cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis and modelling of improved accelerating cavities for the recirculating linear accelerator (RLA)

Concerns about energy spreads due to degradation of 1.1 MV, 34 ns duration accelerating cavity repeating pulse shapes have resulted in improving the 24-switch trigger system for the ET-2 cavity, and identifying critical factors in the cavity design that affect the pulse shape. The authors summarize the improvements (completed and proposed) for the existing ET-2 cavity and the status of the design analysis and modeling of accelerating cavities. A relativistic electron beam (REB) injector for the RLA is being installed which will provide a higher amplitude ( approximately 4 MV), longer duration ( approximately 40 ns FWHM), more rectangularly shaped ( approximately 25 ns full width at 90% peak) waveform and a colder beam than were achievable with the previous 1.5 MV injector. The constant beam energy can be more efficiently matched to the guiding IFR plasma channel in the beam line and to the turning section magnetic fields. The accelerating cavities are being designed to produce more compatible accelerating voltage pulses in terms of waveform flatness, width, and amplitudes. >
Gene expression profile in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells stimulated with aldosterone secretagogues.

The mineralocorticoid aldosterone, mainly produced by the adrenal gland, is essential for life, but an abnormally excessive secretion causes severe pathological effects including hypertension and t...
Antibiotic prophylaxis is not protective in severe acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: The use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics to prevent infection and reduce mortality in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains a contentious issue. We assessed the clinical outcome of patients with SAP treated with prophylactic antibiotics compared with that of patients not treated with antibiotics. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Ovid as search engines without language restriction until the end of May 2008. We also manually searched the references of original/ review articles and evaluated symposia proceedings, poster presentations, and abstracts from major gastrointestinal and surgical meetings. Relative risks were calculated for individual trials and data were pooled using a fixed-effects model. Relative risk (RR) reduction, absolute risk reduction, and number needed to treat were calculated and are reported with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Results were subjected to sensitivity analysis to determine heterogeneity among studies. We pooled 502 patients from 8 studies. Patient age ranged from 43 to 59 years, and length of stay ranged from 18 to 95 days. There were 253 patients with SAP who received prophylactic antibiotics, and 249 patients were randomized to the placebo arm. Overall, there was no protective effect of antibiotic treatment with respect to mortality (RR, .76; 95% confidence interval [CI], .49‐1.16). With respect to morbidity, antibiotic prophylaxis did not protect against infected necrosis (RR, .79; 95% CI, .56‐1.11) or surgical intervention (RR, .88; 95% CI, .65‐1.20). There was, however, an apparent benefit in regards to nonpancreatic infections (RR, .60; 95% CI, .44‐.82), with a RR reduction of 40% (95% CI, 18%‐56%), absolute risk reduction of 15% (95% CI, 6%‐23%), and number needed to treat of 7 (95% CI, 4‐17). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis of SAP does not reduce mortality or protect against infected
Longitudinal Trends in Hazardous Alcohol Consumption Among Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, 1995–2006

Hazardous alcohol consumption among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with several adverse health and behavioral outcomes, but the proportion of HIV-positive women who engage in hazardous drinking over time is unclear. The authors sought to determine rates of hazardous alcohol consumption among these women over time and to identify factors associated with this behavior. Subjects were 2,770 HIV-positive women recruited from 6 US cities who participated in semiannual follow-up visits in the Women's Interagency HIV Study from 1995 to 2006. Hazardous alcohol consumption was defined as exceeding daily (≥4 drinks) or weekly (>7 drinks) consumption recommendations. Over the 11-year follow-up period, 14%–24% of the women reported past-year hazardous drinking, with a slight decrease in hazardous drinking over time. Women were significantly more likely to report hazardous drinking if they were unemployed, were not high school graduates, had been enrolled in the original cohort (1994–1995), had a CD4 cell count of 200–500 cells/mL, were hepatitis C-seropositive, or had symptoms of depression. Approximately 1 in 5 of the women met criteria for hazardous drinking. Interventions to identify and address hazardous drinking among HIV-positive women are urgently needed.
Variation of inductance with frequency in high performance power distribution grids [ICs]

The variation of inductance with frequency in high performance power distribution grids is discussed in this paper. Characterization of the grid inductance is needed for the design of efficient and robust high performance power distribution grids. The physical mechanisms underlying the dependence of inductance on frequency are discussed. The variation of inductance with frequency in three types of power grids is analyzed in terms of these mechanisms. The inductance of power distribution grids decreases with signal frequency. The decrease in inductance in non-interdigitated grids is primarily due to current redistribution in the forward and return current paths. In interdigitated grids, the variation of inductance with frequency is fairly small, typically less than 10% because both proximity and multipath current redistribution effects are minimal. In paired grids, the relative decrease in inductance with frequency is larger as compared to interdigitated grids. This behavior is due to increased proximity effects. The smaller the separation between the power an ground lines and the wider the lines, the more significant proximity effects become and the greater the relative decrease in inductance with frequency.
Influence of Perceptions on School Nurse Practices to Prevent Childhood Obesity.

Comprehensive childhood obesity prevention (COP) strategies should include increasing school nurse involvement. This study was conducted to determine the influence of key school nurse perceptions (self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers) on participation in COP practices at the individual child and school level. Florida registered nurse (RN) school nurses (n = 171) anonymously completed online or paper questionnaires. Linear regression analyses identified a model of self-efficacy with perceived benefits and barriers that explained 12% and 9.1% (p < .001) of variance in child-level and school-level COP practices, respectively. Self-efficacy explained the most variance in both models (p < .001). Mediation testing identified perceived barriers as a partial mediator of the influence of self-efficacy on child-level practices. These findings support interventions and policy changes to increase self-efficacy and reduce perceived barriers to promote school nurse involvement in preventing childhood obesity.
Better Group Behaviors Using Rule-Based Roadmaps

While techniques exist for simulating group behaviors, these methods usually only provide simplistic navigation and planning capabilities. In this work, we explore the benefits of integrating roadmap-based path planning methods with flocking techniques. We show how group behaviors such as exploring can be facilitated by using dynamic roadmaps (e.g., modifying edge weights) as an implicit means of communication between flock members. Extending ideas from cognitive modeling, we embed behavior rules in individual flock members and in the roadmap. These behavior rules enable the flock members to modify their actions based on their current location and state. We propose new techniques for three distinct group behaviors: homing, exploring (covering and goal searching) and passing through narrow areas. Animations of these behaviors can be viewed at http://parasol.tamu.edu/dsmft.
Social comparisons and organizational support: Implications for commitment and retention

Organizational support theory (OST) suggests that employees develop a general perception of the extent to which the organization values their contributions and cares about their well-being (perceived organizational support – POS), and respond to that support through attitudes and behaviors that are beneficial toward the organization. Although OST emphasizes both social exchange and self-enhancement processes, most accounts of POS’s effects are rooted in social exchange. For example, POS’s linkages with commitment and retention have been explained as an exchange of support for positive attitudes and continued employment. This research sheds light on self-enhancement’s less-understood role in fostering these reactions by demonstrating the influence of social comparison effects. Drawing on a sample of 342 employees nested in 82 work-units of a US hospitality company, our analysis demonstrates that favorable POS comparisons with peers in one’s work-unit are positively associated with commitment and retention, whereas unfavorable comparisons are negatively related. Results also show that comparisons taking place in less-supported work-units have stronger impact than comparisons made in those with better support. Our findings extend OST by revealing the importance of social comparisons in engendering responses to organizational support, and in so doing potentially explicate the differential ways social exchange and self-enhancement operate with regard to POS.
ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING EOLC IN THE ICU

Background Twenty per cent of Americans die using ICU services. Efforts to improve palliative care overall must therefore involve the ICU, yet the ICU presents many difficult ethical challenges not always found in other settings. Aim To review the ethical challenges of providing high quality palliative care in the ICU. Methods Clinical experience and review of the literature Results Three classical philosophical distinctions continue to resonate through end-of-life care in the ICU—the distinction between killing versus allowing-to-die, the distinction between withholding versus withdrawing treatments, and the distinction between hastening death as an intended versus merely foreseen side effect of administering analgesics and sedatives. Discussion Using cases from my experience and the literature, each of these distinctions will be explored in terms of modern ICU care. Specifically, I will discuss the role of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, along with the withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, cardiac pacemakers, tube feedings, and oral feedings. I will discuss various approaches to providing analgesia and sedation following the withdrawal of life support, including the use of unconventional agents (eg, propofol), unconventional doses, and the debate around the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in end of life care. Conclusion Classical philosophical dilemmas continue to generate ethical challenges to providing high quality end-of-life care in the ICU, and careful normative analysis can help to clarify the issues involved and guide practice.
Toxicity of Insecticides to House Crickets and Bioassay of Treated Soils in the Laboratory

The house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.), proved to be a valuable and satisfactory bioassay test insect for these studies. After determining insecticide sensitivity through topical applications, crickets were used to determine bioactivity of insecticides in soils. Technical aldrin, diazinon, heptachlor, Niran® (stabilized ethyl parathion) , and phorate were applied to Onawa silty clay, Sarpy loamy sand, Seymore silt loam, Marion silt loam (profile A), and Marion silty clay (profile B) , each at 2 moisture levels. Biological response of insecticides varied from soil type to soil type, and from low to high moisture. Treated sandy soils showed higher initial mortality than most other soil types but resulted in shorter residual activity. Moisture level of the soil and the nature of the insecticide were of utmost importance within a soil type. Increased moisture generally resulted in increased mortality.
Biomarkers: the clues to genetic susceptibility.

There are approximately 500,000 cancer-related deaths annually in the United States. Scientists believe as that many as 80% of those deaths could be prevented due to the fact that most malignancies...
Three Genome Sequences of Legionella pneumophila subsp. pascullei Associated with Colonization of a Health Care Facility.

ABSTRACT Here, we report the complete genome sequences of three Legionella pneumophila subsp. pascullei strains (including both serogroup 1 and 5 strains) that were found in the same health care facility in 1982 and 2012.
Effects of shade treatments on the seed germination and seedling growth of Syringa reticulata

Under different light intensities(100 % natural sunlight(NS),37.3 % NS,15.5 % NS,4.2 % NS,1.6 % NS,0.6 % NS)in shade house,the characterizations of the seed germination and seedling growth of Syringa reticulata were studied.The result showed that the germination percentages under the shade treatments of 55.4 % NS,21.1 % NS,3.5 % NS and 0.9 % NS were 86.7 %,74.4 %,66.7 % and 16.7 % respectively.With the decreasing of light intensities,the delay of germination course and the reduction of germination index were observed.The taproot length decreased with the decline of light intensities.The difference of seedling height and leaf number among different shade treatments were larger at the beginning of experiment and disappered with the continuing of growth period.The total dry weitht and root-shoot ratio decreased with the increase of shade.At the end of experiment,the treatment of 21.1 % NS resulted in the maximum of both leaf area per seedling(14.65 cm2)and specific leaf area(395.71 cm2·g-1).The maximum of relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were achieved under 21.1 % NS(28.66×10-3g·d-1)and 55.4 % NS shade treatment(41.58×10-5 g·cm-2·d-1)respectively.
Analysis of data of eliminating polio during 2000 to 2008 in Gaozhou

Objective This study is to improve the surveillance quality of polio and keep poliofree status.Methods The surveillance of polio data during 2000 to 2008 in Gaozhou were analyzed. Results 38 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) eases had been reported during the nine years.The reported incidence of non-polio AFP cases were all above 1 per 1 000 000 children under 15 years old.The investigation rate of AFP after reported within 48h, the collection rate of qualified stool specimens, the timely specimen delivery rate and the timely AFP cause follow-up rate completely reached 100%,The OPV routine immunization and supplementary immunization coverage rates were all above 95%.Conclusions It suggested that the quality of AFP surveillance was high and all measures to eliminate polio were administered well in Gaozhou. Key words: Poliomyelitis; Surveillance; Routine immunization; Supplementary immunization
Full-vector paleomagnetic secular variation records from latest quaternary sediments of Lake Malawi (10.0°S, 34.3°E)

Abstract We have conducted a paleomagnetic study of Late Quaternary sediments from Lake Malawi, East Africa, in order to develop a high-resolution record of paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV). This study has recovered PSV records from two cores (3P, 6P) in northern Lake Malawi (10.0°S, 34.3°E). The PSV appears to be recorded in fine-grained detrital magnetite/titanomagnetite grains. Detailed af demagnetization of the natural remanence (NRM) shows that a distinctive characteristic remanence (ChRM) is demagnetized from ∼20 to 80 mT, which decreases simply toward the origin. The resulting directional PSV records for 3P and 6P are easily correlatable with 29 distinct inclination features and 29 declination features. The statistical character of the PSV in both cores is consistent with Holocene PSV noted at other Holocene equatorial sites. Radiocarbon dating of the cores is based on 18 independent radiocarbon dates and four dated stratigraphic horizons that can be correlated into each core. The final directional PSV time series cover the last 24,000 years with an average sediment accumulation rate of ∼30 cm/kyr. We have also developed a relative paleointensity estimate for these PSV records based on normalizing the NRM (after 20 mT af demagnetization) by the SIRM (after 20 mT af demagnetization). Changing sedimentation patterns complicate any attempt to develop a single paleointensity record for the entire core lengths. We have developed a relative paleointensity record for the last 6000 years that has 14 correlatable features including 5 notable peaks in intensity. Three of these peaks are synchronous with paleointensity highs farther north in SE Europe/SW Asia/Egypt but two of the peaks are at times of low paleointensity farther north. We interpret this to indicate that Lake Malawi (10°S) is at least partly under the influence of a different flux-regeneration region of the outer-core dynamo. A relative paleointensity record was also developed for ∼11,000–24,000 YBP; the general pattern appears to be consistent with other published records, but our confidence in the correlations is more limited.
Ultraviolet-A1 irradiation decreases clinical disease activity and autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

In this study we assess the effect of ultraviolet radiation, exclusively within the UV-A1 (340-400 nm) range, on disease activity in SLE. Ten SLE patients were irradiated for 15 days, four of them then continuing treatment for 8 months, with low doses (60 kJ/m2/d) of UV-A1 irradiation. They were assessed clinically and serologically before, after 3 weeks, and after 8 months of therapy. Clinical indices of disease decreased in the 10 patients after 3 weeks by 39%; they decreased in the four patients irradiated for 8 months by 70%. Antibodies to Sjogren's syndrome A (anti-SSA) or antinuclear antibodies (ANA) decreased or disappeared in most patients. There were no side effects. In this uncontrolled study, UV-A1 irradiation appears to have been an effective and seemingly innocuous therapeutic modality for patients with SLE, decreasing signs and symptoms of disease, diminishing levels of autoantibodies and increasing in effectiveness with time.
Exploration of the application of harmonic analysis in the study of genetics

Taking the accumulation process of protein and oil in rapeseed as an example, the paper explores the possibility of application of harmonic analysis to describing the quantitative change process of biological characters. Some genetic rules involved in the phenotype processes of characters are discovered through decomposing genetic quantity from the dynamic change processes of the characters. The preliminary conclusion is that there are two prevailing simple-harmonic oscillators in the accumulation processes of protein and oil in rapeseed, which are inheritable. This shows that harmonic analysis opens up a new explorative way by which genetic rules of the phenotype processes of biological characters can be revealed.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the dusky-footed woodrat(Neotoma fuscipes) (Rodentia, Cricetidae).

The dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) is an endemic North American rodent belonging to the family Cricetidae. We present here the first complete mitogenome within the Neotoma genus. The mitogenome is 16,199 bp in length, and has a structure and gene organization similar to other rodent species (e.g. Mus musculus, Peromyscus maniculatus and Microtus fortis calamorum). The overall base composition is A (35.2%), C (25.5%), G (12.3%), T (27.0%), with a GC content of 37.8%, similar to other rodents. This mitogenome serves as a foundation for future phylogenetic, phylogeographic and population genetic studies.
Making the World Safe for our Children: Down-regulating Defence and Up-regulating Social Engagement to ‘Optimise’ the Human Experience

The Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how cues of risk and safety, which are continuously monitored by our nervous system, influence our physiological and behavioral states. The theory emphasizes that humans are on a quest to calm neural defense systems by detecting features of safety. This quest is initiated at birth when the infant needs for being soothed are dependent on the caregiver. The quest continues throughout the lifespan with needs for trusting friendships and loving partnerships to effectively co-regulate each other. The Polyvagal Theory proposes that through the process of evolution, social connectedness evolved as the primary biological imperative for mammals in their quest for survival. Functionally, social connectedness enabled proximity and co-regulation of physiological state between conspecifics starting with the mother-infant relationship and extending through the lifespan with other significant partners. The theory explains why feeling safe requires a unique set of cues to the nervous system that are not equivalent to physical safety or the removal of threat. The theory emphasizes the importance of safety cues emanating through reciprocal social interactions that dampen defense and how these cues can be distorted or optimized by environmental and bodily cues.
27.8 Fully integrated optical spectrometer with 500-to-830nm range in 65nm CMOS

Next-generation IoT systems are expected to be enabled by compact, low-cost, low-power, smart sensing devices that provide a wealth of information to build new applications and capabilities. Among sensing modalities, optical spectrometry is one of the rapidly growing areas of interest due to its wide range of applications from environment monitoring, industrial and home applications to healthcare [1–3]. As shown in Fig. 27.8.1, current optical spectrometers are large and bulky with non-integrated components that limit their application potential. In this paper, we present a fully integrated CMOS-based optical spectrometer in a 65nm bulk process that requires no external optical components. The spectrometer achieves nearly 10nm resolution and 1.4nm accuracy in peak prediction of continuous-wave (CW) excitations between 500 and 830nm.
Performance Appraisal Reappraised: It’s Not All Positive

Performance appraisal is a widespread, very expensive, counterproductive exercise. It is typically conducted with good intentions to manage and improve the performance of individual employees, and lead to enhanced overall organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity. Unfortunately it is an exercise in futility. This paper explores why formal performance appraisal and performance pay fail in their objectives as components of an organization’s performance management program, and why they should be abolished.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Ovomucin and the Functional and Structural Characteristics of Peptides in the Hydrolysates

Ovomucin was hydrolyzed using enzymes or by heating under alkaline conditions (pH 12.0), and the functional, structural and compositional characteristics of the peptides in the hydrolysates were determined. Among the treatments, heating at 100 oC for 15 minutes under alkaline conditions (OM) produced peptides with the highest iron-binding and antioxidant capacities. Ovomucin hydrolyzed with papain (OMPa) or alcalase (OMAl) produced peptides with high ACE-inhibitory activity. The mass spectrometry analysis indicated that most of the peptides from OMPa were 2 kDa. OMAl hydrolyzed ovomucin almost completely and no peptides within 700-5,000 Da were found in the hydrolasate. The results indicated that the number and size of peptides were closely related to the functionality of the hydrolysates. Considering the time, cost and activities of the hydrolysates, OM was the best treatment for hydrolyzing ovomucin to produce functional peptides.
Increasing ICA512 autoantibody titers predict development of abnormal oral glucose tolerance tests

Objective Determine if autoantibody titer magnitude and variability predict glucose abnormalities in subjects at risk for type 1 diabetes. Research Designs and Methods Demographic information, longitudinal autoantibody titers, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) data were obtained from the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study. Subjects (first and second degree relatives of individuals with type 1 diabetes) with at least 2 diabetes autoantibodies were selected for analysis. Autoantibody titer means were calculated for each subject for the duration of study participation and the relationship between titer tertiles and glucose value tertiles from OGTTs (normal, impaired, and diabetes) was assessed with a proportional odds ordinal regression model. A matched pairs analysis was used to examine the relationship between changes in individual autoantibody titers and 120-minute glucose values. Titer variability was quantified using cumulative titer standard deviations. Results We studied 778 subjects recruited in the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study between 2006 and 2014. Increased cumulative mean titer values for both ICA512 and GAD65 (estimated increase in proportional odds = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.39, 1.87, P < 1 × 10−9 and 1.17, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.32, P = .016, respectively) were associated with peak 120-minute glucose values. While fluctuating titer levels were observed in some subjects, no significant relationship between titer standard deviation and glucose values was observed. Conclusion ICA512 autoantibody titers associate with progressive abnormalities in glucose metabolism in subjects at risk for type 1 diabetes. Fluctuations in autoantibody titers do not correlate with lower rates of progression to clinical disease.
Tricine as a convenient scaffold for the synthesis of C-terminally branched collagen-model peptides

A novel and convenient method for the synthesis of C-terminally branched collagen-model peptides has been achieved using tricine (N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]glycine) as a branching scaffold and 1,2-diaminoethane or 1,4-diaminobutane as a linker. The peptide sequence was incorporated directly onto the linker and scaffold during solid-phase synthesis without additional manipulations. The resulting branched triple-helical peptides exhibited comparable thermal stabilities to the parent, unbranched sequence, and served as substrates for matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). The tricine-based branch reported herein represents the simplest synthetic scaffold for the convenient synthesis of covalently linked homomeric collagen-model triple-helical peptides.
Fully Integrated Optical Spectrometer in Visible and Near-IR in CMOS

Optical spectrometry in the visible and near-infrared range has a wide range of applications in healthcare, sensing, imaging, and diagnostics. This paper presents the first fully integrated optical spectrometer in standard bulk CMOS process without custom fabrication, postprocessing, or any external optical passive structure such as lenses, gratings, collimators, or mirrors. The architecture exploits metal interconnect layers available in CMOS processes with subwavelength feature sizes to guide, manipulate, control, diffract light, integrated photodetector, and read-out circuitry to detect dispersed light, and then back-end signal processing for robust spectral estimation. The chip, realized in bulk 65-nm low power-CMOS process, measures 0.64 mm $\times$ 0.56 mm in active area, and achieves 1.4 nm in peak detection accuracy for continuous wave excitations between 500 and 830 nm. This paper demonstrates the ability to use these metal-optic nanostructures to miniaturize complex optical instrumentation into a new class of optics-free CMOS-based systems-on-chip in the visible and near-IR for various sensing and imaging applications.
Association of provider recommendation and offer and influenza vaccination among adults aged ≥18 years - United States.

Abstract Background Influenza vaccination has been recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months since 2010. Methods Data from the 2016 National Internet Flu Survey were analyzed to assess provider vaccination recommendations and early influenza vaccination during the 2016–17 season among adults aged ≥18 years. Predictive marginals from a multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify factors independently associated with early vaccine uptake by provider vaccination recommendation status. Results Overall, 24.0% visited a provider who both recommended and offered influenza vaccination, 9.0% visited a provider who only recommended but did not offer, 25.1% visited a provider who neither recommended nor offered, and 41.9% did not visit a doctor from July 1 through date of interview. Adults who reported that a provider both recommended and offered vaccine had significantly higher vaccination coverage (66.6%) compared with those who reported that a provider only recommended but did not offer (48.4%), those who neither received recommendation nor offer (32.0%), and those who did not visit a doctor during the vaccination period (28.8%). Results of multivariable logistic regression indicated that having received a provider recommendation, with or without an offer for vaccination, was significantly associated with higher vaccination coverage after controlling for demographic and access-to-care factors. Conclusions Provider recommendation was significantly associated with influenza vaccination. However, overall, 67.0% of adults did not visit a doctor during the vaccination period or did visit a doctor but did not receive a provider recommendation. Evidence-based strategies such as client reminder/recall, standing orders, provider reminders, or health systems interventions in combination should be undertaken to improve provider recommendation and influenza vaccination coverage. Other factors significantly associated with a higher level of influenza vaccination included age ≥50 years, being Hispanic, having a college or higher education, having a usual place for medical care, and having public health insurance.
A Hydrogen Gas Meter Unit with Remote Totalization of Flow

The problem described in this paper consisted of the development of an integrating gas or mass flowmeter, pressure and temperature compensated to ±5 percent in mass or gas flow and whose readings are transmitted by wiring to an indicator located at a distance. The following general requirements applied to the flowmeter problem: 1) Maximum flow rate of hydrogen gas—approximately 150 cubic feet per hour (355 grams per hour) 2) Entering gas temperature —(+50°C to -65°C) 3) Ambient pressure—2 to 15 psia 4) Meter to be integrating or totalizing 5) Meter not to be affected to any large degree by tilting or by the normal vibration encountered in transportation.
Light Sources from Laser Wakefield Acceleration: Development and Applications

This talk reviews x-ray and gamma-ray sources driven by laser wakefield acceleration. They provide broadband radiation from keV to MeV energies, and can be used for applications in high energy density science.
MECHANICS OF THE ARTERIAL WALL: REVIEW AND DIRECTIONS

The goals of this article are threefold: to briefly review the theory of finite elasticity and its application to arterial mechanics; to review what is known about the mechanical behavior of arteries in health and disease; and to review several clinically relevant aspects of arterial mechanics, as for example, aging, aneurysms, angioplasty, embolectomy, heat therapies, hypertension, trauma, and the disruption of atherosclerotic plaques. It is shown that, despite a huge literature on arterial mechanics, much remains unknown. In particular, a pressing need exists for detailed nonlinear three-dimensional constitutive relations for the passive and active arterial wall as a function of position along the arterial tree and disease. Arterial mechanics has, therefore, yet to reach its full potential as an important and consistent contributor to vascular medicine and surgery, but the possibilities remain great.
Transcriptional Activation of Drosophila Heat Shock Genes

In this chapter, I consider two distinct, but related, arenas in the transcriptional regulation of heat shock genes. The first is the interaction of the common component of the regulatory regions of heat shock genes, the heat shock element (HSE) and the regulatory protein, heat shockfactor (HSF). The second is the association of an RNA polymerase II with the 5’ ends of heat shock genes, an association that occurs even in the absence of heat shock. This RNA polymerase II molecule is transcriptionally engaged, but arrested, at the start of heat shock genes. The potential interplay of the HSF-HSE complex and this arrested RNA polymerase II molecule will be discussed in the context of a mechanism for transcriptional activation during the heat shock response.
Political Theology, Negative Dialectics, and Messianic History

In staying with critical theory, this chapter is a study of an old model of political theology (Carl Schmidt) and its anti-Semitism in reference to Hobbes’ theory of Leviathan. A critical theory of anti-Semitism and progress can be further developed with respect to its racial thinking and civilizing mission. A new model of political theology comes to terms with critical theory in its critique of anti-Semitism, dethroning the old form of political theology. I am concerned with examining a critical, emancipatory theory against ethno-racism and developmentalism, while dealing with a critical theory of dialectics of Enlightenment and a messianic philosophy of history (Walter Benjamin). I supplement theological reflection of eschatology and Benjamin’s messianic interpretation of history and its historical materialist reasoning for the postcolonial political theology.
Multiscale, multimodal analysis of tumor heterogeneity in IDH1 mutant vs wild-type diffuse gliomas

Glioma is recognized to be a highly heterogeneous CNS malignancy, whose diverse cellular composition and cellular interactions have not been well characterized. To gain new clinical- and biological-insights into the genetically-bifurcated IDH1 mutant (mt) vs wildtype (wt) forms of glioma, we integrated data from protein, genomic and MR imaging from 20 treatment-naive glioma cases and 16 recurrent GBM cases. Multiplexed immunofluorescence (MxIF) was used to generate single cell data for 43 protein markers representing all cancer hallmarks, Genomic sequencing (exome and RNA (normal and tumor) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantitative features (protocols were T1-post, FLAIR and ADC) from whole tumor, peritumoral edema and enhancing core vs equivalent normal region were also collected from patients. Based on MxIF analysis, 85,767 cells (glioma cases) and 56,304 cells (GBM cases) were used to generate cell-level data for 24 biomarkers. K-means clustering was used to generate 7 distinct groups of cells with divergent biomarker profiles and deconvolution was used to assign RNA data into three classes. Spatial and molecular heterogeneity metrics were generated for the cell data. All features were compared between IDH mt and IDHwt patients and were finally combined to provide a holistic/integrated comparison. Protein expression by hallmark was generally lower in the IDHmt vs wt patients. Molecular and spatial heterogeneity scores for angiogenesis and cell invasion also differed between IDHmt and wt gliomas irrespective of prior treatment and tumor grade; these differences also persisted in the MR imaging features of peritumoral edema and contrast enhancement volumes. A coherent picture of enhanced angiogenesis in IDHwt tumors was derived from multiple platforms (genomic, proteomic and imaging) and scales from individual proteins to cell clusters and heterogeneity, as well as bulk tumor RNA and imaging features. Longer overall survival for IDH1mt glioma patients may reflect mutation-driven alterations in cellular, molecular, and spatial heterogeneity which manifest in discernable radiological manifestations.
Permanent magnet design assisted by antiferromagnet-ferromagnet interface coupling: A Monte Carlo study

Abstract In the pursuit of rare-earth-free permanent magnets, materials with large saturation magnetization ( M s ) stand out. However, large M s results in low anisotropy field, thus additional source of coercivity is needed to make useful magnets for a broad range of applications. In this paper, we investigate the use of interface coupling to an antiferromagnet (AFM) as a means to increase coercivity for permanent magnet design. Results on the effects of Neel temperature, AFM anisotropy, interface coupling strength, AFM volume ratio, as well as temperature dependence are obtained using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. And before that, we clarify some practices in MC simulations of magnetic hysteresis. The origin of coercivity enhancement is investigated by examining the magnetization reversal process, which is found to agree with well-established theory of exchange bias. Finally, discussions and design suggestions are made on the AFM materials, the geometry, and experimental realization.
Microbiome Diversity in Sputum of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infected Women with a History of Breast Cancer.

Background/aims The nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM), caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an increasing health problem in the USA and worldwide. The NTM disease is prevalent in Caucasian women with a current diagnosis or history of breast cancer (BCa), posing a significant challenge towards treatment. We hypothesize that NTM affected women with considerable therapeutic resistance may harbor pathogenic microbes other than nontuberculous mycobacterium, aiding in disease progression and therapeutic resistance. Methods We assessed microbiome diversity in sputa from healthy women, women with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM) and women with both nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and breast cancer (NTM-BCa). First, we collected sputa and isolated DNA from sputa of these healthy women and women with NTM and NTM-BCa. We also isolated DNA from sera derived extracellular vesicles from women with NTM-BCa. To identify diverse pathogenic microbes in various groups of subjects, we then performed 16S rDNA sequencing. Data analysis was performed utilizing the analytical pipelines at the Center for Metagenomic and Microbiome Research (CMMR), Baylor College of Medicine. Results A large community of resident microbes, including bacteria, virus, Archeas and Fungi live in the human body are being increasingly recognized as the key components of human health and disease. We identified a diverse microbiome community in the sputa and the extracellular vesicles dominated by Streptococcus, Haemophillus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Allistipes, Faecalibacterium and Staphylococcus in women with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease as well as women with both nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and breast cancer. Some of these genera, including Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Allistipes have estrobolome activity and associated with breast and other neoplasms. Conclusion This work confirms the presence of a distinct pathogenic microbiome other than nontuberculous mycobacteria in the sputa and the circulating extracellular vesicles of these patients. This information could be useful for better therapeutic design to treat the NTM patients.
Landscape Analysis of Phase 2 and 3 Clinical Trials for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy.

Within nuclear medicine, theranostics has revitalized the field of targeted radionuclide therapy, and there are a growing number of investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials of targeted radionuclide therapy. This article summarizes the current trials available in the National
Validation of a 3D CT imaging method for quantifying implant migration following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.

Glenoid component loosening remains a common complication following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA); however, plain radiographs are unable to accurately detect early implant migration. The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of a method of postoperative, three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging with metal artifact reduction (MAR) to detect glenoid component migration following anatomic TSA. Tantalum bead markers were inserted into polyethylene glenoid components for implant detection on 3D CT. In-vitro validation was performed using a glenoid component placed into a scapula sawbone and incrementally translated and rotated, with MAR 3D CT acquired at each test position. Accuracy was evaluated by root mean square error (RMSE). In-vivo validation was performed on six patients who underwent anatomic TSA, with two postoperative CT scans acquired in each patient and marker-based radiostereometric analysis (RSA) performed on the same days. Glenoid component migration was calculated relative to a scapular coordinate system for both MAR 3D CT and RSA. Accuracy was evaluated by RMSE and paired Student's t-tests. The largest RMSE on in-vitro testing was 0.24 mm in translation and 0.11° in rotation, and on in-vivo testing was 0.47 mm in translation and 1.04° in rotation. There were no significant differences between MAR 3D CT and RSA measurement methods. MAR 3D CT imaging is capable of quantifying glenoid component migration with a high level of accuracy. MAR 3D CT imaging is advantageous over RSA because it is readily available clinically and can also be used to evaluate the implant-bone interface.
Exercise 23: Macrophage Migration Inhibition Test

Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory, immunoregulatory cytokine with chemokine-like function. MIF has pleotropic effects on cells such as recruitment and also promoting cell arrest. Several cells, including B and T lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial and epithelial cells secrete MIF. The MIF test is the in vitro correlate of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). In vivo, the DTH reaction is associated with the formation of granulomas and the recruitment of cells responding to chemokines in inflamm. The assay detects the secretion of MIF from T cells activated by antigen, which results in inhibition of macrophage migration. Peritoneal macrophages placed in a capillary tube in the presence of supernatant from activated T cells will remain in the capillary tube and not migrate. Control supernatant from unstimulated T cells, without MIF results in migration of macrophages when incubated with macrophages placed in a capillary tube. MIF can also be detected using ELISA and western blotting. However, with ELISA and western blotting, macrophages cannot be observed, since only the cytokine can be detected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be used to amplify the gene encoding MIF. For quantitation of MIF expression, real-time-PCR (RT-PCR) may also be performed using cDNA template and primers targeting MIF. As with ELISA and western blotting, the macrophages cannot be detected when PCR is performed. Antibodies against MIF can detect MIF secreted by T cells. The levels of MIF secreted can be quantitated to determine the activation of T cells. MIF binds to CD74 and results in activation of the MAP kinase pathway and translocation of AP1. The objective of this exercise is to learn how to perform the MIF test.
Memory for spatial location: Functional dissociation of entorhinal cortex and hippocampus

To test whether there is a functional dissociation between the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, rats were trained on a variable spatial-location matching-to-sample (working memory) task with various delays. After training, rats with entorhinal cortex, entorhinal-cortex-plus-hippocampus/subiculum, hippocampus, control, or cortical control lesions were tested for performance within the task. Results indicated that in the variable spatial-location condition relative to the control and cortical controls, all lesioned groups showed a profound impairment in performance of the task across all delays. They were subsequently tested for acquisition of a constant spatial location task. In the constant spatial-location condition, the entorhinal cortex and entorhinal-cortex-plus-hippocampus/subiculum lesioned groups did not learn the task, whereas the hippocampal lesioned group did. It is suggested that there is a functional dissociation between the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex. It is proposed that the hippocampus encodes new spatial information within a working-memory system, whereas the entorhinal cortex represents spatial information within a reference-memory system as part of a spatial cognitive map.
Secured Paradigm for Mobile Databases

Mobile databases are gaining popularity as portable devices have become need based and common. One key aspect of these database systems is their ability to deal with disconnection. Many businesses today are no longer solely conducting business within the confines of their buildings. They have employees who travel, who work in different geographic areas, or occasionally work from home. Many organizations allow the mobile workers to carry their sensitive data outside the physical boundaries in order to increase the productivity and revenue. But when the device is not protected properly all the data stored in the device will be exposed to outsiders including competitors. So security for the database that resides in the mobile device is the major concern for such type of organizations. In order to secure the mobile database a secured architecture is proposed in this paper.
ISOLATION OF A COVALENT STEADY-STATE INTERMEDIATE IN GLUTAMATE 60 MUTANTS OF THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE

Glutamate 60 of thymidylate synthase coordinates a hydrogen bond network important in proton transfer reactions to and from the substrate dUMP. The E60A and E60L mutants of Lactobacillus casei thymidylate synthase catalyzed tritium exchange from [5-3H]dUMP for solvent protons faster than dTMP formation, indicating accumulation of a steady-state intermediate and a change in partitioning of the intermediate. A covalent complex consisting of E60A or E60L thymidylate synthase, dUMP, and the cofactor CH2H4 folate was isolated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and shown to be chemically and kinetically competent to form dTMP. These results provide proof of the formation of a covalent steady-state intermediate in the reaction pathway of thymidylate synthase and demonstrate that the rate-determining step in the mutants occurs during conversion of the covalent intermediate to dTMP.
The colloidal nature of kaolinite

Understanding the colloidal nature of kaolinite is critical to developing a well-controlled, repeatable process.