cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational identification of Drosophila microRNA genes

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of 21-22 nucleotide non-coding RNAs with presumed post-transcriptional regulatory activity. Most miRNAs were identified by direct cloning of small RNAs, an approach that favors detection of abundant miRNAs. Three observations suggested that miRNA genes might be identified using a computational approach. First, miRNAs generally derive from precursor transcripts of 70-100 nucleotides with extended stem-loop structure. Second, miRNAs are usually highly conserved between the genomes of related species. Third, miRNAs display a characteristic pattern of evolutionary divergence. Results: We developed an informatic procedure called 'miRseeker', which analyzed the completed euchromatic sequences of Drosophila melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura for conserved sequences that adopt an extended stem-loop structure and display a pattern of nucleotide divergence characteristic of known miRNAs. The sensitivity of this computational procedure was demonstrated by the presence of 75% (18/24) of previously identified Drosophila miRNAs within the top 124 candidates. In total, we identified 48 novel miRNA candidates that were strongly conserved in more distant insect, nematode, or vertebrate genomes. We verified expression for a total of 24 novel miRNA genes, including 20 of 27 candidates conserved in a third species and 4 of 11 high-scoring, Drosophila-specific candidates. Our analyses lead us to estimate that drosophilid genomes contain around 110 miRNA genes. Conclusions: Our computational strategy succeeded in identifying bona fide miRNA genes and suggests that miRNAs constitute nearly 1% of predicted protein-coding genes in Drosophila, a percentage similar to the percentage of miRNAs recently attributed to other metazoan genomes.
Competing communicative styles and crosstalk: A multi-feature analysis

The explanatory model of cross-cultural miscommunication, or crosstalk, is extended here through a multi-feature, multi-dimensional analysis of Soviet and American speakers' discourse in two three-hour audio/video "spacebridge" meetings. The study demonstrates that variation between speakers' uses of co-occurring sets of lexical and syntactic features can contribute to crosstalk. Crosstalk is shown to be functionally motivated by interlocutors' different constructions of the speech-event context and norms of interpretation. A factor analysis of lexical and syntactic features in spacebridge participants' discourse identifies two main dimensions of stylistic variation; use of the sets of co-occurring features that constitute these dimensions are interpreted as performing different discourse functions, and thereby indexing different aspects of the speech-event context. Soviet floor turns that exhibit the greatest stylistic divergence from American stylistic behavior and expectations are shown to correlate with communicative breakdowns in the spacebridges, and thereby to contribute to crosstalk. The analysis suggests that, at some level, stylistic contextualization cues are quantitatively "analyzed" in real time by discourse participants, and it demonstrates some of the explanatory potential of quantitative modeling of complex indexical processes such as stylistic accommodation, divergence, and opposition. (Crosscultural communication, miscommunication, crosstalk, indexicality,
Kinetics of the Reaction between Cyclopentylperoxy Radicals and HO2

The techniques of time-resolved UV spectroscopy and transient IR absorption are used to examine the kinetics of the c-C5H9O2 + HO2 reaction over the temperature range 214−359 K. Deconvolution of the UV spectra yield time-dependent concentrations of both the cyclopentylperoxy and HO2 reactants; the transient IR experiments separately monitor HO2. Fits of these data to the appropriate reaction model yield a rate constant of kro2+ho2 = (3. ) × 10-13e(1150±200)/T cm3 s-1 for the title reaction. This result is compared to the single previous study of c-C5H9O2 + HO2 kinetics, and the implications for the atmospheric chemistry of peroxy radicals are discussed. As part of the present study, a relative rate of kcl+c5h10/kcl+ch3oh = (2.3 ± 0.3)e(300±200)/T has been measured for the reaction Cl + c-C5H10 → c-C5H9 + HCl relative to Cl + CH3OH → CH2OH + HCl.
The type I TGF-β receptor is covalently modified and regulated by sumoylation

Post-translational sumoylation, the covalent attachment of a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO), regulates the functions of proteins engaged in diverse processes. Often associated with nuclear and perinuclear proteins, such as transcription factors, it is not known whether SUMO can conjugate to cell-surface receptors for growth factors to regulate their functions. Here we show that the type I transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor, T beta RI, is sumoylated in response to TGF-beta and that its sumoylation requires the kinase activities of both T beta RI and the type II TGF-beta receptor, T beta RII. Sumoylation of T beta RI enhances receptor function by facilitating the recruitment and phosphorylation of Smad3, consequently regulating TGF-beta-induced transcription and growth inhibition. T beta RI sumoylation modulates the dissemination of transformed cells in a mouse model of T beta RI-stimulated metastasis. T beta RI sumoylation therefore controls responsiveness to TGF-beta, with implications for tumour progression. Sumoylation of cell-surface receptors may regulate other growth factor responses.
Turkey Sperm Reside in the Tubular Glands in the Urodeum Following Artificial Insemination

A turkey hen in egg production requires 48 h after the last insemination to maximize the number of sperm in the uterovaginal junction sperm-storage tubules. Where the sperm that continue to fill the oviductal sperm-storage sites during this 48-h period reside remains unknown. Histological sections of the juncture of the vagina with the urodeum, the central compartment of the cloaca, revealed deep tubular glands containing periodic acid-Schiff-positive secretory material. When examined 36 h after the last artificial insemination, sperm were observed in the lumen of the tubular glands associated with the urodeum. We suggest that sperm reside in the tubular glands within the urodeum and are released in association with the secretory activity of the tubular glands. These sperm then may ascend the vagina to continue to populate the sperm-storage tubules. Alternatively, the sperm in the tubular glands of the urodeum may be evidence of spermatorrhea and have no functional role in the fertilization process.
Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide

Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide. By Karen Mossberger, Caroline J. Tolbert, and Mary Stansbury. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2003. 208p. $19.95.Whether or not certain demographic groups within society have sufficient access to information and communication technology (ICT) has become a major subject of debate. So-called digital divides have been examined in regard to many demographic categories, such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and even the level of urbanization. Most empirical efforts to examine issues of technological inequities within the United States have been primarily descriptive in nature and theoretically limited in scope. Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide adds a valuable contribution to the debate by examining not only who has access to ICT but also to what extent they have sufficient skills to truly make use of such technologies and the information that they potentially provide.
Inhibition of Xylella fastidiosa Biofilm Formation via Metal Chelators

Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is the causative agent of Pierce's disease in a variety of commercially important plants such as citrus, coffee, and grapes. By blocking the xylem, Xf disrupts water and nut...
Drosophila Rabex-5 restricts Notch activity in hematopoietic cells and maintains hematopoietic homeostasis

Hematopoietic homeostasis requires the maintenance of a reservoir of undifferentiated blood cell progenitors and the ability to replace or expand differentiated blood cell lineages when necessary. Multiple signaling pathways function in these processes, but how their spatiotemporal control is established and their activity is coordinated in the context of the entire hematopoietic network are still poorly understood. We report here that loss of the gene Rabex-5 in Drosophila causes several hematopoietic abnormalities, including blood cell (hemocyte) overproliferation, increased size of the hematopoietic organ (the lymph gland), lamellocyte differentiation and melanotic mass formation. Hemocyte-specific Rabex-5 knockdown was sufficient to increase hemocyte populations, increase lymph gland size and induce melanotic masses. Rabex-5 negatively regulates Ras, and we show that Ras activity is responsible for specific Rabex-5 hematopoietic phenotypes. Surprisingly, Ras-independent Notch protein accumulation and transcriptional activity in the lymph gland underlie multiple distinct hematopoietic phenotypes of Rabex-5 loss. Thus, Rabex-5 plays an important role in Drosophila hematopoiesis and might serve as an axis coordinating Ras and Notch signaling in the lymph gland.
Respiration and Anaerobic Glycolysis of Transplanted Cartilage.

Summary1. The rate of respiration and anaerobic glycolysis of fresh rabbit costal cartilage is among the lowest of all tissues. Carbohydrate metabolism is predominantly anaerobic. 2. Transplantation resulted in approximately a 45% decline in the rates of both respiration and anaerobic glycolysis in both the autografts and homografts during the first 7 days. The major portion of the metabolic activity, however, remained on an anaerobic basis. 3. After 7 days no significant variations occurred in either the Qo2 or QNG2 values for any of the grafts. 4. No salient difference was observed between the metabolic activity of costal cartilage autografts and homografts in the rabbit from 7 to 150 days after transplantation.
The anterior pituitary response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone challenge test in normal older reproductive-age women * †

Objective To assess the pituitary responsiveness to GnRH stimulation of premenopausal women relative to age. Design Older and younger reproductive-age women underwent the GnRH stimulation test in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Setting Female subjects in an academic research environment. Patients Women aged 21 to 44 years consisting of normal volunteers and infertility patients. Interventions Gonadotropin-releasing hormone was administered intravenously between days 2 and 4 of the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were collected from –20 minutes before to 120 minutes after administration. Main Outcome Measure Luteinizing hormone, FSH, inhibin, and E2 levels. Results No significant difference in baseline values existed between older and younger women with regard to LH, inhibin, and E2, but basal FSH levels were higher in older women. A significantly diminished percent of LH and percent FSH change above baseline occurred 30 minutes after GnRH administration in the older women compared with younger women. No change in inhibin or E2 levels could be detected during the sampling period. Conclusions The present study demonstrates marked attenuation of the acute pituitary LH response (sensitivity) to GnRH stimulation in older women when compared with a younger cohort.
Variable selection for case-cohort studies with failure time outcome

Case-cohort designs are widely used in large cohort studies to reduce the cost associated with covariate measurement. In many such studies the number of covariates is very large, so an efficient variable selection method is necessary. In this paper, we study the properties of a variable selection procedure using the smoothly clipped absolute deviation penalty in a case-cohort design with a diverging number of parameters. We establish the consistency and asymptotic normality of the maximum penalized pseudo-partial-likelihood estimator, and show that the proposed variable selection method is consistent and has an asymptotic oracle property. Simulation studies compare the finite-sample performance of the procedure with tuning parameter selection methods based on the Akaike information criterion and the Bayesian information criterion. We make recommendations for use of the proposed procedures in case-cohort studies, and apply them to the Busselton Health Study.
Genomic DNA microarray for comparative genomic hybridization

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for producing large quantities of BAC DNA, which aims at maximizing the representation of each bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Ligation-mediated PCR is used as a template in a Re-PCR reaction to generate DNA for spotting. Hybridization of fluorescently labeled genomic DNA for array CGH analysis involves distributing 1 g of dextran sulfate over the entire length of a 15-ml tube. While holding the tube horizontally, one needs to squirt in 5 ml of formamide. One needs to carefully aspirate and discard the supernatant, while wiping excess liquid from the tube with a tissue paper. One should be careful not to disturb the pellet. The next step involves placing the slides in the Stratalinker with arrays facing up. The arrays should be given a fixed amount of energy instead of the other available options the Stratalinker might have, such as autocrosslink or time. Overcross-linking the slide might result in a decrease in fluorescent hybridization signal.
Ergodicity of Wireless Channels and Temporal Prediction

In this paper, we study the role of ergodicity in wireless channel prediction. Following the sinusoidal channel model, conditions under which the ergodic assumption is valid are presented. This sheds insight into when statistical channel models that employ ensemble averaging are appropriate. Due to the lack of ergodicity in a typical real world wireless channel, least squares prediction, an approach based on time averages is motivated as opposed to linear minimum mean squared error channel prediction, an approach based on ensemble averaging. We then study methods such as forward-backward and rank reduction for high quality channel prediction.
Therapeutic Anti-Tumor Immunity Mediated by Transiently Engrafting Allogeneic Lymphocytes: The “Allogeneic Effect” Revisited.

The “allogeneic effect” refers to the induction of host B cell antibody synthesis or host T cell cytotoxicity, including tumoricidal activity, by an infusion of allogeneic lymphocytes. We have previously shown that treatment of mice with cyclophosphamide (Cy) followed by infusion of CD8+ T cell-depleted allogeneic spleen cells (Cy + CD8− DLI) induces anti-tumor activity in a model of minimal residual leukemia, even though the donor cells are eventually rejected by the host immune system. The purpose of the current investigation was to test the activity of Cy + CD8− DLI in the treatment of well-established cancer, and to characterize the mechanisms of the anti-tumor effect. BALB/c mice were inoculated intravenously (IV) with the syngeneic A20 lymphoma/leukemia or the RENCA renal cell carcinoma on day 0 and were then treated with nothing, Cy alone on day 14, or Cy + CD8 − DLI from MHC-mismatched C57BL/6 donors on day 15. In both tumor models, the combination of Cy + CD8 − DLI significantly prolonged survival compared to mice treated with nothing or with Cy alone. While depletion of CD4+ T cells from the DLI significantly diminished the beneficial effect of CD8− DLI, purified CD4+ T cells alone were inactive, demonstrating that donor CD4+ T cells and another population of cells were required for optimal anti-tumor activity. Several observations pointed to an active role for the host immune system in the anti-tumor activity of Cy + CD8− DLI. First, host T cells participated in the anti-tumor effect of treatment with Cy alone, since the drug’s activity was diminished in tumor-bearing scid mice or in normal BALB/c mice depleted of T cells. Second, while Cy + CD8− DLI caused no GVHD in tumor-bearing but immunocompetent BALB/c recipients, it caused fatal acute GVHD in either tumor-bearing scid or T-cell depleted BALB/c mice. Finally, the anti-tumor effect of Cy + CD8- DLI was also significantly inhibited in BALB/c mice that were depleted of CD8+ T cells. These results demonstrate that transiently engrafting T cells administered after Cy can induce significant anti-tumor effects against both solid and liquid tumors. We propose that upon recognition of alloantigen on host antigen-presenting cells (APCs), allogeneic donor CD4 + T cells deliver activating ligands to the APCs, thereby generating effective “help” to break tolerance in tumor-specific host CD8+ T cells. This mechanism may correspond to the “allogeneic effect” in the anti-tumor response described over three decades ago.
How to Improve Care for Seniors in the Emergency Department

Clinicians and health system leaders have recognized the unique and increasingly important role of the emergency department (ED) in addressing the needs of older adults. This chapter describes the context of care for older adults in the ED, and the common challenges to providing person-centered care. In addition, best practices that reflect ACE principles of interdisciplinary, evidence-based care are offered to improve the outcomes and experience for older adults.
Concurrent Validity of the Adult Sensory Processing Scale and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile

Date Presented 4/8/2016The results from this study established concurrent validity of the Adult Sensory Processing Scale using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile as the external criterion.Primary Author and Speaker: Megan ChangContributing Authors: Colleen McNeil, Amanda Lord, Jessica Durand, Emil
Chronic innate immune activation of TBK1 suppresses mTORC1 activity and dysregulates cellular metabolism

Three-prime repair exonuclease 1 knockout (Trex1-/-) mice suffer from systemic inflammation caused largely by chronic activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes-TANK-binding kinase-interferon regulatory factor 3 (cGAS-STING-TBK1-IRF3) signaling pathway. We showed previously that Trex1-deficient cells have reduced mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity, although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, we performed detailed metabolic analysis in Trex1-/- mice and cells that revealed both cellular and systemic metabolic defects, including reduced mitochondrial respiration and increased glycolysis, energy expenditure, and fat metabolism. We also genetically separated the inflammatory and metabolic phenotypes by showing that Sting deficiency rescued both inflammatory and metabolic phenotypes, whereas Irf3 deficiency only rescued inflammation on the Trex1-/- background, and many metabolic defects persist in Trex1-/-Irf3-/- cells and mice. We also showed that Leptin deficiency (ob/ob) increased lipogenesis and prolonged survival of Trex1-/- mice without dampening inflammation. Mechanistically, we identified TBK1 as a key regulator of mTORC1 activity in Trex1-/- cells. Together, our data demonstrate that chronic innate immune activation of TBK1 suppresses mTORC1 activity, leading to dysregulated cellular metabolism.
Thermal morphing anisogrid smart space structures part 2: Ranking of geometric parameter importance, trust region optimization, and performance evaluation:

As future space mission structures are required to achieve more with scarcer resources, new structural configurations and modeling capabilities will be needed to meet the next generation space stru...
Reported community-level indoor residual spray coverage from two-stage cluster surveys in sub-Saharan Africa

Malaria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in malaria-endemic areas. Indoor residual spray is an effective intervention to control malaria, but high community-level coverage is needed to maximize its impact. Using thirty-four two-stage cluster surveys (e.g., demographic and health surveys) and lot quality assurance sampling, indoor residual spray was estimated at the community level (i.e. enumeration-area) across sub-Saharan Africa since 2010. For communities receiving indoor residual spray a logistic regression predicted whether community-level coverage exceeded 50% or not. Household-level coverage was equitable both in terms of wealth and urban/rural, with poorer and rural houses more likely to be sprayed than richer and urban houses. Coverage of indoor residual spray at the community level is poor across the continent, with 54% of communities receiving the intervention not reaching 50% coverage. Having >50% coverage at the community-level was not associated with increasing the number of houses sprayed in the country. Implementation and monitoring of indoor residual coverage at small geographical scales need to improve greatly to receive maximum benefit of the intervention.
Understanding Selectivity for the Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid and Carbon Monoxide on Metal Electrodes

Increases in energy demand and in chemical production, together with the rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere, motivate the development of renewable energy sources. Electrochemical CO2 reduction to fuels and chemicals is an appealing alternative to traditional pathways to fuels and chemicals due to its intrinsic ability to couple to solar and wind energy sources. Formate (HCOO–) is a key chemical for many industries; however, greater understanding is needed regarding the mechanism and key intermediates for HCOO– production. This work reports a joint experimental and theoretical investigation of the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to HCOO– on polycrystalline Sn surfaces, which have been identified as promising catalysts for selectively producing HCOO–. Our results show that Sn electrodes produce HCOO–, carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2) across a range of potentials and that HCOO– production becomes favored at potentials more negative than −0.8 V vs RHE, reaching a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 70% a...
To Come to a Better Understanding: Medicine Men & Clergy Meetings on the Rosebud Reservation, 1973-1978

To Come to a Better Understanding examines a series of meetings over 5 years between the Medicine Men’s Association (MMA) and Catholic clergy on the Rosebud Reservation. This is an intriguing and i...
New Electric Shipboard Topologies for High Resiliency

All-electric ships commissioned for military use must survive any physical attack resulting in short-circuit faults that lead to service interruption. Unlike previous works on improving resiliency, this paper seeks to design new topologies by understanding the relationship between the resiliency and the structural topology of a shipboard power system (SPS). Resiliency is evaluated on the basis of the total load served in a network following an attack, which causes maximum disruption in the network. The worst-case attack is identified using a bilevel and a mixed-integer linear programming framework. This method is employed to analyze the resiliency of similarly sized nominal SPS topologies (in terms of load and generator ratings). Breaker-and-a-half and ring bus topologies are determined to be more resilient, as they can survive up to $\text{eight}$ simultaneous worst-case attacks. Based on the study of structural dependence of resiliency, two new topologies are designed that can survive up to $\text{14}$ worst-case attacks each. It is to be noted that the new topologies are designed with the same number of circuit breakers, DC buses, and lines as the nominal topologies.
The Distribution of Listeria in Pasture-Raised Broiler Farm Soils Is Potentially Related to University of Vermont Medium Enrichment Bias toward Listeria innocua over Listeria monocytogenes

The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes has been widely investigated in the poultry production chain from the processing plant to the final product. However, limited data are available on Listeria species, including L. monocytogenes, in the poultry farm environment. Therefore, fecal and soil samples from 37 pastured poultry flocks from 10 all-natural farms over 3 years were assessed to determine the prevalence and diversity of Listeria within these alternative poultry farm environments using standard cultural and molecular methods. Listeria species were isolated in 15% of poultry farm samples and included L. innocua (65.7%), L. monocytogenes (17.4%) and L. welshimeri (15.1%). Additional multiplex PCR serotyping showed group 1/2a-3a to be the most dominant L. monocytogenes serovar group. Based on these results, monoculture growth experiments were conducted on four Listeria soil isolates (3 L. monocytogenes isolates representing the 3 recovered serovar groups and 1 L. innocua isolate) to determine if culture medium (Tripticase Soy Broth (TSB) and University of Vermont modified Listeria enrichment broth (UVM)), inoculum concentration (102 or 105 CFU/ml), or incubation temperature (20˚C, 30˚C, 42˚C) differentially affected these Listeria species. Overall, very few significant growth differences were observed between the behavior of the 3 L. monocytogenes isolates (representing the 3 recovered serovar groups) under the growth conditions tested. Alternatively, at 30˚C in UVM with the lower inoculum concentration, the L. innocua isolate had a significantly shorter lag phase than the L. monocytogenes isolates. In co-culture growth studies under these same incubation conditions, the lag phase of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes was similar but the final concentration of L. innocua was significantly higher than L. monocytogenes. However, co-cultures in UVM for high inoculum concentration did not show preferential growth of L. innocua over L. monocytogenes. These results indicate that the use of UVM as an enrichment medium may preferentially allow L. innocua to outcompete L. monocytogenes at low concentrations, biasing the Listeria prevalence from these farm samples towards L. innocua and potentially underreporting the presence of L. monocytogenes in these environments.
Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the management of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, and indications are expanding towards treating younger patients with lower-risk profiles. Given the progressive nature of coronary artery disease and its high prevalence in those with severe aortic stenosis, coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention will become increasingly necessary in patients after TAVR. There are some data suggesting that there are technical difficulties with coronary re-engagement, particularly in patients with self-expanding valves that, by design, extend above the coronary ostia. The authors review the challenges of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention post-TAVR and examine the geometric interactions between currently approved transcatheter aortic valves and coronary ostia, while providing a practical guide on how to manage these potentially complex situations.
Recent Developments in Symplectic Topology

Symplectic topology explores the topological and geometric implications of the existence of a skew-symmetric form. As such, it is very relevant to different parts of mathematics, including dynamical systems, differential equations, representation theory and gauge theory. Thus the symplectic theme is itself a unifying idea in mathematics.
In vitro formation of intermolecular crosslinks in chick skin collagen. II. Kinetics.

Abstract The intramolecular aldol condensation product present in acid soluble collagen disappears during in vitro fibril formation at 37°C. Data presented in this communication suggest that during fibril formation this intramolecular crosslink is incorporated into another substance designated previously as the “post-histidine peaks”. Formation of the “post-histidine peak” begins after the fibril, as measured by opacity, is almost completed. Evidence is also presented that rat tail tendon contains this same substance in vivo .
Somitomeres: The Primordial Body Segments

Segmentation in the vertebrate embryo is most obvious in paraxial mesoderm that has formed somites. Somites are easily seen as segmental units by light microscopy, or even with the naked eye. However, when viewed with stereo scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the paraxial mesoderm that has not yet formed into somites is seen to be segmented as patterned arrays of looser mesenchyme cells. Meier has named these new morphological units “somitomeres” (Meier, 1979).
Experimental and Simulation Testing of Physics-model-based Safety Factor Profile and Internal Energy Feedback Controllers in DIII-D Advanced Tokamak Scenarios

Abstract Active closed-loop control of the plasma safety factor profile ( q -profile) and internal energy dynamics in nuclear fusion tokamak devices has the potential to significantly impact the success of the ITER project. These plasma properties are related to both the stability and performance of a given plasma operating scenario. In this work, we develop integrated feedback control algorithms to control the q -profile and internal energy dynamics in DIII-D advanced tokamak (high performance) scenarios. The feedback controllers are synthesized by embedding a nonlinear, physics-based, control-oriented partial differential equation model of the plasma dynamics into the control design and to be robust to uncertainties in the plasma electron density, electron temperature, and plasma resistivity profiles. The auxiliary heating and current-drive system and the total plasma current are the actuators utilized by the feedback controllers to control the plasma dynamics. Finally, the feedback controllers are tested both through simulations based on the physics-based model and experimentally in the DIII-D tokamak.
Frontiers in RNA biology: Advances from a small fly Drosophila melanogaster

Author(s): Brown, JB; Celniker, SE | Abstract: In this article, we discuss emerging frontiers in RNA biology from a historical perspective. The field is currently undergoing yet another transformative expansion. RNA-seq has revealed that splicing, and, more generally, RNA processing is far more complex than expected, and the mechanisms of regulation are correspondingly sophisticated. Our understanding of the molecular machines involved in RNA metabolism is incomplete and derives from small sample sizes. Even if we manage to complete a catalogue of molecular species, RNA isoforms and the ribonucleoprotein complexes that drive their genesis, the horizons of molecular dynamics and cell-type-specific processing mechanisms await. This is an exciting time to enter into the study of RNA biology; analytical tools, wet and dry, are advancing rapidly, and each new measurement modality brings into view another new function or activity of versatile RNA. Since the dawn of sequence-based RNA biology, we have come a long way.
Improved Surgical Safety via Intraoperative Navigation for Transnasal Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenomas.

Objectives Intraoperative navigation during neurosurgery can aid in the detection of critical structures and target lesions. The safety and efficacy of intraoperative, stereotactic computed tomography (CT) in the transnasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas were explored. Design Retrospective chart review Setting Tertiary care hospital Participants Patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas from February 2002 to May 2017. Intraoperative stereotactic CT navigation was used for all patients after mid-October 2013. Main Outcome Measures Operative time, estimated blood loss, gross total resection rate. Results Of 634 patients included, 175 underwent surgery with intraoperative navigation and 444 had no intraoperative navigation during surgery. There was no difference in mean age, sex, tumor type, or tumor size between the two groups. Operative time, endoscope use, cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and estimated blood loss were also similar. Two patients showed intraoperative, iatrogenic misdirection in the absence of stereotactic CT navigation (p = 0.99) but similar numbers of patients having navigated and non-navigated surgery returned to the operating room, underwent gross total resection, and showed endocrinological normalization. Conclusions These results suggest that intraoperative navigation can reduce injury without resulting in increased operative time, estimated blood loss, or reduction in gross total resection.
Willingness of individuals with eating disorders to participate in health research.

Background/aims This study examines the association between eating disorders (EDs) and willingness to participate in health research studies among community members. Materials & method Data were collected from Health Street, a University of Florida community engagement initiative which aims to reduce disparities in healthcare and health research by direct engagement of community members. Results Among 8,226 community members, 3.9% (n = 324) reported a lifetime ED. For all six types of health research studies queried, individuals with a lifetime ED reported a higher willingness to participate in health research compared to individuals without a history. After adjusting for selected covariates, individuals with ED were significantly more likely than individuals without ED to say they would be willing to volunteer for research studies that: ask questions about health (OR: 7.601, 95% CI: [1.874, 30.839]); require an overnight stay in a hospital (OR: 2.041, 95% CI: [1.442, 2.889]); and provide no remuneration (OR: 1.415, 95% CI: [1.022, 1.958]). Furthermore, when compared to individuals with anxiety or depression, individuals with ED reported increased interest in research participation and increased willingness to participate in most types of research studies assessed. After stratifying by gender and race, we observed few differences in willingness to participate in research among individuals with ED. Discussion These findings contribute to our current understanding of participant recruitment and enrollment in ED health research. Underrepresented populations who often do not seek treatment for EDs endorsed a high willingness to participate. Conclusion Future studies will likely benefit from including community members in ED research.
Phase I evaluation of lenvatinib and weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent endometrial, ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer

Abstract Objectives To estimate the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) and describe toxicities associated with lenvatinib and weekly paclitaxel in patients with recurrent endometrial and platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods Using a 3 + 3 design patients were given weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 IV day 1, 8, 15 and oral levantinib daily on a 28-day cycle. Lenvatinib dose levels were 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg, 20 mg. Toxicities were recorded using CTCAE v4.03 and response was determined with imaging after cycle 2, then every 3rd cycle, using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results 26 patients were enrolled; 19 with ovarian cancer (14 high grade serous, 1 low grade serous, 2 clear cell, 1 endometrioid, and 1 carcinosarcoma), and 7 with endometrial cancer (3 serous, and 4 endometrioid). The MTD was established at lenvatinib 16 mg and weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2. Toxicities (all grades) occurring in ≥25% of patients included anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, mucositis, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria, epistaxis, hoarseness. Twenty-three patients were evaluable for response and PFS; 15 (65%) had a partial response, 7 (30%) stable, 1 (4%) progressive disease with an objective response rate of 65%; 71% in ovarian and 50% in endometrial cancer. Median progression free survival (PFS) is 12.4 months; 14.0 months in endometrial cancer, 7.2 months in ovarian cancer; 54% had a PFS > 6 months. The median duration of response for PR patients (n = 15) was 10.9 months. Conclusions The regimen was tolerable with manageable side effects. Encouraging activity was observed in endometrial and ovarian cancer, and warrants further development.
Scheduling: Non-Preemptive, Size-Based Policies

Until now, we have only considered scheduling policies that do not have any knowledge of the job sizes. In this chapter and the next two chapters, we will look at size-based scheduling policies, starting with non-preemptive size-based policies (this chapter) and followed by preemptive size-based policies (next two chapters). The size-based policies that we will be studying include the following: SJF – (non-preemptive) Shortest-Job-First (Chapter 31) PSJF – Preemptive-Shortest-Job-First (Chapter 32) SRPT – (preemptive) Shortest-Remaining-Processing-Time (Chapter 33) It will be convenient to evaluate these size-based policies as special cases of priority queueing, so we start by analyzing priority queues, which are important in their own right. Size-based scheduling is a very important topic, which is why we devote three chapters to it. The proper size-based scheduling policy can greatly improve the performance of a system. It costs nothing to alter your scheduling policy (no money, no new hardware), so the performance gain comes for free. The above size-based policies are implemented in real systems. For web servers serving static content, SRPT scheduling has been implemented in the Linux kernel to schedule HTTP requests [92]. It has also been used to combat transient overload in web servers [162]. Priority queues are likewise prevalent in computer systems. Prioritization of jobs is used in databases to provide differentiated levels of service, whereby high-priority transactions (those that bring in lots of money) are given priority over low-priority transactions (those that are less lucrative).
Impact of Channel Length on Characteristics of 600V 4H-SiC Inversion-channel Planar MOSFETs

This work describes successful fabrication of high performance short-channel 600V 4H-SiC planar-gate MOSFETs using a non-self-aligned process in a 6 inch manufacturing foundry for the first time. The effect of channel length on the electrical characteristics of 600V 4H-SiC inversion-mode planar-gate power MOSFETs is reported using experimental data and numerical simulations. Devices were successfully fabricated with channel lengths ranging from 0.3 to 1.1 μm. The devices with 0.3μm channel length were found to have the lowest specific on-resistance and the best High Frequency Figures-of-Merit (HF-FOMs). Statistical distributions for device parameters are reported demonstrating that high yield and uniformity can be achieved for the 0.3μm channel length devices.
Directly extracting the optical transport coefficients of a turbid medium via time-resolved diffuse reflectance: a Monte Carlo study

An empirical approach to estimate the reduced scattering (μs’) and absorption (μa) coefficients of a turbid medium from time-resolved diffuse reflectance detected at multiple source-detector separations (SDS) is described. The dependence of the temporal point spread function (TPSF) on the medium’s optical properties has been previously well studied. Here, we exploit these findings by using the difference in photon arrival-times obtained from a pair of SDS at the (a) peak intensity and (b) longer-time trailing edge of the TPSF to estimate the transport coefficients. This difference may have little dependence on the instrument response functions (IRF). Consequently, real-time quantitation is possible since the method does not depend on non-linear fitting of measured reflectance and/or deconvolving the IRF. The approach uses Monte Carlo simulations to directly translate the difference in arrival times of the temporal reflectance profiles at multiple SDS into the medium’s optical properties. Here, we show that a small range in the optical properties could be defined using a pair of time differences in the TPSF.
Carbohydrate mouth rinse has no effects on behavioral or neuroelectric indices of cognition.

Abstract Rinsing the mouth with a carbohydrate solution has been suggested as a means to enhance aspects of both physical and cognitive performance. However, evidence in support of these assertions is relatively weak. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a carbohydrate mouth rinse solution on motor speed, inhibition, and sustained attention as indexed by both behavioral and neuroelectric measures. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover design, 50 college-aged young adults performed a battery of cognitive tasks both before and after rinsing their mouth for 10 s with 20 mL of either a carbohydrate mouth rinse solution or a sensory-matched placebo control solution. A simple tapping task was used as a measure of motor speed, a modified Eriksen flanker task was used to index inhibition, and a rapid visual information processing task was used as a measure of sustained attention. Participants demonstrated longer reaction times in the Flanker task after rinsing their mouths with the carbohydrate mouth rinse, relative to pretest. No differences in reaction time were observed for the placebo control condition. P3 latency in the Flanker task as an index of attentional processing speed was shorter at posttest than at pretest in the placebo control – but not the carbohydrate mouth rinse – condition. These results suggest that despite claims of cognitive enhancement, carbohydrate mouth rinses do not appear to alter motor speed, inhibition, or sustained attention as compared to a placebo control in non-physically-fatigued college-aged adults.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Endovascular repair of a large ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was performed with Endurant graft. Patient had been followed up for 3.5 years without any complications. Role of endovascular aneurysm repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is discussed.
Community Violence, PTSD, Hopelessness, Substance Use, and Perpetuation of Violence in an Urban Environment.

We investigated the relationships among chronic violence exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, hopelessness, substance use, and perpetuation of violence to facilitate the development of trauma-related interventions for residents of Newark, NJ. A convenience sample of Newark residents (N = 153) was recruited from community centers during various events in 2016–2017. Anonymous, self-report survey measures included a PTSD screen (PCL-C), Beck’s Hopelessness Scale, the CAGE questionnaire, and a CDC Health Behavior Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations, Chi square analyses, logistic, and linear regressions were used for analysis. Thirty percent (95% CI [22.7, 37.4]) of our sample screened positive for PTSD. Drug and alcohol use, fighting, and hopelessness were related to severity of PTSD symptoms (p < 0.05). Female gender, CAGE scores, and hopelessness predicted the severity of PTSD symptoms (R2 = 0.354, p < 0.05). Our data has informed the development of a resilience support group currently in the pilot stage for community members.
Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels and Stress Fractures in Collegiate Athletes.

Background:Low vitamin D levels along with high-intensity athletic training may put an athlete at increased risk for a stress fracture.Purpose:To assess whether supplementation with vitamin D is as...
Three-level Training of Multi-Head Architecture for Pain Detection

Precise pain detection is a complex task even for trained professionals. There are many occasions where self-reporting fails to capture the decisive pain measurement. Facial expressions help extract the subtle emotions which can be leveraged to detect pain levels. In this paper, we present our approach to task 1 of the FG 2020 EmoPain Challenge: Pain-related Behavior Analysis, as well as our experimental design and results. We utilize a multi-head approach with the combined features of facial action units, facial landmarks, HOG and deep features. This multimodal approach provides insight into the contribution of each of these features and their consolidated effect. To improve our regression model, we adopt a three-level architecture where we observe an increase in prediction accuracy as the levels deepen. We record results comparable to the baseline on the challenge validation set.
Is There Any Clinical Utility to Genetic Testing for Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Genetic diagnosis is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the ability to identify even fine differences in patients with a wide variety of congenital heart lesions. Although we have an incomplete understanding of the clinical consequences of most genetic findings, some categories of mutations can have important implications for disease recurrence and prognosis. Consideration of the biology underlying a genetic deficiency, when known, can be useful in the clinical management of some patients.
Black-Box Test-Time Shape REFINEment for Single View 3D Reconstruction.

Much recent progress has been made in reconstructing the 3D shape of an object from an image of it, i.e. single view 3D reconstruction. However, it has been suggested that current methods simply adopt a "nearest-neighbor" strategy, instead of genuinely understanding the shape behind the input image. In this paper, we rigorously show that for many state of the art methods, this issue manifests as (1) inconsistencies between coarse reconstructions and input images, and (2) inability to generalize across domains. We thus propose REFINE, a postprocessing mesh refinement step that can be easily integrated into the pipeline of any black-box method in the literature. At test time, REFINE optimizes a network per mesh instance, to encourage consistency between the mesh and the given object view. This, along with a novel combination of regularizing losses, reduces the domain gap and achieves state of the art performance. We believe that this novel paradigm is an important step towards robust, accurate reconstructions, remaining relevant as new reconstruction networks are introduced.
Immigration and US Labor Market Outcomes

This paper examines the factors that influence the impact of immigration on native labor market outcomes, laying out how the empirical methodology has evolved over the last 30 years. I discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these papers. My general conclusion is that immigration benefits most Americans. Immigration has a positive impact on wages for skilled native labor. In some cases, the literature finds a modest negative impact on unskilled native workers’ wages.
Generating employment in poor and fragile states: Evidence from labor market and entrepreneurship programs∗

The world's poor -- and programs to raise their incomes -- are increasingly concentrated in fragile states. We review the evidence on what interventions work, and whether stimulating employment promotes social stability. Skills training and microfinance have shown little impact on poverty or stability, especially relative to program cost. In contrast, injections of capital -- cash, capital goods, or livestock -- seem to stimulate self-employment and raise long term earning potential, often when partnered with low-cost complementary interventions. Such capital-centric programs, alongside cash-for-work, may be the most effective tools for putting people to work and boosting incomes in poor and fragile states. We argue that policymakers should shift the balance of programs in this direction. If targeted to the highest risk men, we should expect such programs to reduce crime and other materially-motivated violence modestly. Policymakers, however, should not expect dramatic effects of employment on crime and violence, in part because some forms of violence do not respond to incomes or employment. Finally, this review finds that more investigation is needed in several areas. First, are skills training and other interventions cost-effective complements to capital injections? Second, what non-employment strategies reduce crime and violence among the highest risk men, and are they complementary to employment programs? Third, policymakers can reduce the high failure rate of employment programs by using small-scale pilots before launching large programs; investing in labor market panel data; and investing in multi-country studies to test and fine tune the most promising interventions.