cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Building Peak Load Management With High Resolution Weather Data

Dense urban environments are exposed to the combined effects of rising global temperatures and urban heat islands. This combination is resulting in increasing trends of energy consumption in cities, associated mostly with air conditioning to maintain indoor human comfort conditions. During periods of extreme summer weather, electrical usage usually reaches peak loads, stressing the electrical grid. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of available, high resolution weather data by effectively preparing a building for peak load management.The subject of study is a 14 floor, 620,782 sq ft building located in uptown Manhattan, New York City (40.819257 N, −73.949288 W). To precisely quantify thermal loads of the buildings for the summer conditions; a single building energy model (SBEM), the US Department of Energy EnergyPlus™ was used. The SBEM was driven by a weather file built from weather data of the urbanized weather forecasting model (uWRF), a high resolution weather model coupled to a building energy model. The SBEM configuration and simulations were calibrated with winter actual gas and electricity data using 2010 as the benchmark year. In order to show the building peak load management, demand response techniques and technologies were implemented. The methods used to prepare the building included generator usage during high peak loads and use of a thermal storage system. An ensemble of cases was analyzed using current practice, use of high resolution weather data, and use of building preparation technologies. Results indicated an average summer peak savings of more than 30% with high resolution weather data.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Superconductivity in the transition metal carbides: Mo4.8Si3C0.6,Mo0.95Hf0.05C0.75 and Mo2C

Abstract The superconducting transition temperatures of the following carbides Mo 4.8 Si 3 C 0.6 (Nowotny phase, hexagonal, D8 8 -type), Mo 0.95 Hf 0.05 C 0.75 (cubic, Bl type) and Mo 2 C (orthorhombic) were found to be 7.6°, 14.2° and 12.2°K respectively. The carbon-centered molybdenum-atom octahedron which is the common crystallographic characteristic of these materials, is believed to be primarily responsible for superconductivity. The role of nonstoichiometry (carbon deficiency) in the superconducting behavior of the carbides and in particular of Mo 2 C is discussed. The possibility of obtaining new superconductors among complex ternary and quarternary transition metal phases with the β-Mn, E9 3 , E2 1 and Cr 2 AlC structure types is discussed on the basis of their crystallo-chemical similarities with the carbides studied.
Light-Triggered Charge Reversal of Organic–Silica Hybrid Nanoparticles

A functional nanoparticle with light-triggered charge reversal based on a protected amine-bridged polysilsesquioxane was designed. An emulsion- and amine-free sol–gel synthesis was developed to prepare uniform nanospheres. Photolysis of suspensions of these nanoparticles results in a reversal of the ζ potential. This behavior has been used to trigger nanoparticle self-assembly, nanocomposite hydrogel formation, and nanoparticle release, showing the potential of this material in nanoscale manipulation and nanoparticle therapy.
Monograph of a New Neotropical Mutillid Genus, Pappognatha (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

The Mutillid species discussed herein have formerly been included in Iloplomutilla Ashmead, = Tilhima Andre, or have been included with a list of species incertis sedis . The generic name, Pappognatha , is proposed for these species because the mandibles in both sexes are entirely tomentose, except for their extreme tips. No other New World Mutillidae known to me have the mandibles clothed in this manner. Some of the species of females have formerly been assigned to Iloplomutilla Ashmead on account of their large quadrate heads, their diskiform first abdominal segment, and their bimaculate second abdominal segment, all of which give them a superficial resemblance to Ashmead's genus. During the course of a revisional study of Iloplomutilla it was noticed that the females here included all had tomentose mandibles and all had a pyriform thorax unlike that of Iloplomutilla females; this led to a search for other generic characters which resulted in the diagnosis which follows. Tentatively grouping these females as a new genus, the question immediately arose as to what the males might be like. Cresson (1902) described Mutilla carmo , a male from Santarem, Brazil. It has never been definitely assigned to any New World genus. The type of Cresson's species was examined and found to have tomentose mandibles, a diskiform first abdominal segment and other characters which leave no doubt that carmo Cresson represents the male sex of this genus.
Scavenging, the stag hunt, and the evolution of language

This article evaluates Derek Bickerton's 2009 theory of language evolution. Bickerton argues that language was the result of a need to recruit individuals to help in the scavenging of carcasses of megafauna. The signals used for recruitment at the earliest stage of language evolution were iconic and could be used to refer to objects outside the sensory range of the receiver(s). Bickerton's scenario is an example of what is described in game theory as a stag hunt. We can, by recasting Bickerton's scenario as a stag hunt, identify criteria that any account of the transition to language must satisfy. There are several hurdles we would need to jump over to demonstrate that Bickerton's model is valid. First, not much is known about early hominin scavenging. While the available evidence is compatible with Bickerton's scenario, it is compatible with other scenarios as well. Second, Bickerton argues that, at the initial stage of language evolution, signals were grounded in salient aspects of the environment. The empirical support for natural salience as a determinant of the communication systems used at the earliest stages of language evolution is mixed at best; communication systems can arise spontaneously in the absence of natural salience. Third, maintaining communication systems is nontrivial because of the incentive to deceive.
Investigation of titanium nitride films prepared by ion-beam-assisted deposition at high Ar + /Ti ratio

Titanium nitride films were prepared by reactive ion beam assisted deposition (RIBAD) with Ar + /Ti ratios ranging from 1.0 to 2.3. The compositions, phases and textures of these films were studied by AES and XRD as a function of Ar + /Ti ratio and nitrogen partial pressure. The results indicate that the IBAD titanium nitride films deposited at high Ar + /Ti ratio and low nitrogen partial pressure may have reduced nitrogen concentration, (200) preferred orientation, and possibly contain the Ti 2 N phase.
Comparison of the diagnostic yield and outcomes between standard 8 h capsule endoscopy and the new 12 h capsule endoscopy for investigating small bowel pathology

AIM: To evaluate the completion rate and diagnostic yield of the PillCam SB2-ex in comparison to the PillCam SB2. METHODS: Two hundred cases using the 8-h PillCam SB2 were retrospectively compared to 200 cases using the 12 h PillCam SB2-ex at a tertiary academic center. Endoscopically placed capsules were excluded from the study. Demographic information, indications for capsule endoscopy, capsule type, study length, completion of exam, clinically significant findings, timestamp of most distant finding, and significant findings beyond 8 h were recorded. RESULTS: The 8 and 12 h capsule groups were well matched respectively for both age (70.90 ± 14.19 vs 71.93 ± 13.80, P = 0.46) and gender (45.5% vs 48% male, P = 0.69). The most common indications for the procedure in both groups were anemia and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. PillCam SB2-ex had a significantly higher completion rate than PillCam SB2 (88% vs 79.5%, P = 0.03). Overall, the diagnostic yield was greater for the 8 h capsule (48.5% for SB2 vs 35% for SB2-ex, P = 0.01). In 4/70 (5.7%) of abnormal SB2-ex exams the clinically significant finding was noted in the small bowel beyond the 8 h mark. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found the PillCam SB2-ex to have a significantly increased completion rate, though without any improvement in diagnostic yield compared to the PillCam SB2.
163 LIGAMENT ENGINEERING: CHARACTERISTICS OF BETA FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR RELEASE FROM A BIOENGINEERED SCAFFOLD.

The anterior cruciate ligament is a commonly injured ligament of the knee in which ligament reconstruction with a graft is necessary due to its limited healing capacity. With limitations on the existing graft alternatives, we aim to engineer a ligament using a donor9s bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Recently, our laboratory reported synergism between biomechanical and biochemical stimulation (bFGF) resulting in up-regulation of gene expression of stress-resistant collagen I and stress-responsive collagen III and tenascin-C. However, it was unclear if this observation was due to true synergism between mechanical and biochemical signal transduction pathways or due to enhanced release kinetics of the bFGF. The objective of this project is to determine the effects of mechanical stimulation on the release kinetics of bFGF in the presence of a complex biologic environment (cells, media, etc.). Microporous scaffolds were constructed from biodegradable polycaprolactone polymers, loaded with 400 ng I-125-labeled bFGF per scaffold and seeded with BMSCs harvested from rats. Release of bFGF was quantified by measuring radioactivity from I-125-labeled bFGF on either strained (6%) or unstrained scaffolds. After 10 hours, approximately 30% of the bFGF was burst-released from the scaffolds, 10% of bFGF was released after 6 days, and approximately 60% remained on the scaffolds. Mechanical stimulation did not affect the release of bFGF within this complex biologic environment. In summary, we have established and characterized a controlled release system to deliver bFGF to cells seeded within microporous scaffolds and subjected to biomechanical stimulation. Given that the release kinetics are not influenced by mechanical stimulation, this system allows us to uncouple the effects of mechanical stimulation and growth factor delivery in future experiments. This finding also encourages the investigation of common signal transduction pathways that may be involved in the observed synergism between biomechanical and biochemical stimulation.
Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain

The use of PCA for the treatment of pain is a valuable and growing practice. The technique for PCA initiation and management has been described. This mode of therapy should be in the therapeutic armamentarium of every clinician managing postoperative pain because PCA provides better analgesia than conventional IM or IV narcotic therapy and is generally associated with fewer side effects.
Learning about 30-day readmissions from patients with repeated hospitalizations.

OBJECTIVES To examine the population of inpatients with multiple hospitalizations at a large urban medical center in order to understand the types of patients who are at highest risk for 30-day readmission. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive retrospective cohort analysis using hospital administrative data. METHODS Bivariate analysis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of 19,049 adult inpatients discharged with a medical MS-DRG between July 1, 2009, and December 2010, and all subsequent inpatient admissions in the 180 days following each index discharge. RESULTS Patients with 6 or more stays (very frequent readmissions) represented 0.8% of patients and 17.3% of 30-day readmissions. Those with 3 to 5 stays (frequent readmissions) comprised 9.4% of patients and 54.3% of 30-day readmissions. These patients differed significantly from those who had fewer hospitalizations with respect to age, race/ethnicity, gender, English proficiency, and insurance type. CONCLUSIONS Most 30-day readmissions are experienced by patients who have multiple, frequent hospital admissions. Efforts to reduce readmissions must look beyond the current focus on a single hospital discharge and transition period.
Theory as Noir: a cartoon version of an academic article

Expanding on the growing movement to take academic and other erudite subjugated knowledges and distill them into some graphic form, this “cartoon” is a recounting of the author’s 2014 article, “Big Data, Actionable Information, Scientific Knowledge and the Goal of Control,” Teknokultura, Vol. 11/no. 3, pp. 529-54. It is an analysis of the idea of Big Data and an argument that its power relies on its instrumentalist specificity and not its extent. Mind control research in general and optogenetics in particular are the case study. Noir seems an appropriate aesthetic for this analysis, so direct quotes from the article are illustrated by publically available screen shots from iconic and unknown films of the 20th century. The only addition to the original article is a framing insight from the admirable activist network CrimethInc.
Inorganic pyrophosphate metabolism in arthritis

Once thought of as a biosynthetic waste product, over the last 2 decades PPi has become understood as an entity with a variety of biologic roles (see Table 1). Documented roles include participation in intracellular Ca++ traffic, mediation of nucleotide and iron transport, storage of molecules in cellular granules, modification of enzyme function, and modulation of mineralization. Much has been established regarding plasma, urine, and synovial fluid levels (see Fig. 1) and urinary excretion in health and disease. Derangements in intracellular PPi content of skin fibroblasts have been noted in patients with CPPD deposition arthropathy (see Table 2). Mechanisms by which elevated PPi concentration develops in synovial fluid from joints with CPPD deposition and related arthropathies have come under scrutiny. The chondrocyte is now recognized as the probable cellular source of intra-articular extracellular PPi (see Figs. 3 and 4). Special attention has been focused on two basic pathways by which chondrocytes could generate extracellular PPi (see Fig. 2). In the first mechanism, chondrocytes demonstrate a set of ectoenzymes which could work in concert to directly produce extracellular PPi. The second pathway involves the major reactions by which PPi is formed within the cell and how intracellular PPi thus formed could be transported into the extracellular space. Much future research is needed regarding these two pathways and their relative importance in the pathogenesis of CPPD crystal deposition and related arthropathies.
Drugs and stimulus control: generalization, discrimination and threshold procedures

Publisher Summary This chapter describes generalization, discrimination, and threshold procedures in drugs and stimulus control. The concept of stimulus control is closely related to the concepts of discrimination and generalization. For a piece of music or any other stimulus to control behavior, the subject must sense the presence of the stimulus, process that information in a way that associates the stimulus and response, and emit the response. The chapter discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the basic behavioral paradigms used to establish stimulus control and measure drug effects on stimulus control. It analyzes the influence of various experimental independent variables on drug effects. The principal independent variables in experiments evaluating drug effects on the stimulus control of the behavior are pharmacological variables such as the type of drug, and dose and route of administration. However, stimulus control experiments also share a number of other independent variables, such as the characteristics of the subject, the nature of the stimuli controlling responding, and the nature of the responses. The chapter presents the signal detection analysis and analysis of response repetition as tools that can be useful in the analysis of drug effects on stimulus control.
Exocytosis of Varicella-Zoster Virus Virions Involves a Convergence of Endosomal and Autophagy Pathways

UNLABELLED Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an extremely cell-associated herpesvirus with limited egress of viral particles. The induction of autophagy in VZV-infected monolayers is easily detectable; inhibition of autophagy leads to decreased VZV glycoprotein biosynthesis and diminished viral titers. To explain how autophagic flux could exert a proviral effect on the VZV infectious cycle, we postulated that the VZV exocytosis pathway following secondary envelopment may converge with the autophagy pathway. This hypothesis depended on known similarities between VZV gE and autophagy-related (Atg) Atg9/Atg16L1 trafficking pathways. Investigations were carried out with highly purified fractions of VZV virions. When the virion fraction was tested for the presence of autophagy and endosomal proteins, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (MAP1LC3B) and Ras-like GTPase 11 (Rab11) were detected. By two-dimensional (2D) and 3D imaging after immunolabeling, both proteins also colocalized with VZV gE in a proportion of cytoplasmic vesicles. When purified VZV virions were enumerated after immunoelectron microscopy, gold beads were detected on viruses following incubation with antibodies to VZV gE (∼100%), Rab11 (50%), and LC3B (30%). Examination of numerous electron micrographs demonstrated that enveloped virions were housed in single-membraned vesicles; viral particles were not observed in autophagosomes. Taken together, our data suggested that some viral particles after secondary envelopment accumulated in a heterogeneous population of single-membraned vesicular compartments, which were decorated with components from both the endocytic pathway (Rab11) and the autophagy pathway (LC3B). The latter cytoplasmic viral vesicles resembled an amphisome. IMPORTANCE VZV infection leads to increased autophagic flux, while inhibition of autophagy leads to a marked reduction in virus spread. In this investigation of the proviral role of autophagy, we found evidence for an intersection of viral exocytosis and autophagy pathways. Specifically, both LC3-II and Rab11 proteins copurified with some infectious VZV particles. The results suggested that a subpopulation of VZV particles were carried to the cell surface in single-walled vesicles with attributes of an amphisome, an organelle formed from the fusion of an endosome and an autophagosome. Our results also addressed the interpretation of autophagy/xenophagy results with mutated herpes simplex virus lacking its ICP34.5 neurovirulence gene (HSVΔ34.5). The VZV genome lacks an ICP34.5 ortholog, yet we found no evidence of VZV particles housed in a double-membraned autophagosome. In other words, xenophagy, a degradative process documented after infection with HSVΔ34.5, was not observed in VZV-infected cells.
Neodymium isotopes in authigenic phases, bottom waters and detrital sediments in the Gulf of Alaska and their implications for paleo-circulation reconstruction

Abstract The isotopic composition of neodymium (eNd) extracted from sedimentary Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide offers potential for reconstructing paleo-circulation, but its application depends on extraction methodology and the mechanisms that relate authigenic eNd to bottom water. Here we test methods to extract authigenic eNd from Gulf of Alaska (GOA) sediments and assess sources of leachate Nd, including potential contamination from trace dispersed volcanic ash. We show that one dominant phase is extracted via leaching of core-top sediments. Major and trace element geochemistry demonstrate that this phase is authigenic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide. Contamination of leachate (authigenic) Nd from detrital sources is insignificant (
The Jeffrey Mine: In Asbestos, Quebec, Canada

(1980). The Jeffrey Mine: In Asbestos, Quebec, Canada. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 55, No. 5, pp. 188-191.
The impact of follower narcissism and LMX perceptions on feeling envied and job performance

AbstractFeeling envied is often an unfortunate consequence of excelling at one’s job. Despite much evidence that envied employees are the targets of resentment and hostility, little is known regarding the antecedents and consequences of feeling envied in the workplace. The current study addresses (1) the effect of employee narcissism on feeling envied, (2) the interactive effect of narcissism and leader-member-exchange (LMX) on feeling envied, and (3) the relationship between feeling envied and performance. Hypotheses were tested using a sample of 20 locations of a restaurant chain (N = 184) and were supported. Specifically, narcissism positively affects feeling envied, which in turn negatively affects performance. Simple slopes analyses indicate that high narcissism and high LMX result in the highest levels of feeling envied while low narcissism and high LMX result in the lowest levels of feeling envied.
RAPID RISE IN INSULIN SECRETION AFTER ENERGY DRINK INTAKE IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background: Energy drink consumption is increasing sharply among young adults. While attention has focused on their effects on cardiovascular risk, little is known about their metabolic consequences. We examined the effects of energy drink on insulin secretion. Methods: We studied 24 healthy
Real-time network traffic classification technique for wireless local area networks based on compressed sensing

Network traffic or data traffic in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is the amount of network packets moving across a wireless network from each wireless node to another wireless node, which provide the load of sampling in a wireless network. WLAN’s Network traffic is the main component for network traffic measurement, network traffic control and simulation. Traffic classification technique is an essential tool for improving the Quality of Service (QoS) in different wireless networks in the complex applications such as local area networks, wireless local area networks, wireless personal area networks, wireless metropolitan area networks, and wide area networks. Network traffic classification is also an essential component in the products for QoS control in different wireless network systems and applications. Classifying network traffic in a WLAN allows to see what kinds of traffic we have in each part of the network, organize the various kinds of network traffic in each path into different classes in each path, and generate network traffic matrix in order to Identify and organize network traffic which is an important key for improving the QoS feature. To achieve effective network traffic classification, Real-time Network Traffic Classification (RNTC) algorithm for WLANs based on Compressed Sensing (CS) is presented in this paper. The fundamental goal of this algorithm is to solve difficult wireless network management problems. The proposed architecture allows reducing False Detection Rate (FDR) to 25% and Packet Delay (PD) to 15 %. The proposed architecture is also increased 10 % accuracy of wireless transmission, which provides a good background for establishing high quality wireless local area networks.
Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Complications in a High-Risk, Racially and Ethnically Diverse Population

Abstract Background: Evidence used to guide the current Institute of Medicine (IOM) gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations is largely derived from studies of European descent, and as such th...
Live Cell Multiphoton Microscopy of Atherosclerotic Plaques in Mouse Aortas

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with both innate and adaptive immune components. Various static methods have been applied to investigate mechanisms of atherosclerosis development. However, they did not allow for monitoring dynamic changes in leukocyte behavior in normal and atherosclerotic aortas. Live cell imaging is necessary to study dynamic or transient leukocyte functions relevant to disease pathology, such as antigen presentation, cell migration, and cell-cell interaction. We developed a protocol for ex vivo multiphoton microscopy of atherosclerotic aortas and used it to demonstrate that antigen presentation may occur within the arterial wall. Aortas are harvested from transgenic reporter mice with fluorescent myeloid cells and then incubated with labeled T cells. The cells are imaged with a multiphoton microscope, while a superfusion system maintains the explant in physiologic condition. Cells are tracked from the videos, and their motion is quantified. This system was used to demonstrate antigen presentation in the arterial wall in the context of atherosclerosis.
The relationship between parental educational level and academic success of college freshmen

This study determined the difference in the level of academic potential/achievement across five populations of freshmen during an academic school year at Iowa State University. It examined students whose parents' highest education was: (1) high school diploma, (2) one or two years of college, (3) two-year associate or technical degree, (4) four-year degree, and (5) graduate or professional degree. Other factors that might impinge on student academic achievement are: poverty, socioeconomic status, and family structure/or marital status. The study investigated whether students whose parents attained higher levels of education beyond the high school diploma were more successful academically than students whose parents did not. Eleven factors were used to analyze the relationship between parent educational level, and student academic achievement and performance. The findings of the study indicated that parent educational level, family structure/marital status, and income range have a positive influence on their student's academic potential and achievement. Students whose parents had higher educational levels performed higher on standardized tests than parents with lower educational levels. The results from this research showed that socioeconomic factors weigh heavily on the potential and academic achievement of first-time freshmen at Iowa State University.
The impact of physical and mental activity on cognitive aging.

With the aging of the population, there is continued emphasis on finding interventions that prevent or delay onset of cognitive disorders of aging. Pharmacological interventions have proven less effective than hoped in this capacity and a greater emphasis has therefore been placed on understanding behavioral interventions that will positively impact dementia risk. Building on a robust animal literature, a substantial volume of research has emerged, particularly over the last 5 years, to suggest that modifiable behaviors impact brain plasticity in both humans and animals. This chapter aims to provide a critical summary of this ever growing body of research, focusing specifically on participation in physical and cognitive activities among older adults and their impact on cognition, the brain, and cognitive aging outcomes. The animal literature on activity and cognition provides a series of hypotheses as to how exercise exerts its cognitive and brain benefits. Research in animals is briefly reviewed in the context of these hypotheses as it provides the groundwork for investigations in humans. The literature on physical and cognitive activity benefits to brain and cognition in humans is reviewed in more detail. The largely positive impact of physical and cognitive activities on cognition and brain health documented in epidemiological, cross sectional, and prospective randomized controlled studies are summarized. While most studies have targeted older adults in general, the implications of exercise and cognitive interventions in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are also described as is the evidence supporting the ability for physical activity to modify genetic risk. The connection between activity levels and brain volume, white matter integrity, and improved functionality is reviewed. Practical recommendations regarding the nature, duration, intensity and age of onset of physical or mental activity necessary to reap cognitive and brain benefits are also detailed. Most studies have investigated a singular behavioral factor or intervention, but there is some research detailing the impact of combining both mental and physical activity to boost brain health; this emerging literature is also reviewed. Finally, we comment on the limitations of the extant literature and directions for future research, in particular the need for prospective trials of activity interventions in older adults.
Quantitative Analysis of Agrammatism in Agrammatic Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dominant Apraxia of Speech

Purpose The aims of the study were to assess and compare grammatical deficits in written and spoken language production in subjects with agrammatic primary progressive aphasia (agPPA) and in subjec...
Policing, Databases and Surveillance: Five Regulatory Categories

Databases are full of personal information that law enforcement might find useful. Government access to these databases can be divided into five categories: suspect-driven; profile-driven; event-driven; program-driven and volunteer-driven. This paper recommends that, in addition to any restrictions imposed by the Fourth Amendment (which currently are minimal), each type of access should be subject to its own regulatory regime. Suspect-driven access should depend on justification proportionate to the intrusion. Profile-driven access should likewise abide by a proportionality principle but should also be subject to transparency, vetting, and universality restrictions. Event-driven access should be cabined by the time and place of the event. Program-driven access should be authorized by legislation and by regulations publicly arrived-at and evenly applied. Information maintained by institutional fiduciaries should not be volunteered unless necessary to forestall an ongoing or imminent serious wrong.
THE LEGAL ISSUES IN DEFINING THE DOMAIN OF LEGAL PROTECTION OF NONDUM CONCEPTUS

Legal science and practice has long been interested in the protection of an unborn life, both the one conceived in vivo, naturally, and the one conceived in vitro, by means of artificial insemination. Due to the rapid development of biomedical technology, we are becoming increasingly familiar with risk factors for a child’s existence that could leave it with physical and psychological consequences, such as serious genetic diseases or infectious diseases that a mother could transfer to her child through her blood at the very moment of conception. Since such risk factors can be prevented only before conception, the only way to preclude potential damage is to consider the child’s interests before it is conceived. That is why it is important to establish the status of an unconceived person, nondum conceptus. Even though it exists as one of three legally recognized stages in relation to the occurrence of a person’s legal capacity, there are numerous dilemmas about what this subject actually represents, its characteristics and how it functions within the law. The author concludes that the status of nondum conceptus requires analysis beyond the existing limits of the traditional comprehension of natural persons’ legal capacity and that it also calls for defining new concepts and constructs for subjects such as unconceived humans.
CHAPTER 270 – History of Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors comprise a group of intracellular proteins found either in the cytosol, weakly bound in the nucleus, or both, that, in combination with small molecule ligands, bind tightly in the nucleus, recruit appropriate cofactors, and regulate transcription in target genes. Included in this “superfamily” are receptors for the steroid hormones (estrogens, progestins, androgens, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, ecdysteroids, vitamin D), for thyroid hormone and retinoids, and for an ever-increasing number of “orphan” receptors, which show structural similarity to the other receptors but for which ligands are only now being gradually identified. This chapter focuses on the earlier studies with estrogens that provide the general model, with a brief summary of more recent discoveries that have expanded current understanding.
Live Usability Testing of Two Complex Clinical Decision Support Tools: Observational Study

Background: Potential of the electronic health records (EHR) and clinical decision support (CDS) systems to improve the practice of medicine has been tempered by poor design and the resulting burden they place on providers. CDS is rarely tested in the real clinical environment. As a result, many tools are hard to use, placing strain on providers and resulting in low adoption rates. The existing CDS usability literature relies primarily on expert opinion and provider feedback via survey. This is the first study to evaluate CDS usability and the provider-computer-patient interaction with complex CDS in the real clinical environment. Objective: This study aimed to further understand the barriers and facilitators of meaningful CDS usage within a real clinical context. Methods: This qualitative observational study was conducted with 3 primary care providers during 6 patient care sessions. In patients with the chief complaint of sore throat, a CDS tool built with the Centor Score was used to stratify the risk of group A Streptococcus pharyngitis. In patients with a chief complaint of cough or upper respiratory tract infection, a CDS tool built with the Heckerling Rule was used to stratify the risk of pneumonia. During usability testing, all human-computer interactions, including audio and continuous screen capture, were recorded using the Camtasia software. Participants’ comments and interactions with the tool during clinical sessions and participant comments during a postsession brief interview were placed into coding categories and analyzed for generalizable themes. Results: In the 6 encounters observed, primary care providers toggled between addressing either the computer or the patient during the visit. Minimal time was spent listening to the patient without engaging the EHR. Participants mostly used the CDS tool with the patient, asking questions to populate the calculator and discussing the results of the risk assessment; they reported the ability to do this as the major benefit of the tool. All providers were interrupted during their use of the CDS tool by the need to refer to other sections of the chart. In half of the visits, patients’ clinical symptoms challenged the applicability of the tool to calculate the risk of bacterial infection. Primary care providers rarely used the incorporated incentives for CDS usage, including progress notes and patient instructions. Conclusions: Live usability testing of these CDS tools generated insights about their role in the patient-provider interaction. CDS may contribute to the interaction by being simultaneously viewed by the provider and patient. CDS can improve usability and lessen the strain it places on providers by being short, flexible, and customizable to unique provider workflow. A useful component of CDS is being as widely applicable as possible and ensuring that its functions represent the fastest way to perform a particular task.
Behavioral responses of larvae of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Brachyura: Xanthidae) during diel vertical migration

Larval Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) show nocturnal vertical migration. Larval behavioral responses to different rates of increase and decrease in light intensity were measured in an apparatus with a natural angular light distribution. A central objective was to establish whether phototaxis actually participates in vertical migration. At sunset the level of light adaptation controlled the readiness of the larvae to migrate, while an ascent was initiated by a preductable relative decrease in intensity (e.g. 4.0x10-3s-1). Rates of relative decrease around sunset would evoke continuous upward swimming. Gravity was the orienting cue and there was no change in swimming speed during the ascent. At sunrise, the larval descent was initiated by exposure to an absolute light intensity of about 0.23 log unit above the lower visual threshold. Light served as an orienting cue, as larvae descended by a negative phototaxis. Thus, phototaxis is not a laboratory artifact and does participate in vertical migration. A consideration of behavioral responses of other crustacean zooplankton indicates there is considerable variation in the initiating and directing cues for vertical movements. The variety of behavioral responses of R. harrisii suggests that a synthesis of hypotheses about migration may provide the proper basis for explaining the mechanisms underlying diel vertical migration.
Adaptive guidance and integrated navigation with reinforcement meta-learning

Abstract This paper proposes a novel adaptive guidance system developed using reinforcement meta-learning with a recurrent policy and value function approximator. The use of recurrent network layers allows the deployed policy to adapt in real time to environmental forces acting on the agent. We compare the performance of the DR/DV guidance law, an RL agent with a non-recurrent policy, and an RL agent with a recurrent policy in four challenging environments with unknown but highly variable dynamics. These tasks include a safe Mars landing with random engine failure and a landing on an asteroid with unknown environmental dynamics. We also demonstrate the ability of a RL meta-learning optimized policy to implement a guidance law using observations consisting of only Doppler radar altimeter readings in a Mars landing environment, and LIDAR altimeter readings in an asteroid landing environment thus integrating guidance and navigation.
Multi-mission, Interactive 3D Visualization in a Web Browser for Robotic System and Space Flight Mission Development and Operations

Leveraging on our experience developing engineering accurate, interactive 3D visualization systems for robotic system and flight mission formulation, development and operations, our team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has built a high performance, interactive 3D visualization system called Ranger, that runs in a web browser and has been designed for use during the entire mission life-cycle. This includes mission formulation through operations, robotic system research, flight mission design and development, simulation test-bed experiments and in-the-field testing. Our Ranger system not only provides robotic missions with a to-scale situational awareness visualization capability, but also an interactive commanding tool whereby user interactions in the web browser can be communicated back through the system to robotic system or spacecraft control software. In this paper we will discuss the Ranger system architecture, rendering performance, current use cases and deployments, system development challenges, as well as a newly implemented fully immersive VR system capability.
Potential impact of OPTN plan in association with donors’ factors on survival times of transplanted kidneys

Abstract The standing Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) committee formed in July 2003 to systematically ensure that OPTN policies and systems provide for efficient, effective, and measurable organ allocation and distribution, with the aims of (1) increasing the utility of donated organs, (2) providing for the health and safety of transplant patients, while (3) instilling public trust in the national transplant system. We investigated the potential impact of OPTN plan established in 2003. Cox Proportional Hazard, Kaplan Meier, and ANOVA are used for survival analysis of the transplanted kidneys between 1987 and 2010 with regard to OPTN plan and donors’ factors. We have observed a decrease in the proportion of failed transplanted kidneys between 2003 and 2010 in comparison with previous time intervals. The observed decrease in the proportion of the failed transplanted kidneys between 2003 and 2010 could be potentially associated with OPTN plan. The results show that the increase in the number of kidney transplants between 2003 and 2010 could also potentially be associated with the OPTN committee plan.
Interindividual Differences in DNA Adduct Formation and Detoxification of 1,3-Butadiene Derived Epoxide in Human Hapmap Cell Lines

Smoking-induced lung cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality in the US and worldwide. While 11-24% of smokers will develop lung cancer, risk varies among individuals and ethnic/racial groups. Specifically, African American and Native Hawaiian cigarette smokers are more likely to get lung cancer as compared to Caucasians, Japanese Americans, and Latinos. It is important to identify smokers who are at the greatest risk of developing lung cancer as they should be candidates for smoking cessation and chemopreventive intervention programs. Among 60+ tobacco smoke carcinogens, 1,3-butadiene (BD) is one of the most potent and abundant (20-75 μg per cigarette in mainstream smoke and 205-361 μg per cigarette in side stream smoke). BD is metabolically activated to 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), which can be detoxified by glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1)-mediated conjugation with glutathione, or can react with DNA to form 7-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl)guanine (EB-GII) adducts. In the present study, we employed EBV-transformed human lymphoblastoid cell lines (HapMap cells) with known GSTT1 genotypes to examine the influence of the GSTT1 gene on interindividual variability in butadiene metabolism, DNA adduct formation/repair, and biological outcomes (apoptosis). We found that GSTT1- HapMap cells treated with EB in culture produced lower levels of glutathione conjugates and were more susceptible to apoptosis but had similar numbers of EB-GII adducts as GSTT1+ cells. Our results suggest that GSTT1 can influence an individual's susceptibility to butadiene-derived epoxides.
'Much To Deliver In Your Honour'S Ear': Angelo Notari'S Work In Intelligence, 1616–1623

It has long been surmised that the Paduan singer, lutenist and composer Angelo Notari (1566–1663) was employed as a spy after immigrating to England circa 1610. In examining Venetian counterintelligence papers previously neglected by musicologists, I here confirm that Notari was indeed an intelligencer. More specifically, he was a paid informant for the Venetian State Inquisitors between 1616 and 1619 and participated in a contentious international trial concerning the Venetian ambassador to England, Antonio Foscarini. I argue that Notari's work as a musician was inextricable from his identity as an intelligencer and former Venetian citizen and demonstrate that Italian musicians in Jacobean London significantly influenced international diplomatic relations. By identifying intersections between the two highly social practices of music-making and intelligence-gathering, I encourage greater musicological attention to political networks that transmitted music across borders and, conversely, musical networks that transmitted political intelligence. I thus situate seventeenth-century musical transculturation within its broader diplomatic, confessional and economic contexts.
Functional morphology, diversity, and evolution of yolk processing specializations in embryonic reptiles and birds

Evolution of the terrestrial, amniotic egg of vertebrates required new mechanisms by which yolk material could be processed for embryonic use. Recent studies on each of the major extant reptile groups have revealed elaborate morphological specializations for yolk processing, features that differ dramatically from those of birds. In the avian pattern, liquid yolk is housed in a yolk sac whose endodermal lining absorbs and digests yolk material and sends resultant nutrients into the blood circulation. In snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians, as documented herein, the yolk sac becomes invaded by endodermal cells that proliferate and phagocytose yolk material. Blood vessels then invade, and the endodermal cells become arranged around them, forming elongated "spaghetti-like" strands that fill the yolk sac cavity. This pattern provides an effective means by which yolk material is cellularized, digested, and transported by vitelline vessels to the developing embryo. Phylogenetically, the (non-avian) "reptilian" pattern was ancestral for sauropsids and was modified or replaced in ancestors to birds. This review postulates that evolution of the "avian" pattern involved increased reliance on extracellular digestion of yolk, allowing embryonic development to occur more rapidly than in typical reptiles. Comparative studies of yolk processing that draw on morphological, biochemical, molecular approaches are needed to explain how and why the "reptilian" pattern was replaced in birds or their archosaurian ancestors.
An Unusual Case of Ventricular Tachycardia in a Young Patient Associated with Cannabis Use.

Marijuana has become the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. Approximately 43.5 million Americans aged 12 or above have reported the use of marijuana in the last year. The use of cannabinoids and its relationship with cardiac effects are not well known. Many types of arrhythmias have been noted with the use of cannabis products with atrial fibrillation being the most common arrhythmia associated with the use of cannabis. We present a case of a 36-year-old male who presented with pounding chest pain, dyspnea, and diaphoresis following marijuana use. He was found to be in ventricular tachycardia which responded to amiodarone. Workup done was negative for any structural disease, and cardiac catheterization was negative for coronary artery disease. He was ultimately discharged on metoprolol. In this report, we focus on how marijuana can be associated with many arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia with focus on mechanisms by which it can occur. We believe a detailed social history with screening for cannabis use can identify more cases of arrhythmias that can be potentially associated with marijuana use.
Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease

Mutations in more than 35 human genes cause inherited peripheral nerve diseases that are collectively called Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). CMT with a prevalence of 1 out of 2500 people is among the most common inherited neurological disorders. A majority of patients with CMT present with chronic distal muscle weakness, sensory loss in feet and hands, and foot deformities that result in disabilities. Clinical similarities among patients demand molecular and genetic tools to reach a precise diagnosis. In this article, the authors will review the clinical, electrodiagnostic, genetic, and pathological features of CMT.
Procedures for Reliable Cultural Model Analysis Using Semi-structured Interviews:

To identify the dominant cultural models among parents transmitting faith to their children, we find few methodological guidelines to guide coding and analysis of semi-structured interviews. We thu...
Diverse Roles of Mitochondria in Renal Injury from Environmental Toxicants and Therapeutic Drugs

Mitochondria are well-known to function as the primary sites of ATP synthesis in most mammalian cells, including the renal proximal tubule. Other functions have also been associated with different mitochondrial activities, including the regulation of redox status and the initiation of mitophagy and apoptosis. Mechanisms for the membrane transport of glutathione (GSH) and various GSH-derived metabolites across the mitochondrial inner membrane of renal proximal tubular cells are critical determinants of these functions and may serve as pharmacological targets for potential therapeutic approaches. Specific interactions of reactive intermediates, derived from drug metabolism, with molecular components in mitochondria have been identified as early steps in diverse forms of chemically-induced nephrotoxicity. Applying this key observation, we developed a novel hypothesis regarding the identification of early, sensitive, and specific biomarkers of exposure to nephrotoxicants. The underlying concept is that upon exposure to a diverse array of environmental contaminants, as well as therapeutic drugs whose efficacy is limited by nephrotoxicity, renal mitochondria will release both high- and low-molecular-weight components into the urine or the extracellular medium in an in vitro model. The detection of these components may then serve as indicators of exposure before irreversible renal injury has occurred.