cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Deterministic Approach to Evaluate and Implement Monitored Natural Attenuation for Chlorinated Solvents

A US EPA directive and related technical protocol outline the information needed to determine if monitored natural attenuation (MNA) for chlorinated solvents is a suitable remedy for a site. For some sites, conditions such as complex hydrology or perturbation of the contaminant plume caused by an existing remediation technology (e.g., pump-and-treat) make evaluation of MNA using only field data difficult. In these cases, a deterministic approach using reactive transport modeling can provide a technical basis to estimate how the plume will change and whether it can be expected to stabilize in the future and meet remediation goals. This type of approach was applied at the Petro-Processors Inc. Brooklawn site near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to evaluate and implement MNA. This site consists of a multicomponent nonaqueous-phase source area creating a dissolved groundwater contamination plume in alluvial material near the Mississippi River. The hydraulic gradient of the groundwater varies seasonally with changes in the river stage. Due to the transient nature of the hydraulic gradient and the impact of a hydraulic containment system operated at the site for six years, direct field measurements could not be used to estimate natural attenuation processes. Reactive transport of contaminants were modeled using the RT3D code to estimate whether MNA has the potential to meet the site-specific remediation goals and the requirements of the US EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Directive 9200.4-17P. Modeling results were incorporated into the long-term monitoring plan as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of the MNA remedy. As part of the long-term monitoring plan, monitoring data will be compared to predictive simulation results to evaluate whether the plume is changing over time as predicted and can be expected to stabilize and meet remediation goals. This deterministic approach was used to support acceptance of MNA as a remedy. O c 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pas De Trois: the Synergism of Surprise, Threat, and Response Time and Its Effects On U.S. Foreign-Policy Behavior

Pas de Trois examines the impact of surprise on U.S. foreign-policy decisionmaking behavior during the 1945-1994 timeframe. Since surprise is seldom found in isolation in decisionmaking, the research design assesses surprise in combination with the nature of threat and amount of decision time—two exogenous variables found concomitant with surprise in situ as well as frequently in the literature on the situational context of decisionmaking. Surprise, nature of threat, and amount of decision time are all conceptualized as exogenous; U.S. foreign-policy decisionmaking behavior is conceptualized as a dependent variable. Pas de Trois uses International Crisis Bank data, employing a factor analysis to construct indicators for nature of threat and decision time as well as for constructing two indicators of foreign-policy decisionmaking. A dummy variable is constructed for surprise using case studies. A subsequent regression analysis is employed to assess whether and to what degree surprise—in conjunction with th...
Fingerloop activates cargo delivery and unloading during cotranslational protein targeting

During cotranslational protein targeting by the signal recognition particle (SRP), information about signal sequence binding in the SRP's M domain must be effectively communicated to its GTPase domain to turn on its interaction with the SRP receptor (SR) and thus deliver the cargo proteins to the membrane. A universally conserved “fingerloop” lines the signal sequence–binding groove of SRP; the precise role of this fingerloop in protein targeting has remained elusive. In this study, we show that the fingerloop plays important roles in SRP function by helping to induce the SRP into a more active conformation that facilitates multiple steps in the pathway, including efficient recruitment of SR, GTPase activation in the SRP•SR complex, and most significantly, the unloading of cargo onto the target membrane. On the basis of these results and recent structural work, we propose that the fingerloop is the first structural element to detect signal sequence binding; this information is relayed to the linker connecting the SRP's M and G domains and thus activates the SRP and SR for carrying out downstream steps in the pathway.
An Evaluation of Density Functional Theory and ab Initio Predictions for Bridge-Bonded Aluminum Compounds

Ab initio and density functional methods have been employed to study bridge bonding of aluminum compounds. Results for geometry optimizations and vibrational frequency calculations are found to be consistent with the recent literature. Heats of formation for the aluminum compounds dimethylaluminum hydride and trimethylaluminum are poorly described with density functional theory (DFT) methods including the hybrid DFT method. G2 calculations are closer to experimental values with estimated errors of −1.0 to −2.0 kcal/mol per Al−CH3 bond and −1.9 to −4.1 kcal/mol per Al−H bond. The major finding is that DFT methods poorly represent bridge bonding in aluminum compounds. While ab initio methods (represented by the MP2 method) reproduce experimental values within 2−3 kcal/mol, DFT methods, including the hybrid method, show errors of 5−12 kcal/mol. The DFT methods consistently under-bind the dimers of aluminum compounds with respect to two monomers. Exploration of the hybrid DFT functional shows that a better ma...
On the performance of optimal training-based OFDM with channel estimation error

We analyze the performance of an uncoded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system in a quasistatic fading channel where optimal training is being employed for the acquisition of channel state information (CSI). A bit-error probability (BEP) expression is obtained for the linear minimum mean-square error (LMMSE) based channel estimator where the mean-square error (MSE) of the channel estimator is minimized by equispaced, equipowered training with the number of training tones equal to the channel length. Optimal power allocation is obtained by minimizing the BEP expressions. The performances of BPSK, QPSK and 16-QAM schemes are considered. It is shown that while equal power training performs around 3 dB worse than the known channel case, our optimal power channel estimator performance varies between these two, depending on the number of subcarrier to channel length ratio. Numerical examples are presented to further clarify and confirm the analytical findings.
Distributed subgradient projection algorithm for convex optimization

We consider constrained minimization of a sum of convex functions over a convex and compact set, when each component function is known only to a specific agent in a time-varying peer to peer network. We study an iterative optimization algorithm in which each agent obtains a weighted average of its own iterate with the iterates of its neighbors, updates the average using the subgradient of its local function and then projects onto the constraint set to generate the new iterate. We obtain error bounds on the limit of the function value when a constant stepsize is used.
Epigenetic Modification of Centromeric Chromatin: Hypomethylation of DNA Sequences in the CENH3-Associated Chromatin in Arabidopsis thaliana and Maize

The centromere in eukaryotes is defined by the presence of a special histone H3 variant, CENH3. Centromeric chromatin consists of blocks of CENH3-containing nucleosomes interspersed with blocks of canonical H3-containing nucleosomes. However, it is not known how CENH3 is precisely deposited in the centromeres. It has been suggested that epigenetic modifications of the centromeric chromatin may play a role in centromere identity. The centromeres of Arabidopsis thaliana are composed of megabase-sized arrays of a 178-bp satellite repeat. Here, we report that the 178-bp repeats associated with the CENH3-containing chromatin (CEN chromatin) are hypomethylated compared with the same repeats located in the flanking pericentromeric regions. A similar hypomethylation of DNA in CEN chromatin was also revealed in maize (Zea mays). Hypomethylation of the DNA in CEN chromatin is correlated with a significantly reduced level of H3K9me2 in Arabidopsis. We demonstrate that the 178-bp repeats from CEN chromatin display a distinct distribution pattern of the CG and CNG sites, which may provide a foundation for the differential methylation of these repeats. Our results suggest that DNA methylation plays an important role in epigenetic demarcation of the CEN chromatin.
Cascading effects of habitat on maternal condition and life-history characteristics of neonatal mule deer

The condition of maternal female mammals greatly influences life-history characteristics of their young, but interactions between habitat and maternal condition and their combined influences on birth characteristics and survival of neonates are less well understood, especially in free-ranging populations. We monitored survival of neonatal mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) inhabiting 2 contrasting ecotypes in Idaho: aspen woodlands (Populus tremuloides) in southeast Idaho (Caribou Mountains) and mixed-conifer grasslands (lodge-pole pine, Pinus contorta; Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii) in central Idaho (Salmon River Mountains). We expected the Caribou Mountains to offer better forage and greater concealment cover than the Salmon River Mountains. We tested for an array of maternal influences on neonatal deer inhabiting those dissimilar ecosystems. We monitored 96 neonates from date of capture to 5 months of age (n = 44 in the Caribou Mountains, 2010; n = 52 in the Salmon River Mountains, 2011). Survival and birth characteristics consistently diverged between study areas, whereas timing of births was similar. Female deer from the Salmon River Mountains exhibited poor maternal condition and small litter sizes compared with females from the Caribou Mountains. Young from the Salmon River Mountains exhibited lower rates of growth, occupied bedding sites with less concealment cover, and subsequently experienced lower survival from birth to 5 months of age, compared with neonates from the Caribou Mountains. Cause of deaths for young mule deer on both study sites was mostly from predation. Our findings emphasize the potential role that habitat plays in the population dynamics of mule deer via cascading effects on physical condition, reproduction, and survival. Changes in habitat, potentially associated with changing climate, fire regimes, and land uses, probably have contributed to the widespread declines in populations of mule deer during recent decades.
Transoesophageal echocardiographic Doppler colour flow patterns of a normally functioning third-generation centrifugal left ventricular assist device

A 75-year-old man with history of atrial fibrillation, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, and biventricular pacemaker implantable cardioverter-defibrillator presented with automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) discharge and worsened exertional dyspnoea and lower extremity oedema. Six months previously, he received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (HeartWare International Inc., Framingham, MA, USA), a third-generation, continuous flow centrifugal pump, for destination therapy. AICD interrogation revealed development of atrial flutter coincident with worsening heart failure symptoms. Power consumption and pump diagnostics showed no LVAD malfunction. Cardioversion of atrial flutter followed transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showing no intracardiac thrombus. Real-time three-dimensional TEE ( Panel A ; Supplementary data online, …
Tritium analysis of a water-cooled solid breeder blanket for ITER

Quantitative predictions are presented for the tritium release and inventory in a water-cooled solid breeder blanket for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The predictions were obtained from the tritium transport code MISTRAL, recently developed at UCLA. The blanket consists of a layout assembly of solid breeder and beryllium multiplier, with two layers of solid breeder in the outboard region and one layer in the inboard region. The analysis includes steady-state inventory evaluations as well as transient calculations under assumed ITER pulsed operation. Different scenarios were investigated, including operation at reduced power level. Key parameters affecting the kinetics of the tritium release and the inventory evolution considered in the investigation are discussed; they include the solid breeder microstructure, and purge gas composition, and the operating burn and dwell times. >
Genetic purity and testing technologies for seed quality: a company perspective

A high level of genetic purity in crop varieties must be achieved and maintained for agronomic performance as well as to encourage investment and innovation in plant breeding and to ensure that the improvements in productivity and quality imparted by breeders are delivered to the farmer and, ultimately, to the consumer. Traditionally, morphological comparisons have formed the basis for genetic purity evaluations. However, replicated field observations are time-consuming, expensive and unreliable. Morphology cannot provide information on the purity of specific genetic attributes that relate to grain quality or to pest or herbicide resistance bred into varieties. Biochemical assays, including isozymes, can distinguish varieties within several species. Isozymes have been routinely used in checking seed-lot purity in maize (Zea mays L.) for the past 20 years. Newer DNA-based technologies such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms and more recently developed methods that use the polymerase chain reaction can allow even more discriminative and faster identification of varieties. However, none of the DNA methods have replaced biochemical methods for seed purity assays, other than in a relatively select group of crops with very high seed value, due to their high datapoint cost. It will require further miniaturization, automation and enhanced capabilities to process numerous samples simultaneously before newly developed methods supplant biochemical methods for routine usage in purity testing. New varieties that have major genes for herbicide or insect resistance incorporated within them require purity assays during product development and following seed production of the commercial variety. Immunological or DNA sequence assays can be developed and automated systems are required to process hundreds of thousands of individuals. Ultra-high, micro-array technologies and single-molecule detection systems are now under development. These technologies offer the promise that adequate distinction and high sample throughput will be combined. New methods may eclipse the capabilities of biochemical methodologies, thereby potentially raising genetic purity standards and enabling farmers and consumers better to utilize and benefit from increasingly productive varieties that are bred from a more diverse base of genetic resources.
EXIT chart analysis for the bit-interleaved turbo frequency domain equalization under fast fading environments

Time variation of wireless fading channels introduces interference in block-based transmissions such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or single-carrier frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE). The interference, called inter-carrier interference (ICI) in OFDM or residual inter-symbol interference (ISI) in SC-FDE, impacts the bit error rate performance resulting in an error floor. In this paper, we investigate the performance of the bit-interleaved turbo frequency domain equalization (Bi-TFDE) over frequency-selective fading channels with the residual ISI. We focus on the impact of the residual ISI on the convergence signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold using the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart. We first show that the Gaussian assumption of the soft information within the TFDE corrupted by the residual ISI can accurately track the flow of the extrinsic information in the iterative procedure. Then, we demonstrate the accuracy of the EXIT chart in predicting the transfer function of the equalizer. Hence, the convergence behavior of the TFDE, with the residual ISI, is parameterized by the product of the symbol block length and Doppler spread. The accuracy of our EXIT chart prediction is verified by simulation.
The Cambridge encyclopedia of human paleopathology

By Arthur C. Aufderheide and Conrado Rodriguez-Martin, with a dental chapter by Odin Langsjoen. New York and Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 1998. 478 pp. ISBN 0–521–55203–6. $100.00 (cloth).
Finding the Extrema of a Region

The computational difficulty of finding the extreme points (those two points furthest from each other) in a region of an image is examined. Various approaches are described, including computation of convex hulls, sophisticated search strategies, and a statistical method. Suitability of the various methods to particular applications is discussed.
Petitioners or Prophets? Presidential Discourse, God, and the Ascendancy of Religious Conservatives

This research examines similarities and variance in modern U.S. presidential religiouslanguage and how such patterns might be connected to broader political movements,particularly the contemporary inﬂuence of Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals.We analyzed presidents’ Inaugural and State of the Union addresses from FranklinRoosevelt in 1933 to George W. Bush in 2005 for the presence of ‘‘God talk’’ andemphasis on freedom and liberty, two principles of great importance to religious conser-vatives. Results indicate that the presidency of Ronald Reagan was a watershed momentfor religious discourse in American presidential politics and that the religious communi-cations of Reagan and George W. Bush—two presidents with prominent political ties toconservative Christians—differ in important ways from that of other presidents.doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00021.x
Simultaneous determination of structure and optical transitions of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

By combining electron diffraction with Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy, we determine the physical structure and optical transition energies of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes. This permits study of the energy-level structure as a function of nanotube chirality.
Contact Force–Sensing Catheters Evolution or Revolution in Catheter Ablation Technology?

Radiofrequency catheter ablation was initially developed to treat arrhythmias dependent on a narrow isthmus, such as accessory pathway–mediated tachycardias or atrioventricular nodal reentry. Although catheter stability was often discussed as important before delivering radiofrequency energy, adjusting the catheter and delivering another lesion could often rectify an inadequate result. The advent of wide area circumferential or linear ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia has raised the bar on catheter stability to a new level. To achieve permanent wide area isolation of the pulmonary veins (PV), a series of multiple individual focal lesions must be delivered contiguously and with transmurality. Even a single nontransmural lesion can lead to edema that heals and leads to PV reconnection and recurrent AF. In addition, given the complex left atrial anatomy, atrial and ventricular contraction, respiration, and patient movement, the possibility of PV reconnection after AF ablation is not at all surprising. Consider that the recurrence rate after ablation of atrial flutter, which requires deployment of a short sequence of lesions in a linear fashion connecting 2 well-defined anatomic boundaries, can occur in 10% of patients.1 Extend this to the 10- to 12-cm circumference around the typical PV antrum, and the importance of uniform transmural lesions is apparent. Article see p 63 It was recognized early that the Achille’s heal to AF ablation was early PV reconnection after ablation.2 Although temperature rises and limited power delivery may have limited lesion depth using early 4-mm-tip catheters, the development of irrigated tip catheters has improved our ability to make large enough lesions to achieve transmurality in the atrium. Yet, PV reconnection continued to occur. I recall as a fellow being told by an attending to “ride the wave,” as I …
Photonic Gaps for Electromagnetic Waves in Periodic Dielectric Structures: Discovery of the Diamond Structure

Electron waves traveling in the periodic potential of a crystal are arranged into energy bands separated by gaps in which propagating states are prohibited.1 It is interesting to see if analogous band gaps exist when electromagnetic (EM) waves propagate in a periodic dielectric structure (e.g., a periodic lattice of dielectric spheres of dielectric constant ea embedded in a uniform dielectric background eb). If such a band gap or frequency gap exists, EM waves with frequencies inside the gap cannot propagate in any direction inside the material. These frequency gaps are referred to as “photonic band gaps.”
A priming dose of protons alters the early cardiac cellular and molecular response to (56)Fe irradiation.

Abstract Purpose: Recent evidence suggests that the heart may be injured by ionizing radiation at lower doses than was previously thought. This raises concerns about the cardiovascular risks from exposure to radiation during space travel. Since space travel is associated with exposure to both protons from solar particle events and heavy ions from galactic cosmic rays, we here examined the effects of a “priming” dose of protons on the cardiac cellular and molecular response to a “challenge” dose of 56 Fe in a mouse model. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice at 10 weeks of age were exposed to sham-irradiation, 0.1 Gy of protons (150 MeV), 0.5 Gy of 56 Fe (600 MeV/n), or 0.1 Gy of protons 24 hours prior to 0.5 Gy of 56 Fe. Hearts were obtained at 7 days post-irradiation and western-blots were used to determine protein markers of cardiac remodeling, inflammatory infiltration, and cell death. Results: Exposure to 56 Fe caused an increase in expression of α -smooth muscle cell actin, collagen type III, the inflammatory cell markers mast cell tryptase, CD2 and CD68, the endothelial glycoprotein thrombomodulin, and cleaved caspase 3. Of all proteins investigated, protons at a dose of 0.1 Gy induced a small increase only in cleaved caspase 3 levels. On the other hand, exposure to protons 24 hours before 56 Fe prevented all of the responses to 56 Fe. Conclusions: This study shows that a low dose of protons may prime the heart to respond differently to a subsequent challenge dose of heavy ions. Further investigation is required to identify responses at additional time points, consequences for cardiac function, threshold dose levels, and mechanisms by which a proton priming dose may alter the response to heavy ions.
Digital dermatitis: Natural lesion progression and regression in Holstein dairy cattle over 3 years

Bovine digital dermatitis (DD) is a leading cause of lameness in dairy cattle in the United States, with prevalence estimates as high as 30%. Whereas clinical lesions have been well described, little is known about the morphologic changes that are associated with the early stages of lesion development from normal skin to clinical lesions. This study used the Iowa DD scoring system to evaluate the epidemiology of natural lesion development by digitally photographing the rear legs of a cohort of dairy cows over a 3-yr period. Sixty-one adult Holstein dairy cows were monitored for 1,032 cow foot-months. The incidence rate of lesion development was 4 lesions per 100 cow foot-months, with the average time for a lesion to develop being 133 d. Whereas 20% of the 1,678 foot observations exhibited clinical DD lesions, an additional 55% of all observations exhibited preclinical stage 1 and 2 lesions that were indicative of DD lesion development. Utilizing the dichotomous categorization of preclinical lesions in the Iowa DD scoring system, it was found that first-lactation heifers had a higher rate of the thickened and crusted "B" type lesions, whereas the ulcerative "A" type lesions were more likely to be identified in multiparous animals. For clinical DD lesions that received topical treatment, scoring of the post-treatment lesions using the Iowa DD scoring system was found to be useful in prognosticating both the risk of recrudescence and the time until recrudescence. Systemic disease, systemic antibiotic therapy, and periparturient stress were not associated with an increase or decrease in DD lesion scores. Treatment with a single topical tetracycline wrap was associated with a significant decrease (-1.17) in DD lesion score. The results of this study demonstrate that the complex morphologic changes associated with digital dermatitis can be readily classified using the Iowa DD scoring system and the scores can be used to predict and monitor the effects of treatment and prevention measures.
“You're All Doomed!” A Socioeconomic Analysis of Slasher Films

This paper posits a socioeconomic explanation for the popularity of the slasher film genre. These films created a unique sub-genre in which teenage protagonists had to contend with unstoppable forces, in the form of manic killers, while every aspect of modernity and the middle-class lifestyle failed them. Cars and telephones die, the suburbs offer no sanctuary, and adults are absent or ineffectual. The slasher genre rose in popularity as the American economy spiraled into recession. By examining the big three franchises of Halloween, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street this paper analyzes the slasher films of the 1980s and their remakes in the late 2000s. It argues that slasher films symbolized a cathartic release for their mainly adolescent audiences at a time in their lives when impending adulthood and an unfavorable economic climate seemed to conspire against them.
Application of UV imaging technology in Ningxia Electric Power Grid

UV imaging technology can confirm the location and strength of the corona,furtherly provides bases for evaluating the operation of the equipment.The detected numbers of UV-photons can be characterized as the degree of discharge and give reference to direct operation and maintenance,which can be widely applied in insulation state evaluation of electrical equipment external insulation.Through the comparision of several common corona detection methods,verifies UV imaging technology can effectively and visually observe the external discharge of the high voltage equipment,and which can play an active role in the defection and faults detection of the electrical equipment.
Epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis B in Ningde City from 2004-2010

[Objective]To understand the epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis B in Ningde City,provide scientific basis for making the prevention measures. [Methods]The descriptive epidemiological methods were adopted for analysis. [Results]During 2004-2010,a total of 26 677 hepatitis B cases were reported in Ningde City,the average annual incidence rate was 114.8/lakh,and the incidence rate increased year by year.92.75% of patients were people aged 15-64 years old,2.32% were children under 14 years old,and only 0.36% of patients were children aged 0-4 years old,which was the lowest.In 2006,the serum monitoring results showed that the positive rate of HBsAg was 7.27%,the anti-HBs positive rate was 59.24%,and the positive rate of HBsAg in 0-4 year group was 0.60%. [Conclusion]The population distribution of hepatitis B is unbalanced in Ningde City,and epidemic of hepatitis B has not been controlled effectively.The most effective control measures include strengthening the immunization program,and promoting large-scale hepatitis B vaccination in key population and high-risk group.
Research on the effect of modified atmosphere mini type packaging on keeping fresh

Collected several kinds of food, packed them by modified atmosphere packaging and common packaging respectively, measured several index each day, and contrast them. Modified atmosphere packaging has a remarkable effect on keeping fresh.
Theory of Dynamic Imaging of Molecules with Intense Infrared Laser Pulses

When a molecule is exposed to an intense laser pulse, electrons that are removed earlier in the laser field may be driven back by the oscillating electric field of the laser to recollide with the target ion. The rescattering of the returning electrons, analogous to the scattering by free electrons, offers the opportunities to probe the structure of the molecule. Since lasers of pulse duration of a few femtoseconds are already available, thus it is possible to use few-femtosecond lasers for dynamic imaging of transient molecules. The basic scattering theories for dynamic quantum imaging of molecules are discussed.
Symbolic Space: Memory, Narrative, Writing

Editors’ Note: The important principle to draw from this chapter is that spatial enactment is the necessary source for cognitive understanding. Spatiality anchors cognitive meaning through the production of the virtual space of memory. The virtual space of memory is intertwined with actual space; without virtual memorial space we would not have experience. Rhetoric and the art of writing are spatially organized/organizing, which means that both the expression and the medium itself are co-constitutive and ambiguously both function as agencies/patients in a circular dialectic. The geographicity of remembering, forgetting, storing, misfiling, retrieving, and losing is intimately connected to, interrelated to, and mutually influential of, the geographicity of actual situations. The virtual space of memory is still an embodied space and this is a crucial point of our thesis. Both the body schema and the virtual body together form the imaginative body. The virtual space of memory requires participation of the body schema. The orator, for example, must ghost gesture walking through the rooms of his virtual house in order to enact his speech. Thus, the geography of the imagination provides an enactive geography of walking through rooms, which is then translated into the oration of a speech. Once again, we recognize the fundamental importance of geographies of the imagination to cultural/humanistic geography.
Serologic Detection of New Polymorphisms on DQ Molecules Distinct from the DQw1, 2, and 3 Specificities

Recent structural studies have suggested that DQ molecules are more polymorphic than presently defined by conventional serology [1–3]. We have analyzed 9W reagents for the presence of sera that might detect new polymorphisms on DQ molecules. To do this, we have utilized the following criteria: (1) expression on B cells but not on most monocytes; (2) specific inhibition of cytotoxicity by monoclonal anti-DQ but not by anti-DR antibodies; (3) panel distribution distinct from the known DQwl, 2, and 3 specificities.
A 4.1 W/mm2 Hybrid Inductive/Capacitive Converter for 2–140 mA-DVS Load under Inductor

This work presents a fully integrated hybrid inductive/capacitive converter maintaining high efficiency for a load range of 2 mA to 140 mA (70×) suitable for the dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) based loads. This high efficiency is achieved by using an inductive converter for higher loads (15–140 mA, 0.50–0.9 V) and a capacitive converter for lighter loads (2–5 mA, 0.40–0.55 V) with a 50 mV hysteresis margin. A digital state machine activates the appropriate converter based on the power efficiency and enables the converter hand-over. The functional feasibility of implementing digital circuits as representative loads under the inductor is shown thereby increasing the peak converter power density from 0.387 W/mm2 to 4.1 W/mm2 with only a minor hit on the efficiency. The maximum measured efficiency is achieved in inductive mode of operation and decreases from 76.4% to 71% when digital circuits are present under the inductor. The design was fabricated in IBM’s 32 nm SOI technology.
Theoretical and Empirical Support for Bilateral Decrementation

The theory is introduced that individuals in many species practice dual strategies, which are, herein, called amplification and reservation. In amplification, individuals respond to various feedback about their relative fitness (hereafter, "fitness" is used to mean general ability against biotic and abiotic stressors) by adjusting their ability to reproduce in the direction of their relative fitness, such that fitter individuals garner an even greater reproductive share than otherwise. In reservation, fitter individuals, in particular, refrain from functioning maximally against the natural enemies most likely to rapidly evolve a set of mutations that eliminates the practicing allele. This reservation primarily 1) allows the identification of holders of the practicing allele that are fittest against these "lethal enemies," which helps restrict reproduction to these holders and 2) attenuates selection upon holders of mutant alleles and, especially, these lethal enemies by allowing the less fit individuals in these mutant and enemy populations to garner a greater reproductive share than otherwise. That is, the dual strategies of amplification and reservation increase the selection intensity upon the practicing individuals and decrease the selection intensity upon their mutant conspecifics and lethal enemies, which promotes the frequency and persistence of these strategies. At least ten empirical phenomena are characterized by, heretofore, paradoxical decrementations in inclusive fitness and are explained by this theory of bilateral decrementation. Bilateral decrementation offers a nascent example of volitional selection practiced in nature and the prevalence with which it is practiced confers empirical support for robust selection at higher levels than kin (e.g., spatial, group).
Super Refractory Status Epilepticus

Earlier definitions of status epilepticus (SE) were based on the duration of seizures, but newer definitions rely more on a pragmatic staging based on treatment failures (Table 23.1). Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as SE that continues despite administration of both benzodiazepines and an appropriately dosed second-line antiseizure drug. Depending on the semiology of the seizures and comorbidities of the patient, this stage may be treated with further antiseizure drugs or anesthesia. When seizures recur upon weaning the anesthetic agent, typically after 24 h of seizure suppression, or in the rare cases where seizure control cannot be achieved with anesthesia, status epilepticus is considered to be super refractory (SRSE). The incidence of status epilepticus has been increasing, from 3.5 to 12.5/100,000 population between 1979 and 2010. During this time hospital mortality has not changed [1].
Trojan localization using symbolic algebra

Growing reliance on reusable hardware Intellectual Property (IP) blocks, severely affects the security and trustworthiness of System-on-Chips (SoCs) since untrusted third-party vendors may deliberately insert malicious components to incorporate undesired functionality. Malicious implants may also work as hidden backdoor and leak protected information. In this paper, we propose an automated approach to identify untrustworthy IPs and localize malicious functional modifications (if any). The technique is based on extracting polynomials from gate-level implementation of the untrustworthy IP and comparing them with specification polynomials. The proposed approach is applicable when the specification is available. Our approach is scalable due to manipulation of polynomials instead of BDD-based analysis used in traditional equivalence checking techniques. Experimental results using Trust-HUB benchmarks demonstrate that our approach improves both localization and test generation efficiency by several orders of magnitude compared to the state-of-the-art Trojan detection techniques.
GRMD cardiac and skeletal muscle metabolism gene profiles are distinct

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, which codes for the dystrophin protein. While progress has been made in defining the molecular basis and pathogenesis of DMD, major gaps remain in understanding mechanisms that contribute to the marked delay in cardiac compared to skeletal muscle dysfunction. To address this question, we analyzed cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue microarrays from golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs, a genetically and clinically homologous model for DMD. A total of 15 dogs, 3 each GRMD and controls at 6 and 12 months plus 3 older (47–93 months) GRMD dogs, were assessed. GRMD dogs exhibited tissue- and age-specific transcriptional profiles and enriched functions in skeletal but not cardiac muscle, consistent with a “metabolic crisis” seen with DMD microarray studies. Most notably, dozens of energy production-associated molecules, including all of the TCA cycle enzymes and multiple electron transport components, were down regulated. Glycolytic and glycolysis shunt pathway-associated enzymes, such as those of the anabolic pentose phosphate pathway, were also altered, in keeping with gene expression in other forms of muscle atrophy. On the other hand, GRMD cardiac muscle genes were enriched in nucleotide metabolism and pathways that are critical for neuromuscular junction maintenance, synaptic function and conduction. These findings suggest differential metabolic dysfunction may contribute to distinct pathological phenotypes in skeletal and cardiac muscle.
How do we measure depth perception in near-field augmented reality inspired by medical applications

The perception of depth is an important aspect of augmented reality (AR): many AR applications have an important depth component, and AR displays do not display the depth of virtual objects with the same fidelity as real objects. Furthermore, the unique AR capability of x-ray vision, which affords many very compelling and interesting applications, has no perceptual equivalent in the real world. In this talk, I will discuss how we might measure AR depth perception at near-field distances; that is, distances where objects may be touched and manipulated by the hands. I will further discuss how depth perception has been measured by vision scientists historically, and I will talk about the small number of previous experiments that have examined near-field AR depth perception. I will then cover a number of near-field AR depth perception experiments that have been conducted in my laboratory. To date, these experiments show that a mismatch between focal depth and stereo disparity, which many AR display systems exhibit, causes systematic depth judgment errors. I will also discuss effects of perceptual feedback and perceptual learning, which to date have barely been studied in AR, but which are likely very important for compelling near-field AR applications such as medical and industrial tasks, where users are highly skilled and highly practiced.
Machine Learning in Healthcare

Abstract Machine learning applied to electronic health records (EHRs) can generate actionable insights, from improving upon patient risk score systems, to predicting the onset of disease, to streamlining hospital operations. Statistical models that leverage the variety and richness of EHR-derived data are still relatively rare and offer an exciting avenue for further research. In this chapter, we present an overview of how machine learning has been applied in clinical settings and summarize the advantages it offers over traditional analysis methods. We describe the methodological and operational challenges of using machine learning in research and practice. Lastly, we offer our perspective on future application areas for machine learning that will significantly impact health and healthcare delivery.
Comparative Study of Functional Outcome of Dynamic Compression Plating and Interlocking Nailing For Fracture Shaft of Humerus in Adults

Background: The diaphyseal fractures of humerus were traditionally treated conservatively, but the needs of the patients warranted surgical fixation of these fractures now. The two most popular methods of fixation are Plate Osteosynthesis and Intra-medullary fixation with Inter-locking Nail. In this study we tried to compare these two methods of fixation to arrive at the ideal choice of implant for these fractures. Materials & Methods: In this study we included 40 patients with diaphyseal fractures of humerus, who attended the department of Orthopedics and Traumatolog MAMC Agroha. The period of study was 1 year’s i.e, from September 2015 to September 2016. Results: Forty two percent of cases were in the age group 31-40 years. The males outnumbered the females. The most common cause was motor vehicle accidents amounting to 64%. Right side was involved in 65% of all cases. All operations were done within 4-6 days of injury. In the twenty patients of plate group, the Complications were: Infection-7.1%; delayed union-12%; movement restriction of shoulder-12%; movement restriction of elbow-7%. In the twenty patients of nail group, complications were: infection-6.7%; fracture end splintering-7.6%; delayed union-26.8%; movement restriction of elbow-7.6%; movement restriction of shoulder-14.3%; shoulder pain-48%. Maximum number of fractures (73.3% in plating group and 60% in nailing group) clinically united in 12 weeks but the results were statistically insignificant. Excellent results were obtained in 15 patients (73.3%) in locking plate group and 12 patients (60%) in locking nail group on functional assessment. Conclusion: Both locking plating and interlocking intramedullary nailing provided statistically comparable results for patients requiring surgical treatment of mid shaft humeral fractures. But a higher rate of excellent and good results and a tendency for earlier union was seen with locking plating group in our study. Keywords: Traumatolog, Osteosynthesis
In vitro effects of a kaolin-coated hemostatic dressing on anticoagulated blood.

BACKGROUND The use of kaolin-coated dressings has become common and have efficacy in normal patients, but their increased use will inevitably include use on bleeding patients taking anticoagulants. We hypothesize that kaolin coating material (KCM) will improve clotting regardless of anticoagulation medication. METHODS A prospective study was performed on blood from patients who were on a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), unfractionated heparin (UH), an antiplatelet (AP) agent, a Xa inhibitor (Xa), or a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI). None were on more than one type of anticoagulation medication. Viscoelastic testing was performed with and without KCM. All p values were adjusted for multiple comparisons. RESULTS The addition of KCM significantly decreased the time for initial clot formation (CT) in all groups. The mean CT for controls was decreased from 692 to 190.8 s (p < 0.0001). KCM decreased the initial clot formation time by about 1.5 times in those on DTI (p = 0.043) and 2.5 times in those taking AP medication (p < 0.001). The most profound effect was seen in those on UH (no KCM 1,602 s vs. KCM 440 s; p < 0.001), VKA (no KCM 1,152 s vs. 232 s; p < 0.01), and Xa (no KCM 1,342 s vs. 287 s; p < 0.001). Analysis of other clot formation parameters revealed that KCM significantly improved the clot formation kinetics (CFT) only in patients taking Xa (p = 0.03). KCM improved maximum clot strength in patients on Xa inhibitors (p = 0.05). Patients on UH had a larger effect size with an increase in clot strength from 24.35 mm to 43.35 mm whereas those on Xa had an increase of 38.7 mm to 49.85 mm. CONCLUSION In this in vitro analysis, the addition of KCM to the blood of patients taking any of these anticoagulation medications significantly improved the time to initial clot formation, indicating that kaolin-based hemostatic dressings will be effective in initiating clot formation in patients on anticoagulants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, level IV.
A role for cyclooxygenase-1 in beta-amyloid-induced neuroinflammation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. Accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein are believed to be important pathological features of AD [1]. Results from a large number of studies suggest that neuroinflammation is a key contributor to neuronal loss in AD. Anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), seem to be beneficial in terms of slowing the development of AD, as shown by several epidemiological studies [2-4]. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity is the main mechanism of action of NSAIDs. Two COX isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, have been identified. Clinical studies evaluating the effects of NSAIDs or COX-2 selective inhibitors on AD have failed to show therapeutic efficacy. Some authors have suggested that the main reason for this is that COX-1 and COX-2 are involved in AD neuropathology in a preclinical stage of the disease. This explains the positive reports of the epidemiological studies and the negative findings in clinical trials with COX inhibitors [5,6]. Long-term use of NSAIDs might reduce the risk of AD, if the treatment starts before the onset of AD dementia [7].
Quantum-Well Infrared Photodetectors and Arrays

This chapter describes the application of quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP) technology in infrared imaging. The fundamental topics of infrared detection are first reviewed with the goal of prioritizing the QWIP parameters. The absorption properties and the transport processes of the QWIP material are then derived and optimized from first principles. Numerical examples are given for both multiple quantum-wells and superlattices. QWIP material does not absorb normal incident light. Optical coupling in the form of diffractive gratings and reflective corrugations are described and respective quantum efficiencies are evaluated. With the known detector characteristics, the fabrication and performance of the corresponding corrugated-QWIP focal plane arrays are presented, along with infrared images. Finally, more advanced structures such as voltage tunable two-color QWIPs and infrared hot-electron transistors are discussed.
JARID2 and the PRC2 complex regulate skeletal muscle differentiation through regulation of canonical Wnt signaling

JARID2 is a non-catalytic member of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which is known to regulate developmental target genes in embryonic stem cells. Here, we provide mechanistic insight into the modulation of Wnt signaling by JARID2 during murine skeletal muscle differentiation. We show that JARID2 is expressed in proliferating myoblasts, but downregulated upon muscle differentiation. Unexpectedly, depletion of JARID2 or the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 complex, EZH2, inhibited differentiation, suggesting that JARID2 and the PRC2 complex are required to initiate this process. Expression of the myogenic regulatory factors required to promote differentiation, MYOD and MYOG, was downregulated in the absence of JARID2, even though decreases in the methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) were observed on both promoters. We found that activation of the Wnt signaling pathway upregulated MYOD and restored differentiation. Activation of the Wnt pathway in JARID2 depleted cells caused β-catenin to translocate to the nucleus, where it bound to and activated the Myod1 promoter. We show that the Wnt antagonist SFRP1 is highly upregulated in the absence of JARID2 and is a direct target of JARID2 and the PRC2 complex. Ectopic expression of SFRP1 blocked MYOD and late muscle gene expression and inhibited the translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus. Finally, we show that JARID2 and SFRP1 are inversely correlated in melanoma, confirming that the JARID2-mediated repression of SFRP1 extends beyond skeletal muscle and has important implications in many cellular systems, including cancer. We show that JARID2 and the PRC2 complex regulate muscle differentiation by modulating Wnt signaling through the direct repression of Wnt antagonists.