cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Successful Treatment of Recurrent Basilar Artery Occlusion with Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis and Vertebral Artery Coiling in a Child

Signs of brainstem ischemia in children may be subtle, and outcome following basilar artery occlusion is often poor. There currently are no guidelines in children regarding the best methods to diagnose and treat basilar artery occlusion. Case report and literature review. We describe the presentation and management of recurrent basilar artery occlusion in a previously healthy 5-year-old boy with vertebral artery dissection. Treatment included emergent intra-arterial tPA and mechanical thrombolysis of basilar artery clot, followed by later coiling of the vertebral artery to prevent recurring episodes of basilar artery ischemia. Management of brainstem stroke in children requires coordination of neurology, critical care, and interventional radiology services. Delayed intra-arterial thrombolysis and vertebral artery coiling can be successfully used to treat basilar artery occlusion and prevent the recurrence of brainstem ischemia in children.
Teaching creativity in computer science

In this paper, we describe how a multidisciplinary undergraduate course in Conducting Robots becomes a venue for fostering creativity and teaching strategies for creativity enhancement. We perform a number of creativity measurements and explain our results in the context of creativity research.
Feeding by the chaetognath, Sagitta elegans, at low temperatures in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts1

Feeding rates were determined for S. elegans feeding in Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, at a temperature of 0°C by applying a digestion time (10.2 h), obtained from laboratory observations, to an analysis of gut contents. The specific daily ration of large individuals was about 1–2% of body dry wt·d−1, that of small chaetognaths (3.5 mm) was about 46%. Feeding rates for all but the smallest animals are similar to those predicted from respiration data; the smallest individuals consumed more than their estimated no-growth requirements.
Limits on the applicability of signal detection theories

Two auditory signals were presented in random sequences in which the more intense signal came on.2, .5, or.8a/the trials. Each trial began with an intermediate tone which was identified in the instructions as either the standard for comparison or simply as a warning tone. Half the Os were instructed to discriminate whether the signal was “louder” or “softer” than the standard, the other half to recognize which signal had been presented. For both discrimination and recognition tasks, the total proportion of ldlouder” judgments was independent of the presentation probabilities, accuracy for each signal varying inversely with its probability of presentation. These results suggest strict limitations on the response optimization posited by theories of signal detection.
Plant communities, soil microorganisms, and soil carbon cycling: Does altering the world belowground matter to ecosystem functioning?

Soil microorganisms mediate many critical ecosystem processes. Little is known, however, about the factors that determine soil microbial community composition, and whether microbial community composition influences process rates. Here, we investigated whether aboveground plant diversity affects soil microbial community composition, and whether differences in microbial communities in turn affect ecosystem process rates. Using an experimental system at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, we found that plant diversity (plots contained 1, 3, 5, or > 25 plant species) had a significant effect on microbial community composition (as determined by phospholipid fatty acid analysis). The different microbial communities had significantly different respiration responses to 24 labile carbon compounds. We then tested whether these differences in microbial composition and catabolic capabilities were indicative of the ability of distinct microbial communities to decompose different types of litter in a fully factorial laboratory litter transplant experiment. Both microbial biomass and microbial community composition appeared to play a role in litter decomposition rates. Our work suggests, however, that the more important mechanism through which changes in plant diversity affect soil microbial communities and their carbon cycling activities may be through alterations in their abundance rather than their community composition.
dachshund encodes a nuclear protein required for normal eye and leg development in Drosophila

Neural specification and differentiation in the Drosophila eye sweep across the unpatterned epithelial monolayer of the eye imaginal disc following a developmental wave termed the morphogenetic furrow. The furrow begins at the posterior margin of the eye imaginal disc and moves anteriorly as a linear front. Progression of the furrow requires the function of hedgehog, which encodes a secreted signaling protein. We characterize mutations in dachshund, a gene that encodes a novel nuclear protein required for normal cell-fate determination of imaginal disc cells. In the absence of dachshund function, cells at the posterior margin of the eye disc fail to follow a retinal differentiation pathway and appear to adopt a cuticle fate instead. These cells are therefore unable to respond to pattern propagation signals such as hedgehog and furrow initiation does not occur. In contrast, cells in more anterior portions of the eye disc are able to differentiate as retinal cells in the absence of dachshund activity and respond normally to patterning signals. These results suggest that posterior margin cells are distinct from other cells of the eye imaginal disc by early stages of development. dachshund is also necessary for proper differentiation of a subset of segments in the developing leg. Null mutations in dachshund result in flies with no eyes and shortened legs.
A counterexample in the theory of best approximation

Abstract We give an example of a domain Ω with smooth boundary and with compact subsets K1 and K2, such that K1 and K2 have disjoint hulls, but such that there is no function u, harmonic on Ω, which is negative on K1 and positive on K2.
Examining the Role of Culture-Specific Coping as a Predictor of Resilient Outcomes in African Americans From High-Risk Urban Communities

This investigation examined the role of culture-specific coping in relation to resilient outcomes in African Americans from high-risk urban communities. Participants (N = 385) were administered a survey questionnaire packet containing measures of culture-specific coping, traditional resilience factors (cognitive ability, social support, and familial factors), and resilient outcomes (physical, psychological, social, and environmental quality of life). Structural equation modeling was used to test the degree to which culture-specific coping would uniquely contribute to the prediction of quality of life above and beyond traditional predictive factors of resilience. Findings indicated that spiritual and collective coping were statistically significant predictors of quality of life outcomes above and beyond the traditional predictive factors. Overall, the findings indicated that both traditional and cultural factors were predictors of resilient outcomes (i.e., positive quality of life indicators) for African A...
Association of histone deacetylase with COUP-TF in tumorigenic Ad12-transformed cells and its potential role in shut-off of MHC class I transcription.

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor (COUP-TF) is an orphan nuclear receptor that represses transcription of many genes. In adenovirus type 12 (Ad12) transformed cells, a high level of binding activity of COUP-TF to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I enhancer correlates with the down-regulation of class I transcription, which, in turn, contributes to tumorigenesis. The mechanism by which COUP-TF represses transcription has yet to be elucidated. Here we show that COUP-TF represses transcription through its association with histone deacetylase. This was demonstrated using reciprocal binding assays that determined that the interaction between COUP-TF and histone deacetylase requires the COUP-TF C-terminal repression domain. Moreover, a histone deacetylase enzymatic activity was found to be associated with COUP-TF in Ad12-transformed cells. Transfection experiments further revealed that exogenous histone deacetylase facilitates transcriptional repression by COUP-TF. Also, supershift assays suggest that the transcriptional corepressor N-CoR, which is known to associate with histone deacetylases, is a part of the COUP-TF complex bound to the MHC class I enhancer R2 site. Finally, we provide evidence that inhibition of histone deacetylases relieves the repression of MHC class I expression in Ad12-transformed cells. Taken together these results support the notion that deacetylation of histones, mediated through COUP-TF, serves to down-regulate MHC class I transcription in Ad12-transformed cells.
Adaptive control of linear multivariable systems without any prior knowledge

This paper presents a method to design a unity feed-back system for a multivariable discrete-time plant to have a desired denominator matrix. The only available information about the plant is that it is describable by a proper transfer matrix. The design consists of two steps: First, compute a polynomial fraction description of the plant from its input-output data and then design a compensator to achieve arbitrary denominator matrix assignment. The compensator is designed so that the plant input sequence is persistently exciting in the closed-loop connection. Thus the plant transfer matrix can be continuously monitored from the closed-loop input-output data and the compensator can be, if necessary, adjusted to maintain the assigned closed-loop denominator matrix. The entire design requires essentially the manipulation of two numerical matrices. Therefore the design can be easily programmed and implemented on a digital computer.
Tailoring the negative-refractive-index metamaterials composed of semiconductor–metal–semiconductor gold ring/disk cavity heptamers to support strong Fano resonances in the visible spectrum

In this study, we investigated numerically the plasmon response of a planar negative-index metamaterial composed of symmetric molecular orientations of Au ring/disk nanocavities in a heptamer cluster. Using the plasmon hybridization theory and considering the optical response of an individual nanocluster, we determined the accurate geometrical sizes for a ring/disk nanocavity heptamer. It is shown that the proposed well-organized nanocluster can be tailored to support strong and sharp Fano resonances in the visible spectrum. Surrounding and filling the heptamer clusters by various metasurfaces with different chemical characteristics, and illuminating the structure with an incident light source, we proved that this configuration reflects low losses and isotropic features, including a pronounced Fano dip in the visible spectrum. Technically, employing numerical methods and tuning the geometrical sizes of the structure, we tuned and induced the Fano dip in the visible range, while the dark and bright plasmon resonance extremes are blueshifted to shorter wavelengths dramatically. Considering the calculated transmission window, we quantified the effective refractive index for the structure, while the substance of the substrate material was varied. Using Si, GaP, and InP semiconductors as substrate materials, we calculated and compared the corresponding figure of merit (FOM) for different regimes. The highest possible FOM was obtained for the GaP–Au–GaP negative-refractive-index metamaterial composed of ring/disk nanocavity heptamers as 62.4 at λ∼690 nm (arounnd the position of the Fano dip). Despite the outstanding symmetric nature of the suggested heptamer array, we provided sharp Fano dips by the appropriate tuning of the geometrical and chemical parameters. This study yields a method to employ ring/disk nanocavity heptamers as a negative-refractive-index metamaterial in designing highly accurate localization of surface plasmon resonance sensing devices and biochemical sensors.
CARDIOMYOPATHY OF DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY: CURRENT UNDERSTANDING AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy and occurs in 1 in 3500 male births. Improved survival due to improvements in clinical care of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems has led to an increased incidence of cardiomyopathy. Cardiac-related deaths are now seen in approximately 20% of DMD patients. Our current understanding of DMD cardiomyopathy has increased significantly over the past 10 years, but further research is required to improve cardiac treatment and outcomes in DMD. This review provides a summary of the current literature and discussion of potential new therapies for DMD cardiomyopathy.
Structural indexing of satellite images using automatic classification

Shape descriptors have been used frequently as features to characterize an image for classification and image retrieval tasks. The problem of recognizing classes of objects in images is important for annotation and indexing of Satellite image databases. In this paper, a comparison between shape and texture features for classification is presented. The classification is based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning. SVM classifier can be learned from training data of relevance images and irrelevance images marked by users. Using the classifier, the system can retrieve more images relevant to the query in the database efficiently. The goal is to build an accurate and fast query-by-example using content based image retrieval based on the information extracted from satellite image data. We have investigated and described various feature extraction methods relevant to our work in this paper. The experimental results demonstrate that using the shape features give a better classification accuracy than that of the texture features.1 2
MMP roles in the initiation and progression of cardiac remodeling leading to congestive heart failure

Cardiac remodeling is induced by a multitude of stimuli, including myocardial infarction, pressure and/or volume overload, and genetics; and involves matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) every step of the way [1]. While cardiac remodeling is initially a compensatory response, the transition to adverse remodeling frequently culminates in the development of congestive heart failure (CHF), and CHF is a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates. This chapter will define cardiac remodeling, describe MMP-dependent mechanisms that stimulate the remodeling process, and explore future directions and therapeutic potentials in terms of MMP inhibition. We will focus on the primary diseases that stimulate cardiac remodeling in humans, namely myocardial infarction and hypertension. Understanding how cardiac remodeling evolves from an initially beneficial mechanism to a maladaptive event and how MMPs influence these stages will potentially provide us with markers to predict adverse events in the clinic.
Functions of E-Government: A Study of Municipal Practices:

nologies by government. E-government is part of a bigger movement toward public sector reform, which is driven by technol ogy and information systems. Technology has the potential to take government in new directions and transform governance (M?lki?, Anttiroiko, and Savolainen 2004), and many examples continue to arise reflecting this transformation. The majority of e-govern ment research has focused on highly popu lated municipalities and practices at the state and federal levels. The findings of the study presented here contribute to the research on e-government by highlighting the practices and trends in municipalities with populations of fewer than 50,000 residents. A 2005 survey of New Jersey municipalities was conducted to identify e-government practices and chief ad ministrative officers' perceptions of the use of technology within a framework of four distinct functions of e-government: e-organization, e services, e-partnering, and e-democracy.
Inner Bounds on Performance of Radar and Communications Co-Existence

We investigate methods of co-existence between radar and communications systems. Each system typically considers the other system a source of interference. Consequently, the traditional solution is to isolate the two systems spectrally or spatially. By considering a cooperative radar and communications signaling scheme, we derive achievable bounds on performance for a receiver that observes communications and radar return in the same frequency allocation. We assume the radar and communications operations to be a single joint system. Bounds on performance of the joint system are measured in terms of data information rate for communications and a novel radar estimation information rate for the radar.
Prospective Optimization with Limited Resources

The future is uncertain because some forthcoming events are unpredictable and also because our ability to foresee the myriad consequences of our own actions is limited. Here we studied how humans select actions under such extrinsic and intrinsic uncertainty, in view of an exponentially expanding number of prospects on a branching multivalued visual stimulus. A triangular grid of disks of different sizes scrolled down a touchscreen at a variable speed. The larger disks represented larger rewards. The task was to maximize the cumulative reward by touching one disk at a time in a rapid sequence, forming an upward path across the grid, while every step along the path constrained the part of the grid accessible in the future. This task captured some of the complexity of natural behavior in the risky and dynamic world, where ongoing decisions alter the landscape of future rewards. By comparing human behavior with behavior of ideal actors, we identified the strategies used by humans in terms of how far into the future they looked (their “depth of computation”) and how often they attempted to incorporate new information about the future rewards (their “recalculation period”). We found that, for a given task difficulty, humans traded off their depth of computation for the recalculation period. The form of this tradeoff was consistent with a complete, brute-force exploration of all possible paths up to a resource-limited finite depth. A step-by-step analysis of the human behavior revealed that participants took into account very fine distinctions between the future rewards and that they abstained from some simple heuristics in assessment of the alternative paths, such as seeking only the largest disks or avoiding the smaller disks. The participants preferred to reduce their depth of computation or increase the recalculation period rather than sacrifice the precision of computation.
Analyzing the Functional Performance of Hong Kong Firms: Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting and Automation

This paper presents a case study concerning benchmarking one particular set of performance attributes of firms. Specifically, the study addresses issues of planning, budgeting, forecasting and automation of the accounting and finance functions of Hong Kong firms. Students are required to compile raw data gathered from a survey into a format that can be utilized for benchmarking. Further, students are asked to address inherent data limitations associated with using low return-rate, small sample size, survey data for benchmarking. Students are also required to develop various tables and discuss how the data and tables might best be used. The case is appropriate for sophomore and junior undergraduate students. Students should be able to complete the case in 1 hour of preparation outside the classroom.
Changes in Neurofilament and Microtubule Distribution following Focal Axon Compression

Although a number of cytoskeletal derangements have been described in the setting of traumatic axonal injury (TAI), little is known of early structural changes that may serve to initiate a cascade of further axonal degeneration. Recent work by the authors has examined conformational changes in cytoskeletal constituents of neuronal axons undergoing traumatic axonal injury (TAI) following focal compression through confocal imaging data taken in vitro and in situ. The present study uses electron microscopy to understand and quantify in vitro alterations in the ultrastructural composition of microtubules and neurofilaments within neuronal axons of rats following focal compression. Standard transmission electron microscopy processing methods are used to identify microtubules, while neurofilament identification is performed using antibody labeling through gold nanoparticles. The number, density, and spacing of microtubules and neurofilaments are quantified for specimens in sham Control and Crushed groups with fixation at <1min following load. Our results indicate that the axon caliber dependency known to exist for microtubule and neurofilament metrics extends to axons undergoing TAI, with the exception of neurofilament spacing, which appears to remain constant across all Crushed axon diameters. Confidence interval comparisons between Control and Crushed cytoskeletal measures suggests early changes in the neurofilament spatial distributions within axons undergoing TAI may precede microtubule changes in response to applied loads. This may serve as a trigger for further secondary damage to the axon, representing a key insight into the temporal aspects of cytoskeletal degeneration at the component level, and suggests the rapid removal of neurofilament sidearms as one possible mechanism.
Wound healing following anterior keratectomy and lamellar keratoplasty in the pig.

PURPOSE To examine corneal wound healing in an animal model of two types of mechanical lamellar keratectomy. METHODS One eye from each of 28 pigs was studied. Using a motorized keratome, corneas were subjected to an anterior lamellar keratectomy with removal of anterior stroma and epithelium, or to automated lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) with reapposition of a corneal flap. The exposed stromal surfaces were labeled intraoperatively with a fluorescent dye (DTAF) to assess deposition of stromal components during subsequent wound healing. Examination before surgery and enucleation included measurement of corneal curvature and intraocular pressure, and assessment of corneal haze. Eyes were prepared for histological examination, fluorescence microscopy, and for fibronectin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Both keratectomy procedures produced flattening of corneas by up to 3.80 diopters, 28 days after surgery. Corneal haze was more pronounced in eyes from which epithelium was removed (anterior lamellar keratectomy group). The increased haze in this group was associated histologically with appearance of many reactive keratocytes and inflammatory cells, deposition of new stromal material, and more widespread appearance of fibronectin immunoreactivity. In the lamellar keratoplasty group, only the edges of the corneal wound showed significant reactivity, and included keratocyte activation and epithelial ingrowth. CONCLUSIONS The pig provides a useful model for studies of refractive surgical techniques using procedures and instruments designed for use in humans. Mechanized keratectomy procedures that minimize disruption of the epithelium and Bowman's layer produce a less reactive corneal wound than procedures in which an expanse of epithelium and anterior stroma are removed.
The inferior transverse scapular ligament as a possible cause of entrapment neuropathy of the nerve to the infraspinatus. A brief note.

The inferior transverse scapular ligament as a possible cause of entrapment neuropathy of the nerve to the infraspinatus. A brief note. M Demaio;D Drez;R Mullins; The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
An Apparatus for Measurement of the Surface Area of Irradiated Coarse Powders

An apparatus has been designed for determining the surface area of highly radioactive coarse particles. The system uses krypton as the adsorbate and a thermistor manometer to measure pressures. Mea...
OFFICE 2000 Ein elektronisches Bürosystem im praktischen Einsatz

Im letzten Jahrzehnt war ein besonders starkes Steigen des Verwaltungsaufwandes in praktisch allen Branchen und auch im offentlichen Bereich zu verzeichnen. Trotz der enormen Kostenexplosion lag der Produktivitatszuwachs unter 10 Prozent.
Multiple Quantum NMR Study of Hydrogen Clustering in Amorphous Silicon

Because Multiple Quantum NMR coherences occur only between spins which are coupled together by the dipole interaction, this technique has been used to study the clustering of hydrogen in amorphous silicon. The clustered hydrogen was found to be associated with the broad line of the single quantum NMR spectra. For device quality films, the average cluster size is approximately six protons. The concentration of these five to seven atom defects increases with increasing hydrogen content until, at very high hydrogen content, the clusters are replaced by a continuous network of silicon-hydrogen bonds.
38 STATINS AS TISSUE-SPECIFIC INDUCERS OF IN VIVO HEME OXYGENASE EXPRESSION.

Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in degrading heme to form bilirubin, and thus serves as an ideal therapeutic target for preventing neonatal jaundice. Understanding the regulatory pathways of HO is crucial for developing strategies for this disorder. Statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have been reported to induce HO-1. Our objective was to characterize the effects of statins with different structures and lipophilicities on in vivo induction of HO-1 expression. Adult FVB mice (6-8 weeks old) were orally administered 100 mg/kg body weight of simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin, or rosuvastatin. 24 hours after treatment, mice were sacrificed, and tissues were harvested, sonicated, and then analyzed for HO activity [carbon monoxide (CO) formation] by gas chromatography and HO proteins by Western blot. HO activity was calculated as pmol CO produced/hour/mg fresh weight. HO protein levels were measured by densitometry. All values were then expressed as mean ± SD percent of control levels (*p ≤ .03) as follows: Simvastatin did not affect brain HO activity. Liver HO activity was not induced by atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. Lovastatin increased HO activity in all tissues. Interestingly, all statins significantly increased HO activity in the heart and lung. When HO protein levels were measured in atorvastatin-treated mice, corresponding significant increases in HO-1 protein in the heart (132 ± 39%; n = 6) and lung (136 ± 13%; n = 4) were found, whereas no changes in HO-2 protein levels were observed in either tissue. We conclude that the induction of HO activity is statin- as well as tissue-specific. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism by which statins differentially induce HO expression in various organs. This work was study was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grant #HD58013.
Dermatologische Röntgentherapie und Schilddrüsenkrebs — Ergebnisse von Thermolumineszenzmessungen

Das Auftreten von Schilddrusenkrebs ist als seltene Spatfolge von Rontgenbestrahlungen der Kopf-und Halsgegend im Kindes- und Jugendlichenalter beschrieben worden. Die Mehrzahl der Patienten wurden vor 15 bis 20 Jahren wegen Sinusitis, Thymushypertrophie und Tonsillenhypertrophie bestrahlt. In einigen Fallen wurde jedoch auch ein ursachlicher Zusammenhang mit Rontgenbestrahlungen fur Tinea capitis, Acne vulgaris und andere dermatologische Indikationen vermutet.
Electron Microbeam Probe Techniques for Studying Grain Boundaries in Polycrystalline Ceramics

The techniques of electron microbeam probe surface analysis are reviewed with particular emphasis on the special problems encountered with ceramics and minerals. Some limitations are discussed and methods of overcoming these proposed. The unique applicability of this technique to the detailed investigation of grain boundary phenomena is emphasized. Preliminary data on the interaction between molten metals and refractories are presented.
Rapid assessment of parametric PET images with computer observers

The theoretical formulae based only on computable first and second-order reconstruction statistics have recently been proposed in literature as a relatively rapid method to evaluate relevant figures of merit. In this paper, we extend the theoretical assessment approach from static to dynamic PET images. We consider a detection task of a SEK/BKE and variable signal location. The extended theoretical tools can accommodate different forms of spatial-temporal processing as well as model observer. The quality of single parametric image resulted from two forms of popular temporal processing is assessed and compared. Our theoretical results reveal that the FOM of applying computer observers on a single static image is inferior to that of on the parametric image obtained by Patlak analysis of multiple frame dynamic PET under certain condition.
Exploring student motivation towards diversity education in engineering

If the engineering education community is serious about improving its culture and climate for underrepresented groups, it is imperative to educate students about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Effectively incorporating diversity-related course content into the curriculum requires an understanding of student knowledge of and attitudes toward diversity. Accordingly, this work-in-progress explores engineering students' beliefs about the intersection of diversity education and the engineering curriculum. Informed by Eccles' Expectancy Value Theory (EVT), the authors pose the following research question: What ability-related beliefs and subjective task values do undergraduate engineering students have in relation to diversity education? This exploratory study resulted in the development of an interview protocol and survey instrument for exploring students' beliefs about diversity as it relates to engineering. Initial findings point to the need for closer examinations of student attitudes in subsequent research. Ultimately, the results of this study will directly informed diversity and inclusion efforts at our local institution.
Pitfalls of long-term online controlled experiments

Online controlled experiments (e.g., A/B tests) are now regularly used to guide product development and accelerate innovation in software. Product ideas are evaluated as scientific hypotheses, and tested on web sites, mobile applications, desktop applications, services, and operating system features. One of the key challenges for organizations that run controlled experiments is to select an Overall Evaluation Criterion (OEC), i.e., the criterion by which to evaluate the different variants. The difficulty is that short-term changes to metrics may not predict the long-term impact of a change. For example, raising prices likely increases short-term revenue but also likely reduces long-term revenue (customer lifetime value) as users abandon. Degrading search results in a Search Engine causes users to search more, thus increasing query share short-term, but increasing abandonment and thus reducing longterm customer lifetime value. Ideally, an OEC is based on metrics in a short-term experiment that are good predictors of long-term value. To assess long-term impact, one approach is to run longterm controlled experiments and assume that long-term effects are represented by observed metrics. In this paper we share several examples of long-term experiments and the pitfalls associated with running them. We discuss cookie stability, survivorship bias, selection bias, and perceived trends, and share methodologies that can be used to partially address some of these issues. While there is clearly value in evaluating long-term trends, experimenters running long-term experiments must be cautious, as results may be due to the above pitfalls more than the true delta between the Treatment and Control. We hope our real examples and analyses will sensitize readers to the issues and encourage the development of new methodologies for this important problem.
Lithology-controlled stress variations and pad-scale faults: A case study of hydraulic fracturing in the Woodford Shale, Oklahoma

ABSTRACTWe have conducted an integrated study to investigate the petrophysical and geomechanical factors controlling the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing (HF) in four subparallel horizontal wells in the Mississippi Limestone-Woodford Shale (MSSP-WDFD) play in Oklahoma. In two MSSP wells, the minimum horizontal stress Sh min indicated by the instantaneous shut-in pressures of the HF stages are significantly less than the vertical stress Sv. This, combined with observations of drilling-induced tensile fractures in the MSSP in a vertical well at the site, indicates that this formation is in a normal/strike-slip faulting stress regime, consistent with earthquake focal mechanisms and other stress indicators in the area. However, the Sh min values are systematically higher and vary significantly from stage to stage in two WDFD wells. The stages associated with the abnormally high Sh min values (close to Sv) were associated with little to no proppant placement and a limited number of microseismic events. We...
Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a membranous subcellular system in muscle cells. Its principal physiological function is to pump cytoplasmic calcium ions into the SR lumen and, as a consequence of decreased Ca2+ concentration, cause muscle relaxation (Ebashi et al., 1969; MacLennan and Holland, 1975; Tada et al., 1978; Hasselbach, 1979; DeMeis and Inesi, 1982; Ikemoto, 1982). The SR, or part of it, as a major Ca2+ pool inside the muscle cells, may also release Ca2+ to the cytoplasm and consequently bring about muscle contraction (Endo, 1977; Winegrad, 1982; Fabiato, 1983). Ca2+ release from SR has not been studied as thoroughly as its function as a “relaxing factor.” To date, our knowledge of the SR and its physiological function is largely based on the results obtained from studies of skeletal muscle. The SR in cardiac muscle cells possess similar properties, and recent studies of this particular “suborganelle” in cardiac muscles are beginning to reveal some properties of its own. Among these, the most important is the finding that the cardiac SR Ca2+-ATPase protein may be regulated by phospholamban, a 22,000-dalton protein present in SR (Adams and Schwartz, 1980; Tada et al., 1982). Phosphorylation of phospholamban by cAMP-dependent and/or Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase enhances the Ca2+-ATPase and Ca2+-transport activities of the cardiac SR.
Communication: Diverse nanoscale cluster dynamics: Diffusion of 2D epitaxial clusters.

The dynamics of nanoscale clusters can be distinct from macroscale behavior described by continuum formalisms. For diffusion of 2D clusters of N atoms in homoepitaxial systems mediated by edge atom hopping, macroscale theory predicts simple monotonic size scaling of the diffusion coefficient, DN ∼ N−β, with β = 3/2. However, modeling for nanoclusters on metal(100) surfaces reveals that slow nucleation-mediated diffusion displaying weak size scaling β < 1 occurs for “perfect” sizes Np = L2 and L(L+1) for integer L = 3,4,… (with unique square or near-square ground state shapes), and also for Np+3, Np+4,…. In contrast, fast facile nucleation-free diffusion displaying strong size scaling β ≈ 2.5 occurs for sizes Np+1 and Np+2. DN versus N oscillates strongly between the slowest branch (for Np+3) and the fastest branch (for Np+1). All branches merge for N = O(102), but macroscale behavior is only achieved for much larger N = O(103). This analysis reveals the unprecedented diversity of behavior on the nanoscale.
“Books Can Hurt and Help You”: A Case Study of a Reader's Relationships with Books and the World

This case study highlights ways in which one girl, school-identified as a “struggling reader,” attempted to construct particular social identities and develop peer relationships through her selecti...
Electrooptic nonlinear activation functions for vector matrix multiplications in optical neural networks

We show how the nonlinear transfer function of electrooptic modulators enables vector matrix multiplications of photonic neural networks. Here the modulators energy-per-bit function and signal-to-noise ratio are critical factors impacting system performance.
Guns or Money? Defense Co-operation and Bilateral Lending as Coevolving Networks

Author(s): Kinne, BJ; Bunte, JB | Abstract: How are defense co-operation and economic co-operation related? To answer this question, this article analyzes the coevolution of defense co-operation agreements (DCAs) and government-to-government loans. It argues that governments pursue two distinct sets of interests. At the bilateral level, governments use issue linkages and side payments to encourage spillover from defense co-operation to economic co-operation, and vice versa. That is, governments' bilateral interests in DCAs and loans are largely complementary. However, at the network level, interests may diverge. Specifically, governments use DCAs to build clubs of like-minded defense collaborators or 'security communities', while they use loans to impose asymmetric forms of political authority or 'hierarchies'. In some contexts, these network-level interests are, like bilateral interests, complementary. For example, defense partners rely on loans to co-ordinate their foreign policies and better respond to security threats, and debtors rely on lending patterns to identify suitable defense partners. In other cases, however, these interests strongly conflict. For example, governments that are highly active in the loan network are especially likely to rely on asymmetric exercises of political authority, which is incompatible with the network-level goal of using DCAs to establish communities of defense collaborators. Similarly, governments that are highly active in the DCA network are, due to their complex multilateral political commitments, less vulnerable to the asymmetric influences that loans enable. To empirically test these claims, the study develops a longitudinal model of multiplex network coevolution. Overall, the results show that while economic and defense co-operation often reinforce one another, they sometimes conflict in unexpected ways.
Spatial Outlier Detection

Spatial data shares a number of similarities with time-series data in being a contextual data type. In fact, it is often possible for the spatial and temporal attributes to occur in various combinations of behavioral and contextual attributes. Such data is also referred to as spatiotemporal data. For example, in some applications, such as hurricane tracking, the contextual attributes are both spatial and temporal.
Introgressing a new source of host-plant resistance to European corn borer into two elite maize inbred lines

Eleven accessions of Peruvian maize were evaluated for mechanisms of resistance to leaf feeding by European com borer, Ostnnia nubilalis (Hubner). Antibiosis was identified as one mechanism of resistance that operates at a level equivalent to CI31A which is a maize inbred line containing high levels of 2,4dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA), thus having strong antixenotic and antibiotic properties towards leaf feeding by European corn borer. Antixenosis may be another mechanism of resistance operating in the Peruvian maize but at a level lower than CI31 A. The 11 Peaivian maize accessions were used as donor parents in a backcross plant breeding program designed to introgress the European corn borer resistance trait into two elite U. S. Corn Belt adapted inbred lines. Resistance to European corn borer leaf feeding and sheath and collar feeding was recovered in the F1 indicating dominant genetic control. There was no correlation between resistance to European com borer leaf feeding and sheath and collar feeding, indicating that genetic control of resistance to leaf feeding is independent of that for sheath and collar feeding. Some BC2 S1 x Private Tester hybrids of maize had a mean yield not significantly different than the highest yielding commercial check for each experiment. BC3 experimental lines have been developed which have yield potential plus the unique source of resistance to leaf, sheath, and collar feeding by European com borer. Fifteen experimental lines of maize derived from the backcross breeding program were evaluated for resistance to the European com borer, com earworm [Helicoverpa zee
Regression of cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with chronic cutaneous graft versus host disease

Numerous complications can be observed in the post-transplant period among recipients of hematopoietic stem cells including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, graft versus tumor (GVT) effect is a well-described phenomenon in patients with hematologic malignancies and has also been reported in renal cell cancer, ovarian cancer, breast carcinoma, and melanoma. We describe spontaneous regression of a cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma and multifocal atypical intraepidermal proliferations in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease following initiation of extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). This observation raises questions regarding the GVT in cutaneous neoplasms and potential immunomodulatory effects of ECP.
Optoacoustic imaging identifies ovarian cancer using a microenvironment targeted theranostic wormhole mesoporous silica nanoparticle

Abstract At the intersection of the newly emerging fields of optoacoustic imaging and theranostic nanomedicine, promising clinical progress can be made in dismal prognosis of ovarian cancer. An acidic pH targeted wormhole mesoporous silica nanoparticle (V7-RUBY) was developed to serve as a novel tumor specific theranostic nanoparticle detectable using multispectral optoacoustic tomographic (MSOT) imaging. We report the synthesis of a small, 10X higher than in the kidney using both multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) imaging with secondary confirmation using near infrared fluorescence imaging (p
Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with enhanced interleukin-6 response to mental stress in subjects with a recent myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among patients who survived an acute coronary syndrome, and is associated with adverse outcomes, but the mechanisms underlying these associations are unclear. Individuals with PTSD have enhanced sensitivity of the noradrenergic system to stress which may lead to immune activation. We hypothesized that survivors of a myocardial infarction (MI) who have PTSD would show an enhanced inflammatory response to acute psychological stress compared to those without PTSD. Methods Individuals with a verified history of MI within 8 months and a clinical diagnosis of current PTSD underwent a mental stress speech task. Inflammatory biomarkers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C reactive protein (HsCRP), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 were measured at rest and 90 min after mental stress. Results Among 271 patients in the study (mean age 51 ± 7 years, 50% female, 60% African-American), the prevalence of PTSD was 12%. Mental stress resulted in a significant increase in IL-6, but the increase was more marked in patients with PTSD (126% increase) than those without (63% increase) (p = 0.001). MCP-1 showed a modest increase with stress which was similar in patients with PTSD (9% increase) and without PTSD (6% increase) (p = 0.35). CRP did not increase with stress in either group. Conclusion MI patients with current PTSD exhibit enhanced IL-6 response to psychosocial stress, suggesting a mechanistic link between PTSD and adverse cardiovascular outcomes as well as other diseases associated with inflammation.
Soft Information, Banks, and Small Business Performance: Evidence from the SBA 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program

The co-existence of several banks within a region where a small business operates raises the question of whether it matters to the small business which banks they choose when entering the lending market. To address this question, I build on the discussions of soft and hard information in the information asymmetry literature suggesting that banks may face heterogeneously distributed information asymmetry depending on the nature of relationships with small businesses. Using a longitudinal dataset on 174812 SBA’s 7(a) loans, I find that small businesses tend to experience lower rates of default when the physical distances between lending banks and them decrease; and when they acquire loans from larger banks. Furthermore, these two effects interact to determine the rates of default. This study thus challenges the literature that exclusively focuses on debate about the validity of SBA’s loan guarantee programs in the allocation of resources of the Federal Government, and calls for broader consideration to effectively operate the existing programs in helping small businesses overcome financial constraints and help banks appropriately allocate their credits.
Effects of Astaxanthin on the Proliferation and Migration of Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Astaxanthin (ASX) is a marine-based ketocarotenoid; an accessory pigment in plants in that it has many different potential functions. ASX is an antioxidant that is notably more potent than many other antioxidants. Antioxidants have anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-reducing properties to potentially reduce the incidence of cancer or inhibit the expansion of tumor cells. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ASX would inhibit proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells in vitro. We found that application of ASX significantly reduced proliferation rates and inhibited breast cancer cell migration compared to control normal breast epithelial cells. Based on these results, further investigation of the effects of ASX on not only breast cancer cells, but other forms of tumor cells, should be carried out.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Retrograde Approaches

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has several advantages over luminal procedures as it allows for access to structures which typically have no direct communication. Thus, in biliary obstruction, where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has failed or is not technically possible due to post-surgical anatomy or malignant gastric outlet obstruction, EUS can be used to directly access the biliary system through the intestinal wall to assist with biliary drainage. There are two main methods of retrograde biliary drainage via EUS. The first method is also known as a “rendezvous” procedure and the second is via transluminal stenting, most commonly being choledochoduodenostomy. The EUS-guided rendezvous includes accessing the biliary system through the luminal wall into either the extrahepatic or intrahepatic bile duct in order to pass a guidewire antegrade down through the ampulla to be used for retrograde ERCP cannulation of the bile duct. The choledochoduodenostomy includes using lumen apposing metal stents for a direct communication of the biliary system and the duodenal lumen to allow for biliary drainage into the GI tract. Both methods have been found to be very safe and efficacious with high success rates and low rates of complication. Studies evaluating these procedures as first-line biliary decompressive strategies have shown promising results. However, further prospective trials will need to be performed. Most of the tools and devices used for these procedures are adapted from ERCP as there are very few on-label devices specific to EUS-guided biliary drainage. The development of more devices specific to these procedures will likely continue to reduce the procedural complications even further.