cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a Novel Resistant-Starch and Its Effects on Postprandial Plasma-Glucose and Insulin Responses

ABSTRACT Objectives of this study were to understand the physicochemical properties of a novel resistant starch (RS) made by complexing high-amylose maize starch VII (HA7) with palmitic acid (PA), and its effects on reducing postprandial plasma-glucose and insulin responses. The HA7 starch was heat-treated and debranched using isoamylase (ISO) to enhance the starch-lipid complex formation. The RS content of the HA7 starch debranched with ISO and complexed with PA (HA7+ISO+PA) was 52.7% determined using AOAC Method 991.43 for dietary fiber, which was greater than that of the HA7 control (35.4%). The increase in the RS content of the HA7+ISO+PA sample was attributed to the formation of retrograded debranched-starch and starch-lipid complex. The postprandial plasma-glucose and insulin responses of 20 male human-subjects after ingesting bread made from 60% (dry basis) HA7+ISO+PA were reduced to 55 and 43%, respectively, when compared with those after ingesting control white bread (as 100%) containing the same...
SUKARNO AND HATTA: THE GREAT DEBATE IN INDONESIA

FROM September 10 to 14, 1957, a National Congress convened in Djakarta, Indonesia, for the purpose of reviewing the many problems of provincial separatism, political instability, and economic stagnation that have lagued the young Republic for the past two years.’ Perhaps tEe most important result of the widely heralded gathering, which was attended by political, military, and religious leaders from all the major areas in the country, was a joint statement issued by President Sukarno and former Vice-president Mohammad Hatta. In this declaration these ‘two “ grand old men ” of the Indonesian Revolution, who, for some time now, have been at odds with each other over the future course of their nation, pledged themselves anew “ t o continue to participate with all the people of Indonesia, with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and with all the organs of authority of the state in caring for and defending the principles of the Independence Proclamation of August 17, 1945, under whatever circumstances.” Since much of the political dissension in Indonesia has been attributed to the rift in what is commonly referred to as the dwitunggd (duumvirate, i.e., the joint national leadership of Hatta and Sukarno), evidenced by Hatta’s resi nation
Significance of leukemia clusters.

Study of the death certificates of all children under 15 years of age dying of leukemiaor other cancer in Los Angeles County between 1960 and 1964 revealed striking uniformity of the mortality rate over the 32 groups of census tracts into which the area was subdivided. By severely tightening the boundaries around a few deaths from leukemia and tallying only the population of the area into which these cases fit, we were able to force the mortality rates up and to create 9 leukemia clusters comparable to those previously described in the literature. In the study of a relatively rare disease such as leukemia, it is important to keep in mind the possibility that seemingly high concentrations of cases may be generated by overzealous statistical manipulation.
Effect of joint stiffness on the dynamic stability of a one-link force-controlled manipulator

Studies are the effects of joint flexibility on the dynamic stability of a one-link force-controlled manipulator. The closed-loop dynamic equation with the explicit force controller and the damping force controller are first derived. Stability analysis is then carried out by computing the system eigenvalues. Results indicate a conditionally stable system. Due to the presence of discontinuous contacts with the environment during the interaction process, the system exhibits a stable limit cycle when the force feedback gain goes beyond the critical value.
Stabilization of a gravel channel by large streamside obstructions and bedrock bends, Jacoby Creek, northwestern California

Jacoby Creek (bed width =12 m; bankfull discharge = 32.6 m 3 /s) contains stationary gravel bars that have forms and positions controlled by numerous large streamside obstructions (bedrock outcrops, large woody debris, and rooted bank projections) and bedrock bends. Bank-projection width and bar volume measured in 104 channel segments 1 bed-width long are significantly cross-correlated at lags of -1, 3, and 4, indicating the tendency for large obstructions and bends to form bars 3 to 4 bed-widths downstream and 1 bed-width upstream. All of the 18 bars downstream of large obstructions or bends in the study reach were along the obstruction side of the channel or outside bank of the bend. Most of the pools (85%) were next to large obstructions or in bends; conversely, 92% of large obstructions or bends had pools. Comparison of the volume of four bars with volumetric bar changes and volume of bedload transported during four high-flow events suggests that rates of sediment transport were sufficient to cause major changes in bars during bankfull events. The only important channel changes observed in 4 yr, however, have been associated with the movement of large woody debris and with changes in the angle at which the flow approaches an obstruction. A general model is proposed that large obstructions and nonalluvial bends stabilize the form and location of gravel bars. Bars are stabilized by two related mechanisms. 1. Large obstructions and bends cause intense, quasi-steady, secondary circulation in scour holes that terminate upstream bars at fixed locations. Obstruction width, channel deflection, scour-hole width, and bed width were measured at 26 obstructions. These data show that obstructions wider than approximately one-third of the bed form "pools" spanning the entire channel and, thus, terminating bars; smaller obstructions form "scour holes" contained within a single bar. 2. Bars are deposited upstream of large obstructions and sharp bends because of backwater reductions in stream power. Bars are deposited downstream because flow energy is expended around obstructions and bends and because the flow expands downstream of constrictions that result from large obstructions. The formation of bars and pools inherent in many gravel channels can, thus, be enhanced and fixed in position by flow structures set up around large obstructions and bends formed of resistant materials.
Floral Anatomy in Garcinia nervosa and G. xanthochymus (Clusiaceae): A First Step Toward Understanding the Nature of Nectaries in Garcinia

ABSTRACT Molecular phylogenetic studies of Garcinia have identified a large clade whose component species can be identified by flowers that have nectariferous antesepalous appendages or intrastaminal rings and disks. One current hypothesis is that within Clusiaceae these structures represent an outer whorl of stamens, but the position of these structures in some mature flowers of Garcinia does not support this. To better understand the nature of these structures in Garcinia, the floral anatomy of mature staminate and pistillate flowers was studied in G. nervosa and G. xanthochymus. These detailed anatomical studies do not support the hypothesis that the nectariferous appendages or the rings and disks are of staminal origin, because they do not share any unique features with the stamens of staminate flowers or the staminodes of pistillate flowers. Disks in staminate flowers are supplied by several traces that arise directly from the floral stele, while the stamen bundles are supplied by a single trace aris...
High Resolution Crystal Structure of Ferricytochrome C' from Rhodobacter Sphaeroides

Cytochrome c′ isolated from Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain R26 (RSCP) crystallizes as a dimer of two identical 14-kDa subunits, in trigonal space group P31, with cell parameters a, b = 48.10 A, c = 115.80 A. The crystal structure of RSCP has been solved by molecular replacement using cytochrome c′ from Rhodobacter capsulatus (PDB ID: 1CPQ) as a search model. To ensure effective phase bias removal, the RSCP model was iteratively built into maps generated by a modified wARP procedure, Shake&wARP. The 1.8 A model (PDB ID: 1GQA) has been refined to an R = 0.204 and freeR = 0.254. Each subunit consists of four antiparallel α-helices, with the pentacoordinate heme covalently bound to a C–X–Y–C–H motif near the C-terminus. F14, located on helix A, blocks direct access to what would be the sixth “distal” ligand binding site of the heme. The dimer subunits form a flattened “X” shape, intermediate between the Type 1 and Type 2 cytochromes c′. The presence of the aromatic F14 and a deep channel between helices B and C places RSCP into Group 1 cytochromes c′. Clear electron density has revealed that the amino acid sequences for the cytochrome c′ from strains R26 and 2.4.1 are identical.
On Q and Seismic Discrimination

Summary The vagaries of seismic attenuation, or Q, in the Earth render uncertain the estimates of many seismic source parameters made by the unwary. In particular, the discrimination of waves produced by earthquakes from those of explosions, if the waves have travelled dissimilar paths, and the characterization of a seismic source from the seismic-wave amplitude spectrum require concern for the spatial and frequency dependence of Q. Surface-wave amplitudes are most affected by attenuation at periods long enough (30 s and greater) so that much of the energy propagates in the low-Q asthenosphere, and at periods short enough (less than 15 s) so that near-surface structure is important. Thus the standard surface-wave magnitude is largely insensitive to anelastic losses, though for the surface-wave spectral shape to be diagnostic of source depth, such losses must be considered. The amplitudes of body waves that have penetrated the low-Q asthenosphere reflect the extreme variations of Q within that zone. Seismic discrimination criteria based on the body-wave magnitude should be restricted to comparison of events from the same tectonic province. Further, estimates of such source properties as source dimension and fractional stress drop depend critically on properly accounting for the frequency dependence of Q.
Myocardial perfusion imaging with 99mTc or 113mIn macroaggregated albumin: Correlation of the perfusion image with clinical, angiographic, surgical, and histologic findings

Scintillation camera myocardial perfusion images were performed in 77 patients with proved or suspected ischemic heart disease following the intracoronary injection of 1.5 mCi 99m-Tc or 113m-In macroaggregated albumin. Perfusion images were classified as normal (36) or abnormal (41), and the location of abnormality was noted. Thirty-seven out of 41 patients with abnormal images had prior myocardial infarction based on history (30), ECG Q-waves (27), local contraction pattern abnormality (23), or direct surgical (9) or histologic (4) inspection, either singly or in combination. Three out of five patients with pre-infarction angina had image defects-none had evidence of infarction by ECG, ventriculogram, or surgical inspection. Coronary artery stenosis correlated with image defects to the extent that myocardial infarction was associated; 28 out of 29 patients with total occlusions and other evidence of infarction had image defects, four patients with complete occlusions but without other evidence of infarction had normal images. We conclude that, excepting patients with pre-infarction angina, this technique is more sensitive and direct in the identification of myocardial scar than standard ECG, clinical evaluation, or biplane left ventriculography.
Active Learning Techniques in a CAD Course

Physical Design is a complex topic, which can be challenging to teach to electrical and computer engineers. This paper covers simple techniques for adding active learning into a CAD classroom. These are easily integrated into offerings at other institutions.
Influence of pins on the compressive and transverse strength of dental amalgam and retention of pins in amalgam

A new evaluation questions the effectiveness of stainless steel pins in amalgam restorations.
Hypoxia and nickel inhibit histone demethylase JMJD1A and repress Spry2 expression in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes commonly occurs in human cancers via increasing DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications at gene promoters. However, little is known about how pathogenic environmental factors contribute to cancer development by affecting epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Previously, we reported that both hypoxia and nickel (an environmental carcinogen) increased global histone H3 lysine 9 methylation in cells through inhibiting a novel class of iron- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent histone demethylases. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of histone demethylase JMJD1A by hypoxia and nickel could lead to repression/silencing of JMJD1A-targeted gene(s). By using Affymetrix GeneChip and ChIP-on-chip technologies, we identified Spry2 gene, a key regulator of receptor tyrosine kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling, as one of the JMJD1A-targeted genes in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. Both hypoxia and nickel exposure increased the level of H3K9me2 at the Spry2 promoter by inhibiting JMJD1A, which probably led to a decreased expression of Spry2 in BEAS-2B cells. Repression of Spry2 potentiated the nickel-induced ERK phosphorylation, and forced expression of Spry2 in BEAS-2B cells decreased the nickel-induced ERK phosphorylation and significantly suppressed nickel-induced anchorage-independent growth. Taken together, our results suggest that histone demethylases could be targets of environmental carcinogens and their inhibition may lead to altered gene expression and eventually carcinogenesis.
Label-Free Biomedical Imaging With Mid-IR Spectroscopy

IR absorption imaging, especially using Fourier transform IR (FT-IR) imaging spectrometers, is an emerging modality for biomedical applications. As opposed to current techniques that largely utilize dyes or stains for microscopy, IR imaging promises label-free molecular analysis and recognition of important biochemical markers using computational methods that do not need human supervision. Here, we first provide an overview of this chemical imaging technology and discuss a number of important recent advances. We especially underscore how advances in instrumentation, data processing/handling, and theory are changing or opening new application areas. A variety of basic science applications and efforts towards clinical translation are discussed.
Field trials of aggregation pheromones for the stink bugs Chlorochroa uhleri and Chlorochroa sayi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

In field trials, adult Chlorochroa uhleri (Stal) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) of both sexes were caught in significant numbers in cylindrical screen traps baited with gray rubber septum lures loaded with the main component of the male-produced pheromone, methyl (E)-6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate. Addition of the two possible minor components of the pheromone, methyl (E)-5-2,6,10-trimethyl-5,9-undecadienoate and methyl (2E,6E) -farnesoate, did not affect attraction. Combining the pheromone with different concentrations of volatiles mimicking the odors of a known host plant, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), had no significant effect on attraction of adult bugs, whereas combining the pheromone with the pheromones of two sympatric stink bug species, Chlorochroa sayi (Stal) and Euschistus conspersus Uhler, decreased trap captures, suggesting interference between the pheromones. Small numbers of Chlorochroa ligata (Say) adults also were attracted, but numbers caught were too low to allow statistical comparisons between lure blends. In field trials with C. sayi, all three of the male-specific pheromone compounds [methyl geranate, methyl citronellate, and methyl (E) -6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate] were required for optimal attraction. As with C. uhleri, adults of both sexes were attracted to pheromone lures in approximately equal numbers. Because of the decreased volatility (=release rate) of methyl (E)-6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate in comparison with the other two, lower molecular weight pheromone components, lures needed to be loaded with a disproportionately high amount of methyl (E)-6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate to obtain the best trap catch. There was no indication that the pheromone components of C. uhleri or E. conspersus interfered with the attractiveness of the C. sayi pheromone in lures containing a blend of all three pheromones.
Detectability of pulmonary nodules in linearly and logarithmically amplified digital images of the chest

The purpose of this study was to compare detectability of pulmonary nodules in linearly and logarithmically amplified digital images of the chest. One hundred and sixty digital x-ray images of a frozen, unembalmed, human chest phantom with simulated pulmonary nodules were acquired using a 40 cm diameter image intensifier-television camera system. Signal from the video camera was digitized with a frame grabber using MicroVAX 3400 as the host computer. Each of these 160 images was processed using both linear and logarithmic amplification, resulting in 320 digital images of the chest. A free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) study was performed in which an experienced radiologist was asked to locate multiple simulated nodules on all 320 digital images and to record one of three levels of confidence for each assumed nodule. For each criterion, the total number of correct responses was divided by the total number of nodules to obtain the ordinate of the point. The total number of false-positive answers generated was divided by the number of images to obtain the abscissa of the point. Examination of FROC curves demonstrated that significantly more mediastinal nodules were identified in logarithmically amplified images.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sexual-selection accounts of human characteristics: Just So Stories or scientific hypotheses?

We evaluate three of Geary's claims, finding that (1) there is little evidence for sex differences in object- vs. person-orientation; (2) sex differences in competition, even if biologically caused, lead to sex differences in mathematics only given a certain style of teaching; and (3) sex differences in mental rotation, though real, are not well explained in a sociobiological framework or by the proximate biological variables assumed by Geary.
Standardizing management of software engineering projects

For a software engineering division of a company, the most important standards are those used for the management of the software engineering projects. While numerous, relevant, de jure, software engineering standards exist, national guidelines, such as the Department of Defense's Capability Maturity Model, and corporate standards, such as the Microsoft Solutions Framework, exert a significant influence on the marketplace. A review of the existing standards shows significant similarity across them. The hypothesis is advanced that a major factor in determining the adoption of one standard over another is the environment of the adopter. The following methods were employed: one case study, two surveys, and one content analysis of various companies. The results show that the choice of a software engineering management standard follows the preference of a major strategic partner or customer. A company that depends on Microsoft in important business ways is inclined to adopt the Microsoft Solutions Framework. Likewise a company that is a major customer of the U.S. Department of Defense is inclined to use the Capability Maturity Model supported by the Department of Defense.
Evidence for the Separate Human T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations That Collaborate With Autologous Monocyte/Macrophages in the Elaboration of Colony-Stimulating Activity and Those That Suppress This Collaboration

We investigated the interaction of monocyte/macrophages and autologous T lymphocytes in the methanol extraction residue (MER) of BCG-induced production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity (CSA). Coincubation of monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes at a 1:3 ratio produces an optimum collaboration; a change to a 1:9 ratio diminished this collaboration. Coincubation of monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes primed with lithium carbonate (2 meq/liter) for 40 hr synergistically increased CSA elaboration and prevented the decline in CSA noted for the 1:9 monocyte/macrophage: T lymphocyte ratio. In contrast, concanavalin-A-primed T lymphocytes did not enhance CSA elaboration at any monocyte/macrophage:T lymphocyte ratio except, occasionally, at 1:9. However, this was overcome if the T lymphocytes were primed with both concanavalin-A and lithium carbonate before their coincubation with monocyte/macrophages. Further cell-mixing experiments revealed that concanavalin-A-primed T lymphocytes contained a subpopulation that suppressed monocyte/macrophage and T-lymphocyte collaboration. Activation of suppressor T lymphocytes could be effectively prevented by lithium carbonate and, in a dose-dependent manner, by irradiation. Also, suppressor T lymphocytes not only diminished the elaboration of colony-stimulating factor(s), but also elaborated an inhibitor of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells. We further demonstrated that the respective hemopoietic helper and suppressor T-lymphocyte activities could be enriched with OKT8- (or OKT4+) and OKT8+ subpopulations.
Transport-reaction model for defect and carrier behavior within displacement cascades in gallium arsenide

A model is presented for recombination of charge carriers at displacement damage in gallium arsenide, which includes clustering of the defects in atomic displacement cascades produced by neutron or ion irradiation. The carrier recombination model is based on an atomistic description of capture and emission of carriers by the defects with time evolution resulting from the migration and reaction of the defects. The physics and equations on which the model is based are presented, along with details of the numerical methods used for their solution. The model uses a continuum description of diffusion, field-drift and reaction of carriers and defects within a representative spherically symmetric cluster. The initial radial defect profiles within the cluster were chosen through pair-correlation-function analysis of the spatial distribution of defects obtained from the binary-collision code MARLOWE, using recoil energies for fission neutrons. Charging of the defects can produce high electric fields within the cluster which may influence transport and reaction of carriers and defects, and which may enhance carrier recombination through band-to-trap tunneling. Properties of the defects are discussed and values for their parameters are given, many of which were obtained from density functional theory. The model provides a basis for predicting the transient responsemore » of III-V heterojunction bipolar transistors to pulsed neutron irradiation.« less
β-Amyloid and the pathogenesis of alzheimer's disease

SIXTY to 80 percent of cases of dementia among persons over the age of 65 are caused by Alzheimer's disease. Most of the remainder are caused by cerebrovascular disease with multiple infarcts, and a smaller proportion are due to tumors, infections (e.g., infection with the human immunodeficiency virus), metabolic disorders, depression ("pseudodementia"), and the less common neurodegenerative diseases, including Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Huntington's disease.1 2 3 Alzheimer's disease has been estimated to afflict 5 to 11 percent of the population over the age of 65 and as much as 47 percent of the population over the age of 85. . . .
Quantum Control of Rhodamine 6G in Solution

We present coherent control of dye photoluminescence in solution obtained with a novel, compact, and high-resolution phase modulator in reflective mode. Analysis of the populations used in the optimization process is also presented.
A look at the recent news from around the world on genetically modified food and crops.

Genetically modified (GM) food and crop stories continue to appear in the popular media across the globe. In the United States, recent news on the topic were dominated by GM food labeling initiativ...
An Efficient Method of Digital Channelization Receiving

The wide-band digital receiver is required to be able to intercept the signal quickly, but it is difficult that the digital signal processor in COTS processes the large number of data from high-speed A/D converter in real time. A kind of efficient architecture, which combines the flexibility of digital filter and the efficiency of poly-phase filters is presented. By decimating the data prior to filtering and mixing, this architecture gives a better solution to the mismatch between the lower hardware speed and high data rate.
Ca2+ entry into neurons is facilitated by cooperative gating of clustered CaV1.3 channels

CaV1.3 channels regulate excitability in many neurons. As is the case for all voltage-gated channels, it is widely assumed that individual CaV1.3 channels behave independently with respect to voltage-activation, open probability, and facilitation. Here, we report the results of super-resolution imaging, optogenetic, and electrophysiological measurements that refute this long-held view. We found that the short channel isoform (CaV1.3S), but not the long (CaV1.3L), associates in functional clusters of two or more channels that open cooperatively, facilitating Ca(2+) influx. CaV1.3S channels are coupled via a C-terminus-to-C-terminus interaction that requires binding of the incoming Ca(2+) to calmodulin (CaM) and subsequent binding of CaM to the pre-IQ domain of the channels. Physically-coupled channels facilitate Ca(2+) currents as a consequence of their higher open probabilities, leading to increased firing rates in rat hippocampal neurons. We propose that cooperative gating of CaV1.3S channels represents a mechanism for the regulation of Ca(2+) signaling and electrical activity.
Surgical treatment of cervical esophagostomy.

Indications for this procedure are: (a) permanent or temporary loss of swallowing and (b) the need for long-term gavage feedings. These indications may occur with trauma, cancer of the head and neck, cervicofacial reconstruction, burns, anorexia, and neurologic disorders with bulbar or laryngeal paralysis.
Hebbian networks for averting the problem of catastrophic interference

Neural networks that follow the Parallel Distributed Processing (PDP) paradigm suffer from catastrophic interference (which has also been called catastrophic forgetting and the sequential learning problem ). Simply stated, catastrophic interference is the problem in which minimal new training quickly and significantly undermines the network's prior training rather than building upon it. This is clearly unlike human learning and memory and a putative human model should not suffer from catastrophic interference. There have been many attempts to address catastrophic interference in PDP networks. Some attempts only partially alleviate the problem. Other attempts are strikingly ad hoc in nature and do not seem neurologically plausible. PDP networks exhibit many desirable properties, and proponents of the PDP paradigm attribute many of these properties to the fact that the networks use distributed representations. The hypotheses put forth herein are that (1) catastrophic interference results from the type and degree of distributed representations used in PDP, and (2) some of the desirable properties of PDP networks have been incorrectly attributed to the type and degree of distributed representations PDP uses. I investigate these hypotheses by using a neural network based on Hebb's cell assembly theory. Hebbian networks also use distributed representations, but distinct from PDP's use in both kind and degree. I create a recognition memory task analogous to one for which catastrophic interference has been a problem. Using this task I demonstrate that Hebbian networks naturally avoid catastrophic interference. Because PDP networks have the ability to generalize with degraded input, I show that the Hebbian network can also generalize and still avoid catastrophic interference when the inputs are degraded with noise. This serves to establish a relationship between noisy input and the learning rate. Finally I verify that the system still works when the scale of the problem is increased. Doing so necessitates an analysis and improvement of the learning rule. This evidence and the fact that Hebb's postulated synaptic learning rule has been verified in biological models constitute a strong argument that Hebbian cell assembly networks are better neurophysiological and psychological models and deserve more attention by the connectionist and neural modeling communities.
CE-30 Factors that influence therapy in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease

Background Preclinical autoimmunity may offer a unique opportunity for preventing the development of SLE. This study was initiated to compare clinical and immunological characteristics in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in a large academic clinical practice. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included all patients diagnosed with UCTD according to the preliminary classification criteria (1) seen at the Columbia University Lupus Centre in New York, from January to December 2015. Clinical and immunological variables were ascertained. Chi squared tests were used to compare the following characteristic between treated and untreated patients: demographic characteristics, number of ACR criteria, SLICC criteria, individual symptoms and laboratory values. Results Eighty-three patients were identified; 93% were female, mean age at diagnosis of 44 years + 14.9; 67% were Caucasian, 20% Hispanic and 11% Black/African American; median disease duration of 3.91 years + 5.35. The most prevalent symptoms that required medical attention are described in Figure 1. 95% of patients had positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers and 5% were ANA negative Ro+, 87% had titers between 1:80 and 1:640, with speckled pattern in 69% of patients. Interestingly, 16% of the patients met SLICC SLE criteria. Half of the patients, 42 (51%) were treated with HCQ and 41 (49.3%) were not treated. The patients treated with HCQ were more likely to also meet SLICC criteria (10 vs. 3, respectively; p = 0.03), have a history of arthralgia (38 vs. 29; p = 0.02), arthritis (28 vs. 10; p = 0.0001), and fatigue (25 vs. 14; p = 0.02). A history of low complement was more prevalent in the treated group (12 vs. 3, p = 0.01). Conclusions Data from this single-centre cohort of patients with UCTD show that patients treated with HCQ by their rheumatologist are more likely to have multiple clinical criteria and low complement compared to those that were not treated. These data suggest that rheumatologist treat pre-clinical autoimmunity in the setting of clinical symptoms. None of patients were treated based on serologies alone. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact of HCQ on outcomes in patients with UCTD.
Testing programming aptitude in introductory programming courses

This paper is a work in progress on establishing a programming aptitude test for CS1 courses. It involves using a simple language, Programming Aptitude Language (PAL), along with a specialized tutorial/test to establish a measure for programming aptitude.
Use of Phototherapy in Children.

Background Phototherapy is a well-recognized treatment in adults and children. Previous articles have reported success in treating recalcitrant skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and vitiligo in children. Methods This was a retrospective review over an 18-month period from June 2012 to December 2013 of all children receiving phototherapy in a tertiary pediatric dermatology center. Results Seventy-five patients 3 to 17 years of age (mean 10.6 years; 35 male, 40 female) were included. Forty-eight (64%) patients had AD and 21 (28%) had psoriasis. Seventy received narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) treatment and five received hand and foot psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment. All patients with AD were treated with NBUVB and four (8.3%) were also treated with hand PUVA. After phototherapy, 76% had documented clear to almost clear skin. At the 12-month follow-up, 52% of the patients with AD remained clear. All 21 patients with psoriasis underwent NBUVB phototherapy. The clearance rate after phototherapy was 86%. At the 12-month follow-up, 43% of the patients with psoriasis remained clear. Conclusion Phototherapy can reduce disease burden in individuals with severe AD and psoriasis and should be considered as a second-line therapy if standard topical regimens are unsuccessful.
Absence of chaos in digital memcomputing machines with solutions

Abstract Digital memcomputing machines (DMMs) are non-linear dynamical systems designed so that their equilibrium points are solutions of the Boolean problem they solve. In a previous work [Chaos 27 (2017) 023107] it was argued that when DMMs support solutions of the associated Boolean problem then strange attractors cannot coexist with such equilibria. In this work, we demonstrate such conjecture. In particular, we show that both topological transitivity, and the strongest property of topological mixing, are inconsistent with the point dissipative property of DMMs when equilibrium points are present. This is true for both the whole phase space and the global attractor. Absence of topological transitivity is enough to imply absence of chaotic behavior. In a similar vein, we prove that if DMMs do not have equilibrium points, the only attractors present are invariant tori/periodic orbits with periods that may possibly increase with system size (quasi-attractors).
Multicellular tumor invasion and plasticity in biomimetic materials

Cancer cell invasion through the extracellular matrix is associated with metastatic spread and therapeutic resistance. In carcinomas, the detachment and dissemination of individual cells has been associated with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition, but tumors can also invade using collective, multicellular phenotypes. This malignant tumor progression is also associated with alignment and stiffening of the surrounding extracellular matrix. Historically, tumor invasion has been investigated using 2D monolayer culture, small animal models or patient histology. These assays have been complemented by the use of natural biomaterials such as reconstituted basement membrane and collagen I. More recently, engineered materials with well-defined physical, chemical and biomolecular properties have enabled more controlled microenvironments. In this review, we highlight recent developments in multicellular tumor invasion based on microfabricated structures or hydrogels. We emphasize the role of interfacial geometries, biomaterial stiffness, matrix remodeling, and co-culture models. Finally, we discuss future directions for the field, particularly integration with precision measurements of biomaterial properties and single cell heterogeneity, standardization and scale-up of these platforms, as well as integration with patient-derived samples.
American Cultural Models of Embarrassment

This paper undertakes three tasks. First, we describe Americans’ cultural model—their everyday understandings—of embarrassment. Second, we relate their understandings to claims about the cross-cultural variability of self-concepts — especially to the debate over egocentric versus sociocentric notions of the self. Third, we discuss the implications of our research for theories linking culture and emotion.1
Social experience alters socially induced serotonergic fluctuations in the inferior colliculus

We demonstrate that past social experience influences the fidelity with which the serotonergic system represents social context in an auditory region. Social experience altered the time course of s...
Artists and art libraries

Asked about how artists use libraries, art librarians confirm that artists gather ideas from a wide spectrum of subjects and sources, beyond the scope of the art library; they also need images and other, specific, information which art libraries often can supply. Their approach is typically exploratory and intuitive; they are compulsive browsers, but are likely to be impatient of catalogs and only occasional users of standard references tools. They expect a lot of help from specialist librarians. Art libraries serving artists generally provide access to a wide range of images, and invariably house their collections on open stacks. Photocopying, including color copying, is an essential service, and other visual and ‘studio’ facilities may also be provided. As more and more visual and other relevant information is made available through electronic networks, art libraries can provide artists with assisted, convenient access to it.
Endovascular therapy in Marfan syndrome: PRO

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder that is associated with arterial fragility and aortic pathologies. The endovascular treatment of patients with MFS is controversial. Published series suggest that while endovascular intervention can be carried out with a low rate of immediate morbidity and mortality, midterm follow up demonstrates sizeable numbers of complications. However, in certain situations-such as rupture, reintervention for patch aneurysms, and elective interventions in which the landing zone is within a previously placed graft-endovascular interventions are appropriate. We present a review of the literature and our institutional perspective on this complex topic.
Constructing a broadly inclusive seed plant phylogeny.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Large phylogenies can help shed light on macroevolutionary patterns that inform our understanding of fundamental processes that shape the tree of life. These phylogenies also serve as tools that facilitate other systematic, evolutionary, and ecological analyses. Here we combine genetic data from public repositories (GenBank) with phylogenetic data (Open Tree of Life project) to construct a dated phylogeny for seed plants. METHODS We conducted a hierarchical clustering analysis of publicly available molecular data for major clades within the Spermatophyta. We constructed phylogenies of major clades, estimated divergence times, and incorporated data from the Open Tree of Life project, resulting in a seed plant phylogeny. We estimated diversification rates, excluding those taxa without molecular data. We also summarized topological uncertainty and data overlap for each major clade. KEY RESULTS The trees constructed for Spermatophyta consisted of 79,881 and 353,185 terminal taxa; the latter included the Open Tree of Life taxa for which we could not include molecular data from GenBank. The diversification analyses demonstrated nested patterns of rate shifts throughout the phylogeny. Data overlap and inference uncertainty show significant variation throughout and demonstrate the continued need for data collection across seed plants. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a means for combining available resources to construct a dated phylogeny for plants. However, this approach is an early step and more developments are needed to add data, better incorporating underlying uncertainty, and improve resolution. The methods discussed here can also be applied to other major clades in the tree of life.
Ireland at the Polls: 1981, 1982, and 1987: A Study of Four General Elections

Ireland at the Polls, 1981, 1982, and 1987: A Study of four General Elections is another in the series of national election studies prepared by the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI). Books in the series include volumes on some thirty national democratic elections around the world. Distinguished foreign and American scholars have contributed to the studies.
Carbon Footprint Analysis of Gasoline and Diesel from Forest Residues and Algae using Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion Plus Fischer–Tropsch (IH2 Plus cool GTL)

Life cycle analysis was conducted with a focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of renewable gasoline and diesel produced by the integrated hydropyrolysis and hydroconversion (IH2) and the new IH2 plus Fischer–Tropsch (IH2 Plus cool GTL) processes. This new process has a primary objective of increasing the yield of biofuel relative to original IH2 process (increase of 26% to 38% wt) by processing the C1–C3 gas co-products through an integrated Fischer–Tropsch unit to produce liquid-range hydrocarbon biofuel. For both biofuel processes, woody biomass residues (forest logging and saw mills) and algae were investigated as feedstocks. The effect of the electricity generation mix of different states in the U.S. was also examined for algae cultivation. For woody residues as feedstock, life cycle GHG emission savings of about 86.8% and 63.3% were calculated for the IH2 and optimized-IH2 Plus cool GTL hydrocarbon biofuel, respectively, relative to fossil-derived fuel. For algae as feedstock, emission increases o...
Embryogenic cultures of the leguminous tree Albizia julibrissin and recovery of plants

A somatic embryogenic system was developed and plants regenerated in mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durazz). Development of somatic embryos in the species has not previously been reported. Immature seeds, embryo cotyledons and embryo axes (cotyledons removed) at defined developmental stages were placed on induction media with different concentrations of 2,4-D. Two distinct embryogenic responses occurred: either proembryo masses or cotyledonary-stage embryos. Twenty five percent of all embryo axes cultured on basal medium produced cotyledonary somatic embryos. Six percent of in ovulo immature seed explants generated proembryo masses. These masses proliferated in liquid culture in the dark. Proembryos developed further when transferred to a growth-regulator-free semisolid medium in the light. Somatic embryos derived from either proembryo suspensions or cotyledonary embryo cultures on semisolid medium germinated to form plants that continued to grow vigorously following transfer to soil.
Isotropic Viscosity of Solid Spherical Suspensions in crystalline States

Abstract A geometric description of particle stresses in a mixture determines isentropic viscosity of solid spherical suspensions at arbitrary concentrations based on the suspensions’ microstructural crystallinity. For an equal-sized spherical suspension system, the resulting geometric expression predicts well the classical experimental and numerical viscosity data at different particle concentrations, when the crystalline states are considered as simple cubic, random distribution, face-centered cubic or body-centered cubic. It is concluded that some observed non-Newtonian behaviors of a suspension system can be construed as micro-structural transitions. This geometric model agrees remarkably well with light-scattering experimental observations on structural transitioning in colloidal and non-colloidal mixtures. Effects of particle inertia and particle Brownian fluctuations on the viscosity are taken to be dependent on solutions’ crystalline states. For colloidal suspensions, flow-induced particle pressure and collective self-diffusion of particles mitigate a mixture to transitioning to a less dissipative, higher-order jamming symmetry at higher volume fractions or higher shear rates.
Laboratory-Scale Microgrid System for Control of Power Distribution in Local Energy Networks – Part I: Theory and Design

One of the promising solutions to achieve sustainable energy systems in future smart cities is to deploy microgrids in local energy networks. Due to the decentralized nature of microgrids, large-scale utilization of these resources will increase the reliability of the energy systems as well as facilitating the integration of renewable energy resources to enable more environmentally-friendly energy network. This chapter presents development of a highly reconfigurable, laboratory–scale microgrid testbed. The proposed microgrid system integrates several distributed generation (DG) units representing photovoltaic panel, wind turbine, battery energy storage and etc. The schematic of the proposed system can be customized to investigate numerous grid architectures and control scenarios. In this study, the loads and energy resource allocation are realized by assessment of the loads and resources priority. Therefore, a hierarchical procedure will take place to allocate the power to different buses in microgrid. In the next chapter, we describe the test-bed implementation of the designed microgrid.
The current treatment patterns of metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A national cancer database review, 2004–2015:

Objective:Our objective was to analyze patterns of treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) (no treatment (NT), cytoreductive nephrectomy only (CN), systemic therapy only (ST), and both...
Effects of watermelon powder supplementation on colitis in high-fat diet-fed and dextran sodium sulfate-treated rats

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of watermelon on colitis in rats treated with Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) and high-fat diet. We hypothesized that watermelon would reduce colitis severity by maintaining the number of intact crypts and regulating cell homeostasis. Forty rats were divided into four groups: control diet, control diet + DSS, 0.33% watermelon powder diet, and 0.33% watermelon powder diet + DSS. After 4 weeks of defined diets, DSS group rats were administered 3% (w/v) DSS (40 kDa) in their drinking water for 2 days. DSS administration increased colonocyte proliferation and apoptosis while decreasing cell differentiation and the number of intact colonic crypts (P
The national blueprint for pregnancy/birth longitudinal cohorts to study factor VIII immunogenicity: NHLBI State of the Science (SOS) Workshop on factor VIII inhibitors

Introduction Patients with haemophilia can develop inhibitors to exogenous coagulation factors. Some patients are tolerant to factor, while those who develop inhibitors do so early in life. Genetics and environmental factors are known to contribute to inhibitor risk. However, it is not yet possible to predict inhibitor formation or treatment responsiveness in individuals. We hypothesize that factors in the antenatal/neonatal period inform inhibitor risk development. Aim To consider the design of longitudinal studies beginning in the antenatal/neonatal period and the use of new technologies to better understand haemophilia inhibitors. Methods A working group was formed for the NHLBI State of the Science Workshop: Factor VIII Inhibitors: Generating a National Blueprint for Future Research to solicit input from the US haemophilia community and international collaborators to consider design of pregnancy/birth longitudinal cohorts that leverage -omics, existing phenotypic data, and in silico modelling to study inhibitors. Results An antenatal/neonatal longitudinal cohort should begin with enrolment of pregnant genetic carriers of haemophilia and span the at-risk period for inhibitor development in the child. Data and samples from the mother, placenta, neonate and young child can be obtained that are amenable to existing assays, genomics and other -omics studies. Data can inform in silico prediction and mathematical models. Conclusion A longitudinal study beginning before birth offers the unique opportunity to study factors that influence inhibitor development prior to exposure. Advances in -omics and computational biology can study complex phenotypes in this rare disease. This study could be accomplished through interdisciplinary efforts and patient community engagement.