cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real World Analysis of Efficacy of CardioMEMSTMHF System Guided Heart Failure Management Comparing Patients with Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background Previous studies reported that nearly 50% of patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure (HF) have preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). Objective We aimed to look at the efficacy of remote hemodynamic monitoring in our center using CardioMEMSTMHF system in reducing the hospital and clinic encounters in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) versus HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 106 sequential patients who received CardioMEMS device from April 2015 to January 2018. We divided these patients into two groups based on the EF. We collected data on the number of HF admissions, total hospital admissions, and clinic visits 1-year prior and 1-year after the device implantation. Time to death (in years) were calculated post-implant in all patients. Results Our study showed a significant reduction in HF admissions per year from 4.01 ± 7.56 to 0.88 ± 1.34 (p = 0.0353), total admission per year from 4.87 ± 7.96 to 2.00 ± 2.35 (p = 0.0110) and clinic visits per year from 7.07 ± 9.45 to 5.20 ± 3.27 (p = 0.0071) in patients with HFrEF. There was an overall decrease in the hospital and clinic encounters in patients with HFpEF, but it was not statistically significant. However, there was no significant difference in the outcomes in patients with HFrEF versus HFpEF post-implant ( Table 1 ). Time to death in years in HFrEF cohort post-implant was 0.98 ± 0.54and in the HFpEF post-implant was 0.65 ± 0.75and this was not statistically significant. Conclusion There was a statistically significant reduction in total admissions, HF admissions and clinic visits per year in patients with HFrEF post-implant. But there was no significant difference in these clinical outcomes compared to patients with HFrEF versus HFpEF post-implant.
Formation of carbon nanostructures in nuclear graphite under high-temperature in situ electron-irradiation

Abstract Defect evolution in nuclear graphite has been studied in real time using high-temperature in situ transmission electron microscopy. In situ electron-irradiation was conducted at 800 °C on a 200 kV transmission electron microscope with a dose rate, given in terms of displacements per atom per second, of approximately 1.46 × 10−3 dpa/s. Defect domains consisting of ordered arrangements of pentagons, hexagons, and heptagons exist intrinsically in nuclear graphite and in addition are readily produced via electron-irradiation; however, at elevated temperatures these defect domains undergo atomic rearrangements resulting in the formation of carbon nanostructures via curling and closure of the basal planes. The formation of fullerenes and other structures due to thermal annealing or high-temperature electron-irradiation has been observed in disordered regions of the microstructure and interstitially between basal planes. These defect structures result in localized swelling and expansion of crystallites along the c axis; thus, it is proposed as one of the many atomic mechanisms involved in the dimensional change of nuclear graphite subjected to high-temperature irradiation.
Computing planetary interior normal modes with a highly parallel polynomial filtering eigensolver

A highly parallel algorithm has been developed and exploited to compute the planetary normal modes of the elastic-gravitational system, which is approximated via the mixed finite element method on unstructured tetrahedral meshes. The eigenmodes of the relevant generalized eigenvalue problem were extracted by a Lanczos approach combined with polynomial filtering. In contrast with the standard shift-and-invert and the full-mode coupling algorithms, the polynomial filtering technique is ideally suited for solving large-scale 3-D interior eigenvalue problems since it significantly enhances the memory and computational efficiency without loss of accuracy. The parallel efficiency and scalability of this approach are demonstrated on Stampede2 at the Texas Advanced Computing Center. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the direct calculation of the normal modes of 3-D strongly heterogeneous planets, in particular, Earth and Mars, is made feasible via a combination of multiple matrix-free methods and a separation of the essential spectra.
Antipsychotics and Lactation

Clinical decisions regarding breastfeeding and antipsychotics should be based on a careful assessment of risks and benefits to both mother and infant, bearing in mind the serious detrimental effects of untreated mental illness and the many health and emotional benefits of breastfeeding. A thoughtful risk/benefit assessment is recommended, and ideally, such a discussion should occur in advance of delivery with the patient, her psychiatrist, and her infant’s pediatrician. In this chapter, a brief overview of general pharmacological and clinical considerations, regarding the use of antipsychotics during breastfeeding, will be presented. Commonly used first- and second-generation antipsychotics (FGAs and SGAs) will be critically evaluated to determine whether neonatal exposure through breast milk poses a significant risk in terms of adverse effects. At present, while there is an absence of high-quality studies to make definitive recommendations regarding antipsychotics and breastfeeding, most first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics appear to pose minimal risk to the infant. Clinically, antipsychotic use during breastfeeding should not be discouraged, and close clinical monitoring of the infant is indicated.
Pensieve: Feedback on Coding Process for Novices

In large undergraduate computer science classrooms, student learning on assignments is often gauged only by the work on their final solution, not by their programming process. As a consequence, teachers are unable to give detailed feedback on how students implement programming methodology, and novice students often lack a metacognitive understanding of how they learn. We introduce Pensieve as a drag-and-drop, open-source tool that organizes snapshots of student code as they progress through an assignment. The tool is designed to encourage sit-down conversations between student and teacher about the programming process. The easy visualization of code evolution over time facilitates the discussion of intermediate work and progress towards learning goals, both of which would otherwise be unapparent from a single final submission. This paper discusses the pedagogical foundations and technical details of Pensieve and describes results from a particular 207-student classroom deployment, suggesting that the tool has meaningful impacts on education for both the student and the teacher.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is 50 to 100 times more common than maternal death, and has increased disproportionately among ethnic/racial minority women in the United States. However, specific knowledge about how the types and timing of severe maternal morbidities deferentially affect ethnic/racial minority women is poorly understood. This study examines racial/ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity during antepartum (AP), intrapartum (IP), and postpartum (PP) hospital admissions in the United States (US) for 2002-2014. We identified AP, IP, and PP hospitalizations in the National Inpatient Sample. Distribution of sociodemographic, behavioral and hospital characteristics, insurance, comorbidities, and SMM occurrence was summarized using descriptive statistics. Through Joinpoint regression, temporal SMM trends of hospitalizations were examined and stratified by race. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the association between race and SMM. We found black women have the highest proportion of SMM across all pregnancy intervals with a 70% greater risk of SMM during AP after adjusting for all cofactors. In the PP period, Hispanic women's risk of SMM is 19% less when compared to white women. Racial/ethnic disparities in SMM vary in timing and SMM type. Systematic investigation is needed to understand risks to black women and the protective factors associated with Hispanic women in the PP. Addressing racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality requires national policies and initiatives tailored to black women that address the specific types and timings of life-threatening obstetric complications.
Reconfigurable Displaced Phase Center Reflector Antennas With Focal Plane Arrays

The purpose of this letter is to introduce a novel displaced phase center antenna that will use a focal-plane phased array as the primary feed for a parabolic reflector antenna. The phased array will be electronically steered along the surface of the parabolic dish in order to displace the phase center of the dish. Results will be provided, which show that as the primary radiation from the array is steered away from the optical axis of the parabola, the phase center of the parabolic antenna will be displaced proportionally in the same direction away from the aperture center. These results will also demonstrate that, as the phase center of the parabolic dish is displaced, the secondary radiation pattern will maintain a broadside, pencil-beam radiation.
Macroscopically constrained Wang-Landau method for systems with multiple order parameters and its application to drawing complex phase diagrams

A generalized approach to Wang-Landau simulations, macroscopically constrained Wang-Landau, is proposed to simulate the density of states of a system with multiple macroscopic order parameters. The method breaks a multidimensional random-walk process in phase space into many separate, one-dimensional random-walk processes in well-defined subspaces. Each of these random walks is constrained to a different set of values of the macroscopic order parameters. When the multivariable density of states is obtained for one set of values of fieldlike model parameters, the density of states for any other values of these parameters can be obtained by a simple transformation of the total system energy. All thermodynamic quantities of the system can then be rapidly calculated at any point in the phase diagram. We demonstrate how to use the multivariable density of states to draw the phase diagram, as well as order-parameter probability distributions at specific phase points, for a model spin-crossover material: an antiferromagnetic Ising model with ferromagnetic long-range interactions. The fieldlike parameters in this model are an effective magnetic field and the strength of the long-range interaction.
Health Care Providers Knowledge as Correlates of their Attitudes Towards Leprosy Sufferers in Nigeria

This study was conceived against the hunches of seemingly inadequate knowledge and blatant stigmatization of leprosy sufferers amongst health practitioners in Nigeria. It aimed at relating health w...
"You out-gayed the gays": Gay aesthetic power and lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in LGBTQ spaces

In lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) spaces, gay male practices, sexualities, and priorities often dominate. I argue that in mixed-gender LGBTQ festival spaces in the South, gay aesthetics are normative, which often minimizes the contributions of lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women. I compare two festival events run by the LGBTQ community-Cornyation, a mock debutante pageant that is part of Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas, and Osiris Ball, a formal Carnival ball during Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. This research is based on participant observation data collected at both events over several years and 38 interviews conducted with event participants. I argue that at these events, gay aesthetic power is exerted through the expectation that LBQ women should master these aesthetics, a dynamic that often relies on gay men as arbiters of successful mastery. These processes were more dramatic in organizations and spaces where men were a numerical majority. This marginalization fits within a pattern of androcentric bias in both the arts and the workplace.
A solution to minimum sample size for regressions

Regressions and meta-regressions are widely used to estimate patterns and effect sizes in various disciplines. However, many biological and medical analyses use relatively low sample size (N), contributing to concerns on reproducibility. What is the minimum N to identify the most plausible data pattern using regressions? Statistical power analysis is often used to answer that question, but it has its own problems and logically should follow model selection to first identify the most plausible model. Here we make null, simple linear and quadratic data with different variances and effect sizes. We then sample and use information theoretic model selection to evaluate minimum N for regression models. We also evaluate the use of coefficient of determination (R2) for this purpose; it is widely used but not recommended. With very low variance, both false positives and false negatives occurred at N < 8, but data shape was always clearly identified at N ≥ 8. With high variance, accurate inference was stable at N ≥ 25. Those outcomes were consistent at different effect sizes. Akaike Information Criterion weights (AICc wi) were essential to clearly identify patterns (e.g., simple linear vs. null); R2 or adjusted R2 values were not useful. We conclude that a minimum N = 8 is informative given very little variance, but minimum N ≥ 25 is required for more variance. Alternative models are better compared using information theory indices such as AIC but not R2 or adjusted R2. Insufficient N and R2-based model selection apparently contribute to confusion and low reproducibility in various disciplines. To avoid those problems, we recommend that research based on regressions or meta-regressions use N ≥ 25.
Organ-at-Risk (OAR) segmentation in head and neck CT using U-RCNN

Radiation treatment for head-and-neck (HN) cancers requires accurate treatment planning based on 3D patient models derived from CT images. In clinical practice, the treatment volumes and organs-at-risk (OARs) are manually contoured by experienced physicians. This tedious and time-consuming procedure limits clinical workflow and resources. In this work, we propose to use a 3D Faster R-CNN to automatically detect the location of head and neck organs, then apply a U-Net to segment the multi-organ contours, called U-RCNN. The mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of esophagus, larynx, mandible, oral cavity, left parotid, right parotid, pharynx and spinal cord were ranging from 79% to 89%, which demonstrated the segmentation accuracy of the proposed U-RCNN method. This segmentation technique could be a useful tool to facilitate routine clinical workflow in H&N radiotherapy.
Aggregation in Location

Location problems occurring in urban or regional settings may involve many tens of thousands of “demand points,” usually individual residences. In modeling such problems it is common to aggregate demand points to obtain tractable models. We discuss aggregation approaches to a large class of location models, consider various aggregation error measures, and identify some effective measures. In particular, we focus on an upper bounding methodology for the error associated with aggregation. The chapter includes an example application.
Reliability Inversion: A Cautionary Tale

Reliability analysis is often based on worst-case assumptions to produce guaranteed lower bounds on system survival probability. Reliability engineers make lower bounds as tight as possible, but sometimes system structure is unfriendly to the derivation of tight bounds. Unfortunately, loose reliability lower bounds make it difficult to compare design alternatives or to select among competing systems.
Positive Effects of Summer Research Program on Diverse Community College Students

Student participation in undergraduate research programs has been linked to improved content knowledge, skills, and confidence. However, few research opportunities exist for community college students. This study explores the positive effects of a summer research program on three diverse cohorts of such students. The Transfer-to-Excellence Research Experiences for Undergraduate program is a hands-on summer research internship for California community college students. The program seeks to inspire students to complete a Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering and primarily serves identities underrepresented in those fields. Analysis of mixed methods evaluation data shows that after participating in the program, community college students were better able to find scholarly resources, design ethical scientific experiments, conduct independent research, and analyze data. Additionally, participation in the program enhanced students’ science identity and confidence to pursue further education and careers in science and engineering fields.
On the cross-population generalizability of gene expression prediction models

Abstract The genetic control of gene expression is a core component of human physiology. For the past several years, transcriptome-wide association studies have leveraged large datasets of linked genotype and RNA sequencing information to create a powerful gene-based test of association that has been used in dozens of studies. While numerous discoveries have been made, the populations in the training data are overwhelmingly of European descent, and little is known about the generalizability of these models to other populations. Here, we test for cross-population generalizability of gene expression prediction models using a dataset of African American individuals with RNA-Seq data in whole blood. We find that the default models trained in large datasets such as GTEx and DGN fare poorly in African Americans, with a notable reduction in prediction accuracy when compared to European Americans. We replicate these limitations in cross-population generalizability using the five populations in the GEUVADIS dataset. Via realistic simulations of both populations and gene expression, we show that accurate cross-population generalizability of transcriptome prediction only arises when eQTL architecture is substantially shared across populations. In contrast, models with non-identical eQTLs showed patterns similar to real-world data. Therefore, generating RNA-Seq data in diverse populations is a critical step towards multi-ethnic utility of gene expression prediction. Author summary Advances in RNA sequencing technology have reduced the cost of measuring gene expression at a genome-wide level. However, sequencing enough human RNA samples for adequately-powered disease association studies remains prohibitively costly. To this end, modern transcriptome-wide association analysis tools leverage existing paired genotype-expression datasets by creating models to predict gene expression using genotypes. These predictive models enable researchers to perform cost-effective association tests with gene expression in independently genotyped samples. However, most of these models use European reference data, and the extent to which gene expression prediction models work across populations is not fully resolved. We observe that these models predict gene expression worse than expected in a dataset of African-Americans when derived from European-descent individuals. Using simulations, we show that gene expression predictive model performance depends on both the amount of shared genotype predictors as well as the genetic relatedness between populations. Our findings suggest a need to carefully select reference populations for prediction and point to a pressing need for more genetically diverse genotype-expression datasets.
Benchmark dose risk analysis with mixed‐factor quantal data in environmental risk assessment

Benchmark analysis is a general risk estimation strategy for identifying the benchmark dose (BMD) past which the risk of exhibiting an adverse environmental response exceeds a fixed, target value of benchmark response (BMR). Estimation of BMD and of its lower confidence limit (BMDL) is well understood for the case of an adverse response to a single stimulus. In many environmental settings, however, one or more additional, secondary, qualitative factor(s) may collude to affect the adverse outcome, such that the risk changes with differential levels of the secondary factor. This paper extends the single-dose BMD paradigm to a mixed-factor setting with a secondary qualitative factor possessing two levels. With focus on quantal-response data and using a generalized linear model with a complementary-log link function, we derive expressions for BMD and BMDL. We study the operating characteristics of six different multiplicity-adjusted approaches to calculate the BMDL, using Monte Carlo evaluations. We illustrate the calculations via an example data set from environmental carcinogenicity testing.
Phase-field simulations of fission gas bubbles in high burnup UO2 during steady-state and LOCA transient conditions

Abstract To improve the economics of commercial light water reactors, increased understanding of UO 2 nuclear fuel with the high burnup structure (HBS) is required in both steady-state and transient conditions. Here, a phase-field model of the fission gas bubble microstructure in nuclear fuel is developed based on the Kim-Kim-Suzuki (KKS) formulation and implemented in Idaho National Laboratory’s Marmot application for phase-field simulation of nuclear materials. The model includes the effects of gas pressure and the surface tension of the bubble-fuel matrix interface for arbitrary interfacial curvature. Simulations of bubble growth in the HBS region during steady-state conditions showed that initially overpressurized bubbles decreased in pressure during growth, but still remained above equilibrium pressure. During a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) transient, simulations of bubbles in the HBS region showed that bubble size did not change significantly. The bubble pressure in response to the LOCA transient was calculated for a variety of bubble sizes, initial pressures, and external restraint pressures.
Science in Shorts

There is increasing evidence to suggest that vitamin D plays a role in a wide range of disease processes. It has also been suggested that most privately owned dogs have suboptimal levels of vitamin...
Parallel Computing: Theory and Comparisons

Computer Architecture Computational Energy and Efficiency Inductive Architectures and Procedures Elementary Graphs and Their Relation to Switches Banyan and Related Graphs and Networks Reliability Fault Diagnosis and Fault Tolerance The Texas Reconfigurable Array Computer The Design of TRAC Induction Properties of Other Research Machines.
New Insight into the Toughening Mechanisms of Nacre

Many living organisms form biogenic minerals, or biominerals, which are composite materials containing an organic matrix and nano- or micro-scale minerals assembled in a hierarchical architecture. These biogenic composites possess excellent mechanical properties in comparison to their abiogenic architectures (on the order of 3,000 times greater), which make them attractive for mechanically protective applications. One biogenic material that has garnered a lot of attention is Nacre, or “Mother of Pearl,” found in many Mollusk shells. The Nacre architecture has been well studied the past decade, however little work has focused on the fact that the Nacre composite is also itself a component of another composite architecture in the shells. In between thick layers of Nacre is a thin layer of an organic matrix that marks the seasonal growth patterns of the shells, analogous to tree rings. No work has focused on how these two layers interact to determine mechanical properties, which are likely as important as the tablet sliding itself. Determining this relationship would have a great impact on designing composite architectures that can improve the performance of mechanically protective armor.
Analysis of Parvovirus mRNA by Sedimentation and Electrophoresis in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solution

Abstract Adenovirus-associated virus (AAV)-specific RNA present in the cytoplasm of cells coinfected with a helper adenovirus was analyzed by sucrose gradient sedimentation and gel electrophoresis. In aqueous conditions both gels or gradients revealed three AAV RNA components corresponding to 30S, 27S, and 20S and having apparent molecular weights of 2.6 × 106, 1.75 × 106 to 1.8 × 106, and 0.9 × 106 to 1.0 × 106, respectively. In nonaqueous, denaturing solvents only the 20S AAV RNA species was observed. For this reason, and because they would be apparently significantly larger than a single AAV DNA strand, both the 30S and 27S species are believed to result from conformational or aggregation effects in the aqueous nondenaturing systems. It is concluded that only a single RNA molecule having a molecular weight of approximately 0.9 × 106 to 1.0 × 106 is synthesized by AAV.
The Scaling of Radio Pulsar Timing Noise with Spin Parameters

Measurements of pulsar timing noise are now available for 39 pulsars, and upper limits for 18 other pulsars. We investigate the relation of timing noise to pulsar period and period derivative using a method that incorporates the upper limits. We confirm previous findings that timing activity, as conventionally quantified, depends strongly on period derivative but only weakly (if at all) on period. We also find that the scatter around our best fit to P and Ṗ is considerably larger the measurement error, suggesting that other variables must play a significant role in timing activity. At this point we find no need to treat millisecond pulsars as a separate population in timing noise studies, though this may become necessary if the limits on the timing activity of such pulsars continue to decrease.
Teologia pastoral como teologia pública

The article defends the importance of Pastoral Theology as Public Theology. The goals of Pastoral Theology need to overcome the individual boundaries, establishing interdependence between personal health and social improvement. Considering the relationship between Church and State and dialoguing with various theological schools, the article analyzes the directions taken by Pastoral Theology in the last two decades in the USA, questioning about contents, methods and reconseptualizations of the discipline. It points to some specific implications so that the practice of care and counseling and the education of its professionals gain the recognition and relevance of Public Theology.
Confusion on the Complexity of Calcium Balance

Calcium balance is an overall assessment of the net calcium taken in minus the net calcium taken out. It can only be assessed when patients are in steady state and requires complicated isotope methods that can simultaneously assess intestinal absorption and endogenous secretion, urinary and stool excretion, bone calcium uptake and removal, and dialysate calcium removal. By virtue of the need for steady state, formal balance studies cannot be accurately carried out in patients on dialysis. However, many of the components of calcium balance have been assessed. Importantly, because 99% of calcium is in bone, studies must accurately assess both the rapidly exchangeable calcium from the bone surface and the net bone calcium balance that results from the difference in bone formation minus resorption. While it is tempting to adjust the dialysate calcium concentration to correct the net positive calcium balance that is likely present in patients who receive calcium-based phosphate binders, the reality is that the highly variable, yet important, role of bone cannot be easily assessed at the bedside. Thus, it is best to prevent the calcium overload in the first place by avoiding high-dose calcium-based phosphate binders and optimizing bone remodeling.
Myofascial Pelvic Pain: Rationale and Treatment

Chronic pelvic pain, in its many forms, commonly has a myofascial component that must be considered in the evaluation and treatment of women and men seeking medical care. Myofascial pain syndrome is a regional pain syndrome characterized by myofascial trigger points. At this time, the exact mechanism surrounding the formation of a trigger point is not known. Myofascial pelvic pain can develop as a result of a trigger point within the pelvic floor musculature or from extra-pelvic muscles that can refer into the pelvic region. Identification and appropriate therapeutic management of the myofascial trigger points is paramount to successful treatment of the pain and symptoms associated with chronic pelvic pain.
Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis: Effect of Reaction Temperature for Aqueous-Phase Synthesis Over a Platinum Promoted Co/Alumina Catalyst

The effect of reaction temperature on the performance of a traditional Fischer–Tropsch cobalt catalyst (0.5 % Pt–25 % Co/Al2O3) was investigated during aqueous-phase Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (AFTS) using a 1 L stirred tank reactor in the batch mode of operation. The CO conversion rate of the catalyst was found to increase monotonically with increasing reaction temperature. At lower temperatures oxygenate selectivity was high. With increasing the reaction temperature, oxygenate selectivity decreased and the selectivity to hydrocarbons increased. Carbon dioxide and methane selectivity also increased with reaction temperature and the corresponding higher hydrocarbon (C5+) selectivity decreased. For comparison, the CO conversion rate of the catalyst was also tested using C30 oil as a solvent, and similar activation and reaction conditions were utilized in the batch mode of operation. Slightly higher CO rate was observed with C30 oil as a solvent than with the water.
The supersymmetric Wess-Zumino action and U(1) gauge fields

Abstract The supersymmetric effective action is constructed which when varied under gauge groups containing explicit U(1) factors reproduces the mixed gauge field contribution to the SU( N ) anomaly while being U(1) invariant. It constitutes generalization of the supersymmetric Wess-Zumino action. The form of supersymmetric mixed anomaly is also discussed.
Fluorescent Magnetic Nanoparticles with Specific Targeting Functions for Combinded Targeting, Optical Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Superparamagnetic iron oxides nanoparticles possess specific magnetic properties to be an efficient contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enhance the detection and characterization of tissue lesions within the body. To endow specific properties to nanoparticles that can target cancer cells and prevent recognition by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), the surface of the nanoparticles was modified with folic-acid-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol) (FA-PEG). In this study, we investigated the multifunctional fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (IOPFC) that can specifically target cancer cells and be monitored by both MRI and optical imaging. IOPFC consists of an iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticle conjugated with a layer of PEG, which was terminal modified with either Cypher5E or folic acid molecules. The core sizes of IOPFC nanoparticles are around 10 nm, which were visualized by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The hysteresis curves, generated with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer analysis, demonstrated that IOPFC nanoparticles are superparamagnetic with insignificant hysteresis. IOPFC displays higher intracellular uptake into KB and MDA-MB-231 cells due to the over-expressed folate receptor. This result is confirmed by laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM) and atomic flow cytometry. Both in vitro and in vivo MRI studies show better IOPFC uptake by the KB cells (folate positive) than the HT1080 cells (folate negative) and, hence, stronger T 2-weighted signals enhancement. The in vivo fluorescent image recorded at 20 min post injection show strong fluorescence from IOPFC which can be observed around the tumor region. This multifunctional nanoparticle can assess the potential application of developing a magnetic nanoparticle system that combines tumor targeting, as well as MRI and optical imaging.
Prey patchiness and larval fish growth and survival: inferences from an individual-based model

Abstract We used an individual-based simulation model to evaluate how prey patchiness and fish swimming behavior affect larval fish survival and mortality source (predation or starvation). Simulations revealed that cohort survival increased linearly with greater average patch residence times and that patch residence times for individual fish with different fates (survived, starved, eaten) diverged substantially during the first few days of feeding. Further, by examining the interaction of patch spatial distribution (uniform random versus clumped) with three possible swimming behaviors, we found that swimming behavior, via its effect on prey encounter and feeding rates, affected both cohort survival rates and whether fish died from predation or starvation, but that the spatial distribution of patches (fine-scale (100s m)) only influenced whether fish died from predation or starvation. Within a particular patch spatial arrangement, however, patch intensity (division of food between patches and non-patches) had a major effect on survival. Except at high food levels, fish did not survive when there were no patches, suggesting that average, well-mixed prey densities will not support sufficiently rapid growth for survival. As patch intensity increased, survival increased to a maximum and then declined, with peak survival occurring at higher patch intensity as average food concentration declined. Finally, the degree of patchiness also determined the intensity of selection on growth rates. In patchier environments, there was stronger selection for fast growth rates leading to eight-fold differences in average cohort growth rates after only three days of growth. In general, survival was not directly related to fast cohort growth the best survival occurred with high average prey densities and weak patchiness. Prey patchiness, by influencing the average as well as the variance in individual growth rates, can have a substantial impact on survival rates of larval fish cohorts.
Genetic modification of corneal neovascularization in Dstn (corn1) mice.

Mutations in the gene for destrin (Dstn), an actin depolymerizing factor, lead to corneal abnormalities in mice. A null mutation in Dstn, termed Dstn corn1 , isolated and maintained in the A.BY background (A.BY Dstn corn1 ), results in corneal epithelial hyperproliferation, inflammation, and neovascularization. We previously reported that neovascularization in the cornea of Dstn corn1 mice on the C57BL/6 background (B6.A.BY-Dstn corn1 ) is significantly reduced when compared to A.BY Dstn corn1 mice, suggesting the existence of genetic modifier(s). The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic basis of the difference in corneal neovascularization between A.BY Dstn corn1 and B6.A.BY-Dstn corn1 mice. We generated N2 mice for a whole-genome scan by backcrossing F1 progeny (A.BY Dstn corn1 × B6.A.BY-Dstn corn1 ) to B6.A.BY-Dstn corn1 mice. N2 progeny were quantitatively phenotyped for the extent of corneal neovascularization and genotyped for markers across the mouse genome. We identified significant association of variability in corneal neovascularization with a locus on chromosome 3 (Chr3). The validity of the identified quantitative trait locus (QTL) was tested using B6 consomic mice carrying Chr3 from A/J mice. Dstn corn1 mice from F1 and F2 intercrosses (B6.A.BY-Dstn corn1 × C57BL/6J-Chr3A/J/NaJ) were phenotyped for the extent of corneal neovascularization. This analysis showed that mice carrying the A/J allele at the QTL show significantly increased neovascularization. Our results indicate the existence of a modifier that genetically interacts with the Dstn gene. This modifier demonstrates allelic differences between C57BL6 and A.BY or A/J. The modifier is sufficient to increase neovascularization in Dstn corn1 mice.
Origin of pegmatitic segregation veins within flood basalts

Subhorizontal veins and lenses of coarse-grained rock composed of plagioclase, augite, and Fe-Ti oxides in a glassy and vesicular mesostasis occur within several thick subaerial basalt flows in the Columbia River Basalt province of Washington and in the eastern North American Mesozoic basalt province. The veins and lenses, referred to as pegmatitic segregation veins, are typically 1-10 cm thick and are enriched in Fe, Ti, K, P, Cu, Zr, Ba, and REE by a factor of about 1.1 to 3 over the host basalt; Al, Ca, Sr, Mg, Ni, and Cr are lower, and Si and Na are typically unchanged. We interpret the pegmatitic segregation veins as the product of residual melt carried in vapor bubbles from the lower crystallization front of partially crystallized flows to the crystal mush within the upper crystallization front. Movement through the elevated temperatures of flow interiors fused any crystal nuclei in the segregation melt. Diminished nucleation density during crystallization may partially account for coarse grain sizes. In addition, diffusion of ions to large, rapidly growing skeletal crystals was probably enhanced by the viscosity-reduction effect of water enrichment. The water content of accumulated segregation melt may have increased whenever the escape of volatiles from partiallymore » crystallized flows was temporarily sealed off under a rigid barrier of solidified basalt. Rupture of the barrier by downward propagation of columnar joints would allow the resumption of effervescence and any remaining partially crystallized segregation melt-phase would be degassed and quenched into a glassy and vesicular mesostasis. 59 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Dementia and sleep.

institutionalization. Treatment of sleep disorders in patients with dementia can produce improved cognitive function and reduce caregiver distress. Treatment of sleep disorders in patients with dementia should include consideration of a broad spectrum of factors that can affect sleep and wake cycles, including caffeine consumption, the effect of medications, and mood. Agitation and delirium can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and treatment of OSA can produce complete resolution of symptoms in some cases. Dementia associated with synuclein disorders (including Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease with dementia, and multisystem atrophy) is associated with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). RBD-like symptoms can also be seen in sleep-disordered breathing, and a polysomnogram study is necessary to exclude OSA as a cause or contributor to symptoms.
CAVE visualization of the IceCube neutrino detector

Neutrinos are nearly massless, weakly interacting particles that come from a variety of sources including the sun, radioactive decay and cosmic rays. Neutrinos are unique cosmic messengers that provide new ways to explore the Universe as well as opportunities to better understand the basic building blocks of matter. IceCube, the largest operating neutrino detector in the world, is located in the ice sheet at the South Pole. This paper describes an interactive VR application for visualization of the IceCube's neutrino data within a C6 CAVE system. The dynamic display of data in a true scale recreation of the light sensor system allows events to be viewed from arbitrary locations both forward and backward in time. Initial feedback from user experiences within the system have been positive, showing promise for both further insight into analyzing data as well as opportunities for physics and neutrino education.
Robust Engineering of Deep Drilling Process by Surface State Optimization

Abstract The off-line quality engineering is an important aspect that regards the manufacturing engineering process optimization. This target may be achieved by implementing the robust engineering principles. Therefore, the present paper reflects the results of the Taguchi Method approach applied for a fractioned factorial designed experiment in case of deep peck drilling with a twist drill, of a composite material. The scope was to optimize the surface state, characterized by his roughness, optically measured.
Test of scaling of the massive-dihadron cross section

Measurements of the cross section for production of massive dihadrons by 800-GeV protons incident on a tungsten target are presented. These are compared with measurements taken at lower and higher {radical}{ital s} and with perturbative-QCD predictions. Scaling and {ital A}-dependence behaviors observed at lower energies are confirmed, and good agreement with QCD is obtained. Model dependences of earlier measurements are discussed.
Deletion of β-Strand and α-Helix Secondary Structure in Normal Prion Protein Inhibits Formation of Its Protease-Resistant Isoform

A fundamental event in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) is the conversion of a normal, proteinase K-sensitive, host-encoded protein, PrP-sen, into its protease-resistant isoform, PrP-res. During the formation of PrP-res, PrP-sen undergoes conformational changes that involve an increase of beta-sheet secondary structure. While previous studies in which PrP-sen deletion mutants were expressed in transgenic mice or scrapie-infected cell cultures have identified regions in PrP-sen that are important in the formation of PrP-res, the exact role of PrP-sen secondary structures in the conformational transition of PrP-sen to PrP-res has not yet been defined. We constructed PrP-sen mutants with deletions of the first beta-strand, the second beta-strand, or the first alpha-helix and tested whether these mutants could be converted to PrP-res in both scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells (Sc(+)-MNB cells) and a cell-free conversion assay. Removal of the second beta-strand or the first alpha-helix significantly altered both processing and the cellular localization of PrP-sen, while deletion of the first beta-strand had no effect on these events. However, all of the mutants significantly inhibited the formation of PrP-res in Sc(+)-MNB cells and had a greatly reduced ability to form protease-resistant PrP in a cell-free assay system. Thus, our results demonstrate that deletion of the beta-strands and the first alpha-helix of PrP-sen can fundamentally affect PrP-res formation and/or PrP-sen processing.
Antisense RNA inhibition of HPRT synthesis

The abundant production of antisense hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) RNA in NIH-3T3, COS, or HeLa cells leads to an inhibition of HPRT synthesis. HPRT enzyme levels in cells transfected with mouse HPRT antisense RNA expression vectors are reduced to less than 1% of parental cell activity, resulting in resistance to 6-thioguanine (6TG). The expression of antisense HPRT RNA leads to a marked reduction in the steady-state levels of endogenous HPRT mRNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that intron-specific antisense RNA, complementary to sequences adjacent to splice donor or acceptor sites of the first intron of the mouse HPRT gene, are effective in depressing endogenous HPRT levels. These studies suggest that antisense RNA can inhibit gene expression in the nucleus, possibly by perturbing nuclear RNA processing.
Resolvin E1 Inhibits Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Cord Microglial Activation Following Peripheral Nerve Injury

Accumulating evidence indicates that activation of spinal cord microglia plays an important role in the genesis of neuropathic pain. Resolvin E1 (E1) is derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, pro-resolution, and anti-nociceptive effects. We further examined whether RvE1 could reduce neuropathic pain and modulate spinal cord microglial activation. Intrathecal pre-treatment of RvE1 (100 ng) daily for 3 days partially prevented the development of nerve injury-induced mechanical allodynia and up-regulation of IBA-1 (microglial marker) and TNF-α in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Furthermore, intrathecal post-treatment of RvE1 (100 ng), 3 weeks after nerve injury, transiently reduced mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia. Finally, RvE1 blocked lipopolisaccharide-induced microgliosis and TNF-α release in primary micoglial cultures. Our data suggest that RvE1 may attenuate neuropathic pain via inhibiting microglial signaling. Targeting the anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution lipid mediators may offer new options for preventing and treating neuropathic pain.
Effect of Stoichiometry and Strain Rate on Transient Flame Response

Abstract : The interaction of a premixed methane/air flame with a counter-rotating vortex pair is analyzed using a parallel low-Mach-number computational model that is based on a detailed C1C2 chemical mechanism. Attention is focused on the transient response of the heat release rate and the flame structure at the centerline of the vortex pair. Results are obtained for vortex pairs of different strengths under lean, stoichiometric, and rich conditions. For the range of vortex strengths considered, the computations indicate that the heat release rate in the rich flame decays significantly faster than in the stoichiometric flame; this behavior is consistent with recent experimental measurements. Meanwhile, the heat release rate in the lean flame decays at a slightly slower rate than in the stoichiometric flame. The transient response of flame radicals such as H, CH, OH, and HCO is also analyzed. The analysis reveals a complex nonlinear dependence of the transient structure on both the vortex strength and the stoichiometry.
PERIODIC STRUCTURAL MODELS AND RADIAL DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS OF SiOX: x=0. to 2.

A series of random network structural models with periodic boundary conditions for SiO/sub x/ for x range from 0. (pure amorphous Si) to 2. (pure vitreous silica) within the context of microscopic random bond mixing model have been constructed. A Keating type of potential is used in the computer relaxation process. These cubic models which have 54 Si atoms and variable number of O atoms have no internal voids or dangling bonds. Each O atom binds to two Si atoms in a non-linear bridging position while each Si atom binds to four other atoms (Si or O) in a tetrahedral configuration. The densities, radial distribution functions (RDF) and partial RDF are studied as a function of x and are compared with available x-ray scattering data. It is found that for cases of x not equal to 0. or 2., the Si-Si bond lengths tend to be larger and Si-O bond lengths tend to be shorter than their respective crystalline bond lengths. Utilization of these structural models in the electronic and vibrational calculations is also discussed.
Two cases from the spectrum of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a poorly understood disease that mimics alcoholic liver disease histologically. Its natural history is not well defined, although gradual progression to cirrhosis has been described. Most patients with this condition have been obese, with or without associated diabete