cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance analysis of a burst-frame-based MAC protocol for ultra-wideband ad hoc networks

Ultra-wideband (UWB) communication is becoming an important technology for future wireless personal area networks (WPANs). A critical challenge in high data rate UWB system design is that a receiver usually needs tens of micro-seconds or even tens of milliseconds to synchronize with the transmitted signals, known as the timing acquisition problem. Such a long synchronization time will cause significant overhead, since the data rate of UWB systems is expected to be very high. To address the overhead problem, we previously proposed a general framework for MAC protocols in high data rate UWB networks. In this framework, a node can aggregate multiple upper-layer packets into a larger burst frame at the MAC layer. In this paper, we analyze the unsaturated throughput performance of a burst-frame-based MAC protocol within the framework. Numerical results from the analytical method give excellent agreement with the simulation results, indicating the accuracy of our analytical method.
Textural analysis and structure-tracking for geological mapping: applications to sonar images from Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge

The volume of data collected by side-scan sonar during seafloor surveys has become larger and larger as the resolution of these systems has improved. As a result, new image processing techniques need to be developed to partly automate the interpretation of this increasing wealth of data. The first two steps in the geological analysis of a new image usually are the mapping of linear structures, and of morphologic units. These maps are then used in tectonic and geological interpretations. Linear features are detected by adaptive filtering. Their properties (length, direction, sinuosity, ...) are computed and quantified by the new structure tracking algorithm. Mapping of morphologic units is addressed by a textural analysis method, based on grey-level co-occurrence matrices. The authors have applied these techniques to high-resolution sonar images of the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge. Separation of geologically meaningful regions can be easily attained using the authors' textural analysis method. Some regions fan be distinguished by numerical methods, whereas visual interpretation had to rely on supplementary data (photos, dives). >
Multi-HDP: a non parametric Bayesian model for tensor factorization

Matrix factorization algorithms are frequently used in the machine leaming community to find low dimensional representations of data. We introduce a novel generative Bayesian probabilistic model for unsupervised matrix and tensor factorization. The model consists of several interacting LDA models, one for each modality. We describe an efficient collapsed Gibbs sampler for inference. We also derive the non-parametric form of the model where interacting LDA models are replaced with interacting HDP models. Experiments demonstrate that the model is useful for prediction of missing data with two or more modalities as well as learning the latent structure in the data.
RESPONSE OF SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER TO DUAL INOCULATION WITH VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND A PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING BACTERIUM, PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA

Abstract Plant growth and nodulation of subterranean clover ( Trifolium subterraneum L.) were studied in nonsterile soil inoculated with a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) isolate of Pseudomonas putida and indigenous vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Although inoculation with the PGPR or VAM fungi increased plant growth after 12 weeks, a significant increase in root dry weight, compared to uninoculated controls, was observed only when both the PGPR and VAM fungi were present. Shoot dry weight of plants inoculated with PGPR and VAM was significantly greater than with the PGPR alone, VAM fungi alone or uninoculated controls. Nodulation was enhanced significantly by either the PGPR or VAM fungi alone (× 1.50-fold increase over controls at 12 weeks), but was significantly greater (× 2.03-fold increase over controls) when both the PGPR and VAM fungi were present. Inoculation with the PGPR increased colonization by VAM fungi from 7 to 23% of the root system infected at 6 weeks, but colonization levels by VAM fungi were similar (ca. 50%) at 12 weeks. Populations of the PGPR increased similarly in the rhizosphere of both mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Al, Zn, Co and Ni were considerably greater in the shoots of plants inoculated with the PGPR and VAM fungi than in plants inoculated with the PGPR or VAM fungi alone.
Herpes simplex virus-induced plasmacytic atypia

The clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection have been well described. Genital herpetic infections are largely induced by HSV type 2, but 30% of cases can be caused by HSV type 1. Immunocompromised patients are known to exhibit atypical patterns of clinical presentation with variable lesion morphology and anatomic location. A subset of patients may show morphology such as nodules or verrucous lesions. Analogously, some biopsy specimens may show unusual microscopical features, such as a lack of keratinocyte cytopathology, lymphocyte infiltration or vasculopathic changes that are expected irrespective of the patient's immune status. We present the case of a patient carrying a previous diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris, status posttreatment with methotrexate and prednisone, who developed a perineal ulcer exhibiting significant numbers of plasma cells, many of which were cytologically atypical. This morphology was suggestive of a hematopoietic malignancy. Immunoperoxidase staining for HSV decorated a focal collection of keratinocytes that lacked appreciable viral changes expected of HSV infection.
MicroRNAs as oncogenes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that function as endogenous triggers of the RNA interference pathway. Originally discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, this group of tiny RNAs has moved to the forefront of biology. With over 300 miRNA genes identified in the human genome, and a plethora of predicted mRNA targets, it is believed that these small RNAs have a central role in diverse cellular and developmental processes. Concordant with this, aberrant expression of miRNA genes could lead to human disease, including cancer. Although the connection of miRNAs with cancer has been suspected for several years, four recent studies have confirmed the suspicion that miRNAs regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis, and play a role in cancer.
Behavior and Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-to-Steel Bond

This paper presents a detailed discussion of bond behavior and fatigue, which have a major, often overlooked, impact on the long-term performance of steel bridges strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. The paper discusses the primary factors that affect the bonding behavior between steel and FRP materials. The mechanisms of bonding are highlighted, and the main factors that contribute to the environmental degradation of bonds are outlined. Techniques to produce high-quality, durable, and reliable bonds are presented; these techniques include surface preparation techniques, use of primers, and use of various plate end details to reduce bond stress concentrations and mitigate debonding. Various factors that affect the fatigue performance of FRP materials and structural adhesives are enumerated, and the behavior of FRP patches used to repair cracked steel members is described. This paper highlights some complexities and nuances associated with the design and installation of an FRP-based ...
Major thoracic trauma in children.

This discussion outlines a course of action (including sequential evaluation) for the management of multiple trauma, including blunt thoracic injuries, developed at the Children’s Trauma Center of the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Recently published anaphylaxis practice parameter.

During our journal club today, we read with appreciation and Hetu Parekh, MD enthusiasm the anaphylaxis practice parameter published in the November issue of the Annals.1 We noted 3 typographical errors. On page 344 (second column, fourth paragraph, last sentence), we believe the reference number 3 for the “publication sponsored by the World Allergy Organization” is incorrect and should be Simons et al.2 On page 347 (under issue 8), the epinephrine dose of 0.3 mg for children weighing 15 to 30 kg is an error. It should be 0.15 mg. On page 361 (first column, last paragraph), the dose unit of glucagon was twice mentioned incorrectly in milligrams. This dose should be in micrograms for children per kilogram of body weight and in the infusion dose.
Systematics, morphology, and ecology of pigeons and doves (Aves: Columbidae) of the Mascarene Islands, with three new species

The original diversity of the pigeons and doves (Columbidae: Nesoenas, Columba, Alectroenas) of the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, Reunion, Rodrigues) has been poorly understood. Only two of perhaps as many as ten species are known from skin specimens, whereas the rest are known from old accounts and subfossil remains only. Most accounts, however, do not distinguish between species, so accurate identification is difficult to determine. The introduction of non-native pigeons has further exacerbated the problem and has led to erroneous interpretation. This paper provides a detailed re-analysis of the Mascarene columbid fauna (excluding the large, terrestrial “didines”, the Dodo Raphus cucullatus and Solitaire Pezophaps solitaria), based partly on newly discovered subfossil remains. Key findings include: a new species of Alectroenas from Rodrigues and new species of Nesoenas and Columba from Mauritius; referral of the problematic species 'Columba' rodericana of Rodrigues to the genus Nesoenas; and documentation of new morphological and historical information concerning the extant Pink Pigeon Nesoenas mayeri and the extinct Mauritius Blue Pigeon Alectroenas nitidissima. The Columbidae comprises the largest avian radiation in the Mascarenes and probably colonised the islands at least four times from Madagascar and SE Asia during low sea level stands.
Ultrasonic consolidation of thermoplastic composite prepreg for automated fiber placement

To address the industrial need for manufacturing advanced thermoplastic composite parts with less energy, waste, and time and at lower cost, the feasibility of automated fiber placement using ultra...
Sesquiterpene lactones from Centaurea spinosa and their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.

Ten sesquiterpene lactones, 8α-O-(3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylenebutanoyloxy)sonchucarpolide (4-epi-malacitanolide) (1), 8α-O-(4-acetoxy-2-hydroxymethylbuten-2-oyloxy)-4-epi-sonchucarpolide (2), malacitanolide (3), its 4‘-acetyl derivative (4), 8α-O-(3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylenebutanoyloxy)dehydromelitensine (5), 8α-O-(3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylenebutanoyloxy)-15-oxo-5,7αH,6βH-eleman-1,3,11(13)-trien-6,12-olide (6), the germacranolides 8α-O-(4-acetoxy-2-hydroxymethylbuten-2-oyloxy)salonitenolide (7), cnicin (8), and 4‘-acetylcnicin (9), and the sesquiterpene methyl 8α-O-(3,4-dihydroxy-2-methylenebutanoyloxy)-6α,15-dihydroxyelema-1,3,11(13)-trien-12-oate (10), were isolated from the aerial parts of Centaurea spinosa. Nine known flavonoids were also isolated. The structures and the stereochemistry of the new compounds 1 and 2 were deduced by spectroscopic methods. The in vitro activity of 1−10 against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria was evaluated using a microdilution method, and their in vitro cyto...
Study and Application of On-line Icing Monitoring System for Guangdong Power Grid

To prevent large-area damage of power transmission facilities by icing disaster and enable real-time operation monitoring on power lines,Guangdong Power Grid Corporation drew on the experience of existing transmission line prewarning system at home and abroad,and constructed the on-line icing monitoring system for Guangdong power grid.The construction idea and principle,structure,function and key techniques of the system are described in detail.It is proved in practice that the system can realize real-time monitoring on line-corridor images,weather,icing,conductor temperature,etc.and send warning information,featuring ease of use and operational reliability.
Active Center Control of Termination by RNA Polymerase III and tRNA Gene Transcription Levels In Vivo.

The ability of RNA polymerase (RNAP) III to efficiently recycle from termination to reinitiation is critical for abundant tRNA production during cellular proliferation, development and cancer. Yet understanding of the unique termination mechanisms used by RNAP III is incomplete, as is its link to high transcription output. We used two tRNA-mediated suppression systems to screen for Rpc1 mutants with gain- and loss- of termination phenotypes in S. pombe. 122 point mutation mutants were mapped to a recently solved 3.9 A structure of yeast RNAP III elongation complex (EC); they cluster in the active center bridge helix and trigger loop, as well as the pore and funnel, the latter of which indicate involvement of the RNA cleavage domain of the C11 subunit in termination. Purified RNAP III from a readthrough (RT) mutant exhibits increased elongation rate. The data strongly support a kinetic coupling model in which elongation rate is inversely related to termination efficiency. The mutants exhibit good correlations of terminator RT in vitro and in vivo, and surprisingly, amounts of transcription in vivo. Because assessing in vivo transcription can be confounded by various parameters, we used a tRNA reporter with a processing defect and a strong terminator. By ruling out differences in RNA decay rates, the data indicate that mutants with the RT phenotype synthesize more RNA than wild type cells, and than can be accounted for by their increased elongation rate. Finally, increased activity by the mutants appears unrelated to the RNAP III repressor, Maf1. The results show that the mobile elements of the RNAP III active center, including C11, are key determinants of termination, and that some of the mutations activate RNAP III for overall transcription. Similar mutations in spontaneous cancer suggest this as an unforeseen mechanism of RNAP III activation in disease.
Randomized controlled trial of exercise interventions to improve sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

BackgroundNearly 70% of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience sleep disturbances. Increasing physical activity in people with MS has been shown to produce a moderate improvement in sl...
Monoallelic Gene Expression in Mammals

Monoallelic expression not due to cis-regulatory sequence polymorphism poses an intriguing problem in epigenetics because it requires the unequal treatment of two segments of DNA that are present in the same nucleus and that can indeed have absolutely identical sequences. Here, I focus on a few recent developments in the field of monoallelic expression that are of particular interest and raise interesting questions for future work. One development is regarding analyses of imprinted genes, in which recent work suggests the possibility that intriguing networks of imprinted genes exist and are important for genetic and physiological studies. Another issue that has been raised in recent years by a number of publications is the question of how skewed allelic expression should be for it to be designated as monoallelic expression and, further, what methods are appropriate or inappropriate for analyzing genomic data to examine allele-specific expression. Perhaps the most exciting recent development in mammalian m...
Singlet oxygen explicit dosimetry to predict long-term local tumor control for Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy

Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established modality for the treatment of cancer, current dosimetric quantities do not account for the variations in PDT oxygen consumption for different fluence rates (φ). In this study we examine the efficacy of reacted singlet oxygen concentration ([1O2]rx) to predict long-term local control rate (LCR) for Photofrin-mediated PDT. Radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF) tumors in the right shoulders of female C3H mice are treated with different in-air fluences of 225-540 J/cm2 and in-air fluence rate (φair) of 50 and 75 mW/cm2 at 5 mg/kg Photofrin and a drug-light interval of 24 hours using a 1 cm diameter collimated laser beam at 630 nm wavelength. [1O2]rx is calculated by using a macroscopic model based on explicit dosimetry of Photofrin concentration, tissue optical properties, tissue oxygenation and blood flow changes during PDT. The tumor volume of each mouse is tracked for 90 days after PDT and Kaplan-Meier analyses for LCR are performed based on a tumor volume ≤100 mm3, for the four dose metrics light fluence, photosensitizer photobleaching rate, PDT dose and [1O2]rx. PDT dose is defined as a temporal integral of photosensitizer concentration and Φ at a 3 mm tumor depth. φ is calculated throughout the treatment volume based on Monte-Carlo simulation and measured tissue optical properties. Our preliminary studies show that [1O2]rx is the best dosimetric quantity that can predict tumor response and correlate with LCR. Moreover, [1O2]rx calculated using the blood flow changes was in agreement with [1O2]rx calculated based on the actual tissue oxygenation.
COST ANALYSIS IN PATIENTS DISCHARGED HOME SAME DAY AFTER DEVICE IMPLANTATION

Background: It is standard of care after device implantation to observe patients overnight in the hospital. We report a cost analysis study prior to and after implementing a strategy of same day discharge (SDD) following pacemaker (PM) or defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Methods: We reviewed the
Effectiveness of Moving Target Defenses

Moving target defenses have been proposed as a way to make it much more difficult for an attacker to exploit a vulnerable system by changing aspects of that system to present attackers with a varying attack surface. The hope is that constructing a successful exploit requires analyzing properties of the system, and that in the time it takes an attacker to learn those properties and construct the exploit, the system will have changed enough by the time the attacker can launch the exploit to disrupt the exploit’s functionality. This is a promising and appealing idea, but its security impact is not yet clearly understood. In this chapter, we argue that the actual benefits of the moving target approach are in fact often much less significant than one would expect. We present a model for thinking about dynamic diversity defenses, analyze the security properties of a few example defenses and attacks, and identify scenarios where moving target defenses are and are not effective.
Exercise training-induced modification of the gut microbiota persists after microbiota colonization and attenuates the response to chemically-induced colitis in gnotobiotic mice

Exercise reduces the risk of inflammatory disease by modulating a variety of tissue and cell types, including those within the gastrointestinal tract. Recent data indicates that exercise can also alter the gut microbiota, but little is known as to whether these changes affect host function. Here, we use a germ-free (GF) animal model to test whether exercise-induced modifications in the gut microbiota can directly affect host responses to microbiota colonization and chemically-induced colitis. Donor mice (n = 19) received access to a running wheel (n = 10) or remained without access (n = 9) for a period of six weeks. After euthanasia, cecal contents were pooled by activity treatment and transplanted into two separate cohorts of GF mice. Two experiments were then conducted. First, mice were euthanized five weeks after the microbiota transplant and tissues were collected for analysis. A second cohort of GF mice were colonized by donor microbiotas for four weeks before dextran-sodium-sulfate was administered to induce acute colitis, after which mice were euthanized for tissue analysis. We observed that microbial transplants from donor (exercised or control) mice led to differences in microbiota β-diversity, metabolite profiles, colon inflammation, and body mass in recipient mice five weeks after colonization. We also demonstrate that colonization of mice with a gut microbiota from exercise-trained mice led to an attenuated response to chemical colitis, evidenced by reduced colon shortening, attenuated mucus depletion and augmented expression of cytokines involved in tissue regeneration. Exercise-induced modifications in the gut microbiota can mediate host-microbial interactions with potentially beneficial outcomes for the host.
Same face, same place, different memory: manner of presentation modulates the associative deficit in older adults

One of the more severe and consequential memory impairments experienced by older adults is the loss of the ability to form and remember associations. Although the associative deficit is often assumed to be unitary, memory episodes may contain different types of associations (e.g., item-item, item-context). Research in younger adults suggests that these different association types may involve different neural mechanisms. This raises the possibility that different association types are not equally affected by aging. In order to investigate this, the current study directly compared memory across item-item and item-context associations in younger and older adults by manipulating the manner of presentation of the associations. Results indicate that the associative deficit in aging is not uniform and that aging has a greater impact on item-context compared to item-item associations. The results have implications for theories of associative memory, age-related cognitive decline, and the functional organization of the medial temporal lobe in aging.
The Evolution of the Treaty-Making Power in the British Commonwealth of Nations

The treaty-making power in Australia is in large part a product of the historical development of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The earlier stages in the evolution of the Commonwealth concerned mainly the acquisition of colonial autonomy within the British Empire, and involved primarily developments in the area of constitutional law. When, however, the Dominions began to assert claims to an international personality distinct from that of the Mother Country, problems of international law arose. Discussion of the development of the treaty-making power in the Commonwealth thus has to take into consideration both constitutional and international law aspects of the historical progression of the Dominions from colonial to sovereign status.1
How Therapy With Victims of Political Trauma Repairs the Third—Commentary on Gómez and Kovalskys’s Work in the Context of Postdictatorship Chile

In this discussion I use the concept of the moral Third to designate the position in which we experience the world as lawful because repair is possible. Repair takes place through acknowledgment of...
Posttranscriptional (Re)programming of Cell Fate: Examples in Stem Cells, Progenitor, and Differentiated Cells.

How a single genome can give rise to many different transcriptomes and thus all the different cell lineages in the human body is a fundamental question in biology. While signaling pathways, transcription factors and chromatin architecture, to name a few determinants, have been established to play critical roles, recently, there is a growing appreciation of the roles of non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins in controlling cell fates post-transcriptionally. Thus, it is vital that these emerging players are also integrated into models of gene regulatory networks that underlie programs of cellular differentiation. Sometimes, we can leverage knowledge about such post-transcriptional circuits to reprogram patterns of gene expression in meaningful ways. Here we review three examples from our work.
Narrative Self and World

Ricoeur’s multi-faceted oeuvre has continually modified and expanded phenomenological concepts. Already in Freedom and Nature and Fallible Man, self as subject and world as horizon are in a tight interrelationship, but such as to maintain a modified autonomy/independence on the part of both terms of the relationship.1 In those early works, one can discern Husserl’s transcendental ego as an influence that is gradually being rejected by reason of its inherent idealism as pointed up by Ricoeur’s critical studies.2 In these early works also — including The Symbolism of Evil and Freud and Philosophy 3 — we find a philosophical anthropology based on what can be called an “existentialist” version of the subject that stresses the role of the imagination in tying together the voluntary and the involuntary, the “finite and the infinite.”
Segmentation and Vectorization

The segmentation and vectorization of line drawings is well studied (see Chap. 1 for related work), however, no analytic solution has been proposed to date, and therefore, the existing methods are ad hoc and based on heuristics. Most methods also need some amount of tweaking for the specific kind of drawings to be analyzed. We present our approach to these problems here, and this development has been done in the context of the semantic analysis of scanned images of mechanical CAD engineering drawings.
Physicochemical Properties of Minerals Relevant to Biological Activities: State of the Art

This paper presents data in support of the hypothesis that chemical functionalities on the surface of minerals are the primary determinants of biological activity.
Robust Autonomous Small-Body Shape Reconstruction and Relative Navigation Using Range Images

This paper proposes an algorithm relying on range images to reconstruct the shape model of the orbited object, train an uncertainty model representative of shape reconstruction inaccuracies and sen...
Novel Application of a New Lateral System for Adjacent-level Revision Surgery: A Case Report

In recent years, lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) has grown in popularity as a minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) approach that can be offered to patients with prior surgeries from a posterior approach. In this report, we present a patient with a focal disease and a history of multiple posterior lumbar surgeries who underwent LLIF with a novel application of the DuoTM system (Spineology Inc., MN, USA) adjacent to prior surgical levels and without posterior instrumentation. At one year postoperatively, she continued to have no back pain or complaints relating to her lumbar pathology. The case demonstrates the novel use of a new MISS LLIF system that requires minimal exposure as compared to current LLIF systems to treat a patient with adjacent segment disease and progressive symptoms following multiple posterior decompressive surgeries.
Consumer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Sodium Intake and Reduction Strategies in Los Angeles County: Results of an Internet Panel Survey (2014-2015)

Background and Purpose: In Los Angeles County, over 27% of the population has been diagnosed with hypertension and over 60% is considered overweight or obese. To help address the burden of hypertension and other diet-associated diseases, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched its sodium reduction initiative to scale sodium reduction approaches and, ultimately, reduce sodium intake in the region. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sodium consumption and reduction to inform ongoing program efforts. Methods: A cross-sectional Internet panel survey was administered from December 2014 to January 2015 to a panel of Los Angeles County adult residents (n=848). Results: Results suggest low levels of consumer knowledge of recommended daily sodium intake limits (5.9%), high levels of support for reduction of sodium in the food supply (>70%), and moderate levels of healthy behavior change (e.g., 48.1% reported determining their food purchases based on the sodium content, 56.3% reported watching their sodium intake). Conclusions: These findings support the continued need to work at multiple levels (consumer, food supplier/manufacturer, retail) to reduce sodium intake in Los Angeles County.
Optical trapping assisted detection rate enhancement of single molecules on a nanopore optofluidic chip

We use optical trapping to deliver molecular targets to the vicinity of a nanopore for high-throughput single molecule analysis on an optofluidic chip. DNA detection rates increase over 80× to enable detection at attomolar concentrations.
You have to be twice as good and work twice as hard: a mixed-methods study of perceptions of sexual harassment, assault and women's leadership among female faculty at a research university in the USA.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of institutional policies and practices for the prevention of and response to gender inequities as experienced by female faculty working in the health sciences at a US research university. Methods Data from the institution's Faculty Campus Climate Survey (n = 260 female faculty) were coupled with qualitative interviews (n = 14) of females in leadership positions, exploring campus climate, and institutional policies and practices aimed at advancing women. Results Two-thirds (59%) of the female faculty respondents indicated witnessing sexual harassment and 28% reported experiencing sexual harassment. Several organizational themes emerged to address this problem: culture, including cultural change, transparency, and accountability. Conclusions The findings reveal the ways in which university culture mimics the larger societal context. At the same time, the distinct culture of higher education processes for recruitment, career advancement - specifically tenure and promotion - are identified as important factors that require modifications in support of reductions in gender inequalities.
Acidic Deposition and Climate Warming as Drivers of Tree Growth in High-Elevation Spruce-Fir Forests of the Northeastern US

Acid rain in eastern North America contributed to the widespread decline of red spruce in high-elevation spruce-fir forests. With recent reductions in acid deposition and a warming climate, resurgence of red spruce growth has been reported in some mountain areas. Based on an extensive tree-ring sampling network established across elevations (600 to 1200 m above sea level) in spruce-fir forests on 10 mountains in the northeastern US (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine), we investigated whether this resurgence was specific only to red spruce or if it occurred also in the codominant balsam fir. Furthermore, we tested if tree growth changes for both species were related to recent trends in acidic deposition and climate. Sharply increasing growth rates of red spruce were evident at all elevations and most closely correlated with increasing rainwater pH. Although climate of the previous year (cool July and warm November) explained higher spruce growth in certain years, recent trends in climate did not drive observed increases in spruce growth. In contrast, balsam fir exhibited no regional growth surge during the period of spruce recovery. Thus, spruce growth resurgence appears to be mediated primarily by declining acid deposition and not climatic changes or stand dynamics that would also impact fir growth. Although high-elevation forests may ultimately be at risk for future warming-related heat and drought stress, the observed recent dramatic resurgence of spruce growth illustrates the benefits of policy-driven reductions in acidic deposition for the health and productivity of northeastern US forests.
Assessing Classroom Quality for Latino Dual Language Learners in Head Start: DLL-Specific and General Teacher-Child Interaction Perspectives.

Research Findings: The increase in young Latino Dual Language Learners (DLLs) attending early care and education (ECE) programs has led to a focus on assessing classroom quality for DLLs, to evalua...
Meta-analysis and review of functional neuroimaging differences underlying adolescent vulnerability to substance use

Abstract Adolescence is increasingly viewed as a sensitive period in the development of substance use disorders (SUDs). Neurodevelopmental ‘dual-risk’ theories suggest adolescent vulnerability to problematic substance use is driven by an overactive reward drive mediated by the striatum, and poor cognitive control mediated by the prefrontal cortex. To this end, there has been a growing number of neuroimaging studies examining cognitive and affective neural systems during adolescence for markers of vulnerability to problematic substance use. Here, we perform a coordinate-based meta-analysis on this emerging literature. Twenty-two task-based voxelwise fMRI studies with activation differences associated with substance use vulnerability, representative of approximately 1092 subjects, were identified through a systematic literature search (PubMed, Scopus) and coordinates of activation differences (N ​= ​190) were extracted. Adolescents were defined as ‘at-risk’ for problematic substance use based on a family history of SUD or through prospective prediction of substance use initiation or escalation. Multilevel kernel density analysis was used to identify the most consistent brain regions associated with adolescent substance use vulnerability. Across the included studies, substance use vulnerability was most reliably associated with activation differences in the striatum, where at-risk adolescents had hyper-activation in the dorsal subdivision (putamen). Follow-up analyses suggested striatal differences were driven by tasks sharing a motivational and/or reward component (e.g., monetary incentive) and common across subgroups of substance use risk (family history and prospective prediction studies). Analyses examining the role of psychiatric comorbidity revealed striatal activation differences were significantly more common in samples whose definition of substance use risk included cooccurring externalizing psychopathology. Furthermore, substance use risk meta-analytic results were no longer significant when excluding these studies, although this may reflect limitations in statistical power. No significant activation differences were observed in prefrontal cortex in any analysis. These results suggest striatal dysfunction, rather than prefrontal, may be a more primary neural feature of adolescent vulnerability to problematic substance use, possibly through a dimension of individual variability shared with externalizing psychopathology. However, our systematic literature search confirms this is still an emerging field. More studies, increased data sharing, and further quantitative integration are necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the neuroimaging markers of adolescent substance use risk.
Usability and acceptability of a mobile application prototype for a combined behavioural activation and physical rehabilitation intervention in acute respiratory failure survivors

Abstract Background Acute respiratory failure survivors experience depression symptoms and new impairments in physical function. Behavioural activation, an evidence-based nonpharmacological treatment for depression, combined with physical rehabilitation, is a promising intervention. Notably, mHealth applications (Apps) are potentially effective methods of delivering home-based interventions. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a prototype App to deliver a combined, home-based behavioural activation and rehabilitation intervention to acute respiratory failure survivors. Methods A prospective user-preference study was conducted with acute respiratory failure survivors and self-designated care partners. Survivors were adults with at least mild depression symptoms before hospital discharge who received mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit for ≥24 h. Survivors and care partners reviewed the App during a single in-person home visit and completed the System Usability Scale (range: 0–100; score >73 considered “good”) and a semistructured interview. Results Ten patient/care partner dyads completed study. The median [interquartile range] patient age was 50 [40–64] years, and 50% were female. The median System Usability Scale scores among patients and care partners were 76 [68–83] and 88 [75–94], respectively. Qualitative feedback supported usability and acceptability of the App, with three themes reported: (1) stigma associated with depression, (2) App as a motivator for recovery, and (3) App providing multidisciplinary support for survivor and care partner. Conclusions A mobile App prototype designed to deliver a combined behavioural activation and rehabilitation intervention was usable and acceptable to survivors of acute respiratory failure and their care partners. Given the reported stigma associated with depression, the self-directed App may be particularly valuable for motivation and multidisciplinary support.
Biotechnological Applications of Thermophilic Carboxydotrophs

Microorganisms have been used in industry in a number of ways that generally exploit their natural metabolic capabilities. They are used in manufacture of foods and production of antibiotics, probiotics, drugs, vaccines, starter cultures, insecticides, enzymes, fuels, and solvents (Tiquia and Mormile in Environ Technol 31:823, 2010, Environ Technol 34:1637–1638, 2013). In addition, with genetic engineering technology, bacteria can be programmed to make various substances used in food science, agriculture, and medicine.
Optimization-Constrained Differential Equations with Active Set Changes

Foundational theory is established for nonlinear differential equations with embedded nonlinear optimization problems exhibiting active set changes. Existence, uniqueness, and continuation of solutions are shown, followed by lexicographically smooth (implying Lipschitzian) parametric dependence. The sensitivity theory found here accurately characterizes sensitivity jumps resulting from active set changes via an auxiliary nonsmooth sensitivity system obtained by lexicographic directional differentiation. The results in this article hold under easily verifiable regularity conditions (linear independence of constraints and strong second-order sufficiency), which are shown to imply generalized differentiation index one of a nonsmooth differential-algebraic equation system obtained by replacing the optimization problem with its optimality conditions and recasting the complementarity conditions as nonsmooth algebraic equations. The theory in this article is computationally relevant, allowing for implementation of dynamic optimization strategies (i.e., open-loop optimal control), and recovers (and rigorously formalizes) classical results in the absence of active set changes. Along the way, contributions are made to the theory of piecewise differentiable functions.
Intravesical Therapy for Non-muscle Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma

Approximately 70% of the 81,400 newly diagnosed patients with bladder cancer present with non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma. Non-muscle invasive disease is associated with a high risk of recurrence and a lower but significant risk of disease progression with resultant increased morbidity and mortality.
Neutrophil signaling during myocardial infarction wound repair

Neutrophils are key effector cells of the innate immune system, serving as a first line of defense in the response to injury and playing essential roles in the wound healing process. Following myocardial infarction (MI), neutrophils infiltrate into the infarct region to propagate inflammation and begin the initial phase of cardiac wound repair. Pro-inflammatory neutrophils release proteases to degrade extracellular matrix (ECM), a necessary step for the removal of necrotic myocytes as a prelude for scar formation. Neutrophils transition their phenotype over time to regulate MI inflammation resolution and stabilize scar formation. Neutrophils contribute to the evolution from inflammation to resolution and scar formation by serving anti-inflammatory and repair functions. As anti-inflammatory cells, neutrophils contribute ECM proteins during scar formation, in particular fibronectin, galectin-3, and vimentin. The diverse and polarizing functions that contribute to MI wound repair make this innate immune cell a viable target to improve MI outcomes. Thus, understanding the signaling involved in neutrophil physiology in the context of MI may help to identify novel therapeutic targets.
The intersection of race and party: voter perceptions and candidate selection in U.S. Senate elections

Previous literature suggests that Democratic candidates of color receive less support than white Democrats on Election Day. It has been suggested that this reduced support is due to voters’ ideolog...
Virtual Residency Interview Experience: The Child Neurology Residency Program Perspective.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges for graduate medical education, including the need to quickly implement virtual residency interviews. We investigated how different programs approached these challenges to determine best practices. Methods Surveys to solicit perspectives of program directors, program coordinators, and chief residents regarding virtual interviews were designed through an iterative process by two child neurology residency program directors. Surveys were distributed by email in May 2021. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Responses were received from 35 program directors and 34 program coordinators from 76 programs contacted. Compared with the 2019-2020 recruitment season, in 2020-2021, 14 of 35 programs received >10% more applications and most programs interviewed ≥12 applicants per position. Interview days were typically five to six hours long and were often coordinated with pediatrics interviews. Most programs (13/15) utilized virtual social events with residents, but these often did not allow residents to provide quality feedback about applicants. Program directors could adequately assess most applicant qualities but felt that virtual interviews limited their ability to assess applicants' interpersonal communication skills and to showcase special features of their programs. Most respondents felt that a combination of virtual and in-person interviewing should be utilized in the future. Conclusions Residency program directors perceived some negative impacts of virtual interviewing on their recruitment efforts but in general felt that virtual interviews adequately replaced in-person interviews for assessing applicants. Most programs felt that virtual interviewing should be utilized in the future.
Lateral pyocolpos, double uterus, cervix, and vagina, with absence of left kidney

Abstract 1. 1. A case of lateral pyocolpos is described, in which there was a double vagina, double cervix, and double uterus, with atresia of the lower end of the left vagina. This genital anomaly was associated with the absence of the left kidney. 2. 2. Complete diagnosis of the condition preoperatively facilitated the extremely simple therapy. 3. 3. Treatment recommended is preliminary cleaning up of the infection by irrigation, followed by removal of the septum between the two vaginas. 4. 4. Points of importance in the investigation are the examination of the secretion from the lateral cyst, the use of contrast media in the pyocolpos and uterus, the determination of endometrium in the menstrual blood aspirated from the cavity, and the investigation of the genitourinary tract.
Recruitment of vaccinia virus RNA polymerase to an early gene promoter by the viral early transcription factor

Transcription of vaccinia virus early genes in vitro requires the virally encoded RNA polymerase and early transcription factor, VETF. VETF is a promoter-binding protein with DNA-dependent ATPase activity. We have investigated the functional role of VETF in transcription activation by analyzing the interaction between the RNA polymerase and promoter DNA. Using a gel shift assay, a novel protein-DNA complex was detected that required both RNA polymerase and VETF. The complex was suggested to be a transcription initiation complex by its ability to incorporate 32P-labeled nucleotides in combinations compatible with synthesis of a short RNA chain. Competition binding studies indicated that the RNA polymerase associated specifically with a viral early promoter. These experiments demonstrate that VETF activates transcription by directly recruiting the RNA polymerase to the promoter. Sedimentation analysis showed that VETF and RNA polymerase did not form a stable complex unless promoter DNA was present, indicating that protein-protein contacts are not the sole basis for initiation complex assembly. DNase I cleavage and methylation interference analyses revealed a hyperreactive site in the center of the promoter. Radiolabeling of RNA in the RNA polymerase-promoter complex did not occur when AMP-PNP (adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate) was substituted for ATP, suggesting that ATP hydrolysis is required for the initiation of transcription. A model is proposed to account for these findings.
Agamben’s Fictions

This article argues that Agamben’s conception of fiction is crucial for understanding his recent works. I suggest that the key to understanding Agamben conception of fiction is to be found in a few curious remarks at the end of Language and Death. These remarks explain why the distinctions between life and death, animal life and human life, bare life and political forms of life, the outlaw and the sovereign, and the norm and the exception that continue to preoccupy Agamben are all fictions. After considering Agamben’s account of these fictions and their relation to the relevant passage in Language and Death, the article explores the ways Agamben thinks the fictions that govern human action and social life might be unworked.
Defense Base Act Insurance: Allocating Wartime Contracting Risks Between Government and Private Industry

More than ever before, the Department of Defense is relying on contactors to support our men and women in uniform. However, the cost of supporting these contractors has been paid not only with congressional funds but with an unprecedented number of contractor casualties. Sadly, while contractors are dying in record numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress has been preoccupied with paying less for the statutorily mandated workers’ compensation insurance that is intended to protect these workers. With the advent of Kevlar vests and armored-plated Humvees, contractors are returning home, but often with scars of war both visible and invisible. Rather than being greeted as heroes, they are treated as mercenaries, as insurance carriers deny their medical claims and reap excessive profits. Congress is now developing a new acquisition strategy for Defense Base Act Insurance to address the rising cost of premiums. Regrettably, congressional leaders have all but ignored the issue of insurance carriers denying injured contractors’ claims, especially those related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). While Congress and the Department of Defense debate cost-saving strategies, the more poignant question of whether the government owes a greater duty to Americans defending our freedom is subverted. This article argues that Congress must adopt a multiple-provider acquisition strategy until a government self-insurance system can be implemented in the future. These short and long-term strategies offer the government the greatest leveraging capability as it struggles to maintain accountability and morality in a system that has for the last decade exploited injured contractors and disgraced a society that prides itself in leaving no American behind.
Fast digital operational units using comparison lookahead

The author discusses the design of two-input maximum operation units (TIMUs) using comparison look-ahead, as well as the different possible designs for multiple input max/min units (MIMUs). The time and area complexities of different designs of MIMUs and TIMUs are discussed and compared. It is found that the implementation of MIMU as a binary tree of high-speed look-ahead TIMUs gives a shorter time of selection than the selection-sort-based MIMU for a practical number of inputs. However, the former is much more expensive in area. >