cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Radiation Safety in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: A practical approach

Reducing radiation exposure during cardiovascular catheterization is of paramount importance for both patient and staff safety. Over the years, advances in equipment and application of radiation safety protocols have significantly reduced patient dose and operator exposure. This review examines the current status of radiation protection in the cardiac and vascular catheterization laboratory and summarizes best practices for minimizing radiation exposure.
The Oligomeric State of the Active Vps4 AAA ATPase.

The cellular ESCRT (endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) pathway drives membrane constriction toward the cytosol and effects membrane fission during cytokinesis, endosomal sorting, and the release of many enveloped viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus. A component of this pathway, the AAA ATPase Vps4, provides energy for pathway progression. Although it is established that Vps4 functions as an oligomer, subunit stoichiometry and other fundamental features of the functional enzyme are unclear. Here, we report that although some mutant Vps4 proteins form dodecameric assemblies, active wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Sulfolobus solfataricus Vps4 enzymes can form hexamers in the presence of ATP and ADP, as assayed by size-exclusion chromatography and equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation. The Vta1p activator binds hexameric yeast Vps4p without changing the oligomeric state of Vps4p, implying that the active Vta1p–Vps4p complex also contains a single hexameric ring. Additionally, we report crystal structures of two different archaeal Vps4 homologs, whose structures and lattice interactions suggest a conserved mode of oligomerization. Disruption of the proposed hexamerization interface by mutagenesis abolished the ATPase activity of archaeal Vps4 proteins and blocked Vps4p function in S. cerevisiae. These data challenge the prevailing model that active Vps4 is a double-ring dodecamer, and argue that, like other type I AAA ATPases, Vps4 functions as a single ring with six subunits.
Black Weekend A Reception History of Network Television News and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy

This article reconstructs how Americans processed their experience of the assassination, mourning period, and funeral of John F. Kennedy over a four-day period in November 1963 as fundamentally a “...
Transparent boundary condition for the beam propagation method

A new boundary condition is presented for use in beam propagation calculations that passes outgoing radiation freely with minimum reflection coefficient (as low as 3*10/sup -8/). In conjunction with a standard Crank-Nicholson finite difference scheme, the assumption that the radiation field behaves as a complex exponential near the boundary is shown to result in a specific transparent boundary condition algorithm. In contrast to the commonly used absorber method, this algorithm contains no adjustable parameters, and is thus problem independent. It is shown to be accurate and robust for both two- and three-dimensional problems. >
Prosthetic treatments for patients with ectodermal dysplasia.

Abstract This article defines and describes the nature of ectodermal dysplasias, highlighting the dental complications associated with this congenital/developmental condition. A treatment protocol for meeting patients' functional and esthetic needs as they grow into adulthood is presented. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;86:364-8.)
How thinking in pictures can explain many characteristic behaviors of autism

In this paper, we develop a cognitive account of autism centered around a reliance on pictorial representations. First, we put forth the hypothesis that individuals with autism ldquothink in pictures,rdquo and we discuss supporting empirical evidence from several independent behavioral and neuroimaging studies, each of which shows a strong bias towards visual representations and activity. Second, we show that Thinking in Pictures has significant potential for explaining many behavioral characteristics of autism, as they are defined by the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria.
Scalable detection of statistically significant communities and hierarchies, using message passing for modularity

Modularity is a popular measure of community structure. However, maximizing the modularity can lead to many competing partitions, with almost the same modularity, that are poorly correlated with each other. It can also produce illusory ‘‘communities’’ in random graphs where none exist. We address this problem by using the modularity as a Hamiltonian at finite temperature and using an efficient belief propagation algorithm to obtain the consensus of many partitions with high modularity, rather than looking for a single partition that maximizes it. We show analytically and numerically that the proposed algorithm works all of the way down to the detectability transition in networks generated by the stochastic block model. It also performs well on real-world networks, revealing large communities in some networks where previous work has claimed no communities exist. Finally we show that by applying our algorithm recursively, subdividing communities until no statistically significant subcommunities can be found, we can detect hierarchical structure in real-world networks more efficiently than previous methods.
Carbon benefits from protected areas in the conterminous United States.

Background: Conversion of forests to other land cover or land use releases the carbon stored in the forests and reduces carbon sequestration potential of the land. The rate of forest conversion could be reduced by establishing protected areas for biological diversity and other conservation goals. The purpose of this study is to quantify the efficiency and potential of forest land protection for mitigating GHG emissions. Results: The analysis of related national-level datasets shows that during the period of 1992–2001 net forest losses in protected areas were small as compared to those in unprotected areas: -0.74% and �4.07%, respectively. If forest loss rates in protected and unprotected area had been similar, then forest losses in the protected forestlands would be larger by 870 km 2 /yr forests, that corresponds to release of 7 Tg C/yr (1 Tg=10 12 g). Conversely, and continuing to assume no leakage effects or interactions of prices and harvest levels, about 1,200 km 2 /yr forests could have remained forest during the period of 1992–2001 if net area loss rate in the forestland outside protected areas was reduced by 20%. Not counting carbon in harvested wood products, this is equivalent to reducing fossil-fuel based carbon emissions by 10 Tg C/yr during this period. The South and West had much higher potentials to mitigate GHG emission from reducing loss rates in unprotected forests than that of North region. Spatially, rates of forest loss were higher across the coastal states in the southeastern US than would be expected from their population change, while interior states in the northern US experienced less forest area loss than would have been expected given their demographic characteristics. Conclusions: The estimated carbon benefit from the reduced forest loss based on current protected areas is 7 Tg C/yr, equivalent to the average carbon benefit per year for a previously proposed ten-year $110 million per year tree planting program scenario in the US. If there had been a program that could have reduced forest area loss by 20% in unprotected forestlands during 1992–2001, collectively the benefits from reduced forest loss would be equal to 9.4% of current net forest ecosystem carbon sequestration in the conterminous US.
Dispersal Distance, Gonadal Steroid Levels, and Body Condition in Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor): Seasonal and Breeding Night Variation in Females

Abstract Although our understanding of the behavior of frogs during breeding events is substantial, a gap exists in our knowledge of the behavior and physiology of these animals during nonreproductive periods. We used field sampling of Gray Treefrogs, Hyla versicolor, to measure body condition and steroid hormone levels of breeding and dispersed nonbreeding frogs throughout the active seasons for this species. Gray Treefrog females in the act of breeding showed the greatest elevation of all measured steroids, and females that dispersed away from breeding ponds had greater plasma estradiol and testosterone during the breeding season relative to the nonbreeding season. There was no relationship between progesterone levels and season for dispersed females. Dispersed females were not more likely to show elevated levels of gonadal steroids if they were found closer to the breeding pond and did not move to refugia closer to the breeding ponds as breeding time approached, supporting the hypothesis that migration...
Inclusion of Sarcopenia Outperforms the Modified Frailty Index in Predicting 1-Year Mortality among 1,326 Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery for a Malignant Indication.

Background Although it is a useful metric for preoperative risk stratification, frailty can be difficult to identify in patients before surgery. We sought to develop a preoperative frailty-risk model combining sarcopenia with clinical parameters to predict 1-year mortality using a cohort of patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Study design We identified 1,326 patients undergoing hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or colorectal surgery between 2011 and 2014. Sarcopenia defined by psoas density was measured using preoperative cross-sectional imaging. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify preoperative risk factors associated with 1-year mortality and used to develop a preoperative risk-stratification score. Results Among all patients identified, 640 (48.3%) patients underwent pancreatic surgery, 347 (26.2%) underwent a hepatobiliary procedure, and 339 (25.5%) a colorectal procedure. Using sex-specific cut-offs, 398 (30.0%) patients were categorized as sarcopenic. Sarcopenic patients were more likely to develop postoperative complications vs non-sarcopenic patients (odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.29; p Conclusion Sarcopenia was combined with clinical factors to generate a composite risk-score that can be used to identify frail patients at greatest risk for 1-year mortality after gastrointestinal cancer surgery.
Glacier-generated earthquakes from Prince William Sound, Alaska

Analysis of seismic records from stations near the Prince William Sound supports the association of monochromatic, low-frequency signals with tidewater glaciers in the area. Thirty-three of the larger, better-recorded signals, with corresponding earthquake magnitudes of ML 1.5 to 2.5, were located using routine seismological techniques. Epicenters for these “glacierquakes” clustered in the vicinity of the Harvard, Columbia, Yale, and Barry glaciers. Monthly counts from one station for 1975, 1979, and part of 1976 range from less than 4 to 248 events. A sudden decrease in the number of events per month in mid-1979 raises the possibility of a single source or a common source mechanism for these glacier-related signals. The monochromatic, nondispersive waveforms which characterize these 1- to 2-Hz signals may result from harmonic resonance of the glaciers in the epicentral region. We speculate that a variety of source mechanisms within or near the glaciers may provide the initial impulse for these events. However, the characteristic observed waveform is most likely the result of seismic energy which is internally reflected within the ice at fundamental resonant frequencies. Boundary conditions associated with tidewater glaciers may also allow the ice body to act as a wave guide for shear or surface waves. The signal we observe, therefore, appears to be a source-site phenomenon .
Market events as predictors of stock returns

This study suggests a method to select trading days when market information is material to individual stocks. While there are market-wide events in any given day, not all of these events relate to each and every security. Thus, idiosyncratic response is separated from market related response. Suggested method is tested using daily prices for S&P-500 stocks for the 2005-2013 period. An out-of-sample trading rule is tested for 2014. Economically and statistically significant returns provide evidence to support the validity of the method.
Visual Opinion Analysis of Threaded Discussions

Online discussion forums make up a significant bulk in the type of opinion information that represents a valuable source for many real-world applications. However, conducting comprehensive opinion analysis of threaded discussions is a challenging task because it requires not only an aggregation of opinions over the multi-level thread structures, but also effective methods for exploring the complex relationships across different aggregated levels. In this paper, we present a visual analysis approach to address this challenge. Our approach leverages efficient text analysis methods to extract opinions and topical structures from massive threaded discussion data, and provides integrated visualizations to convey both opinion and threaded discussion structures. A suite of interaction tools is provided to enable cross-level explorations of opinions. We demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the approach by conducting a case study on a real-world threaded discussion data.
Experimental Study on Footings in Layered Soil

The results are presented of an experimental study on strip and circular footings on a two-layered soil. The values of the ultimate bearing capacity obtained by the model tests are compared with those calculated according to the empirical method published recently by Satyanarayana and Garg, 1980. The extensive comparisons between the observed ultimate bearing capacity values and those predicted by the method reveal discrepancies ranging from 70 to 85 percent. Thus, the method needs more refinement and further experimental, and possibly field verifications before it can be recommended for practical applications.
A Review and Evaluation of Prediction Models of Gas Permeation for a Blended Flexible Packaging Film

Barrier properties of blended film, such as oxygen permeability, are a collective behaviour contributed by different resins. This study reviews 10 most widely used prediction models of gas permeation for two-phase blended film along with their assumptions and the interconnection and similarities between these models. Two blended blown films, LDPE/EVOH and PET/PEN, were produced representing two different permeability ratios of matrix-to-disperse phase. Effective oxygen permeability of the blended films was predicted by the models and compared with measured values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of both films were obtained to understand the morphology in relation to gas permeation. The Fricke model and the effective medium theory model are recommended in this study to predict effective permeability of a blended flexible packaging film. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anomalous refraction of guided waves via embedded acoustic metasurfaces

We illustrate the design of acoustic metasurfaces based on geometric tapers and embedded in thin-plate structures. The metasurface is an engineered discontinuity that enables anomalous refraction of guided wave modes according to the Generalized Snell’s Law. Locally-resonant geometric torus-like tapers are designed in order to achieve metasurfaces having discrete phase-shift profiles that enable a high level of control of refraction of the wavefronts. Results of numerical simulations show that anomalous refraction can be achieved on transmitted anti-symmetric modes (A0) either when using a symmetric (S0) or anti-symmetric (A0) incident wave, where the former case clearly involves mode conversion mechanisms.
Killing two birds with one stone: Model plant systems as a tool to teach the fundamental concepts of gene expression while analyzing biological data

Plants are ideal systems to teach core biology concepts due to their unique physiological and developmental features. Advances in DNA sequencing technology and genomics have allowed scientists to generate genome sequences and transcriptomics data for numerous model plant species. This information is publicly available and presents a valuable tool to introduce undergraduate students to the fundamental concepts of gene expression in the context of modern quantitative biology and bioinformatics. Modern biology classrooms must provide authentic research experiences to allow developing core competencies such as scientific inquiry, critical interpretation of experimental results, and quantitative analyses of large dataset using computational approaches. Recent educational research has shown that undergraduate students struggle when connecting gene expression concepts to classic genetics, phenotypic analyses, and overall flow of biological information in living organisms, suggesting that novel approaches are necessary to enhance learning of gene expression and regulation. This review describes different strategies and resources available to instructors willing to incorporate authentic research experiences, genomic tools, and bioinformatics analyses when teaching transcriptional regulation and gene expression in undergraduate courses. A variety of laboratory exercises and pedagogy materials developed to teach gene expression using plants are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Networks, edited by Dr. Erich Grotewold and Dr. Nathan Springer.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in Food of Liuzhou Area

[Objective]To understand the heavy metals pollution that presented by lead and cadmium in food of Liuzhou City by continuous and dynamic monitoring.[Methods]The lead and cadmium pollution of 11 types of food such as grain and tea were monitored in Liuzhou City during 2006 to 2009.The pre-treatment of samples was based on GB/T 5009-2003 and then determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer.[Results]A total of 11 kinds of food were detected in 4 years,273 samples for lead detection and 296 samples for cadmium detection.244 samples' lead levels met national standards,with the qualified rate of 89.4%.270 samples' cadmium levels conformed to the national standard,with qualified rate of 91.2%.[Conclusion]Edible fungi has been polluted by cadmium,lead and cadmium have been detected in various kinds of food which shows the accumulation of heavy metal.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and management.
Safety and effectiveness of two kinds of hepatitis A vaccine in Baoding City, Hebei Province, China

Objective To compare the safety and effectiveness of live attenuated and inactivated hepatitis A(HA) vaccines as well as the feasibility of vaccination. Methods The full course vaccination rate, reported general reaction rate and vaccination cost in children born on January 1 to December 31,2011,who should receive a full course immunization with HA vaccine in Baoding City, Hebei Province, China were investigated. The serum samples of children one month af-ter inoculation with live attenuated HA vaccine and one month after the 2nd dose of inactivated HA vaccine were collect-ed and determined for anti-HAV level. Results Regardless of other factors, only a single dose was needed for the full course of immunization with live attenuated HA vaccine, and the conditional full course vaccination rate was 100%. How-ever, the full course of immunization with inactivated HA vaccine consisted of two doses, and the conditional vaccination rate was 65. 53%. Calculated based on the doses inoculated, the general reaction rates after inoculation with the two vac-cines showed no significant difference(P 0. 05). However, based on the cases inoculated, the general reaction rate after inoculation with inactivated HA vaccine was 107. 97 / 100 000, which was higher than that with live attenuated HA vaccine(30. 29 / 100 000, P 0. 05). Both the serum anti-HAV positive rates induced by the two vaccines were about 95%(P 0. 05). The cost of inoculation with inactivated HA vaccine was about 5 times of that with live attenuated HA vaccine. Conclusion In Baoding City, both live attenuated and inactivated HA vaccines showed the same effect. However,live attenuated HA vaccine was superior to inactivated vaccine in economic burden from vaccination, safety and feasibility of vaccination.
The value of resection in tumors involving the chest wall.

Sixty-eight cases of chest wall resection for malignant disease are presented. The operative and 30 day mortality rate was 7 per cent, and the cumulative 5 year survival rate was 34 per cent; the median survival period was 13 months. Fifty per cent of the patients had no postoperative morbidity. Temporary respiratory support was required in 22 per cent. Excess secretions and their sequelae were responsible for the majority of the complications which did occur. Wound complications were relatively less frequent than pulmonary problems. Prior radiotherapy or surgery to the operative site did not increase the morbidity of the procedure. Chest wall involvement in patients with malignant disease does not preclude a reasonable period of survival after resection and does provide good palliation.
LatinoTwitter: Discourses of Latino civic Engagement in social medie

Twitter, like other social media platforms, has been identified as a space for cultural groups to debate political ideologies, engage civically, and even form action strategies for social change. Since 2014, the #LatinoTwitter hashtag has been used by Latino users for these purposes. Despite the popularity of the hashtag, few studies have examined it or its users. This study provides the results of a discourse analysis of the 31,000 tweets from 2014–2016 that use the hashtag. The findings indicate Twitter has become a popular platform for Latinos to debate political issues, find parity between ethnic communities, and even promote Latino-centered brands.
Identity and similarity chains in the conversation of high‐involved and low‐involved speakers: Evidence of integrated discourse strategies

Participants engaged in conversation must strategically coordinate multiple features on different levels of discourse. This research examined the strategic coordination of local and global textual resources in conversations of dyads with three different patterns of interaction involvement. Global patterns in the maintenance of meaning relations in conversation were investigated using Hasan's identity and similarity chains. Significant differences among dyad types were found for similarity chains. These global patterns were then correlated with local patterns in the use of grammatical cohesive devices previously reported for these dyad types by Villaume and Cegala (1988). Analysis indicated a strong canonical correlation between the global and local patterns. This correlation was taken as evidence that the dyads did not manage the cognitive burdens of engaging in conversation by the isolated choice of specific features on single levels of discourse structure. Rather, the dyads seemed to rely on integrated ...
Efficacy of Probiotics in Preventing Vibriosis in the Larviculture of Different Species of Bivalve Shellfish

ABSTRACT Hatcheries providing seed for bivalve mollusc aquaculture can suffer from disease outbreaks resulting in high losses of larvae. Previous research demonstrated the effectiveness of candidate probiotics Phaeobacter inhibens S4 (S4) and Bacillus pumilus RI06-95 (RI) in protecting the larvae of eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica, against bacterial challenge. In this study, the ability of this probionts in protecting larvae of other bivalve species, including northern quahog Mercenaria mercenaria, bay scallops Argopecten irradians, blue mussels Mytilus edulis, and razor clams Ensis directus, was investigated. Pretreatment of larvae with 106 colony forming units /ml probiotic S4 and a mixture of S4 and RI protected bay scallop larvae [relative percent survival (RPS): 69% ± 4%]. In pilot-scale hatchery trials, daily additions of candidate probiotics to the water of static tanks containing northern quahog or bay scallop larvae had no significant impact on larval growth and survival. Daily treatment of...
Arterial Inflow Stenosis

Because inflow is important, it is good to know the surgical methods and challenges in the creation of the AVF both in general and for that particular patient. Although it is beyond the scope of this chapter, it is important to mention that during the creation of AVF, there may be stretching of the vessels which in itself can lead to subsequent stenosis. Also the different ways in which the anastomosis is created can have bearings on the ease of intervention later. The anastomosis can be either artery side to vein side, artery side to vein end, or very infrequently an end-to-end anastomosis. This chapter discusses management of arterial inflow stenosis.
Does a Standalone Cancer Center Improve Head and Neck Microsurgical Outcomes

Objectives To evaluate the role of hospital setting (standalone cancer center vs. large multidisciplinary hospital) on free tissue transfer (FTT) outcomes for head and neck reconstruction. Methods Medical records were reviewed of 180 consecutive patients undergoing FTT for head and neck reconstruction. Operations occurred at either a standalone academic cancer center (n = 101) or a large multidisciplinary academic medical center (n = 79) by the same surgeons. Patient outcomes, operative comparisons, and hospital costs were compared between the hospital settings. Results The cancer center group had higher mean age (65.2 vs. 60 years; p = 0.009) and a shorter mean operative time (12.3 vs. 13.2 hours; p = 0.034). Postoperatively, the cancer center group had a significantly shorter average ICU stay (3.45 vs. 4.41 days; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in medical or surgical complications between the groups. Having surgery at the cancer center was the only significant independent predictor of a reduced ICU stay on multivariate analysis (Coef 0.73; p < 0.020). Subgroup analysis, including only patients with cancer of the aerodigestive tract, demonstrated further reduction in ICU stay for the cancer center group (3.85 vs. 5.1 days; p < 0.001). A cost analysis demonstrated that the reduction in ICU saved $223,816 for the cancer center group. Conclusion Standalone subspecialty cancer centers are safe and appropriate settings for FTT. We found both reduced operative time and ICU length of stay, both of which contributed to lower overall costs. These findings challenge the concept that FTT requires a large multidisciplinary hospital. Level of Evidence 4.
A systematic comparison of two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes turbulence models applied to shock–cloud interactions

Turbulence models attempt to account for unresolved dynamics and diffusion in hydrodynamical simulations. We develop a common framework for two-equation Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models, and we implement six models in the Athena code. We verify each implementation with the standard subsonic mixing layer, although the level of agreement depends on the definition of the mixing layer width. We then test the validity of each model into the supersonic regime, showing that compressibility corrections can improve agreement with experiment. For models with buoyancy effects, we also verify our implementation via the growth of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a stratified medium. The models are then applied to the ubiquitous astrophysical shock-cloud interaction in three dimensions. We focus on the mixing of shock and cloud material, comparing results from turbulence models to high-resolution simulations (up to 200 cells per cloud radius) and ensemble-averaged simulations. We find that the turbulence models lead to increased spreading and mixing of the cloud, although no two models predict the same result. Increased mixing is also observed in inviscid simulations at resolutions greater than 100 cells per radius, which suggests that the turbulent mixing begins to be resolved.
Indirect detection of neutrino portal dark matter

We investigate the feasibility of the indirect detection of dark matter in a simple model using the neutrino portal. The model is very economical, with right-handed neutrinos generating neutrino masses through the type-I seesaw mechanism and simultaneously mediating interactions with dark matter. Given the small neutrino Yukawa couplings expected in a type-I seesaw, direct detection and accelerator probes of dark matter in this scenario are challenging. However, dark matter can efficiently annihilate to right-handed neutrinos, which then decay via active-sterile mixing through the weak interactions, leading to a variety of indirect astronomical signatures. We derive the existing constraints on this scenario from Planck cosmic microwave background measurements, Fermi dwarf spheroidal galaxy and Galactic center gamma-ray observations, and AMS-02 antiproton observations, and we also discuss the future prospects of Fermi and the Cherenkov Telescope Array. Thermal annihilation rates are already being probed for dark matter lighter than about 50 GeV, and this can be extended to dark matter masses of 100 GeV and beyond in the future. This scenario can also provide a dark matter interpretation of the Fermi Galactic center gamma-ray excess, and we confront this interpretation with other indirect constraints. Finally we discuss some of the exciting implications of extensions of the minimal model with large neutrino Yukawa couplings and Higgs portal couplings.
A high-precision 36 mm 3 programmable implantable pressure sensor with fully ultrasonic power-up and data link

This paper presents the first fully ultrasonic (US) high-precision implantable sensor with active US links for power-up, data downlink, and data uplink. The packaged implant measures just 1.7×2.6×8.1mm3 and includes a custom IC, piezoelectric devices (piezos) designed for data/power links, and a pressure transducer (PT). Characterization is performed at a large depth of 12 cm, in a phantom material, giving a >10× improvement over state-of-the-art in both the depth/volume and energy per sample figures of merit. The IC has a front-end and 10-bit ADC which achieves a pressure LSB of 0.78 mmHg and full-scale range of 800 mmHg, exceeding specifications required for various pressure monitoring applications. The sample rate is externally controlled, up to 1 kHz, through the downlink, allowing power optimization for various applications.
Mitochondrial modulation-induced activation of vagal sensory neuronal subsets by antimycin A, but not CCCP or rotenone, correlates with mitochondrial superoxide production.

Inflammation causes nociceptive sensory neuron activation, evoking debilitating symptoms and reflexes. Inflammatory signaling pathways are capable of modulating mitochondrial function, resulting in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial depolarization and calcium release. Previously we showed that mitochondrial modulation with antimycin A, a complex III inhibitor, selectively stimulated nociceptive bronchopulmonary C-fibers via the activation of transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (A1) and vanilloid 1 (V1) cation channels. TRPA1 is ROS-sensitive, but there is little evidence that TRPV1 is activated by ROS. Here, we used dual imaging of dissociated vagal neurons to investigate the correlation of mitochondrial superoxide production (mitoSOX) or mitochondrial depolarization (JC-1) with cytosolic calcium (Fura-2AM), following mitochondrial modulation by antimycin A, rotenone (complex I inhibitor) and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP, mitochondrial uncoupling agent). Mitochondrial modulation by all agents selectively increased cytosolic calcium in a subset of TRPA1/TRPV1-expressing (A1/V1+) neurons. There was a significant correlation between antimycin A-induced calcium responses and mitochondrial superoxide in wild-type ‘responding’ A1/V1+ neurons, which was eliminated in TRPA1-/- neurons, but not TRPV1-/- neurons. Nevertheless, antimycin A-induced superoxide production did not always increase calcium in A1/V1+ neurons, suggesting a critical role of an unknown factor. CCCP caused both superoxide production and mitochondrial depolarization but neither correlated with calcium fluxes in A1/V1+ neurons. Rotenone-induced calcium responses in ‘responding’ A1/V1+ neurons correlated with mitochondrial depolarization but not superoxide production. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction causes calcium fluxes in a subset of A1/V1+ neurons via ROS-dependent and ROS-independent mechanisms.
Right ventricular strain analysis from 3D echocardiography by using temporally diffeomorphic motion estimation

Quantitative motion analysis of the right ventricle (RV) is important to study its function. However, the RV study is more difficult than that of left ventricle (LV) because of its complex shape and the limitations of the existing imaging methods. We propose a diffeomorphic motion estimation method and apply it to the 3D echocardiography of five open-chest pigs under different steady states. We first validate the motion estimation method by using sonomicrometry. Then we estimate the myocardium strain of different steady states. The RV free wall (RVFW) is divided into twelve segments and their strain patterns in each steady states together with the corresponding cardiac mechanics are analyzed. This is the first time to quantitatively analyze the RVFW segment strains from 3D echocardiography by using algorithm.
Prophylactic effect of ethyl pyruvate on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury mediated through oxidative stress.

As oxidative stress (OXS) has been shown to play a primary role in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI), we investigated whether antioxidant such as ethyl pyruvate (EPy) might effectively prevent RIRI. Possible prophylactic effects of EPy and mannitol (Mann), one of perioperative agents often used, were tested against harmful OXS in vitro. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to exert OXS on the renal proximal tubular MDCK cells. Severity of OXS and protective effects of EPy and Mann were assessed by lipid peroxidation assay and cell viability test, respectively. The cytotoxic mechanism of H2O2 was explored by examining the status of glycolysis, metabolic signaling pathways, cell cycle, and induction of apoptosis. Although H2O2 (500 µM) increased OXS by ~ 3.5 times of controls, EPy (1 mM) fully reduced it to the basal level. Cell viability declined to merely 10% by H2O2 was regained to > 90% with EPy. Hexokinase activity and ATP level also declined significantly by H2O2, but they sustained 80–90% with EPy. Additionally, H2O2 led to the modulations of metabolic signaling regulators, a G1 cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis, which were yet prevented with EPy. Unlike EPy, Mann had virtually little effects. OXS can indeed lead to the significant cell viability reduction through its adverse cellular effects, ultimately resulting in RIRI. However, EPy appears to prevent these effects and protect MDCK cells, while Mann does not. Thus, EPy could be a more effective prophylactic renoprotective agent (than Mann) against oxidative renal cell injury including RIRI.
Single-Trial Classification of Disfluent Brain States in Adults Who Stutter

Normal human speech requires precise coordination between motor planning and sensory processing. Speech disfluencies are common when children learn to talk, but usually abate with time. About 5% of children experience stuttering. For most, this resolves within a year. However, for approximately 1% of the world population, stuttering continues into adulthood, which is termed 'persistent developmental stuttering'. Most stuttering events occur at the beginning of an utterance. So, in principle, brain activity before speaking should differ between fluent and stuttered speech. Here we present a method for classifying brain network states associated with fluent vs. stuttered speech on a single trial basis. Brain activity was recorded with EEG before people who stutter read aloud pseudo-word pairs. Offline independent component analysis (ICA) was used to identify the independent neural sources that underlie speech preparation. A time window selection algorithm extracted spectral power and coherence data from salient windows specific to each neural source. A stepwise linear discriminant analysis (sLDA) algorithm predicted fluent vs. stuttered speech for 81% of trials in two subjects. These results support the feasibility of developing a brain-computer interface (BCI) system to detect stuttering before it occurs, with potential for therapeutic application.
Parents Can Teach College-Bound to Manage Time Op-Ed the Bulletin

Parents can help sons and daughters prepare to manage their time before they leave for college.
The Contested Fate of Confiscated Books and Objectionable Literature

This chapter focuses on UNESCO’s intent to participate in deciding the fate and ultimate distribution of non-Jewish books confiscated by the Nazis as well as of the often-forgotten category of fascist and other “objectionable literature” confiscated by the Allies during and after liberation. These debates extended to questions of ownership of and rights to entire library collections confiscated or displaced during the war. To that end, this chapter delves into a case study of the Biblioteca Hertziana and Deutsches Archaologisches Institut, controversially designated during the postwar period as “ex-German libraries in Italy.” The chapter also examines UNESCO’s role in bringing enemy nation Germany, specifically German publications and libraries, into the organization’s networks of transnational exchange and cooperation.
Genotypic and phenotypic diversity ofStaphylococcus aureusfrom cystic fibrosis lung infections and their interactions withPseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common bacteria that infect the respiratory tract of individuals with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF); in fact, S. aureus has recently overtaken P. aeruginosa to become the most common. Substantial research has been performed on the epidemiology of S. aureus in CF; however, there appears to be a gap in knowledge in regard to the pathogenesis of S. aureus in the context of CF lung infections. Most studies have focused on a few S. aureus isolates, often exclusively laboratory adapted strains, and how they are killed by P. aeruginosa. Because of this, little is known about the diversity of S. aureus CF lung isolates in both virulence and interaction with P. aeruginosa. To begin to address this gap in knowledge, we recently sequenced 65 clinical S. aureus isolates from the Emory CF Biospecimen Registry and Boston Children’s Hospital, including the reference isolate JE2, a USA300 strain. Here, we analyzed antibiotic resistance genotypes, sequence type, clonal complex, spa type, and agr type of these isolates. We hypothesized that major virulence phenotypes of S. aureus that may be associated with CF lung infections, namely toxin production and mucoid phenotype, would be retained in these isolates. To test our hypothesis, we plated on specific agars and found that most isolates can hemolyze both rabbit and sheep blood (67.7%) and produce polysaccharide (69.2%), consistent with virulence retention in CF lung isolates. We also identified three distinct phenotypic groups of S. aureus based on their survival in the presence of nonmucoid P. aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1 and its mucoid derivative. Altogether, our work provides greater insight into the diversity of S. aureus CF isolates, specifically the distribution of important virulence factors and their interaction with P. aeruginosa, all of which have implications in patient health. Author Summary Staphylococcus aureus is now the most frequently detected pathogen in the lungs of individuals who have cystic fibrosis (CF), followed closely by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When these two pathogens are found to coinfect the CF lung, patients have a significantly worse prognosis. While P. aeruginosa has been rigorously studied in the context of bacterial pathogenesis in CF, less is known about S. aureus. Here we present an in-depth study of 64 S. aureus CF clinical isolates where we investigated genetic diversity utilizing whole genome sequencing, virulence phenotypes, and interactions with P. aeruginosa. We have found that S. aureus isolated from the CF lung are phylogenetically diverse, most retain known virulence factors, and they vary in interactions with P. aeruginosa from highly sensitive to completely tolerant. Deepening our understanding of how S. aureus responds to its environment and other microbes in the CF lung will enable future development of effective treatments and preventative measures against these formidable infections.
Classroom explorations in 3D stereoscopy (S3D)

3D Stereoscopy is a rich and fun interdisciplinary context for engaging students across campus. Students can practice programming and also experience how computing can be used as a tool for exploration and analysis of scientific (or other) questions.
Improving reproducibility of data science pipelines through transparent provenance capture

Data science has become prevalent in a large variety of domains. Inherent in its practice is an exploratory, probing, and fact finding journey, which consists of the assembly, adaptation, and execution of complex data science pipelines. The trustworthiness of the results of such pipelines rests entirely on their ability to be reproduced with fidelity, which is difficult if pipelines are not documented or recorded minutely and consistently. This difficulty has led to a reproducibility crisis and presents a major obstacle to the safe adoption of the pipeline results in production environments. The crisis can be resolved if the provenance for each data science pipeline is captured transparently as pipelines are executed. However, due to the complexity of modern data science pipelines, transparently capturing sufficient provenance to allow for reproducibility is challenging. As a result, most existing systems require users to augment their code or use specific tools to capture provenance, which hinders productivity and results in a lack of adoption.In this paper, we present Ursprung,1 a transparent provenance collection system designed for data science environments.2 The Ursprung philosophy is to capture provenance and build lineage by integrating with the execution environment to automatically track static and runtime configuration parameters of data science pipelines. Rather than requiring data scientists to make changes to their code, Ursprung records basic provenance information from system-level sources and combines it with provenance from application-level sources (e.g., log files, stdout), which can be accessed and recorded through a domain-specific language. In our evaluation, we show that Ursprung is able to capture sufficient provenance for a variety of use cases and only adds an overhead of up to 4%.
Decentralized Carrier Phase Shifting for Optimal Harmonic Minimization in Asymmetric Parallel-Connected Inverters

This article presents a carrier phase shifting technique for minimizing the aggregate harmonics in networks of asymmetric parallel-connected inverters for distributed power generation system applications. The proposed technique is: 1) implemented in a decentralized manner, relying only on local voltage and current measurements, and 2) optimal in the sense that it minimizes a cost function representing the carrier-frequency current harmonics. The analysis indicates that the proposed optimal carrier phase shifting technique can enable order-of-magnitude reductions in harmonic power, and also universal improvements compared to symmetric carrier interleaving for asymmetric inverter networks. Moreover, compared to existing methods that require either centralized communication or information exchange between inverters to coordinate carriers, the proposed technique is completely decentralized, which provides important practical benefits for implementation, including improved robustness and reduced cost. The technique is experimentally validated on a network of three single-phase 2-kW inverters and demonstrates a 36.5% reduction in the weighted total harmonic distortion factor of the aggregate inverter current, and the ability to converge to the optimal carrier phase spacing dynamically in less than one line frequency cycle (16.7 ms) in steady state and transient operating conditions.
Incorporating Established Conservation Networks into Freshwater Conservation Planning Results in More Workable Prioritizations

Resources for addressing stream fish conservation issues are often limited and the stressors impacting fish continue to increase, so decision makers often rely on tools to prioritize locations for conservation actions. Because conservation networks already exist in many areas, incorporating these into the planning process can increase the ability of decision makers to carry out management actions. In this study we aim to identify priority areas within established networks to provide an approach which allows managers to focus efforts on the most valuable areas they control, while identifying areas outside of the network, which support species with minimal representation within the network, for acquisition or conservation partnerships. The goal of this approach is to prioritize sites to achieve high levels of species representation while also developing workable solutions. We applied a methodology incorporating established networks into a systematic conservation planning process for fish in temperate wadeable streams located in Missouri, USA. We compared how well species were represented in our approach with two commonly used alternatives: A blank slate approach which used the same systematic conservation planning technique but did not incorporate established networks, and a habitat integrity approach based solely on anthropogenic threat data. Relative to the blank slate approach, our approach required 210% more segments for representation of all species, and contained an average of 0.5 additional occurrences for the least well represented species. Although the blank slate solution was more efficient in achieving species representation, 77% of segments in this solution were not already protected. This would likely pose a challenge for implementing conservation actions. Relative to habitat integrity-based priorities, our approach required only 38% of the number of stream segments to achieve representation of all species and contained an average of 5 additional occurrences of the least represented species, representing a substantial gain in representation. Incorporating established networks may allow managers to focus resources on areas with the greatest conservation value within established networks and to identify the most valuable areas complementary to the established networks, resulting in priorities which may be more actionable and effective than those developed by alternative approaches.
Quark matter contribution to the heat capacity of magnetized neutron stars

In this paper, we find the heat capacity of the magnetic dual chiral density wave (MDCDW) phase of dense quark matter and use it to explore the feasibility of this phase for a neutron star interior. MDCDW is a spatially inhomogeneous phase of quark matter known to be favored at intermediate densities over the chirally symmetric phase and the color-flavor-locked superconducting phase. By comparing our result to the lower limit of the core heat capacity established from observations of transiently accreting neutron stars, we show that the heat capacity of MDCDW quark matter is well above that lower limit and hence cannot be ruled out. This result adds to a wealth of complementary investigations, all of which has served to strengthen the viability of a neutron star interior made of MDCDW quark matter. For completeness, we review the contributions to the heat capacity of the main neutron star ingredients at low, high, and intermediate densities, with and without the presence of a magnetic field.