cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modifications to the Peptidoglycan Backbone Help Bacteria To Establish Infection

Bacterial pathogens that colonize mucosal surfaces have acquired resistance to antimicrobials that are abundant at these sites. One of the main antimicrobials present on mucosal surfaces is lysozyme, a muramidase that hydrolyzes the peptidoglycan backbone of bacteria. Cleavage of the peptidoglycan backbone leads to bacterial cell death and lysis, which releases bacterial fragments, including peptidoglycan, at the site of infection. Peptidoglycan fragments can be recognized by host receptors and initiate an immune response that will aid in clearing infection. Many mucosal pathogens modify the peptidoglycan residues surrounding the cleavage site for lysozyme to avoid peptidoglycan degradation and the release of these proinflammatory fragments. This review will focus specifically on peptidoglycan modifications, their role in lysozyme resistance, and downstream effects on the host immune response to infection.
Finite-Element Analysis of Inclined Piezocone Penetration Test in Clays

A three-dimensional finite-element analysis was performed to analyze the effect of soil anisotropy on the inclined piezocone penetration test in normally consolidated clay. The piezocone penetration was numerically simulated based on a large strain formulation using the commercial finite-element code ABAQUS, and the anisotropic modified cam clay model (AMCCM) was chosen and implemented into ABAQUS through the user subroutine UMAT. For verification purposes, numerical simulations were first performed on previously conducted calibration chamber tests, and the predicted results were compared with the measured values. For different initial stress conditions and different penetration angles, the cone tip resistance profile; excess pore pressure profile at the cone tip; typical stress, strain and excess pore pressure distributions around the cone; and excess pore pressure dissipation at the cone tip are provided. This study shows that when the initial stress state is anisotropic, the soil behavior is different under different angles of penetration.
STM Studies of TbTe3: Evidence for a Fully Incommensurate Charge Density Wave

We observe unidirectional charge density wave ordering on the cleaved surface of TbTe{sub 3} with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope at {approx}6 K. The modulation wave-vector q{sub CDW} as determined by Fourier analysis is 0.71 {+-} 0.02 x2{pi}/c. Where c is one edge of the in-plane 3D unit cell. Images at different tip-sample voltages show the unit cell doubling effects of dimerization and the layer below. Our results agree with bulk X-ray measurements, with the addition of (1/3) x2{pi}/a ordering perpendicular to the CDW. Our analysis indicates that the CDW is incommensurate.
Acute Conjunctivitis: Truth and Misconceptions

ABSTRACTObjective: Acute conjunctivitis is an extremely common condition and can be associated with significant morbidity and economic burden. Despite this, considerable controversy exists pertaining to the prevalence, diagnosis, management, and treatment of the condition. A panel of ophthalmology experts was assembled to review and discuss the current evidence based literature as it pertains to each of these persistent controversies.Methods and scope: An acute conjunctivitis round table symposium was convened at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Atlanta, November 2008. The expert panelists consisted of four academic ophthalmologists in the field of cornea and external disease, whose discussion was informed by an English language literature survey carried out on the PubMed database for the period of January 1972 to October 2008. A narrative summary was generated from the literature review and direct transcription of this event, from which this Review article was developed.Findings and concl...
PROPERTIES OF VARIANT FORMS OF HUMAN STEM CELL FACTOR RECOMBINANTLY EXPRESSED IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

The gene for human stem cell factor (SCF) encodes a leader sequence followed by 248 amino acids (Martin et al., 1990, Cell 63, 203). Of these 248 amino acids, the first 189 correspond to an extracellular domain and the remainder correspond to a hydrophobic transmembrane domain plus a cytoplasmic domain. A naturally occurring soluble form, released by proteolytic cleavage after amino acid 165, has been described. An alternatively spliced mRNA, lacking the codons for exon 6, has also been described. Since the amino acids encoded by exon 6 include the proteolytic cleavage site, the form expressed from the alternatively spliced mRNA tends to remain membrane-bound. In the present study, we have begun to explore structure/function relationships within the extracellular domain of SCF. Forms beginning at amino acid 1 (after the leader sequence) and ranging from 127 to 189 at the C-terminus have been recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. In addition, forms missing the amino acids encoded by exon 6, forms missing up to 10 amino acids from the N-terminus, and forms with disulfide bond alterations have been expressed and purified. The forms have been characterized structurally, as well as functionally, in quantitative cell proliferation and receptor-binding assays. The results indicate that amino acids 1-141 comprise a structural and functional core and allow conclusions about the necessity of each of the two disulfide bonds for structure and function.
In Utero Causation of Brachial Plexus Injury: Myth or Mystery?

In utero causation is a manufactured theory based on speculation that contradicts known anatomic and physiologic principles. Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a very-low-velocity and very-low-impact injury. Adult BPI is a high-velocity and high-impact injury. Labor forces are compressive and expulsive, not traction or stretching. “Using a statistical model it is possible to identify adverse combinations of factors that are associated with shoulder dystocia and neonatal injury [1].”
Ca-metasomatism and chemical zonation of garnet in contact-metamorphic aureoles, Juneau gold belt, Southeastern Alaska

Calcic pelite from the contact aureoles around plutons in the Grand Island diorite complex, soutleastern Alaska, records episodic flow of metamorphic fluid and Ca-metasomatism. Grains of garnet adjacent to quartz veins are comprised of almandine, spessartine, grossular, and pyrope components and show oscillatory zoning in mole fraction of grossular (ranging from 0.10 to 0.35) and antipathetic zoning in mole fraction of almandine. With some exceptions, the mole fraction of spessartine decreases and Fe/@e + Mg) increases toward the rim. Na, Y, Yb, and 71 2sningin these gamet grains have opposite trends to grossular, but Ti in garnet is positively correlated with grossular content. Garnet $ains ca 2 m from the veins have fewer cycles of zoning, indicating that infiltration started near veins and that some infiltration events penetrated only a short distance into the pelite. In contast, andradite-rich garnet and epidote in the veins contain negligible concentrations of Y, Yb, and Zr, consistent with growrh ofandradite-rich gamet from infiltrating fluids containing low concentrations ofthese elements. The data on zoning can be explained by episodic Ca-metasomatism, with or wittrout mobility of other components, producing episodic growth of Sarnet Plagloclase, and epidote. The reason for pulses of fluid flow or changes in fluid compositions is unclear, but may be related to episodic plutonism in the complex. Stauolite and other minerals in the amphibolite-facies rocks werc partially replaced in a series of fluid-infiltration pulses. The fust produced a second generation of gamet, the second produced retrograde clinozoisite + albite + muscovite + sulfide in the contact-metamorphic rocks and the plutonic rocks, and a later event produced chlorite + sericite. Retrograde metamorphism is inferred to be associated with emplacement of plutons in the Coast plutonic-metamorphic complex 10 km to the east, and possibly with mineralization in the Juneau gold belt. Keryords: garneg zoning, trace elements, contact metamorphism, metasomatism, southeastern Alaska.
Efficient Nested Dissection for Multicore Architectures

Sparse matrices are common in scientific computing and machine learning. By storing and processing only the non-zero elements of a matrix containing mostly zeros, sparse matrix algorithms often reduce computation and storage requirements of operations by an order of complexity. The order of the rows and columns of the matrix can have a significant impact on the efficiency of sparse direct methods. For example, in a Cholesky decomposition, it is desirable to re-order the input matrix so as to reduce the number of non-zeros in the factors. One of the most effective methods for re-ordering is nested dissection, where vertex separators are recursively found in the graph representation of the matrix and are used to permute the rows and columns. In this work we investigate the creation of vertex separators on shared memory parallel architectures and their use in nested dissection. We introduce a new effective scheme for refining a vertex separator in parallel, and a specialized parallel task scheduling scheme for the nested dissection problem. These algorithms have been implemented in the mt-Metis framework. Our experiments show that mt-Metis is \(1.5\times \) faster than ParMetis while producing orderings with \(3.7\,\%\) fewer non-zeros and \(14.0\,\%\) fewer operations.
Mitochondrial respiratory defects promote the Warburg effect and cancer progression

In the past decade mitochondria have emerged as an important cellular signaling hub controlling metabolism, epigenetics, and cell fate. Dysfunctional mitochondria initiate a retrograde nuclear response that influences the cellular reprograming observed in various human pathologies, including cancer. New data suggest that loss of cytochrome c oxidase function promotes the Warburg effect and upregulates several genes with roles in tumor development.
The fine structure of septa and haustoria of Cronartium quercuum formae speciales fusiforme on Quercus rubra

Greenhouse plants of the northern red oak, Quercus rubra, were inoculated with aeciospores of Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme collected from the alternate host, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, the widely cultivated slash pine. Infected leaf tissue of oak was fixed and embedded for ultrastructural study. This report consists of observations on the fine structure of septa and haustoria of the rust fungus. Both primary and secondary septa were found. Primary septa are essentially the same as those reported for other rust fungi; there is a single pore that may be plugged by an electron-dense substance and which is surrounded by an organelle-free zone encircled by microbodies. Haustoria of C. quercuum f. sp. fusiforme differ from other rust fungi in the structure of the collar which is continuous with the extrahaustorial matrix.
Field independence and the sixteen personality factor questionnaire: a further note.

Recently Ohnmacht (3) correlated scores on two hidden-figures tests, measures of the field independence (FI) construct described by Witkin, et al. (4), with fourth second-order factor (Q IV) scores from the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF). Since Q IV has been described as being ". . . associated with 'field independence' in the sense used by Witkin" (I), Ohnmacht's (3) nonsignificant correlations led him to conclude that Q IV appeared to lack construct validity as a measure of FI. In a rejoinder (2), it was noted that Q IV is only hypothesized as being identical to source trait U.I. 19 (Independence). Ohnmacht's (3) data, at best, were interpreted as perhaps indicating that Q IV and U.I. 19 were different traits; at worst as being irrelevant to the validity of either trait. However, ic seems that, if Q IV is related to Witkin's FI construct as proposed (I), empirical verification with respect to the measures by which the Witkin, et al. (4) construct is defined is required. To evaluate f~~rther the relationship between Q IV and FI, 174 psychiatric inpatients, 61 males and 113 females, representing essentially consecutive admissions, received Series 3 (4) of the Rod-and-frame Test (RFT) and the 16 PF, Forms A and B, within 2 wk. of admission. Correlations between Q IV and RFT scores were computed by sex and were .30 (p < .0l) and .07, for females and males, respectively. The differential results by sex were consistent with earlier findings concerning the relationship berween the RFT and Embedded Figures Test (4) but are apparently not provided for in Cattell and Hundleby's (2) formulation. Although the present results show a stronger relationship berween Q 1V and the Witkin, et al. (4) FI construct than do earlier results (3), both studies clearly indicate that Q IV is not a particularly good questionnaire measure of F1 as defined by Witkin, et al. (4).
Distinct BimBH3 (BimSAHB) Stapled Peptides for Structural and Cellular Studies

Hydrocarbon stapling is a chemical approach to restoring and fortifying the natural α-helical structure of peptides that otherwise unfold when taken out of context from the host protein. By iterating the peptide sequence, staple type, and sites of insertion, discrete compositions can be generated to suit a diversity of biochemical, structural, proteomic, cellular, and drug development applications. Here, we reinforce key design considerations to avoid pitfalls and maximize progress when applying stapled peptides in chemistry and biology research.
Consequences validity evidence: Evaluating the impact of educational assessments

Because tests that do not alter management (i.e., influence decisions and actions) should not be performed, data on the consequences of assessment constitute a critical source of validity evidence. Consequences validity evidence is challenging for many educators to understand, perhaps because it has no counterpart in the older framework of content, criterion, and construct validity. The authors' purpose is to explain consequences validity evidence and propose a framework for organizing its collection and interpretation.Both clinical and educational assessments can be viewed as interventions. The act of administering or taking a test, the interpretation of scores, and the ensuing decisions and actions influence those being assessed (e.g., patients or students) and other people and systems (e.g., physicians, teachers, hospitals, schools). Consequences validity evidence examines such impacts of assessments. Despite its importance, consequences evidence is reported infrequently in health professions education (range 5%-20% of studies in recent systematic reviews) and is typically limited in scope and rigor.Consequences validity evidence can derive from evaluations of the impact on examinees, educators, schools, or the end target of practice (e.g., patients or health care systems); and the downstream impact of classifications (e.g., different score cut points and labels). Impact can result from the uses of scores or from the assessment activity itself, and can be intended or unintended and beneficial or harmful. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are useful. The type, quantity, and rigor of consequences evidence required will vary depending on the assessment and the claims for its use.
Photobleaching of fura-2 and its effect on determination of calcium concentrations

This study was performed to determine the effect of photobleaching on the spectral properties of the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Fura-2, whether in cells or in calibrating solutions, was found to be bleached when exposed to excitation light. In contrast to the widely held belief, photobleaching altered the spectral properties of the dye. Decomposition of the excitation spectra of partially bleached fura-2 solutions revealed an intermediate that is still fluorescent and is not sensitive to calcium over the same range as fura-2, but which can bind calcium in the millimolar range. The presence of this intermediate violates one of the assumptions on which the ratio method of calibration is based; that is, that the only fluorescent species present are the calcium-bound and the free anion forms of fura-2. Thus, if photobleaching occurs, the ratio method will not give accurate calcium concentration values. We calculate that as little as an 8% loss of total fluorescence intensity is sufficient to produce a large error. Photobleaching of fura-2-loaded cells and fura-2 containing calibrating solutions can be minimized by reducing the oxygen concentration and by reducing the excitation light intensity. Strategies are presented to help maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio in fura-2 fluorescence detection systems, despite a lower excitation intensity so that photobleaching, and the resulting inaccuracies in calculated [Ca2+], can be largely avoided.
Determination of norovirus antigen by fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Objective To establish a ELISA method based on FITC-anti-FITC amplification system for detecting norovirus antigen in human fecal samples,which is used in screening or aided diagnosis of norovirus infection.Methods ELISA method for the detection of norovirus antigen in human feces was established based on microwell plates coated with norovirus specific monoclonal antibody 1,fluorescein isothiocyanate( FITC) labeled pairs of norovirus specific monoclonal antibody 2 and horseradish peroxidase labeled anti-FITC antibodies used as the tracers.Comparison analysis was performed by using commercial enzyme ELISA kit and typing reagents.Result The optimal coated count of capturing antibody of mouse anti-norovirus monoclonal antibody 1 was 1∶2 000;The optimal dilution for detecting anti-norovirus monoclonal antibody 2 labeled with FITC was 1:1 000,and the optimal dilution of anti-FITC antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase was 1 ∶1 200.The cut-off value was 0.368.The coefficient of variation about interplate and intraplate was less than 5%;The sensitivity and specificity were higher than 95%;The test results from this method and R-biopharm ELISA kit showed consistent(k=0.986).Among 231 specimens of hospitalized children in Tianjin Children's Hospital,norovirus was detected in 46 samples by this menthod with the positive rate of(19.91%),of which 45 samples were positive by R-biopharm enzyme immunoassay kit.Compared with Operon typing reagents,the positive coincidence rate was 91.3%(42/46),the negative coincidence rate was97.9%(185/189).Conclusion This method developed in the present study is applicable to the detection of norovirus virus type I,type II in fecal specimen with higher sensitivity and specificity,and is helpful to the diagnosis of acute diarrhea caused by norovirus virus.
Selectivity of new iptakalim derivatives on the subtypes of ATP-sensitive potassium channels

Aim To investigate the seletive actions of new iptakalim's derivatives on different subtypes of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.Method In HEK-293 cells expressing different recombinant KATP channels(Kir6.2/SUR1,Kir6.2/SUR2A and Kir6.1/SUR2B),the selectivty of those novel derivatives on KATP channels were examined using fluorescence-based assays.Result In HEK-293 cells heterologously expressing Kir6.2/SUR1,Kir6.2/SUR2A and Kir6.1/SUR2B recombinant KATP channels,these compounds(3),(7),(8),(9),(12)and(14)at concentrations of 0.1,1.0,10,and 100×10-6 mol·L-1.caused decreases in fluorescence responses using DiBAC4(3),while the compound(6)natakalim caused decreases in fluorescence responses for Kir6.1/SUR2B recombinant KATP channels not for Kir6.2/SUR1 and Kir6.2/SUR2A recombinant KATP channels.Conclusion Natakalim showed high selectivity on the Kir6.1/SUR2B subtype of KATP channels.
Methods of evaluation in outcomes research.

UNLABELLED This activity is designed for pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare team members; payers for health services; and healthcare executives. GOAL To provide basic information on the methods used and computer software available for evaluating invariant factorial structures, such as those found in health status measurement tools. OBJECTIVES 1. Discuss why comparison of mean scores may not be appropriate when interpreting humanistic outcomes results. 2. Identify alternative methods for evaluating data from health status measurement tools, such as the SF-36. 3. Define validity, reliability, and structure. 4. Understand the value of structural equation modeling when using health status measurement tools, such as the SF-36. 5. Describe the statistical software used to perform structural equation modeling.
Electrocoagulation for Recovery of Semen After Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection: Case Report

Electroejaculation with a rectal probe was used successfully for semen recovery 8 years after bilateral suprarenal hilar lymph node dissection for stage IIB embryonal cell cancer. An adequate ejaculate was obtained in relation to total sperm count, motility and normal morphology. Prior use of sympathomimetic drugs, including imipramine and ephedrine, was unsuccessful in producing an ejaculation. Electrostimulation via a rectal probe seems to be a useful technique for semen recovery in the patient with anejaculation after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
A Review of “A Little Solitaire: John Frankenheimer and American Film”

In 1988, I remember seeing John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate (1962) during its theatrical re-release. Following on the heels of the Iran-Contra scandal, the film seemed to touch a nerve...
Negotiating a Place in the Family-A Grounded Theory Exploration of Stepgrandmothers' Enactment of Roles.

Purpose Stepgrandparents are becoming more common, and they can, and often do, provide affective and instrumental support to families. Little is known, however, about how they negotiate and enact their roles within families, especially with stepgrandchildren. Stepgrandmothers warrant special attention because researchers have found that women experience more challenges than men in stepfamilies. Guided by symbolic interactionism, the purposes of our study were: (a) to explore stepgrandmothers' role enactment and (b) to explore the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual factors that contribute to role enactment in intergenerational steprelationships. Design and methods Eighteen stepgrandmothers participated in semi-structured interviews, discussing their relationships with 94 stepgrandchildren. Consistent with grounded theory methods, data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Results Interviews with stepgrandmothers revealed that they spend considerable time and energy defining their roles with stepgrandchildren. Stepgrandmothers' role enactment is a complex, reflexive process. A few perceived that their roles were shaped by their own dispositions, desires, and expectations (evidence for role-making), but most stepgrandmothers described their roles as reflecting the dispositions, desires, and expectations of others (evidence for role-taking). Stepgrandmothers reflected on their roles as a delicate balance of intra- and inter-personal negotiations, operating within cultural expectations. Implications Findings draw attention to the complex nature of role-taking, role-making, and gendered, relational processes in multigenerational stepfamilies. We discuss implications for research and theory related to stepgrandmotherhood as an incomplete institution.
Developing a marine engineering centre of excellence for competency-based training

Institutes imparting training in marine engineering require replication of shipboard ambience for strengthening the competencies. For building an engineering centre for training, five options at different physical levels were considered based on a model of a new liquefied natural gas tanker ship build. A mock-up facility, simulator, full-scale engine room, scaled down version and a combination arrangement with live and dummy equipment were the options. Analytic hierarchy process was applied for selecting a suitable option based on criteria of cost, effectiveness in attaining competencies, practicability and environmental conduciveness. Analyses were carried out on the eigenvalues based on eight subselection criteria. The combination of live equipment (boilers and turbo alternator) and non-live shipboard equipment (auxiliaries) was chosen based on the global weightages obtained from the pairwise comparison matrix computations. The reliability was ascertained from the consistency index which was less than 0.1. For selection of the learning modes and the equipment, a constructivist approach of learners reflecting and choosing the learning mode was adopted. Industry practitioners were made into learner groups composed of trainers, shipboard personnel and company personnel. Established competencies were assigned as scores to the different learning modes. ANOVA application and statistical methods were used to analyse the scores to verify if there were too much variation in the choices. The calculated F ratio values were low (0.14 to 0.40) compared to the reference values indicating that the choices were even. The chi-squared test indicated that the group composition did have an influence on choosing the learning mode and equipment for training. The objective of identifying the learning mode and equipment for the training centre was achieved.
A temporal deep learning approach for MR perfusion parameter estimation in stroke

Perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) images are often used in the assessment of acute ischemic stroke to distinguish between salvageable tissue and infarcted core. Deconvolution methods such as singular value decomposition have been used to approximate model-based perfusion parameters from these images. However, studies have shown that these existing deconvolution algorithms can introduce distortions that may negatively influence the utility of these parameter maps. There is limited previous work on utilizing machine learning algorithms to estimate perfusion parameters. In this work, we present a novel bi-input convolutional neural network (bi-CNN) to approximate four perfusion parameters without using an explicit deconvolution method. These bi-CNNs produced good approximations for all four parameters, with relative average root-mean-square errors (ARMSEs) ≤ 5% of the maximum values. We further demonstrate the utility of the estimated perfusion maps for quantifying the salvageable tissue volume in stroke, with more than 80% agreement with the ground truth. These results show that deep learning techniques are a promising tool for perfusion parameter estimation without requiring a standard deconvolution process.
Interprofessional objective structured teaching exercise (iOSTE) to train preceptors

Abstract Background and purpose Interprofessional education (IPE) is important in the education of all health care students, yet limited IPE training has been provided to preceptors who train these students in the clinical setting. Simulation using the standardized student model has been used to train health care preceptors in medicine. To our knowledge, there are no reports utilizing interprofessional objective structured teaching exercises (iOSTE) to train pharmacy preceptors. The primary objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate the effects of iOSTE on the pharmacy preceptors’ perceived importance of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies and confidence in precepting interprofessional students. Additionally, data were collected regarding pharmacy preceptors' prior experiences in simulation and debriefing. Educational activity and setting Preceptors (n=23) participated in an iOSTE and debriefed with trained standardized nursing and pharmacy students caring for a trained standardized asthma patient. Findings Pre- versus post-iOSTE survey data showed statistically significant improvements in all self-confidence related items, including the following abilities: precept students from different disciplines (p=0.004), facilitate a simulation activity (p=0.001), conduct the debriefing process (p Summary These findings indicate that iOSTE is a useful and well-received method for preceptor development.
Comprehensive Measurement and Analysis of the User-Perceived I/O Performance in a Production Leadership-Class Storage System

With the increase of the scale and intensity of the parallel I/O workloads generated by those scientific applications running on high performance computing facilities, understanding the I/O dynamics, especially the root cause of the I/O performance variability and degradation in HPC environment, have become extremely critical to the HPC community. In this paper, we run extensive I/O measuring tests on a production leadership-class storage system to capture the performance variabilities of large-scale parallel I/O. Analyzing these results and its statistic correlation revealed some valuable insights into the characteristics of the storage system and the root cause of I/O performance variability. Further, we leverage these findings and propose an I/O middleware design refactoring which can improve the performance of the parallel I/O by optimizing the data striping and placement. Our preliminary evaluation results demonstrate the proposed approach can reduce the average per-process write latency by at least 80% and the maximum per-process write latency by at least 20%.
Understanding Temporal Backing Patterns in Online Crowdfunding Communities

Online crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo make it possible for users to pledge funds to help creators bring their favorite projects into life. With an increasing number of users participating in crowdfunding, researchers are progressively motivated to investigate on improving user experiences by recommending projects and predicting project outcomes. To prompt the sustainable development of these platforms, understanding backers' behaviors becomes also important, as it helps platforms provide better services and improve backer retention. In particular, studying backers' temporal behaviors allows them to monitor the dynamics of backers' actions and develop appropriate strategies in time. Therefore, in this paper, we analyze a large amount of backer data from Kickstarter and Indiegogo, and do a comprehensive quantitative analysis on users' temporal backing patterns. Employing time series clustering methods, we discover four distinct temporal backing patterns on both platforms. In addition, we explore various characteristics of these backing patterns and possible factors affecting backers' behaviors. Finally, we leverage these insights to build a prediction model and show promising results to identify users' backing patterns at a very early stage. The datasets used in this paper are available at: https://goo.gl/ozgLvP.
Cellular Mechanics of Primary Human Cervical Fibroblasts: Influence of Progesterone and a Pro-inflammatory Cytokine

The leading cause of neonatal mortality, pre-term birth, is often caused by pre-mature ripening/opening of the uterine cervix. Although cervical fibroblasts play an important role in modulating the cervix’s extracellular matrix (ECM) and mechanical properties, it is not known how hormones, i.e., progesterone, and pro-inflammatory insults alter fibroblast mechanics, fibroblast-ECM interactions and the resulting changes in tissue mechanics. Here we investigate how progesterone and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, alter the biomechanical properties of human cervical fibroblasts and the fibroblast-ECM interactions that govern tissue-scale mechanics. Primary human fibroblasts were isolated from non-pregnant cervix and treated with estrogen/progesterone, IL-1β or both. The resulting changes in ECM gene expression, matrix remodeling, traction force generation, cell-ECM adhesion and tissue contractility were monitored. Results indicate that IL-1β induces a significant reduction in traction force and ECM adhesion independent of pre-treatment with progesterone. These cell level effects altered tissue-scale mechanics where IL-1β inhibited the contraction of a collagen gel over 6 days. Interestingly, progesterone treatment alone did not modulate traction forces or gel contraction but did result in a dramatic increase in cell-ECM adhesion. Therefore, the protective effect of progesterone may be due to altered adhesion dynamics as opposed to altered ECM remodeling.
Significant photocatalytic performance enhancement of TiO 2 by CeO 2 atomic layer deposition.

Different cycles (10-80) of CeO2 were coated on TiO2 nanoparticles by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using tris(i-propylcyclopentadienyl)cerium and de-ionized water as precursors at 250 °C in a fluidized bed reactor. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that TiO2 kept anatase structure after CeO2 ALD. With an increase in the number of ALD coating cycles, both photoluminescence intensity and band gap of the samples continuously decreased. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated based on the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution under UV light. The photocatalysis experiment demonstrated that 40 cycles of CeO2 deposited TiO2 sample (40Ce/TiO2) showed the highest photocatalytic activity and had a more than three-fold activity enhancement over uncoated TiO2 for the degradation of MB. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the fact that CeO2 played a role as e-/h+ pair trap centers and consequently reduced e-/h+ pair recombination rate.
Implantable Defibrillator Therapy in Cardiac Arrest Survivors With a Reversible Cause.

Background: Current guidelines recommend implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), except in those with completely reversible causes. We sought to examine the impact of ICD therapy on mortality in survivors of SCA associated with reversible causes. Methods and Results: We evaluated the records of 1433 patients managed at our institution between 2000 and 2012 who were discharged alive after SCA. A reversible and correctable cause was identified in 792 (55%) patients. Reversible SCA cause was defined as significant electrolyte or metabolic abnormality, evidence of acute myocardial infarction or ischemia, recent initiation of antiarrhythmic drug or illicit drug use, or other reversible circumstances. Of the 792 SCA survivors because of a reversible and correctable cause (age 61±15 years, 40% women), 207 (26%) patients received an ICD after their index SCA. During a mean follow-up of 3.8±3.1 years, 319 (40%) patients died. ICD implantation was highly associated with lower all-cause mortality ( P P P Conclusions: In survivors of SCA because of a reversible and correctable cause, ICD therapy is associated with lower all-cause mortality except if the SCA was because of myocardial infarction. These data deserve further investigation in a prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial, as they may have important and immediate clinical implications.
Conceptualizing Disagreement in Qualitative Coding

Collaborative qualitative coding often involves coders assign- ing different labels to the same instance, leading to ambiguity. We refer to such an instance of ambiguity as disagreement in coding. Analyzing reasons for such a disagreement is essential-- both for purposes of bolstering user understanding gained from coding and reinterpreting the data collaboratively, and for negotiating user-assigned labels for building effective machine learning models. We propose a conceptual definition of collective disagreement using diversity and divergence within the coding distributions. This perspective of disagreement translates to diverse coding contexts and groups of coders irrespective of discipline. We introduce two tree-based ranking metrics as standardized ways of comparing disagreements in how data instances have been coded. We empirically validate that, of the two tree-based metrics, coders' perceptions of dis- agreement match more closely with the n-ary tree metric than with the post-traversal tree metric.
A reaction model for cement solidification: Evolving the C-S-H packing density at the micrometer-scale

Abstract Cement paste is a multiphase material of complex chemistry, of which 60% by volume is typically composed of calcium–silicate–hydrates (C–S–H), the phase that lends the material its strength and stiffness. Moreover, it has been shown that the C–S–H phase is a dispersion of nanometer-sized particles that are characterized by an attractive–repulsive potential and densify in course of the hydration reaction. Herein, we model the nucleation and growth of the nanoparticles as a continuous density field subject to a reaction equation. Using this phase-field approach, we aim to reduce the parameter space present in similar hydration models and create a vehicle to upscale mechanical information from the nanometer-scale to the micrometer-scale. Despite the apparent simplification of the physics at play, we readily reproduce the cement paste reaction kinetics and microtexture—functions of temperature, coarseness of the calcium–silicate source particles, and initial water-to-cement ratio—, and vet them against experimental observations. Presenting results for two-dimensional simulations, we achieve excellent agreement with measurements of hydration heat curves, pore-chord-length and solid-chord-length density functions, distributions of low- and high-density C–S–H products, and elasticity.
Compliance with the City of Chicago’s partial ban on menthol cigarette sales

Introduction In the USA, menthol cigarettes are associated with smoking initiation and decreased likelihood of cessation, particularly for low-income and non-White populations. Local ordinances to restrict menthol cigarette sales are an emergent policy option. In July 2016, Chicago, Illinois became the first major US city to ban menthol cigarette sales within 500 feet of schools. This study assessed ban compliance in June 2017. Methods We randomly selected 100 of 154 stores within 500 feet of a high school. Ninety stores were included in the analysis, excluding permanently closed stores or stores that did not sell tobacco prior to the ban. Compliance was determined by whether a menthol cigarette pack was purchased. We also assessed presence of menthol cigarette replacement packs. Multivariable logistic regression modelled compliance by store type, school (distance to high school, school type) and neighbourhood-level factors (poverty level, proportion of non-White residents). Results Compliance rate was 57% (weighted, n=53) and no replacement packs were observed. Non-compliant stores were more likely to advertise menthol cigarettes, but ads were present in eight compliant stores. Gas stations had 81% lower odds (OR=0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.58) of complying with the menthol cigarette ban compared with larger/chain stores. School-level and neighbourhood factors were not associated with compliance. Discussion The poor compliance observed with Chicago’s partial menthol cigarette ban highlights the need for comprehensive efforts. Optimising local resources to target enforcement efforts in gas stations could improve compliance. Ordinances that also restrict advertising could potentially enhance ban impact by reducing exposure to product and promotions.
The Impact of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapon Ban on Gun Violence Outcomes: An Assessment of Multiple Outcome Measures and Some Lessons for Policy Evaluation

The Federal Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 bans a group of military-style semiautomatic firearms (i.e., assault weapons) and ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Ban advocates argue that these weapons are particularly dangerous because they facilitate the rapid firing of high numbers of shots. Though the banned guns and magazines were used in only a modest fraction of gun crimes before the law, it was hypothesized that a decrease in their use might reduce gunshot victimizations, particularly those involving multiple wounds and/or victims. In response to a Congressional mandate for an impact assessment of the law, this study utilized national and local data sources and a variety of analytical techniques to examine the ban's short-term impact on gun violence. The ban may have contributed to a reduction in gun homicides, but a statistical power analysis of our model indicated that any likely impact from the ban will be very difficult to detect statistically for several more years. We found no evidence of reductions in multiple-victim gun homicides or multiple-gunshot wound victimizations. The findings should be treated cautiously due to the methodological difficulties of making a short-term assessment of the ban and because the ban's long-term effects could differ from the short-term impacts revealed by this study.
Nonlinear dynamic response of steel materials and plain plate systems to impact loads: Review and validation

Abstract A finite element analysis (FEA) model to evaluate the nonlinear effects of severe dynamic loads on engineered structures requires an appropriate constitutive model of the structural material. Although some dynamic constitutive models for steels including mild and high strength steels are specified in offshore design guidelines, their limitations when applied to analysis of severe impact effects haven’t been examined in any details. This paper demonstrates that the structural performance of a steel plate system subjected to impact load of a dropped object is highly sensitive to the adopted dynamic constitutive model using an existing experimental study. The stress-strain response of the plate is strongly dependent on the mechanical and geometrical properties of the steel specimen and the strain rate due to the impact load. While the dynamic constitutive model recommended by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) often overestimates or underestimates the structural response due to impact load, the proposed constitutive model leads to a significant improvement in the DNV recommendations.
Impact of prior systemic therapy on lymphocytic infiltration in surgically resected breast cancer brain metastases.

2063Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been positively correlated with response to systemic therapy and for triple negative and HER2+ subtypes and clinical outcomes in early bre...
Fermionization of bosons in a flat band

Strongly interacting bosons that live in a lattice with degeneracy in its lowest-energy band experience frustration that can prevent the formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate. Such systems form an ideal playground to investigate spin-liquid behavior. We use the variational principle and the Chern-Simons technique of fermionization of hard-core bosons on the kagome lattice to find that below lattice filling fraction $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{1}{3}$ the system favors a topologically ordered chiral spin-liquid state that is gapped in bulk, spontaneously breaks time-reversal symmetry, and supports massless chiral bosonic edge mode. We construct the many-body variational wave function of the state and show that the corresponding energy coincides with the energy of the flat band. This result proves that the ground state of the system cannot stabilize a Bose condensate below $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{1}{3}$. The fermionization and variational scheme we outline apply to any non-Bravais lattice. We distinguish between the roles played by the Chern-Simons gauge field in lattices with a flat band and those exhibiting a moatlike dispersion (which is degenerate along a closed contour in the reciprocal space). We also suggest experimental probes to differentiate the proposed ground state from a condensate.
Measuring socioeconomic adversity in early life.

Aim Early life adversity leads to enduring effects on physical and mental health, school performance and other outcomes. We sought to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with socioeconomic adversity in early life. Methods We enrolled 1503 pregnant women aged 16-40 years, without pregnancy complications or pre-existing conditions from Shelby County, Tennessee. Social, familial and economic variables were analysed using principal components (PCs) analyses to generate the Socioeconomic Adversity Index (SAI). This was replicated using the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Health and social outcomes were compared across the quintile groups defined by SAI values at the county, state and national levels. Results Significant differences occurred across the SAI Quintile-1 to Quintile-5 groups in marital status, household structure, annual income, education and health insurance. Significantly worse health and social outcomes occurred in the lower versus higher SAI quintiles, including maternal depression, parental incarceration, child's birthweight and potential for child abuse. Maternal age and race also differed significantly across the SAI quintiles. Conclusion Modifiable factors contributing to socioeconomic adversity in early life included marital status, household structure, annual income, education and health insurance. Those exposed to greater socioeconomic adversity as defined by SAI values had significantly worse maternal and child outcomes.
A Base Station Association Scheme to Improve Wireless Network QoS and Reliability

Multi-tier structure is recognized as an assuring architecture to enhance the capacity and reliability of wireless networks, especially when it comes to the new generation of networks such as 5G. However, having multiple cell selection options in heterogeneous multi-tier networks introduces more uncertainty in end users QoS and network reliability. To address this issue, this paper proposes a real-time Mobile Terminal (MT) and Base Station (BS) association scheme for the multi-tier heterogeneous networks based on the cooperative game. The proposed algorithm models the base station association utility function based on Nash Bargaining, considering the interrelationship of base stations of different tiers in the solution. Unlike the static association algorithms which leads to either a large number of re-associations or sub-optimal solutions, the proposed algorithm selects the best(MT, BS) pair upon new mobile terminal arrival and maximizes the product of objective functions to capture the tiers correlations and guarantee the improved performance. Simulation results show that the proposed cooperative cell selection scheme properly distributes the traf&#64257;c load between multiple tiers of base stations and enhances users QoS.
Defocusing Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations

This study of Schrodinger equations with power-type nonlinearity provides a great deal of insight into other dispersive partial differential equations and geometric partial differential equations. It presents important proofs, using tools from harmonic analysis, microlocal analysis, functional analysis, and topology. This includes a new proof of Keel–Tao endpoint Strichartz estimates, and a new proof of Bourgain's result for radial, energy-critical NLS. It also provides a detailed presentation of scattering results for energy-critical and mass-critical equations. This book is suitable as the basis for a one-semester course, and serves as a useful introduction to nonlinear Schrodinger equations for those with a background in harmonic analysis, functional analysis, and partial differential equations.