradients. Understanding the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to these directional cues warrants a quantitative assessment of macroscopic cellular response to the surface gradients, supported by predictive theoretical models. This article presents a theoretical basis to examine the effect of ligand gradients on cellular adhesion, using an equilibrium thermodynamic model. The model facilitates a systematic investigation of the complex interplay of cell-substrate specific adhesions, non-specific repulsions, and membrane elasticity. This purely mechanistic model predicts a biphasic dependence between the extent of cell spreading and its position across the gradient substrate.
TEN ADAPTIVE STRATEGIES FOR FAMILY AND WORK BALANCE: ADVICE FROM SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES

Despite negative media images and social dynamics insensitive to the lives of many dual-career couples, research shows that these families are largely healthy and thriving. In this study, we investigated the adaptive strategies of middle-class, dual-earner couples (N = 47) with children that are successfully managing family and work. Guided by grounded-theory methodology, analysis of interview data revealed that these successful couples structured their lives around 10 major strategies: Valuing family, striving for partnership, deriving meaning from work, maintaining work boundaries, focusing and producing at work, taking pride in dual earning, prioritizing family fun, living simply, making decisions proactively, and valuing time. Each adaptive strategy is defined and illustrated through the participants' own words. Clinical applications for therapists working with dual-earner couples are offered.
YAP/TAZ Join the Play with β-catenin to Orchestrate Wnt Signaling

For the purpose of studying Wnt signaling, the intestinal epithelium has been the most relevant biological tissue for its differential topology expression of Wnt signaling: active in all crypt cells (helping in proliferation, stemness, regeneration, and tissue homeostasis) and inactive in the villi cells. Interestingly though, YAP/TAZ regulation through Wnt signaling has been more controversial and the subject of this review. Recent work shows that Wnt signaling inactivates the cytoplasmic pool of destruction complex through dissociating β-TrCP E3 ligase from the complex. Further, in addition to βcatenin, YAP and TAZ, two related proteins known for their roles in the Hippo signaling cascade, are two other pivotal regulators of cell proliferation and stemness during organ growth, regeneration, and tumorigenesis. The biological function of YAP/TAZ and β-catenin overlap to suggest that these factors are not completely independent of one another and may influence each other’s activities.
Early-in-life bladder inflammation alters U50,488H but not morphine-induced inhibition of visceromotor responses to urinary bladder distension

Previous research has suggested that early-in-life (EIL) exposure to bladder inflammation impairs the function of endogenous opioid inhibitory system(s) and may contribute to the development of chronic bladder pain. This study examined how acute adult and/or prior EIL exposure to bladder inflammation altered the inhibitory effects of systemic κ- and μ-opioid agonists on the visceromotor reflex (VMR) to urinary bladder distension (UBD). Female rats were exposed intravesically EIL (P14–P16) to either the inflammatory agent zymosan or anesthesia-alone, and then rechallenged as adults (12–17 weeks) with either anesthesia-alone or zymosan. The VMR to 60 mmHg UBD was measured after cumulative intravenous (i.v.) administration of 1 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg of either the κ-opioid agonist U50,488H or the μ-opioid agonist morphine. Morphine produced dose-dependent inhibition of the VMR to UBD in all groups, and U50,488H produced dose-dependent inhibition of the VMR to UBD in all but one group. Animals that received bladder inflammation both EIL and as adults showed significantly augmented VMRs to UBD (>100% baseline values) following 1 mg/kg of U50,488H and diminished inhibition of VMRs following 4 mg/kg of U50,488H when compared with other groups. In contrast, neither EIL nor adult bladder inflammation markedly altered the inhibition of the VMR to UBD produced by either 1 or 4 mg/kg of i.v. morphine. These data suggest EIL and adult exposure to bladder inflammation selectively decreases the inhibitory effects of κ-opioids and thereby may enhance bladder hypersensitivity in patients with painful bladder syndromes.
Factors affecting distance estimation in sporting activities

Skill in estimating distances is essential for professional athletes as well as many nonathletes. How this skill can be acquired was considered by the authors in an experimental study. Three factors (target size, target distance, and the use of instruments) were investigated using a factorial design with repeated measures. The instruments consisted of two portable range finders employing different principles: coincident image and stadiametric ranging. Both instruments are commercially available. Those were compared with the performance of the naked eye. Sixteen subjects each made 12 range estimates; subjects were not given performance feedback following trials.No significant differences were found between performances using either instrument or the unaided eye. Subjects, on the average, made more accurate estimates with the stadiametric instruments for both targets at both distances. The unaided eye was consistently least accurate. Subjects preferred the coincident image device over the stadiametric one. ...
Cortical brain structures segmentation using constrained optimization and intensity coupling

Brain image segmentation is one of the most important applications in medicine and also is one of the most challenging topics in the field of medical image processing. In general, most automatic segmentation methods consist of an energy function, a shape model, and an optimization strategy. Each plays an important role in the design of an accurate segmentation algorithm. Here we introduce a modified version of a coupled structure segmentation algorithm that is based on earlier paper. Specifically, we have 1) utilized a multiple atlas strategy to estimate a joint probability mass function of the location and tissue type information of the structures; 2) analyzed the relationship among the various structures to achieve more robust probability density function (pdf) estimation; 3) added a constraint to the optimization process to minimize intersection among the different structures; and 4) demonstrated the effectiveness of the method for the segmentation of certain brain structures.
SPECTRAL DENSITY OF A NON-LINEAR SINGLE-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM SYSTEM'S RESPONSE TO A WHITE-NOISE RANDOM EXCITATION: A UNIQUE CASE OF AN EXACT SOLUTION

Abstract A SDOF vibro-impact system with a one-sided rigid barrier is considered for the case of a perfectly elastic impact and stationary zero-mean Gaussian white-noise excitation. Special piece-wise-linear transformation of the system's state variables is applied, which effectively reduces the original problem to one without impacts. Moreover, for the special case, where position of the barrier coincides with that of the system's static equilibrium, the transformed equation of motion is found to be linear, implying Gaussian transition probability densities of the transformed state variables. Thus, the non-linear random vibration problem is reduced to one with “inertialess” non-linearity only. The above transformation is used to obtain an exact explicit expression for the response autocorrelation function, thus leading to quadrature expression for spectral density of the response.
Approximating the scattering by a material-filled 2-D trough in an infinite plane using the impedance boundary condition

An application of the impedance boundary condition to 2-D trough scatterers is described in which the approximate field solutions are obtained at a much reduced computational cost compared with more exact numerical approaches. The geometries investigated have appreciable subsurface interactions that must be accounted for in the surface impedance. After a brief canonical study of the coated circular cylinder, the filled 2-D trough in a ground plane (which can be used as a model for an antenna-cavity mount) is analyzed and compared with a more exact numerical approach. The results of a parametric study of this geometry demonstrate that excellent far-field agreement is obtained when the material and structure satisfy only the requirements for the traditional impedance boundary condition. This model is also shown to provide a very good simulation for 2-D troughs with slanted sidewalls which produce inhomogeneous equivalent surface impedance representations. >
Control-Oriented Modeling of Distributed Parameter Systems

In this paper the use of linear, time-invariant, distributed parameter systems (LTI-DPS) as models of physical processes is considered from a control viewpoint. Specifically, recent theoretical results obtained by the authors for the control-oriented modeling of LTI-DPS are concisely reviewed and then a series of applications is given in order to illustrate the practical ramifications of these results.
Seabed characterization on the New Jersey middle and outer shelf: correlatability and spatial variability of seafloor sediment properties

Abstract Nearly 100 collocated grab samples and in situ 65 kHz acoustic measurements were collected on the New Jersey middle and outer shelf within an area that had previously been mapped with multibeam backscatter and bathymetry data, and more recently with chirp seismic reflection profiling. Eighteen short cores were also collected and probed for resistivity-based porosity measurements. The combined data set provides a basis for empirically exploring the relationship among the remotely sensed data, such as backscatter and reflection coefficients, and directly measured seabed properties such as grain size distribution, velocity, attenuation and porosity. We also investigate the spatial variability of these properties through semi-variogram analysis to facilitate acoustic modeling of natural environmental variability. Grain size distributions on the New Jersey shelf are commonly multi-modal, leading us to separately characterize coarse % (>4 mm), fine % (
The Energies of Nuclear Reactions

It has been shown in previous papers that the nuclei of the radioactive atoms probably have equally spaced energy levels so that the energies of the rays emitted by the nucleus are equal to multiples of a constant q = 3·85 × 105 electron volts. Several light elements also appear to have nuclear levels with differences equal to q within the rather large limits of error. We should therefore expect the energies set free in nuclear reactions to be equal to multiples of q . The electronic energies of the light elements are small compared with q , so that the observed energies should be multiples of q . The energies of considerable number of nuclear reactions have been measured, but only a few with sufficient accuracy to show whether they are or are not equal to multiples of q . The energies of the 17 nuclear reactions given in a recent paper by Oliphant, Kempton, and Rutherford are given in Table I. The energies are in atomic weight units equal to 9·315 ×108 electron volts. Some of the values have been increased slightly since they were not quite accurately calculated from the energies in electron volts.
A pole placement approach to multivariable control of manipulators

An efficient approach for multivariable digital control of robotic manipulators, based on pole placement by state feedback, is presented as an improved approach to path control. Implementation of these approaches by both gain scheduling and online computation is discussed. An example of the computations for a three-link robot arm and computer simulation experiments are given. >
Evaluating the Impacts of “New” Performance Funding in Higher Education:

In 2007, Washington adopted the Student Achievement Initiative, a statewide performance accountability system designed to improve retention rates and degree productivity among community colleges. U...
Strategies Towards Chronic Disease Management via Medication Compliance

In the wake of the 21st century, healthcare systems around the globe are faced with an exponential rise in expenses, heavy utilization of services associated with a steep rise in aging population, and limited financial as well as human resources to manage the growing healthcare needs. Multiple studies in the past have noted the prevalence of chronic diseases in the aging population. Medicare’s high-risk patients with five or more chronic diseases account for approximately 78% of all health care spending - well over a trillion dollar per year and/or over two-thirds of Medicare’s annual spending. A large percentage of chronic diseases deteriorate to the point where a crisis is reached resulting in unnecessary long-term hospitalization at massive cost to the healthcare sector. A critical inference drawn from epidemiological data and past studies is that preventing occurrences of acute episodes holds the key to providing quality healthcare, reducing incidences of prolonged hospitalizations and resultant healthcare expenses. This research is a work-in-progress that seeks to explore innovative strategies towards promoting medication compliance among chronic patients. This paper discusses the need for medication compliance and the cost of noncompliance to the healthcare sector. Salient behavioral, organizational, and technical research issues, opportunities, and challenges associated with promoting medication compliance via communication, computing, and sensing technologies are discussed. Potential benefits and costs of deploying innovative IT based medication compliance are also presented.
On the abyssal circulation of the world ocean — II. An idealized model of the circulation pattern and amplitude in oceanic basins

Abstract Stationary planetary flow patterns driven by source sink distributions in an ocean on the rotating earth were developed in Part I. These theoretical results are now used to construct a highly idealized model of the general abyssal circulation of the world ocean. The model is based on the postulation of the existence of two concentrated sources of abyssal waters (one in the North Atlantic and another in the Weddell Sea) and on a uniformly distributed upward flux of water from the abyssal to the upper layers as part of the mechanism of the main oceanic thermocline. Order of magnitude calculations based on this model lead to a variety of estimates of the time in which the deep water is replaced (from every 200 to 1800 years). Comparison of leading terms in the dynamical equations and equation describing the flux divergence of a tracer shows that there is a large range of lateral eddy coefficient which will influence the distribution of the tracer but not affect the dynamically determined planetary flow patterns.
Nanoscale materials for probing the biological functions of the glycocalyx

Glycans are among the most intriguing carriers of biological information in living systems. The structures of glycans not only convey the cells' physiological state, but also regulate cellular communication and responses by engaging receptors on neighboring cells and in the extracellular matrix. The assembly of simple monosaccharide building blocks into linear or branched oligo- and polysaccharides gives rise to a large repertoire of diverse glycan structures. Despite their structural complexity, individual glycans rarely engage their protein partners with high affinity. Yet, glycans modulate biological processes with exquisite selectivity and specificity. To correctly evaluate glycan interactions and their biological consequences, one needs to look beyond individual glycan structures and consider the entirety of the cell-surface landscape. There, glycans are presented on protein scaffolds, or are linked directly to membrane lipids, forming a complex, hierarchically organized network with specialized functions, called the glycocalyx. Nanoscale glycomaterials, which can mimic the various components of the glycocalyx, have been instrumental in revealing how the presentation of glycans can influence their biological functions. In this review, we wish to highlight some recent developments in this area, while placing emphasis on the applications of glycomaterials providing new insights into the mechanisms through which glycans mediate cellular functions.
Getting personal: a review of sexual functioning, body image, and their impact on quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic relapsing disorder associated with distressing physical and psychological symptoms. Many patients with IBD have impaired quality of life. Sexual functioning and body image are rated high among concerns of patients with IBD and may impact quality of life. A better understanding of the roles of sexual functioning and body image in quality of life for patients with IBD is needed because improvement in quality of life is a primary therapeutic goal. The aim of this review was to summarize the current literature on sexual functioning and body image in patients with IBD, emphasizing their impact on quality of life. Methods An electronic search of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases. Key phrases included: "Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's disease/Inflammatory Bowel Disease and sexual function," and "Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's disease/Inflammatory Bowel Disease and body image." The search produced 1284 citations. We identified 56 studies, which were conducted from 1990 through April 2014, written in English, and included at least 10 adults with IBD. Conclusions Few studies have tested directly the association between quality of life and sexual functioning and body image among patients with IBD. Results preliminarily suggest a positive relationship between quality of life and sexual functioning and body image postoperatively among patients with IBD. Future studies comprised of patients who have not had surgery are necessary to better understand the relationship between sexual functioning, body image, and quality of life in patients with active and inactive IBD.
209 RENAL INSUFFICIENCY WITH GLOBAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS IN A PATIENT WITH HEPATITIS C AND CROHN'S DISEASE: AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION.

Crohn9s disease (CD) and hepatitis C (HC) are known to have systemic manifestations with renal involvement. Membranoproliferative and membranous glomerulonephritis are well described with HC. Nephrolithiasis and obstructive uropathy are associated with CD, but glomerulonephritis is rarely reported. We report the case of a 17-year-old African American female with HC and CD but renal pathology atypical of either disease. The patient, who was not an IV drug user, had been diagnosed with HC when a liver biopsy showed a modified histologic activity index of 2/18, stage 1/6. ALT was normal, and she was not treated. Seven months later, she presented with 15% weight loss, bloody diarrhea, abdominal and joint pain, erythema nodosum, large, fleshy perianal tags, and hypertension. On admission, laboratory tests showed an ESR of 94 mm/h, CRP of 16 mg/dL, WBC count of 30,000/mm3, Hgb of 7 g/dL, platelet count of 830,000/mm3, creatinine of 1.5 mg/dL, BUN of 15 mg/dL, and albumin of 1.8 g/dL. Her liver function tests were normal. Quantitative cryoglobulin testing, HIV ELISA, ANA, RF, p-ANCA, and c-ANCA were negative. ASCA was negative; anti-OmpC IgA was positive. Stool culture and C. difficile were negative. Urine protein:creatinine ratio was 0.98 (normal
Pressure behavior analysis of vertically fractured well in composite reservoir

The mathematic model of transient flow of finite conductivity vertically fractured well in composite reservoir with arbitrary shape is established and solved by Finite Element Method(FEM).And the well bore storage factor and the skin factor are introduced by Laplace transformation and Stethfest inversion.Taking the two-area and three-area composite reservoirs as an example,the pressure behavior curves are also drawn.By analysis,as for the existence of the fracture and composite areas,the pressure behavior curves have become more complicated.After the influences of well bore storage effect and skin effect have ended,the influence of fracture appeared.Then two or three radial flow periods can be observed,followed by the period of influence of boundary.The number of radial flow period is up to the number of composite area,and the value of horizontal derivative line is up to the mobility ratio.
Energy impact of cathode drying and solvent recovery during lithium-ion battery manufacturing

Abstract Successful deployment of electric vehicles requires maturity of the manufacturing process to reduce the cost of the lithium ion battery (LIB) pack. Drying the coated cathode layer and subsequent recovery of the solvent for recycle is a vital step in the lithium ion battery manufacturing plant and offers significant potential for cost reduction. A spreadsheet model of the drying and recovery of the solvent, is used to study the energy demand of this step and its contribution towards the cost of the battery pack. The base case scenario indicates that the drying and recovery process imposes an energy demand of ∼10 kWh per kg of the solvent n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), and is almost 45 times the heat needed to vaporize the NMP. For a plant producing 100 K battery packs per year for 10 kWh plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), the energy demand is ∼5900 kW and the process contributes $107 or 3.4% to the cost of the battery pack. The cost of drying and recovery is equivalent to $1.12 per kg of NMP recovered, saving $2.08 per kg in replacement purchase.
Fighting by Betta splendens: Effects on aggressive displaying by conspecifics

Siamese fighting fish displayed less frequently to mirror images while in water which two conspecifics had just fought in than while in fresh water. Increased acidity of water was noted after two fish had fought in it. The amount of displaying during successive pair encounters decreased, and consistent differences between individuals were found in display frequency.
Effect of Exosomes from Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Angiogenesis

The emergence of stem cell-based therapies has engendered a new area in ischemic cardiovascular disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also referred to as multipotent stem cells, have emerged as a promising cell source for regenerative medicine. Immune/inflammatory suppression and the paracrine mechanism of MSCs play a critical role in MSC-mediated therapeutic effects in tissue regeneration. Angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels are formed from pre-existing vessels, is a critical phenomenon that is activated during various stages of mammalian growth, development, and tissue repair. Here we discuss the role of MSCs in angiogenesis and its underlying mechanism, current knowledge on the transfer, spread, and modulation of angiogenic signals via exosomes, and a new perspective on the emerging role of exosomally circulated proteins and microRNAs on regulation of angiogenesis at the molecular level.
A Single-Center Experience Comparing Alemtuzumab, Fludarabine, and Melphalan Reduced-Intensity Conditioning with Myeloablative Busulfan, Cyclophosphamide, and Antithymocyte Globulin for Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Abstract Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimens are commonly used in transplantation for chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) but are associated with toxicity. Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens have lower toxicity but may fail to achieve stable donor chimerism. We report a comparison between 4 patients who received a RIC regimen consisting of alemtuzumab (1 mg/kg), fludarabine (150 mg/m2), and melphalan (140 mg/m2) and 14 patients who received a MAC regimen consisting of busulfan (area under the curve, 1800 to 2000 µMol/min twice daily × 4 days), cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg/day × 4), and antithymocyte globulin (15 mg/kg twice daily on days −2 and −1, then daily on days +1 and +2). Seventy-five percent (n = 3) of RIC patients developed mixed chimerism and needed either withdrawal of immune suppression (n = 1) or additional stem cell products (n = 2) to achieve stable donor chimerism. Ninety-two percent (n = 13) of patients in the MAC group maintained >95% donor chimerism. Complications included acute graft-versus-host disease (MAC 64%, RIC 0%), chronic graft-versus-host disease (MAC 28%, RIC 0%), sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (MAC 7%, RIC 0%), bacteremia (MAC 42%, RIC 0%), fungemia (MAC 14%, RIC 0%), viral disease (MAC 7%, RIC 25%), and death (MAC 21%, RIC 0%). A RIC regimen has lower toxicity but frequently requires interventions to maintain donor chimerism compared with a MAC regimen in CGD.
The War Years

In the summer of 1914, events were happening that quickly led to a general conflagration in Europe. On 28 June, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo. One month later Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. On 1 August, Germany declared war on Russia, France began mobilization, and Italy declared its neutrality. That same day Peano went to Paris to see for himself what the war situation was, taking a young relative with him. He found out soon enough, when Germany declared war on France on 3 August and invaded Belgium. On their return to Italy, Peano became separated from his companion (probably his nephew), who, because Peano had his passport, climbed to the top of a railway carriage in order to cross the border. Peano later congratulated him on having escaped, apparently undisturbed at having caused the problem.
Synthesizing algorithms with performance constraints

This paper describes MEDUSA, an experimental algorithm synthesizer. MEDUSA is characterized by its top-down approach, its use of cost-constraints, and its restricted number of synthesis methods. Given this model, we discuss heuristics used to keep this process from being unbounded search through the solution space. The results indicate that the performance criteria can be used effectively to help avoid combinatorial explosion. The system has synthesized a number of algorithms in its test domain (geometric intersection problems) without operator intervention.
Adenosine and Its Receptors Update: Influence on Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)

Abstract This chapter updates the data supporting the hypothesis that adenosine (Ado), a purine nucleoside, a breakdown product of ATP, and a potent vasodilator, is a metabolic regulator of cerebral blood flow (CBF). A metabolic regulator is a substance whose concentration reflects and is linked to cellular metabolism. Ado acts by means of four receptors with the primary vasoactive receptor being A2a. Acute ischemia, hypoxia, and increased metabolic demand (seizures and neuronal activation) all result in very rapid increases in brain Ado concentrations. Sustained hypotension, even within the autoregulatory range (70–140 mm Hg), also results in an increase in brain Ado levels. The primary source of Ado involved in CBF regulation appears to be astrocytes. Studies in vivo using a variety of receptor antagonists and agonist, as well as Ado knockout animals have established a causal relationship between Ado and CBF regulation. These data support the hypothesis that Ado is a metabolic regulator of CBF.
Rumen-protected arginine alters blood flow parameters and luteinizing hormone concentration in cyclic beef cows consuming toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue seed

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of rumen-protected arginine on median caudal artery blood flow and LH dynamics in cows fed toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue seed. Four ruminally cannulated nonlactating beef cows (539 ± 30 kg) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments utilizing a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 31 d each. Each cow was assigned to individual pens and fed orchardgrass hay (10.3% CP and 85% NDF; OM basis) during a 10-d adaptation period, followed by a 21-d collection period in which each cow was assigned 1 of 4 treatments: 1) rumen-protected Arg (180 mg/kg of BW) and 1.0 kg/d of toxic endophyte-infected fescue seed (AE+), 2) rumen-protected Arg (180 mg/kg of BW) and 1.0 kg/d of endophyte-free fescue seed (AE-), 3) 1.0 kg/d of toxic endophyte-infected fescue seed (E+) alone, or 4) 1.0 kg/d of endophyte-free fescue seed (E-) alone. In each period, Doppler ultrasound measurements for blood flow parameters were quantified on d 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20. On d 20 of each period, blood samples were collected every 10 min for 6 h and then once every hour for 12 h for LH response following exogenous GnRH. There was an Arg × fescue seed type interaction ( = 0.05) for median caudal artery blood flow due to an increase in blood flow in cows fed rumen-protected Arg with endophyte-free fescue seed. In addition, mean blood flow velocity in the artery was greater ( = 0.01) with the inclusion of rumen-protected Arg in the diet. Median caudal artery area ( = 0.03) and diameter ( = 0.01) were decreased in cows consuming E+ compared to those consuming E- with no effect ( ≥ 0.38) by Arg inclusion. Circulating nitric oxide (NO) concentrations tended to be influenced ( = 0.09) by the interaction of Arg × fescue seed type with E+ alone decreasing NO concentrations. Circulating NO concentrations were unaffected by rumen-protected Arg ( = 0.48). Mean serum LH concentration exhibited ( = 0.02) an Arg × fescue seed type interaction. Cows consuming E+ had decreased ( < 0.05) LH concentrations compared to all other treatments. However, cows consuming AE+ had ( ≥ 0.67) LH concentrations similar to those of cows consuming AE- and E-. Thus, supplementing rumen-protected Arg to cows consuming toxic endophyte-infected fescue seed has the potential to increase reproductive performance and peripheral blood flow.
Counting Integer Points in Higher-Dimensional Polytopes

We survey some computationally efficient formulas to estimate the number of integer or 0-1 points in polytopes. In many interesting cases, the formulas are asymptotically exact when the dimension of the polytopes grows. The polytopes are defined as the intersection of the non-negative orthant or the unit cube with an affine subspace, while the main ingredient of the formulas comes from solving a convex optimization problem on the polytope.
Race and Richard Wagner

The voluminous scholarship on the theoretical and musical-dramatic work of Richard Wagner remains divided on the question of the reach of his racism and anti-Semitism. All recognize these tenets in the theory; some find them present in the music dramas as well. Less recognized is how staging practices in Germany and the United States have tacitly taken different positions on the political potencies of the music dramas. In Germany, Wagner remains dangerous, a basic component of an internalized cultural memory and ideology that must be grappled with and “worked through” with every new encounter. In the United States, Wagner the theorist remains unacceptable, but the music dramas are considered largely immune from ideological infection and therefore “safe” for performance, even for children. Is Wagner safe or dangerous? Do we want Wagner to be safe or dangerous? My chapter addresses these questions with reference to several productions of the Ring of the Nibelung, including Guy Cassiers’s for La Scala and Berlin, 2010–13, in which I was involved as a dramaturg.
"The Common Ground On Which Students of Religion Meet": Methodology and Theory Within the IAHR

Only thanks to the guiding lights and the overwhelming majority of the members of the International Association for the History of Religions have the most recent world congresses of this body avoided slipping into congresses of religion after the model of the Parliament held in Chicago in 1893. If the history of religions is to preserve its spirit and further its autonomy, it must not only work out the peculiarities of its methods, it must also revive its religio-critical, or rather, its ideological function. - Kurt Rudolph The Need for Theories of Religion Apart from the meetings of the North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR), that coincide with both the American Academy of Religion's (AAR) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion's (SSSR) annual meetings, North American scholars have traditionally had few opportunities for meeting and discussing issues of theory and methodology with their colleagues in the wider field. Other than such sessions at the AAR's annual meetings for the History of the Study of Religion and Critical Theory 2 , there are few avenues for engaging in methodological critique and, perhaps more importantly, for developing and debating the merits of various theories of religion. Certainly there exist those well known publications on methods and theories rightly associated with the Chicago School in the History of Religions 3 , but they are generally limited to issues of description, interpretation, and understanding and remain completely devoid of efforts to develop explanations and theories of religion.
Improving variance estimation in Monte Carlo eigenvalue simulations

Abstract Monte Carlo (MC) methods have been widely used to solve eigenvalue problems in complex nuclear systems. Once a stationary fission source is obtained in MC simulations, the sample mean of many stationary cycles is calculated. Variance or standard deviation of the sample mean is needed to indicate the level of statistical uncertainty of the simulation and to understand the convergence of the sample mean. Current MC codes typically use sample variance to estimate the statistical uncertainty of the simulation and assume that the MC stationary cycles are independent. However, there is a correlation between these cycles, and estimators of the variance that ignore these correlations will systematically underestimate the variance. This paper discusses some statistical properties of the sample mean and the asymptotic variance and introduces two novel estimators based on (a) covariance-adjusted methods and (b) bootstrap methods to reduce the variance underestimation. For three test problems, it has been observed that both new methods can improve the estimation of the standard deviation of the sample mean by more than an order of magnitude. In addition, some interesting patterns were revealed for these estimates over the spatial regions, providing additional insights into MC simulations for nuclear systems. These new methodologies are based on post-processing the tally results and are therefore easy to implement and code agnostic.
Antibiotic-induced perturbations in microbial diversity during post-natal development alters amyloid pathology in an aged APP SWE /PS1 ΔE9 murine model of Alzheimer’s disease

Recent evidence suggests the commensal microbiome regulates host immunity and influences brain function; findings that have ramifications for neurodegenerative diseases. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we previously reported that perturbations in microbial diversity induced by life-long combinatorial antibiotic (ABX) selection pressure in the APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of amyloidosis is commensurate with reductions in amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque pathology and plaque-localised gliosis. Considering microbiota-host interactions, specifically during early post-natal development, are critical for immune- and neuro-development we now examine the impact of microbial community perturbations induced by acute ABX exposure exclusively during this period in APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. We show that early post-natal (P) ABX treatment (P14-P21) results in long-term alterations of gut microbial genera (predominantly Lachnospiraceae and S24-7) and reduction in brain Aβ deposition in aged APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice. These mice exhibit elevated levels of blood- and brain-resident Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells and display an alteration in the inflammatory milieu of the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Finally, we confirm that plaque-localised microglia and astrocytes are reduced in ABX-exposed mice. These findings suggest that ABX-induced microbial diversity perturbations during post-natal stages of development coincide with altered host immunity mechanisms and amyloidosis in a murine model of AD.
Implementing Strong Teens for Adolescent Girls in Residential Treatment: A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation

Adolescents in residential treatment centers (RTCs) often have a severe mental illness as well as significant deficits in their social competencies. Strong Teens is a social and emotional learning ...
PAI-1 is a novel component of the miR-17~92 signaling that regulates pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell phenotypes.

We have previously reported that miR-17~92 is critically involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We also identified two novel mR-17/20a direct targets, PDZ and LIM domain prote...
SETTLING OF CELL SUSPENSION DROPLETS

ABSTRACT The formation and sedimentation of droplets containing cells is a major problem in cell separation techniques such as centrifugation and zone electrophoresis. This paper develops a mathematical model for the settling velocity of droplets of liquids containing dispersed cells that sediment through a denser liquid. Both the cases of a single cell and multicell droplets have been considered. The results have shown that for certain values of the dimensionless density difference, the settling velocity increased with decreasing cell volume fraction, whereas for other values of density difference, the settling velocity passes through a minimum. The settling velocity curve passes through a minimum when the density difference between the cell and the globule liquid is more than two times the difference between the densities of the globule liquid and the supporting medium.
Multiwavelength Searches and Spectral Aspects of Unidentified High Energy Gamma-Ray Sources

More than half the sources in the Third EGRET (3EG) catalog are unidentified, having no firmly established counterparts at other wavelengths. Some of the EGRET unidentified sources have remained a mystery since the first surveys of the y-ray sky with the COS-B satellite. The unidentified sources generally have large error circles, and finding counterparts has often been a challenging job. A multiwavelength approach, using X-ray, optical, and radio data, is often needed to understand the nature of these sources. This technique has been used recently to find likely identifications for several EGRET sources, such as 3EG J1835+5918, 3EG J2227+6122, and the COS-B field 2CG 075+00, which overlaps with two EGRET sources 3EG J2016+3657 and 3EG J2021+3716. This article reviews multiwavelength studies of unidentified EGRET sources and their spectral energy distributions, using the above-mentioned sources as examples.
Smart implants in orthopedic surgery, improving patient outcomes: a review

Smart implants are implantable devices that provide not only therapeutic benefits but also have diagnostic capabilities. The integration of smart implants into daily clinical practice has the potential for massive cost savings to the health care system. Applications for smart orthopedic implants have been identified for knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, spine fusion, fracture fixation and others. To date, smart orthopedic implants have been used to measure physical parameters from inside the body, including pressure, force, strain, displacement, proximity and temperature. The measurement of physical stimuli is achieved through integration of application-specific technology with the implant. Data from smart implants have led to refinements in implant design, surgical technique and strategies for postoperative care and rehabilitation. In spite of decades of research, with very few exceptions, smart implants have not yet become a part of daily clinical practice. This is largely because integration of current sensor technology necessitates significant modification to the implants. While the technology underlying smart implants has matured significantly over the last several decades, there are still significant technical challenges that need to be overcome before smart implants become part of mainstream health care. Sensors for next-generation smart implants will be small, simple, robust and inexpensive and will necessitate little to no modification to existing implant designs. With rapidly advancing technology, the widespread implementation of smart implants is near. New sensor technology that minimizes modifications to existing implants is the key to enabling smart implants into daily clinical practice.
PENNER: Pattern-enhanced Nested Named Entity Recognition in Biomedical Literature

Many biomedical entity mentions contain other entity mentions nested inside. Most current named entity recognition (NER) systems deal with only flat entities and ignore such nested entities, which may introduce errors to subsequent tasks such as relation extraction and knowledge base completion. Recently, fully supervised methods are proposed for nested named entity recognition. Despite their success on benchmark datasets, supervised methods rely on human annotation and lead to highly specialized systems that cannot be easily adapted to new entity types. In this study, we propose PENNER, a novel and effective pattern-enhanced nested named entity recognition method that relies on massive corpora plus only very weak supervision. We compare PENNER with a state-of-the-art BioNER system, PubTator, and observe great improvement at recognizing genes, chemicals, diseases and species. PENNER can also accurately extract new types of entities, such as biological process and treatment, that are not annotated by PubTator.
Metaproteomics: Much More than Measuring Gene Expression in Microbial Communities

Metaproteomics is the large-scale identification and quantification of proteins from microbial communities and thus provides direct insight into the phenotypes of microorganisms on the molecular level. Initially, metaproteomics was mainly used to assess the "expressed" metabolism and physiology of microbial community members. However, recently developed metaproteomic tools allow quantification of per-species biomass to determine community structure, in situ carbon sources of community members, and the uptake of labeled substrates by community members. In this perspective, I provide a brief overview of the questions that we can currently address, as well as new metaproteomics-based approaches that we and others are developing to address even more questions in the study of microbial communities and plant and animal microbiota. I also highlight some areas and technologies where I anticipate developments and potentially major breakthroughs in the next 5 years and beyond.
Cloud-Based Materials and Product Realization—Fostering ICME Via Industry 4.0

Facilitating integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) in the digitized world necessitates facilitating a network of participants (material scientists, systems designers, software developers, service customers) to share material/product/manufacturing process/market data, information, knowledge, and resources instantly and collaborate so as to facilitate a cost-effective co-creation of value supporting open innovation. Industry 4.0, a transformative industrial revolution with its new product development paradigms like cloud-based design and cloud-based manufacturing, supports this need. In this paper, we present the architecture and functionalities of a cloud-based computational platform to facilitate mass collaboration and open innovation thereby supporting integrated material and product realization to institutionalize ICME in industry. We illustrate the efficacy of the proposed cloud-based platform using a hot rolling example problem to produce a steel rod. Using this example, we illustrate the utility of the cloud-based platform in seamless, yet controllable, information, knowledge, and resource sharing thereby supporting the integrated design of materials, products, and manufacturing processes.
A look at the burden of opioid management in primary care.

Purpose Pain management with opioids in primary care is challenging. The objective of this study was to identify the number of opioid-related tasks in our clinics and determine whether opioid-related tasks occur more often in a residency setting. Methods This was a retrospective observational review of an electronic health record (EHR) system to evaluate tasks related to the use of opioids and other controlled substances. Tasks are created in the EHR when patients call the clinic; the task-box system is a means of communication within the EHR. The study setting was 2 university-based family medicine clinics. Clinic 1 has faculty and resident providers in an urban area. Clinic 2 has only faculty providers in a suburban area. We reviewed all tasks recorded in November 2010. Results A total of 3193 patients were seen at the clinics. In addition, 1028 call-related tasks were created, 220 of which (21.4%) were opioid-related. More than half of the tasks were about chronic (ongoing) patient issues. More than one-third of the tasks required follow-up phone calls. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed more opioid-related tasks in the residency setting (Clinic 1) compared with the nonresidency setting (Clinic 2), (23.1% vs 16.7%; P Conclusions Primary care physicians prescribe significant amounts of opioids. Due to the nature of opioid use and abuse, a well-planned protocol customized to the practice or institution is required to streamline this process and decrease the number of unnecessary phone calls and follow-ups. Pain management with opioids in primary care is challenging, and many physicians find it unsatisfying and burdensome. More than 60 million patient visits for chronic pain occur annually in the United States, consuming large amounts of time and resources. Contributing to the challenge is the need to ensure patient safety and satisfaction, as well as staff satisfaction with pain management. Opioid-related death is a major cause of iatrogenic mortality in the United States: From 1999 to 2006, fatal opioid-involved intoxications more than tripled from 4000 to 13,800. At issue for many providers, as well as patients and staff, is dissatisfaction with current systems in place for managing chronic non-cancer pain with opioids. In developing this study, we decided to focus on the systems aspect of care with 2 primary outcome measures in mind. Specifically, we sought to identify the tasks related to managing opioids and other controlled substances in 2 primary care clinics in a university-based family medicine program and to determine what proportion of all routine tasks in these 2 clinics could be attributed to opioid-related issues. With our secondary outcome measures, we sought to compare the number of opioid-related tasks in the residency setting with those in a nonresidency setting, and to identify factors that might be associated with an increase in the number of opioid-related tasks.
The Client Assessment of Multicultural Competent Behavior (CAMCB): Development and Validation

The authors present the development and examination of the Client Assessment of Multicultural Competent Behavior (CAMCB) scores. The CAMCB was designed to measure therapists’ multicultural competen...
Is Your Design Clear, Concise, and Complete?

Terms related to software quality are described, including software quality, software assurance, software quality assurance, validation, and verification. Three software quality assurance (QA) methods and four software testing approaches are described. The three QA methods are formal review, informal review, and code/design walkthrough. The four testing approaches are unit, integration, systems, and acceptance.