cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Appetite for sugar and fat in the thiamine deficient rat

Thiamine deficient and control rats were permitted access to either sucrose solution or an isocaloric corn-oil emulsion for a 32 day period. The deficient animals increased, rather than reduced, their intake of the sucrose solution and 5 out of 7 animals failed to show an increase in consumption of the corn-oil emulsion.
High Fidelity Aeroelastic Simulation of a Membrane Airfoil Undergoing Figure-of-Eight Kinematics

on the lift, drag, and thrust characteristics during flapping. A fluid solver that uses the unsteady, compressible three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations is coupled with an in-house finite element structural solver to handle the fluid-structure interactions. The results show that increases the motion magnitude t from 5% to 10% results in the positive vortices that come o of the leading edge to obtain higher strength and remain closer to the airfoil. This results in higher lift values, however the same occurs during the upstroke which causes more negative lift values than the 5% case. Also, by increasing the prestrain to 10% the shape of the airfoil during the cycle is altered so that it behaves more like a lower magnitude airfoil which sees reduced pressure dierences between the surfaces and thus lower lift and
The Effects of Leadership Succession in the Soviet Union

What happens when there is a change in leadership in the Soviet Union? Does the period of leadership succession present unusual opportunities for domestic policy concerns to be vented? Or, are major issues on the Soviet domestic policy agenda addressed mainly after a succession of leadership is completed? Answers to such questions have a bearing on how the Soviet elite is replenished, and more generally help to improve understanding of Soviet politics. Two specialists on Soviet and East European politics, Valerie Bunce and Philip Roeder, have been drawn to different conclusions about these issues.
Enabling Optical Nonlinearities at Very Low Power Levels

We present a few schemes for enhancing all-optical nonlinearities. Among them, we show how Purcell effect can be used to tailor optical nonlinearities.
Emulsion-Based Technique To Measure Protein Crystal Nucleation Rates of Lysozyme

We measured the nucleation rates of lysozyme protein crystals using microfluidically produced emulsion drops containing supersaturated protein solution. The technique involves quenching several thousand independent nanoliter drops by rapidly lowering the temperature and then counting the number of drops that have not nucleated as a function of time at constant temperature. We fit the number distribution to a theoretical model developed by Pound and La Mer (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1952, 74, 2323–2332) for heterogeneous nucleation and extract two nucleation rates and the number of nucleation sites per drop. We describe the technique in detail and present our analysis of the measured nucleation rates within the context of Classical Nucleation Theory, which adequately describes our observations. Of the two nucleation rates, one is a slow rate that varies with temperature and one is a fast rate independent of temperature. The nucleation barrier and kinetic prefactors are obtained for each rate. Notably, there is no ...
GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCE OF NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY IN RICE ITS MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS

The need for improving nitrogen use efficiency in rice production becomes more urgent.In the terms of genotypic differences in nitrogen use efficiency in rice,this study focused more on related to the morphological and physiological mechanisms.Moreover,we put forward present problems in the field,and prospected the co-ordination research of high nitrogen use efficiency and high grain yield in rice in the future.
Development of Natural Killer Cells and ILC1

Group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) include natural killer (NK) cells and ILC1. NK cells function in response to intracellular pathogens such as viruses and they directly kill infected cells as well as produce cytokines that activate innate and adaptive components of the immune response. While the critical functions of ILC1 are still under investigation, these cells share many features with NK cells including expression of a common core of transcription factors and a requirement for the T-box binding factors for their development. In this article I will discuss the essential features of NK cell and ILC1 development, and I will discuss the transcription factors that are known to be critical for their development from their common ancestor, the common lymphoid progenitor.
Poly(isophthalic acid)(ethylene oxide) as a Macromolecular Modulator for Metal–Organic Polyhedra

A new strategy was developed by using a polymer ligand, poly(isophthalic acid)(ethylene oxide), to modulate the growth of metal–organic polyhedra (MOP) crystals. This macromolecular modulator can effectively control the crystal habit of several different Cu24L24 (L = isophthalic acid derivatives) MOPs. The polymer also directed the formation of MOP structures under reaction conditions that only produce metal–organic frameworks in the absence of modulator. Moreover, the polymer also enabled the deposition of MOP crystals on glass surfaces. This macromolecular modulator strategy provides an innovative approach to control the morphology and assembly of MOP particles.
Light Emission Enhancement by Embedding Nanocrystalline Cadmium Selenide in Amorphous ZrHfO High-k Dielectric Thin Film Deposited on Silicon Wafer

The enhancement of white light emission from the amorphous Zr-doped HfO2 film on the p-type silicon wafer with the embedding of a nanocrystalline cadmium selenide layer has been studied through understanding characteristics of the emitted light, leakage current, surface topography, driving methods and time. All changes of the emission characteristics can be explained with the formation and thermal excitation of the conductive paths. The deterioration of the light emission process over a long period of 5,664 hours has also been investigated and discussed. There are many potential applications of this kind of light emitting device. © The Author(s) 2015. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 License (CC BY-NC-ND, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is not changed in any way and is properly cited. For permission for commercial reuse, please email: oa@electrochem.org. [DOI: 10.1149/2.0381602jss] All rights reserved.
2.22 – Tip of the Tongue Experience

The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) experience is a temporary inability to recall a word when you are certain that you know it. Research on TOTs, using both diary and laboratory procedures, has shown that (a) most TOTs are resolved, (b) words related to the target (interlopers) often come to mind, (c) components of the missing target (first letter, syllables) are often available, (d) proper names are especially vulnerable to TOTs, and (e) TOTs appear to increase with age. Most research supports the direct access interpretation that TOTs result from insufficient activation of the target word’s phonology.
Recent Advances and Novel Treatments of Pancreatic Masses

The advent of linear echoendoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the 1990s has transformed EUS from a purely diagnostic modality to a platform for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The development of EUS-guided celiac ganglion neurolysis started a new era in EUS-guided techniques, where the fine needle has become the vehicle for delivery of various ablative agents, chemotherapeutic agents, and miniature devices. The following is an overview of recent advances and novel EUS-guided treatments of pancreatic tumors, including EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation, EUS-guided antitumor agents, and EUS-guided photodynamic therapy.
Ionizing Radiation Detectors

Equipment to detect, identify, and measure radioactivity is a key component in the safe and responsible development of nuclear science and technology. Whether designed to monitor radioactive processes, provide an alert, or characterize the radiation measured, these systems “see” what is undetectable to human senses. Used in nuclear power, industry, medical imaging, nuclear medicine, scientific exploration, and nuclear security, radiation detectors provide information about the radiation present and can be used to interpret what the source of the radioactivity is.
Warming and provenance limit tree recruitment across and beyond the elevation range of subalpine forest

Climate niche models project that subalpine forest ranges will extend upslope with climate warming. These projections assume that the climate suitable for adult trees will be adequate for forest regeneration, ignoring climate requirements for seedling recruitment, a potential demographic bottleneck. Moreover, local genetic adaptation is expected to facilitate range expansion, with tree populations at the upper forest edge providing the seed best adapted to the alpine. Here, we test these expectations using a novel combination of common gardens, seeded with two widely distributed subalpine conifers, and climate manipulations replicated at three elevations. Infrared heaters raised temperatures in heated plots, but raised temperatures more in the forest than at or above treeline because strong winds at high elevation reduced heating efficiency. Watering increased season-average soil moisture similarly across sites. Contrary to expectations, warming reduced Engelmann spruce recruitment at and above treeline, as well as in the forest. Warming reduced limber pine first-year recruitment in the forest, but had no net effect on fourth-year recruitment at any site. Watering during the snow-free season alleviated some negative effects of warming, indicating that warming exacerbated water limitations. Contrary to expectations of local adaptation, low-elevation seeds of both species initially recruited more strongly than high-elevation seeds across the elevation gradient, although the low-provenance advantage diminished by the fourth year for Engelmann spruce, likely due to small sample sizes. High- and low-elevation provenances responded similarly to warming across sites for Engelmann spruce, but differently for limber pine. In the context of increasing tree mortality, lower recruitment at all elevations with warming, combined with lower quality, high-provenance seed being most available for colonizing the alpine, portends range contraction for Engelmann spruce. The lower sensitivity of limber pine to warming indicates a potential for this species to become more important in subalpine forest communities in the coming centuries.
Characterizing nonlinearities in the Chandra LETGS + HRC-S dispersion relation

The dispersion relation for the Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) is known to better than 1 part in 1000 over the wavelength range 5-150 a. A recent resolution of a data processing software bug that lead to a systematic error in the computation of photon wavelengths has allowed us to trace further discrepancies in the dispersion relation to the boundaries between different microchannel plate segments of the HRC-S imaging detector. However, data acquired during in-flight calibration with the HRC-S detector have always shown the presence of additional non-linear deviations in the positions of some spectral lines by as much as 0.05 a, which is of the order of a full width half maximum (FWHM) of a line profile. These latter effects are thought to be caused by spatial non-linearities in the imaging characteristics of the HRC-S detector. Here, we present an improved dispersion relation for the LETG+HRC-S and new methods to help characterize the spatial non-linearities. We also describe an empirical approach that might be used to help improve the position determination of photon events.
Physiologic and genetic evidence links hemopexin to triglycerides in mice and humans.

Elevated triglycerides predict insulin resistance and vascular disease in obesity, but how the inert triglyceride molecule is related to development of metabolic disease is unknown. To pursue novel potential mediators of triglyceride-associated metabolic disease, we used a forward genetics approach involving inbred mice and translated our findings to human subjects. Hemopexin (HPX) was identified as a differentially expressed gene within a quantitative trait locus associated with serum triglycerides in an F16 advanced intercross between the LG/J and SM/J strains of mice. Hpx expression was evaluated in both the reproductive fat pads and livers of mice representing three strains, LG/J (n=25), SM/J (n=27) and C57Bl/6J (n=19), on high- and low-fat diets. The effect of altered Hpx expression on adipogenesis was studied in 3T3-L1 cells. Circulating HPX protein along with HPX expression were characterized in subcutaneous white adipose tissue samples obtained from a cohort of metabolically abnormal (n=18) and of metabolically normal (n=24) obese human subjects. We further examined the relationship between HPX and triglycerides in human atherosclerotic plaques (n=18). HPX expression in mouse adipose tissue, but not in liver, was regulated by dietary fat regardless of genetic background. HPX increased in concert with adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, and disruption of its expression impaired adipocyte differentiation. RNAseq data from the adipose tissue of obese humans showed differential expression of HPX based on metabolic disease status (P<0.05), and circulating HPX levels were correlated with serum triglycerides in these subjects (r=0.33; P=0.03). HPX was also found in an unbiased proteomic screen of human atherosclerotic plaques and shown to display differential abundance based on the extent of disease and triglyceride content (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that HPX is associated with triglycerides and provide a framework for understanding mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism and metabolic disease.
Anatomy of Foreign Aid in Ethiopia

This chapter presents a descriptive analysis of aid flows to Ethiopia over the period 1960–2014, focusing on major donors, sectors where aid has been disbursed, and the types of aid given. The analysis shows that, in recent years aid flow has increased significantly with ODA loans taking the place of ODA grants. It also reveals that there have been changes in the interests of donors as well as the amount and type of aid they have provided. The implication is that Ethiopia needs to develop strategic aid policies that reflect the changing circumstances and promote inclusive growth and development.
An introduction to the Bernoulli CUSUM

The Bernoulli CUSUM (BC) provides a moving window of process performance and is the quickest control chart to detect small increases in fraction defective. The Bernoulli CUSUM designs presented here require 2, 3, or 4 failures in a moving window to produce a signal. The run length distribution provides insight into the properties of the BC beyond the Average or Median Run length. A retrospective analysis of electronic component pass/fail data using the BC suggested that a problem may have been present during previous production. Subsequent production used the BC for real time process performance feedback.
Simplified anti-Gauss quadrature rules with applications in linear algebra

The need to compute inexpensive estimates of upper and lower bounds for matrix functions of the form w T f(A)v with $A\in {\mathbb {R}}^{n\times n}$ a large matrix, f a function, and $v,w\in {\mathbb {R}}^{n}$ arises in many applications such as network analysis and the solution of ill-posed problems. When A is symmetric, u = v, and derivatives of f do not change sign in the convex hull of the spectrum of A, a technique described by Golub and Meurant allows the computation of fairly inexpensive upper and lower bounds. This technique is based on approximating v T f(A)v by a pair of Gauss and Gauss-Radau quadrature rules. However, this approach is not guaranteed to provide upper and lower bounds when derivatives of the integrand f change sign, when the matrix A is nonsymmetric, or when the vectors v and w are replaced by “block vectors” with several columns. In the latter situations, estimates of upper and lower bounds can be computed quite inexpensively by evaluating pairs of Gauss and anti-Gauss quadrature rules. When the matrix A is large, the dominating computational effort for evaluating these estimates is the evaluation of matrix-vector products with A and possibly also with A T . The calculation of anti-Gauss rules requires one more matrix-vector product evaluation with A and maybe also with A T than the computation of the corresponding Gauss rule. The present paper describes a simplification of anti-Gauss quadrature rules that requires the evaluation of the same number of matrix-vector products as the corresponding Gauss rule. This simplification makes the computational effort for evaluating the simplified anti-Gauss rule negligible when the corresponding Gauss rule already has been computed.
Climate and soil texture influence patterns of forb species richness and composition in big sagebrush plant communities across their spatial extent in the western U.S.

Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) plant communities are widespread in western North America and, similar to all shrub steppe ecosystems worldwide, are composed of a shrub overstory layer and a forb and graminoid understory layer. Forbs account for the majority of plant species diversity in big sagebrush plant communities and are important for ecosystem function. Few studies have explored geographic patterns of forb species richness and composition and their relationships with environmental variables in these communities. Our objectives were to examine the fine and broad-scale spatial patterns in forb species richness and composition and the influence of environmental variables. We sampled forb species richness and composition along transects at 15 field sites in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, built species-area relationships to quantify differences in forb species richness at sites, and used Principal Components Analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and redundancy analysis to identify relationships among environmental variables and forb species richness and composition. We found that species richness was most strongly correlated with soil texture, while species composition was most related to climate. The combination of climate and soil texture influences water availability, which our results indicate has important consequences for forb species richness and composition, and suggests that climate change-induced modification of soil water availability may have important implications for plant species diversity in the future.
Post-bid Legacies?

The central question of this chapter is: What happens in the aftermath of bid failure? Through illustrating how particular Olympic bids mobilize narratives of the future and lay the planning and policy groundwork necessary to make future development possible, we illustrate that even unsuccessful bids can be critical agents of change. An exploration of the failed bid projects of New York, Chicago, and Istanbul, demonstrates that even failed Olympic bids have the potential to trigger or reformulate a host of urban policies, processes, and practices, and can be employed as rhetorical tools designed to influence/project/imprint an image/identity.
Design Capabilities in Software Innovation Settings

The border between tangible and digital products is getting more diffuse, and the design methodologies are converging to a more comprehensive and holistic approach in that sense. The output of these novel innovation processes is often a digital entity like an app or a physical object. For users and consumers, it is important to keep a fluid interface between hardware and software assuring a proper and effective user experience (UX) during all user interaction (UI). This work uses review-centric research to identify from theory, a set of innovation and technological capabilities used in the product design stage of software development, and explores onto which of them are common to the tangible product design. The capabilities were grouped in three dimensions: organizational (human and strategy), structural (technology and knowledge management) and relationships (partnerships and transfer). Agile methodologies, rapid application development (RAD), scrum frameworks, lean development, Unified Modeling Language (UML), and other software industry tools were used as examples of design capability resources alongside new product development (NPD) and its product design and strategy generation tools for project development in tangible/non-tangible products like QFD, Stage-Gate, TRIZ, etc. A model of a common product development cycle for both tangible and software products is displayed showing their similarity and how they connect.
Biocrust carbon isotope signature was depleted under a C 3 forb compared to interspace

Plants and biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are the key producers in drylands, but biocrusts seldom show net CO2 uptake. I hypothesized that biocrusts could augment CO2 fixation by incorporating plant-derived carbon. I collected biocrusts located at the base of Gutierrezia sarothrae (C3 forb), Bouteloua gracilis (C4 grass), and from bare interspaces between plants, and from a mesocosm experiment with live B. gracilis or dead B. gracilis roots. To trace carbon sources, I determined 13C values of the biocrust community, isolated cyanobacteria and lichen, and plant leaves because the photosynthetic pathway distinguishes the tissue 13C values. Biocrust communities and washed cyanobacteria and cyanolichen in G. sarothrae microsites were depleted by ~2‰ relative to other locations. Biocrust δ13C did not differ between the interspace and live or dead B. gracilis. Potential mechanisms for the trend in biocrust δ13C adjacent to C3 plants include differences in microsite conditions, biocrust communities, use of respired CO2 in the soil matrix for photosynthesis, or mixotrophic use of plant photosynthates. Further investigation of this observation may improve understanding of the degree to which the activities of dryland primary producers are coupled.
Engagement Strategies for Self-Monitoring Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder With Mobile and Wearable Technology: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Monitoring signs and symptoms in bipolar disorder (BP) is typically based on regular assessments from patient-clinician interactions. Mobile and wearable technology promises to make monitoring symptoms in BP easier, but little is known about how best to engage individuals with BP in monitoring symptoms. Objective: The objective of this study was to provide the rationale and protocol for a randomized controlled trial that investigates engagement strategies for monitoring symptoms of BP, including the strategies of using activity trackers compared with self-reports and reviewing recorded symptoms weekly with an interviewer. Methods: A total of 50 individuals with BP will be recruited from the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder at the University of Michigan to participate in a 6-week study. Participants will monitor their symptoms through an activity tracker (Fitbit Alta HR) and a mobile phone app designed for this study. In addition to monitoring symptoms, participants have a 50-50 chance of being assigned to an arm that reviews self-reports and activity information weekly. Statistical tests will be performed to test hypotheses that participants adhere to activity tracking significantly more than self-reporting, prefer activity tracking significantly more than self-reporting, and better adhere to both activity tracking and self-reporting when reviewing collected information weekly. Results: Recruitment commenced in November 2017. The first group of participants began the study in January 2018. Conclusions: This study aims to establish strategies to engage individuals with BP in monitoring their symptoms with mobile and wearable technology. Better engagement strategies are expected to aid current efforts in bipolar research and clinical care, from the development of new mobile phone apps to providing the right intervention to the right individual at the right moment. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03358238; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03358238 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6yebuNfz5) Registered Report Identifier: RR1-10.2196/9899
Competing Interests in Pediatric Managed Care Settings

How well do managed care organizations meet the health care needs of children? What guides administrators and physicians as they participate in helping to make medical decisions involving children? Perhaps, more importantly, what should guide them? Are managed care organizations better at meeting the medical needs of some children and not others? If so, who and why? I intend to explore how medical decisions can be made that are in the “best interests” of both the insured child and the MCO. This entails a discussion of communitarian justice—regarding allocation of resources and rationing decisions—as well as attention to the acute health care needs of children as unique individuals with unique problems. What is the ethically appropriate response from MCOs to these patients? Is a utilitarian framework too harsh? Is a deontological model too expensive? My goal is to stimulate the development of some fundamental guidelines to assist MCO administrators, physicians and others when addressing the medical needs of all children.
Interleukin-6 Production by Human Neutrophils After Fc-Receptor Cross-Linking or Exposure to Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are essential effector cells in host defense and tissue inflammatory responses. These responses may be initiated after cross-linking of cell surface Fc receptors that bind the constant portion of IgG (FcgammaR). We evaluated the effect of cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII on interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by purified PMNs from normal donors or from patients being treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). In PMNs from normal donors, IL-6 mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction only after FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII cross-linking. We also found that IL-6 mRNA could be detected in PMNs after either in vitro or in vivo rhG-CSF treatment in the absence of FcgammaR cross-linking. IL-6 protein was found to be produced intracellularly and secreted by PMNs after cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII or after rhG-CSF stimulation. Cross-linking FcgammaRI or FcgammaRII on PMNs from patients treated with rhG-CSF resulted in a synergistic increase in IL-6 secretion. Upregulation of IL-6 production by PMNs after rhG-CSF treatment may contribute to a clinical engraftment syndrome that occurs during periods of rapid increase in PMN numbers in patients receiving rhG-CSF.
William James' Pure Experience and the Creative Potential of the Metaxy

Pure experience, as William James has defined it is a symbol, not a piece of metaphyisical literalism. The manifold of its symbolizing power points to both the intelligibility of reality and also to how that intelligibility is engaged by human beings - the pure experience taken twice over. When pure experience is investigated in the context of James' theories of radical empiricism and a pluralistic universe, it becomes a symbol operating in a horizon that opens out to reality in an infinite sense. This is because James does not limit the relations that can be experience and he himself includes the experiences of faith in his cognitional theory. There is an equivalency of symbolization with this symbol to that of the Platonic metaxy. Both speak the fact of truth as an event, the gratuitous insight to human reason that is possible due to reason's higher order intuitive powers. Both assert the intelligibility of reality that can be encountered by faith and discursive reason working in concert in the cognitive act.
Prelude to Geometry: The Essential Ideas

English translation of Moritz Pasch,“Die Begriffswelt des Mathematikers in der Vorhalle der Geometrie,” Annalen der Philosophie mit besonderer Rucksicht auf die Probleme der Als-Ob-Betrachtung 3 (1922), pp. 155–187. This prelude to geometry, “does not pretend to be an axiomatic presentation of the subject.” Instead, Pasch offers a window into the mind of a mathematician struggling to identify the most fundamental principles governing bodily shapes . He guides us through a series of thought experiments involving the manipulation of physical objects.
Security Protocol Analysis in Context: Computing Minimal Executions Using SMT and CPSA

Cryptographic protocols are used in different environments, but existing methods for protocol analysis focus only on the protocols, without being sensitive to assumptions about their environments.
Do Parents of Discharged Pediatric Emergency Department Patients Read Discharge Instructions

OBJECTIVES The percentage of discharged emergency department (ED) patients who read discharge instructions (DCIs) is unknown. In this study of parents of pediatric ED patients, we attempt to quantify the DCI readership rate and identify variables associated with readership. We hypothesized that few families would read their child's DCIs. METHODS We conducted a prospective, randomized study of parents of pediatric patients who were discharged home from the ED. We randomized participants to receive a study invitation as either the second or the second to last page of their DCIs. We incentivized study participation with a $10 gift card and then used the invitation response rate as a proxy for DCI readership. We utilized logistic regression to identify predictor variables showing significant association with readership. RESULTS One thousand patients were randomized; 963 were included in the final analysis. Eighty-four subjects, 8.8% (95% confidence interval, 7.0%-10.7%), responded to investigators. In the final regression model, private insurance (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76; P = 0.036), placement of the study invitation early within DCIs (adjusted odds ratio, 1.93; P = 0.011), and laceration diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.97; P = 0.012) predicted readership, whereas parents of Hispanic children were less likely to respond, even after adjustment for language spoken (adjusted odds ratio, 0.57; P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS A minority of parents of patients discharged from the pediatric ED appear to read through their child's DCIs, with Hispanic families and those without private insurance least likely to read. Future research can explore how best to reach these particularly vulnerable families.
Metabolomic Profiling of Cerebral Palsy Brain Tissue Reveals Novel Central Biomarkers and Biochemical Pathways Associated with the Disease: A Pilot Study

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of motor disability in childhood, with complex and heterogeneous etiopathophysiology and clinical presentation. Understanding the metabolic processes associated with the disease may aid in the discovery of preventive measures and therapy. Tissue samples (caudate nucleus) were obtained from post-mortem CP cases (n = 9) and age- and gender-matched control subjects (n = 11). We employed a targeted metabolomics approach using both 1H NMR and direct injection liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (DI/LC-MS/MS). We accurately identified and quantified 55 metabolites using 1H NMR and 186 using DI/LC-MS/MS. Among the 222 detected metabolites, 27 showed significant concentration changes between CP cases and controls. Glycerophospholipids and urea were the most commonly selected metabolites used to develop predictive models capable of discriminating between CP and controls. Metabolomics enrichment analysis identified folate, propanoate, and androgen/estrogen metabolism as the top three significantly perturbed pathways. We report for the first time the metabolomic profiling of post-mortem brain tissue from patients who died from cerebral palsy. These findings could help to further investigate the complex etiopathophysiology of CP while identifying predictive, central biomarkers of CP.
The uptake of pan-ethnic expanded carrier screening is higher when offered during preconception or early prenatal genetic counseling.

OBJECTIVE To examine factors that influence uptake of expanded carrier screening (ECS) among women undergoing preconception and prenatal genetic counseling. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 500 medical records from women with prenatal or preconception genetic counseling at a prenatal genetic counseling service. We tabulated acceptance of ECS by indication for genetic counseling along with demographic and pregnancy-related factors. RESULTS ECS was offered to 483 of 500 women, and 192 (39.8%) accepted. Of the 67 women counseled preconceptionally, 46 (68.7%) accepted ECS. This was significantly more than for 416 women counseled during pregnancy, of whom 146 (35.1%) accepted (P ≤ 0.001). For pregnant patients, the mean gestational age of those accepting ECS (12 weeks 3 days; n = 146) was significantly lower than those declining (13 weeks 4 days; n = 270; P ≤ 0.001). The acceptance rates were 7 of 12 (58.3%, P = 0.195) for Ashkenazi Jewish women, 12 of 41 (29.3%; P = 0.186) for Asian women, and 7 of 25 (28.0%; P = 0.241) for women of mixed ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that receiving genetic counseling prior to or earlier in the first trimester is associated with acceptance of ECS and support the importance of early genetic counseling about carrier screening options.
Model systems for studying the blood-brain barrier: Applications and challenges

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a serious impediment to the delivery of effective therapies to the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, various model systems have been crafted and used to evaluate the complexities of the BBB, which includes an impermeable physical barrier and a series of energy-dependent efflux pumps. Models of the BBB have mainly sought to assess changes in endothelial cell permeability, the role of ATP-dependent efflux transporters in drug disposition, and alterations in communication between BBB cells and the microenvironment. In the context of disease, various animal models have been utilized to examine real time BBB drug permeability, CNS dynamic changes, and overall treatment response. In this review, we outline the use of these in vitro and in vivo blood-brain barrier model systems to study normal physiology and diseased states. These current models each have their own advantages and disadvantages for studying the response of biologic processes to physiological and pathological conditions. Additional models are needed to mimic more closely the dynamic quality of the BBB, with the goal focused on potential clinical applications.
Abstract WP431: Functionally Distinct Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Expressed in the Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Mediates Anoxic-injury to Blood-Brain Barrier

Objective: Mice with genetic deletion of endothelial (eNOS; protective) and neuronal (nNOS; detrimental) nitric oxide synthase isoforms exhibit dramatically opposite consequences of ischemic brain ...
Herramientas tecnológicas para el seguimiento del alumnado en la FP dual

nuevos modos de hacer y actuar en el ambito educativo. Los diferentes agentes tienen, por lo tanto, que adaptarse a estos avances. La formacion profesional en modalidad de dual, juntamente con la relacion entre el alumnado con la sociedad-entorno-entidades hace que el docente tenga que buscar nuevos modelos de formacion y de seguimiento que pasan por momentos significativos de no presencialidad. El objetivo de la presente aportacion pretende mostrar diferentes herramientas utilizadas en la FP dual para el ciclo de grado superior de Ensenanza y animacion sociodeportiva. Se comprueba que la utilizacion de diferentes herramientas permite una tutorizacion-seguimiento del alumnado de modo integral y desde diferentes puntos de vista, lo que permite una atencion mas individualizada, real y tambien funcional. Se proponen estas herramientas para otros modelos de formacion, aunque habra que adaptarlas a las caracteristicas propias de cada ensenanza
Modeling PV Modules Using Simulink / MATLAB under Varying Conditions

Studying the behavior of PV modules under varying conditions is essential, due to the various environmental conditions that can affect the performance of the PV module. In this paper, basic functions in Simulink/MATLAB are used to model a 36-cell-50W PV module (solar panel) manufactured by AMERESCO Solar. Experimental measurements were acquired from the AMERESCO solar panel, and compared with the theoretical results obtained from the Simulink model. For the sake of simplicity, and without the loss of generality; a 5-parameter mathematical model of the PV module is used to model the PV module of interest. Since the purpose of most PV module simulations is to study the P-V and I-V characteristics of the PV module, detailed P-V and I-V curves are generated from the Simulink model and compared with their counterparts provided by AMERESCO (in the manufacturer manual). This paper will also present a brief and basic attempt of studying partial shading in single PV modules.
Representing nilpotent matrices as single commutators

We will show that every nilpotent element N in M n ( D ) , the ring of square matrices over a division ring, can be presented as a single commutator, that is, N = A B − B A for some matrices A, B i...
Enhancing the strength of granular material with a modified enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) treatment solution

Abstract Baseline and modified EICP solutions were used to treat four cohesionless materials. The modified solution (modified with powdered milk) resulted in enhanced strength in all four materials, though the magnitude of enhancement varied. Imagery showed the modification led to larger calcite crystals and a greater tendency to precipitate at inter-particle contact points. Test tube studies confirmed that the powdered milk led to stronger adhesion of precipitated carbonate to surfaces while having minimal impact on the reaction kinetics. As the modified solution increases the strength of a biocemented material, it reduces substrates required to achieve targeted strengths, reducing EICP treatment costs.
Diabetes mellitus: How being too sweet leads to skeletal fragility

Abstract Diabetes mellitus increases fracture risk. Chronic hyperglycemia causes maladaptations which directly influence bone material properties and affect skeletal integrity. The microvascular complications of diabetes: retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy also affect bone indirectly by increasing fall risk and affecting calcium metabolism. In this chapter we will discuss the available evidence in human studies which can inform clinical decision making for diabetic patients with skeletal fragility.
Ten-Year Trend of Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Extremely Preterm Infants in One Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in China.

Background: Extremely preterm (EP) infants are at the highest risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). With more EP infants survived in China, recent data of ROP is lacking. The aim of the study is to report the trend of incidence of ROP among EP infants in a large neonatal intensive care unit in China over the past 10-year period, in relation with the overall survival rate and the change of oxygen saturation targets. Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled all EP infants born before 28 weeks' gestation and admitted to one of the largest tertiary neonatal intensive care units in China from 2010 to 2019. Data were compared between two time periods according to different oxygen saturation targets: 2010-2014 (P1) with low saturation target and 2015-2019 (P2) with higher target. Results: Of 630 EP infants admitted during the 10 years, 447 (71.0%) infants survived to discharge. The survival rate increased significantly from 61.6% in P1 to 75.8% in P2 (P 0.05). Conclusions: We observed an increasing trend in the incidence of ROP across the 10-year period in one of the largest neonatal care units in China. The increased survival rate and the use of high-target oxygen saturation in the later period may partly explain this trend. Further investigations are needed to improve the care practices and to reduce the incidence of severe ROP.
Physical Activity and Its Association with Traditional Outcome Measures in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Rationale Limitation of physical activity is a common presenting complaint for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Physical activity is thought to be determined by cardiopulmonary function, yet there are limited data that investigate this relationship. Objective We aimed to study the relationship between right ventricular function and daily activity and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PAH. Methods Baseline data for 55 patients enrolled in PHANTOM, an ongoing multicenter randomized controlled trial of anastrozole in PAH were used. Post-menopausal women and men were eligible and underwent six-minute walk testing, echocardiography and completed HRQoL questionnaires. Each patient wore an accelerometer for 7-days. Multivariable linear regression models were used to study the association between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and vector magnitude counts, and between daily activity and HRQoL. Principal component analysis and K-means clustering were used to identify activity-based phenotypes. K-nearest neighbors' classification was applied to an independent cross-sectional cohort from the University of Pennsylvania. Results The mean age of patients in PHANTOM was 61 years. 67% were women with idiopathic PAH as the most common etiology. A 0.4 cm increase in TAPSE was associated with an increase in daily vector magnitude counts (s:34000, 95%CI:900-67000, p=0.004) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, etiology of PAH and wear time. A 1-standard deviation increase in vector magnitude counts was associated with higher six-minute walk distance (s: 56.1 meters, 95%CI:28.6-83.7, p<0.001) and lower emPHasis-10 scores (s:-3.3, 95%CI:0.3-6.4, p=0.03). Three activity phenotypes, low, medium, and high, were identified. The most active phenotype had greater six-minute walk distances (p=0.001) and lower emPHasis-10 scores (p=0.009) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, WHO functional class and parenteral prostacyclin use. Phenotypes of physical activity were reproduced in the second cohort and were independently associated with six-minute walk distance. Conclusion Better right ventricular systolic function was associated with increased levels of activity in PAH. Increased daily activity was associated with greater six-minute walk distance and better HRQoL. Distinct activity-based phenotypes may be helpful in risk stratification of PAH patients or provide novel endpoints for clinical trials.
Establishing an Endoscopic Chronic Subglottic Stenosis Rabbit Model.

Objectives/hypothesis To develop a reproducible and consistent chronic subglottic stenosis (SGS) in an endoscopic animal model. Study design Prospective study. Methods We conducted a prospective study using New Zealand white rabbits. Chronic SGS was induced endoscopically by Bugbee electrocautery to 50% to 75% of the subglottic area's circumference, followed by 4-hour endotracheal intubation. The rabbit airways were endoscopically assessed and sized with uncuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) before the injury, during follow-up, and at the endpoints. There were four endpoints: 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post SGS induction. Animals were humanely euthanized for histopathological examination of the subglottic injury site and microscopic measurement of the cricoid lumen. Results Twenty-two rabbits reached the endpoints, and 18 rabbits developed chronic SGS. ETT size significantly decreased by 0.5 from preinjury to the endpoint in all groups, P Conclusion We developed an animal model to study chronic SGS. This model will be utilized to compare different endoscopic treatment interventions in acute SGS versus chronic SGS and further define the molecular basis of SGS. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2021.
Masses in scalar dynamics

The evolution of masses with a scaleM is investigated in scalar and pseudoscalar gluon theories for the comparison with QCD. The scalar theory shows the increase of effective masses withM, and, therefore, it cannot be a candidate for the theory of strong interactions. In pseudoscalar gluon theory effective masses become lighter at higherM, just like in QCD.
p19ARF is a critical mediator of both cellular senescence and an innate immune response associated with MYC inactivation in mouse model of acute leukemia

MYC-induced T-ALL exhibit oncogene addiction. Addiction to MYC is a consequence of both cell-autonomous mechanisms, such as proliferative arrest, cellular senescence, and apoptosis, as well as non-cell autonomous mechanisms, such as shutdown of angiogenesis, and recruitment of immune effectors. Here, we show, using transgenic mouse models of MYC-induced T-ALL, that the loss of either p19ARF or p53 abrogates the ability of MYC inactivation to induce sustained tumor regression. Loss of p53 or p19ARF, influenced the ability of MYC inactivation to elicit the shutdown of angiogenesis; however the loss of p19ARF, but not p53, impeded cellular senescence, as measured by SA-beta-galactosidase staining, increased expression of p16INK4A, and specific histone modifications. Moreover, comparative gene expression analysis suggested that a multitude of genes involved in the innate immune response were expressed in p19ARF wild-type, but not null, tumors upon MYC inactivation. Indeed, the loss of p19ARF, but not p53, impeded the in situ recruitment of macrophages to the tumor microenvironment. Finally, p19ARF null-associated gene signature prognosticated relapse-free survival in human patients with ALL. Therefore, p19ARF appears to be important to regulating cellular senescence and innate immune response that may contribute to the therapeutic response of ALL.
Intrinsic discriminant dimension based signal representation and classification

Generally a set of signal specific features such as energy, frequency change, are used for the representation and classification of signals of interest. However, for robust representation and classification features that are not so signal specific such as a measure of information content (e.g., Renyi entropy) and measures of statistical properties of signals such as kurtosis and skewness are needed. In this paper we derive such features. Further, in this paper, an information bound based measure is developed to find the minimum dimension of the feature set that is needed for an optimum signal representation. Similarly, a decision boundary based intrinsic discriminant dimension of a feature set that can be used in optimum classification is developed. These features are verified using different signals. The minimum set of features obtained using the information bound for optimal signal representation seems to be the same - Renyi entropy, skewness and kurtosis for all signal types considered in this paper. Similarly, a subset of these features obtained for the optimum classification seems to be the same - Renyi entropy and skewness for all signal types considered here.
Towards generic pattern mining

Frequent Pattern Mining (FPM) is a very powerful paradigm which encompasses an entire class of data mining tasks. The specific tasks encompassed by FPM include the mining of increasingly complex and informative patterns, in complex structured and unstructured relational datasets, such as: Itemsets or co-occurrences [1] (transactional, unordered data), Sequences [2,8] (temporal or positional data, as in text mining, bioinformatics), Tree patterns [9] (XML/semistructured data), and Graph patterns [4,5,6] (complex relational data, bioinformatics). Figure [1] shows examples of these different types of patterns; in a generic sense a pattern denotes links/relationships between several objects of interest. The objects are denoted as nodes, and the links as edges. Patterns can have multiple labels, denoting various attributes, on both the nodes and edges.