cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human pancreatic cancer tumors are nutrient poor and tumor cells actively scavenge extracellular protein

Glucose and amino acids are key nutrients supporting cell growth. Amino acids are imported as monomers, but an alternative route induced by oncogenic KRAS involves uptake of extracellular proteins via macropinocytosis and subsequent lysosomal degradation of these proteins as a source of amino acids. In this study, we examined the metabolism of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a poorly vascularized lethal KRAS-driven malignancy. Metabolomic comparisons of human PDAC and benign adjacent tissue revealed that tumor tissue was low in glucose, upper glycolytic intermediates, creatine phosphate, and the amino acids glutamine and serine, two major metabolic substrates. Surprisingly, PDAC accumulated essential amino acids. Such accumulation could arise from extracellular proteins being degraded through macropinocytosis in quantities necessary to meet glutamine requirements, which in turn produces excess of most other amino acids. Consistent with this hypothesis, active macropinocytosis is observed in primary human PDAC specimens. Moreover, in the presence of physiologic albumin, we found that cultured murine PDAC cells grow indefinitely in media lacking single essential amino acids and replicate once in the absence of free amino acids. Growth under these conditions was characterized by simultaneous glutamine depletion and essential amino acid accumulation. Overall, our findings argue that the scavenging of extracellular proteins is an important mode of nutrient uptake in PDAC.
Ultrasonic Array Beamforming with Iterative Spatial Filters

First-principle approaches to the design of medical ultrasonic imaging systems for specific visual tasks are being explored in this paper. Our study focuses on breast cancer diagnosis and is based on the ideal observer concept for visual discrimination tasks, whereby tasks based on five clinical features are expressed mathematically as likelihood functions. Realistic approximations to the ideal strategy for each task are proposed as additional beamforming to maximize diagnostic image information content available to readers. Our previous study showed that a spatial Wiener filter (SWF) beamformer, derived as a stationary approximation of the ideal observer and operating on RF echo data, generally improved discriminability except for one case involving high-contrast lesions. This study explores an adaptive, iterative spatial Wiener filter (ISWF) beamformer that includes a lesion segmentation algorithm to overcome the stationarity assumption and improve discriminability for highcontrast lesions. Predicted performance is compared with that measured from trained human observers using psychophysical methods. We found the greatest feature enhancement of the delay-and-sum beamformer followed by SWF occurs at the image formation step where RF data are converted into B-mode data. The Smith-Wagner computational observer, which operates on the B-mode instead of RF data, was applied to indicate performance lost by envelope detection. ISWF was found to match the performance of SWF for low-contrast lesions and increase the performance for the high-contrast tasks. The ISWF beamforming approach offers greater diagnostic performance for discriminating malignant and benign breast lesions, and it provides a rational basis for further task-specific imaging system design.
High Intracellular Cl− Concentrations Depress G-Protein-Modulated Ionic Conductances

Numerous G-protein-modulated ionic conductances are present in central neurons and play major roles in regulating neuronal excitability. Accordingly, endogenous factors that alter the operation of these conductances may have profound effects on neuronal function. We now report that several G-protein-modulated ionic conductances in hippocampal neurons are very much altered when Cl − is the predominant anion in the recording electrode. We used both sharp-electrode and whole-cell techniques in rat hippocampal slices to determine whether hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell properties are altered by KCl-filled, as compared with KCH 3 SO 3 - or K-gluconate-filled, electrodes. We studied the effects of the anions on synaptically evoked GABA B responses and baclofen- and serotonin-induced currents as well as on a voltage-activated cation current, I h . High intracellular concentrations of chloride ([Cl − ] i ) depressed all the responses without altering resting cell properties. Intermediate [Cl − ] i reduced baclofen-induced currents as well as I h in a dose-dependent manner. In KCH 3 SO 3 -filled cells, equimolar substitution of GTPγS for Tris-GTP results in activation of a K + conductance that hyperpolarizes cells and lowers their input resistance. These effects of GTPγS were blocked in KCl-filled cells. In view of the tight coupling between the G-protein and activation of the GABA B -activated K + conductance, the effect of Cl − ions is likely to be exerted either on the G-protein or the K + channel itself. We observed substantial effects of Cl i − at concentrations that are believed to exist during development in the CNS as well as during pathological conditions, such as spreading depression. Thus, the results we describe must be taken into consideration during such physiological and pathological conditions as well as in experimental studies of G-protein-modulated conductances.
Dissociation as a Mediator of Psychopathology Among Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the role of dissociation as a mediator of mental health outcomes in children with a history of sexual abuse. METHOD: The study group consisted of 114 children and adolescents (ages 10–18 years) who were wards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and were living in residential treatment centers. Interviews, provider ratings, and chart reviews were used to assess the relationship of childhood abuse history, dissociative responses, and psychopathology. RESULTS: Sexual abuse history was significantly associated with dissociation, whereas a history of physical abuse was not. Both sexual abuse and dissociation were independently associated with several indicators of mental health disturbance, including risk-taking behavior (suicidality, self-mutilation, and sexual aggression). Severity of sexual abuse was not associated with dissociation or psychopathology. Analysis of covariance indicated that dissociation had an important mediating role between sexual a...
Depression in pregnancy, infant birth weight and DNA methylation of imprint regulatory elements

Depressed mood in pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight (LBW, 4,500 g) infants had 5.9% higher methylation at the PLAGL1 DMR compared with normal birth weight infants. Our findings confirm that severe maternal depressed mood in pregnancy is associated with LBW, and that MEG3 and IGF2 plasticity may play important roles.
THE ATMOSPHERES OF EARTHLIKE PLANETS AFTER GIANT IMPACT EVENTS

It is now understood that the accretion of terrestrial planets naturally involves giant collisions, the moon-forming impact being a well-known example. In the aftermath of such collisions, the surface of the surviving planet is very hot and potentially detectable. Here we explore the atmospheric chemistry, photochemistry, and spectral signatures of post-giant-impact terrestrial planets enveloped by thick atmospheres consisting predominantly of CO2 and H2O. The atmospheric chemistry and structure are computed self-consistently for atmospheres in equilibrium with hot surfaces with composition reflecting either the bulk silicate Earth (which includes the crust, mantle, atmosphere, and oceans) or Earth's continental crust. We account for all major molecular and atomic opacity sources including collision-induced absorption. We find that these atmospheres are dominated by H2O and CO2, while the formation of CH4 and NH3 is quenched because of short dynamical timescales. Other important constituents are HF, HCl, NaCl, and SO2. These are apparent in the emerging spectra and can be indicative that an impact has occurred. The use of comprehensive opacities results in spectra that are a factor of two lower brightness temperature in the spectral windows than predicted by previous models. The estimated luminosities show that the hottest post-giant-impact planets will be detectable with near-infrared coronagraphs on the planned 30 m class telescopes. The 1-4 μm will be most favorable for such detections, offering bright features and better contrast between the planet and a potential debris disk. We derive cooling timescales on the order of 105-6 yr on the basis of the modeled effective temperatures. This leads to the possibility of discovering tens of such planets in future surveys.
Scattering of neutralinos from niobium

Abstract We calculate cross sections for the scattering of neutralino dark-matter candidates from 93Nb at all potentially relevant values of the momentum transfer q. The results will aid the interpretation of data from niobium dark-matter detectors.
The Quantitative Use of PIREPs in Developing Aviation Weather Guidance Products

Abstract An evaluation of the utility of pilot reports (PIREPs) of weather for aviation forecasting product development is presented. Although PIREPs were never intended for quantitative use, this limitation has not prevented developers of improved aviation weather guidance products (such as turbulence or icing forecasting schemes) from using these data. In this paper, an analysis of turbulence reports over the continental United States and Alaska is employed to show that the reports contained within the PIREPs database are inadequate for defining the actual phenomenology of aviation weather hazards. The results suggest that conclusions regarding the frequency of occurrence and intensity of reported aviation weather phenomena contained within PIREPs should not be based on their reported distribution alone because of the effects of operational constraints and various outside influences. The results also suggest that these data are inadequate for developing, calibrating, and validating aviation weather fore...
Approach to the Adult Hypospadias Patient

The aim of the surgeon in repairing a child’s hypospadias is to create a straight penis, a neourethra of adequate caliber, a meatus at or near the tip of the glans penis, normal voiding and good penile cosmesis with minimal complications. Modern techniques report an almost 90 % success rate but often have short-term follow-up. A successful repair in children is often judged by the cosmetic result and the quality of micturition. However, some urethroplasties deteriorate from childhood to adolescence. The high success rates often cited for various techniques are virtually impossible to report with certainty considering the fact that late stage failures are well documented and reported in the literature. Herein we discuss some of the long-term issues that may be seen in adulthood after childhood hypospadias repair was also more common in children presenting at an older age [2].
Energy Dependence of F 19 + p Reactions

Excitation functions have been obtained for the ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\pi}){\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p, {\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}){\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p, \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, and ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p, {p}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma}){\mathrm{F}}^{19}$ reactions for proton energies of 1.2 to 5.4 Mev. The marked similarity of the pair and long-range alpha excitation functions is noted and in the proton energy interval 1.35 to 2.33 Mev the differences between the yields are explained by the penetration factors for alpha particles emitted from the excited states of ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{20}$. The average reaction cross section has been obtained for the ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$+$p$ reactions by averaging the excitation functions over one-half Mev intervals. The result is compared to the cross section given by the continuum theory.
The Worlds of Others: Implications of the School of the Dialogue of Cultures

A truly dialogic educational perspective would cultivate the "novelistic" capacity to empathize with the beliefs of others. The process of reading novels by identifying with characters unlike oneself, and the process of understanding events by imagining what else could have happened, both train people in intellectual and moral empathy.
Diffuse Scattering of Thermal Phonons at Crystal Surfaces

When an elastic wave encounters a smooth surface at low temperatures, it should be specularly reflected. Similarly, at a smooth interface, it should be reflected and refracted. In this paper, we report on our search for reflected thermal phonons, using thermal conductivity measurements, in the temperature regime in which the bulk phonon mean free path is long relative to the sample dimensions. The thermal conductivity will then depend on whether the phonons are specularly reflected or diffusely scattered at the sample surface.
High Availability Cluster Failover Mechanism Using Artificial Neural Networks

Cloud computing is popular for its utility based computing model for business. As we consume compute as a utility, There comes a question about Availability and reliability of the service. Business requires high available computation/application infrastructure which provides nearly continuous application availability. Many High Availability applications in market are configured into a cluster, which typically involves at least two systems or more. The cluster monitors the critical resources for changes that may indicate a failure and trigger fall over operation to one of the cluster system based on policies (explained in detail in further sections). When a high available cluster is deployed having large number of systems as a part of cluster, it becomes cumbersome for a cluster to monitor the health and to detect the best available node for the resource to fall over. In Cloud environment where cluster systems can be used for other applications during idle time, these policies may not serve the purpose for fall over as the required CPU/memory/network for the highly available application may fall short because of the applications already running on the fall over node. So in this paper we present the way to detect the best system on which application has to fall over using artificial neural networks. Based on the parameters such as available CPU, Memory, Network load. Artificial neural network monitors the nodes and chooses the best node on which application to fallover.
A simple device for producing fluctuating temperatures, with an evaluation of the ecological significance of fluctuating temperatures.

Fluctuating temperatures are characteristic of the environment of most organisms, yet constant temperatures are most frequently used for laboratory studies on their life histories. The literature has been reviewed to point out some of the ways in which constant-temperature data for rates of development, developmental thresholds, fertility, and other life-history phenomena could be misleading when an ecologist attempts to model a natural system or to extrapolate to field conditions. To implement the replacement of constant-temperature studies with fluctuating temperature studies, 2 previously reported timer-controlled bimetallic or mercury thermostat devices and a new timer-controlled solid-state controller thresdevice are discussed. With the new device the maximum and minimum temperatures are set with 2 potentiometers, and a synchronous motor timer is used to switch between the 2 potentiometers. The earlier devices have the advantage of controlling the temperature throughout the cycle. However, with the new device the temperature drifts between maximum and minimum temperatures at a rate of 2–5°C per hour, and this rate is similar to the rate of change in the field. The new device has the advantage of a more easily changed temperature program and remote control of the temperature cabinet, with no need to place the entire device within the cabinet.
Dysmenorrhea—myths and facts

Dysmenorrhea has plagued young women since ancient times. The author discusses its treatment in other ages and cultures, as well as recent research that has led to a better understanding and alleviation of this condition. The necessity of a thorough work-up to exclude mechanical obstruction of the genital tract is emphasized, along with the clinical criteria for the work-up. Recently recognized conditions, e.g., endometriosis, are discussed and newer treatments, such as prostaglandin inhibitors and oral contraceptives, are reviewed.
Pathological changes in adrenal cortex of mouse during experimental meningococcal infection.

SummaryEmploying a technic which minimized the production of artifacts, a histological study was made of the adrenal glands of mice infected with meningococcus and also of appropriate controls. Depletion of fat, engorgement and inflammatory cell infiltration were demonstrated during the course of the infection. After successful treatment with penicillin the adrenal cortex showed a progressive recovery as manifested by reaccumulation of fat and reduction of hyperemia and inflammatory reaction.
AN IMPROVED SYNTHESIS OF VINYLIC PHOSPHONATES FROM KETONES

Abstract A convenient route for the synthesis of β-substituted vinylphosphonates utilizes the reaction of aldehydes with diphenyl triphenylphosphoranylidenemethylphosphonate.2,3 Unfortunately, this ylide system is unreactive with ketones for the generation of β,β-disubstituted vinylphosphonates. Tetraethyl methylenebisphosphonate carbanion has been used in place of the ylide in reaction with a number of aldehydes,3 but has found only limited use in reaction with ketones.4,5
Epigenetic regulation of spinal cord gene expression contributes to enhanced postoperative pain and analgesic tolerance subsequent to continuous opioid exposure

BackgroundOpioids have become the mainstay for treatment of moderate to severe pain and are commonly used to treat surgical pain. While opioid administration has been shown to cause opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance, interactions between opioid administration and surgery with respect to these problematic adaptations have scarcely been addressed. Accumulating evidence suggests opioids and nociceptive signaling may converge on epigenetic mechanisms in spinal cord to enhance or prolong neuroplastic changes. Epigenetic regulation of Bdnf (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and Pdyn (prodynorphin) genes may be involved.ResultsFour days of ascending doses of morphine treatment caused opioid-induced hyperalgesia and reduced opioid analgesic efficacy in mice. Both opioid-induced hyperalgesia and the reduced opioid analgesic efficacy were enhanced in mice that received hindpaw incisions. The expression of Bdnf and Pdyn (qPCR) was increased after morphine treatment and incision. Chromatin immunoprecipitatio...
Economic trade-offs in acrylic acid reactor design

Abstract The acrylic acid process using air oxidation of propylene presents many interesting design trade-offs, particularly in the design of the reactor. The desired and undesired reactions are highly exothermic and very temperature dependent (large activation energies), so a large flowrate of inert water is also fed to the reactor to act as a thermal sink. Propylene conversion increases with temperature and reactor size, but acrylic acid yield decreases with increasing temperature. The heat of reaction is removed by generaing steam, and the steam pressure is an important design optimization variable since it sets low limits on reactor temperature. Using low-pressure steam gives high acrylic acid yield and lower carbon dioxide generation but requires large reactors. Larger air flowrates increase reactor oxygen concentrations, which reduce reactor volume but increase air compression costs. This paper explores the effects of the many design trade-offs on capital investment, energy cost and product selectivity.
The safety of induced ventricular fibrillation during cardiopulmonary bypass in nonhypertrophied hearts

The effect of electrically maintained ventricular fibrillation on the nonhypertrophied canine heart during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass was studied. Twenty dogs underwent ventricular fibrillation (7 volt, AC) for 60 minutes, at which time they were either killed immediately (Groups I and III) or taken off bypass for 1 hour (Groups II and IV). No differences occurred in the measured parameters of ischemic injury between those animals subjected to a hemodilution priming agent (Groups I and II) and those having fresh, autologous blood as the priming agent (Group III and IV). Subendocardial blood flow was equal to or greater than subepicardial blood flow in all groups in the control state, in the beating, nonworking heart, after 5 and 60 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, and 60 minutes after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass (Groups II and IV). Transmural left ventricular bipolar action potential amplitude and local myocardial activation times were unchanged following 60 minutes of ventricular fibrillation. No difference occurred in the level of subendocardial ATP (4.67 ± 0.25 μmoles per gram) and subepicardial ATP (4.74 ± 0.17 μmoles per gram). Subendocardial creatine phosphate levels (10.92 ± 0.34 μmoles per gram) were unchanged from control levels (11.08 ± 0.76 μmoles per gram). However, subepicardial creatine phosphate increased to 13.11 ± 0.56 μmoles per gram. The serum CPK-MB isoenzyme level was zero in all control samples and every 15 minutes thereafter in all experiments. The left ventricular free wall, papillary muscles, and ventricular septum showed no histologic evidence of ischemic injury on hematoxylin and eosin, phosphotungstic acid, hematoxylin, or succinic dehydrogenase enzyme stains. Although the deleterious effects of ventricular fibrillation on the hypertrophied left ventricle are well documented, this study demonstrates that induced ventricular fibrillation is a safe modality to employ during cardiopulmonary bypass of the nonhypertrophied heart.
Turbulence generation through intense kinetic energy sources

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are used to systematically study the development and establishment of turbulence when the flow is initialized with concentrated regions of intense kinetic energy. This resembles both active and passive grids which have been extensively used to generate and study turbulence in laboratories at different Reynolds numbers and with different characteristics, such as the degree of isotropy and homogeneity. A large DNS database was generated covering a wide range of initial conditions with a focus on perturbations with some directional preference, a condition found in active jet grids and passive grids passed through a contraction as well as a new type of active grid inspired by the experimental use of lasers to photo-excite the molecules that comprise the fluid. The DNS database is used to assert under what conditions the flow becomes turbulent and if so, the time required for this to occur. We identify a natural time scale of the problem which indicates the onset of turbulence and a single Reynolds number based exclusively on initial conditions which controls the evolution of the flow. It is found that a minimum Reynolds number is needed for the flow to evolve towards fully developed turbulence. An extensive analysis of single and two point statistics, velocity as well as spectral dynamics and anisotropy measures is presented to characterize the evolution of the flow towards realistic turbulence.
Cementless fixation of the Freeman-Samuelson total knee replacement including bone grafting and the use of stemmed components

Cementless fixation of the ICLH Knee, which was the immediate predecessor of the F-S knee, began in 1977. The effectiveness of cementless fixation of total knee components was demonstrated with that prosthesis.
Defining Neighbors via a Spatial Weights Matrix

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPACE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES All social science data are spatial data. The behaviors, processes, and events we seek to explain occur at specific geographic locations. As discussed in Chapter 1, these geographic locations are often central to our understanding of these phenomena. Consider, for example, research on behavioral interactions between units in shared networks (see, e.g., Huckfeldt and Sprague 1987, 1988). Research has shown that spatial proximity affects the nature of interactions between actors in these networks (Baybeck and Huckfeldt 2002). This mirrors a long line of research in international relations that has found that spatial proximity between countries promotes interactions between countries (Most and Starr 1980; Starr 2002). This spatial proximity in turn affects a variety of behaviors and processes of interest to scholars and observers alike, including democratization (Gleditsch andWard 2006), civil wars (Salehyan and Gleditsch 2006; Gleditsch 2007), and war (Gleditsch and Ward 2000). Similarly, consider the interest of both observers and scholars in the causes and consequences of poverty (see, e.g., Wilson 1987). Here, both researchers and pundits have recognized that geographic locations marked by deep poverty are increasingly segregated from economic opportunity and the opportunity for the residents in these locations to participate fully in American society. Inherent here again is the recognition that geography matters and that understanding the factors that produce poverty at the local level is a critical first step in producing policy options that can alleviate this poverty and produce positive outcomes for both the residents of these locations and for society as a whole. These are but two of many prominent examples that reflect a growing interest in spatial concerns within the social sciences. It's easy to think of a myriad of additional examples that highlight how we are increasingly becoming attuned to the importance of geography in our lives.
Information Content and Signals

When a communication code is known sufficiently, the average entropy (potential information) of signals can be calculated quantitatively and expressed as a logarithmic measure in bits per signal. The information is independent of the signals’ physical forms, the qualitative kind of message conveyed, and the species of the sender and receiver. As information is diverse, the amount a system can encode depends upon the number of alternative signals and their relative frequencies of occurrence. Information is maximum when the signals are equiprobable. The key to determining information content is understanding the code of how signals stand for their referents.
Evaluation of field training in the epidemic intelligence service: Publications and job choices

Abstract Background Since 1951, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) has provided training in applied epidemiology to physicians, nurses, veterinarians, dentists, and doctoral-level health scientists. About one third of these EIS officers have been trained in the setting of state and local health departments (the field). Methods To evaluate two specific outcomes of field EIS training, the authors reviewed the published work and career choices of field EIS officers after completing the program. The EIS classes of 1991–1996 were selected for study. A field officer was defined as an EIS Officer who completed at least the second year of a 2-year EIS assignment in a state or local health department position. Results During this period, 430 EIS officers completed the program; 117 (27.2%) were field officers. Of these, 84 (71.8%) published one or more scientific paper as first author for a total of 202 first authored manuscripts in over 50 different journals, an average of 1.7 (range, 0–8) per officer. Most (71%) were on infectious disease topics; 16% were on environmental health or injury control topics, and 11% were on chronic diseases. Field officers were more likely than headquarters-based officers to choose positions in state or local health departments for their first job after graduating (32/117 [27.4%] versus 22/313 [7.0%]; relative risk = 3.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.4–6.4). Conclusions EIS training in the field has contributed to the scientific literature and to the strengthening of public health infrastructure at the state and local level.
The use of highly crosslinked polyethylene in total knee arthroplasty

Advances in polyethylene (PE) in total hip arthroplasty have led to interest and increased use of highly crosslinked PE (HXLPE) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Biomechanical data suggest improved wear characteristics for HXLPE inserts over conventional PE in TKA. Short-term results from registry data and few clinical trials are promising. Our aim is to present a review of the history of HXLPEs, the use of HXLPE inserts in TKA, concerns regarding potential mechanical complications, and a thorough review of the available biomechanical and clinical data. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:996-1002.
Adaptation and Validation of the Fresno Test of Competence in Evidence-Based Medicine in Doctor of Pharmacy Students

Objective. To adapt and validate an instrument assessing competence in evidence-based medicine (EBM) in Doctor of Pharmacy students. Methods. The Fresno test was validated in medical residents. We adapted it for use in pharmacy students. A total of 120 students and faculty comprised the validation set. Internal reliability, item difficulty, and item discrimination were assessed. Construct validity was assessed by comparing mean total scores of students to faculty, and comparing proportions of students and faculty who passed each item. Results. Cronbach's alpha was acceptable, and no items had a low item-total correlation. All of the point-biserial correlations were acceptable. Item difficulty ranged from 0% to 60%. Faculty had higher total scores and also scored higher than students on most items, and 8 of 11 of these differences were statistically significant. Conclusion. The Pharm Fresno is a reliable and valid instrument to assess competence in EBM in pharmacy students. Future research will focus on further refining the instrument.
Estimate of rain evaporation rates from dual-wavelength lidar measurements: comparison against a model analytical solution

Rain evaporation significantly contributes to moisture and heat cloud budgets. In this paper, we illustrate an approach to estimate the median volume raindrop diameter and the rain evaporation rate profiles from dual-wavelength lidar measurements. These observational results are compared with those provided by a model analytical solution. We made use of measurements from the multi-wavelength Raman lidar BASIL.
Inhibition and Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Biofilms by Selenium

The present study investigated the efficacy of selenium (Se) in reduction of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis, inhibition of biofilm formation at 25 and 4°C on polystyrene surface, and inactivation of mature EHEC biofilms in combination with hot water. Sterile 96-well polystyrene plates inoculated with EHEC (∼6.0 log CFU per well) were treated with a subinhibitory concentration (SIC) of Se, and biofilms were allowed to mature at 4 and 25°C for 96 h. Biofilm-associated bacterial population was determined by scraping and plating, whereas the extent of EPS production was determined using ruthenium red staining assay. Solid surface assay was used to study the effect of Se on early attachment of EHEC cells to polystyrene. The efficacy of Se in rapid inactivation of preformed, mature EHEC biofilm was investigated by treating biofilms on polystyrene plates with the MBC of Se in combination with hot water at 80°C with a contact time of 0 min, 30 s, 2 min, and 5 min. Furthermore, the effect of Se on EHEC biofilm architecture was visualized using confocal microscopy, whereas the effect of Se on EHEC biofilm genes was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Finally, the potential feasibility of coating stainless steel surfaces with Se nanoparticles to inhibit EHEC biofilm formation was studied. Se reduced early attachment of planktonic cells, biofilm formation, and EPS synthesis in EHEC ( P < 0.05). Se in combination with hot water reduced biofilm-associated bacterial counts by 3 to 4 log CFU/mL at 5 min of exposure compared with the control ( P < 0.05). However, hot water treatment alone decreased biofilm-associated bacterial counts by only 1.0 log CFU/mL. RT-qPCR results revealed that Se down-regulated the transcription of critical genes associated with biofilm synthesis in EHEC ( P < 0.05). The results collectively suggest that Se could potentially be used to control EHEC biofilms in food processing environments, but appropriate applications need to be validated.
Does the Bond Market Do Better than the Stock Market in Predicting Economic Growth

This paper compares forecasts of real economic growth from models based on the stock market and bond market data. Although both contain information relevant for predicting GNP growth, the bond market delivers more accurate predictions. The bond market predictions are compared to the forecasts of seven leading econometric forecasting services. None of these services is able to provide a lower root mean squared error than the bond market model. This is the working paper version of my 1989 Financial Analysts Journal article.
Uplink Signaling and Receive Beamforming for Dual-Function Radar Communications

Current techniques for dual-function radar-communications (DFRC) have been focused on downlink communication and information embedding into the emission of the radar system. In this paper, we consider the problem of half-duplex uplink communications in dual-function multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar communication systems. The DFRC system consists of a dual-function platform which functions as a MIMO radar during transmit mode and simultaneously receives and processes signals reflected from targets and uplink communication signals transmitted by a communication user. We propose a method for uplink signaling via forming a number of uplink beams carrying the same number of data symbols. Moreover, we employ non-adaptive and adaptive beamforming techniques at the radar receiver to separate the received communication signal from the target return even if they arrive from the same spatial angle. Cross-interference between the received communication and the reflected radar signals is mitigated using adaptive beamforming. We assess the effectiveness of the proposed uplink communication technique by numerical results.
Crystallographic identification of spontaneous oxidation intermediates and products of protein sulfhydryl groups

In the absence of protective reducing agents, Cys residues in purified proteins can be oxidized spontaneously by oxygen in the air, as frequently observed in protein crystal structures. However, the formation of an O-bridge via dehydration mechanism between a peroxidized Cys side chain and a primary amine of Lys side chain in proteins has not yet been reported. When an electron density feature was observed for an extra group or an extra atom between side chains of Cys-245 and Lys-158 in the crystal structure of histidinol phosphate phosphatase, mass spectrometric analysis was carried out for its chemical identification. That analysis led to a conclusion that this extra density corresponded to a methylene group. It was then proposed that these two residues were able to absorb CO2 and reduced it to CH2 spontaneously. Further examination of other protein structures in the PDB showed that the formation of this cross-linking species was a widespread phenomenon. This claim is examined in this study using methods recently developed for quantification of electrons around nucleus as the means for direct chemical identification. It is found that an O-bridge is actually formed between Cys and Lys side chains, instead of a CH2 -bridge.
The Presence of Sinus Tract Adversely Affects the Outcome of Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

Abstract Background A sinus tract may be encountered in patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and constitutes a major criterion for diagnosis. The aim of this study is to identify associated factors for the presence of sinus tract and outcome of 2-stage exchange arthroplasty in these patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients with PJI following hip and knee arthroplasty from 2000 to 2017. Of them, 161 patients with a sinus tract had a minimum follow-up of 1 year following 2-stage exchange arthroplasty. These patients were matched 1:2 with those without sinus tract by using propensity score matching. Treatment success was assessed using the modified Delphi criteria. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of sinus tract on the outcome and associated factors for the presence of sinus tract. Results Factors significantly associated with sinus tract included smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83), hypothyroidism (OR = 1.62), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 1.52), hip joint involvement (OR = 1.43), and prior revision surgery (OR = 1.37). Patients with sinus tract had a significantly higher rate of failure compared to those without sinus tract (OR = 2.94). Conclusion This study demonstrates that the presence of sinus tract in patients with PJI adversely affects the outcome of treatment of these patients. The presence of sinus tract may be a proxy for other issues such as poor periarticular soft tissue, the poor nutritional status of the host, and multiple prior operations. These findings need to be borne in mind when treating patients with PJI and a concomitant sinus tract.
A Proposed Framework for Patient-Focused Policy at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Medical product sponsors are encouraged to include the patient perspective in their medical product development strategy to inform product design, augment regulatory submissions, argue for alternative clinical trial designs, or to support indications in specific patient populations. The goal is to create a patient-focused ecosystem that enables industry to integrate the patient voice throughout the medical product lifecycle. To this end, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published several guidance documents to provide industry with the expectations and opportunities for conducting patient-focused activities. From an industry perspective, the Center for Devices and Radiologic Health (CDRH) and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) patient-focused policies are complementary. The basic tenets promoted in all FDA patient-focused guidance could apply across therapeutic areas. However, there remain differences in these guidance documents across FDA centers, and there is no framework in place to provide industry with consistent recommendations. Without a coordinated patient-focused policy from the FDA, there is the potential for confusion and a lack of consistency among industry and regulatory decision-makers. The objective of this paper was to propose an alternative framework for patient-focused policy at the FDA, which recognizes the potential for different types of patient input to be used across therapeutic areas and medical product types. Further, these policies need to provide greater clarity on how patient input data is used, so that sponsors may navigate the opportunities to use patient input regardless of the FDA center under which their product is regulated. Creating consistent, coherent, and transparent FDA patient-focused policy will encourage sponsors to obtain patient input more often and with greater certainty of the value that these data may have to their medical product strategies.
Can a rentier state evolve to a production state? An ‘institutional upgrading’ approach

ABSTRACTCan a rentier state evolve to a production state? This article attempts to answer this question by analysing how historically states evolved to production states and by comparing their expe...
Donor Sex, Age, and Body Mass Index on Bone Marrow Harvest Collection Quality Outcomes

Introduction To evaluate factors of sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) on the bone marrow (BM) harvest collection outcomes of total nucleated cell (TNC) yield, anesthesia time, and sterility; a retrospective review of BM harvest donors at our institution from 2008 to 2017 was conducted. Donors were compared by sex and quartiles based on age and BMI. Materials and Methods Fifty-one donors underwent BM harvest. Thirty-three, 64.7%, of donors were male while 18, 35.3%, were female. Ages ranged from 20 to 72 years, median 33. BMI ranged from 18.7 to 43.4 kg/m2, median 27.7. BMI quartiles approximate WHO nutritional categories: first quartile, Normal weight; second and third quartiles, Overweight; fourth quartile, Obese. As TNC number targets are not donor dependent, outcomes were standardized by concentration: TNC/ml for TNC yield, seconds/ml for anesthesia time. Results There were no significant differences in TNC yield between sexes and between age quartiles. There was a significantly higher TNC yield in the fourth quartile of BMI (>32.5 kg/m2) compared to the first quartile of BMI (≤24.3), p = 0.032. There were trends towards longer median anesthesia times in females, highest BMI quartile, and youngest age quartile. Cultures were positive in 5, 9.8%, products; all occurred in the male donor group, 15.2% of male donors. Conclusion Selection biases might explain the greater number of male donors and donors with a greater BMI. There were no significant differences in TNC yields between sexes and between age quartiles. There was a significantly higher TNC yield in the fourth quartile of BMI compared to the first. Median anesthesia times were longest in female, youngest quartile of age, and Obese donors but did not approach statistical significance. BM products collected from male donors were significantly more likely to have positive cultures. Sample size limits the power of these analyses.
Interpreting Critical Incidents in Implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports through an Active Implementation Framework.

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework for organizing and integrating academic, social, and emotional supports within a school. Full implementation of MTSS establishes a continuum ...
Syntheses of Molybdenum and Tungsten Imido Alkylidene Complexes that Contain a Bidentate Oxo/Thiolato Ligand

Author(s): Tafazolian, H; VenkatRamani, S; Tsay, C; Schrock, RR; Muller, P | Abstract: 3,3′,5,5′-Tetra-tert-butyl-2′-sulfanyl[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-ol (H2[tBu4OS]) was prepared in 24 % yield overall from the analogous biphenol using standard techniques. Addition of H2[tBu4OS] to Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(2,5-dimethylpyrrolide)2 led to formation of Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)[tBu4OS], which was trapped with PMe3 to give Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)[tBu4OS](PMe3) (1(PMe3)). An X-ray crystallographic study of 1(PMe3) revealed that two structurally distinct square pyramidal molecules are present in which the alkylidene ligand occupies the apical position in each. Both 1(PMe3)A and 1(PMe3)B are disordered. Mo(NAd)(CHCMe2Ph)(tBu4OS)(PMe3) (2(PMe3); Ad=1-adamantyl) and W(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(tBu4OS)(PMe3) (3(PMe3)) were prepared using analogous approaches. 1(PMe3) reacts with ethylene (1 atm) in benzene within 45 minutes to give an ethylene complex Mo(NAr)(tBu4OS)(C2H4) (4) that is isolable and relatively stable toward loss of ethylene below 60 °C. An X-ray study shows that the bond distances and angles for the ethylene ligand in 4 are like those found for bisalkoxide ethylene complexes of the same general type. Complex 1(PMe3) in the presence of one equivalent of B(C6F5)3 catalyzes the homocoupling of 1-decene, allyltrimethylsilane, and allylboronic acid pinacol ester at ambient temperature. 1(PMe3), 2(PMe3), and 3(PMe3) all catalyze the ROMP of rac-endo,exo-5,6-dicarbomethoxynorbornene (rac-DCMNBE) in the presence of B(C6F5)3, but the polyDCMNBE that is formed has a random structure.
Crystal Structure and Melting of Fe Shock Compressed to 273 GPa: In Situ X-Ray Diffraction.

Despite extensive shock wave and static compression experiments and corresponding theoretical work, consensus on the crystal structure and the melt boundary of Fe at Earth's core conditions is lacking. We present in situ x-ray diffraction measurements in laser-shock compressed Fe that establish the stability of the hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) structure along the Hugoniot through shock melting, which occurs between $\ensuremath{\sim}242$ to $\ensuremath{\sim}247\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GPa}$. Using previously reported hcp Fe Hugoniot temperatures, the melt temperature is estimated to be 5560(360) K at 242 GPa, consistent with several reported Fe melt curves. Extrapolation of this value suggests $\ensuremath{\sim}6400\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ melt temperature at Earth's inner core boundary pressure.
Botnets and their detection techniques

Botnet is considered a dangerous threat that could harm internet users as it makes the compromised host becomes under the control of the botmaster and follow its commands to perform a wide range of malicious activities such as distributed denial of service (DDOS), spamming, identity theft, click fraud, and phishing attacks. Several kinds of botnets exist such as Remote access Trojans/Remote administration tool (RATs) which are malware packages that are designed as advanced persistent threats (APT) for targeted attacks, e.g. stealing sensitive business and personal information or damaging the victim machine. The severity of this kind of bots is that they can evade detection strategies and security countermeasures that are taken by users resulting in serious damages for the infected hosts. Two methods in detection techniques are commonly used either the detection of the botnet at the network level or Identifying botnet behavior at the host level. In network-based detection, the network traffic is captured and analyzed for detecting the infected hosts. On the one hand, when the network traffic is encrypted, the botnet detection becomes tedious. On the other hand, monitoring the network traffic may raise concerns about data privacy. In host-based detection, the system behavior of each host is monitored to detect any botnet-related suspicious behaviors. The main disadvantages of host-based methods are their vulnerability to host-resident and stealthy malware, as well as the difficulties presented in installing the monitored systems in each host in the network. Accordingly, several researches use a hybrid methodology for combining the advantages of both techniques. In this paper, a survey is introduced for the most common botnet types and their detection strategies.
The Physical Design of Biological Systems - Insights from the Fly Brain

Many different physical substrates can support complex computation. This is particularly apparent when considering human made and biological systems that perform similar functions, such as visually guided navigation. In common, however, is the need for good physical design, as such designs are smaller, faster, lighter, and lower power, factors in both the jungle and the marketplace. Although the physical design of man-made systems is relatively well understood, the physical design of biological computation has remained murky due to a lack of detailed information on their construction. The recent EM (electron microscope) reconstruction of the central brain of the fruit fly now allows us to start to examine these issues. Here we look at the physical design of the fly brain, including such factors as fan-in and fanout, logic depth, division into physical compartments and how this affects electrical response, pin to computation ratios (Rent's rule), and other physical characteristics of at least one biological computation substrate. From this we speculate on how physical design algorithms might change if the target implementation was a biological neural network.