cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intelligent gaze control in binocular vision

Robotic vision systems that incorporate multiple cooperating sensors, mounted on maneuverable platforms, and their control are addressed. Assuming binocular, maneuverable (approximately anthropomorphic) computer vision hardware, the authors explore how sensorimotor control algorithms can contribute to visual tasks and behaviors. The authors discuss issues in the organization of robotic gaze stabilization, the implementation and application of vergence in binocular systems, and the use of nonvisual cues in stabilizing gaze. Stabilizing its gaze can enable an animate vision system to interpret and interact with its environment more effectively. Binocular cues and vergence contribute a precategorical segmentation of an object of interest that permits gaze stabilization to be preattentive and therefore very general. Nonvisual cues offer the potential for improving gaze stabilization performance by enabling the system to sense and compensate for its own motion, thereby allowing the visual signals to describe primarily target motion. >
The evolution of time measurement, Part 2: quartz clocks [Recalibration]

Quartz clocks are the most common timekeepers of all. Billions of quartz oscillators are manufactured annually for use inside clocks, watches, mobile phones, computers, radios, and televisions. In this article, Part 2 of a five-part series, I discuss the evolution of quartz clocks, beginning with the discovery of piezoelectricity.
Improvement of NRZ signal transmission through phase modulation

Dispersion maps are required for successful nonreturn to zero (NRZ) transmission, as they allow signals to avoid the deleterious effects of four-wave mixing while still experiencing an average dispersion that is nearly zero. In wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) systems, only one channel can be perfectly compensated in a short dispersion map; the others are compensated at the end of the transmission and thus experience a long effective dispersion map. Therefore, finding ways to minimize the distortion is of critical importance. Here, we will show that phase modulation greatly diminishes the signal distortion at high powers and with long maps, which in turn can be used by the system designers to improve the system performance by operating with higher powers.
Considerable methane fluxes to the atmosphere from hydrocarbon seeps in the Gulf of Mexico

The flux of methane—a greenhouse gas—from submarine hydrocarbon seeps to the atmosphere is not well quantified. Direct measurements of methane concentrations and isotopic depth profiles in deepwater hydrocarbon plumes indicate that a significant amount of methane from deep-ocean sources could reach the surface ocean. The fluxes of the greenhouse gas methane from many individual sources to the atmosphere are not well constrained1. Marine geological sources may be significant2, but they are poorly quantified and are not included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change budget1. Previous results based on traditional indirect sampling techniques and modelling suggested bubble plumes emitted from marine seeps at depths greater than 200 m do not reach the surface mixed layer because of bubble dissolution and methane oxidation3,4,5. Here we report methane concentration and isotope-depth profiles from direct submersible sampling of deepwater (550–600 m) hydrocarbon plumes in the Gulf of Mexico. We show that bubble size, upwelling flows and the presence of surfactants inhibit bubble dissolution, and that methane oxidation is negligible. Consequently, methane concentrations in surface waters are up to 1,000 times saturation with respect to atmospheric equilibrium. We estimate that diffusive atmospheric methane fluxes from individual plumes are one to three orders of magnitude greater than estimates from shallow-water seeps6,7,8, greatly expanding the depth range from which methane seep emissions should be considered significant. Given the widespread occurrence of deepwater seeps, we suggest that current estimates of the global oceanic methane flux to the atmosphere1 may be too low.
DENTAL CARIES: An Infectious and Transmissible Disease

Of the infectious diseases that affect humans, dental caries may be the most prevalent. Pediatric primary medical care providers are usually the first health care providers to examine the oral cavity of a child and so need to be able to recognize suspicious dental lesions. This article provides information on recognizing caries and reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of caries and odontogenic infections.
The Mechanistic Structure Shift and Strategic Reorientation in Declining Firms Attempting Turnarounds

Past researchers have observed that declining organizations often experience mechanistic structural changes that centralize authority, increase reliance on formalized procedures, and reduce the amount of information flowing to top managers. Many have proposed that this "mechanistic shift" in declining organizations reduces their adaptive capability by making innovative organizational change in response to decline less likely. However, despite much research on declining firms and their turnaround attempts, many questions about mechanistic shifts remain, such as: (1) To what extent do declining firms become systematically mechanistic when trying to recover from decline? (2) What aspects of declining firms' situations make mechanistic shifts more likely? (3) Do mechanistic shifts reduce the likelihood of large-scale strategic reorientation as declining firms attempt to recover? We sought answers to these questions through an analysis of data from in-depth interviews with top managers (mostly CEOs) at 29 U.S....
Developments in Overlapping Schwarz Preconditioning of High-Order Nodal Discontinuous Galerkin Discretizations

A preconditioned two-level overlapping Schwarz method for solving unstructured nodal discontinuous Galerkin discretizations of the indefinite Helmholtz problem is studied. We employ triangles in two dimensions and in a local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) variational setting. We highlight the necessary components of the algorithm needed to achieve efficient results in the context of high-order elements and indefinite algebraic systems. More specifically, we demonstrate the importance of not only coarse-grid solution sweeps, but also for increased overlap in the subdomain solves as the order of the elements increases. In this paper, we detail the discretization strategy and offer an effective approach to solving the resulting system of equations, with numerical evidence in support.
The Endogenous Th17 Response in NO2-Promoted Allergic Airway Disease Is Dispensable for Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Distinct from Th17 Adoptive Transfer

Severe, glucocorticoid-resistant asthma comprises 5-7% of patients with asthma. IL-17 is a biomarker of severe asthma, and the adoptive transfer of Th17 cells in mice is sufficient to induce glucocorticoid-resistant allergic airway disease. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an environmental toxin that correlates with asthma severity, exacerbation, and risk of adverse outcomes. Mice that are allergically sensitized to the antigen ovalbumin by exposure to NO2 exhibit a mixed Th2/Th17 adaptive immune response and eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment to the airway following antigen challenge, a phenotype reminiscent of severe clinical asthma. Because IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling is critical in the generation of the Th17 response in vivo, we hypothesized that the IL-1R/Th17 axis contributes to pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in NO2-promoted allergic airway disease and manifests in glucocorticoid-resistant cytokine production. IL-17A neutralization at the time of antigen challenge or genetic deficiency in IL-1R resulted in decreased neutrophil recruitment to the airway following antigen challenge but did not protect against the development of AHR. Instead, IL-1R-/- mice developed exacerbated AHR compared to WT mice. Lung cells from NO2-allergically inflamed mice that were treated in vitro with dexamethasone (Dex) during antigen restimulation exhibited reduced Th17 cytokine production, whereas Th17 cytokine production by lung cells from recipient mice of in vitro Th17-polarized OTII T-cells was resistant to Dex. These results demonstrate that the IL-1R/Th17 axis does not contribute to AHR development in NO2-promoted allergic airway disease, that Th17 adoptive transfer does not necessarily reflect an endogenously-generated Th17 response, and that functions of Th17 responses are contingent on the experimental conditions in which they are generated.
Patterned nanoporous gold as an effective SERS template

We demonstrate large area two-dimensional arrays of patterned nanoporous gold for use as easy-to-fabricate, cost-effective, and stable surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) templates. Using a simple one-step direct imprinting process, subwavelength nanoporous gold (NPG) gratings are defined by densifying appropriate regions of a NPG film. Both the densified NPG and the two-dimensional grating pattern are shown to contribute to the SERS enhancement. The resulting substrates exhibit uniform SERS enhancement factors of at least 10(7) for a monolayer of adsorbed benzenethiol molecules.
Comparison of molecular typing methods for Candida albicans.

Abstract Four molecular approaches to determining the types of Candida albicans strains were compared. The strains used were those whose repeated DNA (ribosomal and mitochondrial) EcoRI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were determined by Stevens et al. (D. A. Stevens, F. C. Odds, and S. Scherer, Rev. Infect. Dis. 12:258-266, 1990). Scherer and Stevens (S. Scherer and D. A. Stevens, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:1452-1456, 1988) used the same strains to examine the Southern blots of genomic EcoRI digests probed with the repeated sequence 27A. The results of these investigators were compared with determinations of RFLPs generated from repeated DNA by the enzyme HinfI and examination of the karyotypes of strains under two sets of conditions, one for the smaller chromosomes and one for the larger ones. Analysis of RFLPs of repeated DNA is most convenient but shows the lowest degree of resolution. Use of the repeated sequence and use of karyotype have very high resolution, but the former method is more convenient than the latter. HinfI digestion is more sensitive than EcoRI digestion but equally convenient. By using all four methods, separate types were identified for 18 of the 20 strains examined.
Growth of Germanium Carbon Alloy by Pecvd Using Silane as a Growth Promoter

A possible alternative to a-SiGe for use in multijunction solar cells is a-GeC alloy. Only preliminary work has been done so far on this alloy, Mostly for use as an IR anti-reflection coating, with little study done on its optoelectronic properties. GeC films were grown by the PECVD Method from a novel gas mixture using GeF4 as the germanium source gas. Methane was used as the carbon source, with H2 being added for additional hydrogenation of the film. It was found that adding silane to the mixture would increase the growth rate from less than 1 A/s up to 30 A/s. The films contained no detectable silicon, even at mixture ratios of five SiH4 to one GeF4. Varying the amount of methane in the gas mixture allowed the film optical bandgap to be adjusted from 1.1 eV to 1.8 eV. The effect of other parameters such as RF power level and H2 flow rate on bandgap and growth rate were also explored. Optoelectronic properties in the 1.2 to 1.4 eV bandgap range will also be reported.
Metabolic Networks and Metabolites Underlie Associations Between Maternal Glucose During Pregnancy and Newborn Size at Birth

Maternal metabolites and metabolic networks underlying associations between maternal glucose during pregnancy and newborn birth weight and adiposity demand fuller characterization. We performed targeted and nontargeted gas chromatography/mass spectrometry metabolomics on maternal serum collected at fasting and 1 h following glucose beverage consumption during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for 400 northern European mothers at ∼28 weeks' gestation in the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Study. Amino acids, fatty acids, acylcarnitines, and products of lipid metabolism decreased and triglycerides increased during the OGTT. Analyses of individual metabolites indicated limited maternal glucose associations at fasting, but broader associations, including amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, were found at 1 h. Network analyses modeling metabolite correlations provided context for individual metabolite associations and elucidated collective associations of multiple classes of metabolic fuels with newborn size and adiposity, including acylcarnitines, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids. Random forest analyses indicated an improved ability to predict newborn size outcomes by using maternal metabolomics data beyond traditional risk factors, including maternal glucose. Broad-scale association of fuel metabolites with maternal glucose is evident during pregnancy, with unique maternal metabolites potentially contributing specifically to newborn birth weight and adiposity.
Contextual Factors and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young, Black Men:

Young Black men (YBM), aged 13 to 24 years, face a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STI acquisition among YBM is due to incorrect and inconsistent condom use and is exacerbated by multiple sexual partners. Sexual and reproductive health is influenced by a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social determinants that contribute to increased risk for STI acquisition. However, there are key social determinants of sexual health that play a major role in adolescent sexual risk-taking behaviors: gender norms, environment, peers, and families as well as a desire to impregnate a woman. Associations between contextual factors (risky environmental context, desire to impregnate a woman, and peer norms supportive of unsafe sex) and sexual risk behaviors were examined among a sample of YBM attending adolescent health clinics. This study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial ( N = 702). Parental monitoring was also examined as an effect modifier of those associations. Sexual risk behaviors were the frequency of condomless vaginal sex, number of sexual partners within the previous 2 months, and lifetime number of sexual partners. Mean age was 19.7. In the adjusted model, peer norms was the only significant predictor for all sexual risk outcomes ( p < .05). Parental monitoring was an effect modifier for the perceived peer norms and lifetime sexual partners association ( p = .053) where the effect of peer norms on lifetime sexual partners was lower for participants with higher levels of perceived parental monitoring.
The Fiducial Argument

The fiducial argument has been of considerable interest for a long period of time, despite the fact that no one (except possibly R. A. Fisher himself) was altogether clear as to what a fiducial argument is. When it applies it has a great deal of appeal, and there are relatively uncontroversial circumstances under which it applies. In the present section, we shall investigate such an uncontroversial example within the framework provided by the preceding chapters.
Connexin43 Forms Supramolecular Complexes through Non-Overlapping Binding Sites for Drebrin, Tubulin, and ZO-1

Gap junctions are membrane specialization domains identified in most tissue types where cells abut each other. The connexin channels found in these membrane domains are conduits for direct cell-to-cell transfer of ions and molecules. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most ubiquitous connexin, with critical roles in heart, skin, and brain. Several studies described the interaction between Cx43 and the cytoskeleton involving the actin binding proteins Zonula occludens (ZO-1) and drebrin, as well as with tubulin. However, a direct interaction has not been identified between drebrin and Cx43. In this study, co-IP and NMR experiments were used to demonstrate that the Cx43-CT directly interacts with the highly conserved N-terminus region of drebrin. Three Cx43-CT areas were found to be involved in drebrin binding, with residues 264-275 being critical for the interaction. Mimicking Src phosphorylation within this region (Y265) significantly disrupted the interaction between the Cx43-CT and drebrin. Immunofluorescence showed colocalization of Cx43, drebrin, and F-actin in astrocytes and Vero cells membrane, indicating that Cx43 forms a submembrane protein complex with cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins. The co-IP data suggest that Cx43 indirectly interacts with F-actin through drebrin. Along with the known interaction of the Cx43-CT with ZO-1 and tubulin, the data presented here for drebrin indicate non-overlapping and separated binding sites for all three proteins for which simultaneous binding could be important in regulating cytoskeleton rearrangements, especially for neuronal migration during brain development.
Mitigating medical alarm fatigue with cognitive heuristics

Automated patient monitoring systems suffer from several design problems. Among them, alarm fatigue is one of the most critical issues, as evidenced by the Sentinel Event Alert that The Joint Commission - the U.S. hospital-accrediting body - recently issued. In this study, we explore fast-and-frugal heuristics that may be used to prioritize patient alarms, while continuing to monitor patient physiological state. By using a combination of human factors methodologies and the theory of Distributed Cognition (DCog), we studied alarm fatigue and its relationship to the underlying hospital systems. We identified three specific factors that we envision to be helpful for clinical personnel: ventilator presence, number of intravenous drips, and number of medications. We discuss their application in daily hospital operation.
Update on New Therapies With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Background:Immunotherapy has had a long history in cancer treatment and, with recent breakthroughs, new drugs are available that have shown promising results.Objectives:The current article discusses an overview of immune function, including immunoediting and the theory of immune checkpoints, as well
The Colonial Caribbean: Landscapes of Power in Jamaica's Plantation System

The Colonial Caribbean is an archaeological analysis of the Jamaican plantation system at the turn of the nineteenth century. Focused specifically on coffee plantation landscapes and framed by Marxist theory, the analysis considers plantation landscapes using a multiscalar approach to landscape archaeology. James A. Delle considers spatial phenomena ranging from the diachronic settlement pattern of the island as a whole to the organization of individual house and yard areas located within the villages of enslaved workers. Delle argues that a Marxist approach to landscape archaeology provides a powerful theoretical framework to understand how the built environment played a direct role in the negotiation of social relations in the colonial Caribbean.
Stem Cells in the Adult Brain

The adult mammalian brain has vastly reduced regenerative potential compared with the developing brain. Nevertheless, cell proliferation occurs in the adult brain, as does neurogenesis, and cells that generate neurons and glia in vivo and in vitro have been identified in the adult central nervous system (CNS). As our understanding of the factors that regulate stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the adult brain deepens, the development of methods directed at repairing the damaged brain through the transplantation of cultured cells or through the induction of endogenous neurogenesis in selected neuronal populations may lead to novel therapeutic strategies. This chapter reviews the evidence that neural stem cells exist in the adult brain and describes the factors that determine whether these cells divide and, if so, the fate of their progeny.
Turbulent Combustion in Contrast to Flames

Abstract In a discourse concerned principally with premixed systems, the subject of turbulent combustion is presented as radically opposite to laminar flames, the two bounding between them the whole spectrum of normal exothermic reactive phenomena—processes devoid of intense gasdynamic instabilities like shocks, detonations, or blast waves. The subjection of turbulent flames appears then as an interim regime between two distinct, clear alternatives—a situation rationalizing its intrinsic problems and obscure character. Penner's inspiration, contributions, and leadership were particularly instrumental in the genesis of these concepts.
Improving biofeedback for the treatment of fecal incontinence in women: implementation of a standardized multi-site manometric biofeedback protocol.

Background Standardized training and clinical protocols using biofeedback for the treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) are important for clinical care. Our primary aims were to develop, implement, and evaluate adherence to a standardized protocol for manometric biofeedback to treat FI. Methods In a Pelvic Floor Disorders Network (PFDN) trial, participants were enrolled from eight PFDN clinical centers across the United States. A team of clinical and equipment experts developed biofeedback software on a novel tablet computer platform for conducting standardized anorectal manometry with separate manometric biofeedback protocols for improving anorectal muscle strength, sensation, and urge resistance. The training protocol also included education on bowel function, anal sphincter exercises, and bowel diary monitoring. Study interventionists completed online training prior to attending a centralized, standardized certification course. For the certification, expert trainers assessed the ability of the interventionists to perform the protocol components for a paid volunteer who acted as a standardized patient. Postcertification, the trainers audited interventionists during trial implementation to improve protocol adherence. Key Results Twenty-four interventionists attended the in-person training and certification, including 46% advanced practice registered nurses (11/24), 50% (12/24) physical therapists, and 4% physician assistants (1/24). Trainers performed audio audits for 88% (21/24), representing 84 audited visits. All certified interventionists met or exceeded the prespecified 80% pass rate for the audit process, with an average passing rate of 93%. Conclusions & Inferences A biofeedback protocol can be successfully imparted to experienced pelvic floor health care providers from various disciplines. Our process promoted high adherence to a standard protocol and is applicable to many clinical settings.
A geographical hybrid solution for Inter-Vehicular Communication in VANET

Vehicular Ad hoc Network (VANET) is a wireless ad hoc network that provides communications among vehicles with on-board units (OBUs) and nearby roadside units (RSUs). VANETs are general-purpose distributed wireless networks interconnected without the need of any centralized infrastructure. VANETs can be used for many potential applications. The simulation of VANETs requires two different components: a vehicular traffic simulator and a network simulator, for simulating the behavior of a wireless network. In this paper we will introduce the GEOADV routing protocol. The GEOADV protocol is a hybrid geographic routing protocol in which paths are created reactively. GEOADV will address the lack of adaptable routing protocol in VANET environments. In our Manhattan grid simulation we will show that GEOADV has the smallest consistent average delay and outperforms all other protocols in average delivery ratio. It was observed that GEOADV's average delay remains less than one second, and even in increased density is more stable, and outperforms AODV, GPSR, AODV-WR, and GPSR-WR. GEOADV is showing to be an adaptable protocol in the VANET environment.
El contexto histórico de las prácticas sanitarias y las enfermedades en las Californias durante el siglo XIX

This text examines the topic of diseases in the Californias in the 19 th century; specifically, the introduction of sanitary practices as one cultural expression of the modern discourse elaborated to combat illnesses. The first section reviews the fundamental components of our analysis; that is, the key factors in the emergence of diseases, including geography and society, as well as their trajectories of development. The second part contextualizes the measures implemented by different governments in the 19 th century to confront diseases at the macro and micro levels. Finally, the essay analyzes the period known in historiography as the Porfiriato, which was characterized, in part, by the application of programs on the Peninsula of California designed to foster the development of public hygiene as a means of preventing and combatting diseases.
TDP-43 protein variants as biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract Background TDP-43 aggregates accumulate in individuals affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, representing potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Using an atomic force microscopy based biopanning protocol developed in our lab, we previously isolated 23 TDP-43 reactive antibody fragments with preference for human ALS brain tissue relative to frontotemporal dementia, a related neurodegeneration, and healthy samples from phage-displayed single chain antibody fragment (scFv) libraries. Here we further characterize the binding specificity of these different scFvs and identify which ones have promise for detecting ALS biomarkers in human brain tissue and plasma samples. Results We developed a sensitive capture ELISA for detection of different disease related TDP-43 variants using the scFvs identified from the ALS biopanning. We show that a wide variety of disease selective TDP-43 variants are present in ALS as the scFvs show different reactivity profiles amongst the ALS cases. When assaying individual human brain tissue cases, three scFvs (ALS-TDP6, ALS-TDP10 and ALS-TDP14) reacted with all the ALS cases and 12 others reacted with the majority of the ALS cases, and none of the scFvs reacted with any control samples. When assaying individual human plasma samples, 9 different scFvs reacted with all the sporadic ALS samples and again none of them reacted with any control samples. These 9 different scFvs had different patterns of reactivity with plasma samples obtained from chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (c9orf72) cases indicating that these familial ALS genetic variants may display different TDP-43 pathology than sporadic ALS cases. Conclusions These results indicated that a range of disease specific TDP-43 variants are generated in ALS patients with different variants being generated in sporadic and familial cases. We show that a small panel of scFvs recognizing different TDP-43 variants can generate a neuropathological and plasma biomarker profile with potential to distinguish different TDP-43 pathologies.
Quantitative preparation of allyl telechelic polyisobutylene under reflux conditions

In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a method for forming allyl telechelic polyisobutylene polymers having well defined molecular weights and molecular weight distributions using living cationic polymerization under ideal temperature control using a mixture of polar and nonpolar refluxing solvents. The methods according to various embodiments of the present invention provide temperature control that approaches the ideal, i.e., the heat of polymerization is instantaneously absorbed by the medium and the temperature of the system remains unchanged. The heat generated during the exothermic polymerization of isobutylene is released as an increase in the rate of reflux, rather than the temperature, since the temperature is set by the boiling point of the system and does not change.
Utilizing bifurcated halogen-bonding interactions with the uranyl oxo group in the assembly of a UO2-3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid coordination polymer.

The synthesis and crystal structure of a new uranyl coordination polymer featuring 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid is described and the luminescent and vibrational properties of the material have been explored. Compound (1), [UO2(C7H3BrIO2)2]n, features dimeric uranyl units chelated and then linked by 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid ligands to form a one-dimensional coordination polymer that is subsequently assembled via bifurcated halogen-bonding interactions with uranyl oxo atoms to form a supramolecular three-dimensional network. The asymmetric, bifurcated halogen-bonding interaction in (1) is notable as it represents the first observation of this synthon in a uranyl hybrid material. Raman and IR spectroscopy showed that halogen-bonding inter­actions with the uranyl oxo atoms result in small shifts in υ1 and υ3 frequencies, whereas luminescence spectra collected at an excitation wavelength of 420 nm reveal partially resolved uranyl emission.
Plastic Surgery Considerations for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

The management of skin and soft tissue is an essential component of abdominal wall reconstruction. Patients with complex hernias often have scars, wounds, fistulas, skin graft on bowel, excess adiposity, and excess or deficit of skin. Each of these factors requires thoughtful management in order to achieve successful reconstruction. In this chapter, we discuss strategies and techniques to optimize the soft tissue reconstruction and minimize complication rates.
An insider's perspective: Bacteroides as a window into the microbiome

Over the last decade, our appreciation for the contribution of resident gut microorganisms-the gut microbiota-to human health has surged. However, progress is limited by the sheer diversity and complexity of these microbial communities. Compounding the challenge, the majority of our commensal microorganisms are not close relatives of Escherichia coli or other model organisms and have eluded culturing and manipulation in the laboratory. In this Review, we discuss how over a century of study of the readily cultured, genetically tractable human gut Bacteroides has revealed important insights into the biochemistry, genomics and ecology that make a gut bacterium a gut bacterium. While genome and metagenome sequences are being produced at breakneck speed, the Bacteroides provide a significant 'jump-start' on uncovering the guiding principles that govern microbiota-host and inter-bacterial associations in the gut that will probably extend to many other members of this ecosystem.
Soluble cytokine receptors: their roles in immunoregulation, disease, and therapy.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanisms that regulate cytokine activity and the generation and function of soluble cytokine receptors (sCR) as cytokine antagonists and/or cytokine carriers in vivo and also reviewed, in a more specific manner, information about the different sCR, their potential involvement in diseases, and their use as immunotherapeutic agents. The generation of soluble forms of cytokine receptors appears to be a general mechanism contributing to the regulation of cytokine activity in vivo . The soluble receptor forms are normally generated by the proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain of the membrane-bound receptor or by translation from alternatively spliced mRNAs, different from those encoding the membrane-bound receptors. Elucidation of the relationships of the different sCR with the cytokine networks, both under normal conditions and after immunologic stimulation, is necessary in order to fully understand their role in the regulation of the immune system. Such knowledge should allow using sCR more efficiently to modify cytokine activity in vivo for therapeutic purposes. Besides their putative immunoregulatory function, the ability of sCR to specifically alter the biologic activity of their ligand, coupled to a lack of immunogenicity, has generated considerable interest in potential therapeutic applications, particularly in clinical conditions in which cytokines play a prominent pathophysiological role such as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for multiple myeloma of the spine

The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in treating multiple myeloma (MM) of the spine. Medical records of MM patients who underwent single fraction spine SRS between 6/2001 and 12/2014 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed in this institutional review board-approved analysis. Post-treatment radiographic, neurologic, and pain response were the primary endpoints. Endpoints were evaluated with periodic clinical exams and imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography). Median SRS dose was 16 Gy (10–18) in a single fraction. Seventy-eight patients (121 treatment sites) were treated. Clinical follow-up was available for 71 patients. Radiographic follow-up was available for 94 treatment sites. Median follow-up was 27.8 months (24 days–12.1 years). Radiographic control was observed in 89.4% of the treated sites. Pain relief occurred in 88.3% of the patients that presented with pain; pain progression occurred in 3.3%. Neurological improvement was observed in 63.6% of the patients that presented with a deficit. In sites where MM approached or compressed the epidural canal or the thecal sac, after SRS, evidence of radiographic regression was observed in 87.1%. Toxicities observed included one patient who experienced a tracheoesophageal fistula 2 years after SRS. After SRS, there were 39 VCFs that were potentially SRS-induced. SRS appears to be effective in the treatment of MM of the spine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest such experience reported.
Schritt 1: Den Blick nach außen richten!

Vergessen Sie die externen Referenzen nicht. Die Geschichte des Inhouse-Start-ups hat schon gezeigt – und es soll auf gar keinen Fall unerwahnt bleiben –, dass Ihr Augenmerk immer von sogenannten „externen Referenzen“ ausgehen sollte. Die einzige Aufgabe eines Unternehmens ist es, Probleme des Marktes und seiner Kunden – also externer Referenzen – nachhaltig und wirtschaftlich zu losen.
LeFort colpocleisis: a step-by-step simulation video for Female Pelvic Surgeons

LeFort colpocleisis is a minimally invasive surgical option for patients with pelvic organ prolapse who no longer desire sexual activity. Pelvic surgeons have limited exposure to this procedure during their training, and are therefore less likely to offer this procedure to their patients. We use a split screen live action surgery, side by side with a low cost 3D model of a prolapse to describe a LeFort colpocleisis step by step. This video is an easily reproducible guide to the steps and surgical techniques necessary to successfully perform a LeFort colpocleisis. The simulation model can be used to educate and train those performing female pelvic surgery. Pelvic surgeons should be able to offer LeFort colpocleisis to their patients. This video may be used to facilitate the understanding and reproducibility of the procedure.
A-T-rich scaffold attachment regions flank the hematopoietic serine protease genes clustered on chromosome 14q11.2.

We have analyzed approximately 70 kb of the chromosome 14q11.2 hematopoietic serine protease gene cluster for the presence of nuclear scaffold attachment regions (SARs). At least 12 potential attachment sites were identified. SARs are present on both sides of the CGL-1/CSP- B and CGL-2/CCP-X genes and upstream from the cathepsin G (CG) gene. We have further characterized the SARs immediately flanking the cytotoxic lymphocyte-specific CGL-1/CSP-B gene. These 5′ and 3′ SARs are highly A- T-rich, contain multiple attachment sites, and are associated with the scaffolds of nuclei derived from both lymphoid and erythroid cell lines. These SARs contain multiple consensus elements frequently associated with A-T-rich sequences, including the vertebrate topoisomerase II (topo II) consensus sequence, the A-box and T-box elements, and the yeast autonomous replicating sequence (ARS). The potential role for the nuclear scaffold in the transcriptional regulation of CGL-1/CSP-B expression is discussed.
Design tools for MPRA experiments.

Motivation Genetic reporter assays are a convenient, relatively inexpensive method for studying the regulation of gene expression. Massively Parallel Reporter Assays (MPRA) are high-throughput functionalization assays that interrogate the transcriptional activity of many genetic variants at once using a library of synthetic barcoded constructs. Despite growing interest in this area, there are few computational tools to design and execute MPRA studies. Results We designed an online web-tool and R package that allows for interactive MPRA experimental design encompassing both power analysis and design of constructs. Our tool is tuned using data from real MPRA studies. Users can adjust experimental parameters to examine the predicted effect on assay power as well as upload VCFs for automated construct sequence generation. Availability and implementation The MPRA Design Tools web application is available here: https://andrewghazi.shinyapps.io/designmpra/, https://github.com/andrewGhazi/designMPRA and https://github.com/andrewGhazi/mpradesigntools. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
On Error Resilient Design of Predictive Scalable Coding Systems

Scalable coding is potentially useful in content distribution over unreliable channels, as it enables meaningful reconstruction when the hierarchical bitstream is only partially received. However, its deployment in conjunction with predictive coding may result in considerable performance degradation when errors due to packet loss propagate through the prediction loop. Despite this, most existing predictive scalable coding techniques employ components whose design completely ignores the effects of unreliable channel conditions. This paper proposes an efficient design technique for predictive scalable coding systems, which effectively accounts for: i) all available information at a given layer by optimizing its prediction parameters within an estimation-theoretic framework; ii) the uncertainty due to packet loss via estimation and minimization of end-to-end distortion. It further leverages an asymptotic closed loop design technique for the predictor and quantizer modules, which provides the stability benefits of open-loop design, while ultimately optimizing the system for closed-loop operation. Experimental results provide compelling evidence for the effectiveness of the approach, with considerable performance gains over existing design techniques, in terms of end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio.
Designing an interactive visualization for intrusion detection systems with video game theory and technology

iv CHAPTER 1. General introduction 1 Problem Statement 1 Hypothesis 2 CHAPTER 2. Background 3 Intrusion Detection Systems 3 Why use an Intrusion Detection System 3 Kinds of Intrusion Detection Systems 4 Problems with Intrusion Detection Systems 5 Previous Works 5 Game Design and Technology 13 CHAPTER 3. Recommended Design 16 The Design 16 Torque Game Builder 17 User Authentication 18 User Interface 19 The Map 20 The Mini Map 27 Options and Command Windows 30 The Chat and SQL Query Window 30 The Menu 33 Alerts 36 Back End Systems 36 Snort Intrusion Detection System 37 SQL Database 37 Torque Game Builder 37 CHAPTER 4. SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION 39 Conclusion 39 Future Work 40 REFERENCES CITED 41
SafeTP: Transparently Securing FTP Network Services

One of the most challenging practical aspects of providing end-to-end network security for legacy client-server protocols such as non-anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is convincing end users to actually use the secure alternatives, rather than abandoning them in favor of simpler, more familiar, or more fully featured insecure clients. A number of secure alternatives to the FTP protocol have been developed, but thus far have met with only limited success we feel this is primarily due to the fact that these solutions almost universally require the end user to learn a new, unfamiliar client interface or tweak complicated settings in order to make the security work. The average end user is interested in maintaining the security of their account, but is unwilling to invest a significant effort to setup a complicated system or the time to learn a whole new interface. SafeTP is a unique new FTP security system that strikes at the heart of this problem by providing completely transparent FTP security for users of Microsoft Windows. SafeTP operates by installing a transparent proxy in the Windows networking stack which detects outgoing FTP connections from any legacy (insecure) Windows FTP client, and silently secures them using modern cryptographic techniques (the server must also support SafeTP in order for a secure connection to be successfully established). SafeTP is 100% compatible with existing (insecure) FTP servers, and will operate in an insecure mode if the server does not yet support the SafeTP protocol. One key feature of the SafeTP client proxy is that it was designed to be completely transparent to the client FTP application. This way, users can reap the benefits of FTP security, while continuing to use their existing FTP software. Since its recent release on the internet, SafeTP has become extremely popular and is rapidly gaining acceptance in a diverse user community that includes numerous corporations, educational institutions and private users. In this paper, we describe the design of SafeTP and our experiences in implementing and maintaining this successful system. We discuss various challenges encountered in designing a fully transparent and interoperable security layer, and the solutions we implemented. We also describe various aspects of the hybrid public-key and shared-key cryptosystem used to provide confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity for FTP sessions.
High Frequency Switching

The meaning of the term high frequency switching as related to a synchronous buck converter applications depends on the power range, the step in the voltage conversion and the switching performance of MOSFETs used as power switches. In a power range of 1 W, and low input voltages, a switching frequency up to 10 MHz can be reasonably achieved. In contrast, switching 20 A from Vin of 12 V down to 1.2 V at a frequency of 2 MHz is a big hurdle if an efficiency close to 90% is expected. Switching power loss increases with output current and input voltage level, and is proportional to switching frequency. Respectively, novel, fast switching MOSFETs have to be used. On the other hand, 2 MHz frequency means a period of 500 ns only. If a duty cycle of 10% is required, the whole on-cycle has to be accomplished within 50 ns. This requires very effective and fast gate voltage control.
Aristóteles, estoicos y aristotélicos: una disputa en tomo a la naturaleza del tiempo y del cambio

A fundamental problem of philosophy of nature is addressed in this paper: is it possible for time to flow even if the changes that in fact go along with it did not exist? The two antique positions that are most recognized, the one of Aristotle and the one of the Stoics, are analyzed in this essay. On one hand, Aristotle’s definition of time is based on change, so his answer to the question here addressed would be negative; but, on the other hand, the Stoics argue that there are moments in which time truly flows without changes taking place, as the orthodox version of the Eternal Return states, and therefore time does not presupposes the notion of change. I here present the following hypothesis: the heterodox Stoics accepted the Aristotelian idea of time that presupposes change, an idea which they learnt from Eudemus, and that leads them to propose transcyclic changes in order to solve the problems generated by the discussion on individualization, identity and change through time.
Effects of USDA quality grade and cooking on water-soluble precursors of beef flavor.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of three USDA quality grades and cooking on the water-soluble flavor precursors of beef Longissimus lumborum. Raw and cooked steaks from beef strip loins of USDA Prime (PR; n = 8), Low-Choice (LC; n = 8), and Standard (ST; n = 8) were analyzed for extractable free amino acids, reducing sugars, and other nitrogenous organic compounds (NOCs). Overall, two-way quality grade × cooking interactions were found for the contents of most water-soluble precursors (Pquality grade × cooking < 0.05), which were greater in raw LC and ST and were changed more in ST and LC steaks by cooking. The magnitude of those changes suggested that cystine, a dimer of cysteine, glucose, and glucose 6-phosphate might play more important roles in beef flavor development than previously thought.
Physician Gender Differences in Processing Surgical Risk Features in Videos of Standardized Patients.

Background Physician gender differences exist for estimating surgical risk and recommending lung resection. This study assessed gender differences in perceived importance of health characteristics portrayed by standardized patients posing as lung resection candidates. Methods Physicians read a clinical vignette categorized as low, average, or high surgical risk and then viewed a video of a standardized patient exhibiting vigorous, normal, or frail behavior. The relative importance of gait speed, strength, fatigue, age, and weight loss in the videos was scored on a five-point Likert-like scale. Ratings of the importance of each were compared by gender and risk category. Results Of 73 participating physicians, 62 were male and 11 were female, 40 were thoracic surgeons, and 33 were cardiothoracic surgical trainees. All video features were scored as very important or somewhat important a majority of the time. Gait speed and strength ratings were strongly correlated (r = 0.76), followed by strength and fatigue (r = 0.52) and gait speed and fatigue (r = 0.51). Female gender was associated with significantly greater odds of rating age as very important (p = 0.040). For weight loss, the differences between genders varied significantly (females consistently rated weight loss as important, whereas ratings for men varied by risk category; p = 0.002 for the interaction). Conclusions Physicians variably rate certain health characteristics of standardized patients as important in making surgical risk estimations. Women and men rate the importance of age and weight loss differently. These findings may help educate physicians to develop more consistent estimates of surgical risk.
Molecular architecture, polar targeting and biogenesis of the Legionella Dot/Icm T4SS.

Legionella pneumophila survives and replicates inside host cells by secreting ~300 effectors through the defective in organelle trafficking (Dot)/intracellular multiplication (Icm) type IVB secretion system (T4BSS). Here, we used complementary electron cryotomography and immunofluorescence microscopy to investigate the molecular architecture and biogenesis of the Dot/Icm secretion apparatus. Electron cryotomography mapped the location of the core and accessory components of the Legionella core transmembrane subcomplex, revealing a well-ordered central channel that opens into a large, windowed secretion chamber with an unusual 13-fold symmetry. Immunofluorescence microscopy deciphered an early-stage assembly process that begins with the targeting of Dot/Icm components to the bacterial poles. Polar targeting of this T4BSS is mediated by two Dot/Icm proteins, DotU and IcmF, that, interestingly, are homologues of the T6SS membrane complex components TssL and TssM, suggesting that the Dot/Icm T4BSS is a hybrid system. Together, these results revealed that the Dot/Icm complex assembles in an ‘axial-to-peripheral’ pattern.