cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Azole resistance in Cryptococcus gattii from the Pacific Northwest: investigation of the role of ERG11.

Cryptococcus gattii is responsible for an expanding epidemic of serious infections in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States (Pacific Northwest). Some patients with these infections respond poorly to azole antifungals, and high azole MICs have been reported in Pacific Northwest C. gattii. In this study, multiple azoles (but not amphotericin B) had higher MICs for 25 Pacific Northwest C. gattii than for 34 non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii or 20 Cryptococcus neoformans strains. We therefore examined the roles in azole resistance of overexpression of or mutations in the gene (ERG11) encoding the azole target enzyme. ERG11/ACT1 mRNA ratios were higher in C. gattii than in C. neoformans, but these ratios did not differ in Pacific Northwest and non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains, nor did they correlate with fluconazole MICs within any group. Three Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains with low azole MICs and 2 with high azole MICs had deduced Erg11p sequences that differed at one or more positions from that of the fully sequenced Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain R265. However, the azole MICs for conditional Saccharomyces cerevisiae erg11 mutants expressing the 5 variant ERG11s were within 2-fold of the azole MICs for S. cerevisiae expressing the ERG11 gene from C. gattii R265, non-Pacific Northwest C. gattii strain WM276, or C. neoformans strains H99 or JEC21. We conclude that neither ERG11 overexpression nor variations in ERG11 coding sequences was responsible for the high azole MICs observed for the Pacific Northwest C. gattii strains we studied.
Bounded error parameter estimation for models described by ordinary and delay differential equations

In this paper we focus on the problem of parameter identification for non-linear dynamical systems in the case when the number of data samples are too small for standard statistical analysis. The models are described by ordinary and delay differential equations with bounded errors. When the number of data samples is very small, standard validation methods are not applicable because classical statistical asymptotic theory relies on the behavior of the estimated parameter as the number of samples grows large. We present a new computational method that can be used to for solving this problem for a specific class of models. Although the assumptions lead to a restricted class of models, the new algorithm is computationally efficient for this class of problems. We introduce the basic ideas, provide some theoretical results needed for the convergence of the method and present numerical examples to illustrate the approach.
Words and things in Yucatán: poststructuralism and the everyday life of Mayan multiculturalism

This article draws on ethnographic examples to examine how rural Maya-speakers in the Mexican state of Yucatan ground the experience of identity politics in quotidian engagements with pre-Hispanic objects and utterances in the Maya language. My argument is intended as a revision of models of critical scholarship that have been influenced by poststructuralism and that place an overwhelming emphasis on discourse as a modality through which politically viable identities are created and performed. Specific examples show how vernacular multiculturalism is shaped by the agency of forms of language use and physical objects that have been a part of local life-worlds long before the popularization of Mayan identity politics. This offers some potentials for collaborative work that have not been fully explored in poststructural critiques of representation. Resume L’auteur s’appuie sur des exemples ethnographiques pour etudier la maniere dont les locuteurs du maya vivant dans les zones rurales de l’etat mexicain du Yucatan fondent leur experience de la politique identitaire sur une interaction quotidienne avec les objets et enonces prehispaniques de la langue maya. Son argumentation se veut une remise en cause des modeles universitaires critiques influences par le poststructuralisme, qui mettent lourdement l’accent sur le discours en tant que modalite permettant de creer et de realiser des identites politiquement viables. Des exemples concrets montrent comme un multiculturalisme vernaculaire se constitue par l’action des formes d’usage du langage et des objets materiels qui faisaient partie de la vie locale longtemps avant que la politique identitaire maya se popularise. Cette approche offre un potentiel de travail en collaboration qui n’a pas ete completement explore par les critiques poststructuralistes de la representation.
Synergistic Re-Activation of Epigenetically Silenced Genes by Combinatorial Inhibition of DNMTs and LSD1 in Cancer Cells

Epigenetic gene silencing, mediated by aberrant promoter DNA hypermethylation and repressive histone modifications, is a hallmark of cancer. Although heritable, the dynamic nature and potential reversibility through pharmacological interventions make such aberrations attractive targets. Since cancers contain multiple epigenetic abnormalities, combining therapies that target different defects could potentially enhance their individual efficacies. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR), FDA-approved drug for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome, can inhibit DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) upon incorporation into the DNA of dividing cells, resulting in global demethylation. More recently, the first histone demethylase, lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which demethylates both histone and non-histone substrates, has become a new target for epigenetic therapy. Using, clorgyline, an LSD1 inhibitor (LSD1i) to treat cancer cell lines, we show that clorgyline employs two mechanisms of action depending on the cell type: it can either induce global DNA demethylation or inhibit LSD1-driven H3K4me2 and H3K4me1 demethylation to establish an active chromatin configuration. We also investigate the therapeutic efficacy of combining 5-Aza-CdR with clorgyline and determine that this combinatorial treatment has synergistic effects on reactivating aberrantly silenced genes by enriching H3K4me2 and H3K4me1. Many of the reactivated genes are categorized as cancer testis antigens or belong to the interferon-signaling pathway, suggesting potential implications for immunotherapy. Together, our results demonstrate that combinatorial treatment consisting of a DNMT inhibitor (DNMTi) and an LSD1i have enhanced therapeutic values and could improve the efficacy of epigenetic therapy.
Supranormal Cardiac Output in the Dopamine- and Dobutamine-Dependent Preterm Infant

To evaluate the incidence of low cardiac output in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), we measured cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and systemic vascular resistance at 8–48 hours of age in 30 preterm infants with RDS who were dependent on inotropic support. We then compared them to 23 normotensive preterm infants with RDS and 27 preterm infants without RDS. RDS infants had a higher cardiac output and lower systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure than infants without RDS. Infants treated with dopamine and dobutamine had a higher cardiac output and heart rate than infants on dopamine alone or the normotensive controls but a lower blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance than the normotensive controls. Supranormal cardiac output (>400 ml/min/kg) was detected in 57% of the infants in the dopamine + dobutamine subgroup (p= 0.009) versus 17% in the normotensive RDS subgroup and 12% in the dopamine subgroup. These data show that high cardiac output is relatively common in infants with RDS dependent on dopamine and dobutamine but is not reflected in the blood pressure.
Ingres's Second Madame Moitessier: ‘Le Brevet du Peintre d'Histoire’

Despite their ubiquity throughout his career, Ingres's portraits of women are generally understood to stand outside of, and in opposition to, the artist's academic practices and priorities. An examination of Ingres's Portrait of Madame Moitessier (1856) suggests rather that the portraiture lay at the crux of Ingres's particular relation to ‘nature’ and the ‘ideal’. Portrait-making, with its attendant demands for verisimilitude and the insistent presence of the sitter's own body and desires, presented a challenge for the history painter, whose work was based upon a process of distillation from the studio model. And, while the portrait genre had long been haunted by the imagined threat of artistic servitude, Ingres responded to the problem of invoking the specificities of the sitter by simultaneously effecting her translation towards the general and by painting the portrait as history. In painting the portrait of Madame Moitessier in such terms, Ingres demonstrated how artistic practices and commitments which are generally understood to be mutually exclusive were instead, for Ingres, profoundly imbricated. Through an excavation of the processes and techniques used in the creation of the portrait of Madame Moitessier, this article argues that portraiture is the place to understand Ingres's notion of ‘history painter’ as something other than simply ‘painter of history‘.
The role of integer matrices in multidimensional multirate systems

Various theoretical issues in multidimensional (m-D) multirate signal processing are formulated and solved. In the problems considered, the decimation matrix and the expansion matrix are nondiagonal, so that extensions of 1-D results are nontrivial. The m-D polyphase implementation technique for rational sampling rate alterations, the perfect reconstruction properties for the m-D delay-chain systems, and the periodicity matrices of decimated m-D signals (both deterministic and statistical) are treated. The discussions are based on several key properties of integer matrices, including greatest common divisors and least common multiples. These properties are reviewed. >
Effects of stochastic sodium channels on extracellular excitation of myelinated nerve fibers

The effects of the stochastic gating properties of sodium channels on the extracellular excitation properties of mammalian nerve fibers was determined by computer simulation. To reduce computation time, a hybrid multicompartment cable model including five central nodes of Ranvier containing stochastic sodium channels and 16 flanking nodes containing deterministic membrane dynamics was developed. The excitation properties of the hybrid cable model were comparable with those of a full stochastic cable model including 21 nodes of Ranvier containing stochastic sodium channels, indicating the validity of the hybrid cable model. The hybrid cable model was used to investigate whether or not the excitation properties of extracellularly activated fibers were influenced by the stochastic gating of sodium channels, including spike latencies, strength-duration (SD), current-distance (IX), and recruitment properties. The stochastic properties of the sodium channels in the hybrid cable model had the greatest impact when considering the temporal dynamics of nerve fibers, i.e., a large variability in latencies, while they did not influence the SD, IX, or recruitment properties as compared with those of the conventional deterministic cable model. These findings suggest that inclusion of stochastic nodes is not important for model-based design of stimulus waveforms for activation of motor nerve fibers. However, in cases where temporal fine structure is important, for example in sensory neural prostheses in the auditory and visual systems, the stochastic properties of the sodium channels may play a key role in the design of stimulus waveforms.
Active Length Control of Shape Memory Alloy Wires Using Reinforcement Learning

Actively controlled shape memory alloy actuators are useful for a variety of applications that require accurate shape control. For shape memory alloy wires, strain is modulated with temperature, usually by an applied voltage difference across the length. Numerical simulation using reinforcement learning has previously been used for determining the temperature–strain relationship of a shape memory alloy wire and for synthesizing a limited control policy that relates applied temperature to desired strain. However, learning the voltage–strain relationship is of more practical interest in synthesizing feedback control laws for shape memory alloy wires since the control input in practical applications will be an applied voltage that modulates temperature. This article implements a Sarsa-based algorithm for determining a feedback control law in voltage–strain space and validates it experimentally. Experimental results presented in this article demonstrate the ability to control a shape memory alloy specimen fro...
Stats on the Cheap Using Free and Inexpensive Internet Resources to Enhance the Teaching of Statistics and Research Methods

The present article describes four free or inexpensive Internet-based activities that can be used to supplement statistics/research methods/general psychology classes. Each activity and subsequent homework assessment is described, as well as homework performance outcome and student opinion data for each activity.
Crowd-Blending Privacy

We introduce a new definition of privacy called crowd-blending privacy that strictly relaxes the notion of differential privacy. Roughly speaking, k-crowd blending private sanitization of a database requires that each individual i in the database "blends" with k other individuals j in the database, in the sense that the output of the sanitizer is "indistinguishable" if i's data is replaced by j's. We demonstrate crowd-blending private mechanisms for histograms and for releasing synthetic data points, achieving strictly better utility than what is possible using differentially private mechanisms. Additionally, we demonstrate that if a crowd-blending private mechanism is combined with a "pre-sampling" step, where the individuals in the database are randomly drawn from some underlying population as is often the case during data collection, then the combined mechanism satisfies not only differential privacy, but also the stronger notion of zero-knowledge privacy. This holds even if the pre-sampling is slightly biased and an adversary knows whether certain individuals were sampled or not. Taken together, our results yield a practical approach for collecting and privately releasing data while ensuring higher utility than previous approaches.
A study on different experimental configurations for age, race, and gender estimation problems

This paper presents a detailed study about different algorithmic configurations for estimating soft biometric traits. In particular, a recently introduced common framework is the starting point of the study: it includes an initial facial detection, the subsequent facial traits description, the data reduction step, and the final classification step. The algorithmic configurations are featured by different descriptors and different strategies to build the training dataset and to scale the data in input to the classifier. Experimental proofs have been carried out on both publicly available datasets and image sequences specifically acquired in order to evaluate the performance even under real-world conditions, i.e., in the presence of scaling and rotation.
The Shiraz Festival: avant-garde arts performance in 1970s Iran

For twelve years, The Festival of Arts Shiraz / Persepolis in Iran hosted musical, theater and dance performances mixing traditional Persian arts with contemporary avant-garde works by Western composers, including electronic music by Xenakis, Stockhausen, Cage, Tudor and Mumma. A proposed center for the arts, designed by Xenakis, unfortunately never came to fruition. A new generation of Iranian musicians was inspired by the presence of visiting artists, some studying abroad to further the country's art institutions. Iran during the final days of the Shah also presents a situation where artistic expression co-existed in an ultimately untenable balance with the political repression of Iranian citizens.
Metadata quality control for content migration: the metadata migration project at the university of houston libraries

The decision to migrate digital objects from one digital asset management system to another creates an excellent opportunity to clean and standardize descriptive metadata. The processes involved in moving large amounts of data from one platform to another lend themselves to automated analysis and remediation of metadata problems. The University of Houston (UH) Libraries established a Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) Implementation Task Force in early 2014 to explore possibilities for implementing a more robust repository architecture for the UH Digital Library. During the digital asset management system testing process, the UH Libraries Metadata Services Coordinator developed a set of scripts to programmatically access the data in the UH Digital Library through the existing digital asset management system API, create reports that were used to identify and correct problems, and lay the foundation for publishing UH Digital Library metadata as linked data. This project report discusses the background for the DAMS Implementation Task Force's work and the metadata quality improvements that resulted from it as part of a new Metadata Migration Project.
Nitric oxide within the paraventricular nucleus mediates changes in renal sympathetic nerve activity

The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is known to be involved in the control of sympathetic outflow. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of nitric oxide within the PVN in the regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity. Renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND), arterial blood pressure, and heart rate in response to the microinjection of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA; 50, 100, and 200 pmol) into the PVN were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Microinjection of L-NMMA elicited an increase in RSND, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. Administration of NG-monomethyl-D-arginine (D-NMMA, 50-200 pmol) into the PVN did not change RSND, arterial pressure, or heart rate. Similarly, microinjection of another nitric oxide inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 100 nmol) also elicited an increase in RSND, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. L-Arginine (100 nmol) reversed the effects of L-NAME in the PVN. Furthermore, microinjection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 50, 100, and 200 nmol) into the PVN elicited a significant decrease in RSND, arterial blood pressure, and heart rate. These effects of L-NMMA, L-NAME, and SNP on RSND and arterial blood pressure were not mediated by their vasoactive action because microinjection of phenylephrine and hydralazine did not elicit similar respective changes. In conclusion, our data indicate that endogenous nitric oxide within the PVN regulates sympathetic outflow via some inhibitory mechanisms. Altered nitric oxide mechanisms within the PVN may contribute to elevated sympathetic nerve activity observed during various diseases states such as heart failure and hypertension.
Intraspecific Scaling Relationships Between Crawling Speed and Body Size in a Gastropod

Across various modes of locomotion, body size and speed are often correlated both between and within species. Among the gastropods, however, current data are minimal for interspecific and intraspecific scaling relationships. In this study, we tested the relationships between various measurements of body size and crawling speed in the terrestrial snail Cornu aspersum. We also investigated the relationships between crawling speed, muscular wave frequency, and muscular wavelength, because--while these relationships within individuals are well studied--the relationships among individuals are unknown. We recorded snails crawling on both a horizontal and a vertical surface. We found that when they crawled on a horizontal surface, foot length was positively correlated with pedal wavelength and crawling speed, but was not correlated with wave frequency. In comparison, when they crawled on a vertical surface, foot length was positively correlated with wavelength, negatively correlated with wave frequency, and not correlated with crawling speed. Body mass had no correlation with crawling speed when snails were crawling on a horizontal surface, but was negatively correlated with speed when snails crawled on a vertical surface.
Palate teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of cyclosporin A in mice.

Mice of the A/J and B10.A/SgSnJ strains were treated with 50 mg of cyclosporin A (CsA) per kg of body weight on day 12 of gestation. There were significantly more fetal resorptions in both the A/J and B10.A strain when treated with CsA than in controls treated with olive oil. A low frequency (7.6%) of isolated cleft palates were induced in the A/J strain, which was significantly greater than that observed in A/J mice treated with olive oil alone. No cleft palates were induced in B10.A, which suggests that any increase in susceptibility that was observed could not be attributed to H-2 linked genes.
Raoultella planticola chronic bacterial prostatitis with prostatic calcifications: successful treatment with prolonged fosfomycin therapy

ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.02.011 treating CBP due to resistant extended spectrum -lactamase (ESBL) positive E. coli in a patient with prostatic calcifications [4,5]. The current recommended duration of treatment for CBP is 4–6 weeks but in difficult cases, particularly those with prostatic calcifications, prostatic radioactive seeds, prostate cancer, etc., longer courses of therapy are often necessary. Following 3 months of fosfomycin treatment, the patient has remained symptomfree/culture negative.
GENOTYPE FREQUENCY AND MATING SUCCESS IN THE WILLISTONI SPECIES GROUP OF DROSOPHILA.

Petit (1951, 1954, 1958) observed in Drosophila melanogaster that the mating success of mutant and wild type flies is a function of the relative frequencies of the two types in cultures. Usually the less frequent males achieve mating more frequently than do males of the same genotype when it is a majority. In one case (that of the mutant, white), the mating success was, however, highest both when white was rare and when it was frequent, while at intermediate frequencies it was at a disadvantage in mating. Ehrman, Spassky, Pavlovsky, and Dobzhansky (1965) and Ehrman (1966, 1968) observed apparently the same phenomenon in D. pseudoobscura. Here the mating advantage of rare genotypes was found not only for mutants but also for carriers of different gene arrangements, strains of different geographic origin, and even for flies of the same strain grown at two different temperatures. Spiess (in Ehrman, 1966, and 1968a) found mating advantages of rare types also in D. persimilis. Both D. pseudoobscura and D. persimilis exhibit the mating advantages of
Copper Metallization of Polyimide Film by Excimer Laser Irradiation and Electrodeposition

Severe excimer laser irradiation is reported to impart electrical conductivity to Kapton* polymide films. We find that a proper choice of pretreatment and irradiation practice reduces the required dose markedly. Such films have sufficient conductivity to permit direct, good-quality, adherent copper electroplating.H.M.Phillips, D.L.Callahan, R.Sauerbrey, G.Szabo and Z.Bor; Appl.Phys.Lett.58, 2761 (1991).
Use of rituximab maintenance infusions in relapsing responders with ITP and AIHA

Background: Rituximab is an often effective treatment of ITP (Immune thrombocytopenia). However treated patients who respond often relapse. While they may have an almost identical response to retreatment, this includes relapsing again in the same time frame (Hasan, AmJHem, 2009). To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab maintenance in ITP patients responding to but relapsing after Rituximab. Methods: Sixteen relapsed patients were infused with 6 single infusions of 4monthly or other additional rituximab over 2 years following a 2nd 4-infusion course of rituximab. The duration of their response was compared to their response to their first course of rituximab. Results: Of 16 eligible patients, 9 had AHA, 7 ITP. All patients responded to their second 4-infusion course of rituximab. 7 patients finished the 6 maintenance infusions; 5/7 are still maintaining their remission for a median of 44 months following the 2 cycle of rituximab. One patient received 4 courses of 4-infusions of rituximab and is maintaining remission at 35 months. Two others are either too early to assess (1) or lost to f/u (1). Two patients are receiving maintenance and in remission currently. Three received 6 infusions but are in long-term remission. One (and one of the two who relapsed after 6 maintenance infusions) no longer responds to rituximab. No important toxicity was seen. JC virus cultures were negative in several of the patients. Three patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia and needed IVIG prophylaxis against infections; one patient had bacteremia and one, pneumonia. Conclusion: Rituximab maintenance infusion achieves a much longer lasting remission than only a second course of rituximab: 9 patients are in lasting remissions many months after their last rituximab infusion. Rituximab maintenance is an effective and seemingly safe addition to standard rituximab as a therapeutic option to treat refractory ITP.
Simulation of Particle-Solidification Front Interactions in Metal-Matrix Composite Manufacture

Interactions of a solidification front with an embedded particle is studied by numerical simulations of the thermal transport and phase change. A sharp solid-fluid interface method is used to track the interface. The results of a phase change analysis coupled with a dynamic force model for particle pushing is compared to that of previous models which have used a model for the solidification process as well, as opposed to directly calculating the solidification problem. Our results show that solution of the phase boundary evolution and coupling with a dynamic front-particle interaction model leads to pushing/engulfment interactions that differ from more simplistic models. The method employed in this paper allows for inclusion of the effects of thermal property differences between the particle and the matrix, thus enabling detailed analysis of the role of thermal transport in particle engulfment phenomena.© 2002 ASME
Separation of brain proteins by starch gel electrophoresis.

SummaryStarch-gel electrophoresis has been employed to separate the proteins in human and rat brain. This technic yielded results superior to those attained by paper or agar-gel electrophoresis. Separation of water-soluble proteins on starch-gel yielded 11–12 discrete protein bands in rat brain and 14–15 bands in human white matter. Human white matter proteins are characterized by low concentration of albumin-type proteins.
Crystal Structure, Phase Analysis, and Thermal Conductivity of Nanocrystalline Gd2O3–HfO2 Coatings

Gadolinia (Gd2O3) doped hafnia (HfO2) nanocrystalline coatings were fabricated employing magnetron sputter-deposition. The coatings were grown onto Si substrates by varying the Gd2O3 composition in...
The power of chemotherapeutic engineering: Arresting cell cycle and suppressing senescence to protect from mitotic inhibitors

Suppose one drug causes lethal mitotic arrest, another treatment causes irreversible senescence and a third drug inhibits cellular mass growth: Could cells treated with a combination of all three agents magically emerge alive and proliferating? The result of this experiment is presented here. By knowing the mechanisms of cell cycle arrest, death and senescence, we can design "rainbow combinations" that obediently kill or spare desired cells. Knowledge is power.
Kinetically Arrested Assemblies of Architecturally Distinct Block Copolymers

The rapid coassembly of linear and linear–dendritic amphiphiles from homogeneous solution and high supersaturation produces kinetically arrested nanoparticles, the morphologies of which are distinct from equilibrium structures. The binary system of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) with a linear or dendritic architecture of the hydrophilic component, forms spherical hybrid nanoparticles regardless of dendron generation or poly(ethylene glycol) length. Controlled variation in nanoparticle size was achieved through a balance of amphiphile architecture, blend composition, and final solvent content. These results demonstrate how kinetic features of the assembly process influence the formation of hybrid copolymer nanoparticles.
The emergence of negative concord in Santa María Chiquimula K'ichee’ (Mayan): A variationist perspective

This paper is a quantitative study of the emergence of negative concord in Santa Maria Chiquimula K'ichee’, apparently the only known case of negative concord in the Mayan stock. It is the latest development in a series of recent changes in the syntax of negative clauses in K'ichee’ (Romero, 2012). Using apparent time and comparative cross-dialectal data, I show that negative concord in this variety is a change in progress that started no earlier than the turn of the 20th century.
Advanced lighting technology in controlled environment agriculture

There is a recent awareness of the importance of plants in our everyday lives. Light is a requirement for plants and serves two important roles. It provides energy for growth and provides information that elicits plant responses including, among others, plant shape, pigmentation, nutritional content and resistance to stress. Light is paradoxical to plants, it is a requirement however, in excess it is damaging. Plants sense and interpret light through many families of photoreceptors and through the energy state of the photosynthetic apparatus. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are quickly replacing traditional light sources for human applications, and currently there is effort being put into tailoring these technology platforms for the plant community. Potential plant sensing pathways and the spectral effects on pigmentation and photochemistry in red lettuce are described.
The Study of Energy Conservation Potentiality for Oil-gas Gathering and Transferring System

On the basis of previous study about the energy consumption evaluation and energy loss distribution law for the gathering and transferring system of one dehydrating station in Daqing oilfield,the prediction analysis of energy conservation is done with the system in this paper.To start with the energy utilization evaluation for the basic unit energy consumption cell such as heating furnace,pump,pipeline and so on,the main factor of affecting the energy consumption of each unit is analyzed.Then the technology measure to enhance energy level is advanced and its energy saving potentiality is predicted.In the end the energy conservation potentiality for each subsystem as well as the total gathering and transportation system is obtained,which can provide the basis for technical and economic analysis for the next step of energy-saving revamp project.
The rites of spring, Take 2

Recruiting PhD students can be a frustrating process, but Eve Marder looks forward to welcoming the latest crop in the autumn.
The way of all flesh: degeneration, eugenics, and the gospel of free love.

FEARS OF national and "racial" degeneration preoccupied British society during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.' Degeneration represented the shadow side of evolutionary progress, whereby the human species could become biologically debilitated and enter a downward spiral of disease, insanity, and sterility.2 In fact, many Britons saw their nation's flagging industrial sector, falling birthrate, urban poverty, and lackluster performance in the Boer War as obvious manifestations of racial decay.3
Discrete logic control

This chapter examines discrete logic controllers where the inputs and outputs are discrete variables that change values as a result of the occurrence of events. The controller is called a discrete logic controller since the control action is given by logic equations with discrete values. The control problem of interest is the design and implementation of a discrete logic controller that carries out some desired control actions or some sequences of desired control actions. The control action is achieved by controlling the on/off status of output devices using measurements of the on/off status of the input devices. The design of a discrete logic controller can be carried out by generating Boolean logic equations that describe the desired control action. Boolean logic equations can be determined in a systematic manner from the statements comprising the desired control action by first defining state variables and then the state transitions for each of the state variables.
Measuring Low Self-Control and Reactive Criminal Thinking in the NLSY–Child Sample: One Construct or Two?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a behavioral rating measure of low self-control and an attitudinal measure of low self-control can be viewed as measuring the same construct. It was hypothesized that the externalizing scale of the Behavior Problems Index (BPI-Ext), which served as a behavioral rating measure of low self-control in the current study, would display greater similarity to a 6-item self-report of antisocial, but not necessarily delinquent, behavior (SR-AB) measure than it would a 6-item attitudinal self-report measure of low self-control, labeled the reactive criminal thinking (SR-RCT) scale. This study was conducted on a sample of 6280 children (3144 boys, 3136 girls) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Child (NLSY-C). A pair of confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the BPI-Ext and SR-RCT scales appeared to form two distinct constructs. In addition, the BPI-Ext correlated significantly better with the SR-AB than with the SR-RCT and the BPI-Ext and SR-AB achieved moderate negative correlations with measures of attention, concentration, achievement, and general aptitude, whereas the SR-RCT achieved small positive correlations. These results indicate that behavioral and attitudinal measures of low self-control are measuring different constructs, the former impulsive behavior and the latter reactive criminal thinking.
CPM/Cost: An Integrated Approach

CPM activities, when properly integrated with cost control information, provide important construction management information. This integration provides traditional schedule and cost reports as well as accurate cost forecasts, time-cost tradeoff information, and the ability to forecast cash flow individual projects. It allows segregation of costs related to an expedited schedule or impact costs due to change order for future analysis.
Electrospun cellulose nitrate and poly (caprolactone) blends for biomedical applications

P cellulose nitrate (CN) and blends of cellulose nitrate and poly (caprolactone) (PCL) were electrospun to form nonwoven mats. Mixed solvent systems of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N, N-dimethylformamide were employed. The concentrations were varied to obtain sub-micron and nanoscale fiber mats. These fiber mats were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The fiber morphology, surface chemistry and contact angle data show that these electrospun materials exhibit promising applications in the biomedical field.
Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid: Chemotherapy

Medullary thyroid cancer is a malignancy of the parafollicular thyroid C cells, accounting for 2–8 % of all thyroid cancers Early detection and surgery offer the only possibility of cure, and patients with localized disease are typically treated with surgical resection with or without adjuvant external beam radiation therapy. However, despite aggressive surgical therapy, nearly 50 % of patients with a palpable neck mass who are diagnosed with localized medullary thyroid cancer will subsequently recur. In patients with unresectable disease, the clinical course is often protracted. Chemotherapeutic options for the patient with unresectable or metastatic disease are discussed below.
Do Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patients Develop Diastolic Dysfunction

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a known cause of chronic volume overload. Although systolic dysfunction is rare, as many as 80% of adult patients with SCD have an echocardiographic mitral valve inflow pattern suggestive of abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic function (DF). DF has not been studied in pediatric SCD patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate DF in pediatric SCD patients using echocardiographic velocities of mitral inflow and tissue Doppler (TDI) indices. Echocardiograms were performed in 79 SCD patients (ages 2 – 18 years), and 84 controls matched for age and race. LV and left atrial (LA) volumes, LV mass, early (E) and late (A) mitral inflow velocities, and TDI velocities at the septal and lateral aspects of the mitral valve were obtained. LV dilatation was defined as LV end-diastolic dimension more then 2 standard deviations above the median (z-value >2). LV hypertrophy was defined as LV mass/volume index>1.15 g/ml. For SCD patients, average hemoglobin (Hb) levels for the year prior to the study were recorded. Data were analyzed using t-test and Spearman correlation analysis. Of 79 SCD subjects, 32 (43%) had LV dilatation, 11(14.9%) had LV hypertrophy and 3 had both. LV z-scores were inversely related to Hb (r −0.62, p SCD patients had significantly larger LV and LA volumes than controls (p Conclusion: Despite high incidence of left ventricular dilatation, pediatric SCD patients don’t demonstrate diastolic dysfunction when evaluated using pre-load independent echocardiographic tissue Doppler indices.
Thunderbolt Interconnect—Opitcal and Copper

Thunderbolt interconnect technology has adopted copper and optical cables. Single cable can support 2 × 20 Gb/s data rate, which is driven by 4K video. Future 8K video and virtual reality will push the bandwidth requirement even higher. Key technologies developed to enable this high data rate for consumer electronics are discussed, such as robust copper and optical cables, miniature optical engine, and 2 × 25.625 Gb/s low power integrated circuits for vertical cavity surface emitting laser based optical link. Copper and optical interconnect technologies are compared on the basis of cost, power, form factor, and scalability. Same circuit with four channels (4 × 25.625 Gb/s) can be used in 100G data center optical interconnect. Total power consumption is 146 mW for each 25.625 Gb/s optical link, which gives 5.69 mW/Gb/s. Among the commercially available optical ICs we evaluated at 25 Gb/s, this work has lowest power consumption and smallest die area in industry.
Osteoarthritis in 2016: Anti-NGF treatments for pain - two steps forward, one step back?

Inhibitors of β-nerve growth factor (NGF) have impressive effects in reducing musculoskeletal pain, but have also been associated with adverse events of unclear aetiology. Several studies in the past year have sought to clarify the relative benefits and risks of anti-NGF treatment.
Cyclops lesions are associated with altered gait patterns and medial knee joint cartilage degeneration at 1 year after ACL-reconstruction

In this exploratory study, gait analysis and quantitative MRI (QMRI) were used to assess biomechanical differences in patients that present with cyclops lesions at 12 months after ACL-reconstruction (ACLR). Thirty ACLR patients without and 10 ACLR patients with cyclops lesions underwent 3T MR T1ρ mapping of the reconstructed knee joint prior to ACLR and at 12 months after ACLR, as well as a gait assessment during a fixed walking speed at 12 months after ACLR. Both external sagittal and frontal plane knee joint moments and joint moment impulses were calculated and assessed throughout the stance phase of gait. ACLR patients with cyclops lesions demonstrated a significantly greater (34% larger, p = 0.03) first peak knee flexion moment (KFM) and KFM impulse (42% larger, p = 0.05), compared to those without cyclops lesions, which may suggest an increased load during the loading response phase of gait. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in knee extension or adduction joint moments or moment impulses. ACLR patients with cyclops lesions demonstrated a significantly increased change in T1ρ (ΔT1ρ = 4.7ms, p = 0.03), over 12 months, within the central medial tibia. The results of the study suggest that ACLR patients with cyclops lesions demonstrate altered sagittal plane loading patterns which may be related to an increased rate of medial tibiofemoral cartilage degeneration at 12 months after ACLR. The first peak external KFM may be an important target for intervention programs in ACLR patients with cyclops lesions in order to possibly slow the onset or progression of medial tibiofemoral cartilage degeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
HARDEN’S SPICES MODEL FOR BIOCHEMISTRY IN MEDICAL CURRICULUM

The SPICES model of educational strategies remains a key tool for reforming and organizing the undergraduate medical curriculum. The key elements promoted in the SPICES model, student-centred learning, problem-based learning, integrated or inter-professional teaching, community based education, elective studies, and a systematic or planned approach, are now widely shared and accepted. Introducing new learning opportunities in Biochemistry teaching and learning activities provides an opportunity to use the SPICES model to develop an innovation. It is possible to visualize a curriculum by plotting it on the SPICES spectrum and observing whether its use of any of the six strategies is more to one end of the spectrum than the other. This paper present the SPICES model for Biochemistry can be modified as Student centred, Practical Based (in Laboratory), Integrated, Clinical Oriented, Elective. Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20319/lijhls.2016.s31.95104 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.
Unit conversions between LOINC codes

Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) is the most widely used controlled vocabulary to identify laboratory tests. A given laboratory test can often be reported in more than 1 unit of measure (eg, grams or moles), and LOINC defines unique codes for each unit. Consequently, an identical laboratory test performed by 2 different clinical laboratories may have different LOINC codes. The absence of unit conversions between compatible LOINC codes impedes data aggregation and analysis of laboratory results. To develop such conversions, a computational process was developed to review the LOINC standard for potential conversions, and multiple expert reviewers oversaw and finalized the conversion list. In all, 285 bidirectional conversions were identified, including conversions for routine clinical tests such as sodium, magnesium, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Unit conversions were applied to the aggregation of laboratory test results to demonstrate their usefulness. Diverse informatics projects may benefit from the ability to interconvert compatible results.
Increased Search Tunnel Formation by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in 2-Phenoxyethanol Treated Sand

Termites follow chemical and physical gradients in their search for food. In laboratory bioassays, search tunnel formation of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was examined in response to different 2-phenoxyethanol concentrations in sand. 2-phenoxyethanol significantly increased the total tunnel network length by termites. At a concentration of 0.082%, but not 0.164%, it also significantly increased daily search activity by C. formosanus. After aging the treated sand for 2 wks, C. formosanus continued to show a significant increase in the search tunnel length in 0.082% 2-phenoxyethanol treatments. Application of 2-phenoxyethanol, a nonpheromone attractant, to termite infested soil nearby, may increase the search and thus the likelihood for contact with baits and nonrepellent termiticides in the field.
Association Rule Learning and Frequent Sequence Mining of Cancer Diagnoses in New York State

Analyzing large scale diagnosis histories of patients could help to discover comorbidity or disease progression patterns. Recently, open data initiatives make it possible to access statewide patient data at individual level, such as New York State SPARCS data. The goal of this study is to explore frequent disease co-occurrence and sequence patterns of cancer patients in New York State using SPARCS data. Our collection includes 18,208,830 discharge records from 1,565,237 patients with cancer-related diagnoses during 2011–2015. We use Apriori algorithm to discover top disease co-occurrences for common cancer categories based on support. We generate top frequent sequences of diagnoses with at least one cancer related diagnosis from patients’ diagnosis histories using the cSPADE algorithm. Our data driven approach provides essential knowledge to support the investigation of disease co-occurrence and progression patterns for improving the management of multiple diseases.
DEVELOPMENT OF LONG AND SQUARE LEARNING DEVICES WITH A REALISTIC MATHEMATICAL APPROACH BASED ON BRUNER THEORY FOR STUDENT CLASSY VII SMP NEGERI 1 PALOPO

The research question was how is the process and the result of learning device of rectangle and square through realistic mathematics approach based Bruner theory to student of grade VII at SMPN 1 Palopo. This study was research and development ( R & D) because it aimed to produce the learning device of rectangle and square through realistic mathematics approach based Bruner theory. The learning device consisted of (1) lesson planning, (2) teacher’s manual, and (3) student’s worksheet. The learning device model which employed in this study referred to 4-D Thiagarajan, Semmel & Semmel model which consisted of the defining stage, designing stage, development stage, and dissemination stage. This study was conducted in grade VII.d at SMPN 1 Palopo with 26 students. The result obtained was learning device which was practical and effective, student’s activity was as expected, the application of learning device was in implemented category and student’s response was in positive category. After conducting the development stage, the learning device of rectangle and square with realistic mathematics approach based Bruner theory was in good quality. Student’s activity in group work was focused on the LKS completion and discussion among students. Students academic competence in learning by employing realistic approach based Bruner theory was improved and the score variation of academic achievement between students who had high competence, fair competence, and low competence after the learning was gradually smaller
Improved Control System for Analyzing and Validating Motion Controllers for Flapping Wing Vehicles

In previous work, the viability of split-cycle constant-period frequency modulation for controlling two degrees of freedom of flapping wing micro air vehicle has been demonstrated. Though the proposed wing control system was made compact and self-sufficient to be deployed on the vehicle, it was not built for on-the-fly configurability of all the split-cycle control’s parameters. Further the system had limited external communication capabilities that rendered it inappropriate for its integration into a higher level research framework to analyze and validate motion controllers in flapping vehicles. In this paper, an improved control system has been proposed that could addresses the on-the-fly configurability issue and provide an improved external communication capabilities, hence the wing control system could be seamlessly integrated in a research framework for analyzing and validating motion controllers for flapping wing vehicles.