cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation mechanisms of platelet-activating factor in U937 cells : possible involvement of protein kinase C

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that platelet-activating factor (PAF) binds specifically on cell membranes isolated from U937 cells. We now describe biological evidence showing that the effect of PAF on U937 cells is a receptor-mediated event. myo-[3[H]Inositol-labeled U937 cells were used to investigate the possible role of phosphoinositide metabolism in these cells after binding of PAF. Formation of inositol phosphates (IP1, IP2, and IP3) in response to PAF was increased two- to threefold more than in vehicle control in U937 cells. The effect of PAF on endogenous protein phosphorylation was also studied by using 32PO4-labeled cells. PAF stimulates the phosphorylation of a 45-kDa protein in a time-dependent and dose-related fashion. Since the phospholipase C-generated diglyceride is an important activator of protein kinase C, the phosphorylated 45-kDa protein could be the substrate of protein kinase C. In this regard, we were able to demonstrate that phorbol ester enhances the phosphorylation of the same 45-kDa protein band. In addition, sphingosine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibits the phosphorylation of the same 45-kDa protein band. Down-regulation of the protein kinase C also inhibits the 45-kDa protein phosphorylation. These results suggest that protein kinase C is involved in the PAF-U937 Cell interaction.
Longitudinal Study on the Effects of Child Abuse and Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence, Parent-Child Attachments, and Antisocial Behavior in Adolescence

This study examined the unique and combined effects of child abuse and children's exposure to domestic violence on later attachment to parents and antisocial behavior during adolescence. Analyses also investigated whether the interaction of exposure and low attachment predicted youth outcomes. Findings suggest that, although youth dually exposed to abuse and domestic violence were less attached to parents in adolescence than those who were not exposed, for those who were abused only and those who were exposed only to domestic violence, the relationship between exposure types and youth outcomes did not differ by level of attachment to parents. However, stronger bonds of attachment to parents in adolescence did appear to predict a lower risk of antisocial behavior independent of exposure status. Preventing child abuse and children's exposure to domestic violence could lessen the risk of antisocial behavior during adolescence, as could strengthening parent-child attachments in adolescence. However, strengthening attachments between parents and children after exposure may not be sufficient to counter the negative impact of earlier violence trauma in children.
Disturbance and climate effects on carbon stocks and fluxes across Western Oregon USA

We used a spatially nested hierarchy of field and remote-sensing observations and a process model, Biome-BGC, to produce a carbon budget for the forested region of Oregon, and to determine the relative influence of differences in climate and disturbance among the ecoregions on carbon stocks and fluxes. The simulations suggest that annual net uptake (net ecosystem production (NEP)) for the whole forested region (8.2 million hectares) was 13.8 Tg C (168 g C m−2 yr−1), with the highest mean uptake in the Coast Range ecoregion (226 g C m−2 yr−1), and the lowest mean NEP in the East Cascades (EC) ecoregion (88 g C m−2 yr−1). Carbon stocks totaled 2765 Tg C (33 700 g C m−2), with wide variability among ecoregions in the mean stock and in the partitioning above- and belowground. The flux of carbon from the land to the atmosphere that is driven by wildfire was relatively low during the late 1990s (∼0.1 Tg C yr−1), however, wildfires in 2002 generated a much larger C source (∼4.1 Tg C). Annual harvest removals from the study area over the period 1995–2000 were ∼5.5 Tg C yr−1. The removals were disproportionately from the Coast Range, which is heavily managed for timber production (approximately 50% of all of Oregon's forest land has been managed for timber in the past 5 years). The estimate for the annual increase in C stored in long-lived forest products and land fills was 1.4 Tg C yr−1. Net biome production (NBP) on the land, the net effect of NEP, harvest removals, and wildfire emissions indicates that the study area was a sink (8.2 Tg C yr−1). NBP of the study area, which is the more heavily forested half of the state, compensated for ∼52% of Oregon's fossil carbon dioxide emissions of 15.6 Tg C yr−1 in 2000. The Biscuit Fire in 2002 reduced NBP dramatically, exacerbating net emissions that year. The regional total reflects the strong east–west gradient in potential productivity associated with the climatic gradient, and a disturbance regime that has been dominated in recent decades by commercial forestry.
Platelet alpha-granule fibrinogen, albumin, and immunoglobulin G are not synthesized by rat and mouse megakaryocytes.

Abstract It has been assumed that endogenous synthesis by the platelet precursor cell, the bone marrow megakaryocyte, is the major source of platelet alpha-granule protein. To test this hypothesis, we used mRNA phenotyping to detect in megakaryocytes the presence of mRNA transcripts specific for various proteins. Our results indicate that megakaryocytes synthesize platelet factor 4, a protein relatively specific for platelets, but do not express mRNA transcripts for the fibrinogen, albumin, or IgG found in alpha-granules. We have previously shown that megakaryocytes endocytose circulating proteins, including fibrinogen, albumin, and IgG, and incorporate them into alpha-granules. Thus, platelets appear to contain a unique type of secretory granule whose contents originate by both endogenous synthesis and endocytosis from plasma. Under basal conditions, the source of alpha-granule fibrinogen is plasma.
Reliability studies on a 45nm low power system-on-chip (SoC) dual gate oxide high-k / metal gate (DG HK+MG) technology

In this paper, we present extensive reliability characterization results for a novel dual gate 45nm HK+MG technology. BTI, HCI and TDDB degradation modes on the Logic and I/O transistors are studied and excellent reliability is demonstrated. Emphasis is placed on the importance of process optimizations to support robust I/O transistors while maintaining the high performance and reliability of Logic transistors. Monitoring of reliability for HVM and collateral reliability are also addressed.
Recognizing immediacy in an N-tree hierarchy and its application to protection groups

The benefits of providing access control with groups of users as the unit of granularity are enhanced if the groups are organized in a hierarchy (partial order) by the subgroup relation >
Magnetization and magnetoresistance of Co/Cu layered films

Multilayer Co/Cu and sandwich layer Co/Cu/Co films made by magnetron sputtering using no special layering elements give the oscillatory magnetic coupling and magnetoresistance (MR) previously reported. The largest value with MR 80% is for a Co(10 AA)/Cu(10 AA) multilayer 340 AA thick. The increase of resistivity in small magnetic fields is the source of the MR. The MR is small in the sandwich layer films until Cu thicknesses above 23 AA where values of MR are 11% and the magnetic hysteresis loops show structure. The MR is isotropic within +or-1% except for demagnetization. The authors prefer a model where the interface disorder is responsible for the large change in resistivity by restricting the conduction electron mean free path. >
Avatar semantic search: a database approach to information retrieval

We present Avatar Semantic Search, a prototype search engine that exploits annotations in the context of classical keyword search. The process of annotations is accomplished offline by using high-precision information extraction techniques to extract facts, con-cepts, and relationships from text. These facts and concepts are represented and indexed in a structured data store. At runtime, keyword queries are interpreted in the context of these extracted facts and converted into one or more precise queries over the structured store. In this demonstration we describe the overall architecture of the Avatar Semantic Search engine. We also demonstrate the superiority of the AVATAR approach over traditional keyword search engines using Enron email data set and a blog corpus.
Comparison of toxicity of smoke from traditional and harm-reduction cigarettes using mouse embryonic stem cells as a novel model for preimplantation development

background: Embryonic stem cells (ESC), which originate from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, are valuable models for testing the effects of toxicants on preimplantation development. In this study, mouse ESC (mESC) were used to compare the toxicity of mainstream (MS) and sidestream (SS) cigarette smoke on cell attachment, survival and proliferation. In addition, smoke from a traditional commercial cigarette was compared with smoke from three harm-reduction brands. methods: MS and SS smoke solutions were made using an analytical smoking machine and tested at three doses using D3 mESC plated on 0.2% gelatin. At 6 and 24 h, images were taken and the number of attached cells was evaluated. results: Both MS and SS smoke from traditional and harm-reduction cigarettes inhibited cell attachment, survival and proliferation dose dependently. For all brands, SS smoke was more potent than MS smoke. However, removal of the cigarette filter increased the toxicity of MS smoke to that of SS smoke. Both MS and SS smoke from harm-reduction cigarettes were as inhibitory, or more inhibitory, than their counter- parts from the traditional brand. When preimplantation mouse embryos were cultured for 1 h in MS or SS smoke solutions from a harm- reduction brand, blastomeres became apoptotic, in agreement with the data obtained using mESC. conclusions: mESC provide a valuable model for toxicological studies on the preimplantation stage of development and were used to show that MS and SS smoke from traditional and harm-reduction cigarettes are detrimental to embryonic cells prior to implantation.
The Class Of 1846: From West Point To Appomattox - Stonewall Jackson, George Mcclellan And Their Brothers

History comes alive in this illustrious work which follows the graduates of one of the most celebrated classes at West Point--men who would become prominent officers in the Civil War, fighting enemies who were once class brothers and comrades-in-arms. Photos.
Differential Epigenetic Regulation Within an Arabidopsis Retroposon Family

We previously reported a novel family of Arabidopsis thaliana nonautonomous retroposons, Sadhu, showing epigenetic variation in natural populations. Here, we show that transcripts corresponding to Sadhu elements accumulate in a subset of mutants carrying disruptions in genes encoding chromatin modification enzymes, but are not significantly expressed in mutants defective in RNA silencing pathways, indicating that RNA-directed processes are not necessary to maintain transcriptional suppression of this class of retroelements. We focused our analysis on three representative elements showing differential responses to ddm1, met1, and hda6 mutations. These mutations had differing effects on cytosine methylation depending on the element and the sequence context. Curiously, the Sadhu6-1 element with the strongest CpHpG methylation is expressed in a met1 CpG methyltransferase mutant, but is not expressed in ddm1 or cmt3 mutants. Regardless of the mutant background, H3meK9 was found at silenced loci, while H3meK4 was restricted to expressed alleles. We discuss the different modes of regulation within this family and the potential impact of this regulation on the stability of silencing in natural populations.
Risk assessment for occult malignancy in the prostate before radical cystectomy

Abstract Objectives To assess our clinical ability to predict prostate involvement by transitional cell carcinoma (PI-TCC) or occult prostate cancer (CAP) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RCx). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 70 male patients undergoing RCx for TCC of the bladder between 1995 and 2003, focusing on preoperative factors to predict PI-TCC or CAP. Results Of 70 RCx patients, 30 (43%) had PI-TCC (14) or CAP (16). Risk factors for PI-TCC included carcinoma in situ, multifocal TCC, and bladder neck involvement (P Conclusions Our findings suggest that a well-defined subset of patients undergoing RCx might be at low risk for malignancy in the prostate. However, further evaluation of these risk factors in a prospective setting will be required to substantiate these findings and guide clinical decision making in this controversial field.
Ablation of the Glucagon Receptor Gene Increases Fetal Lethality and Produces Alterations in Islet Development and Maturation

Although glucagon (GLU) plays a pivotal role in glucose homeostasis, its role in the regulation of fetal growth and maturation is poorly understood. These issues were examined in a line of mice with a global deletion of the GLU receptor (Gcgr−/−), which are characterized by lower blood glucose levels and by α- and δ-cell hyperplasia in adults. Ablation of Gcgr was deleterious to fetal survival; it delayed β-cell differentiation and perturbed the proportion of β- to α-cells in embryonic islets. In adults, the mutation inhibited the progression of α-cells to maturity, affected the expression of several β-cell-specific genes, and resulted in an augmentation of the α-, β-, and δ-cell mass. This increase was due to an augmentation in both islet number and in the rate of proliferation of cells expressing GLU or insulin. These findings suggest that GLU participates in a feedback loop that regulates the proportion of the different endocrine cell types in islets, the number of islets per pancreas, and development ...
Absorption and distribution of vitamin A in x-irradiated rats.

SummaryThe absorption of vitamin A alcohol by young female rats at varying intervals during the first week following 625 r, whole body irradiation has been studied 6 and 10 hours after a test dose of vitamin A. Absorption after a 6 hour test is increased from the 2nd to 6th days in irradiated animals. After a 10 hour test there was little difference between irradiated and control animals. Liver content of vitamin A is decreased in irradiated animals, and there is an increase in carcass vitamin A. Adrenal vitamin A is less in irradiated than control rats at 6 hours and is increased above control rats at 10 hours.
Stability of methylation markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background As cancer progresses, methylation patterns change to promote the tumorigenic phenotype. However, stability of methylation markers over time and the extent that biopsy samples are representative of larger tumor specimens are unknown. This information is critical for clinical use of such biomarkers. Methods Ninety-eight patients with tumor specimens from 2 timepoints were measured for DNA methylation in the promoter regions across 4 genes. Results There were no significant differences in overall methylation of CCNA1 (cyclin A1), NDN (necdin), deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC), and cluster of differentiation 1a (CD1A) within paired specimens (p values = .56, .17, .66, and .58, respectively). All genes showed strong correlations between paired specimens across time. Methylation was most consistent for CCNA1 and NDN over time. Conclusion This report provides the first evidence that methylation markers measured in biopsy samples are representative of gene methylation in later specimens and suggests that biopsy markers could be representative biomarkers for use in defining personalized treatment utilizing epigenetic changes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck, 2015
Alcohol consumption and the 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy: the Beaver Dam eye study.

Abstract Objective This study evaluated alcohol consumption as a risk factor for incidence of age-related maculopathy (ARM). Design Persons aged 43 to 86 years in 1988 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, were examined from 1988 through 1990 and 1993 through 1995, n=3684. The presence and severity of ARM at both examinations were determined from gradings of stereoscopic fundus photographs using the Wisconsin Age-related Maculopathy Classification System. Alcohol consumption was determined by self-report. Results Men drinking at least 78 g/week of alcohol from beer had a higher 5-year age-adjusted incidence of early ARM (10.6%) than did men who did not drink beer (6.9%), but the test for trend was only borderline significant ( P = 0.08). However, incidence of soft indistinct drusen ( P = 0.01), increased drusen area ( P P = 0.02) are all associated with beer drinking in men. Increased retinal pigment and retinal pigment epithelial depigmentation are not associated with beer drinking in men or women nor are any lesions associated with total alcohol consumption or consumption from liquor or wine in either men or women. Conclusions Except for an association of beer drinking with retinal drusen in men, consumption of alcoholic beverages is not likely to be an important risk factor for incidence of ARM.
The Trust as More Than A Common Law Creature

Until recently, it has been a truism that the trust is a creature of the common law system. A challenge to this truism is currently occurring in Europe in one of the most significant developments in the field of trusts & estates law: the introduction of trust-like devices in civil law countries. Specifically, while France and other civil law countries have traditionally been skeptical about the common law instrument that is the trust, they must now confront the meaning of a trust and how to implement it because of the European Union’s new regulation that calls for the harmonization of laws regarding succession. This article is analyzes the introduction of the trust concept to civil law countries.
Solitude Before Society: Emerson on Self-Reliance, Abolitionism, and Moral Suasion

Scholars have not reconciled Ralph Waldo Emerson’s anti-political individualism with his newly rediscovered abolitionism. This article attempts to unite the apolitical and political Emerson by showing that they are only temporally separated. Solitude prefaces politics. I first explain Emerson’s solitary contemplation as imagination that reveals interpersonal obligations. Second, I show how these obligations draw the thinker back to politics, and in Emerson’s case, to abolitionism, where he advocated small conversations to incite others to contemplation and then action. Conversation did not convert hostile slaveholders. But, third, I note that Emerson admired the abolitionists who attempted moral suasion in the South at great personal risk. Their political activism exemplified self-reliance within society.
Synthesis and Electronic Transport Studies of Single-Crystalline In 2 O 3 Nanowires

Single crystalline In203 nanowires were successful synthesized using a laser ablation method. Extensive material characterization such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed a cubic crystal structure for these nanowires with [110] as the growth direction. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to determine the diameter and length of our nanowires. By using monodispersed gold clusters as the catalyst, these nanowires can be grown with well-defined diameters around 10 nm. Individual In2O3 nanowires have been utilized to construct field effect transistors, which confirmed In2O3 nanowires as n-type semiconductors and exhibited on / off ratios as high as 104 at room temperature. The temperature-dependence of the conductance revealed thermal emission as the dominating transport mechanism. Our work can lead to important applications such as chemical sensing for In2O3 nanowires.
High-resolution maps of regional ventilation utilizing inhaled fluorescent microspheres.

Robertson, H. Thomas, Robb W. Glenny, Derek Stanford, Lynn M. McInnes, Daniel L. Luchtel, and David Covert. High-resolution maps of regional ventilation utilizing inhaled fluorescent microspheres. ...
Genetics of Absence Epilepsy and Febrile Seizures

In a large family with epilepsy studied at the University of Melbourne, Australia, FS in 18 children were inherited as autosomal dominant with 75% penetrance (GABA receptor subunit mutation on chromosome 5), and absence epilepsy in 8 required the GABA gene on chromosome 5 interacting with a possible further gene on chromosomes 10, 13, 14 and 15.
A Pilot Study of a Novel Method of Measuring Stigma about Depression Developed for Latinos in the Faith-Based Setting

In order to understand the effects of interventions designed to reduce stigma about mental illness, we need valid measures. However, the validity of commonly used measures is compromised by social desirability bias. The purpose of this pilot study was to test an anonymous method of measuring stigma in the community setting. The method of data collection, Preguntas con Cartas (Questions with Cards) used numbered playing cards to conduct anonymous group polling about stigmatizing beliefs during a mental health literacy intervention. An analysis of the difference between Preguntas con Cartas stigma votes and corresponding face-to-face individual survey results for the same seven stigma questions indicated that there was a statistically significant differences in the distributions between the two methods of data collection (χ(2) = 8.27, p = 0.016). This exploratory study has shown the potential effectiveness of Preguntas con Cartas as a novel method of measuring stigma in the community-based setting.
Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke Trial of Pioglitazone Is This Perhaps the End of the Beginning

The completion of the Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke (IRIS) trial culminated a long process to design, fund, and recruit patients to test, for the first time, whether treatment with an approved antidiabetic drug at the prediabetic stage of insulin resistance (IR) improves outcomes in patients with cerebrovascular disease.1 In the IRIS trial, pioglitazone, a member of the thiazolidinedione class of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) agonists, was compared with placebo. Nondiabetic subjects with recent ( 3.0, were enrolled. Major exclusions included heart failure (HF) because of the known potential for thiazolidinediones to precipitate/worsen HF, active liver disease because of the association of another thiazolidinedione (troglitazone) with hepatotoxicity, and either the occurrence or risk factors for bladder cancer because of data from other trials suggesting an imbalance of bladder cancer in pioglitazone-treated diabetics.2 After 5 years, pioglitazone-treated patients had 24% reduction in cardiovascular outcomes above and beyond a generally modern approach to secondary stroke prevention. Stroke reduction was entirely for the ischemic type, and interestingly, the biggest relative reduction was in the lacunar subtype although unfortunately almost 2 of 3 had no identified stroke mechanism, making this finding tentative. Consistent with previous studies in diabetics where thiazolidinediones reduced the need for insulin introduction,3 in the IRIS trial, pioglitazone reduced by half the development of diabetes mellitus. Despite a higher incidence of shortness of breath and edema, HF mortality/hospitalization did not increase, potentially because of the strict definition of HF in contrast to previous studies.3,4 Also, the investigators found only a slight …
Regional circulatory responses to intestinal work in developing swine

Circulatory effects of intraduodenal feeding with 2 and 5% glucose were studied in 29 fasted swine (1 day to 1 mo old) anesthetized with pentobarbital. Recordings included aortic and intestinal venous pressures and intestinal, renal, and femoral blood flows. Calculations included vascular resistances, arterial and intestinal venous O2 contents, and intestinal O2 consumption. Observations were made before and at 15 and 30 min after a feeding and at end of experiments. Blood flow autoregulation was evaluated before and after feedings. Glucose induced increases in intestinal O2 consumption and blood flow at all ages, but intestinal blood flow autoregulation was enhanced only in 2 wk olds. Blood flow was redistributed to the working gut from the hindlimb, but not the kidney, at all ages. Renal blood flow autoregulation was sustained in 2-wk-old and 1-mo-old animals and became significant in 1 wk olds during intestinal hyperemia. We concluded that basic mechanisms governing blood flow redistribution from hindlimb to working gut are available at birth in swine and that maintenance of renal blood flow depends only partly on autoregulatory capability.
GATA transcription factors in the developing reproductive system.

Previous work has firmly established the role for both GATA4 and FOG2 in the initial global commitment to sexual fate, but their (joint or individual) function in subsequent steps remained unknown. Hence, gonad-specific deletions of these genes in mice were required to reveal their roles in sexual development and gene regulation. The development of tissue-specific Cre lines allowed for substantial advances in the understanding of the function of GATA proteins in sex determination, gonadal differentiation and reproductive development in mice. Here we summarize the recent work that examined the requirement of GATA4 and FOG2 proteins at several critical stages in testis and ovarian differentiation. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in this regulation through the control of Dmrt1 gene expression in the testis and the canonical Wnt/s-catenin pathway in the ovary.
Plenary talk — Progress towards superconducting magnets using high temperature superconductors: An integrated approach

Summary form only given. The development of long-length, high current density Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox wires and (RE)Ba2Cu3Oy coated conductors has now advanced such that superconducting magnets for energy applications and high field applications are progressing rapidly. In this plenary talk, progress in the development of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox round wires and (RE)Ba2Cu3Oy coated conductors, including new breakthroughs in wire processing for high Jc, will be presented. For Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox round wires, reductions in porosity and better understanding of the role of Bi2Sr2CuOy will be presented. For (RE)Ba2Cu3Oy, enhanced flux pinning to manage the anisotropy and engineering a conductor for a particular field and temperature application, will be discussed. Furthermore, high current density in long-length conductors is only a necessary-but-not-sufficient condition for magnet success; a number of other issues must be addressed self-consistently for successful magnets and applications to emerge. For both Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox and (RE)Ba2Cu3Oy, the primary challenges include quench detection and protection and turn-to-turn insulation. Here, recent advances in fiber optic based quench detection, and a new titania-based insulation system which leads to increased magnet current density and accelerated quench propagation, will be summarized. For Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox wire applications, issues related to magnet heat treatment and electromechanical behavior are also limiting factors. New heat treatment options and stronger sheath materials will be presented. Furthermore, the critical interplay between these issues will be highlighted, thereby providing a path forward for the advancement of magnet systems. Lastly, the importance of interactions between experiment and modeling will be discussed.
Hybrid system modeling and supervisory control of a microgrid

A new approach to designing a microgrid supervisory controller based on a hybrid automaton is described. A microgrid is defined as a small-scale local grid, comprised of various distributed energy resources (DERs), loads, and energy storage systems. Due to the intermittency of renewable generation, microgrid controllers play a vital role maintaining microgrid stability and integrity in case of an energy shortage (surplus) or when subjected to any disturbances. These controllers should be designed to provide proper control of voltage and frequency. Supervisory controllers are high level control systems that perform optimization, faults detection, protection, and energy management based on their observation from the microgrid. Supervisory controllers define set points to the local controllers for DERs and loads. In this paper, the joint continuous and discrete behavior of the supervisory controller is addressed using a hybrid controller. A complete model of the hybrid automaton (HA) is formalized and tested through one case study of a microgrid using DIgSILENT PowerFactory software. According to the results, the controller can thoroughly manage the load flow within and outside the microgrid.
On-chip dual-comb source for spectroscopy

Dual-comb spectroscopy is a powerful technique for real-time, broadband optical sampling of molecular spectra, which requires no moving components. Recent developments with microresonator-based platforms have enabled frequency combs at the chip scale. However, the need to precisely match the resonance wavelengths of distinct high quality-factor microcavities has hindered the development of on-chip dual combs. We report the simultaneous generation of two microresonator combs on the same chip from a single laser, drastically reducing experimental complexity. We demonstrate broadband optical spectra spanning 51 THz and low-noise operation of both combs by deterministically tuning into soliton mode-locked states using integrated microheaters, resulting in narrow ( 1 GHz).
Changes in Distribution and Abundance of Anuran Species of Staten Island, NY, Over the Last Century

Abstract The global decline of amphibian species is a pressing problem that has garnered much scientific attention. Annual fluctuations of amphibian populations are a common occurrence due to weather variability, reproductive failure, or other factors. Therefore, a long-term perspective through the use of historical datasets is needed to identify persistent trends. To examine the changes in the populations of Anuran (frog and toad) species in Staten Island, NY, we used the detailed notes contained in the field journals of naturalist William T. Davis (1862–1945) to form a basis of comparison to modern surveys (2010–2011). We found very substantial changes, mainly declines, in the amphibian biota of Staten Island. Of the 10 original species, 4 have apparently been extirpated and another 4 have declined in probability of occurrence (PO), most notably Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowler's Toad), whose PO decreased 1 order of magnitude. Only Lithobates clamitans (Green Frog) and Lithobates catesbeianus (Bullfrog) have in...
Effect of Soil Oxidants KNO3, MnO2, and Air on Methane Production in Flooded Rice Soil Suspension

To determine effective means to reduce methane (CH4) production from flooded rice soil, laboratory measurements were made on methane (CH4) formation in a Crowley silt loam as affected by the addition of potassium nitrate (KNO3), manganese dioxide (MnO2), and air (O2) under flooded conditions. In the experiment, oxidants were added to the soil prior to flooding at the rate of 300 and 1000 ppm O2 equivalent. Methane production was measured over a 32 d incubation period. Potassium nitrate added at rates of 300 and 1000 ppm O2 equivalent reduced CH4 production by 100% and MnO_2, at 300 and 1000 ppm O2 equivalent, significantly decreased CH4 formation approximately 20% and 98-99% over the 32 d period, respectively compared to controls. Air addition did not significantly affect CH4 formation.
Osteoarthritis in 2017: Latest advances in the management of knee OA.

Osteoarthritis research in 2017 provided new insights into the long-term effects of intra-articular glucocorticoids, and also led to the approval of a novel, longer-lasting glucocorticoid formulation. New drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis also emerged this year, including a small-molecule inhibitor of the Wnt signalling pathway.
Scattered light testing of digital micromirror devices (DMDs)

Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs), a type of Micro-Opto-ElectroMechanical System (MOEMS) device, are commonly used in Digital Light Processing (DLP) televisions and projectors. These devices consist of an array of hundreds of thousands to millions of micron-scale mirrors, each of which can be programmed to tilt in one of two directions. DMDs have proven useful in astronomy instrumentation where they have been used as a programmable slit, allowing light from a star or galaxy to be separated from the remainder of the field by tilting those mirrors aligned to the target toward the spectroscopic arm of the spectrograph, while the remaining mirrors are tilted to direct light to an imaging camera. When mirrors are tilted away from the spectroscopic arm, some light may still scatter back towards it, increasing the background noise. Characterizing this noise source is crucial to determining the sensitivity of the spectrograph. In this paper, we present contrast ratio measurement results for a Texas Instruments DLP7000. Two methods were used to determine the contrast ratio: 1) the ratio of the light intensity with all mirrors turned “on” to the intensity with all mirrors turned “off”; and 2), the ratio of the total number of mirrors illuminated compared to the number of mirrors required to reproduce the back-scattered light intensity. Additionally, we measured the ratio of the total light incident on the DMD surface compared to the total light back scattered to determine how much of the unwanted light entering the system becomes light scattered into the spectrograph. A variety of LEDs were used in the testing, ranging from 385 nm to 1050 nm. Both silicon and InGaAs photodiodes were used to measure the reflected light. In this work we present the details of the setup used to conduct the scattered light measurements, compare the two measurement methods, discuss the results of our testing, and provide analysis of the measured contrast.
Molecular Markers and the Manifestation of Metastasis

There are two ways to conceptualize tumor invasion and metastasis, which are the major causes of treatment failure for patients with malignancy. In one approach, the researcher classifies molecular or histological markers as manifestations of favorable factors. Such a conceptualization realizes that either the high expression of one set of parameters or the diminished presence of another set would suggest a low incidence of metastasis and good prognosis. The low efficiency of metastatic events would also be stressed. For example, an intravenous or subcutaneous injection of fifty-thousand mammary carcinoma cells into a Fisher rat (as in the case of experimental or spontaneous models for metastases) can result in fifty to a hundred colonies of lung metastasis. The experiment would be perceived as evidence for the rather low efficiency of metastatic success.
Effects of propranolol in tourette syndrome

Alternate medications for the treatment of Tourette syndrome are required because haloperidol in some patients either may be ineffective or may cause disturbing side effects. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, has been reported as effective, in uncontrolled trials, in ameliorating symptoms of tic disorder, tardive dyskinesia, and drug-induced extrapyramidal syndrome. Propranolol, in doses up to 120 mg per day, was administered to five patients with Tourette syndrome in a placebo-controlled study and was found ineffective in ameliorating symptoms of Tourette syndrome. Results underscored the importance of placebo-controlled investigation when evaluating the effects of drugs in Tourette syndrome.
Radius Initiative for IDNDR a Practical Approach to Reduce Urban Seismic Risk

A Strong Earthquake Hits Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at 5:00 am Strong tremors hit the city of Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, at 5:00 am in early morning. It is estimated that the epicenter is located just beneath the city with a magnitude of 6.1 (in the Richter scale). The intensity is 7 and 8 (MSK) in most of the parts, and reaching 9 in some areas of the city. The shaking lasted for about half a minute.
Guidelines for Using Game Technology as Educational Tools

Advanced three-dimensional virtual environment technology, similar to that used by the film and computer games industry, can allow educational developers to rapidly create realistic online virtual environments. Generic rules of thumb regarding the specification, development, application, and operation of these learning environments can be garnered from industrial training systems and examined in an educational context [1-3]. This paper introduces a virtual learning environment ViRILE (Virtual Reality Interactive Learning Environment) developed by the author. ViRILE is designed for use by undergraduate chemical engineers to simulate the configuration and operation of a polymerisation plant. This paper will also discuss the implementation of this and other similar systems and extrapolate the lessons learnt into general pedagogical guidelines to be considered for the development of VR based online educational learning resources.
A new proof of the Waldspurger formula, I

We provide the first steps towards a new relative trace formula proof of the celebrated formula of Waldspurger relating the square of a toric period integral on PGL2 to the central value of an L-function.
Automated Reconstruction of Control Logic for Programmable Logic Controller Forensics.

This paper presents Similo, an automated scalable framework for control logic forensics in industrial control systems. Similo is designed to investigate denial of engineering operations (DEO) attacks, recently demonstrated to hide malicious control logic in a programmable logic controller (PLC) at field sites from an engineering software (at control center). The network traffic (if captured) contains substantial evidence to investigate DEO attacks including manipulation of control logic. Laddis, a state-of-the-art forensic approach for DEO attacks, is a binary-logic decompiler for the Allen-Bradley’s RSLogix engineering software and MicroLogix 1400 PLC. It is developed with extensive manual reverse engineering effort of the underlying proprietary network protocol and the binary control logic. Unfortunately, Laddis is not scalable and requires similar efforts to extend on other engineering software/PLCs. The proposed solution, Similo, is based on the observation that engineering software of different vendors are equipped with decompilers. Similo is a virtual-PLC framework that integrates the decompilers with their respective (previously-captured) ICS network traffic of control logic. It recovers the binary logic into a high-level source code (of the programming languages defined by IEC 61131-3 standard) automatically. Similo can work with both proprietary/open protocols without requiring protocol specifications and the binary formats of control logic. Thus, it is scalable to different ICS vendors. We evaluate Similo on three PLCs of two ICS vendors, i.e. MicroLogix 1400, MicroLogix 1100, and Modicon M221. These PLCs support proprietary protocols and the control logics written in two programming languages: Ladder Logic and Instruction List. The evaluation results show that Similo can accurately reconstruct a control logic from an ICS network traffic and can be used to investigate the DEO attacks effectively.
Characteristics and Receipt of Medication Treatment Among Young Adults Who Experience a Nonfatal Opioid-Related Overdose.

Study objective Nonfatal opioid overdose represents an opportunity to engage young adults into using medication for opioid use disorder. We seek to describe characteristics of young adults who experience nonfatal overdose and estimate rates of and time to medication for opioid use disorder for young adults relative to those aged 26 to 45 years. Methods We conducted a cohort study using retrospective administrative data of 15,281 individuals aged 18 to 45 years who survived an opioid-related overdose in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2014, using deidentified, individual-level, linked data sets from Massachusetts government agencies. We described patient characteristics stratified by age (18 to 21, 22 to 25, and 26 to 45 years) and evaluated multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to compare rates of medication for opioid use disorder receipt, controlling for age, sex, history of mental health disorders, and addiction treatment. Results Among 4,268 young adults in the year after nonfatal overdose, 28% (n=336/1,209) of those aged 18 to 21, 36% (n=1,097/3,059) of those aged 22 to 25 years, and 36% (n=3,916/11,013) of those aged 26 to 45 years received medication for opioid use disorder. For individuals aged 18 to 21 and 22 to 25 years, median time to buprenorphine treatment was 4 months (interquartile range 1.7 to 1.8 months); to methadone treatment, 4 months (interquartile range 2.8 to 2.9 months); and to naltrexone treatment, 1 month (interquartile range 1 to 1 month). Individuals aged 18 to 21 years were less likely (adjusted hazard ratio 0.60 [95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.70]) to receive methadone than those aged 22 to 25 and 26 to 45 years. Individuals aged 18 to 21 years and those aged 22 to 25 years were more likely to receive naltrexone (adjusted hazard ratio 1.65 [95% confidence interval 1.36 to 2.00] and 1.41 [95% confidence interval 1.23 to 1.61], respectively) than those aged 26 to 45 years. Conclusion One in 3 young adults received medication for opioid use disorder in the 12 months after surviving an overdose. Type of medication for opioid use disorder received appeared to be age associated. Future research should focus on how medication choice is made and how to optimize the emergency department for medication for opioid use disorder initiation after nonfatal overdose.
How Western Michigan University is approaching its commitment to sustainability through sustainability-focused courses

Abstract Many Higher education institutions have committed to the integration of sustainability issues into their curriculum, but these commitments often do not result in the desired changes. Recognizing the importance of changes in the education system, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education set the goal that by the end of 2010, 10% of all courses offered in Higher education institutions in the United States will help students understand the concept of sustainability. As per requirements, Western Michigan University has created its own criteria for sustainability-focused courses and designated 53 courses as sustainability-focused. This research study investigates whether and how instructors are implementing sustainability education in these courses and the extent to which this follows the institutional sustainability education policy and its objectives. The qualitative study involved 16 instructors of 16 sustainability-focused courses. According to course syllabi none of the sustainability-focused courses fully met the Western Michigan University criteria for sustainability-focused courses. Less than half ( N = 7 ) of respondents were aware of the sustainability-focused status of their course and only a third ( N = 5 ) were aware of Western Michigan University sustainability education policy. All instructors indicated that their course had never been reviewed for sustainability content.
A novel location method for single-phase grounding fault in small current grounding distribution network based on difference of phase current fault component between fault and non-fault phases

Single-phase grounding fault is the most frequent fault in distribution network small current grounding systems. But the misjudgment ratios of existing location methods are always high, which influences the power distribution stability. This is due to a series of problems such as insignificant characteristics of steady-state electrical quantities and short duration of transient zero-sequence fault characteristics. After studying a typical fault characteristic called phase current fault component, the experiments show that when single-phase grounding fault occurs, the phase current fault component waveforms of fault and non-fault phases are significantly different in fault upstream sections. On the other hand, in downstream and non-fault sections, the waveforms are basically the same. With this conclusion, a new fault section location scheme for single-phase grounding fault in distribution networks is designed based on difference of phase current fault component between fault and non-fault phases. And the reliability and sensitivity of this method are proved under multiple conditions in the PSCAD simulation environment.
Exploring Regional Variations in “Socio-Spatial” Interaction and Geographic Homophily Using Location-Sharing Services Data

This chapter examines how and to what extent there are variations in sub-regional patterns of socio-spatial interaction using a novel methodology. The methodology uses bipartite network modeling combined with spatial statistical and geographically weighted regression analysis. It provides a statistically robust approach for studying regional variations in the relationship between social and spatial interaction at different distance thresholds. The study applies the methods to the Atlanta metropolitan area using a sample of location-sharing services data. While intended as an exploratory analysis, it does provide some evidence that the association between socialization and location behavior and related distance-decay effects are not uniform in space.
1+1 >2: Integration of the host-directed traditional chinese medicine and the virus-targeted modern medicine in control of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of infections and hundreds of thousands deaths in the world. The pandemic is still ongoing and no specific antivirals have been found to control COVID-19. The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine with supportive measures of Modern Medicine has reportedly played an important role in the control of COVID-19 in China. This review summarizes the evidence of TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 and discusses the plausible mechanism of TCM in control of COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases.
Laughter and smiling: sequential resources for managing delayed and disaligning responses

This paper investigates the use of laughter and smiling to manage (dis)affiliation during two types of disturbances in the interactional unfolding of classrooms: delayed and disaligning responses. ...
A Distributed Reinforcement Learning Yaw Control Approach for Wind Farm Energy Capture Maximization

In this paper, we present a reinforcement-learning-based distributed approach to wind farm energy capture maximization using yaw-based wake steering. In order to maximize the power output of a wind farm, individual turbines can use yaw misalignment to deflect their wakes away from downstream turbines. Although using model-based methods to achieve yaw misalignment is one option, a model-free method might be better suited to incorporate changing conditions and uncertainty. We propose an algorithm that adapts concepts of temporal difference reinforcement learning distributed to a multiagent environment that empowers individual turbines to optimize overall wind farm output and react to unforeseen disturbances.
Distribution and Prevalence of an Ectoparasitic Nematode, Noctuidonema guyanense, on Moths of The Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Tropical Americas

Moths of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), collected from locations extending from northern South America, the Caribbean basin, Central America, Mexico, Texas, to Florida, and Bermuda, were examined for Noctuidonema guyanense Remillet and Silvain, an ectoparasitic nematode of adult Lepidoptera. Noctuidonema was recovered from all locations where the fall armyworm was collected. This parasitic nematode was previously only known to occur in French Guiana and Guadeloupe. Parasitism was generally around 35%, but was variable at different locations ranging from nearly 0% to about 90%. Although the number of nematodes per moth varied among locations, mean infestation ranged from 30 to 40 specimens per host. Noctuidonema also was recovered from the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), a host on which it previously had not been known to occur.