cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three Recent Books in Planetary Science

One of the joys of working in planetary science is that a diverse range of scientific disciplines must be used together in order to understand processes at work in the solar system. The training of a planetologist requires a broad understanding of geology, geophysics, celestial mechanics, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, computers, and even biology in many cases. Narrow specialization is difficult and, as evidenced by the recent failures of several prominent NASA missions, possibly unwise for one's career. The wide sweep of planetary sciences is a challenge for those versed in its pedagogy and is perhaps one reason why so few institutions offer a distinct major in the field.
Acute On-Chip HIV Detection Through Label-Free Electrical Sensing of Viral Nano-Lysate

Development of portable biosensors has broad applications in environmental monitoring, clinical diagnosis, public health, and homeland security. There is an unmet need for pathogen detection at the point-of-care (POC) using a fast, sensitive, inexpensive, and easy-to-use method that does not require complex infrastructure and well-trained technicians. For instance, detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) at acute infection stage has been challenging, since current antibody-based POC technologies are not effective due to low concentration of antibodies. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time a label-free electrical sensing method that can detect lysed viruses, i.e. viral nano-lysate, through impedance analysis, offering an alternative technology to the antibody-based methods such as dipsticks and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The presented method is a broadly applicable platform technology that can potentially be adapted to detect multiple pathogens utilizing impedance spectroscopy for other infectious diseases including herpes, influenza, hepatitis, pox, malaria, and tuberculosis. The presented method offers a rapid and portable tool that can be used as a detection technology at the POC in resource-constrained settings, as well as hospital and primary care settings.
Diet quality and prey selectivity correlate with life histories and predation regime in Trinidadian guppies

Summary 1. Life histories evolve as a response to multiple agents of selection, such as age-specific mortality, resource availability or environmental fluctuations. Predators can affect life-history evolution directly, by increasing the mortality of prey, and indirectly, by modifying prey density and resources available to the survivors. Increasing survivor densities can intensify intraspecific competition and cause evolutionary changes in their selectivity, also affecting nutrient acquisition. 2. Here, we show that different life-history traits in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are correlated with differences in resource consumption and prey selectivity. We examined differences in wildcaught guppy diet among stream types with high (HP) and low predation (LP) pressure and how they are related to benthic invertebrate biomass. Fish and invertebrate samples were collected from two HP and two LP reaches of two distinct study rivers in Trinidad. 3. Our results reveal a strong association between life history and diet. Guppies from HP environments mature earlier and have higher fecundity and reproductive allotment than those from LP environments. Prior work revealed that their population densities are lower and that they grow faster than their LP counterparts. Here, we show that these life-history differences are repeated and that HP guppies feed primarily on invertebrates. In contrast, guppies from LP sites feed primarily on detritus and algae, which are a poorer quality food. LP guppies fed on invertebrates according to their availability, while HP guppies were selective towards those invertebrates with the lower carbon ⁄ nitrogen body ratio and thus with higher nutritional value. 4. Our study suggests that as predators shape the life histories of their prey and alter prey population densities, they can also indirectly shape their prey’s foraging and diet selectivity. This is, to our knowledge, the first report on how intraspecific differences in life-history traits are correlated with prey selectivity, where prey stoichiometry is included. Although there are clear limitations of association data, our study suggests that the patterns of resource use and life history evolve in concert with one another. However, further research is needed to investigate the possible causal links between risk of predation, the indirect effects of predators on guppy population density, the evolution of life-history traits and nutrient acquisition.
Histochemical observations of fluorescent biogenic amines in cryostat sections of peripheral and central nervous tissue

Relato de modificacao da tecnica criostatico-histoquimica para a verificacao da fluorescencia das catecolaminas e da serotonina em seccoes de tecido nervoso central e periferico. Sao discutidas as vantagens desta modificacao tecnica em relacao a outras propostas para a mesma finalidade.
Research Review: A neuroscience framework for pediatric anxiety disorders

Across a range of mammalian species, early developmental variations in fear-related behaviors constrain patterns of anxious behavior throughout life. Individual differences in anxiety among rodents and non-human primates have been shown to reflect early-life influences of genes and the environment on brain circuitry. However, in humans, the manner in which genes and the environment developmentally shape individual differences in anxiety and associated brain circuitry remains poorly specified. The current review presents a conceptual framework that facilitates clinical research examining developmental influences on brain circuitry and anxiety. Research using threat-exposure paradigms might most directly integrate basic and clinical perspectives on pediatric anxiety.
A multicore based parallel image registration method

Image registration is a crucial step for many imageassisted clinical applications such as surgery planning and treatment evaluation. In this paper we proposed a landmark based nonlinear image registration algorithm for matching 2D image pairs. The algorithm was shown to be effective and robust under conditions of large deformations. In landmark based registration, the most important step is establishing the correspondence among the selected landmark points. This usually requires an extensive search which is often computationally expensive. We introduced a nonregular data partition algorithm using the K-means clustering algorithm to group the landmarks based on the number of available processing cores. The step optimizes the memory usage and data transfer. We have tested our method using IBM Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) platform.
Quantitative analysis of policies for governance of emergent dynamics in complex construction projects

The complexity trend of construction projects is increasing, not only technologically but on several other fronts, such as the institutional diversity of the actors and the coupling of their interactions. As a result of this increase in complexity, projects frequently face the dynamics attributed to emerging actors, coalitions, contextual properties, or synergies. Reflecting this trend within the project governance framework provides a better understanding of the emergent risks that arise in the form of conflicts, project renegotiations, extreme modifications, or write-offs from projects. The aim of this study is to propose interactional analysis (IA) as a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methodology to analyse and govern the emergent risks associated with the interactions in a system of systems (SoS), such as complex construction projects. Therefore, interactions are framed as the coupling of actors, and their associated emergent dynamics are quantified based on the equilibria of the interaction. Risk ...
Amino Acids of Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 3A Essential for Repression of Jκ-Mediated Transcription and Their Evolutionary Conservation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 3A (EBNA-3A) is essential for virus-mediated immortalization of B lymphocytes in vitro and is believed to regulate transcription of cellular and/or viral genes. One known mechanism of regulation is through its interaction with the cellular transcription factor Jκ. This interaction downregulates transcription mediated by EBNA-2 and Jκ. To identify the amino acids that play a role in this interaction, we have generated mutant EBNA-3A proteins. A mutant EBNA-3A protein in which alanine residues were substituted for amino acids 199, 200, and 202 no longer downregulated transcription. Surprisingly, this mutant protein remained able to coimmunoprecipitate with Jκ. Using a reporter gene assay based on the recruitment of Jκ by various regions spanning EBNA-3A, we have shown that this mutation abolished binding of Jκ to the N-proximal region (amino acids 125 to 222) and that no other region of EBNA-3A alone was sufficient to mediate an association with Jκ. To determine the biological significance of the interaction of EBNA-3A with Jκ, we have studied its conservation in the simian lymphocryptovirus herpesvirus papio (HVP) by cloning HVP-3A, the homolog of EBNA-3A encoded by this virus. This 903-amino-acid protein exhibited 37% identity with its EBV counterpart, mainly within the amino-terminal half. HVP-3A also interacted with Jκ through a region located between amino acids 127 and 223 and also repressed transcription mediated through EBNA-2 and Jκ. The evolutionary conservation of this function, in proteins that have otherwise significantly diverged, argues strongly for an important biological role in virus-mediated immortalization of B lymphocytes.
High performance 0.25 μm gate-length AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on sapphire with transconductance of over 400 mS/mm

Metal organic chemical vapour deposition-grown AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) having record high transconductance of over 400 mS/mm have been fabricated on sapphire substrates. These 0.25 µm gate-length devices exhibited maximum drain current density as high as 1.4 A/mm, unity gain cutoff frequency ( fT) of 85 GHz, and maximum frequency of oscillation ( fmax) of 151 GHz. The fT of 85 GHz and fmax of 151 GHz are the highest ever reported values for 0.25 µm gate-length GaN-based HEMTs.
Studies of wound healing in experimental diabetes mellitus.

Diabetic patients often heal poorly. They have a higher incidence of wound infection [S] and are prone to slow healing of peripheral injuries even when adequate peripheral pulses are present [ 13, 291. Based on the work of Goldenberg et al. [9] and Sipperstein et al. [28] the theory has developed that poor healing in diabetes is due to microvascular changes manifested by endothelial proliferation in small arterioles and basement membrane thickening in capillaries. These changes, collectively referred to as “small vessel diseases,” have been sought and found in varying degrees in several diabetic tissues, e.g., muscle [28], pancreas, skin, and gingiva [8, 161 of diabetics. The exact nature of small vessel disease and its relation to wound healing in diabetes are uncertain. Sipperstein et a/. [28] initially suggested that it is an early genetic manifestation of diabetes but later noted that it is found in only 40% of juvenile diabetics. Thus it is neither an early nor the primary genetic manifestation of the disease and may not exist at the time of healing difficulties in juvenile diabetics. Further, it would seem that if small vessel disease is a limiting factor in the healing of diabetics it would act through a barrier function whereby nutrients were delayed in their entry into the
Investigating Viral Proteins and Intact Viruses with Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry has become a fundamental technology for virology and an important tool in probing the structure and function of viruses. It has been used to identify viral capsid proteins, detect viral mutants, characterize post-translational modifications, and measure intact viruses. Mass-based analysis techniques including time resolved proteolysis, tandem mass spectrometry, and computer-assisted database searching are also providing new insights into viral structure and the dynamic changes in the capsid domains at the onset of infection. This capsid mobility is allowing researchers to develop and evaluate new drugs for viral inactivation. More recently, new mass spectrometry approaches have been used to detect intact viruses. Overall, its broad application to local and global viral structure is providing unique insight into the solution and gas-phase properties of viruses.
Historical groundwater trends in northern New England and relations with streamflow and climatic variables

Water-level trends spanning 20, 30, 40, and 50 years were tested using month-end groundwater levels in 26, 12, 10, and 3 wells in northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont), respectively. Groundwater levels for 77 wells were used in interannual correlations with meteorological and hydrologic variables related to groundwater. Trends in the contemporary groundwater record (20 and 30 years) indicate increases (rises) or no substantial change in groundwater levels in all months for most wells throughout northern New England. The highest percentage of increasing 20-year trends was in February through March, May through August, and October through November. Forty-year trend results were mixed, whereas 50-year trends indicated increasing groundwater levels. Whereas most monthly groundwater levels correlate strongly with the previous month's level, monthly levels also correlate strongly with monthly streamflows in the same month; correlations of levels with monthly precipitation are less frequent and weaker than those with streamflow. Groundwater levels in May through August correlate strongly with annual (water year) streamflow. Correlations of groundwater levels with streamflow data and the relative richness of 50- to 100-year historical streamflow data suggest useful proxies for quantifying historical groundwater levels in light of the relatively short and fragmented groundwater data records presently available.
Masculinity in the doctor's office: Masculinity, gendered doctor preference and doctor–patient communication

Abstract Objective Mortality and morbidity data suggest that men have shorter life expectancies than women and outrank women on several leading causes of death. These gendered disparities may be influenced by psychosocial factors like masculinity. Methods Three studies (Total N = 546) examined the role of masculinity in men's doctor choices and doctor–patient interactions. In Studies 1 and 2, men completed measures of masculinity, gender bias, and doctor preference. Using structural equation modeling, we tested the direct relationship between masculinity and male doctor preference and the indirect relationship of masculinity on male doctor preference through an association with gendered competence stereotypes. Participants in Study 3 disclosed symptoms in private followed by disclosure to a male or female interviewer in a clinical setting. Using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), we examined the interaction among symptom reporting, masculinity and doctor gender, controlling for participant comfort. Results In Study 1, results suggested that masculinity encouraged choice of a male doctor directly and indirectly via beliefs that men make more competent doctors than women; Study 2 directly replicated the results of Study 1. In Study 3, independent of participant comfort, an interaction between interviewer gender and masculinity emerged such that men scoring higher on masculinity reported symptoms less consistently to male interviewers (relative to higher scoring men reporting to female interviewers); the reverse was found for men scoring low on masculinity. Conclusions Taken together these studies suggest that masculinity may affect men's health by encouraging choice of a male doctor with whom doctor–patient communication may be impaired.
Symptomatic eosinophilic granuloma of the spine: report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report two cases of eosinophilic granuloma of the spine in which the first manifestation of the disease was an associated neural deficit. In addition, we review the literature for cases of histiocytosis X in which the initial diagnosis was based only upon the discovery of spinal lesions. Thirty-nine reported cases of what we designated as "symptomatic eosinophilic granuloma of the spine" were found. A review of all 41 cases revealed that most patients present with pain, muscular stiffness and/or neurologic symptoms, the disorder most often affects the cervical vertebrae, and a high incidence of osteolytic lesions (as opposed to vertebral collapse) are found. These findings vary from those of radiologic and clinical evaluations of classical, multifocal, histiocytosis X that involves the spine.
Addressing Psychosocial Factors in Level II Fieldwork: Educating for Holistic Practice

Date Presented 4/18/2015 In this grounded theory study, we found that providing course and fieldwork focused on mental health in the academic program enabled students to identify client psychosocial factors at a variety of Level II practice sites. Students reported client improvement using meaningful occupations as interventions.
Diel Activity Patterns of the Sympatric Poison Dart Frogs, Dendrobates auratus and D. pumilio, in Costa Rica

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Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Resistance to Insecticides in Coastal California Greenhouses

Field populations of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), showed high levels of resistance in laboratory tests to four classes of insecticides Commonly used for insect control in ornamentals. The resistance ratios (RR at LC90) to the pyrethroids permethrin and bifenthrin were very high, ranging from 138-fold (Bifenthrin, San Diego-1 [SD-1] location) to 8,716-fold (Permethrin, SD-1) Compared with a susceptible strain (UC89). Piperonyl butoxide significantly synergized permethrin up to 50-fold (SD-2), indicating that mixed-function oxidizes are a Cornponent of the overall resistance mechanism. There was moderate to high intensity of resistance to methomyl, a carbonate; RR values ranged from 41-fold (SD-1) to 378-fold (SD-2). Field resistance to chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate, was Comparatively low, with the RR values ranging from 17-fold (Santa Barbara-2 [58-2]) to 31-fold (SD-2). Although not registered for western flower thrips control, abamectin (a macro cyclic lactone) showed low to high levels of resistance (RR values ranging from 18-fold [SD-1] to 798-fold [S8-1]). The development of resistance to abamectin is the first documented case of resistance to this chemical in the field. In a separate field trial conducted at SB-1, all the chemicals tested including chlorpyrifos (microencapsulated formulation) performed poorly. Maximum adjusted control was only 53% (Pounce), confirming the field failure for all the insecticides tested at this greenhouse. Resistance to Commonly used insecticides and the likelihood of losing many more registrations emphasize the need for better and practical pest management strategies.
Applications 3M Method in Water Quality Testing Work

Objective To investigate the value of 3M method in water quality testing work. Methods Comparison of two methods to take random samples of the area of tap water, the second pressurized water samples and a total of 54 well water samples and water quality testing plate count method were used to detect disk diffusion method 3M Petrifilm(3M paper method). the total number of bacterial strains and testing standards in water samples. Results There were detected the presence of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus significant differences were statistically significant(P0.05). 3M method to detect the use of tap water samples, the second pressurized water sample and the average number of colonies well water sample was(32.7±8.31), the average number of colonies in plate count assay was(22.9±2.58) months, the two groups 54 parts of water samples to detect the average number of colonies was statistically significant difference(P0.05). Conclusion Accurate conclusions 3M method to detect water quality, specificity, convenient, has application value.
The prevention treatment and care measures of hemodialysis complicated by balance disturbance syndrome

Objective To learn hemodialysis patients with balance disturbance syndrome,and analyze its prevention and care measures.Methods Sixty cases of hemodialysis patients in our hospital were randomLy divided into control group which were given regular hemodialysis treatment,and intervention group given nursing intervention on the basis of control group.Two groups were compared hemodialysis complicated by the balance disturbance syndrome and nursing job satisfaction.Results Intervention group concurrent imbalance syndrome was(1.1±0.9),lower than the control group of patients with disequilibrium syndrome of(1.9±0.8),(P 0.01),the difference was statistically significant.The intervention group patient care satisfaction rate of 93.55%,higher than that in the control group of nursing satisfaction rate of 72.41%,(P 0.05),the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Targeted nursing interventions can effectively reduce the incidence of balance disturbance syndrome,while improving patient care satisfaction.
MicroRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer invasion and metastasis: from the perspective of the radiation oncologist

ABSTRACTIntroduction: MicroRNAs (miRs), small sequences of RNA regulating various cellular processes, are implicated to play major roles in cancer. Herein, we discuss the association of several miRs with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), specifically relating to tumor invasion and metastasis to lymphatics and/or distant organs, which can often be correlated with overall prognosis.Areas covered: There exists strong evidence that presence of several miR combinations correlates with prognosis in both early- and advanced-stage NSCLCs. Principally, miR alterations could be useful in enhancing current imaging-based methods to more accurately estimate the extent of invasion/metastases.Expert Commentary: Despite the immature nature of this subject, its large ramifications on clinical oncology are clearly evident. Based on miR signature-related stratification, radiotherapy could be potentially personalized beyond current treatment standards.
Two Models of Universalism: Contrasting Findings

This final chapter recapitulates the key differences and similarities between French and US approaches to foreign policy as reflected in the interviews and documents, and it addresses how these differing models of universalism affect cooperation between both countries as well as the interplay within international organizations. It examines in particular the issue of ideology (including religion) and realism in foreign policy, including the contrasting views between French and US political leaders in addressing the globalization process; the free market; the interconnection among private corporations, national interests, and foreign policy; and the role of the states in a multipolar world.
Coagulation status after therapeutic plasma exchange using citrate in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is increasingly used for treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after solid organ transplants. There is concern that TPE may increase risk of bleeding, although data are limited. After TPE, clot-based coagulation tests may not accurately represent the levels of coagulation factors due to the effect of citrate. We investigated protein levels of fibrinogen using antigen detection method (FibAg) and correlated results with a clot-based fibrinogen activity test (Fib). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Nine kidney transplant recipients who received TPE for AMR were investigated. Fib, FibAg, prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), coagulation factor X chromogenic activity (CFX), and ionized calcium (iCa) were measured at pre- and post-TPE and 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, and 48 hours after the first TPE. RESULTS Mean Fib/FibAg ratio before TPE was 1.08; therefore, all Fib values were normalized (n) by dividing by 1.08. Overall, the mean normalized Fib (nFib)/FibAg ratio at post-TPE was 0.89 and returned to close to 1.0 at 6 hours after the first TPE. Decreases in nFib, FibAg, and CFX and increases in PT/INR and PTT post-TPE were observed. The lowest Fib, FibAg, CFX, platelet, and iCa levels were still at levels that would be considered sufficient for hemostasis at all time points. CONCLUSION The mean nFib/FibAg ratio after TPE was 0.89 and normalized in 6 hours, which demonstrates a persistent effect of citrate for up to 6 hours. Therefore, similar data observed in clot-based tests of PT/INR and PTT may be falsely elevated up to 6 hours after TPE due to the citrate effect.
Genetics-Current and Future Role in the Prevention and Management of Coronary Artery Disease.

Purpose of Review The purpose of this study is to review genetic risk variants for coronary artery disease (CAD) and how they will change the management and prevention of CAD currently and in the future.
Initial management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and timing of endoscopy

Abstract Acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of hospital admission with significant associated health care expenditures and a significant but improving mortality rate. Initial management includes proper resuscitation with close hemodynamic monitoring, a blood transfusion threshold of 7g/dL in most patients, early risk stratification using validated prognostic scores, and timely upper endoscopy. Current guidelines recommend that upper endoscopy be performed within 24 hours of presentation, except for patients at very low risk of adverse outcomes who may undergo more elective upper endoscopy. The role of urgent endoscopy for patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes remains controversial.
Mechanistic Model for Enantioselective Intramolecular Alkene Cyanoamidation via Palladium-Catalyzed C-CN Bond Activation.

We studied key aspects of the mechanism of Pd-catalyzed C–CN bond activation and intramolecular enantioselective alkene cyanoamidation. An Abboud–Abraham–Kamlet–Taft (AAKT) linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model for enantioselectivity was established. We investigated the impact of Lewis acid (BPh3), Lewis base (DMPU), and no additives. BPh3 additive led to diminished enantioselectivity and differing results in 13CN crossover experiments, initial rate kinetics, and natural abundance 12C/13C kinetic isotope effect measurements. We propose two catalytic mechanisms to account for our experimental results. We propose that the DMPU/nonadditive pathway passes through a κ2-phosphoramidite-stabilized Pd+ intermediate, resulting in high enantioselectivity. BPh3 prevents the dissociation of CN–, leading to a less rigid κ2-phosphoramidite-neutral Pd intermediate.
Inhibition of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor early in disease ameliorates motor deficits in SCA1 mice.

Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the protein Ataxin-1 (ATXN1) causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), a fatal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor deficits, cerebellar neurodegeneration, and gliosis. Currently, there are no treatments available to delay or ameliorate SCA1. We have examined the effect of depleting microglia during the early stage of disease by using PLX, an inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSFR1), on disease severity in a mouse model of SCA1. Transgenic mouse model of SCA1, ATXN1[82Q] mice, and wild-type littermate controls were treated with PLX from 3 weeks of age. The effects of PLX on microglial density, astrogliosis, motor behavior, atrophy, and gene expression of Purkinje neurons were examined at 3 months of age. PLX treatment resulted in the elimination of 70–80% of microglia from the cerebellum of both wild-type and ATXN1[82Q] mice. Importantly, PLX ameliorated motor deficits in SCA1 mice. While we have not observed significant improvement in the atrophy or disease-associated gene expression changes in Purkinje neurons upon PLX treatment, we have detected reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and increase in the protein levels of wild-type ataxin-1 and post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) that may help improve PN function. A decrease in the number of microglia during an early stage of disease resulted in the amelioration of motor deficits in SCA1 mice.
High Field In vivo13C Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Brain by Random Radiofrequency Heteronuclear Decoupling and Data Undersampling

In vivo 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a unique and effective tool for studying dynamic human brain metabolism and the cycling of neurotransmitters. One of the major technical challenges for in vivo 13C-MRS is the high radio frequency (RF) power necessary for heteronuclear decoupling. In the common practice of in vivo 13C-MRS, alkanyl carbons are detected in the spectra range of 10-65ppm. The amplitude of decoupling pulses has to be significantly greater than the large one-bond 1H-13C scalar coupling (1JCH=125-145 Hz). Two main proton decoupling methods have been developed: broadband stochastic decoupling and coherent composite or adiabatic pulse decoupling (e.g., WALTZ); the latter is widely used because of its efficiency and superb performance under inhomogeneous B1 field. Because the RF power required for proton decoupling increases quadratically with field strength, in vivo 13C-MRS using coherent decoupling is often limited to low magnetic fields (<= 4 Tesla (T)) to keep the local and averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) under the safety guidelines established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Alternately, carboxylic/amide carbons are coupled to protons via weak long-range 1H-13C scalar couplings, which can be decoupled using low RF power broadband stochastic decoupling. Recently, the carboxylic/amide 13C-MRS technique using low power random RF heteronuclear decoupling was safely applied to human brain studies at 7T. Here, we review the two major decoupling methods and the carboxylic/amide 13C-MRS with low power decoupling strategy. Further decreases in RF power deposition by frequency-domain windowing and time-domain random under-sampling are also discussed. Low RF power decoupling opens the possibility of performing in vivo 13C experiments of human brain at very high magnetic fields (such as 11.7T), where signal-to-noise ratio as well as spatial and temporal spectral resolution are more favorable than lower fields.
Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the clinical characteristics of the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC patients, with a particular focus on genetic susceptibility and risk factors prior to diagnosis. Methods. Our institutional database was queried for all patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between January 2010 and May 2016. Results. Out of a total of 1964 patients, 190 (10%) patients had TNBC. The median age for both TNBC and non-TNBC was 59 years. There was a significantly higher proportion of African American and Asian patients with TNBC ( ) compared to patients with non-TNBC. BRCA1 and BRCA2 were significantly associated with TNBC ( , ). A prior history of breast cancer was significantly associated with TNBC ( ). There was no relationship observed between TNBC and a history of chemoprevention or patients who had a history of AH or LCIS. Conclusions. We found that having Asian ancestry, a prior history of breast cancer, and a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation all appear to be positively associated with TNBC. In order to develop more effective treatments, better surveillance, and improved prevention strategies, it is necessary to improve our understanding of the population at risk for TNBC.
Rapid deployment of IoT enabled system for automobile fuel range and gas price location

The automotive industry, in accordance to transportation methods represents a significant part of the general consumer's daily life. With the limitations experienced by consumers in time and money, systems offering consumers the chance to save are becoming more and more prevalent. In this paper, an Internet of Things (IoT) system consisting of a vehicle, its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) data, and an Android smartphone application monitors a vehicle's present fuel range and outputs surrounding gas station suggestions based on proximity and gas prices. This network map of gas station locations allows the consumer to make decisions that could save them time and money. The proposed system has undergone experimental test to ensure efficient operation including data acquisition, transfer, and display. The proposed system was able to provide the consumer with a map of gas station suggestions based off of fuel range data obtained from the vehicle's internal computer.
r-hued coloring of sparse graphs

Abstract For two positive integers k , r , a ( k , r ) -coloring (or r -hued k -coloring) of a graph G is a proper k -vertex-coloring such that every vertex v of degree d G ( v ) is adjacent to at least min { d G ( v ) , r } distinct colors. The r -hued chromatic number, χ r ( G ) , is the smallest integer k for which G has a ( k , r ) -coloring. The maximum average degree of G , denoted by mad ( G ) , equals max { 2 | E ( H ) | ∕ | V ( H ) | : H is a subgraph of G } . In this paper, we prove the following results using the well-known discharging method. For a graph G , if mad ( G ) 12 5 , then χ 3 ( G ) ≤ 6 ; if mad ( G ) 7 3 , then χ 3 ( G ) ≤ 5 ; if G has no C 5 -components and mad ( G ) 8 3 , then χ 2 ( G ) ≤ 4 .
Population Demographics of Sauger and Simulated Effects of Minimum Length Limits in the Kaskaskia and Ohio Rivers

Abstract Sauger Sander canadensis are a popular sport fish native to large turbid midwestern rivers and are in decline across much of their range due to habitat loss and exploitation. Specifically, within the lower Kaskaskia and Ohio rivers, Sauger are managed under different harvest regulations and a knowledge gap exists regarding the current status of both populations as well as the effects of the harvest regulations on the size and age structures of both populations. We collected Sauger by nighttime boat electrofishing during early winter 2014–2016 and used otoliths to age all fish. Sauger stocks in both rivers exhibited fast growth rates and high annual mortality rates. Yield-per-recruit modeling indicated that the current 356-mm minimum size limit for Sauger in the Kaskaskia River is sufficient to prevent growth overfishing and likely explains the consistently larger size structure (greater proportion of fish ≥356-mm total length) of Sauger sampled from the Kaskaskia River compared with the Ohio Rive...
The Emergence of New Socioeconomic Strategies in the Middle and Late Holocene Pacific Northwest Region of North America

Macroevolutionary archaeology recognizes that evolutionary forces act in complex ways on cultural entities spanning a range of scales from simple artifact-based traits to population-held emergent characters like socioeconomic strategies. Evolutionary origins of these complex characters can be difficult to identify and understand, particularly in ancient contexts lacking written records. This chapter outlines theories of emergent fitness, emergent characters, and adaptive landscapes as a step toward explanation of cultural macroevolutionary process. Case studies consider the evolution of complex hunter-gatherer societies from North America’s Pacific Northwest. The study indicates that new socioeconomic strategies evolved in short-lived events resulting from fortuitous decision making by small groups in patchy, sometimes socially isolated ecological contexts. Once present, the strategies dispersed into adjacent areas probably via actual population expansion but also via cultural transmission. Study results suggest that both biological and cultural fitness may play significant roles in the emergence and dispersal of complex cultural variants when examined on macroevolutionary scales.
Towards Chip Scale Liquid Chromatography and High Throughput Immunosensing

This work describes several research projects aimed towards developing new instruments and novel methods for high throughput chemical and biological analysis. Approaches are taken in two directions. The first direction takes advantage of well-established semiconductor fabrication techniques and applies them to miniaturize instruments that are workhorses in analytical laboratories. Specifically, the first part of this work focused on the development of micropumps and microvalves for controlled fluid delivery. The mechanism of these micropumps and microvalves relies on the electrochemically-induced surface tension change at a mercury/electrolyte interface. A miniaturized flow injection analysis device was integrated and flow injection analyses were demonstrated. In the second part of this work, microfluidic chips were also designed, fabricated, and tested. Separations of two fluorescent dyes were demonstrated in microfabricated channels, based on an open-tubular liquid chromatography (OT LC) or an electrochemically-modulated liquid chromatography (EMLC) format. A reduction in instrument size can potentially increase analysis speed, and allow exceedingly small amounts of sample to be analyzed under diverse separation conditions. The second direction explores the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a signal transduction method for immunoassay analysis. It takes advantage of the improved detection sensitivity as a result of surface enhancement on colloidal gold, the narrow width of Raman band, and the stability of Raman scattering signals to distinguish several different species simultaneously without exploiting spatially-separated addresses on a biochip. By labeling gold nanoparticles with different Raman reporters in conjunction with different detection antibodies, a simultaneous detection of a dual-analyte immunoassay was demonstrated. Using this scheme for quantitative analysis was also studied and preliminary dose-response curves from an immunoassay of a mo del antigen were obtained. Simultaneous detection of several analytes at the same address can potentially increase the analysis speed, and can further expand the analysis capability of a microarray chip.
Exchange vs Cotransport of Na and Cl Across the Barriers Interfacing Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain with Blood

The flow of water from the capillaries into various compartments in the CNS is in large part dependent on the net transport of ions across barrier systems. Disruption of the normal flow of fluid into the brain can lead to altered ICP. Therefore, it is not surprising that carrier protein molecules in the cells of the barrier systems should regulate the translocation of ions from blood to CSF and brain tissue.
The hippocampus and the classically conditioned nictitating membrane response: A real-time attentional-associative model

The present study introduces an attentional-associative model that incorporates (1) a mechanism capable of establishing associations between conditioned stimuli (CSs) and unconditioned stimuli (USs) and between two CSs; (2) a mechanism that, by combining CS-CS and CS-US associations, is capable of building a “computational cognitive map”; (3) a real-time version of Pearce and Hall’s (1980) attentional rule; (4) performance rules that convert learning variables into a topography of the rabbit’s nictitating membrane (NM) response; and (5) rules that convert learning variables into neuronal firing. The present study tested the “aggregate prediction” hypothesis as applied to hippocampal function. This hypothesis assumes that (1) the effect of hippocampal lesions (HL) is an impairment in the integration of the aggregate prediction used to compute attentional variables; (2) the effect of the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is an increase in the value of the aggregate prediction by way of increasing the value of CS-CS associations; and (3) neural activity in the hippocampus is proportional to the instantaneous value of the aggregate prediction. In addition, the present study tested the hypothesis that medial septum activity is proportional to the value of attentional variables. Computer simulations for the HL case were carried out for acquisition under different interstimulus intervals, discrimination reversal, and sensory preconditioning. Computer simulations for the LTP case were carried out for discrimination acquisition. In addition, simulations of hippocampal unit activity during acquisition and extinction, and medial septum unit activity during the acquisition of conditioning, are presented. The aggregate prediction hypothesis proved capable of simulating most, but not all, experimental data regarding hippocampal manipulations in the rabbit’s NM response preparation.
Composition of Viruses

Several hundred virus diseases are now recognized as such, but the chemical compositions of relatively few viruses have been reported. The main reasons for this situation are that many interesting experiments can be done without precise information about viral composition, and it is not easy to obtain all viruses in a state of purity adequate for analysis. Finally, it is somewhat tedious to perform complete and thorough analyses of viruses even when they can be obtained in adequate amounts and in sufficient purity. Consequently, it is common for investigators to make just those analyses most pertinent to a particular topic under investigation.
Reprogramming the brain with synthetic neurobiology.

The mammalian brain is among the most complex organs known in biology. Historically, neuroscience techniques have consisted primarily of low-throughput microscopy and electrophysiological approaches. While these methods will continue to serve the community, the emerging field of synthetic neurobiology may be better equipped to scale with systems neuroscience. By using genetic techniques to achieve cell-type specificity, a map of the connectome, neural activation and recording, and ultimately to program neural development itself, we can begin to build a better framework with which to understand the brain’s mechanisms.
Relationship of Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA with the inflammatory biomarker hs-CRP in children with sickle cell anemia

Abstract Background Inflammation and vaso-occlusion play key roles in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) pathophysiology. Lipoxygenase products of the omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs), docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids, are potent anti-inflammatory mediators modulating pain. O3FAs decrease episodes of vaso-occlusion in SCD. Methods We assessed erythrocyte fatty acid composition in two major cell membrane phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, in children with SCD HbSS-disease (n = 38) and age/race-matched HbAA-controls (n = 18). Ratio of pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA) to anti-inflammatory DHA and EPA (FA-Ratio), and its relationship to hs-CRP were evaluated. Results FA-Ratios were increased in both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in HbSS compared to controls. Correlations were noted in HbSS subjects between hs-CRP and FA-Ratios (p = 0.011). FA-Ratios increased with age (p = 0.0007) due to an increase in pro-inflammatory AA with a concomitant decrease in anti-inflammatory DHA. Conclusions Findings demonstrate relative deficiencies in HbSS of the anti-inflammatory precursor fatty acids DHA and EPA, which correlates positively with hs-CRP.
Is Profound Boredom Boredom

Martin Heidegger is often credited as having offered one of the most thorough phenomenological investigations of the nature of boredom. In his 1929–1930 lecture course, The Fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics: World, Finitude, Solitude, he goes to great lengths to distinguish between three different types of boredom and to explicate their respective characters. Within the context of his discussion of one of these types of boredom, profound boredom (tiefe Langeweile), Heidegger opposes much of the philosophical and literary tradition on boredom insofar as he articulates how the experience of boredom can be existentially beneficial to us. In this chapter, we undertake a study of the nature of profound boredom with the aim of investigating its place within contemporary psychological and philosophical research on boredom. Although boredom used to be a neglected emotional experience, it is no more. Boredom’s causal antecedents, effects, experiential profile, and neurophysiological correlates have become topics of active study; as a consequence, a proliferation of claims and findings about boredom has ensued. Such a situation provides an opportunity to scrutinize Heidegger’s claims and to try to understand them both on their own terms and in light of our contemporary understanding of boredom.
Experimental investigation of surface adhesion of Titan analog materials: Mitigation by dust-repellent coatings

Abstract We report an experimental investigation of organic Titan regolith simulant interactions with transparent surfaces. In the absence of prior triboelectrification of the particles and surface, the area coverage of sprinkled particles increases with increasing substrate surface energy, as expected. Bare sapphire, sapphire coated with indium tin oxide (ITO), and sapphire coated with ITO and fluorosilane collected 20%, 10%, and 5% particles, respectively. Under turbulent conditions that promote triboelectric charging, the adhesion of Titan regolith analogs is enhanced. Bare sapphire occluded by more than 60% in some cases. However, conductive ITO generally reduced the area coverage below 10% when electrically grounded, and the fluorosilane treatment reduced it slightly further. The surface coatings tested, and anti-static measures more generally, therefore provide significant mitigation of optical window contamination.
Language and Brands

Brands rely on language to get their messages across. I begin with a discussion of Aristotle’s writings on persuasion in his book Rhetoric, where he talks about the different modes such as ethos, pathos, and logos. This leads to a discussion of trademarks, popular brands, and slogans, with a focus on Harley-Davidson slogans and the relationship of a Harley-Davidson slogan to American culture and history. I point out that a company’s slogan can connect with people at different levels and have multiple meanings, some of which function at a subliminal level.