cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior at Habitat Boundaries Can Produce Leptokurtic Movement Distributions

There is increasing recognition that behavioral ecology should be integrated with landscape ecology for a better understanding of the effects of landscape properties on populations (Lima and Zollner 1996; Roitberg and Mangel 1997; Zollner and Lima 1999; Morales and Ellner 2002). In particular, movement behavior affects the way in which individuals redistribute themselves over space and thus has the potential to affect many ecological processes (Kareiva 1990; Tilman and Kareiva 1997; Turchin 1998). Many of these notions come from theoretical studies where the landscape is considered to be homogeneous and connectivity between habitat patches or points in space is either fixed or a simple function of distance. However, landscape ecology is rich in descriptions of land-cover types and spatial patterns that may affect movement (Turner 1989; Wiens et al. 1993; Gustafson and Gardner 1996). It is not well understood how the spatial arrangement of different habitat patches in the landscape matrix affects the movement of individuals. Behavior at habitat boundaries further complicates modeling movement in heterogeneous landscapes. Habitat boundaries may bias turning behavior, reducing permeability of edges to dispersing animals (Stamps et al. 1987). This in turn can affect species interactions (Remer and Heard 1998; Fagan et al. 1999), corridor use, and dispersal (Tischendorf and Wissel 1997; Haddad 1999; Kindvall 1999; Schultz and Crone 2001). Understanding how habitat edges alter ecological processes is believed to be of
Rational Design of a Fluorescence‐Turn‐On Sensor Array for Phosphates in Blood Serum

Phosphate anions, both inorganic and organic, hold a unique position in nature, as they take part in almost all metabolic processes. Nucleotide phosphates such as AMP or ATP are important for their role in bioenergetics, metabolism, and transfer of genetic information. Phosphates in biological liquids are often present in high concentrations and may be utilized in the diagnosis of certain diseases. Human serum contains 0.80– 1.45 mm phosphate; higher phosphate levels are directly connected to cardiovascular disease and acute renal failure. Similarly, ATP is present in resting muscle at a concentration of 4 mm, and in erythrocytes at a concentration of just under 2 mm. Numerous materials have been developed to sense phosphate ions in water at biological pH values. The sensors based on anion-induced enhancement of intrinsic fluorescence (turn-on) are attractive as they offer the potential for high sensitivity 7] and, unlike the displacement assays, are instantly reversible. Alas, few fluorescence-turn-on sensors exist for phosphate that function in electrolyte solutions. To the best of our knowledge, fluorescence-turn-on sensors capable of sensing phosphate ions in complex biological milieu, such as blood serum, have not yet been developed. Recently, we demonstrated that simple anion sensors based on hydrogen-bonding interactions can bind and sense anions in hydrophilic polymer matrices, despite their inability to bind anions in water. 11] This method combined with the sensitivity of the fluorescence-turn-on signaling could allow for the sensing of phosphate ions in aqueous environments, including biological milieu such as blood serum. Here, we present tripodal sensor molecules S1–S8 (Scheme 1) based on 1,3,5-triaminomethyl-2,4,6-triethylbenzene which can form arrays of six hydrogen-bond donors.
The crisis in services to the poor: how we got into the mess and some suggestions for getting out of it.

Economic policies of the past decade are surveyed, and the relationship of economic conditions to the funding of human services is discussed. The author foresees little relief in the fiscal crisis at state and local levels without a restructuring of national Systems of taxation and spending. He points out the effect of policy contradictions on public attitudes (e.g., seeking to maintain unemployment, while insisting that those on welfare must work), and offers some steps toward a solution.
High nonlinearity, low loss fiber for 1 pJ switching of 8-ps optical pulses

The nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) configuration is shown. It consists of a central 50/50 achromatic fiber coupler for data input/output, two WDM Mach-Zehnder fiber couplers for add/drop of the control pulses and 2 km of the highly nonlinear fibre.
Chromosomal inheritance patterns of intergeneric hybrids of ictalurid catfishes: odd diploid numbers with equal parental contributions.

Hybrid chromosomal compositions of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus× black bullhead Ameiurus melas and channel catfish × flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris were analysed by a computer-based method. The karyotype of each hybrid was highly asymmetric, and the diploid numbers and arm numbers were intermediate to the parental types. The hybrid offspring of channel catfish × black bullhead possessed a diploid number of 59 chromosomes, with an arm number estimate of 87. The hybrid offspring of the channel catfish × flathead catfish cross possessed a diploid number of 57 chromosomes, also with an arm number estimate of 87. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were located on a single pair of chromosomes with symmetric staining intensity in channel catfish and in black bullhead, and on a single pair of chromosomes with asymmetric staining intensity in flathead catfish. The channel catfish × black bullhead hybrid had two unpaired chromosomes that stained positively for NORs. The channel catfish × flathead catfish had three unpaired chromosomes that stained positively for NORs. Specific marker chromosomes were identified in each hybrid. There was no evidence of androgenesis, gynogenesis, polyploidy or aneuploidy in the hybrids. Results of this study, plus information reported previously, indicate that chromosomes of ictalurid catfishes are inherited stably in a haploid pattern with an equal contribution to the genomes of F1 hybrids, even in intergeneric crosses involving divergent numbers of parental chromosomes.
Commentary: Strategic surveillance—key to attainment of leprosy control and elimination goals at the local level

Currently the prevalence of leprosy in six countries is still above the level of 1 per 10 000 population defined in 1991 by the World Health Assembly as the target prevalence level for attainment of leprosy elimination. Together India Brazil Madagascar Mozambique United Republic of Tanzania and Nepal represent approximately 90% of the global leprosy burden and new cases continue to be detected with about 620 672 registered in 2003. Of these approximately 20% are at risk of developing nerve function impairment and subsequent disability the most serious consequence of leprosy both to the patient their family and community. In February 2003 the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Elimination of Leprosy met to evaluate the intensified strategy for global leprosy elimination. Panel members noted that while many leprosy-endemic countries have achieved elimination at the national level India and Brazil are unlikely to attain a prevalence rate below 1 per 10 000 population within the next 2 years. The panel observed that most countries successful in achieving national elimination goals have developed strategies for reaching elimination goals at regional and local levels. (excerpt)
The Effect of Male and Female Vocal Modeling on Pitch-Matching Accuracy of First-Grade Children.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether children in first grade could, prior to practice, match pitch more accurately with a female than with a male vocal model. The investigators also sought to determine whether there would be any significant difference in pitch-matching accuracy between groups of first-grade children after a period of practice with a female versus a male vocal model. Results of this study indicated that, prior to practice, subjects who could match pitch with one model could generally match pitch with the other. Practice with vocal models, apart from pitch-matching feedback, did not produce significant differences in accuracy means among practice and control groups. The female model grand mean (pre- and posttest average) was only slightly higher than the male model grand mean. It is apparent that male vocal modeling may not necessarily present unique pitch-matching problems to first-grade children.
Detection and characterization of genetic recombination in cytopathic type 2 bovine viral diarrhea viruses

In cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus genotype 1 (BVDV1) isolates, insertions are reported at position A (amino acid [aa] 1535) and position B (aa 1589). Insertions at position B predominate. In this survey it was found that in BVDV2, insertions at position A predominate. Possible reasons for this difference in relative frequency are discussed.
Seasonal coupling of canopy structure and function in African tropical forests and its environmental controls

Tropical forests provide important ecosystem services in maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon and regulating climate regionally and globally. Climate triggers the seasonal transitions of vegetation structure and function in tropical forests. In turn, the seasonal cycles of structure and function in tropical forests feed back to the climate system through the control of land-atmosphere exchange of carbon, water and energy fluxes. Large uncertainties exist in the carbon and water budgets of tropical forests, and environmental controls on phenology are among the least understood factors. Although field studies have identified patterns in the environmental controls on local-scale species-level phenology in the tropics, there is little consensus on large-scale top-down environmental controls on whole-ecosystem seasonality. In this paper, we use both optical and microwave remote sensing to investigate the seasonality of vegetation canopy structure and function in three distinct tropical African forest types, and identify environmental triggers or controls of their variability. For most tropical forests that have a closed canopy and high leaf biomass, optical remote sensing (e.g., vegetation indices) captures canopy photosynthetic capacity (i.e., canopy function), while small-wavelength microwave remote sensing characterizes the leaf biomass and leaf water content of the upper canopy (i.e., canopy structure). Our results reveal a strong coupling of canopy structure with canopy function in the tropical deciduous forests and woody savannas, and their seasonalities are both controlled by precipitation rather than solar radiation. By contrast, tropical evergreen forests in Africa exhibit a decoupling of canopy structure from canopy function revealed by different sensors: canopy photosynthetic capacity shown by the optical remote sensing is linked to the seasonal variation of precipitation, while microwave remote sensing captures semi-annual leaf-flushing that is synchronous with peak insolation intensity at the top of the atmosphere, which is bimodal. The differential coupling of canopy structure and function in tropical forests observed from remote sensing highlights differences inherent in distinct vegetation types within the tropics that may originate in the different life histories of their respective floras. This satellite-based finding encourages more field-based studies to clarify the interpretation of these large scale patterns.
A chemical approach to the preferred orientation of mica

The mineralogical and chemical changes accompanying diagenesis in Gulf Coast argillaceous sediments provide a good working model for such changes in similar sediments elsewhere. Knowledge of these reactions allows plausible explanations for mica fabric formation in mildly metamorphosed sediments to be developed. Holeywell and Tullis have identified three preferred orientations of mica across the strain gradient in the Martinsburg Formation at Lehigh Gap, Pennsylvania. These are muscovite in the bedding plane, chlorite at 20° to the bedding plane, and a slaty cleavage defined first by muscovite and with increased strain by chlorite, both at 90° to the bedding plane. The muscovite orientation in the bedding plane is attributed to sedimentary deposition of muscovite and an illite-smectite mixed-layer phase, followed by a replacement of the smectite component by illite during diagenesis. The chlorite is probably diagenetic, and its orientation may reflect a 20° rotation of the bedding plane from the plane normal to λ 3 . The orientation of muscovite and chlorite in the slaty cleavage is consistent with a pressure solution mechanism causing first the pressure solution of quartz and feldspars and the precipitation of muscovite, and later, with increased strain, the recrystallization of the earlier formed muscovite and chlorite.
A REFRACTORY PHASE IN CYCLIC AMP-RESPONSIVE TRANSCRIPTION REQUIRES DOWN REGULATION OF PROTEIN KINASE A

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) stimulates the expression of numerous genes through the protein kinase A (PK-A)-mediated phosphorylation of the nuclear factor CREB at Ser-133 (G. A. Gonzalez and M. R. Montminy, Cell 59:675-680, 1989). Like other signal transduction pathways, cAMP induces gene expression with burst-attenuation kinetics; cAMP-dependent transcription and CREB phosphorylation peak within 30 min and decline steadily over the next 4 to 6 h via the protein phosphatase 1-mediated dephosphorylation of CREB (M. Hagiwara, A. Alberts, P. Brindle, J. Meinkoth, J. Feramisco, T. Deng, M. Karin, S. Shenolikar, and M. Montminy, Cell 70:105-113, 1992). Here we characterize a third phase in cAMP-responsive transcription--a refractory period during which hormone-treated cells become transcriptionally unresponsive to subsequent stimulation by cAMP. This refractory period begins 6 to 8 h after stimulation and lasts 3 to 5 days after the removal of hormone. In contrast to the earlier attenuation phase, transcription of cAMP-responsive genes during the refractory period is not restored by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 activity. Rather, the establishment and maintenance of this phase rely on a marked reduction in PK-A catalytic subunit expression at the translational level. As overexpression of C-subunit protein can reactive transcription of cAMP-responsive genes during the refractory period, our results suggest that hormone-responsive cells may stimulate, attenuate, and then silence signal-dependent genes through distinct regulatory mechanisms.
The effect of surfactant-free TiO 2 surface hydroxyl groups on physicochemical, optical and self-cleaning properties of developed coatings on polycarbonate

TiO2 is a prototypical transition metal oxide with physicochemical properties that can be modified more readily through sol–gel synthesis than through other techniques. Herein, we report on the change in the density of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of synthesized surfactant-free TiO2 nanoparticles in water due to varying the pH (7.3, 8.3, 9.3 and 10.3) of the peroxotitanium complex, i.e. the amorphous sol, prior to refluxing. This resulted in colloidal solutions with differing crystallinity, nanoparticle size, optical indirect bandgaps and photocatalytic activity. It was shown that increasing the density of hydroxyl groups on TiO2 particles coupled with low-temperature annealing (90 °C) induced an anatase to rutile transformation. Increasing the pH of the peroxotitanium complex interrupted the formation of anatase phase in crystalline sol, as evidenced by intensity increases of the Raman bands at ∼822 (Ti–O–H) and 906 cm−1 (vibrational Ti–O–H) and an intensity decrease of the band at 150 cm−1 (anatase photonic Eg). Films prepared from higher pH suspensions showed lower roughness. The reaction rate constants for photo-induced self-cleaning activity of TiO2 films prepared from colloidal solutions at pH 7.3, 8.3, 9.3 and 10.3 were estimated at 0.017 s−1, 0.014 s−1, 0.007 s−1 and 0.006 s−1, respectively.
Axial Patterning in Hydra

Morphogen gradients play an important role in pattern formation during early stages of embryonic development in many bilaterians. In an adult hydra, axial patterning processes are constantly active because of the tissue dynamics in the adult. These processes include an organizer region in the head, which continuously produces and transmits two signals that are distributed in gradients down the body column. One signal sets up and maintains the head activation gradient, which is a morphogenetic gradient. This gradient confers the capacity of head formation on tissue of the body column, which takes place during bud formation, hydra's mode of asexual reproduction, as well as during head regeneration following bisection of the animal anywhere along the body column. The other signal sets up the head inhibition gradient, which prevents head formation, thereby restricting bud formation to the lower part of the body column in an adult hydra. Little is known about the molecular basis of the two gradients. In contrast, the canonical Wnt pathway plays a central role in setting up and maintaining the head organizer.
PMD compensation in multilevel coded-modulation schemes using BLAST algorithm

We present two PMD compensation schemes suitable for use in multilevel block-coded modulation schemes with coherent detection: (i) Bell Laboratories layered space-time architecture (BLAST)-type polarization-interference cancellation scheme, and (ii) iterative polarization cancellation scheme.
The glial nature of embryonic and adult neural stem cells

Glial cells were long considered end products of neural differentiation, specialized supportive cells with an origin very different from that of neurons. New studies have shown that some glial cells—radial glia (RG) in development and specific subpopulations of astrocytes in adult mammals—function as primary progenitors or neural stem cells (NSCs). This is a fundamental departure from classical views separating neuronal and glial lineages early in development. Direct visualization of the behavior of NSCs and lineage-tracing studies reveal how neuronal lineages emerge. In development and in the adult brain, many neurons and glial cells are not the direct progeny of NSCs, but instead originate from transit amplifying, or intermediate, progenitor cells (IPCs). Within NSCs and IPCs, genetic programs unfold for generating the extraordinary diversity of cell types in the central nervous system. The timing in development and location of NSCs, a property tightly linked to their neuroepithelial origin, appear to be the key determinants of the types of neurons generated. Identification of NSCs and IPCs is critical to understand brain development and adult neurogenesis and to develop new strategies for brain repair.
Rate of FKS Mutations among Consecutive Candida Isolates Causing Bloodstream Infection

Precise FKS mutation rates among Candida species are undefined because studies have not systematically screened consecutive, disease-causing isolates. The Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) assay measures echinocandin MICs against Candida with less variability than reference broth microdilution methods. However, clinical breakpoint MICs may overstate caspofungin nonsusceptibility compared to other agents. Our objectives were to determine Candida FKS mutation rates by studying consecutive bloodstream isolates and to determine if discrepant susceptibility results were associated with FKS mutations. FKS hot spots were sequenced in echinocandin-intermediate and -resistant isolates and those from patients with breakthrough candidemia or ≥ 3 days of prior echinocandin exposure. Overall, 453 isolates from 384 patients underwent susceptibility testing; 16% were echinocandin intermediate or resistant. Intermediate susceptibility rates were higher for Candida glabrata than for other species (P < 0.0001) and higher for caspofungin than for other agents (P < 0.0001). Resistance rates were similar between agents. FKS mutations were detected in 5% of sequenced isolates and 2% of isolates overall. Corresponding rates among C. glabrata isolates were 8% and 4%, respectively. Among Candida albicans isolates, rates were 5% and <1%, respectively. Mutations occurred exclusively with prior echinocandin exposure and were not detected in other species. Isolates with discrepant susceptibility results did not harbor FKS mutations. Mutation rates among isolates resistant to ≥ 2, 1, and 0 agents were 75%, 13%, and 0%, respectively. In conclusion, FKS mutations were uncommon among non-C. glabrata species, even with prior echinocandin exposure. Discrepancies in echinocandin susceptibility by SYO testing were not driven by mutations and likely reflect imprecise caspofungin clinical breakpoints.
30 Day hospital readmission analysis

Readmissions to a hospital after procedures are costly and considered to be an indication of poor quality. As Per the Affordable Care Act of 2010, hospitals may be reimbursed at a reduced rate for patients readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of discharge. In this project, we used statistical and machine-learning methods to analyze the Nationwide Inpatient Sample dataset provided by HCUP (Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project) to identify various clinical, demographic and socio-economic factors that play crucial roles in predicting the revenue loss due to readmissions. Three medical conditions, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), total hip arthroplasty (THA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been primarily used for this purpose. Our analysis builds on both non-parametric and parametric statistical models and machine learning techniques such as Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression and Neural Networks. We evaluated and compared these models based on Area under ROC (AUC) and misclassification rate. By including visual analytics, this analysis not only enables the hospitals to compute the loss of revenue but also monitors their quality of service in a real-time fashion.
Serendipity in research—investigation into illegal wildlife trade discovers a new population of Steller's sea cows: a reply to Pyenson et al. (2016)

According to Stejneger [[1][1]], it is most likely that the last of the great northern sea cows went extinct around 1768. Many Steller's sea cow ( Hydrodamalis gigas ) bones have been located on the Commander and Aleutian Islands to date [[2][2],[3][3]]. However, no verified H. gigas bones have ever
Exoskeleton progress yields slippery slope.

W. Cornwall's fascinating News Feature on the growing use of exoskeletons in the military—i.e., robotically augmented ambulatory systems—documented a number of technical hurdles yet to be overcome in this emerging technology (“In pursuit of the perfect power suit,” 16 October, p. [270][1]). In addition to their military potential, exoskeletons will aid many civilians suffering from restricted mobility. However, despite their possibilities, exoskeletons pose substantial ethical, legal, and social concerns that will quickly become all the more relevant with the rapid growth of both the military and civilian industries. ![Figure][2] A soldier tests a system built to augment walking performance. The ethical, legal, and social implications of exoskeletons such as this one have yet to be explored. PHOTO: PAUL FETTERS The ability to augment otherwise healthy individuals with military-grade exoskeletons starts us down the slippery slope of human enhancement, a challenging area with broad repercussions in conventional society ranging in applications from medicine to sports. Additionally, in transforming soldiers into quasi-machines, we risk further dehumanizing warfare and its human actors, raising the potential for abuse not only by the enemy, but by commanding officers. This capacity for exploitation can also affect civilian workers who will use exoskeletons in heavy industries. Even corrective uses associated with restoring abilities to the disabled raise social justice concerns relating to the availability of, and accessibility to, this life-altering technology. Therapeutic implementations may also compel us to redefine nontrivial concepts of disability and ableness in light of the growing capacity to technologically supplement human frailties; additionally, current legal and regulatory structures may be unable to appropriately fit newly abled individuals within current disability conventions. Not only will exoskeletons likely raise novel legal issues relating to product liability, but the potential to implant brain machine interfaces (BMIs) within the posterior parietal cortex, resulting in preconscious control over the exoskeleton, may challenge longstanding near-universal tenets of criminal law. In most jurisdictions, an individual cannot be guilty of a crime if they lack the threshold mens rea and actus reus (i.e., a guilty mind resulting in a guilty action). BMIs, particularly those supplemented with artificial intelligence, could result in arguably involuntary actions that confound criminal culpability and conceivably put into question even more fundamental issues of free will. In anticipating, promptly acknowledging, and perhaps even tackling these and other concerns, we can preempt and preclude potentially hampering legislation and regulation that might inhibit innovation. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.350.6258.270 [2]: pending:yes
The arterial barrier to lipoprotein influx in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit: 1. Studies during the first two days after mild aortic injury

These studies examine the hypothesis that removal of aortic endothelium eliminates a barrier to lipoprotein cholesterol influx. The aortas of rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet from 7 to 16 days before balloon injury were studied 1 or 2 days after deendothelialization of specific areas of the aorta. By this design the aortic sterol content was near normal on the day of injury, but areas of injured and noninjured aorta were exposed to identical levels of elevated plasma cholesterol. Measuring the arterial [3H]- and [14C] cholesterol fractions accumulated during 2 different intervals after dosage in the same animals permitted calculation of total influx and fractional loss of aortic cholesterol. During the first 2 days after deendothelialization, total (unidirectional) cholesteryl ester influx in deendothelialized aorta was similar to that in adjacent uninjured aorta, but total influx of nonesterified cholesterol was increased. The calculated increase in influx of nonesterified cholesterol was not a result of an increase in hydrolysis of entered cholesteryl ester but probably represents increased exchange of labeled cholesterol between artery and plasma. These results suggest that subendothelial layers of the aorta of short-term cholesterol-fed rabbits function as significant barriers to lipoprotein influx and that processes other than increased permeation by lipoproteins initiate injury-induced lesions.
Fate and excretion of adrenocorticotrophic hormone.

SummaryRat ACTH is a dose equivalent to 100 μg La-l-A per 100 g body weight, injected intravenously into rats, disappears rapidly from the circulating blood of intact and adrenalectomized rats. Five minutes after injection of the hormone into intact rats about 40% of the injected dose is present in extracellular fluid and 20% in the kidneys; after 15 minutes a negligible quantity is present in extracellular fluid and 15% in the kidneys. The adrenals have a relatively high concentration of the hormone although the concentration is lower than in the kidney. It is estimated that less than 1/500th and 1/2000th of the injected dose is present in the adrenals at 5 and 15 minutes after injection, respectively. Liver contains no detectable quantity of the injected ACTH either 5 or 15 minutes after injection of hormone. Injected ACTH could not be detected in the urine in these experiments.
Design Skills for HRI

This tutorial is a hands-on introduction to human-centered design topics and practices for human-robot interaction. It is intended for researchers with a variety of backgrounds, particularly those with little or no prior experience in design. In the morning, participants will learn about user needs and needfinding, as ways to understand the stakeholders in research outcomes, guide the selection of participants, and as possible measures of success. We then focus on design sketching, including ways to represent objects, people and their interactions through storyboards. Design sketching is not intended to be art, rather a way to develop and build upon ideas with oneself, and quickly communicate with colleagues. In the afternoon, participants will use the tools and materials, and learn techniques for lightweight physical prototyping and improvisation. Participants will build a small paper robot (not actuated) of their own design, to practice puppeteering, explore bodily movement and prototype interactions.
Universal Behavior of Atomistic Strain in Self-Assembled Quantum Dots

Self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) are highly strained heterostructures. The lattice strain significantly modifies the electronic and optical properties of these devices. A universal behavior is observed in atomistic strain simulations (in terms of both strain magnitude and profile) of QDs with different shapes and materials. In this paper, this universal behavior is investigated by atomistic as well as analytic continuum models. Atomistic strain simulations are very accurate but computationally expensive. On the other hand, analytic continuum solutions are based on assumptions that significantly reduce the accuracy of the strain calculations, but are very fast. Both techniques indicate that the strain depends on the aspect ratio (AR) of the QDs, and not on the individual dimensions. Thus, simple closed-form equations are introduced which directly provide the atomistic strain values inside the QD as a function of the AR and the material parameters. Moreover, the conduction and valence band edges E C/V and their effective masses m* C/V of the QDs are dictated by the strain and AR consequently. The universal dependence of atomistic strain on the AR is useful in many ways. Not only does it reduce the computational cost of atomistic simulations significantly, but it also provides information about the optical transitions of QDs given the knowledge of E C/V and m* C/V from AR. Finally, these expressions are used to calculate optical transition wavelengths in InAs/GaAs QDs, and the results agree well with the experimental measurements and atomistic simulations.
Reformulation of Fungizone by PEG-DSPE Micelles: Deaggregation and Detoxification of Amphotericin B.

Purpose Fungizone® (AmB-SD), amphotericin B solubilized by sodium deoxycholate, contains a highly aggregated form of the antifungal agent that causes dose-limiting renal toxicity. With the aim of reducing the formulation’s toxicity by co-delivering monomeric amphotericin B (AmB) and sodium supplementation, we deaggregated AmB-SD with FDA-approved excipient PEG-DSPE in 0.9% NaCl-USP. Herein, we describe a reformulated AmB-SD with PEG-DSPE micelles that results in a less toxic drug with maintained antifungal activity.
End-directed evolution and the emergence of energy-seeking behavior in a complex system

Self-organization in a voltage-driven nonequilibrium system, consisting of conducting beads immersed in a viscous medium, gives rise to a dynamic tree structure that exhibits wormlike motion. The complex motion of the beads driven by the applied field, the dipole-dipole interaction between the beads and the hydrodynamic flow of the viscous medium, results in a time evolution of the tree structure towards states of lower resistance or higher dissipation and thus higher rates of entropy production. Thus emerges a remarkably organismlike energy-seeking behavior. The dynamic tree structure draws the energy needed to form and maintain its structure, moves to positions at which it receives more energy, and avoids conditions that lower available energy. It also is able to restore its structure when damaged, i.e., it is self-healing. The emergence of energy-seeking behavior in a nonliving complex system that is extremely simple in its construct is unexpected. Along with the property of self-healing, this system, in a rudimentary way, exhibits properties that are analogous to those we observe in living organisms. Thermodynamically, the observed diverse behavior can be characterized as end-directed evolution to states of higher rates of entropy production.
Using a Semi-Automated Modeling Environment to Construct a Bayesian, Sepsis Diagnostic System

We have developed an analytics environment, which uses clinical data from an Enterprise Data Warehouse to construct diagnostic models for use in clinical settings. We have focused on models based on Bayesian networks. The resulting system allows flexible development and testing of different Bayesian models based on 1) varying the data made available for use in the model and 2) manually and programmatically altering the models to improve their behavior. Here we illustrate the use of this system in exploring a group of models designed to identify sepsis patients in an emergency department setting. Varying the data elements used in the models and the structure of the models provides a range of diagnostic models whose operating behavior can be compared and contrasted.
Defining Successful Immune Reconstitution (IR) after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT)

Allo-HCT is curative for hematological malignancies that are refractory to conventional chemotherapy. However, GVHD, CMV reactivation and relapse are common complications that either impair immune recovery (IR) or are secondary to the profound immune deficiency associated with these complications. We reasoned that patients who lacked these and survived beyond 1 year 9behaved9 as if they had reconstituted functionally. To address this hypothesis we analyzed T, B and NK IR in 423 allo-HCT patients with hematologic malignancy without TRM in the first year. Patients who lacked GVHD, CMV reactivation and relapse were assigned to the "successful" IR group (n=115), while those who had any of these were assigned to the "suboptimal" IR group (n=308). Because some "successful" patients were CMV seronegative (CMV-) and thus at low risk for CMV viremia, we further divided this group into "successful-CMV+" (n=50) and "successful-CMV-" (n=65). In terms of 5-year DFS, "successful-CMV+" patients had the best outcome followed by "successful-CMV-" and "suboptimal" patients (90% [95% CI: 76-96%] vs 57% [36-72%] vs 43% [37-49%], p 1480/ul) by D+60 as compared to that in "successful-CMV-" and "suboptimal" patients (57% vs. 13% vs. 24%, p=0.0005 and p=0.0025, respectively). This was primarily driven by faster CD3+CD8+ recovery to normal levels (64% vs. 15% vs. 26%, p=0.0004 and p=0.0016, respectively). These findings were durable over one year, with the "successful-CMV+" patients having significantly higher absolute numbers of CD3+CD8+ T cells at nearly every time point compared to the other two groups. Similarly, a significantly higher proportion of patients reached the normal range for B cells in the "successful-CMV+" and "successful-CMV-" groups relative to "suboptimal" IR group. After antigen encounter, naive T cells differentiate into effector memory (EM) and central memory (CM) cells with some of the EM cells reacquiring CD45RA (EMRA); therefore, we evaluated the three groups for recovery of these T cell subpopulations. "Successful-CMV+" patients had significantly higher numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ EM and EMRA cells at nearly all time points compared to the other groups. Using a multivariate mixed model and taking time since transplant, donor stem cell source and recipient age into consideration, patients in "successful-CMV+" IR group showed higher ALC as well as higher absolute numbers of CD3, CD4EM, CD4EMRA, CD8EM, CD8EMRA, and NKG2C+CD57+ relative to the other group, Table 1). Together, these data define the phenotypic profile of the successful IR with the unexpected findings of better survival in CMV+ seropositive patients who are able to control CMV reactivation (and without GVHD or relapse). These results highlight the intriguing relationship between CMV and the human immune system and further suggest that strategies to control CMV reactivation (drugs, cellular therapy or vaccination) may have an unexpected impact on transplant outcomes. Disclosures Miller:Coronado: Speakers Bureau; BioSciences: Speakers Bureau; Celegene: Speakers Bureau.
Descriptive drinking norms in Native American and non-Hispanic White college students.

Abstract Objective College students tend to overestimate how much their peers drink, which is associated with higher personal alcohol use. However, research has not yet examined if this phenomenon holds true among Native American (NA) college students. This study examined associations between descriptive norms and alcohol use/consequences in a sample of NA and non-Hispanic White (NHW) college students. Method NA (n = 147, 78.6% female) and NHW (n = 246, 67.8% female) undergraduates completed an online survey. Results NAs NHWs showed similar descriptive norms such that the “typical college student,” “typical NA student,” and “typical NHW student” were perceived to drink more than “best friends.” “Best friends” descriptive norms (i.e., estimations of how many drinks per week were consumed by participants' best friends) were the most robust predictors of alcohol use/consequences. Effect size estimates of the associations between drinking norms and participants' alcohol use were consistently positive and ranged from r = 0.25 to r = 0.51 across the four reference groups. Negative binomial hurdle models revealed that all descriptive norms tended to predict drinking, and “best friends” drinking norms predicted alcohol consequences. Apart from one interaction effect, likely due to familywise error rate, these associations were not qualified by interactions with racial/ethnic group. Conclusions We found similar patterns between NAs and NHWs both in the pattern of descriptive norms across reference groups and in the strength of associations between descriptive norms and alcohol use/consequences. Although these results suggest that descriptive norms operate similarly among NAs as other college students, additional research is needed to identify whether other norms (e.g., injunctive norms) operate similarly across NA and NHW students.
Pelvic MRI and CT images are interchangeable for measuring peripouch fat

A total of 27 pouch patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, who underwent pelvic MRI-DIXON and CT scan within one year, were included. Peripouch fat areas were measured at the middle height level of pouch (AreaM) and the highest level of pouch (AreaH). Our results demonstrated that measurements of perianal fat thickness, AreaM and AreaH based on MRI image were accurate and reproducible (correlation efficiency(r): intraobserver: 0.984–0.991; interobserver: 0.969–0.971; all P < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed that more than 92.593% (25/27) of dots fell within the limits of agreement. We also identified strong agreements between CT and MRI image in measuring perianal fat thickness(r = 0.823, P < 0.001), AreaM (r = 0.773, P < 0.001) and AreaH (r = 0.862, P < 0.001). Interchangeable calculating formula to normalize measurements between CT and MRI images were created: Thickness_CT = 0.610 × Thickness_MRI + 0.853; AreaM_CT = 0.865 × AreaM_MRI + 1.392; AreaH_CT = 0.508 × AreaH_MRI + 15.001. In conclusion, pelvic MRI image is a feasible and reproducible method for quantifying peripouch fat. Pelvic MRI and CT images are interchangeable in retrospective measurements of peripouch fat, which will foster future investigation of the role of mesentery fat in colorectal diseases.
Disparities in Outcomes for Blacks versus Whites Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Literature Review.

Objective Total hip replacement (THA) surgery is a successful procedure, yet blacks in the United States undergo THA less often and reflect poorer outcomes than whites. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on health-related quality of life after THA, comparing blacks and whites. Methods A librarian-assisted search was performed in Medline through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library on February 27, 2017. Original cohort studies examining pain, function, and satisfaction in blacks and whites 1 year after elective THA were included. Using the Patient/ Population–Intervention–Comparison/Comparator–Outcome (PICO) process format, our population of interest was US black adults, our intervention was elective THA, our comparator was white adults, and our outcomes of interest were pain, function, and satisfaction after elective THA. The protocol was registered under the PROSPERO international register, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Results Of the articles, 4739 were screened by title, 180 by abstract, 25 by full text, and 4 remained for analysis. The studies represented 1588 THA patients, of whom 240 (15%) were black. All studies noted more pain and worse function for blacks; although differences were statistically significant, they were not clinically significant. One study sought and identified less satisfaction for blacks after THA, and 1 study showed worse fear and anxiety scores in blacks. Conclusion When measured, there are small differences in THA outcomes between blacks and whites, but most studies do not analyze/collect race. Future studies should address the effect of race and socioeconomic factors on healthcare disparities.
A High-Fractional-Bandwidth, Millimeter-Wave Bidirectional Image-Selection Architecture With Narrowband LO Tuning Requirements

An image-selection, two-element transceiver is presented that operates over a large fractional bandwidth (FBW) covering both 71–76 and 81–86 GHz while requiring only 3 GHz of local oscillator (LO) tuning range at the RF mixer. A bidirectional sliding-intermediate frequency (IF) Weaver architecture allows operation in either transmit (TX) or receive (RX) modes. The sliding IF and narrow LO tuning range allow wideband image rejection using only a single-stage polyphase filter. The circuit is implemented in a 90-nm SiGe BiCMOS process and the RF and LO circuitry consume at most 150 and 250 mW, respectively. Measurements show less than ±0.75-dB gain variation over 10 GHz in the TX mode and less than ±1-dB variation over 10-GHz bandwidth in the RX mode. With 16- and 64-quadrature-amplitude modulation (QAM), the error vector magnitude is below −22 and −28.5 dB at the data rates of 12 and 9 Gb/s, respectively.
From Bromides to Peptides: The Role of Chemicals in Conditioning and Learning Theory

In reviewing the philosophical and historical roots of Pavlovian psychobiology, we (Corson and E. O’Leary Corson, 1976) pointed out that after some 30 years of experimentations with conditional reflexes in dogs, Pavlov based his system of classification of dogs (Pavlovian typology) primarily on the interaction between central nervous system excitation and inhibition.
Applying AnalogTechniques in Digital CMOS Buffers to ImproveSpeed and Noise Immunity

A digital CMOS buffer circuit with a voltage transfer characteristic (VTC) with low threshold voltage detection, hysteresis, and high noise immunity is presented. The circuit is capable of restoring slow transition times and distorted input signals with a minimum delay penalty, offering at the same time high noise immunity to glitches induced either through capacitive coupling or from the power supply lines. The high noise immunity of the proposed buffer circuit is achieved using differential mode rejection and a differential redundant circuit architecture.
Presurgical Therapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma and Implications for Window-of-Opportunity Trials

Advances in cancer biology and medicinal chemistry have produced a wealth of small-molecule drugs that target critical pathways in cancers. Unfortunately, the success rate for lead compounds entering clinical trials is extremely low. Pharmacodynamic markers assessed in posttreatment tissue have the potential to identify promising therapies early during drug development. Posttreatment tumor can be used to assess for the presence of the drug target, engagement of the target by the drug, and a biologic response at the cellular level. Biomarkers associated with biologic response may be useful as early indicators of a clinical response. Once the drug is approved, such predictive biomarkers can be used to help select optimal treatments for individual patients.
Engine Models and Simulation Tools

This chapter offers a brief overview of engine dynamics, aiming at the extraction of linearized models that can be used as a basis for design. The Commercial Modular Aeropropulsion System Simulation (CMAPSS) package developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center is also described.This chapter outlines the methodologies commonly followed to arrive at dynamic models, which are suitable for control design. A public-domain simulation package developed by NASA is also described, which will be used for many simulation studies contained in this book.
The End of Certainty in Economics

The story of the sciences in the 20th Century is one of a steady loss of certainty. Much of what was real and machine-like and objective and determinate at the start of the century, by mid-century was a phantom, unpredictable, subjective and indeterminate. What had defined science at the start of the century—its power to predict, its clear subject/object distinction—no longer defines it at the end. Science after science has lost its innocence. Science after science has grown up.
A new “nuclear normalcy”?:

This article focuses on a part of the “nuclear condition” that is often overlooked in philosophical discussions: that of materiality. Connecting the spheres of nuclear weapons (and associated secur...
Assessing the predictive accuracy of oral glucose effectiveness index using a calibration model.

Current reference methods for measuring glucose effectiveness (GE) are the somatostatin pancreatic glucose clamp and minimal model analysis of frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT), both of which are laborious and not feasible in large epidemiological studies. Consequently, surrogate indices derived from an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to measure GE (oGE) have been proposed and used in many studies. However, the predictive accuracy of these surrogates has not been formally validated. In this study, we used a calibration model analysis to evaluate the accuracy of surrogate indices to predict GE from the reference FSIVGTT (SgMM). Subjects (n = 123, mean age 48 ± 11 years; BMI 35.9 ± 7.3 kg/m2) with varying glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 37; IFG/IGT, n = 78; and T2DM, n = 8) underwent FSIVGTT and OGTT on two separate days. Predictive accuracy was assessed by both root mean squared error (RMSE) of prediction and leave-one-out cross-validation-type RMSE of prediction (CVPE). As expected, insulin sensitivity, SgMM, and oGE were reduced in subjects with T2DM and IFG/IGT when compared with NGT. Simple linear regression analyses revealed a modest but significant relationship between oGE and SgMM (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). However, using calibration model, measured SgMM and predicted SgMM derived from oGE were modestly correlated (r = 0.21, p < 0.05) with the best fit line suggesting poor predictive accuracy. There were no significant differences in CVPE and RMSE among the surrogates, suggesting similar predictive ability. Although OGTT-derived surrogate indices of GE are convenient and feasible, they have limited ability to robustly predict GE.