cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation and Coding for Linear Gaussian Channels

Shannon's determination of the capacity of the linear Gaussian channel has posed a magnificent challenge to succeeding generations of researchers. This paper surveys how this challenge has been met during the past half century. Orthogonal minimum-bandwidth modulation techniques and channel capacity are discussed. Binary coding techniques for low-signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) channels and nonbinary coding techniques for high-SNR channels are reviewed. Recent developments, which now allow capacity to be approached on any linear Gaussian channel, are surveyed. These new capacity-approaching techniques include turbo coding and decoding, multilevel coding, and combined coding/precoding for intersymbol-interference channels.
Effects of genetic line and supplemental dietary fat on lactation performance of Duroc and Landrace sows.

A total of 124 Duroc and 99 Landrace primiparous and multiparous sows were assigned, within breed and contemporary group, to control (N) or 10% added fat (F) diets on d 105 of gestation based on parity and genetic line (control or selected for improved sow productivity), to determine the effects of genetic line and fat addition to the lactation diet on sow and litter performance. Weekly feed intake was not affected (P greater than .10) by genetic line for Duroc and Landrace sows but feed intake was reduced (P = .08) during wk 1 to 4 for Duroc sows and during wk 1 and 4 for Landrace sows (P less than .05) when they were fed diet F compared with diet N. Select (S)-line Duroc and Landrace sows lost more weight during lactation (P less than .01) than did control (C)-line sows. Select-line Landrace sows lost more backfat during lactation (P less than .05) than did C-line sows. Landrace sows lost less weight during lactation (P less than .05) when fed diet F than when fed diet N. The total number of pigs born, born alive, and alive at 21 d and at weaning were higher (P less than .01) for S-line Duroc sows, and litter size at 21 d and at weaning was higher (P less than .01) for S-line Landrace sows than for C-line litters within each breed. Pig survival from birth to weaning was increased (P = .07) for Duroc sows fed diet F but not for Landrace sows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Clinical Phlebologic Evaluation

When a patient presents to the doctor’s office it is tempting to ignore the complaints and initiate a series of technologic investigations. However, a carefully taken history and physical examination are as important in the field of phlebology as in other medical areas. The findings will help one to understand the nature of the venous problem and to formulate a plan for further investigation and treatment.
Children Speak through Behavior

Children have two languages—a language of words which they often use with inadequate skill, or through which they most skillfullv may hide their real thoughts and needs; and a language of total behavior by which they unknowingly reveal needs, desires and feelings.
Race-based disparities in loss of functional independence after hysterectomy for uterine cancer

Racial disparities in uterine cancer-related outcomes have been reported. The goal of this study was to determine if race, pre-operative body mass index (BMI), and medical comorbidities are predictors of loss of functional independence after hysterectomy for uterine cancer. Loss of independence was defined as a change from pre-operative functional independence, to a post-operative requirement of discharge to a post-care facility, or death within the first 30 days following uterine cancer surgery. Demographic factors, comorbidities, BMI, intra-operative and post-operative outcomes, and discharge status were abstracted from the 2011 and 2012 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). Statistical analyses included multivariable logistic regression and Wald tests for interaction. A total of 4005 patients had uterine cancer and were functionally independent pre-operatively. After adjusting for clinical features and comorbidities, Black women were not significantly more likely to lose functional independence than non-Black women. However, a significant interaction (OR = 1.17, p 40 but not in non-Blacks. The interaction suggests a 17 % increased odds of losing independence for each unit of BMI difference for Black uterine cancer patients, or 170 % increased odds of losing independence for a 10-point increase in BMI, given a linear association. To reduce the likelihood of losing post-operative functional independence, Black, high-BMI patients with or at risk for uterine cancer may especially benefit from weight loss or interventions to optimize physical function.
Effect of Thermal Equilibration on Dark- and Photo-Conductivities in Undoped Amorphous Silicon-Germanium Alloys

We report the effect of thermal equilibration on the dark- and photo- conductivities of an un-doped a-Si,Ge:H,F with optical gap of 1.47 eV. Annealing at high temperature and subsequent quenching can freeze in the equilibrium configuration at the annealing temperature. The characteristic glass-like transition behavior of the conductivities was observed and used to estimate a freeze-in temperature of about 140°C. As the annealing temperature increases above the freeze-in temperature, the frozen-in dark- and photo- conductivities decrease, the photo- to dark- conductivity ratio increases, and the photoconductivity-generation rate exponent increases. These changes in conductivities are explained by a model calculation, which assumes that the quenching introduces new defect states to die lower energy flanks of the Gaussian defect distributions.
Characterization of How DNA Modifications Affect DNA Binding by C2H2 Zinc Finger Proteins

Much is known about vertebrate DNA methylation and oxidation; however, much less is known about how modified cytosine residues within particular sequences are recognized. Among the known methylated DNA-binding domains, the Cys2-His2 zinc finger (ZnF) protein superfamily is the largest with hundreds of members, each containing tandem ZnFs ranging from 3 to >30 fingers. We have begun to biochemically and structurally characterize these ZnFs not only on their sequence specificity but also on their sensitivity to various DNA modifications. Rather than following published methods of refolding insoluble ZnF arrays, we have expressed and purified soluble forms of ZnFs, ranging in size from a tandem array of two to six ZnFs, from seven different proteins. We also describe a fluorescence polarization assay to measure ZnFs affinity with oligonucleotides containing various modifications and our approaches for cocrystallization of ZnFs with oligonucleotides.
Stresses and Strains in Thick Perforated Orthotropic Plates

AbstractStress and strain concentrations and in-plane and out-of-plane stress constraint factors associated with a circular hole in thick, loaded orthotropic composite plates are determined by three-dimensional finite element method. The plate has essentially infinite in-plane geometry but finite thickness. Results for Sitka spruce wood are emphasized, although some for carbon-epoxy composites are included. While some results are similar to those for isotropy, there are significant consequences due to material orthotropy. Maximum stress and strain concentration factors occur at midplane for thin plates but closer to the external traction-free surfaces for thick plates. These factors decrease as the plate surface is approached and reach lower values unrepresentative of the maximum values. Differences between the midplane and/or maximum and surface stress or strain concentration factors in Sitka spruce, range from 8% if the wood grain is parallel to the vertically applied load to 15% when the grain is perpe...
CRT-800.34 Prevalence and Predictors of Sleep Apnea in Contemporary Patients Referred for Aortic Valve Replacement: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample Database

Sleep Apnea (SA) has been noted to be prevalent in patients with valvular heart disorders including aortic stenosis. We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of sleep apnea (both obstructive-OSA and central-CSA) in a national sample of patients admitted for aortic valve replacement-both surgical (
Doublemindedness: A model for a dual content cognitive architecture

The outstanding stumbling blocks to any reductive account of phenomenal consciousness remain the subjectivity of phenomenal properties and cognitive and epistemic gaps that plague the relationship between physical and phenomenal properties. I suggest that a deflationary interpretation of both is available to defenders of selfrepresentational accounts.
On the Unimportance of Theistic Belief

We first argue that there are cases of “blameless non-belief.” That is, some people—through no fault of their own—fail to enter into a conscious relationship with God. But if so, then it would be unjust of God to make certain particular goods (e.g., one’s salvation, the possibility of an ethical or a meaningful life, or entrance into heaven) depend upon one having a conscious relationship with God. So, given that God is just, then despite what some theists believe, a relationship with God (even assuming that God exists) cannot be a necessary condition for the attainment of these goods; there might, e.g., be atheists in heaven, even assuming that theism is true. This implies that religion is a far less important component of people’s lives than many might think.
Studies in the Cnemeplatiini I: A New Subtribe and Revision of the Genus Alaudes Horn (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae: Cnemeplatiini), with Descriptions of New Species from the Southwestern USA and Mexico, Including Notes on Distribution and Biology

The genus Alaudes Horn is revised and placed in a new subtribe, Alaudina. The genus includes A. singularis Horn, A. setigera Blaisdell, A. alternata Fall, and the following new species: A. mojavensis Aalbu, Caterino, and Smith (Mojave Desert: California and Arizona), A. coloradoensis Aalbu, Caterino, and Smith (Colorado Desert, California), A. moenkopii Aalbu, Caterino, and Smith (Colorado Plateau, northern Arizona and southern Utah), A. californicus Aalbu, Caterino, and Smith (Central Valley, California), and A. vizcainensis Aalbu, Caterino, and Smith (Vizcaino Desert: Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico). Alaudes fallax Fall, A. testacea Blaisdell, and A. squamosa Blaisdell are placed as new synonyms of A. singularis Horn. The subtribe Alaudina is described and diagnosed. A key is provided to the known Alaudes species. The biology of the genus is discussed, including host preference, immatures, life expectancy, and habitat diversity. All Alaudes species are associated with various species of ants (Formicidae), and some degree of colony integration is indicated by their possession of trichomes. The species span a range of habitats from extreme deserts to midelevation mesic montane forests. The immature stages are not known.
Active Interventions in Brief Therapy and Control Mastery Theory

Control Mastery Theory (Engel & Ferguson, 1990; Weiss & Sampson, 1986) is a recent modification of more traditional psychoanalytic thinking. There are a number of technical and theoretical ways in which the Control Mastery model differs from classical Freudian thinking. Three important features of the Control Mastery model are particularly relevant to this case. First is the idea that people do not just act in their own self-interest but often act in ways that are prosocial and altruistic, some-times doing harm to themselves, in an attempt to deal with guilt over what Engel and Ferguson (1990) called “imaginary crimes.” Second is the idea that patients have an unconscious “plan” regarding what they need to grow and deal with their problems. Therapeutic interventions will be useful if they are “proplan” and will be ineffective or even counterproductive if they run counter to the patient’s plan. Third is the idea of “passing the test,” the notion that patients will create situations in therapy to see if the therapist will retraumatize them or will instead provide a safe and salutary response different from that which they experienced earlier in their lives.
Sublobular Distribution of Cytochromes in Cold-Stored Rat Liver

Many organs awaiting transplant are stored at hypothermic temperatures either by flushing and cold storing on ice or by perfusing at low temperature. We report here on successful studies that optically monitor cytochrome and NADH oxidation/reduction changes in both cold-stored and cold-perfused rat liver. High-resolution reflectance-difference and fluorescence images provide information on the distribution of cytochromes and NADH, respectively, between pericentral and periportal regions. A comparison is made of the responses of mitochondrial cytochromes a and cin coupled and uncoupled (dinitrophenol) cold-stored liver to transitions in oxygen delivery.
Bayesian Inference of Financial Models Using MCMC Algorithms

After using the Monty Hall problem to explain Bayes’ rule, we introduce Gibbs sampler and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms. The marginal posterior probability densities obtained by the MCMC algorithms are compared to the exact marginal posterior densities. We present two financial applications of MCMC algorithms: the CKLS model of the Japanese uncollaterized call rate and the Gaussian copula model of S&P500 and FTSE100.
Spatio-temporal Databases in Urban Transportation.

In this paper we describe applications, research issues, and approaches related to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). More specifically, we focus on spatio-temporal databases in urban transportation. We address the issues of trip planning and navigation, abstraction of concepts from spatio-temporal sensor data, mobile peer-to-peer data management, and social networks and crowd-sourcing. These issues are strongly related to ITS efforts currently undertaken throughout the world, particularly the IntelliDrive initiative of the US Department of Transportation.
Stress state-dependent mechanics of additively manufactured 304L stainless steel: Part 2 – Characterization and modeling of macroscopic plasticity behavior

Abstract A model that describes macroscopic plasticity behavior of additively manufactured 304L stainless steel, in terms of its stress state-dependent microstructural austenite-to-α’ martensite phase transformation is developed. Specifically, a stress state-, texture-, and chemistry-dependent strain-induced martensitic transformation kinetics equation was coupled to an isotropic hardening law in order to explicitly link the macroscopic strain hardening behavior in this material to its microstructural evolution. The plasticity model was implemented into a finite element code, calibrated using experimental data under uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, pure shear, and validated using experimental data under combined tension and shear loading. The simulated results were in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data for all stress states studied for calibration and validation, demonstrating the predictiveness of the plasticity model developed.
Modal Data Processing for High Resolution Deflectometry

In this paper, we present a modal data processing methodology, for reconstructing high resolution surfaces from measured slope data, over rectangular apertures. One of the primary goals is the ability to effectively reconstruct deflectometry measurement data for high resolution and freeform surfaces, such as telescope mirrors. We start by developing a gradient polynomial basis set which can quickly generate a very high number of polynomial terms. This vector basis set, called the G polynomials set, is based on gradients of the Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind. The proposed polynomials represent vector fields that are defined as the gradients of scalar functions. This method yields reconstructions that fit the measured data more closely than those obtained using conventional methods, especially in the presence of defects in the mirror surface and physical blockers/markers such as fiducials used during deflectometry measurements. We demonstrate the strengths of our method using simulations and real metrology data from the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) primary mirror.
Autograft immune content and survival in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A post hoc analysis

The infusion of autograft absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts affect survival in patients undergoing autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT). However, the specific autograft immune effector cells affecting survival post-APHSCT are unknown. Thus, we performed an ad hoc analysis from our published double-blind, randomized phase III clinical trial in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients, looking at the infused autograft immune effector cells and their relationship with clinical outcomes post-APHSCT. Between December 2007 and October 2010, we performed a double-blind phase III randomized study registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00566228. A total of 111 patients finished the trial and apheresis collection samples were analyzed for immune effector cells. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated from the date of APHSCT. With a median follow-up of 82.8 months (range: 2.1-122.3 months), we identified by univariate analysis that the autograft numbers of macrophage type 1 (M 1), macrophage type 2 (M 2), dendritic cell type 1 (DC 1), dendritic cell type 2 (DC 2), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), CD4+PD-1-, CD4+PD-1+, CD8+PD-1-, CD8+PD-1+, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (A-LMR), NKp30, and KIR2DL2, were predictors for OS and PFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that A-LMR, MDSC, NKp30, KIR2DL2 and lactate dehydrogenase were independent predictors for OS. Independent predictors for PFS identified by multivariate analysis included DC1, MDSC, NKp30, CD4+PD-1- and M 2. Our findings indicate that the number of specific infused autograft immune effector cells affect survival ; thus providing a platform to develop an immunocompetent autograft with direct impact on clinical outcomes in NHL post-APHSCT.
Is it safe to prescribe benzodiazepines or opioids for dyspnoea in interstitial lung disease

Low-dose opioids and benzodiazepines are not associated with increased risk of hospitalisation or death in patients with respiratory failure secondary to interstitial lung disease http://ow.ly/SCTl30o9bWq
Diabetes and Health Friendly Food Pantry Shelf Design and Implementation (P04-056-19)

Objectives The objective of this pilot study was to develop and examine the feasibility of implementing the “Most Diabetes and Health Friendly Shelf” initiative at an urban choice food pantry.
Proximal Arch in Left Thoracotomy Repair of Neonatal and Infant Coarctation—How Small Is Too Small?:

Background:We sought to evaluate the relationship between proximal arch hypoplasia and reintervention for left thoracotomy repair of coarctation of the aorta.Methods:This was a retrospective review...
Characterization and Proteomic-Transcriptomic Investigation of Monocarboxylate Transporter 6 Knockout Mice: Evidence of a Potential Role in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism.

Monocarboxylate transporter 6 [(MCT6), SLC16A5] is an orphan transporter with no known endogenous substrates or physiological role. Previous in vitro and in vivo experiments investigated MCT6 substrate/inhibitor specificity in Xenopus laevis oocytes; however, these data remain limited. Transcriptomic changes in the livers of mice undergoing different dieting schemes have suggested that Mct6 plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. The objectives of this study were 1) to develop a novel knockout (KO) mouse model (Mct6−/−) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, 2) to characterize the KO animal model by examining physiological and biochemical parameters, and 3) to understand the physiological role of MCT6 in vivo through global proteomic and liver transcriptomic profiling. mRNA tissue analysis demonstrated knockout of Mct6, which showed greater than 90% knockdown of Mct6 (Slc16a5) gene expression in all major tissues analyzed when normalized to Mct6+/+ mice. Proteomic analyses identified greater than 4000 unique proteins in kidney, liver, and colon tissues, among which 51, 38, and 241 proteins were significantly altered, respectively (for each tissue), between Mct6+/+ and Mct6−/− mice. Additionally, Mct6−/− mice demonstrated significant changes in 199 genes in the liver compared with Mct6+/+ mice. In silico biological pathway analyses revealed significant changes in proteins and genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism–associated pathways. This study is the first to provide evidence for an association of Mct6 in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This paper focuses on elucidating the innate biological role of an orphan transporter in vivo, which has not been investigated thus far. Using efficient and high-throughput technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic and RNA-sequencing transcriptomic analyses, our laboratory provides the first existence and characterization of a Mct6 knockout mouse model. The evidence gathered in this paper, as well as other laboratories, support the importance of MCT6 in regulating a variety of glucose and lipid metabolic pathways, which may indicate its significance in metabolic diseases.
Quantification of K-RAS codon 12 GAT and GTT mutation in colon tumor and non-tumor tissue by allele-specific competitive blocker PCR

5245 Because K-RAS mutation has been implicated in the etiology of many human cancers, including colon cancer, it is important to understand how accumulation of K-RAS mutation relates to carcinogenic progression. The purpose of this study was to quantify K-RAS mutation in tissues that correspond to the various stages of sporadic colon cancer development. Levels of K-RAS mutation were measured in human colonic mucosa, tumor adjacent mucosa, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas. A novel technique, allele-specific competitive blocker-PCR (ACB-PCR), was employed to determine the K-RAS mutant fraction (MF, ratio of mutant to wild-type sequence) in DNA isolated from the colon tissues of men between the ages of 50 and 79. The ACB-PCR assay is sensitive enough to quantify K-RAS codon 12 GAT (aspartate) and GTT (valine) MFs down to a frequency of 10-5, i.e. in up to a 100,000-fold excess of wild-type DNA. Study results are summarized below. Based upon the ACB-PCR measurements and anatomical information collected from the literature, it is estimated that the colonic mucosa contains ~60,000 K-RAS mutations, with codon 12 GAT mutation present at higher frequency in the colonic mucosa than the GTT mutation. Additionally, the K-RAS codon 12 GTT mutation was found to decrease significantly during adenoma to adenocarcinoma progression (chi square, P
MicroRNA Profiling and Target Genes Related to Metastasis of Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Perineural invasion and distant metastasis lead to a poor prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma and there is no effective therapy available. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate target gene expression, which can be biomarkers or therapeutic targets for certain cancer types. We aimed to identify miRNAs and their target genes possibly involved in metastasis of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Using Nanostring nCounter analysis, we examined miRNA expression in two SACC cell lines: SACC-83 and SACC-LM, with low and high lung metastasis rates, respectively. We then verified the differentially expressed miRNAs with real-time polymerase chain reaction in the cell lines and in tumor samples from patients with SACC. miRNA target-gene expression was also analyzed. RESULTS SACC-83 showed higher gene expression of miR-130a, miR-342, and miR-205; SACC-LM showed higher gene expression of miR-99a and miR-155. In human tissue, miR-205 was highly expressed in the primary SACC, while miR-155 and miR-342 were highly expressed in recurrent SACC. Six predicted target genes of miRNA-155 and miR-99a linked to tumorigenesis were further analyzed and RNA expression of ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 2 (UBA2) was higher in SACC than normal salivary gland tissue, and higher in primary compared to recurrent SACC (p<0.05). RNA expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARS) was higher in tissue from primary than recurrent SACC and normal salivary gland (p<0.05), but that in recurrent SACC was not significantly higher than normal salivary gland tissue. RNA expression of minichromosome maintenance 8 homologous recombination repair factor (MCM8) and 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) was higher in primary SACC than normal salivary gland tissue (p<0.05). CONCLUSION miR-99a, miR-155, miR-130a, miR-342, and miR-205 may play a role in metastasis of SACC. MiR-155 may be involved in SACC metastasis through UBA2 pathways, and UBA2 may function as a biomarker/mediator of SACC metastasis.
Spatial Ecology of Eastern Copperheads in Fragmented and Unfragmented Habitats

We quantified and compared movement and microhabitat use of Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in fragmented and unfragmented habitats to determine the effects of fragmentation on movement and habitat use. We used thread bobbins to track movement and calculate straight-line distance (SLD) moved, total distance (TDM) moved, and occupied area for individual snakes. Microhabitat use was characterized by quantifying number of trees, woody vegetation stems, herbaceous vegetation stems, percent grass coverage, and percent canopy coverage at each location a snake was observed, and at an equal number of randomly selected locations. Neither SLD nor TDM differed between fragmented and unfragmented habitats. Overall average SLD moved was 24.1 m and TDM was 39.6 m over 48 h. Although SLD and TDM did not differ between sites, mean occupied area ± standard error was significantly greater at the unfragmented (2,310.9 ± 272.7 m) compared with the fragmented site (1,025.9 ± 314.9 m). Microhabitat features were similar between the fragmented and unfragmented sites, and herbaceous vegetation and high canopy cover were associated with locations where snakes were observed at both sites. It is likely that Eastern Copperheads can persist in a variety of habitats in the southeastern United States because their preferred microhabitat features are widely distributed and common in both fragmented and unfragmented environments, demonstrating that they retain characteristics of a habitat specialist within heterogeneous environments suitable for generalists.
Renal Disorders and Systemic Hypertension

Renal disorders associated with Turner syndrome (TS) are most often congenital anatomical anomalies of the kidneys and/or urinary tract (UT). Recently published studies have reported that approximately one-third of TS patients have such anomalies. The first half of this chapter will discuss these renal and UT anomalies and will provide a framework for screening, diagnosing, and managing these disorders. The second half of this chapter will discuss systemic hypertension (HTN), which is significantly more common in TS females compared to age-matched controls. Hypertension related to aortic coarctation is discussed in detail in chap. 6 and will only be briefly mentioned herein.
The Virtues of Brevity

Let's face it, lawyers are verbose. How often have we heard the fabrication "I only have two more questions, your Honor?" Why do we talk so much and write so much? Is more better?The author goes on in this short article to discuss the merits of brevity in order to increase precision and effectiveness in attorneys' writing and communications.
Synthetic periprosthetic synovial fluid development for in vitro cell-tribocorrosion testing using the Taguchi array approach.

Synovial fluid is dynamic in vivo with biological components changing in ratio and size depending on the health of the joint space, making it difficult to model in vitro. Previous efforts to develop synthetic synovial fluid have typically focused on single organic-tribological interactions with implant surfaces, thus ignoring interplay between multiple solution components. Using a Taguchi orthogonal array, we were able to isolate the individual effects of five independent synovial fluid composition variables: ratios of (1) hyaluronic acid to phospholipids (HA:PL) and (2) albumin to globulin (A:G), and concentrations of (3) hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), (4) cobalt (Co2+ ) and (5) chromium (Cr3+ ) ions on macrophage viability and reduced glutathione production, local solution pH and the comprehensive CoCrMo alloy electrochemical response. While no single synovial fluid variable significantly affected the collective response, HA:PL ratio resulted in the largest impact factor (Δ) on 12 of the 13 measured responses with significant effects (p < .05) on the average macrophage survival rate and electrochemical capacitive state of the CoCrMo surface. Cluster analysis separated significant responses from all trials into three groups, corresponding to healthy, mild, or severely inflamed fluids, respectively; with the healthy synovial fluid composition having mid-range HA:PL ratios with no Co2+ ions, and the severely inflamed fluids consisting of low and high HA:PL ratios with H2 O2 and Co2+ ions. By utilizing the Taguchi approach in combination with cluster analysis, we were able to advance our knowledge of complex multivariate synthetic synovial fluids influence on macrophage and electrochemical behavior at the cell-solution-metal interface.
Project 5: The Change Alert!

In late January 2020, I sat at my desk thinking about the projects for this book. I had come up with all of the projects except one, the one that we’re to talk about in this chapter. Looking for inspiration, I went down the hallway to my colleagues and asked them what “pain points” they dealt with on a daily basis. One of them lamented to me that she wished another office would let her know when they added information to a report. Because they didn’t, she had to pull the report every day, just to see if anything had been added. It got me thinking about how many times I do a similar thing – check information just to see if it has changed – thus, the inspiration for this chapter!
Multidimensional molecular high-harmonic spectroscopy: A road map for charge migration studies

Abstract This review discusses recent experimental and theoretical analyses of high-harmonic spectroscopy in small molecules, with the aim of characterizing charge migration. We discuss the formulation of molecular high-harmonic spectra followed by methods to extract molecular-target-specific information, both in experiments and ab initio simulations. We present measured and simulated high-harmonic spectra from carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide to illustrate the necessity for multidimensional analyses for high-harmonic spectroscopies that include both the spectral amplitude and phase. Leveraging these results, we examine how such multidimensional analyses pave the way for the study of charge migration with high-harmonic spectroscopy and illustrate the beneficial role a static molecular feature can play when probing dynamics. Finally, we briefly expand our scope with an outlook on the critical role of integrating theoretical and experimental approaches, beyond just high-harmonic spectroscopy, for the development of versatile harmonic spectroscopic probes of charge migration.
Big data actionable intelligence architecture

The amount of data produced by sensors, social and digital media, and Internet of Things (IoTs) are rapidly increasing each day. Decision makers often need to sift through a sea of Big Data to utilize information from a variety of sources in order to determine a course of action. This can be a very difficult and time-consuming task. For each data source encountered, the information can be redundant, conflicting, and/or incomplete. For near-real-time application, there is insufficient time for a human to interpret all the information from different sources. In this project, we have developed a near-real-time, data-agnostic, software architecture that is capable of using several disparate sources to autonomously generate Actionable Intelligence with a human in the loop. We demonstrated our solution through a traffic prediction exemplar problem.
Retinoblastoma tumor cell proliferation is negatively associated with an immune gene expression signature and increased immune cells.

This study focuses on gene expression differences between early retinal states that ultimately lead to normal development, late onset retinoblastoma, or rapid bilateral retinoblastoma tumors. The late-onset and early-onset retinoblastoma tumor cells are remarkably similar to normally proliferating retinal progenitor cells, but they fail to properly express differentiation markers associated with normal development. Further, early-onset retinoblastoma tumor cells express a robust immune gene expression signature followed by accumulation of dendritic, monocyte, macrophage, and T-lymphocyte cells in the retinoblastoma tumors. This characteristic was not shared by either normal retinae or late-onset retinoblastomas. Comparison of our data with other human and mouse retinoblastoma tumor gene expression significantly confirmed, that the immune signature is present in tumors from each species. Strikingly, we observed that the immune signature in both mouse and human tumors was most highly evident in those with the lowest proliferative capacity. We directly assessed this relationship in human retinoblastoma tumors by co-analyzing proliferation and immune cell recruitment by immunohistochemistry, uncovering a significant inverse relationship between increased immune-cell infiltration in tumors and reduced tumor cell proliferation. Directly inhibiting proliferation with a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor significantly increased the number of CD45+ immune cells in the retina. This work establishes an in vivo model for the rapid recruitment of immune cells to tumorigenic neural tissue. The authors examined late- and early-onset murine retinoblastoma tumors and noted that aggressive tumors uniquely expressed an immune gene expression signature. This led to accumulation of a variety of immune cells, including T-lymphocytes, that was not observed in less aggressive tumors. Gene expression analysis identified the immune signature in human and other murine tumors, and they observed it correlated with less proliferative tumors.
Personal Protective Equipment Alters Leg Muscle Fatigability Independent of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: A Comparison with Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Results

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE; e.g., face mask) has increased. Mandating subjects to wear PPE during vigorous exercise might affect the fatigue outcomes of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of PPE affected the performance of a tDCS-influenced fatigue task in healthy adults. A total of 16 young and healthy subjects were recruited and wore PPE during an isokinetic fatigue task in conjunction with sham, 2 mA, and 4 mA tDCS conditions. Subjects were matched to subjects who did not wear PPE during our previous pre-pandemic study in which right knee extensor fatigability increased under these same conditions. The results show that right knee extensor fatigability, derived from torque and work (FI-T and FI-W, respectively), was higher in the PPE study compared to the No PPE study in the sham condition. Additionally, there were no differences in knee extensor fatigability or muscle activity between sham, 2 mA, and 4 mA tDCS in the present study, which contrasts with our previous results. Thus, PPE worn by subjects and researchers might have a detrimental effect on fatigue outcomes in tDCS studies irrespective of the stimulation intervention.
Interfacial Layers in Organic Solar Cells

interfacial layers play a critical role in organic solar cells (OSCs) to determine their efficiency and lifetime. The introduction of proper interfacial materials at the both interfaces of charge separation and charge collection has become an important strategy to obtain high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and high-stability OSCs. In the past decade, considerable efforts have been devoted to the interface engineering of OSCs, and significant advancement has been made. Some of these progresses have been extensively reviewed in other reports. Herein we aim to give a deep understanding for each kind of interfacial materials, and to review the most recent advancements on the design and application of these materials. In this book chapter, we first summarized the functions of the interfacial layers OSCs to explain why they are needed in OSCs. Second, we reviewed the progress of interfacial material research based on their functions, including modifying charge separation and extraction in OSCs, engineering the morphology of active layer, adjusting light harvesting, and so on. Considering the absence of general interfacial layers design criteria available to device manufacturers, we made final thoughts and outlooks for the future development of interfacial study to conclude this chapter.
Multilayer Helium Films on Graphite

The λ-point specific heat anomaly for very thin films of helium is known to round, shift to lower temperatures, and finally disappear altogether at a few mono-layers. The superfluid onset shifts in temperature also, but more rapidly with decreasing coverage than the heat capacity peak1–4.
The Effect of Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on the Level of Metabolic Intermediates in Escherichia coli

The levels of glycolytic intermediates, selected amino acids, and citric acid cycle intermediates have been measured in Escherichia coli in logarithmic growth on a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources, and also after rapid addition of nitrients to cultures. The results have been used to assess the regulatory role of various metabolites in E. coli. Gluconeogenesis is associated with high phosphoenolpyruvate levels and low levels of fructose 1,6-diphosphate, in agreement with the proposed regulatory mechanisms for phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Isotopic experiments indicate that considerable gluconeogenesis occurs in succinate- or glycerol-grown cells after the addition of glucose, although the levels of glycolytic intermediates resemble those of glucose-grown cells, indicating that control gluconeogenesis is leaky. The levels of adenosine triphosphate are lower in slowly growing cells, limited either by the availability of carbon (cells grown on acetate-NH4Cl) or by the availability of nitrogen (cells grown on glucose-glycine). These changes reflect primarily changes in the total adenine nucleotide pool, rather than major changes in the ratio of various adenine nucleotides. Measurements of the level of metabolic intermediates in acetate-grown cells, before and after the addition of glucose, suggest that isocitrate lyase is controlled in vivo by metabolites other than phosphoenolpyruvate, and that both isocitrate lyase and isocitrate dehydrogenase play roles in regulating isocitrate utilization.
Detection of base sequence changes in the CEBPD gene in human breast cancer cell lines and primary breast cancer isolates

Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was performed on genomic DNA from 97 human breast cancer samples and 10 breast cell lines to screen for mutations in the single exon C/EBPD gene. Three C --> T transitions resulting in silent mutations were detected in three individual breast cancer samples. One breast cancer sample also contained a G --> T transversion (Q253H). The SUM-52PE cell line contained an A --> T transversion (AAG --> TAG) resulting in a nonsense mutation (K180Stop). All mutations identified in genomic DNA isolates were in highly conserved regions of the C/EBPD gene. This study indicates that mutational alterations in the coding region of the C/EBPD gene are relatively uncommon in human breast cancer.
Fetal Circulation and Changes at Birth

Before birth, the respiratory functions of the lungs are performed by the placenta and, as a consequence, the umbilical (allantoic) or placental veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart. Functionally, the umbilical veins of the embryo and fetus are comparable to the postnatal pulmonary veins.
Measurement of Stress Evidenced by College Women in Situations Involving Competition

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the alarm reaction and resistance stages of emotional stress through measurement of the eosinophil count and cardiorespiratory symptoms in a group of college women subjected to a variety of competitive experiences. It was concluded that stress may be elicited by 1. anticipation of a stressor situation, 2. participation in a stressor situation, or 3. denial of expected participation in a stressor situation. In each instance, the stress elicited in individuals 1. varies from situation to situation, 2. is related to the psychological components in the stressor situation to a far greater degree than it is related to the components involving physical activity, and 3.. is related to identifiable differences in past experiences which are relevant to the situation.
The Neurology of Alcoholic Denial: Implications for Assessment and Treatment:

Alcohol has neurotoxic effects that frequently result in significant sensorimotor and cognitive deficits. These cognitive deficits may have profound implications for the behaviour and treatment of ...
Cell Kinetics and Track Structure

A major uncertainty in shield requirements for deep-space missions is establishing biological risk for high charge and energy (HZE) exposure. Estimates of biological risk in space requires an understanding of the relationship of ground-based biological experiments with intense particle beams to the low exposure rates in the space environment. We have examined the relation of a (relatively) general cell kinetic model to the track structure theory of Katz and determined repair coefficients from the experiments of Yang et al. as a means of predicting biological response to low dose-rate exposure in the deep-space environment. The model provides repair dependent relative biological effectiveness (RBE’s) which agree well with values found in ion exposure experiments and makes predictions which could be tested in future laboratory studies. The model seems to provide the necessary requirement of relating laboratory response data to space exposure conditions with the exception of the gravity environment effects.
Paircomp, FamilyRelationsII and Cartwheel: tools for interspecific sequence comparison

Background Comparative sequence analysis is an effective and increasingly common way to identify cis-regulatory regions in animal genomes.
Using High-Resolution Soil Moisture Data to Assess Soil Water Dynamics in the Vadose Zone

Infiltration and water flow in soils are highly transient processes, but may be estimated from high frequency measurements of soil water content. The objectives of our study were to assess the impact of vadose zone soil water dynamics from real-time and near-continuous soil water content measurements and to assess the interactive effects of tillage, row position, and season on water infiltration, storage, drainage, and crop water uptake. Multisensor capacitance probes were installed at row and interrow positions at four soil depths in plow tillage (PT) and no tillage (NT) corn ( Zea mays L.) plots, with volumetric water contents values recorded every 10 min for a 30-mo period. Three water parameters (cumulative water storage, net water storage, and drainage below 55 cm) were grouped for statistical analysis by rainfall amounts and “seasons” of primary periods of groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration. Crop water uptake amounts during extended dry-down periods were also quantified. We found more significant differences between tillage and row position treatments for high rainfalls (>17 mm) than for low rainfalls. When significant differences in the three water parameters existed between positions, these were due either to greater values in the row position or smaller values at the traffic interrow position. In general, more water uptake took place under PT than under NT and from row more than interrow or traffic interrow positions. These results show both the value and limitation of near-continuous real-time soil water data for quantifying soil water dynamics in varying management and weather conditions.
Solution structure of pleckstrin homology domain of dynamin by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy

Abstract The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain is a recognition motif thought to be involved in signal-transduction pathways controlled by a variety of cytoplasmic proteins. Assignments of nearly all 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of the PH domain from dynamin have been obtained from homonuclear and heteronuclear NMR experiments. The secondary structure has been elucidated from the pattern of nuclear Overhauser enhancements, from 13C chemical shift deviations, and from observation of slowly exchanging amide hydrogens. The secondary structure contains one alpha-helix and eight beta-strands, seven of which are arranged in two contiguous, antiparallel beta-sheets. The structure is monomeric, in contrast to the well-defined intimate dimerization of the crystal structure of this molecule. Residues possibly involved in ligand binding are in apparently flexible loops. Steady-state 15N(1H) nuclear Overhauser effect measurements indicate unequivocally the boundaries of this PH domain, and the structured portion of the domain appears to be more extended to the C terminus than previously suggested for other PH domains.
Current understanding of the mechanism of surface enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract On Cu, Ag, Au, and Li, geometrically defined surface optical resonances are a major contributor to surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This explains the incident photon energy dependence, the variation among these metals from metal to metal, the extension of the enhancement to molecules removed from the surface, and the sensitivity that SERS demonstrates toward surface roughness on the 5 to 200 nm scale. Additional features of the enhancement, such as short range effects in the first monolayer of the adsorbate, molecular specificity, and the demonstration of enhanced scattering for molecules on Ni and Pt are associated with active sites. These active sites, which may be adatoms, and which in some cases involve complex formation, lead to electronic resonance which is similar to the normal resonant Raman effect but which requires the association between the metal and the molecule.
Flow of spatially non-uniform suspensions. Part I: Phenomenology

The response of a spatially non-uniform suspension of spheres to several forcing agents — forces and torques applied to the spheres, and an imposed simple shear — is studied numerically for Stokes flow conditions. While the standard results are recovered in the uniform case, it is found that the non-uniformity of the particle probability distribution gives rise to qualitatively new features. For example, the rheological behavior of the system cannot be described solely in terms of an effective viscosity; a relative velocity between particles and fluid can arise; the particles can either lead or lag the local angular velocity of the fluid elements. It is shown that a mixture effective viscosity can be calculated for all three cases with mutually consistent results. In a subsequent paper the present results will be used to derive in a systematic way closure relations for an averaged-equations description of the suspension.
Electrodeposition of metal microparticles in a polymer film on a glassy carbon electrode

Depot electrolytique reducteur de Pd, Ag, Ni, Cd et Pt−Pd sur une electrode de carbone vitreux recouverte d'un film d'acide polyvinylacetique. Etude par microscopie electronique a balayage
Investigating the Validity of a Locally Developed Critical Thinking Test

What can be done at the local school level to study the validity of measures of critical thinking? What information other than test scores should be analyzed? What validity can a test have for diagnosis, monitoring achievement, or curriculum reform?