cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GAMMATELLA: visualization of program-execution data for deployed software

To investigate the program-execution data efficiently, we must be able to view the data at different levels of detail. In our visualization approach, we represent software systems at three different levels: statement level, file level, and system level. At the statement level, we represent the actual code. The representation at the file level provides a miniaturized view of the source code similar to the one used in the SeeSoft system (Eick et al., 1992). The system level uses treemaps (Shneiderman, 1992 and Bruls et al., 2000) to represent the software and is the most abstracted level in our visualization. At each level, coloring is used to represent one- or two-dimensional information about the code, using the colors' hue and brightness components. The coloring technique that we apply is a generalization of the coloring technique defined for fault-localization by Jones and colleagues (2001). GAMMATELLA is a toolset that implements our visualization approach and provides capabilities for instrumenting the code, collecting program-execution data from the field, and storing and retrieving the data locally. GAMMATELLA is written in Java, supports the monitoring of Java programs, and consists of three main components: an instrumentation, execution, and coverage tool, a data collection daemon, and a program visualizer.
Nuclear collisions in heteronuclear molecules driven by an ultrastrong laser field

We consider ultrashort and ultrastrong laser pulses applied to a gas of aligned heteronuclear molecules, where nuclei of different mass will acquire different velocities and collide, possibly producing fusion or emitting subattosecond bursts of X-rays.
High-Throughput Computer Vision Introduces the Time Axis to a Quantitative Trait Map of a Plant Growth Response

Automated image acquisition, a custom analysis algorithm, and a distributed computing resource were used to add time as a third dimension to a quantitative trait locus (QTL) map for plant root gravitropism, a model growth response to an environmental cue. Digital images of Arabidopsis thaliana seedling roots from two independently reared sets of 162 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and one set of 92 near isogenic lines (NILs) derived from a Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) × Landsberg erecta (Ler) cross were collected automatically every 2 min for 8 hr following induction of gravitropism by 90° reorientation of the sample. High-throughput computing (HTC) was used to measure root tip angle in each of the 1.1 million images acquired and perform statistical regression of tip angle against the genotype at each of the 234 RIL or 102 NIL DNA markers independently at each time point using a standard stepwise procedure. Time-dependent QTL were detected on chromosomes 1, 3, and 4 by this mapping method and by an approach developed to treat the phenotype time course as a function-valued trait. The QTL on chromosome 4 was earliest, appearing at 0.5 hr and remaining significant for 5 hr, while the QTL on chromosome 1 appeared at 3 hr and thereafter remained significant. The Cvi allele generally had a negative effect of 2.6–4.0%. Heritability due to the QTL approached 25%. This study shows how computer vision and statistical genetic analysis by HTC can characterize the developmental timing of genetic architectures.
Topographic form stress in the Southern Ocean State Estimate

We diagnose the Southern Ocean momentum balance in a six-year, eddy permitting state estimate of the Southern Ocean. We find that 95\% of the zonal momentum input via wind stress at the surface is balanced by topographic form stress across ocean ridges, while the remaining 5\% is balanced via bottom friction and momentum flux divergences at the northern and southern boundaries of the analysis domain. While the time-mean zonal wind stress field exhibits a relatively uniform spatial distribution, time-mean topographic form stress concentrates at shallow ridges and across the continents that lie within the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) latitudes; nearly 40\% of topographic form stress occurs across South America, while the remaining 60\% occurs across the major submerged ridges that underlie the ACC. Topographic form stress can be divided into shallow and deep regimes: the shallow regime contributes most of the westward form stress that serves as a momentum sink for the ACC system, while the deep regime consists of strong eastward and westward form stresses that largely cancel in the zonal integral. The time-varying form stress signal, integrated longitudinally and over the ACC latitudes, tracks closely with the wind stress signal integrated over the same domain; at zero lag, 88\% of the variance in the six-year form stress time series can be explained by the wind stress signal, suggesting that changes in the integrated wind stress signal are communicated via rapid barotropic response down to the level of bottom topography. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Red Imported Fire Ant Impacts on Wildlife: A Decade of Research

The negative impacts of biological invasion are economically and ecologically significant and, while incompletely quantified, they are clearly substantial. Ants (family Formicidae) are an important, although often overlooked, component of many terrestrial ecosystems. Six species of ants are especially striking in their global ability to invade, and their impacts. This paper focuses on the impacts of the most destructive of those species, the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), and focuses on impacts on native vertebrates. Red imported fire ants often become the dominant ant species in infested areas outside of their native range due to their aggressive foraging behavior, high reproductive capability and lack of predators and/or other strong competitors. The evidence suggests that mammals, birds and herpetofauna are vulnerable to negative impacts from fire ants, and some species are more likely to experience negative population-level impacts than other species. Assessing the ecological impacts of fire ants on wild animal populations is logistically difficult, and very few studies have combined replicated experimental manipulation with adequate spatial (>10 ha) and temporal (>1 y) scale. Thus, most studies have been observational, opportunistic, small-scale or 'natural' experiments. However, significant research, including an increase in experimental and mechanistic investigations, has occurred during the past decade, and this has led to information that can lead to better management of potentially affected species.
Morphology and ecology of a new sexually dimorphic species of Polydora (Polychaeta: Spionidae) associated with hermit crabs from Jamaica, West Indies

A new commensal species of Polydora was found associated with hermit crabs from shallow subtidal coral reefs in Jamaica, West Indies, in 2005 and 2006. Polydora nanomon sp. nov. is the third known obligate commensal polydorid of hermit crabs. The species is found in approximately 20% of the gastropod shells, most commonly Leucozonia nassa leucozonalis (Lamarck, 1822), inhabited by Calcinus tibicen (Herbst, 1791) and other hermit crab hosts. P. nanomon sp. nov. produces a hole in the apex of the shell, enters the lumen of the uppermost whorl, and connects to the columella with a tube of mucus and detritus. One large female (up to 70 setigers) is found in the apex with up to four smaller males (generally <30 setigers). Females are distinguished from other species of Polydora by the morphology of the major spines of setiger 5. In addition to a horizontal row of major spines with two lateral teeth, companion setae, and ventral capillaries, setiger 5 contains a group of superior accessory spines, including one large falcate spine with a channel extending down the shaft, one spine with a low rounded tooth, and one companion seta. P. nanomon sp. nov. exhibits sexual dimorphism with the males being much smaller than females, having a reduced first segment, and lacking accessory spines on setiger 4 (= setiger 5 on females). The occurrence of sexual dimorphism within the family Spionidae is reviewed.
Observation of Thomson scattering from ion thermal fluctuations in a tokamak plasma with a 385μm laser

Thomson scattering from ion thermal fluctuations in a tokamak plasma has been observed for the first time using a 385μm D 2 O laser system on Alcator C. The frequency shift of the scattered radiation was consistent with ion temperatures between 0.7 and 1.5 KeV. Experimental accuracy was limited by stray light caused by restricted port access.
Separating aluminum from shredded automotive scrap

The metals recovered from automotive scrap can provide important resources for industrial development. Thus, the construction of a new plant was undertaken to help recycle valuable metals from nonferrous auto scrap in Taiwan. The main purpose of this project was to establish an automated heavy medium separation technique to cull aluminum from automotive scrap, and thus to replace the labor-intensive hand-picking process. The design capacity of the resulting heavy medium separation plant is two tonnes per hour and the completion of this plant will reduce hand-picking labor by 80%.
Theoretical Investigation of Water Oxidation Processes on Small MnxTi2–xO4 (x = 0–2) Complexes

Understanding the water oxidation process on small metal oxide complexes is fundamental for developing photocatalysts for solar fuel production. Titanium oxide and manganese oxide complexes have high potential as components of a cheap, nontoxic, and stable photocatalyst. In this theoretical work, the water oxidation process on MnxTi2–xO4 (x = 0–2) clusters is investigated at the BP86 level of theory using two water molecules and fully saturated systems. In the oxidation cycle using two water molecules, Mn reduces the reaction energy; however, Mn does not reduce the reaction energy on the fully saturated system. When two water molecules are used, the highest reaction energy in the water oxidation cycle is lower than 3 eV, but the highest reaction energy is higher than 3 eV on fully saturated systems except for the pure titanium oxide complex which has a highest reaction energy of 2.56 eV. Dehydrogenation processes in the water oxidation cycle require higher energy than the O–O formation or water adsorption...
Regulating Employment Relationships in the Sharing Economy

Sharing economy companies like Uber and Airbnb have come under fire for evading regulatory schemes and inadequately safeguarding consumer welfare — but consumers aren’t the only ones affected by the companies’ innovative business models. This article focuses on “suppliers”: the drivers, homeowners, cooks, and other individuals who actually provide the services offered by sharing economy companies. The relationship between suppliers and their companies is an entirely new kind of employment that both displays unprecedented potential and creates unique problems. Existing employment law categories simply don’t capture supplier concerns or respect the singularity of the sharing economy. This article argues that employment relationships in the sharing economy demand targeted regulatory response and identifies the concerns that such a response must address.
The Implementation of the Smoking Ban in Public Places after Luyuan District Smoking and Tobacco Control Measures

Objective To 245 hospitals, hotels, cafes, restaurants, visits by analysis, compared to ban the implementation of changes before and after 1 year Luyuan district public places smoking and tobacco control measures, are analyzed and compared, for tobacco control in public places provide recommendations. Methods A self-designed questionnaire survey and random observational survey of 245, Luyuan District, Changchun City, hospital, hotel, Internet cafes, restaurants. Results After the implementation of the smoking ban, the proportion of smoking in the Internet accounted for 66%, the proportion of smoking in restaurants was 43.75%, the proportion of smoking in hotels accounted for 41%, the effect of smoking was the best, and the people had no smoking. Seven kinds of tobacco control measures, tobacco advertising basically no in public appeared; hotels, cafes selling tobacco situation is still very serious; 59% of hotels, 40% of Internet cafes and 18.75% of restaurants still smoking placed; the no smoking signs placed a higher rate; tobacco control advocacy of the executive power is low, in addition to the hospital have relevant professional propaganda and other public places smoking propaganda Co.;discourage smoking and fines enforcement is the lowest. Conclusion The smoking ban larger efforts, but did not completely control and improve Luyuan District, smoking in public places, it is suggested to improve the penalty clause, clear supervision and inspection mechanism, strengthen government supervision, improve the popularity of smoking tobacco control measures.
The Application of PLC in Industrial Automation Control

The article makes a brief summarization about PLC,then introduces the communication functions and features of PLC,and analyses applications and existing problems of PLC in the field of industrial automation and control.
Review and Prospects of Hydropower Automation in China

With 30 years’ implementation reform and open policy,China’s hydropower station automation construction has also experienced 30 years’ development. This article,from the angles of computer supervisory and control,auxiliary control,open system,unmanning,independent intellectual property rights,cascad control,and digitization of hydropower stations,reviews 30 years’ development of hydropower station automation technology in China. This article also indicates the function of the information network analyzes the status quo of the current hydropower station automation technology and gives prospects for the trend of development of the hydropower station automation technology.
Upregulation of long noncoding RNA MIAT in aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemias

// Arash Sattari 1,2,3 , Hasan Siddiqui 1,7 , Farzaneh Moshiri 1,4 , Apollinaire Ngankeu 1 , Tatsuya Nakamura 1 , Thomas J Kipps 5,6 and Carlo M. Croce 1 1 Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 2 School of Medicine and Surgery, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy 3 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical sciences, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran 4 Department of Morphology, Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy 5 Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 6 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Consortium, San Diego, CA, USA 7 Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA Correspondence to: Carlo M. Croce, email: // Keywords : long noncoding RNA MIAT, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, OCT4, cell apoptosis Received : May 29, 2016 Accepted : July 14, 2016 Published : August 05, 2016 Abstract Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-proten-coding transcripts of more than 200 nucleotides generated by RNA polymerase II and their expressions are tightly regulated in cell type specific- and/or cellular differential stage specific- manner. MIAT, originally isolated as a candidate gene for myocardial infarction, encodes lncRNA (termed MIAT). Here, we determined the expression level of MIAT in established leukemia/lymphoma cell lines and found its upregulation in lymphoid but not in myeloid cell lineage with mature B cell phenotype. MIAT expression level was further determined in chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLL), characterized by expansion of leukemic cells with mature B phenotype, to demonstrate relatively high occurrence of MIAT upregulation in aggressive form of CLL carrying either 17p-deletion, 11q-deletion, or Trisomy 12 over indolent form carrying 13p-deletion. Furthermore, we show that MIAT constitutes a regulatory loop with OCT4 in malignant mature B cell, as was previously reported in mouse pulripotent stem cell, and that both molecules are essential for cell survival.
FDA requirements for the study of endorphins

This chapter will discuss the conditions which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require for the study of the endorphins in man.
A Statistical Investigation of the Dependence of Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change on the Surrounding Environment

AbstractA progression of advanced statistical methods is applied to investigate the dependence of the 6-h tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change on various environmental variables, including the recently developed ventilation index (VI). The North Atlantic (NA) and western North Pacific (WNP) observations from 1979 to 2014 are used. As a first step, a model of the intensity change is developed as a linear function of 13 variables used in operational models, obtaining statistical R2 values of 0.26 for NA and 0.3 for WNP. Statistical variable selection techniques are then applied to significantly reduce the number of predictors (to 5–11), while keeping similar R2 values with linear or nonlinear models. Further reduction of the number of predictors (to 5–7) and significant improvement of R2 (0.41–0.53) are obtained with mixture modeling, indicating that the dependence of TC intensification on the environment is nonhomogeneous. Applying VI as the environmental predictor in the mixture modeling gives R2 result...
Prevalence and Correlates of Stimulant Medication Misuse Among the Collegiate Population

ABSTRACTMisuse of stimulant medication is pervasive among college students. In this study, we surveyed undergraduate college students (N = 3,038) at a large-sized Southwestern university. We examined unique characteristics of students misusing stimulant medication with a prescription (n = 74) and those misusing without a prescription (n = 356). Both groups reported being motivated to use for study enhancement purposes and increased alertness. They identified sleeplessness, racing heart, and racing thoughts as the most common side effects, and often used concurrently with alcohol and marijuana.
Fit issues in ready-to-wear clothing for African-American female college students based on the body shapes

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to explore actual ready-to-wear (RTW) clothing fit for African-American female college students and their satisfaction with it. Seventy-two African-American female participants volunteered for the study. Their body shapes were classified into several groups using bust, waist, and hip measurements. Fit of RTW clothing was assessed based on participants’ body shapes. They were manually measured with a tape measure and were also surveyed via questionnaire to identify their actual and self-reported body shapes and examine satisfaction with clothing fit. Findings of this study demonstrated that most African-American female students tended to wear RTW tight-fitting clothing, especially around waist but did not feel uncomfortable. This result makes sense because they psychologically assume their body shapes to be an hourglass shape as shown in their self-report. However, each body shape group exhibits its discriminative satisfaction with tight-fitting clothing around bust an...
Deep vein thrombosis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE), affects an estimated 1 per 1,000 people and contributes to 60,000–100,000 deaths annually. Normal blood physiology hinges on a delicate balance between pro- and anti-coagulant factors. Virchow’s Triad distills the multitude of risk factors for DVT into three basic elements favoring thrombus formation: venous stasis, vascular injury, and hypercoagulability. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological tests are used to increase the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing DVT. Anticoagulation therapy is essential for the treatment of DVT. With few exceptions, the standard therapy for DVT has been vitamin K-antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin with heparin or fractionated heparin bridging. More recently, a number of large-scale clinical trials have validated the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in place of warfarin in select cases. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and medical management of DVT, with particular emphasis on anticoagulation therapy and the role of DOACs in the current treatment algorithm.
Farmer Preferences for Agricultural Soil Carbon Sequestration Schemes

The sizable technical potential to sequester atmospheric carbon in soils to mitigate climate change will only be realized where and when there is also economic potential. A choice experiment conducted with a random sample of farmers in the State of Indiana, United States, revealed that farmers who have not previously adopted reduced tillage practices on any of their land require a $40 per acre increase in net revenue to switch from conventional tillage to no-till. We estimate that farmers have a $10.57/acre option value of not signing a multi-year sequestration contract, and find that government payments are preferred to carbon markets.
Shoreline erosion and decadal sediment accumulation in the Tar-Pamlico estuary, North Carolina, USA: A source-to-sink analysis

Abstract Estuaries contain vital habitats and it is important to understand how these areas respond to human activities and natural processes such as sea-level rise and wave attack. As estuarine shorelines erode or become modified with hard structures, there is potential for significantly altering the availability of sediment and the filling of coastal systems. This study used a source-to-sink approach and quantified rates of shoreline erosion in the Tar-Pamlico sub-estuary, a tributary of the larger Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES). The average shoreline change rate (SCR) determined using an end-point method was −0.5 ± 0.9 m yr−1 for the Tar-Pamlico. Incorporating bulk density estimates, this contributes 0.6 × 105 tons of fine sediment to the system annually, or after accounting for fluvial input, about 40% of the total sediment supply to the sub-estuary. The role of the Tar-Pamlico as a sink for these sediments was addressed using the radionuclide tracers 210Pb and 137Cs. Radionuclide activities and sediment accumulation rates identified several depositional regions, in particular in the middle of the estuary. Linear sediment accumulation rates ranged from 0.10 ± 0.02 to 0.38 ± 0.02 g cm−2 yr−1, and total storage of fine sediment in the system was 1.6 × 105 t yr−1. It was not possible to confidently discern a change in the rate of shoreline erosion or seabed accumulation. A preliminary budget for fine sediments (grain-size
Translating the Ineffable: How Hunters Consult the Dead in Northwestern Côte d’Ivoire

In Cote d’Ivoire, initiated hunters called dozos organize their hunting and other activities through ritual sacrifices. Such offerings are especially important for placating a dead dozo’s spirit at his funeral. The dead man expects living dozos to offer game meat to his family as he once did; otherwise he may ruin his family’s harvest, make their livestock ill, and spoil the hunt out of spite. Hunting is therefore a process of social reciprocity that dozos sustain by emulating the former generosity of dead colleagues. Living dozos communicate regularly with the dead in order to do so. But because the dead are disembodied and cannot speak human language, they send dreams or use ritual divination to convey their intentions. Living dozos then translate these desires into models for dozo action. At their initiations, for example, dozos make offerings to the spirit of the first dozo, Manimory, promising to follow his moral code in exchange for his protection in the forest. Without invoking the dead, no such protection is possible.
A Cerebellar-Vestibular Hypothesis of the Dyslexic Reading Disorder

In view of the fact that dyslexia was found highly correlated only to c-v dysfunction, it seemed natural to explain the dyslexic reading disorder on the basis of a c-v pathophysiology. However, this explanatory task was no simple matter, and its pursuit appeared to result in a neurophysiologic paradox. For example, if, indeed, c-v dysfunctioning is characterized by a dysmetric balance and coordinational motor output, and if the dyslexic reading disorder is characterized by a “dysmetric” visual perceptual input, then how can one neurophysiologically establish that the dyslexic reading performance is of c-v origin? In other words, how can a c-v-determined motor dysmetria result in a visual perceptual dysmetria?
TRPC channels in pheromone sensing.

Abstract Pheromone recognition relies on an amplification cascade that is triggered by pheromone binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The first step in translation of GPCR activation by pheromones in the vomeronasal organ and main olfactory epithelium (MOE) into a cellular response is the activation of a transient receptor potential (TRP) family member, TRPC2 [Zufall, F., Ukhanov, K., Lucas, P., Liman, E. R., and Leinders-Zufall, T. (2005). Neurobiology of TRPC2: From gene to behavior. Pflugers Arch. 451, 61–71; Yildirim, E., and Birnbaumer, L. (2007). TRPC2: Molecular biology and functional importance. Handb. Exp. Pharmacol. 53–75]. The members of the canonical (TRPC) family of TRP channels mediate membrane permeability, specifically, Ca 2+ influx into the cytoplasm in response to activation of GPCR and tyrosine kinase receptors by hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors [Nilius, B. (2007). TRP channels in disease. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1772 , 805–812; Venkatachalam, K., and Montell, C. (2007). TRP channels. Annu. Rev. Biochem. 76, 387–417]. Mechanisms of their activation have been the focus of intense interest during the last decade. The data obtained from studies of TRPC2 have resulted in a better understanding of ion channel physiology and led to novel paradigms in modern cell biology [Lucas, P., Ukhanov, K., Leinders-Zufall, T., and Zufall, F. (2003). A diacylglycerol-gated cation channel in vomeronasal neuron dendrites is impaired in TRPC2 mutant mice: Mechanism of pheromone transduction. Neuron 40, 551–561; Stowers, L., Holy, T. E., Meister, M., Dulac, C., and Koentges, G. (2002). Loss of sex discrimination and male–male aggression in mice deficient for TRP2. Science 295, 1493–1500; Leypold, B. G., Yu, C. R., Leinders-Zufall, T., Kim, M. M., Zufall, F., and Axel, R. (2002). Altered sexual and social behaviors in trp2 mutant mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99, 6376–6381]. Although TRPC2 activation by pheromones presents one of the most straightforward examples of physiological function of TRPC channels, the molecular aspects of its activation are not well understood (Yildirim, E., and Birnbaumer, L. (2007). TRPC2: Molecular biology and functional importance. Handb. Exp. Pharmacol. 53–75). It is natural to expect that better understanding of TRPC2 activation mechanisms will lead to breakthroughs in understanding ion channel activation mechanisms, as well as applied behavioral pharmacology. The present review is focused on the current knowledge of TRPC2 physiology with a specific focus on TRPC activation mechanisms.
Human gut-derived commensal Prevotella histicola suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in humanized mice

Our recent multiple sclerosis (MS) microbiome study indicates an important role of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of MS, an autoimmune disease of central nervous system. Gut microbiota help in maintaining immune-homeostasis by regulating balance between CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) and pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 cells. A shift of balance towards Th1/Th17 cells leading to inflammation and demyelination in central nervous system (CNS), is suggested to be responsible of disease initiation and/or relapses in MS. Therefore, gut commensals capable of restoring the microbiome to a healthy state could provide novel therapeutic options for treating autoimmune diseases including MS. Here, we report identification of human gut-derived commensal bacteria, Prevotella histicola (P. histicola) , which can suppress an autoimmune disease in HLA class-II transgenic model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model of MS. P. histicola suppresses disease through modulation of systemic immune response. P. histicola challenge led to a decrease in pro-inflammatory Th1 (IFNγ) and Th17 (IL17) cytokines, and increase in the frequencies of CD4 + FoxP3 + Tregs, tolerogenic dendritic cells and suppressive macrophages. We also observed that mice with EAE had a altered gut microbiota compared to naive mice and treatment with P. histicola restored gut flora to a normal state which further support an important role of gut microbiota in EAE/MS. Our study provides compelling evidence that administration of gut commensals may regulate a systemic immune response and have a possible role in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Reducing residual silanol interactions in reversed-phase liquid chromatography: Thermal treatment of silica before derivatization

This study describes the thermal pretreatment of a silica gel between 150 and 800 degrees C before derivatization with dimethyloctadecylchlorosilane as a means of reducing residual silanol activity in HPLC bonded stationary phases. A time study was done from 12 to 48 h to find the optimum time needed for dehydroxylation. With increasing pretreatment temperatures, the number of reactive silanols is reduced from 8 micromol/m2 to essentially zero at 1000 degrees C (where sintering occurs). The effects of the thermal pretreatments were observed with diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and solid state cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) 29Si NMR. Following derivatization, residual silanol activity and pH stability were tested by packing columns with the derivatized silica and carrying out a series of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) experiments. Residual silanol activity was greatly reduced when the silica was pretreated at 800 degrees C, leading to less peak tailing for basic solutes. In a strongly basic mobile phase (pH 11.5) the pretreated silica was surprisingly stable, although bond cleavage of C18 groups from the surface was observed.
A Perfect Storm: Changing a Culture

In October, 1991, there occurred off the coast of Massachusetts a perfect storm, a tempest created by a rare coincidence of events. In the late -90s, there was another perfect storm, an also rare coincidence of forces which caused huge waves in our financial markets, as the NASDAQ index, for one, soared from 1200 in 1997 to 5000 in 2000 and back to 1100 in 2002. These were the days of the New Economy - low inflation and unemployment, government surpluses, and the Internet that would change how we work and play. Suddenly, all of us were watching crawlers on CNBC to see how rich we were. But the bubble triggered a period of unmatched and pervasive corporate fraud. Using academic blessings of stock options as the link of pay for performance, executives took huge helpings and then manipulated reported earnings to achieve the stock gains that would bring their compensation to stunning heights. In the five years ended 2003, over 1300 companies, many major, restated their earnings, and those were only the more egregious cases. It was a broad-based, cultural failure, one that enlisted the active support, nay connivance, of the various gatekeepers, notably of course auditors, but also analysts, audit committees, bankers, and, yes, the lawyers who crafted the hollow transactions that would enable debt to disappear from balance sheets and create revenues from thin air. But then, we all wanted so much to believe. The author brought to the article his background as a member of the Panel on Audit Effectiveness, appointed in 1998 at the instance of Chairman Levitt of the SEC, and also his longstanding skepticism about efficient market theory.
Optimal Field Voltage and Energy Storage Control for Stabilizing Synchronous Generators on Flexible AC Transmission Systems

Power systems can become unstable under transient periods such as short-circuit faults, leading to equipment damage and large scale blackouts. Power system stabilizers (PSS) can be designed to improve the stability of generators by quickly regulating the exciter field voltage to damp the swings of generator rotor angle and speed. The stability achieved through exciter field voltage control can be further improved with a relatively small, fast responding energy storage system (ESS) connected at the terminals of the generator that enables electrical power damping. PSS are designed and studied using a single-machine infinite-bus (SMIB) model. In this paper, we present a comprehensive optimal-control design for a flexible ac synchronous generator PSS using both exciter field voltage and ESS control including estimation of unmeasurable states. The controller is designed to minimize disturbances in rotor frequency and angle, and thereby improve stability. The design process is based on a linear quadratic regulator of the SMIB model with a test system linearized about different operating frequencies in the range 10 Hz to 60 Hz. The optimal performance of the PSS is demonstrated along with the resulting stability improvement.
Measuring Environmental Health Literacy

Environmental health literacy (EHL) is an emerging framework that defines the knowledge and skills that prepare people to make health-protective decisions using available environmental data (Finn S, O’Fallon L. Environ Health Perspect 125(4):495–501 (2017)). According to the Society for Public Health Education (Society for Public Health Education. What is environmental health literacy? Retrieved from: http://www.sophe.org/environmentalhealth/key_ehl.asp (2014)), application of knowledge and skills is essential to achieving EHL, as evidenced in its definition of EHL as “the wide range of skills and competencies that people need in order to seek out, comprehend, evaluate, and use environmental health information to make informed choices, reduce health risks, improve quality of life and protect the environment.” Early research on EHL has focused on how people understand connections between environmental exposures and health and, to a more limited extent, on the ways that improving literacy can lead to policies or infrastructure developments that reduce environmental exposures (Gray KM. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(3):466 (2018)).
Substance Use Disorders in Transplant Patients

Alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use disorders are common in the general population and have significant medical complications. These disorders may cause or contribute to end-organ failure and the need for organ transplant. Post-transplant survival may be negatively impacted by pre- and post-transplant tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use. There is currently no consensus regarding the evaluation of transplant candidates with tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use disorders. There are concerns that some of these patients may be at high risk for relapse to alcohol, tobacco, and substance use and nonadherence resulting in poor transplant outcomes, medical complications, and premature death. Many studies have been done, but have not produced clear results on methods of predicting relapse in this population.
Cell-proliferation imaging for monitoring response to CDK4/6 inhibition combined with endocrine-therapy in breast cancer: Comparison of [18F]FLT and [18F]ISO-1 PET/CT

Purpose: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors in combination with endocrine-therapy have emerged as an important regimen of care for estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC), though identifying predictive biomarkers remains a challenge. We assessed the ability of two PET-proliferation tracers, [18F]FLT and [18F]ISO-1, for evaluating response to CDK4/6-inhibitor (palbociclib) and ER-antagonist (fulvestrant). Experimental Design: To determine the effect of CDK4/6-inhibition combined with estrogen-blockade we assessed cell-proliferation in 6 BC cell-lines after 1, 3, and 6 days of treatment with palbociclib and/or fulvestrant. These data were correlated to in-vitro radiotracer assays and results were verified by longitudinal [18F]FLT and [18F]ISO-1 micro-PET imaging performed in MCF7-tumor bearing-mice. Results: All palbociclib-sensitive cell-lines showed decreased [18F]FLT-accumulation and S-phase depletion after treatment, with both measures augmented by combination-therapy. In contrast, these cells showed changes in [18F]ISO-1 analogue-binding and G0 arrest only after prolonged treatment. MicroPET imaging of MCF7 xenografts showed a significant decrease in [18F]FLT but no changes in [18F]ISO-1 uptake in all treated mice on day-3. On day-14, however, mice treated with combination-therapy showed a significant decrease in [18F]ISO-1 corresponding to G0-arrest while maintaining reduced [18F]FLT uptake, which corresponded to S-phase depletion. Conclusions: Our data suggest complementary roles of [18F]FLT and [18F]ISO-1 PET in evaluating tumor-proliferation after combined CDK4/6-inhibitor and endocrine-therapy in BC. [18F]FLT is more sensitive to immediate changes in S-phase, while [18F]ISO-1 can assess more delayed changes related to cell-cycle arrest and transition to G0-quiescence from combination-therapy. These data suggest a potential role for early-prediction of long-term response using these imaging biomarkers.
Quantifying model uncertainty using Bayesian multi-model ensembles

Abstract Watershed models are essential tools to understand, quantify, and predict hydrologic processes and water quality responses from scales ranging from field to large river basins. However, the reliability of watershed models in a management context depends largely on inherent uncertainties in model predictions. The objective of this study is to quantify prediction uncertainty for flow, sediment, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) resulting from model structure. We do this using using three process-based models: the Soil and Water Assessment Tool-Variable Source Area model (SWAT-VSA), the standard Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT-ST), and the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Phase 6 Watershed Model (CBP-Model). We initialize each of the models using meteorological, soil, and land use data, and analyze outputs of flow, sediment, TN, and TP fluxes at the U.S. Geological Survey stream gauge at the downstream end of the Susquehanna River Basin in Conowingo, Maryland. Using these three models, we develop and compare two types of Bayesian models, a Bayesian Generalized (Non-) Linear Multilevel Model (BGMM), and a Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) for flow, sediment, TN, and TP and 95% credible intervals. We compare the Bayesian models results against the individual model results, and straight model averaging (SMA) using a split time period analysis to assess their predictive strengths. Both Bayesian models provided substantially better predictions than the individual process-based models, and estimates of prediction uncertainty, which can enhance decision-making and improve watershed management by providing a risk based assessment of outcomes.
HDL: Fact, fiction, or function? HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk:

The measurement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is highly utilized by clinicians to help predict cardiovascular risk, but this measure is not causally associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. The use of Mendelian randomization studies has led to a change in investigative attention from the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration to its physiological functions. High-density lipoprotein plays key roles in important pathways related to the development of atherosclerotic disease including reverse cholesterol transport, oxidation and inflammation, and endothelial function as well as in other physiological systems including immune system modulation, cellular apoptosis, and endothelial progenitor cell homeostasis. The identification of dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein may better predict future cardiovascular events compared to numerical high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and aid in enhanced clinical risk stratification. The emergence of discrete physiological measurements of high-density lipoprotein, such as cholesterol efflux capacity and the high-density lipoprotein inflammatory index, may provide an opportunity for clinical application in the future. However, the validity of these measurements and their commercial availability remain barriers to a realistic transition to clinical medicine.
Outcomes and impact of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair versus open inguinal hernia repair on healthcare spending and employee absenteeism

This study compares the impact of open (OIHR) versus laparoscopic (LIHR) inguinal hernia repair on healthcare spending and postoperative outcomes. The TRUVEN database was queried using ICD9 procedure codes for open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted IHR, from 2012 to 2013. Patients > 18 years of age and continuously enrolled for 12 months postoperatively were included. Demographics, patient comorbidities, postoperative complications, pain medication use, length of hospital stay, missed work hours, postoperative visits, and overall expenditure were collected, and assessed at time of surgery and at 30-, 60-, 90-, 180-, and 365-days postoperatively. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS, with α = 0.05. 66,116 patients were included (LIHR: N = 23,010; OIHR: N = 43,106). Robotic-assisted procedures were excluded due to small sample size (N = 61). The largest demographic was males between 55 and 64 years. LIHR had fewer surgical wound complications than OIHR (LIHR: 0.3%; OIHR: 0.5%, p = 0.007), less utilization of pain medication (LIHR: 23.3%; OIHR: 28.5%; p < 0.001), and fewer outpatient visits. In the 90-day postoperative period, LIHR had significantly fewer missed work hours (LIHR: 12.1 ± 23.2 h; OIHR: 12.9 ± 26.7 h, p = 0.023). LIHR had higher postoperative urinary complications (LIHR: 0.2%; OIHR: 0.1%; p < 0.001), consistent with the current literature. LIHR expenditures ($15,030 ± $25,906) were higher than OIHR ($13,303 ± 32,014), p < 0.001. The results highlight the benefits of laparoscopic repair with regard to surgical wound complications, postoperative pain, outpatient visits, and missed work hours. These improved outcomes with respect to overall healthcare spending and employee absenteeism support the paradigm shift toward laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs, in spite of higher overall expenditures.
Some Programming Heuristics

A good conjurer will not disclose how the tricks are done. In the exposition of the programs that we have encountered before, we have been pretty good conjurers: we did argue the correctness of our programs but we never explained where they came from — like rabbits, they were pulled out of the magician’s hat. But a professional programmer is not a conjurer. A programmer should be able to explain how the program was derived, because program design is at the heart of computer science. In this chapter, we discuss a number of heuristics that often, but not always, lead to nice, efficient programs for solving programming problems. The heuristics are illustrated by example, but my real interest is in how heuristics help in designing algorithms. The emphasis is, therefore, on trying to avoid interpreting the formulae but to look at their structure and see what this tells us. Our goal is not to prove the correctness of given programs, the goal is to determine how to construct a program that will do the job, and will do it efficiently. It turns out that thinking about the correctness argument gives clues about what the program might look like. As a result, we discuss the proofs and the programs at the same time. We concentrate on simple programs first, that is, programs that consist of only one loop.
UniMóvil: A Mobile Health Clinic Providing Primary Care to the Colonias of the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas.

Background: We describe a mobile unit (UniMovil) designed to improve poor healthcare access delivery to residents in two South Texas underserved Colonias. The interprofessional team measured seven clinical outcomes [obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and depression], and using the Duke Health Profile, assessed the health-related quality of life (HrQoL). Methods: The investigators used previously reported disease prevalence, an implementation model, and community needs-assessments to design an outreach healthcare delivery model. A retrospective review of the cohort provides data used to determine potential predictors of clinical variables, 11 domains of HrQOL, and inter/intra Colonia differences. Results: The average age of patients was 45 years-old and females represented 67% of the population served. Results include a high prevalence of obesity (55.5%), hypertension (39%), diabetes (32.5%), and depression (19%), gender differences, and inter-Colonia differences. A generalized linear mixed model analysis provided associations between clinical outcomes and predictors (age, sex, BMI, PHQ-9 score, HbA1c, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, low HDL, triglycerides, and HrQOL domains). The HrQol domain of low self-perceived health, relates to obesity, diabetes, low HDL, and depression. Depression predicted all 11 domains of the HrQol. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and depression remains epidemic. Mobile clinics increase access and address highly prevalent illnesses in the Colonias. The data collected can be used to address chronic disease and quality of life, focus care, and direct research in high-need underserved areas.
8 – Atherosclerotic plaque

Over the past decade, significant strides have been made in advanced non-invasive cardiac imaging. Technological advances in both hardware and software applications have made direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaque a reality. These advances have come at a crucial time, and help to fill a gap in contemporary diagnostic modalities, which have additionally translated to refining cardiovascular prognosis. In this chapter, the utility and application of arterial ultrasound, coronary computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography will be discussed.
Functionally distinct high and low theta oscillations in the human hippocampus

Based on rodent models, researchers have theorized that the hippocampus supports episodic memory and navigation via the theta oscillation, a ~4–10 Hz rhythm that coordinates brain-wide neural activity. However, recordings from humans have indicated that hippocampal theta oscillations are lower in frequency and less prevalent than in rodents, suggesting interspecies differences in theta’s function. To characterize human hippocampal theta, we examine the properties of theta oscillations throughout the anterior–posterior length of the hippocampus as neurosurgical subjects performed a virtual spatial navigation task. During virtual movement, we observe hippocampal oscillations at multiple frequencies from 2 to 14 Hz. The posterior hippocampus prominently displays oscillations at ~8-Hz and the precise frequency of these oscillations correlates with the speed of movement, implicating these signals in spatial navigation. We also observe slower ~3 Hz oscillations, but these signals are more prevalent in the anterior hippocampus and their frequency does not vary with movement speed. Our results converge with recent findings to suggest an updated view of human hippocampal electrophysiology. Rather than one hippocampal theta oscillation with a single general role, high- and low-frequency theta oscillations, respectively, may reflect spatial and non-spatial cognitive processes. We show that the human hippocampus exhibits two distinct theta oscillations during spatial navigation with the faster oscillation in posterior regions showing movement modulation. This result suggests a distinct feature of the human hippocampus compared to rodents, which generally show a single 8 Hz rhythm.