cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INTRAPOPULATION DIFFERENTIATION IN ANNUAL PLANTS. III. THE CONTRASTING EFFECTS OF INTRA‐ AND INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION

The roles of intraspecific and interspecific competition in producing differentiation within populations of Veronica peregrina were studied in two populations under controlled, greenhouse conditions. In nature, each population spans an environmental gradient across the center and sides of a temporary, vernal pool in California. Individuals at the center are subjected to intense intraspecific competition produced by high densities (to 30 seedlings/cm2 ) generated by quasi-simultaneous germination (90% of seeds germinate in one week). Individuals at the periphery are subjected to interspecific competition with grasses, which shade out the Veronica 4-6 weeks after the onset of winter growth. I predicted that 1) when grown under immediate intraspecific competition in the greenhouse, offspring of plants from the central subpopulation (C) would perform better (i.e., grow larger and produce more seeds) than those from the periphery (P) and that 2) when grown under delayed interspecific competition provided by Agrostis tenuis and Lollium multiflorum, offspring of plants from the periphery would perform better than those from the center. Both predictions were confirmed. The center-periphery differences were pronounced and statistically significant in an undisturbed population (V-2), while in a population disturbed by yearly plowing (V-3), the differences tended to be consistent with those in V-2 but seldom significant. Distribution of variability tended to be positively skewed and/or leptokurtic in subpopulations grown under "foreign" competition (i.e., intraspecific for P plants and interspecific for C plants) but was normally distributed following exposure to "familiar" competition. Timing of competition affected many results. There were four additional significant differences between the central and peripheral subpopulations. 1) Germination rate: the faster rate in central plants can be advantageous under immediate intraspecific competition. The slower rate in peripheral plants can be advantageous under conditions of erratic and unpredictable soil moisture. 2) Response to nutrient competition: central plants were more sensitive to N-deficiency and peripheral plants were more sensitive to P-deficiency. 3) Allocation of biomass: central plants allocated a greater proportion of biomass to seeds, while peripheral plants allocated a greater proportion of biomass to leaves under all growing conditions. 4) Root elongation: at the seedling stage, central plants have longer roots, while at the adult stage, peripheral plants have longer roots (but not more root mass). Most components of this complex pattern of differentiation are interpretable in an adaptive context. Other results defy simple explanations and underline the importance of phenotypic plasticity, which was pronounced in the competition experiments.
Studies on the genus Archangium (Myxobacterales). II. The effect of temperature and carbohydrates on some physiological processes.

Myxobacterial species, Archangium gephyra and Archangium primigenium, were isolated from elm tree bark and soil in central Missouri. Pure cultures of these isolates were obtained by quick transfer ...
Crosstalk-managed multicore fiber transmission with the capacity beyond 1 Pbit/s

This paper reviews the recent progress in high-capacity optical transport system using crosstalk-managed space division multiplexing based on multi core fiber. The advantages and issues of the capacity scaling beyond 1 Pbit/s are discussed.
Introducing Alignment Based Risk Indices into the Highway Traffic Accident Analysis

A traffic accident analysis method based on the accident risk index according to the combination of alignment elements is developed and tested applying geographic information systems (GIS). This study is based on crash experience on curves of 4lane expressways in Korea from 1996 2000, and that finding relates only to curves. Impacts of alignment elements on traffic accidents have been identified by examining accidents that occurred under different alignment conditions and by investigating traffic accident risk indices (TARI). Traffic accident rates are estimated more reasonably by considering the interaction between alignment factors and the design consistency. Traffic accident risk indices and risk grades are suggested in the traffic accident data-based approach. Finally, estimating traffic accident rates, evaluating the level of risk and then visualizing information graphically by means of GIS are combined into one system called the risk rating system. This risk rating system is expected to play a major role in designing expressways and developing countermeasures for expressway sections susceptible to traffic accidents.
Population Growth and Mating Success of Indian Meal Moths and Almond Moths in the Presence of Synthetic Sex Pheromone

The mating frequency of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) and the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker) was population density dependent in the presence of synthetic sex pheromone. The pheromone substantially reduced population growth rates of these insects at low population densities.
Salubrinal reduces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and impulsive-like behavior in a rodent model of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of trauma related morbidity in the developed world. TBI has been shown to trigger secondary injury cascades including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. The link between secondary injury cascades and behavioral outcome following TBI is poorly understood warranting further investigation. Using our validated rodent blast TBI model, we examined the interaction of secondary injury cascades following single injury and how these interactions may contribute to impulsive-like behavior after a clinically relevant repetitive TBI paradigm. We targeted these secondary pathways acutely following single injury with the cellular stress modulator, salubrinal (SAL). We examined the neuroprotective effects of SAL administration on significantly reducing ER stress: janus-N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and C/EBP homology protein (CHOP), oxidative stress: superoxide and carbonyls, and neuroinflammation: nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB) activity, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, and pro-inflammatory cytokines at 24h post-TBI. We then used the more clinically relevant repeat injury paradigm and observed elevated NFκB and iNOS activity. These injury cascades were associated with impulsive-like behavior measured on the elevated plus maze. SAL administration attenuated secondary iNOS activity at 72h following repetitive TBI, and most importantly prevented impulsive-like behavior. Overall, these results suggest a link between secondary injury cascades and impulsive-like behavior that can be modulated by SAL administration.
Treatment of Talar Neck Fracture with Hollow Pressure Screw and Plate Stabilization

Objective To evaluate the effects of hollow pressure screw with plate stabilization in treatment of talar neck fracture.Methods From Mar.2007-Aug.2010,24 cases with talar neck fracture were treated by this method.There were 15 males and 9 females with an average age of 35.3 years(range,19-52).Results All cases were followed up 2-4 years(mean 2.7 years).The healing of first intension was achived in all acses.Fracture healing was achived in 23 cases except for 1 case.Complications such as infection,skin necrosis were not observed.According to Hawkings criterion,the excellent and good rate was 79.2%(excellent in 11 cases,good in 8 cases).Conclusion The hollow pressure screw with plate stabilization in treatment of talar neck fracture can provide strong fixation,botain anatomical reduction,enhance fracture healing and decrease complications.
Effects of Application Amount of Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizer on Physiological Characteristics and Grain Yield of Early Super Hybrid Rice Zhuliangyou 02

The effects of application amount of slow-re le ase nitrogen fertilizer were studied on the physiological characteristics and gr ain yield of Zhuliangyou 02,a widely-used early-cropping super hybrid rice va riety.The research was conducted with two cultivation modes,i.e.,the optimize d and conventional modes,and four nitrogen application levels of the slow-rele ase nitrogen fertilizer at the pure N rates of 0(N0),105(N1),142.5(N2) and 180 kg/hm2(N3),respectively.The results showed that the grain yields of all N rates under the optimized cultivation mode were higher than those of the conv entional cultivation mode,with the rate of 142.5 kg/hm2(N2) yielding highest at 8.05 t/hm2.However,under the conventional cultivation mode,the grain yi elds of different treatments increased with the N rates applied.Under both opti mized and conventional cultivation modes,the treatment of N3 with the N rate of 180 kg/hm2 had highest CAT activity,soluble sugar content and root activity in the whole growing period from full tillering to ripening stages among all tre atments of nitrogen application levels.Moreover,the treatment of N2(142.5 kg/ hm2) maintained a higher SOD activity and a lower MDA content in leaves from m ilky ripe to ripening stage,favorable for delaying senescence of functional lea ves in the late growth stage.
Children as helpers

In many societies, children take care of infants and supervise toddlers, while the mother works on crops, on food preparation, or supervises livestock (Weisner and Gallimore, 1977; Kramer, 2005a,b; Hrdy, 2009). In others, children are the main supervisors of the livestock, even at some cost to their growth (Sellen, 2000, p. 15). In a few, children do little more than play, but often in games related to subsistence and childcare (Briggs 1970; Draper and Cashdan, 1988). Sear and Mace (2008) report older children as effective helpers in five out of six “statistically adequate” studies. In much the same way as Hawkes et al. (1998) had suggested that the combination of the mother's and grandmother's productivity might allow the great fertility of humans compared to our nearest primate relatives, Kramer (2005a,b) and Kramer and Ellison (2010) point to the contributions of child helpers. Child helpers originally attracted the attention of evolutionary-minded anthropologists because of an obvious analogy to avian helpers at the nest (Turke, 1988), and as a context in which to look at consequences of kin selection. Such analogies can be useful provocations but are seldom exact models. As well as paying attention to current ideas, each of us needs to think anew about likely costs and benefits in the setting in which we are working. The varied circumstances of different populations will shape different costs and benefits for the mother, for the child helper, and for the recipients of help. My primary task in this chapter is to test whether Hadza children enhance the growth and survival of younger siblings, and the fertility of their mother. I set aside some obvious issues like help from cousins or uncles and aunts who are still children. Cousins may have their own young siblings, closer kin than our under-five-year-old subjects. The small and vulnerable children presumably gain from any help they can get, and Hrdy (2009, as well as Burkart et al ., 2009) and Hawkes (2014) draw attention to possible broad implications of selection on the ability of young children to enlist help from a variety of people. The mother also presumably gains from any help she can get, unless her fitness is reduced by her older children incurring serious costs from trying to help, as may be the case when child foraging is dangerous.
Material Challenges in Flexible OLED Displays

Material challenges in fabricating flexible OLED displays will be presented with specific focuses on transparent thin film barriers, novel light extraction techniques, and the design of multi-lay flexible transparent optical stacks. Article not available.
Information Services Today: An Introduction: edited by Sandra Hirsh, Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015

On one level, Information Services Today is an excellent textbook that provides an overview of a quickly changing, widely diverse, and increasingly complex discipline that could be used in any numb...
A novel sugar analog enhances sialic acid production and biotherapeutic sialylation in CHO cells

A desirable feature of many therapeutic glycoprotein production processes is to maximize the final sialic acid content. In this study, the effect of applying a novel chemical analog of the sialic acid precursor N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) on the sialic acid content of cellular proteins and a model recombinant glycoprotein, erythropoietin (EPO), was investigated in CHO-K1 cells. By introducing the 1,3,4-O-Bu3 ManNAc analog at 200-300 µM into cell culture media, the intracellular sialic acid content of EPO-expressing cells increased ∼8-fold over untreated controls while the level of cellular sialylated glycoconjugates increased significantly as well. For example, addition of 200-300 µM 1,3,4-O-Bu3 ManNAc resulted in >40% increase in final sialic acid content of recombinant EPO, while natural ManNAc at ∼100 times higher concentration of 20 mM produced a less profound change in EPO sialylation. Collectively, these results indicate that butyrate-derivatization of ManNAc improves the capacity of cells to incorporate exogenous ManNAc into the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway and thereby increase sialylation of recombinant EPO and other glycoproteins. This study establishes 1,3,4-O-Bu3 ManNAc as a novel chemical supplement to improve glycoprotein quality and sialylation levels at concentrations orders of magnitude lower than alternative approaches. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1899-1902. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Statistical analysis of undergraduate chemical engineering curricula of United States of America universities: Trends and observations

Abstract Chemical engineering (ChE) is a historically-relevant degree that is experiencing an emergence of diverse research and industrial trends. However, adapting to them is a challenge, because the overloaded nature of the ChE curriculum makes adding new courses, without removing older ones, difficult. The problem is further exacerbated by the need to justify any modifications to various university committees while satisfying accreditation organizations' criteria. With the ultimate goal of guiding and/or justifying potential curricular changes, this manuscript presents a thorough statistical analysis of the current state of the ChE curricula in the United States of America (USA). Specifically, publically-available undergraduate degree sheets are aggregated from the majority of established ChE departments in the USA, and subject-specific descriptive statistics are reported for core ChE courses. Among the significant findings are two different approaches to teaching Transport Phenomena , the rise of Bio , and the scarcity of traditional Statics and Strength of Materials and Process Safety courses. Ultimately, the results of this study are intended to be used by the other departments interested in improving their curriculum.
Current and novel anti-inflammatory drug targets for inhibition of cytokines and leucocyte recruitment in rheumatic diseases.

Objectives Many studies of disease state mechanisms reveal that unbridled inflammation is to blame for many of the symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). While therapies aimed at decreasing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines exist, some have failed clinically or have extensive adverse effects. The aim of this review is to discuss common drug targets for anti-inflammatory therapies as well as explore potential mechanisms of action for new therapies. Various studies done on novel mechanisms targeting pro-inflammatory cytokine release as well as leukocyte chemotaxis have been researched for discussion here. Both of these contribute to tissue injury and patient symptoms in inflammatory and autoimmune disease states. Key findings While many current drug targets suppress inflammation via the receptor, research aimed at identifying new compounds and signaling mechanisms is ongoing to identify new targets within pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, or specific immune cell types. Conclusions While glucocorticoids and monoclonal antibodies have shown to be efficacious, some patients have encountered mixed results. Biologic therapies also come with a high price tag Thus, novel compounds with new immune drug targets are ideal for patients whose therapies have not been successful.
More Than a Soundtrack: Music Between Text and Image in Environmental Art

Abstract : Music has rarely been the subject of analysis in environmental art forms, from film to post-apocalyptic fiction. This article seeks to fill that gap and shows how music functions between word and image, using three case studies: The Crossroads Project, a lecture-performance series on climate crisis; Trinity , a short documentary video on the history of nuclear testing; and Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Book of Joan , a dystopian novel with music at its core. In all three examples, music does not work as atmospheric background but rather as an active mediator in its own right. Entering the spaces between text or spoken word and image with unexpected material presence, it can help to open the audience toward greater urgency or inquiry about climate disruption; it can accumulate intensity as viewers watch and hear data on nuclear testing; it can even incite violence within a narrative, both thematically and in the text itself, as Sybille Kramer has noted in her work on performativity. Though activist art can easily become baldly manipulative, music can “expose” its hearers (to use Stacy Alaimo’s and Jean-Luc Nancy’s term) to planetary threats in a way that fosters critical, not just sentimental or fearful, response. Keywords : music; text; image; Anthropocene; climate; performativity. Resumo : A musica raramente tem sido objeto de analise nas formas de arte ambiental, do cinema a ficcao pos-apocaliptica. Este artigo procura preencher essa lacuna e mostrar como a musica atua entre palavra e imagem, a partir de tres estudos de caso: o Projeto Crossroads, uma serie de leituras performaticas sobre a crise climatica; Trinity , um video-documentario de curta duracao a respeito da historia dos testes nucleares; e The Book of Joan , de Lidia Yuknavitch, um romance distopico que tem por foco a musica. Nos tres casos, a musica nao funciona como pano de fundo para produzir uma determinada atmosfera, mas sim como um mediador ativo. Penetrando as fronteiras entre texto, ou palavra falada, e imagem com inesperada presenca material, a musica ajuda a provocar na audiencia maior senso de urgencia ou questionamento a respeito das alteracoes climaticas; pode acumular intensidade a medida que os espectadores assistem e ouvem dados sobre os testes nucleares; e pode ate mesmo incitar violencia em uma narrativa, tanto na tematica quanto no texto em si, como observou Sybille Kramer em seu trabalho sobre performatividade. Embora a arte ativista possa facilmente se tornar manipulativa, a musica pode “expor” seus ouvintes (para usar o termo de Stacy Alaimo e Jean-Luc Nancy) as ameacas planetarias de uma forma que promova uma reacao nao so sentimental ou timida, mas critica. Palavras-chave : musica; texto; imagem; Antropoceno; clima; performatividade.
Unraveling the origin of twin related domains and grain boundary evolution during grain boundary engineering

Abstract Grain boundary engineering of Fe-based austenitic stainless steels and other materials has been successful in producing a large increase in twin and twin related grain boundaries from a wide range of thermomechanical treatments. However, the exact mechanisms and effective grain boundary network descriptors to create the heavily twinned microstructures are yet to be fully understood. In this study, we provide insight into the grain boundary engineering process by examining sequential progression of the same spatial location of a twin related microstructure through thermomechanical processing. The results show that clusters of twin related grain boundaries called twin related domains form during primary recrystallization. The size of the twin related domains increases as the level of strain falls toward the critical strain for recrystallization. Growth of twin related domains during recrystallization results in the formation of twin boundaries behind the migrating grain boundary front. Formation of higher order twin boundaries occurs when two separate grain boundary fronts of the same twin related domain impinge upon each other. We also present relevant microstructural descriptors with emphasis on twin related domain statistics to recrystallization phenomena in grain boundary engineering materials.
Predicting correlation coefficients for Monte Carlo eigenvalue simulations with multitype branching process

Abstract This paper provides a prediction method of the generation-to-generation correlations as observed when solving large scale eigenvalue problems such as full core nuclear reactor simulations. Knowing the correlations enables correction of the variance underestimation that occurs when assuming that the active generations are independent. The Monte Carlo power iteration is cast in the Multitype Branching Process (MBP) framework by discretizing the neutron phase space which allows calculation of spatial and temporal moments. These moments can then provide auto-correlation coefficients between the generations of MBP and are shown to accurately predict the auto-correlation coefficients of the original Monte Carlo simulation. This prediction capability was demonstrated on the full core 2D PWR BEAVRS benchmark and compared successfully with variance estimates from independent simulations.
MicroRNA dysregulational synergistic network: Learning context-specific MicroRNA dysregulations in lung cancer subtypes

Recently, microRNAs were found to have potential as both diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancer, especially in identifying early-stage cancer. However, a miRNA biomarker derived from the standard normal v.s tumor differential expression analysis is not robust, as its functional interactions with messenger-RNA targets may change between different lung cancer subtypes. Furthermore, as evidence suggests miRNA dysregulations and synergistic regulations are important to understanding many cancer diseases, it is important to consider the changes in miRNA-target associations among different lung cancer subtypes. We proposed a pipeline to identify miRNA synergistic modules with high context-specific functional similarity by constructing the MicroRNA Dysregulational Synergistic Network (MDSN). Then, we incorporated the extracted miRNA modules as prior knowledge to a Sparse Group Lasso classifier for more relevant selection of microRNA biomarkers, thereby improving classification results. We applied the method to the TCGA Lung Adenocarcinoma dataset and found extracted miRNA modules from independent subtypes differential analyses to have high agreement with known miRNA family assignments. Cross-validation test also demonstrates clustering miRNAs by considering the dysregulation between miRNAs and its targets results in more accurate prediction of cancer stage.
Challenge of intravascular volume assessment in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract Introduction Retrospective data indicates that dehydration in acute ischemic stroke patients may be common, even though these patients frequently have elevated blood pressure. We sought to evaluate clinical and laboratory measures of intravascular volume status compared to more objective measures using ultrasound measurements of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Methods This was a prospective observation study of acute ischemic stroke patients in the emergency department. Patients with NIH stroke scale ≥4 within 12 h of symptom onset were included. A trained ultrasonographer performed bi-dimensional imaging of the IVC with passive respiration to determine the percent inspiratory collapse and maximum diameter. We defined low intravascular volume as >50% IVC collapse and a maximal diameter Results There were 42 patients, of whom 31 had confirmed acute ischemic stroke. The mean age was 65 ± 15 years, 52% were female, and 71% were hypertensive. The median NIH stroke scale score was 7 (IQR 5–15). Based on IVC ultrasound, low intravascular volume was present in 63% (95% CI 44–80%) of patients. A higher proportion of hypertensive patients had low intrasvascular volume (72% vs. 33%). There was poor correlation between IVC assessment of intrasvascular volume and blinded clinician assessment or laboratory markers of dehydration. Conclusion The majority of ED acute ischemic stroke patients in this sample were hypertensive and demonstrated low intravascular volume based on IVC ultrasound.
Microwave Observations and Modeling of O2 (1-delta(sub g)) and O3 Diurnal Variation in the Mesosphere

The first microwave measurements of an electronically excited molecular species in the Earth's atmosphere are presented. Local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) rotational line emission from mesospheric O2(1-del(sub g)) was observed at a frequency of 255.01794 GHz (lambda is approx. 1.2 mm), employing the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) millimeter facility at Kitt Peak, Arizona (32 N, 111 W). The pressure broadened line shapes of the O2(1-del(sub g)) spectra, which were obtained in January and April 1992 and in January and November 1993, are inverted to retrieve O2(1-del(sub g)) mixing profiles over the 50-70 km altitude region. The observed daytime abundances exceed ozone abundances in the lower mesosphere, which are separately retrieved with coincident O3 spectral line (249.7886 GHz) observations. The January and November 1993 observations are binned into 20-60 min time intervals to study O2(1-del(sub g)) diurnal behavior. Derived abundances of O2(1-del(sub g)) between 50 and 70 km for the four observation dates are 9%, 31%, 3%, and 26%, respectively, each +/- 10% higher than predicted, based on the simple photochemistry of lower mesospheric O2(1-del(sub g)). Modeled variation of [O2(1-del(sub g))] with time of day agrees with observed variation in that the observed difference between model and data abundances is constant throughout the daylight hours of each observation date. Model underprediction Of [02(lAg)] is consistent with similar model underprediction of mesospheric [O3]. A perturbation to the photochemical model that forces decreased ozone chemical loss brings brings both model [O3] and [O2(1-del(sub g))] into agreement with the observations. O2(1-del(sub g)) abundances derived from these 1.2 mm observations agree with [O2(1-del(sub g))] values derived from comparable SME observations of the 1.27 micrometers emission, with assumption of a 3880 sec O2(1-del(sub g)) radiative lifetime. The 6800 sec O2(1-del(sub g)) radiative lifetime proposed by Mlynczak and Nesbitt is ruled out by the similar comparison.
Financial implications of coding inaccuracies in patients undergoing elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abstract Objective Previous cost analyses have found small to negative margins between hospitalization cost and reimbursement for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Hospitals obtain reimbursement on the basis of Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) coding to distinguish patient encounters with or without major comorbidity or complication (MCC). This study's objective was to evaluate coding accuracy and its effect on hospital cost for patients undergoing EVAR. Methods A retrospective, single university hospital review of all elective, infrarenal EVARs performed from 2010 to 2015 was completed. Index procedure hospitalizations were reviewed for MS-DRG classification, comorbidities, complications, length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization cost. Patients' comorbidities and postoperative complications were tabulated to verify accuracy of MS-DRG classification. Misclassified patients were audited and reclassified as “standard” or “complex” on the basis of a corrected MS-DRG: standard for 238 (major cardiovascular procedure without MCC) and complex for 237 (major cardiovascular procedure with MCC). Results There were 104 EVARs identified, including 91 standard (original MS-DRG 238, n = 85; MS-DRG 254, n = 6) and 13 complex hospitalizations (original MS-DRG 237, n = 9; MS-DRG 238, n = 3; MS-DRG 253, n = 1). On review, 3% (n = 3) of the originally assigned MS-DRG 238 patients were undercoded while actually meeting MCC criteria for a 237 designation. Hospitalizations coded with MS-DRG 253 and 254 were considered billing errors because MS-DRG 237 and 238 are more appropriate and specific classifications as major cardiovascular procedures. Overall, there was a 9.6% miscoding rate (n = 10), representing a total lost billing opportunity of $587,799. Mean LOS for standard and complex hospitalizations was 3.0 ± 1.5 days vs 7.8 ± 6.0 days ( P P P Conclusions Our study reveals a large lost billing opportunity with miscoding of elective EVARs from 2010 to 2015, with errors in categorization of the procedure as well as miscoding of complexity. The revenue impact is potentially significant in this population, and additional reviews of coding practices should be considered.
High-throughput strategy to identify inhibitors of histone-binding domains.

Abstract Many epigenetic proteins recognize the posttranslational modification state of chromatin through their histone-binding domains and thereby recruit nuclear complexes to specific loci within the genome. A number of these domains have been implicated in cancer and other diseases through aberrant binding of chromatin; therefore, identifying small molecules that disrupt histone binding could be a powerful mechanism for disease therapy. We have developed a high-throughput assay for the detection of histone peptide–domain interactions utilizing AlphaScreen technology. Here, we describe how the assay can be first optimized and then performed for high-throughput screening of small molecule-binding inhibitors. We also describe strategies for biochemical validation of small molecules identified.
VISUALIZING THE PROCESS - A Graph-Based Approach to Enhancing System-User Knowledge Sharing

Our research is concerned with developing design guidelines aimed at improving the usability of enterprisewide information systems by employing collaborative problem solving as a model for user-system interaction. In this paper, we present our approach to addressing a critical design issue that we identified through our field research: namely, system-to-user communication involving components of a complex process flow. This approach uses a dynamic process graph and a set of related task links that are displayed alongside the traditional ERP task interfaces. We outline the collaborative framework and position our solution within it. This solution can benefit other application areas, especially those that involve protracted processes that are not familiar to
Factors and Cues Impacting User Information Selection and Processing Performance in Kiosk Touch Screen Interfaces

Designing kiosk touch screen interfaces challenges our basic knowledge of human-computer interaction. Touch screens are used by people of all ages and educational levels for a wide variety of applications. An empirical study on a kiosk touch screen design was conducted to test the cues and factors influencing user performance by examining design elements and principles from a designer’s perspective and implementing usability testing to investigate end user satisfaction. Using cue-summation theory and simplicity theory as theoretical frameworks, this paper presents the main factors and cues required in designing kiosk touch interfaces with the goal to test user performance and satisfaction.
A Quality Pre-processor for Biological Cell Images

We have developed a method to rapidly test the quality of a biological image, to identify appropriate segmentation methods that will render high quality segmentations for cells within that image. The key contribution is the development of a measure of the clarity of an individual biological cell within an image that can be quickly and directly used to select a segmentation method during a high content screening process. This method is based on the gradient of the pixel intensity field at cell edges and on the distribution of pixel intensities just inside cell edges. We have developed a technique to synthesize biological cell images with varying qualities to create standardized images for testing segmentation methods. Differences in quality indices reflect observed differences in resulting masks of the same cell imaged under a variety of conditions.
Biobehavioral Research Relating to Arteriosclerosis

The influence of behavioral processes on arteriosclerosis is evident in pathogenesis of the basic process, management of clinical manifestations, and prevention of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent progress in all these areas has come from interdisciplinary research in which the interactions between physiological and behavioral processes have been explored. Results of this collaboration have come to be known as biobehavioral science, an interdisciplinary science that includes basic, clinical, and epidemiologic research. Basic neurobiologic studies have indicated mechanisms whereby behavioral processes influence metabolic and hemodynamic processes. Principles of behavior analysis have revealed basic determinants of human behavior in reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. Developmental approaches toward behaviors related to cardiovascular disease have achieved some success in reducing incidence of addictive cigarette smoking in youngsters. Finally, comprehensive community programs for control of cardiovascular risk factors have been successful in reducing incidence of cardiovascular disease. Thus, the record shows that a substantial proportion of our recent progress in basic knowledge, prevention, and management of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been the result of progress in biobehavioral science.
Improving EEG Source Localization with a Novel Regularization: Spatiotemporal Graph Total Variation (STGTV) Method

Electroencephalography (EEG) source Iocalization aims at reconstructing the current density on the brain cortex from scalp EEG recordings. It of ten starts with a generative model that maps brain activity to the EEG recording, and then solves the inverse problem. Previously proposed method graph fractional-order total variation (gFOTV) is based on spatial regularization, and was shown superior to some other existing spatial-regularized methods in simulation tests. However, the gFOTV addresses inverse problem for one time point at a time. The resultant estimated times series of brain activity is a simple concatenation of reconstructions independently performed at each time instance, and risks spurious temporal discontinuity due to overfitting noise in EEG recordings. In addition, the performance is subject to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and small number of electrodes, which happens in realistic EEG recordings. To account for the generally continuous temporal variation in brain activity, but also allow for properly triggering abrupt changes, we propose a novel formulation that incorporates spatiotemporal regularization. Specifically, our method, called spatiotemporal graph total variation (STGTV) adopts graph fractional-order total variation (gFOTV) for spatial regularization and total variation (TV) for temporal regularization. The gFOTV encourages spatially smooth source distributions, and the temporal TV enhances temporal consistency in estimated activity maps. The introduction of implicit temporal coupling by temporal TV also helps with noise cancelation and enhances SNR. In a simulation study, the performance of the proposed method was compared against that from the gFOTV regularization alone. The results showed that the proposed STGTV method significantly improved gFOTV, with lower Iocalization errors and less spuriously discovered sources.
Renal function after treatment for childhood cancer: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort Study.

10048Background: We assessed renal function in a large, clinically assessed cohort of childhood cancer survivors. Methods: Creatinine and qualitative urine protein was measured in 2753 survivors (>...
Designing crystalline, flexible covalent metal–organic networks through controlled ligand deprotection

A strategy to generate crystalline coordination polymers with strong, covalent metal-linker bonds is presented. 1,6-Pyrenedi(2-ethylhexylmercaptopropionate) (1) is converted to 1,6-pyrenedithiolate (PDT) via a base-mediated deprotection allowing for rate control of the metal-linker self assembly. This leads to the formation of a single-crystalline, flexible 2D coordination polymer, [Cd(PDT)2][Cd(en)3] (3).
Exosomes derived from induced vascular progenitor cells promote angiogenesis in vitro and in an in vivo rat hindlimb ischemia model

The results of this work demonstrate exosomes as a novel physiological mechanism by which induced vascular progenitor cells exert their angiogenic effect. Moreover, angiogenic cargo of proteins and...
Prediction of Alfvén eigenmode energetic particle transport in ITER scenarios with a critical gradient model

A reduced 1D, local, critical-gradient model of energetic particle (EP) transport by Alfven eigenmodes (AEs)—the TGLF-EP+Alpha model—is applied to a much-studied ITER base case and variations with lower plasma current and lower current penetration. The TGLF-EP+Alpha model is a highly reduced and computationally inexpensive model of EP transport. Such a reduced critical-gradient model, while inapplicable to transport driven by strongly nonlinear or non-local abrupt events, is a valuable tool for scoping studies needed in scenario optimization for ITER and beyond. It relies on the assumption of critical-gradient AE transport with the critical EP density gradient determined by linear AE stability calculations in the TGLF gyro-Landau fluid code automated with the parallel-processed TGLF-EP wrapper. EP transport is treated with simultaneous drive of AEs by fusion-born alpha particles and fast ions born from a MeV neutral beam injection heating. The effect of simultaneous drive creates about 50% increased particle transport in both EP channels. High magnetic safety factor and low shear are generally destabilizing to AEs, but low shear tends to be more important. A tailored q-profile, steady-state-relevant scenario can reduce AE-induced EP redistribution by more than 25% over the ITER base case despite having half the total current.
Depletion of CD4 T cells provides therapeutic benefits in aged mice after ischemic stroke

Abstract T-lymphocytes have a multifaceted role in ischemic stroke, but the majority of studies have been conducted in young mice, which may limit the translational value of these findings. Previous studies have shown that aging results in T cell dysfunction, leading to enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP-10). This study assessed the role of T cells and pro-inflammatory factors on histologic and functional outcomes in an aged mouse model. Levels of IP-10 were measured in the brain and serum of young and aged male mice following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) or sham surgery. Additionally, IP-10 levels were evaluated in stroke patients. To directly determine the role of brain-infiltrating T cells after stroke, a separate cohort of aged male and female animals received either an anti-CD4 depletion antibody or IgG isotype control at 72 and 96 h following experimental stroke. Behavioral assessments were performed on day 7 post-MCAo. CD4 T cell depletion resulted in improved behavioral outcomes, despite the lack of differences in infarct size between the isotype control and anti-CD4 antibody treated stroke groups. Circulating IP-10 levels were increased in both humans and mice with age and stroke, and depletion of CD4 T cells led to a reduction in IFN-γ and IP-10 levels in mice. Since anti-CD4 treatment was administered three days after stroke onset, targeting this inflammatory pathway may be beneficial to aged stroke patients who present outside of the current time window for thrombolysis and thrombectomy.
Using predicted target state to inform transmit waveform selection in active sonar

Continuous-wave (CW) and frequency-modulated (FM) transmit pulses are commonly used in active sonar systems. CW pulses allow for measurement of target Doppler but have relatively poor range accuracy. In contrast, FM pulses are insensitive to Doppler but allow for improved range accuracy relative to CW. Active sonars often operate in clutter-dominated environments, where choosing a CW pulse for a high Doppler target provides better tracking capability, while an FM pulse is more effective for a low Doppler target. A challenge, however, is that the target Doppler not known before transmission. At present, the complementary strengths of CW and FM pulses can be exploited only by an operator who actively chooses between them, but requiring an operator to select the transmitted waveform on a ping-by-ping basis presents an unreasonable burden. In this talk, we describe the Predicted State-Based Selection (PSBS) algorithm, which uses an estimate of the target Doppler, derived from a state prediction produced by the tracking filter, to select the transmitted pulse. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance and behavior of the PSBS algorithm. Results show that PSBS improves target localization estimates by 7.7% on average relative to transmission of the same waveform for all pings.
Frequency of quorum sensing mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from different environments

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate the expression of multiple genes necessary for establishing and maintaining infection. lasR QS mutations have been shown to frequently arise in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections, however, there has been far less emphasis on determining whether QS system mutations arise across other environments. To test this, we utilized 852 publicly available sequenced P. aeruginosa genomes from the Pseudomonas International Consortium Database (IPCD) to study P. aeruginosa QS mutational signatures. We found that across all isolates, LasR is the most variable protein sequence compared to other QS proteins. In order to study isolates by source, we focused on a subset of 654 isolates collected from CF, wounds, and non-infection environmental isolates, where we could clearly identify their source. Using this sub-set analysis, we found that LasR mutations are not specific to CF lungs, but are common across all environments. We then used amino acid length as a proxy for observing loss of function in LasR proteins among the strains. We found that truncated LasR proteins are more abundant in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from human infection than the environment. Overall, our findings suggest that the evolution of lasR QS mutations in P. aeruginosa are common and not limited to infection environments.
Genetic variation and structure in natural and reintroduced populations of the endangered legume, Pyne’s ground plum (Astragalus bibullatus)

Rare species with limited geographic distributions and small census populations are particularly susceptible to genetic drift and inbreeding. Assessing genetic variation within and among populations of imperiled species is key to the development of effective conservation management strategies. Reintroduction programs may prove more successful in the long term if baseline genetic data are available to inform seed-source selection. In this study, we assessed genetic diversity in natural and reintroduced populations of Pyne’s ground plum (Astragalus bibullatus; Fabaceae), a plant species narrowly endemic to the limestone glades of Middle Tennessee, USA. Using seven nuclear microsatellite loci to survey six natural and three recently introduced populations, we found evidence for moderate diversity within and limited diversity among populations, with no evidence for inbreeding or recent bottlenecks. All three reintroduced populations exhibited effective number of alleles and mean expected and observed heterozygosities similar to those recovered for natural populations, indicating that the current reintroduction program has successfully captured the breadth of observed variation. One geographically disjunct natural population exhibited the greatest genetic divergence relative to all other populations and should be considered a primary target for future conservation management efforts. We outline suggestions for future demographic and genetic monitoring, and we emphasize the need for breeding system and pollination biology experiments to clarify factors limiting reproductive success in this narrowly endemic legume.
Full-Chip Thermal Map Estimation for Commercial Multi-Core CPUs with Generative Adversarial Learning**This work is supported in part by NSF grants under No. CCF-1816361, in part by NSF grant under No. CCF-2007135 and No. OISE-1854276.

In this paper, we propose a novel transient full-chip thermal map estimation method for multi-core commercial CPU based on the data-driven generative adversarial learning method. We treat the thermal modeling problem as an image-generation problem using the generative neural networks. In stead of using traditional functional unit powers as input, the new models are directly based on the measurable real-time high level chip utilizations and thermal sensor information of commercial chips without any assumption of additional physical sensors requirement. The resulting thermal map estimation method, called ThermGAN can provide tool-accurate full-chip transient thermal maps from the given performance monitor traces of commercial off-the-shelf multi-core processors. In our work, both generator and discriminator are composed of simple convolutional layers with Wasserstein distance as loss function. ThermGAN can provide the transient and real-time thermal map without using any historical data for training and inferences, which is contrast with a recent RNN-based thermal map estimation method in which historical data is needed. Experimental results show the trained model is very accurate in thermal estimation with an average RMSE of 0.47°C, namely, 0.63% of the full-scale error. Our data further show that the speed of the model is faster than 7.5ms per inference, which is two orders of magnitude faster than the traditional finite element based thermal analysis. Furthermore, the new method is ~4x more accurate than recently proposed LSTM-based thermal map estimation method and has faster inference speed. It also achieves ~2x accuracy with much less computational cost than a state-of-the-art pre-silicon based estimation method.