cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collocation method for solving some integral equations of estimation theory

A class of integral equations Rh = f basic in estimation the- ory is introduced. The description of the range of the operator R is given. The operator R is a positive rational function of a selfadjoint elliptic op- erator L. This operator is defined in the whole space R r , it has a kernel R(x; y), and Rh := R D R(x; y)h(y)dy, where DR r is a bounded domain with a sufficiently smooth boundaryS. Example of the equation of this type is R 1 −1 e −j x−yj h(y)dy = f(x); −1 � x � 1: This equation has, in general, only distributional solutions. In estimation theory one is interested in the MOS (minimal order of singularity) solution to equation Rh = f. It is proved that such solution does exist and is unique for the class of equations defined by the author. A collocation method for numerical solution of equation Rh = f in distributions is formulated and its convergence is proved.
“Best” versus “Average” Individual Scores

(1967). “Best” versus “Average” Individual Scores. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 317-320.
Recent Developments of LTCC Multylayer Chip Ferrite Devices and Materials

Based on papers of the ICF10 (10th International Conference on Ferrites) (2008.10.10),the 13th National Magnetics Conference of China (2008.10.31) and some specialization conferences on magnetic materials,the recent developments in multylayer chip inductor prepared by LTCC (low temperature co-sintered ceramics) and LTCF (low temperature co-sintered ferrites) processes and the developments of low temperature sintered ferrites,including NiCuZn ferrite,MnZn ferrite,Co2Z,CoY,BaM ferrite are introduced and summarized.The developing tendency of the LTCC multylayer chip inductor is predicted.
Translation Information Loss in the Difference of Cultural Backgrounds

Translation,as conversion of languages and communication among cultures,represents both activity of trans-language and trans-culture.Cultural difference,however,remains a hard nut in as well as the major cause of information loss in translation between languages.Therefore,cultural principle should be followed in teaching arts of translation,which helps students to form correct thinking of translation and skill in its technique and benefits diffusion of culture and information dissemination.
The Gold Rush: The popularity of the Gold Tier in Leed Certification

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is the most prominent voluntary environmental program for built environments. It has four tiers: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified. As of 2015, in the United States, 14% of certified buildings are in the Certified tier, 33% in the Silver tier, 45% in the Gold tier and 8% in the Platinum tier. Why is the Gold tier the most popular although it is neither the least expensive option nor the most environmentally friendly one? To investigate this subject, we conducted interviews with owners of 144 properties across 27 US states and Washington, DC. We find that program design, specifically requirements/points for certifying to a specific tier, influences benefits–costs for certifying to different tiers. Other factors driving tier choice include the region in which the property is located, prior experience of the builder/owner with a particular LEED tier, the availability of subcontractors and the norms for leasing time frames. Finally, the nomenclature of different LEED tiers also shapes the value perception. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Optimal network flow

A predicative model is investigated to determine whether or not arcs are selected in an optimal solution of a FCNF problem.The accuracy of the predictive mode is very high.The model has useful explanatory power regarding the predictors defined.Component importance measure is developed to rank the arcs in the network. The fixed charge network flow (FCNF) problem is a classical NP-hard combinatorial problem with wide spread applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that employs a statistical learning technique to analyze and quantify the effect of various network characteristics relating to the optimal solution of the FCNF problem. In particular, we create a probabilistic classifier based on 18 network related variables to produce a quantitative measure that an arc in the network will have a non-zero flow in an optimal solution. The predictive model achieves 85% cross-validated accuracy. An application employing the predictive model is presented from the perspective of identifying critical network components based on the likelihood of an arc being used in an optimal solution.
Supporting Positive School Outcomes Through School-Based Physical Activity Intervention: Current Evidence and Resources:

Research on the relationship between physical activity and academic performance and classroom behavior is in its early stages, and research attempting to examine the relationship within the school ...
3D bioprinting from the micrometer to millimeter length scales: Size does matter

3D bioprinting has rapidly expanded from a niche technology and in to a versatile platform for fabricating tissues with complex geometries and features ranging from the cellular to organ length scales. Recent advances include the development of yield-stress support baths that enable soft hydrogels to be 3D printed in highly complex structures and vascular networks and successful implantation of 3D printed scaffolds in animal models and human patients towards regenerating bone, cartilage and muscle. However, the range of additive manufacturing technologies currently used each has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and specifically it is critical to understand how the resolution of these different approaches dictate structure and function of the engineered tissue constructs. This article offers a focused review on how the size of the biomaterial that is being deposited or polymerized, which can range over 4 orders-of-magnitude from ∼1 μm up to 1 mm, drives biological performance.
Dehalogenation of three chlorinated hydrocarbons: Amine‐assisted versus metal‐chelate assisted

Metal chelate compounds of the type M(o-OC/sub 6/H/sub 4/CH=NC/sub 4/H/sub 9/)/sub 2/ (M = Ni, Cu, Zn, etc.) participate in the dehalogenation of chloroform in the presence of ethylene diamine or tetramethylenediamine under homogeneous conditions and at elevated temperatures. Both an amine-assisted and a metal-assisted pathway are recognized on the basis of rate expression. In contrast, only an amine-assisted pathway was observed for dichloromethane. Under non-homogeneous conditions, however, i.e., using pure solvent, dehalogenation led to (M(diamine)/sub n/)Cl/sub 2/. The importance of solubility as a driving force is considered as are the implications in the design of agents that will effect dehalogenation of chlorinated methanes.
Does Patient Preference Measurement in Decision Aids Improve Decisional Conflict? A Randomized Trial in Men with Prostate Cancer

Shared decision making (SDM) has been advocated as an approach to medical decision making that can improve decisional quality. Decision aids are tools that facilitate SDM in the context of limited physician time; however, many decision aids do not incorporate preference measurement. We aim to understand whether adding preference measurement to a standard patient educational intervention improves decisional quality and is feasible in a busy clinical setting. Men with incident localized prostate cancer (n = 122) were recruited from the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center urology clinic, Olive View UCLA Medical Center, and Harbor UCLA Medical Center from January 2011 to May 2015 and randomized to education with a brochure about prostate cancer treatment or software-based preference assessment in addition to the brochure. Men undergoing preference assessment received a report detailing the relative strength of their preferences for treatment outcomes used in review with their doctor. Participants completed instruments measuring decisional conflict, knowledge, SDM, and patient satisfaction with care before and/or after their cancer consultation. Baseline knowledge scores were low (mean 62%). The baseline mean total score on the Decisional Conflict Scale was 2.3 (±0.9), signifying moderate decisional conflict. Men undergoing preference assessment had a significantly larger decrease in decisional conflict total score (p = 0.023) and the Perceived Effective Decision Making subscale (p = 0.003) post consult compared with those receiving education only. Improvements in satisfaction with care, SDM, and knowledge were similar between groups. Individual-level preference assessment is feasible in the clinic setting. Patients with prostate cancer who undergo preference assessment are more certain about their treatment decisions and report decreased levels of decisional conflict when making these decisions.
The Influence of Intermetallic Compounds, (IMC), on High Speed Shear Testing with a Specific Interest in Electroless Palladium / Autocatalytic Gold

Increasing IO counts have led to ever increasing solder performance expectations. A predominant measure of solder joint integrity is gained through HSS testing. This article will statistically evaluate the solderability of final finishes after substrate and IMC ageing. Lead free solder balls will be used in this exercise to simulate lead free production. The finishes selected are: Immersion tin, Organic Surface Protection (OSP), Electroless Nickel/ Immersion Gold (ENIG), Electroless Nickel /Electroless Palladium and Immersion Gold (ENEPIG) and Electroless Palladium / semi Autocatalytic Gold (EPAG). Where necessary, the adaptions of the final finishes will be included for testing. An example of this is ENEPIG with thin nickel. This is a measure to enable high frequency and or improve flexibility. For the purpose of the paper, the evaluation will endeavor to relate HSS performance and physical and chemical characteristics of the related deposit layer. To ensure that a comparative analysis is possible, an “a...
Community-Based Tourism in the Citizens 'Territory of the Jalapão (TO): the Experience of Silver Quilombolas Communities e Mumbuca

Abstract: this article aims to describe the experience lived by the quilombola communities of Prata and Mumbuca in the implementation of a community based tourism project, both communities belong to the Territory of Jalapao Citizenship in the state of Tocantins. The methodology used in the construction of the work was a talk round, carried out with the actors of the communities involved in the project and participant observation. The operationalization of the tourist routes in the molds that were elaborated was active for a short time. Soon, the community returned to receive tourists of the form that received previously, exploring only the natural beauties. The recognition by the communities themselves of the richness of their cultural identity and natural potential seems to be the most valuable in this experience. O Turismo de Base Comunitaria no Territorio da Cidadania do Jalapao (TO): a Experiencia das Comunidades Quilombolas Prata e Mumbuca Resumo: este artigo tem como objetivo descrever a experiencia vivida pelas comunidades quilombolas do Prata e do Mumbuca na implantacao de um projeto de turismo de base comunitaria, ambas as comunidades pertencem ao Territorio da Cidadania do Jalapao no estado do Tocantins. A metodologia utilizada na construcao do trabalho foi roda de conversa, realizada com os atores das comunidades envolvidas no projeto e a observacao participante. A operacionalizacao dos roteiros turisticos nos moldes que foram elaborados ficou ativa por pouco tempo. Logo, a comunidade voltou a receber turistas da forma que recebia anteriormente, explorando apenas as belezas naturais. O reconhecimento pelas proprias comunidades da riqueza da sua identidade cultural e do potencial natural parece ser o que ficou de maior valor nessa experiencia. El Turismo de Base Comunitaria en el Territorio De La Ciudadania del Jalapao - TO: la Experiencia de las Comunidades Quilombolas Plata y Mumbuca Resumen: este articulo tiene como objetivo describir la experiencia vivida por las comunidades quilombolas del Plata y del Mumbuca en la implantacion de un proyecto de turismo de base comunitaria, ambas comunidades pertenecen al Territorio de la Ciudadania del Jalapan en el estado de Tocantins. La metodologia utilizada en la construccion del trabajo fue rueda de conversacion, realizada con los actores de las comunidades involucradas en el proyecto y la observacion participante. La operacionalizacion de los itinerarios turisticos en los moldes que fueron elaborados quedo activa por poco tiempo. Luego, la comunidad volvio a recibir turistas de la forma que recibia anteriormente, explorando solo las bellezas naturales. El reconocimiento por las propias comunidades de la riqueza de su identidad cultural y del potencial natural parece ser el que ha quedado de mayor valor en esa experiencia.
Transcriptomics reveal transgenerational effects in purple sea urchin embryos: Adult acclimation to upwelling conditions alters the response of their progeny to differential pCO2 levels.

Understanding the mechanisms with which organisms can respond to a rapidly changing ocean is an important research priority in marine sciences, especially in the light of recent predictions regarding the pace of ocean change in the coming decades. Transgenerational effects, in which the experience of the parental generation can shape the phenotype of their offspring, may serve as such a mechanism. In this study, adult purple sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, were conditioned to regionally and ecologically relevant pCO2 levels and temperatures representative of upwelling (colder temperature and high pCO2 ) and nonupwelling (average temperature and low pCO2 ) conditions typical of coastal upwelling regions in the California Current System. Following 4.5 months of conditioning, adults were spawned and offspring were raised under either high or low pCO2 levels, to examine the role of maternal effects. Using RNA-seq and comparative transcriptomics, our results indicate that differential conditioning of the adults had an effect on the gene expression patterns of the progeny during the gastrula stage of early development. For example, maternal conditioning under upwelling conditions intensified the transcriptomic response of the progeny when they were raised under high versus low pCO2 conditions. Additionally, mothers that experienced upwelling conditions produced larger progeny. The overall findings of this study are complex, but do suggest that transgenerational plasticity in situ could act as an important mechanism by which populations might keep pace with rapid environmental change.
Chemistry and Distribution of Deleterious Dinoflagellate Toxins

The dinoflagellates are an important part of the marine plankton, second only the the diatoms in abundance and as primary producers of organic matter in most areas of the world’s oceans. Occasionally, for reasons not fully understood, a particular dinoflagellate bloom may reach concentrations as high as 50,000 cells per ml. Blooms (red tides) of toxic dinoflagellates, particularly Gonyaulax tamarensis in the north Atlantic and G. catanella in the north Pacific, have been causing serious economic and public health proglems. These problems arise when filter feeders (such as shellfish), which concentrate the poison, are consumed by organisms higher in the food chain. In man, consumption of contaminated bivalves produces paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a severe and often fatal form of food poisoning. These dinoflagellate toxins are also of great pharmacological and biomedical interest because of their particular mode of action, namely, blockage of the transmission of nerve impulses by selectively blocking the passive influx of Na+ through excitable membranes1,2.
Short-term selective breeding as a tool for QTL mapping: ethanol preference drinking in mice.

Short-term selective breeding starting from an F2 intercross of two inbred strains is a largely unexploited but potentially useful tool for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. The selection lines can also serve as a valuable confirmation test of recornbinant inbred (RI) QTL results when the same two progenitor strains are used. Starting from an F2 from a C57BL/6J (B6) × DBA/2J (D2) cross (B6D2F2), this approach was used in a population of ~72 mice per generation bidirectionally selected for two-bottle choice 10% ethanol (alcohol) preference for four generations. The high-preference line diverged significantly from the low line in the first generation with a realized heritabittty of .32. By generation 4, the preference ratios in the high line were double those seen in the low line. Regions of the genome previously implicated by BXD RI QTL analysis as containing QTLs were searched using microsatellite markers. The test for the presence of QTLs was based on the divergence of marker allele frequencies in the two oppositely selected lines significantly exceeding that expected from random (genetic) drift and allele frequency estimation error. Combining the BXD and two-way selection line results, the most probable QTL was found on chromosome 3 (near the AdhI locus; LOD ~2.9), other probable QTLs were found with LOD 2.4–2.6.
Connectivity of Transplants in the Cerebellum: A Model of Developmental Differences in Neuroplasticity

The problem of mammalian central nervous system (CNS) regeneration has been a cynosure for neurobiologists for nearly a century. Different types of central neurons have been shown to differ in their response to direct injury. Some, namely, the weakly myelinated monoaminergic systems, maintain considerable reGenerative capacity through adulthood (reviewed in Bjorklund and Stenevi 1979). Others, such as the long myelinated systems of the spinal cord, exhibit nearly none. While the current consensus on the capacity of most intrinsic CNS neurons to exhibit true regeneration remains pessimistic, demonstrations of a similar response, compensatory sprouting of residual fibers in response to partial denervation, have gained general acceptance. Clearly, in many respects, these forms of a sprouting response are inherently similar since both involve the active elongation of axons.
Impacts of fuel economy improvements on the distribution of income in the U.S

Abstract We estimate the impacts of passenger car and light truck fuel economy improvements in the U.S. since 1975 on the real monetary incomes of U.S. households by income quintile over the period 1980–2014. We limit our analysis to the direct monetary impacts (fuel savings minus increased vehicle costs) and do not attempt a full welfare analysis. We include all vehicle purchases, new and used. Household fuel expenditures come from the U.S. Consumer Expenditures Surveys (CES). Costs of increased new passenger car and light truck fuel economy were obtained from four National Research Council (NRC) studies plus a literature review of earlier estimates. The NRC cost functions provide a unique time series of technology supply functions constructed by balanced expert panels and comprised of specific technologies proven to increase fuel economy. Effects of fuel economy improvements on used vehicle prices are based on an analysis of the CES data. Retrospective analysis indicates that all income quintiles received net savings and that the effect on the distribution of income was progressive. A prospective analysis of future fuel economy improvements produced similar results. Sensitivity analysis indicates that these findings are relatively robust.
Resident Breast T Cells: The Troops Are Already There

The role of tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells in breast cancer progression has been difficult to study. Savas et al. [1] (Nat. Med. 2018;24:986-993) used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify TRM cells in triple-negative breast cancer patients and demonstrated their prognostic value for predicting survival.
Abstract TMP49: Impact of Aura and Status Migrainosus on Readmissions for Vascular Events After Migraine Admission

Background: Multiple studies have identified migraine as a risk factor for stroke. The conclusions have often been contradictory and differ between subpopulations of migraine patients. No studies t...
Patient-Centered Preference Assessment to Improve Satisfaction With Care Among Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSETo study the effectiveness of the Patient Preferences for Prostate Cancer Care (PreProCare) intervention in improving the primary outcome of satisfaction with care and secondary outcomes of ...
Effect of cooled perches on the efficacy of an induced molt in White Leghorn laying hens previously exposed to heat stress.

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of water-chilled perches on hen production and physiological responses to induced molt during elevated temperatures. A total of 288White Leghorns at 82 wk of age were housed in 36 cages of 6 banks. Each bank was assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: cooled perches, air perches, and no perches. The hens were subjected to 2 heat episodes during their first laying cycle at week 21 to 35 and week 73 to 80, respectively. The hens were subjected to a 28 D nonfasted molting regimen starting at 85 wk of age. Cyclic heat of 32°C (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) was applied daily during the molting period. After molt, hens were returned to a layer diet and housed under thermoneutral condition. Two birds per cage were monitored for BW change during molt. Egg production was recorded daily. Feed utilization was measured during molt at 86 and 88 wk of age. Egg weight and eggshell traits were examined at 84 wk (pre-molt) and post-molt at 92, 96, and 104 wk of age. Rectal temperature and blood samples were collected from 2 birds per cage at the end of molt. Blood samples were used for determining heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, corticosterone, and thyroid hormones. Plumage condition was examined at 22 wk post-molt. Compared to control and air perch hens, cooled perch hens had higher feed usage and greater BW loss, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (P
One-Dimensional Queer, by Roderick A. Ferguson: Polity Press, 2018

In One-Dimensional Queer, Roderick A. Ferguson examines the multidimensional origins of queer politics. Writing against historical narratives of queer liberation that marginalize and obscure the ex...
Perioperative outcomes and cost of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Utilization of robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair (IHR) has increased in recent years, but randomized or prospective studies comparing outcomes and cost of laparoscopic and Robotic-IHR are still lacking. With conflicting results from only five retrospective series available in the literature comparing the two approaches, the question remains whether current robotic technology provides any added benefits to treat inguinal hernias. We aimed to compare perioperative outcomes and costs of Robotic-IHR versus laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal IHR (Laparoscopic–IHR). Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent Robotic-IHR or Laparoscopic-IHR at a dedicated MIS unit in the USA from February 2015 to June 2017. Demographics, anthropometrics, the proportion of bilateral and recurrent hernias, operative details, cost, length of stay, 30-day readmissions and reoperations, and rates and severity of complications were compared. 183 patients had surgery: 45 (24.6%) Robotic-IHR and 138 (75.4%) Laparoscopic-IHR. There were no differences between groups in age, gender, BMI, ASA class, the proportion of bilateral hernias and recurrent hernias, and length of stay. Operative time (Robotic-IHR: 116 ± 36 min, vs. Laparoscopic-IHR: 95±44 min, p < 0.01), reoperations (Robotic-IHR: 6.7%, vs. Laparoscopic-IHR: 0%, p = 0.01), and readmissions rates were greater for Robotic-IHR. While the overall perioperative complication rate was similar in between groups (Robotic-IHR: 28.9% vs. Laparoscopic-IHR: 18.1%, p = 0.14), Robotic-IHR was associated with a significantly greater proportion of grades III and IV complications (Robotic-IHR: 6.7% vs. Laparoscopic-IHR: 0%, p = 0.01). Total hospital cost was significantly higher for the Robotic-IHRs ($9993 vs. $5994, p < 0.01). The added cost associated with the robotic device itself was $3106 per case and the total cost of disposable supplies was comparable between the 2 groups. In the setting in which it was studied, the outcomes of Laparoscopic-IHR were significantly superior to the Robotic-IHR, at lower hospital costs. Laparoscopic-IHR remains the preferred minimally invasive surgical approach to treat inguinal hernias.
[Field epidemiological investigation on a foodborne outbreak caused by Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin, in Hangzhou, 2014].

Objective To identify the cause on a foodborne breakout in a university of Hangzhou in 2014. Methods Data on cases were gathered from the out-patient logs of the university affiliated or neighboring hospitals to describe the disease distribution and epidemiological curves. Case-control and field studies on hazard factors were conducted simultaneously. Results The incubation period was 1.5-5.0 hours, of which the median was 3 during the outbreak. All the cases consumed food from a restaurant called Chen’s Snacks nearby their university and suffered from the Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin. Results from the Staphylococcus enterotoxin testing were positive in 3 stool and 6 food samples, out of the total 18 samples. Conclusion This foodborne outbreak was caused through food poisoning by vermicelli which was contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. Key words: Food poisoning; Staphylococcus aureus; Enterotoxin; Vomiting
Choroidal thickness in lupus nephritis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare choroidal thickness between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in complete renal remission to that of patients with SLE w...
Effectiveness of 'catch-up' human papillomavirus vaccination to prevent cervical neoplasia in immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed women.

Abstract It is unknown whether the HPV vaccine is effective in immunocompromised women during catch-up ages. We performed a case-control study of 4,357 women with incident CIN2+ (cases) and 5:1 age-matched, incidence-density selected controls (N = 21,773) enrolled in an integrated health care system from 2006 to 2014. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated from multivariable conditional logistic regression models, with results stratified by immunosuppression history, defined as prior HIV infection, solid organ transplant history, or recently prescribed immunosuppressive medications. HPV vaccination resulted in a 19% reduction in CIN2+ rates for women without an immunosuppression history but a nonsignificant 4% reduction for women with an immunosuppression history. Further research is needed to evaluate whether catch-up HPV vaccine effectiveness varies by immunosuppression status, especially given the recent approval of the HPV vaccine for adults up to 45 years of age.
Tight Bounds for Connectivity of Random K-out Graphs.

Random K-out graphs are used in several applications including modeling by sensor networks secured by the random pairwise key predistribution scheme, and payment channel networks. The random K-out graph with $n$ nodes is constructed as follows. Each node draws an edge towards $K$ distinct nodes selected uniformly at random. The orientation of the edges is then ignored, yielding an undirected graph. An interesting property of random K-out graphs is that they are connected almost surely in the limit of large $n$ for any $K \geq2$. This means that they attain the property of being connected very easily, i.e., with far fewer edges ($O(n)$) as compared to classical random graph models including Erdős-Renyi graphs ($O(n \log n)$). This work aims to reveal to what extent the asymptotic behavior of random K-out graphs being connected easily extends to cases where the number $n$ of nodes is small. We establish upper and lower bounds on the probability of connectivity when $n$ is finite. Our lower bounds improve significantly upon the existing results, and indicate that random K-out graphs can attain a given probability of connectivity at much smaller network sizes than previously known. We also show that the established upper and lower bounds match order-wise; i.e., further improvement on the order of $n$ in the lower bound is not possible. In particular, we prove that the probability of connectivity is $1-\Theta({1}/{n^{K^2-1}})$ for all $K \geq 2$. Through numerical simulations, we show that our bounds closely mirror the empirically observed probability of connectivity.
High-energy synchrotron x-ray study of deformation-induced martensitic transformation in a neutron-irradiated Type 316 stainless steel

Abstract An unusual tensile deformation behaviour in the form of a propagating band along the sample gauge was observed in two neutron-irradiated 316 stainless steel samples during room-temperature tests, leading to a combination of high strength and high ductility. These bands were not observed in an unirradiated counterpart. With the help of in situ high-energy synchrotron x-ray diffraction, the phase-specific crystal information was tracked at different deformation levels in each sample. Post-irradiation and post-deformation samples were examined using electron microscopy to characterize various microstructural features. All samples displayed a deformation-induced martensitic phase transformation, which was identified as a second strain-hardening mechanism accompanying the dislocation hardening. The deformation-induced martensitic transformation was rationalized by the effect of applied stress on the effective martensite start temperature. The results showed that the irradiation did not alter the dislocation hardening and the martensitic transformation mechanisms, but the increased yield strength in irradiated materials facilitated the localized phase transformation at the onset of plastic deformation, in contrast to the unirradiated material which required pre-straining. The hardening effect of the martensitic transformation reduced the tendency towards necking and mitigated the loss of ductility in the irradiated material by carrying the deformation in the form of a propagating band. Despite the beneficial effect from the martensitic transformation, this study indicates that this mechanism cannot not be activated at typical operating temperatures of nuclear reactors.
Hyaluronan regulates synapse formation and function in developing neural networks

Neurodevelopmental disorders present with synaptic alterations that disrupt the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling. For example, hyperexcitability of cortical neurons is associated with both epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. However, the mechanisms that initially establish the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in brain development are not well understood. Here, we sought to determine how the extracellular matrix directs synapse formation and regulates synaptic function in a model of human cortical brain development. The extracellular matrix, making up twenty percent of brain volume, is largely comprised of hyaluronan. Hyaluronan acts as both a scaffold of the extracellular matrix and a space-filling molecule. Hyaluronan is present from the onset of brain development, beginning with neural crest cell migration. Through acute perturbation of hyaluronan levels during synaptogenesis, we sought to determine how hyaluronan impacts the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synapse formation and the resulting neural activity. We used 3-D cortical spheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells to replicate this neurodevelopmental window. Our results demonstrate that hyaluronan preferentially surrounds nascent excitatory synapses. Removal of hyaluronan increases the expression of excitatory synapse markers and results in a corresponding increase in the formation of excitatory synapses, while also decreasing inhibitory synapse formation. This increased excitatory synapse formation elevates network activity, as demonstrated by microelectrode array analysis. In contrast, the addition of purified hyaluronan suppresses excitatory synapse formation. These results establish that the hyaluronan extracellular matrix surrounds developing excitatory synapses, where it critically regulates synapse formation and the resulting balance between excitatory to inhibitory signaling.
Exploring the Role of a Novel Tumor Suppressor - OSR2 in T-ALL

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, representing >25% of all cancers in children 0-14 years. Despite major advancements in pediatric ALL treatment, it remains the second most lethal childhood cancer, accounting for ~25% of deaths. The two types of ALL are precursor-B, or B-ALL, and precursor-T, or T-ALL, which have distinct molecular landscapes. Of these types, T-ALL comprises about 15% and 25% of pediatric and adult cases, respectively, and is historically considered more aggressive and treatment-resistant, with an inferior prognosis. In the precision medicine era, it is imperative to identify genetic alterations and aberrant gene expression patterns, to better understand tumor biology and improve treatment outcomes by identifying new therapeutic targets. Our study investigates a novel transcription factor, odd-skipped related transcription factor 2 (OSR2), which we hypothesize is a putative T-ALL tumor suppressor. We are using a zebrafish T-ALL model expressing transgenic human MYC (hMYC) regulated by a lymphoblast-specific promoter, rag2. Prior work in zebrafish and human T-ALL found low OSR2 levels in ~95% of T-ALL. Based on this, we then used RNA-seq to analyze 10 hMYC zebrafish T-ALL, confirming low-to-absent osr2 in all 10 T-ALL relative to wild-type (WT) T cells. We further confirmed decreased osr2 expression by qRT-PCR of additional T-ALL and WT thymocytes. We hypothesized that if OSR2 suppresses T-ALL, impaired zebrafish Osr2 function might increase T-ALL incidence and shorten latency. To test this, we bred osr2-mutant fish to rag2:hMYC transgenic animals to create three genotypes: heterozygous osr2-mutant (osr2het) fish, heterozygous hMYC (hMYChet) fish, and compound-heterozygote (osr2het;hMYChet) fish. We screened these genotypes for T-ALL incidence by serial fluorescence microscopy, with T-ALL subsequently confirmed by fluorescence-based flow cytometry. By 7 months of age, we found 9/18 (50%) of double-heterozygous fish developed T-ALL, compared to 0/7 hMYChet fish (p = 0.026); osr2het fish also did not develop T-ALL. Together, our findings suggest osr2 allelic loss accelerates MYC-driven T-ALL, supporting our hypothesis that osr2 is a T-ALL tumor suppressor. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Molecular Classification of Gliomas is Associated with Seizure Control: A Retrospective Analysis.

Classically, histologic grading of gliomas has been used to predict seizure association, with low-grade gliomas associated with an increased incidence of seizures compared to high-grade gliomas. In 2016, WHO reclassified gliomas based on histology and molecular characteristics. We sought to determine whether molecular classification of gliomas is associated with preoperative seizure presentation and/or post-operative seizure control across multiple glioma subtypes. All gliomas operated at our institution from 2007 to 2017 were identified based on ICD 9 and 10 billing codes and were retrospectively assessed for molecular classification of the IDH1 mutation, and 1p/19q codeletion. Logistic regression models were performed to assess associations of seizures at presentation as well as post-operative seizures with IDH status and the new WHO integrated classification. Our study included 376 patients: 82 IDH mutant and 294 IDH wildtype. The presence of IDH mutation was associated with seizures at presentation [OR 3.135 (1.818–5.404), p < 0.001]. IDH-mutant glioblastomas presented with seizures less often than other IDH-mutant glioma subtypes grade II and III [OR 0.104 (0.032–0.340), p < 0.001]. IDH-mutant tumors were associated with worse post-operative seizure outcomes, demonstrated by Engel Class [OR 2.666 (1.592–4.464), p < 0.001]. IDH mutation in gliomas is associated with an increased risk of seizure development and worse post-operative seizure control, in all grades except for GBM.
Lo español y su complejo de normalidad: memoria y crisis de la imaginación nacional en el Estado español desde 2014

“Podemos quiere ser el equivalente politico de la seleccion espanola de futbol”. “Podemos puede solucionar por vez primera en la historia el problema de Espana”. Estas dos rotundas afirmaciones se ...
Shear Distribution Among Three or More Shear Webs

T E DISTRIBUTION of the resultant shear force among the shear webs of a metal wing depends upon the shear stresses due to bending, tha t is, upon the longitudinal shear stresses and the corresponding equal transverse shear stresses. The variation of shear stress in a leading-edge wing beam was first given approximate ly by Newell and more exactly by the author. Subsequently, the author 3 gave a solution for the disdistribution of shear stress in a metal wing with two or more shear webs. Since the method of reference 3 is very laborious when there are more than two shear webs, a shorter method, even though less accurate, should be of considerable use to the airplane designer. T h e shear webs of a metal wing do not carry all the vertical shear force on the wing because some of the shear load is carried by each segment of the skin t h a t is no t horizontal. I t would be on the side of safety to assume tha t the entire vertical shear force on the wing is carried by the shear webs. With this assumption, the distribution of the resultant shear force a t any cross-section to two shear webs could be determined from the fact t h a t the sum of these two shear forces equals the resultant shear force and their moment about any point equals the moment of the resultant shear force about the same point. Wi th more than two shear webs the Principle of Least Work would also have to be employed. The case of three shear webs, based upon the assumption tha t the shear webs carry all the vertical shear, will be worked out in detail. The procedure for a wing with four or more shear webs will then be outlined. In each analysis only the case of tension-field shear webs will be considered.
Abstract 85: CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta facilitates castrate-resistant prostate cancer cell growth and sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Adaptive changes that frequently occur in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells are genomic mutations which enhance the activity of the PI3K-mTOR signaling pathway. Although there have been several promising clinical trials for the treatment of CRPC utilizing inhibitors of mTOR, these efforts failed to show significant improvement of patient outcomes. Thus, identifying potential mechanisms of resistance to these agents could improve their therapeutic efficacy. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) is a broadly expressed transcription factor, with three isoforms that are differentially translated by mTOR activity. T reatment of cells with mTOR inhibitors increases the translation of the larger C/EBPβ LAP isoforms and decreases the truncated LIP isoform. The function of C/EBPβ LAP has been previously associated with survival and cellular senescence, while the LIP isoform facilitates cell cycle progression. Our central hypothesis was that the differential translation of LAP and LIP C/EBPβ isoforms was essential for the survival of CRPC cells treated with mTOR inhibitors. We found that treatment of PC3 cells with mTOR inhibitors unexpectedly increased the protein levels of all three C/EBPβ isoforms, while androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells largely showed decreased C/EBPβ protein levels. However, the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, decreased the LIP isoform of C/EBPβ without affecting LAP expression in LNCaP and PC3 cells. C/EBPβ gene expression decreased in both LNCaP and PC3 cells in response to treatment with mTOR inhibitors. We next evaluated whether C/EBPβ facilitated cell survival during mTOR inhibition. We found that PC3 cells deficient in C/EBPβ, via shRNA knockdown or TALEN gene editing, were less sensitive to the mTORC1/2 inhibitor, INK128, as assessed by a significant increase in IC50 value determined by the WST-1 assay. Further, suppression of C/EBPβ through shRNA KD or TALEN targeting dramatically decreased the rate of PC3 cell growth, clonogenic potential and induced a senescent phenotype. Intriguingly, loss of C/EBPβ in LNCaP cells increased clonogenic potential. Collectively, these data suggest that C/EBPβ has a differential role for cell growth in androgen-sensitive versus castrate-resistant prostate cancer and that C/EBPβ levels inversely correlate with mTOR inhibitor resistance. Citation Format: David J. Barakat, Jing Zhang, Alan D. Friedman, Samuel R. Denmeade, Ido Paz-Priel. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta facilitates castrate-resistant prostate cancer cell growth and sensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 85. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-85
Implementation of a modified state estimator for topology error identification

This paper describes the implementation of a modified state estimation program and its associated user interface. The state estimator is improved by adding the capability of detecting and identifying topology errors, which are caused by the incorrect status information for the circuit breakers at the substations. The developed program is tested using a library of topology error scenarios. A user friendly interface is also implemented in order to facilitate testing of these cases. Some representative cases that are simulated, are presented along with the detailed models for the system and substations.
Effect of hematin on endothelial cells and endothelial cell-platelet interactions

Hematin, a therapeutic agent for acute porphyrias, induces a coagulopathy characterized by thrombocytopenia and prolonged clotting times. In vitro, it activates platelets and inhibits thrombin and plasmin. Hematin has also been shown to participate in the activation of microsomal cyclooxygenase. The apparent diversity of hematin's effects on multiple hemostatic components as well as its role in prostaglandin synthesis led the authors to investigate the effects of hematin on endothelial cells and endothelial cell-platelet interactions. Marked morphologic alterations of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells ( BAECs ) were noted after exposure to as little as 2 micrograms/ml hematin in HEPES buffer or to 40 micrograms/ml of hematin in plasma (a level achieved during hematin therapy). These changes included cell retraction and surface vesiculation. Despite the apparent severity of the changes, there was no associated cell lysis or detachment. Furthermore, the cells resumed their cobblestone appearance after hematin had been removed. Platelet adhesion to hematin-treated monolayers was significantly increased, especially when low concentrations of hematin were included in the platelet suspensions. Prostacyclin production was not increased by BAECs exposed to hematin, presumably because of the inaccessibility of hematin to cyclooxygenase in intact cells. The endothelial changes observed in tissue culture are consistent with the clinical observations of phlebitis at the injection site and provide an additional explanation for the thrombocytopenia in patients receiving hematin therapy.
Comparing the Power of Monadic NP Games

It is well-known that the complexity class NP coincides with the class of problems expressible in existential second-order logic (∑ 1 1 ). Monadic NP is the class of problems expressible in monadic ∑ 1 1 , i.e., ∑ 1 1 with the restriction that the second-order quantifiers range only over sets (as opposed to ranging over, say, binary relations). The author introduced a type of Ehrenfeucht-Fraisse game, called the monadic NP game, to prove that connectivity is not in monadic NP. Later, Ajtai and the author introduced another type of monadic NP game (the “Ajtai-Fagin monadic NP game“) to prove that directed reachability is not in monadic NP. Both games have two players (the spoiler and the duplicator), and involve coloring steps (where the players color nodes of the graphs) and selection steps (where the players select nodes of the graphs, round by round). It is known that the original game and the Ajtai-Fagin game are equivalent, in the sense that both characterize monadic NP. Thus, the duplicator has a winning strategy in the original game for every choice of parameters (number of colors and number of rounds) if and only if the duplicator has a winning strategy in the Ajtai-Fagin game for every choice of parameters. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between these games at a finer level. We show that in one sense, even at a finer level, Ajtai-Fagin monadic NP games are no stronger than the original monadic NP games. Specifically, we show that the families of graphs used in the Ajtai-Fagin game to prove that a problem is not in monadic NP can in principle be used in the original game to prove the same result (where for a given choice of parameters, bigger graphs of the same type are used for the original game than for the Ajtai-Fagin game). This answers an open question of Ajtai and the author. We also show that in another sense, Ajtai-Fagin games are stronger, in that there are situations where the spoiler requires more resources (colors) to win the Ajtai-Fagin game than the original game, when the choices of graphs are fixed. Our analysis gives a nonelementary upper bound, which we conjecture to be optimal, on the number of extra colors that are required for the spoiler to win the Ajtai-Fagin game than the original game.
A new practical guide to the Luria-Delbrück protocol.

Since 2000 several review papers have been published about the analysis of experimental data obtained using the Luria-Delbruck protocol. These timely papers cleared much of the confusion surrounding various methods for estimating or comparing mutation rates. As a result, today the fluctuation test is more widely applied with much improved accuracy. The present paper provides guidelines on a few remaining problems that continue to baffle mutation researchers. Among the issues addressed are incomplete plating, relative fitness, and comparison of experiments where average final cell population sizes differ. It also offers a fresh view on the estimation methods that are based on the sample median.