cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Round-off error analysis of iterations for large linear systems

We deal with the rounding error analysis of successive approximation iterations for the solution of large linear systemsA x =b. We prove that Jacobi, Richardson, Gauss-Seidel and SOR iterations arenumerically stable wheneverA=A *>0 andA has PropertyA. This means that the computed resultx k approximates the exact solution ? with relative error of order ? ?A?·?A ?1? where ? is the relative computer precision. However with the exception of Gauss-Seidel iteration the residual vector ?Ax k ?b? is of order ? ?A?2 ?A ?1? ??? and hence the remaining three iterations arenot well-behaved.
Guided mode biosensor based on grating coupled porous silicon waveguide

Porous silicon waveguide biosensors that utilize grating couplers etched directly into porous silicon are demonstrated for improved molecular detection capabilities. Molecules are infiltrated through the grating couplers into the waveguide where they can interact with a guided waveguide mode. Hybridization of nucleic acids inside the waveguide is shown to significantly perturb the wave vector of the guided mode and is detected through angle-resolved reflectance measurements. A detection sensitivity of 7.3°/mM is demonstrated with selectivity better than 6:1 compared to mismatched sequences. Experimental results are in good agreement with calculations based on rigorous coupled wave analysis. Use of the all-porous silicon grating-coupled waveguide allows improved interaction of the optical field with surface-bound molecules compared to evanescent wave-based biosensors.
Oscillation monitoring system based on wide area synchrophasors in power systems

With the growing implementation of synchrophasors or PMU's across the power grid, it is now possible to observe and analyze system wide dynamic phenomena in real-time. This paper presents the framework of an automatic real-time oscillation monitoring expert system for extracting the modal information and mode shape of electromagnetic oscillations while they are still emerging in the real power system. The algorithms use three signal processing engines, namely, Prony's method, matrix pencil method and Hankel total least squares (HTLS) method. Results from these engines are processed using a custom developed set of rules for handling the complexities of modal analysis from real-time PMU measurements. The results are illustrated on several actual PMU recordings from power systems in North America. A simple powerful control design is also explored to initiate a supplementary HVDC modulation scheme to damp out inter-area oscillations when the oscillation monitoring system detects poorly damped oscillations.
The Use of Positron Emission Tomography in Drug Discovery and Development

Drug discovery and drug development are increasingly being accelerated by rapid synthesis of potential drugs and development of high-throughput in vitro tests. Imaging can play a major role in drug development because of its ability to quantify properties of the drug in vivo. Radionuclide imaging has been used in all phases of drug discovery and drug development, but pre-clinical studies could be the most effective application of imaging because the pre-clinical drug discovery process may be the slowest step. Piwnica-Worms and Marion have shown that knockout mice can be used to screen a number of potential candidates for clinical efficacy. The value of using these mice was also demonstrated for a series of potential muscarinic agonists using knockout mice with each of the five subtypes knocked out. These studies clearly showed that FP-TZTP was an M2 subtype-specific radioligand with appropriate pharmacokinetics in a minimal number of experiments. Further, the extrapolation from mice to humans was shown to be justified because the metabolic profile was similar, as shown by metabolism experiments with hepatocytes and in vivo studies in mice and rats. Thus knockout mice can be used to validate the radiolabelled drug in terms of specificity, saturability and pharmacokinetics, and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry can predict whether the metabolism data obtained in mice can be extrapolated to humans.
Candida and Aspergillus Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: An Overview

Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in granulocytopenic patients. With the increasing use of aggressive chemotherapy causing prolonged granulocytopenia in patients with cancer, the risk of disseminated fungal infection has increased. Although Candida and Aspergillus species are known to be the most common fungal pathogens responsible for disseminated infection, diagnosis of such infection may be difficult. The use of empiric amphotericin B for presumed disseminated candida infection may reduce morbidity caused by this fungal pathogen; moreover, amphotericin B remains the agent of choice for established candida infection, although fluconazole shows promise. The addition of flucytosine may enhance the efficacy of amphotericin B against Candida. Aspergillus infection is more difficult to treat. Early recognition of invasive aspergillosis and use of high-dose amphotericin B (1.0-1.5 mg/[kg.d]) alone or in combination with flucytosine may reduce associated mortality. More active, less toxic antifungal agents are needed to improve the efficacy of treatment and prophylaxis of disseminated fungal infection.
Adaptive order statistic and trimmed mean CFAR radar detectors

Consideration is given to two recently proposed constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors, namely, the variably trimmed mean (VTM) detector and the adaptive order statistic (AOS) detector. A comparison is made of the performance characteristics of these two detectors and the OS (order statistic) detector in exponential and Rayleigh distributed clutter. It is shown that properly designed AOS and VTM detectors can outperform the OS detector, and that the AOS detector performance is generally superior to that of the VTM detector. >
KIR3DL3 allelic diversity: six new alleles exhibit both conservative and non‐conservative substitutions

KIR3DL3 alleles were characterized in two families and one unrelated individual. Based on exon 2-9 nucleotide sequences, six novel alleles, 3DL3*00402, *005, *006, *007, *00801, *00802, were identified bringing the total number of known alleles to 11. Compared with 3DL3*001, the six new alleles differ by from three to nine nucleotides and from three to four amino acids. The new alleles double the number of known polymorphic positions to 18 with variation in exons encoding the extracellular domains, transmembrane region, and a portion of the cytoplasmic tail. Many of the nucleotide substitutions are shared among alleles of 3DL3 or other KIR loci, but five were found only in single 3DL3 alleles. Comparison of intron sequences among individuals carrying the same allele showed a modest number of substitutions with the exception of 3DL3*001 which differed substantially in its intron sequences. Two alleles sharing coding region sequences, 3DL3*00201 and 3DL3*00202, were also substantially different in intron sequences.
Genetic studies of Triticeae dehydrins: assignment of seed proteins and a regulatory factor to map positions

A collection of 200 wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv ‘Chinese Spring’) cytogenetic stocks (nullisomic, tetrasomic, nulli-tetrasomic, ditelosomic and deletion lines, addition and substitution stocks from intra- and inter-specific crosses) was utilized to determine the proteins encoded by some of the wheat and barley dehydrin genes, using a western blot procedure. Proteins extracted from seeds were reacted with antibodies that recognize dehydrins in a wide range of plants, including wheat and barley. Proteins encoded by dehydrin loci in chromosome arms 4DS, 5BL and 6AL of ‘Chinese Spring’ wheat were assigned by this method. There was also evidence of a regulatory factor on 5B in the vicinity of the dhn genes, and on 5H in wheat-barley addition lines, that is required for a normal level of expression of seed dehydrins in hexaploid wheat. Further understanding of this putative regulatory factor would be helpful for the interpretation of linkage studies that may relate dehydrin gene expression to phenotypes such as dehydration, salinity or low-temperature tolerance.
Can Unintended Side Effects Be Intentional? Resolving a Controversy Over Intentionality and Morality

Can an event's blameworthiness distort whether people see it as intentional? In controversial recent studies, people judged a behavior's negative side effect intentional even though the agent allegedly had no desire for it to occur. Such a judgment contradicts the standard assumption that desire is a necessary condition of intentionality, and it raises concerns about assessments of intentionality in legal settings. Six studies examined whether blameworthy events distort intentionality judgments. Studies 1 through 4 show that, counter to recent claims, intentionality judgments are systematically guided by variations in the agent's desire, for moral and nonmoral actions alike. Studies 5 and 6 show that a behavior's negative side effects are rarely seen as intentional once people are allowed to choose from multiple descriptions of the behavior. Specifically, people distinguish between "knowingly" and "intentionally" bringing about a side effect, even for immoral actions. These studies suggest that intentionality judgments are unaffected by a behavior's blameworthiness.
The Kiwi: A Case of Compensating Divergences From Allometric Predictions

In terms of incubation time and relative egg size, kiwis are exceptions to general avian allometric relationships. These extremes thus serve as a test of the eggshell model of Rahn et al.
Not all 2 gray radiation prescriptions are equivalent: Cytotoxic effect depends on delivery sequences of partial fractionated doses

Purpose: To test whether or not the commonly prescribed daily dose of 2 Gy (whole fraction), when delivered as various partial fraction (PF) dose sequences simulating clinical treatment fields, produces equal biologic effects. Methods and Materials: Eleven actively proliferating cell lines derived from human and animal tissues were used in this study. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays were used to determine the radiation effects on cell proliferation and survival, respectively. The 2 Gy dose was divided into 2 or more PFs for delivery to simulate the delivery of clinical treatment fields. Most irradiation sequences contained two parts consisting of at least 1 small PF, denoted by S which was 0.5 Gy or less, and a large PF, denoted by L which was 1 Gy or more. Irradiation schemes were designed to include the following conditions: (a) the 2 Gy dose divided into combinations of an L-dose and one or more S-doses; (b) the L-dose given either before or after the S-doses; and (c) delivery of all partial fractions within a fixed total time. Results: Significant differences in biologic effect were observed between sequences in which the L-dose was given before or after the S-doses in both the MTT and clonogenic assays. Nearly all the latter schemes, that is S-L, produced greater cytotoxic effects than the L-S schemes. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the biologic effects of 2 Gy may differ in different clinical settings depending on the size and sequence of the partial fractions. The variation between cytotoxic effects is likely a result of the combination of low-dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) and higher-dose increased radioresistance (IRR) effects established recently. We suggest that to ensure the optimal biologic effect of a prescribed dose of 2 Gy clinically, it is critical to consider the sequence in which the treatment fields are delivered when partial fractions of different sizes are used.
Effects of homocysteine on smooth muscle cell proliferation in both cell culture and artery perfusion culture models.

Abstract Background. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with increased risk for vascular disease. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of homocysteine are largely unknown. We evaluated the effects of homocysteine on smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cell proliferation in cell culture and on SMC proliferation of balloon angioplasty-injured arteries in a perfusion culture model. Methods. Human and pig SMCs and endothelial cells were cultured with variable amounts of homocysteine for 72 h and the total cells were counted using a hemocytometer. Fresh pig carotid arteries were harvested from a local slaughterhouse and cultured in a newly designed artery perfusion culture system. Five groups of arteries (six per group) were cultured for 48 h under different conditions: normal control, balloon angioplasty injury alone, and injury with three different doses of homocysteine. Vessel viability was evaluated. SMC proliferation was assayed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) DNA labeling. Results. At concentrations equivalent to those in human hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine significantly stimulated both cultured human and pig SMC proliferation with a dose-dependent effect, while it inhibited cultured endothelial cell growth. Perfusion-cultured pig carotid arteries remained contractile in response to norepinephrine and relaxant to nitroglycerine, and viable cells were also isolated from the cultured arteries. SMC proliferation (BrdU index) showed significant differences among the groups. SMC proliferation was stimulated by vascular injury and further enhanced by homocysteine in a dose-dependent manner. The proliferative response occurred strongly on the luminal side of the vessel wall, with the effects tapering toward the adventitia. Conclusions. Homocysteine had a mitogenic effect on vascular SMCs and a cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells. This differential effect of homocysteine on vascular cells may represent a pathogenic mechanism of vascular lesion formation in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.
Identification and Characterization of PtlC, an Essential Component of the Pertussis Toxin Secretion System

PtlC is a member of a set of proteins necessary for the secretion of pertussis toxin (PT) from Bordetella pertussis. Using polyclonal antibodies specific for PtlC, we identified PtlC as a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 85,000 that localizes to the membrane fraction of bacterial cell extracts. We found that a mutant strain of B. pertussis that contains an in-frame deletion in ptlC is unable to secrete PT and that PT secretion is fully restored by expressing ptlC in trans, indicating that PtlC is essential for transport of PT across the bacterial membrane(s). PT secretion was inhibited in wild-type B. pertussis after introduction of a plasmid expressing a mutant ptlC altered in the putative nucleotide-binding region, suggesting that this region of PtlC is essential for proper function. Moreover, the observed dominant negative phenotype suggests that PtlC either functions as a multimer or interacts with some other component(s) necessary for secretion of PT.
Dietary fats and mood disorders – translating research into practice

Over the last three decades a body of evidence has emerged which suggests that the fatty acid composition of the habitual diet may represent a modifiable risk factor for mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder. Specifically, evidence suggests that diets low in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids including oleic acid, and high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase risk of developing mood disorders. This review provides a brief overview of this scientific evidence and then discusses how this knowledge may be translated into clinical practice to optimize treatment algorithms and improve long-term health outcomes for patients.
Evolution of quantum algorithms

Computer science will be radically transformed if ongoing efforts to build large-scale quantum computers eventually succeed and if the properties of these computers meet optimistic expectations. Nevertheless, computer scientists still lack a thorough understanding of the power of quantum computing, and it is not always clear how best to utilize the power that is understood. This dilemma exists because quantum algorithms are difficult to grasp and even more difficult to write. Despite large-scale international efforts, only a few important quantum algorithms are documented, leaving many essential questions about the potential of quantum algorithms unanswered.These unsolved problems are ideal challenges for the application of automatic programming technologies. Genetic programming techniques, in particular, have already produced several new quantum algorithms and it is reasonable to expect further discoveries in the future. These methods will help researchers to discover how additional practical problems can be solved using quantum computers, and they will also help to guide theoretical work on both the power and limits of quantum computing.This tutorial will provide an introduction to quantum computing and an introduction to the use of evolutionary computation for automatic quantum computer programming. No background in physics or in evolutionary computation will be assumed. While the primary focus of the tutorial will be on general concepts, specific results will also be presented, including human-competitive results produced by genetic programming. Follow-up material is available from the presenter's book, Automatic Quantum Computer Programming: A Genetic Programming Approach, published by Springer and Kluwer Academic Publishers
Evaluating Product Integration: Lessons from U.S. v Microsoft

Fisher was the principal economic witness for the Antitrust Division in "U.S. v. Microsoft," and Savio was his chief private staff assistant. This paper broaches the question of how product integration in innovative industries should be evaluated when there are tying claims. Despite Microsoft's assertion to the contrary, the correct standard cannot be one that shelters actions with anticompetitive effects, no matter how large, as long as they are accompanied by "innovations" that bring any consumer benefits, no matter how small. Instead, this paper describes a simple and uniform approach that analyzes product design in the same way as other possibly anticompetitive conduct by asking whether the defendant firm would have engaged in the conduct in question regardless of the monopoly rents to be gained or protected by the conduct's effect on competition. This paper also describes how this approach was applied by both Fisher and Judge Jackson in "U.S. v. Microsoft."
Bone Marrow Core Biopsy Specimens in AL (Primary) Amyloidosis

We retrospectively reviewed 100 bone marrow core biopsy specimens from patients with AL (primary) amyloidosis. The morphologic and immunohisto-chemical features were assessed by standard histochemical stains (HEκ, 18) of cases. Amyloid deposits were observed in 60% of the bone marrow core biopsy specimens and, when present, were detected most often in blood vessel walls only (39/60). However, if present, interstitial amyloid deposition was significantly more associated with patients with a monoclonal κ light chain gammopathy ( P = .04). Through the careful analysis of standard histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, bone marrow core biopsy provides essential diagnostic information in cases of AL amyloidosis.
Screen Memories: a Neglected Freudian Discovery?

In 1899, Freud introduced the concept of screen memories. His insights were revolutionary: screen memories do not emerge into consciousness at the time of recall, he argued; they are formed at that time and, moreover, historical accuracy is not their prime concern. In this article, the author reviews two of Freud's screen memories, as well as two screen memories from a completed analysis of one of his own patients. He argues that, if screen memories are formed, a concept such as screen work must be invoked as the agent of their formation. While screen memories may theoretically be formed at any stage of life, adolescence may be a prime time for their formation.
Fluoroscopic Assessment Of Epidural Contrast Spread After Caudal Injection

AbstractObjective: To assess and document using fluoroscopy the epidural flow patterns and the volume of injectate required to reach the L4/5 and L5/S1 disc levels after caudal epidural steroid injection.Design: Prospective observational case series.Methods: 100 consecutive patients who had radicular pain average age 55.7 ±17.9 years underwent caudal epidural steroid injection with contrast enhancement and fluoroscopic guidance. The following data was collected: epidural contrast volume required to reach L5/S1 and L4/5 levels; whether contrast flow pattern is dorsal, ventral, or both; left, right, or bilateral; result of aspiration, presence or absence of vascular pattern or dural puncture.Results: 99% reached L5/S1 with 2.8 ±1.1 ml of contrast, 85% reached L4/5 with 4.8 ±1.5 ml of contrast. Flow was bilateral in 68%, dorsal in 31%, ventral in 35%, and dorsal and ventral in 34%. Vascular pattern was noted with negative aspiration in 2%.Conclusion: The data suggests that 8 ml of injectate delivered via the...
Cobalt in a bis-β-diketiminate environment.

The reaction of Co2(mesityl)4 with acetonitrile leads to the formation of a planar, low spin, bis-β-diketiminate cobalt(II) complex, (1-mesitylbutane-1,3-diimine)2Co (1). EPR spectroscopy, magnetic studies, and DFT calculations reveal the Co(II) ion to reside in a tetragonal ligand field with a 2B2(dyz)1 ground state electronic configuration. Oxidation of 1 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate furnishes (1-mesitylbutane-1,3-diimine)2Co(THF)2PF6 (2). The absence of significant changes in the metal–ligand bond metrics of the X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 supports ligand participation in the oxidation event. Moreover, no significant changes in C–C or C–N bond lengths are observed by X-ray crystallography upon oxidation of a β-diketiminate ligand, in contrast to typical redox noninnocent ligand platforms.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractThe epidermal growth factor receptor binds the mitogens epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha. Increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor has been noted in many types of tumors and is associated with gene amplification in several including epidermoid carcinoma, lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma and glioblastoma. We have recently observed increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor messenger RNA in neoplastic tissue relative to normal kidney tissue from patients with renal cell carcinoma.To determine if epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification was present in renal cell carcinoma, DNA was extracted from renal cell carcinoma cell lines and from normal kidney and renal cell carcinoma tissues derived from radical nephrectomy specimens from thirty patients. DNA was analyzed by Southern blot hybridization. There was no epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification detected in the renal cell carcinoma samples studied, indicating the...
The Social Dimension of Nuclear Strategy

In the preceding chapter I introduced a theorem, viz, that any present effort to cure decoupling through the deployment of weapons must either fail (in that, despite deployment, the threshold of US nuclear commitment is not reduced) or ‘succeed’ and thereby uncouple the central and extended theatres. The Countervailing Strategy, I argued, would provoke political division between the United States and her allies, threatening the long-term viability of the strategy, and casting doubt on the vitality of the strategy itself. One requirement of a deterrent strategy must be to render that strategy convincingly executable in crises or when deterrence fails.
Abstract PL05-04: Tumor biomarker discovery for aspirin chemoprevention by molecular pathological epidemiology (MPE) approach

Regular use of aspirin reduces incidence and mortality of various cancers. Experimental and clinical studies support a carcinogenic role of PTGS2 (cyclooxygenase-2), which is a mediator of inflammation, and a target of aspirin. Recent research using “Molecular Pathological Epidemiology (MPE)” approach (Ogino et al. J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; Chia et al. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2012; Spitz et al. Cancer Discovery 2012, etc.) has shown that aspirin use is associated with better clinical outcome in PIK3CA-mutated colorectal carcinoma, suggesting somatic PIK3CA mutation as a molecular biomarker that predicts response to aspirin (Liao et al. NEJM 2012). Furthermore, aspirin use appears to decrease risk of BRAF-wild-type colorectal cancer, but not risk of BRAF-mutated subtype (Nishihara et al. JAMA 2013), suggesting that individuals who are susceptible to BRAF-wild-type colorectal cancer may derive benefit from aspirin use. Interestingly, the findings on aspirin use and molecular markers (BRAF and PIK3CA) in relation to cancer incidence and mortality appear to be inconsistent, but this may reflect changes in the tumor microenvironment during progression of neoplasia. Although there are currently not many cohorts that can replicate these intriguing findings, it is increasingly possible to design MPE database worldwide using routine molecular testing data, as molecular pathology testing is becoming routine clinical practice. In order to test chemopreventive effects of a number of anti-inflammatory drugs and their complex interactions, it is essential to build large-scale population-based databases including medication use, lifestyle factors, tumor tissue molecular pathology, and clinical outcome. Such databases can generate novel information on potential chemopreventive benefits of drugs, which can be further tested by experimental models and clinical trials. Citation Format: Shuji Ogino. Tumor biomarker discovery for aspirin chemoprevention by molecular pathological epidemiology (MPE) approach. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr PL05-04.
Applications of Advanced Imaging in Cardiac Electrophysiology

Imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, and single-photon emission computed tomography are an indispensable component of cardiac arrhythmia management. Over the last two decades, developments in imaging techniques have facilitated safer and more effective cardiac ablation and device implantation procedures. Pre-procedural assessment of arrhythmogenic substrate and integration with electroanatomic data has significantly impacted the management of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Furthermore, cardiovascular imaging enhances patient selection, prognostication, and follow-up of patients undergoing ablation procedures. Imaging also provides valuable anatomic information in patients being considered for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). While the optimal modality for assessing efficacy of resynchronization is currently unclear, further study holds promise in mitigating the substantial burden of CRT non-response. This article aims to highlight the utility and evidence for various advanced imaging modalities in the practice of cardiac electrophysiology with an emphasis on recent developments and future directions.
Understanding Peptide Oligomeric State in Langmuir Monolayers of Amphiphilic 3-Helix Bundle-Forming Peptide-PEG Conjugates

Coiled-coil peptide-polymer conjugates are an emerging class of biomaterials. Fundamental understanding of the coiled-coil oligomeric state and assembly process of these hybrid building blocks is necessary to exert control over their assembly into well-defined structures. Here, we studied the effect of peptide structure and PEGylation on the self-assembly process and oligomeric state of a Langmuir monolayer of amphiphilic coiled-coil peptide-polymer conjugates using X-ray reflectivity (XR) and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). Our results show that the oligomeric state of PEGylated amphiphiles based on 3-helix bundle-forming peptide is surface pressure dependent, a mixture of dimers and trimers was formed at intermediate surface pressure but transitions into trimers completely upon increasing surface pressure. Moreover, the interhelical distance within the coiled-coil bundle of 3-helix peptide-PEG conjugate amphiphiles was not perturbed under high surface pressure. Present studies provide valuable insights into the self-assembly process of hybrid peptide-polymer conjugates and guidance to develop biomaterials with controlled multivalency of ligand presentation.
Analysis of an indirect neutron signature for enhanced UF6 cylinder verification

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) currently uses handheld gamma-ray spectrometers combined with ultrasonic wall-thickness gauges to verify the declared enrichment of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) cylinders. The current method provides relatively low accuracy for the assay of 235U enrichment, especially for natural and depleted UF6. Furthermore, the current method provides no capability to assay the absolute mass of 235U in the cylinder due to the localized instrument geometry and limited penetration of the 186-keV gamma-ray signature from 235U. Also, the current verification process is a time-consuming component of on-site inspections at uranium enrichment plants. Toward the goal of a more-capable cylinder assay method, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed the hybrid enrichment verification array (HEVA). HEVA measures both the traditional 186-keV direct signature and a non-traditional, high-energy neutron-induced signature (HEVANT). HEVANT enables full-volume assay of UF6 cylinders by exploiting the relatively larger mean free paths of the neutrons emitted from the UF6. In this work, Monte Carlo modeling is used as the basis for characterizing HEVANT in terms of the individual contributions to HEVANT from nuclides and hardware components. Monte Carlo modeling is also used to quantify the intrinsic efficiency of HEVA for neutron detection in a cylinder-assay geometry. Modeling predictions are validated against neutron-induced gamma-ray spectra from laboratory measurements and a relatively large population of Type 30B cylinders spanning a range of enrichments. Implications of the analysis and findings on the viability of HEVA for cylinder verification are discussed, such as the resistance of the HEVANT signature to manipulation by the nearby placement of neutron-conversion materials.
Developing Professional Skills in Undergraduate Engineering Students Through Cocurricular Involvement

As nations have sought to keep pace with rapid technological innovation, governments have renewed their focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, with emphasis on developing both technical and non-technical skills in STEM students. This article examines which engineering-relevant skills may be developed by participation in cocurricular activities by creating a literature-based framework of skills and attributes developed through categories of undergraduate involvement. The authors then validate this framework using two methods.
Buckling Under Pressure: Curvature-Based Lipid Segregation and Stability Modulation in Cardiolipin-Containing Bilayers

Mitochondrial metabolic function is affected by the morphology and protein organization of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Cardiolipin (CL) is a unique tetra-acyl lipid that is involved in the maintenance of the highly curved shape of the mitochondrial inner membrane as well as spatial organization of the proteins necessary for respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. Cardiolipin has been suggested to self-organize into lipid domains due to its inverted conical molecular geometry, though the driving forces for this organization are not fully understood. In this work, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the mechanical properties and lipid dynamics in heterogeneous bilayers both with and without CL, as a function of membrane curvature. We find that incorporation of CL increases bilayer deformability and that CL becomes highly enriched in regions of high negative curvature. We further show that another mitochondrial inverted conical lipid, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), does not...
Allosteric Modulation of Opioid G-Protein Coupled Receptors by Sigma1 Receptors.

Since their proposal in 1976, the concept of sigma1 receptors has been continually evolving. Initially thought to be a member of the opioid receptor family, molecular studies have now identified its genes and established its structure crystallographically. Much effort has now revealed its importance as a chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum, but its functions extend beyond this. Sigma1 receptors have been associated with a host of signaling systems. Evidence over the past 20 years has established the modulatory effects of sigma1 ligands on opioid systems. Despite their inability to bind directly to opioid receptors, sigma1 ligands can modulate opioid analgesia in vivo and signal transduction mechanisms in vitro. Furthermore, sigma1 receptors can physically associate with GPCRs. Together, these findings show that sigma1 ligands can function as allosteric modulators of GPCR function through their association with the sigma1 receptors, which are in direct physical association with opioid receptors, members of the G-protein coupled family of receptors.
RNA Polymerases and Transcription During Developmental Transitions in Soybean

We have chosen two developmental transitions in soybean (Glycine max), (l) germination of embryonic axes and (2) auxin-induced cellular proliferation in mature hypocotyl, to investigate the effects of these transitions on DNA-dependent RNA polymerases and nuclear transcription. In both of these developmental transitions, relatively quiescent tissues are induced to proliferate. Our experimental approach has been to examine the levels and possible structural modification of RNA polymerases and attempt to correlate these with the rate of transcription in isolated nuclei and chromatin during various stages of growth and development in soybean.
Evolutionary neuroscience of cumulative culture

Culture suffuses all aspects of human life. It shapes our minds and bodies and has provided a cumulative inheritance of knowledge, skills, institutions, and artifacts that allows us to truly stand on the shoulders of giants. No other species approaches the extent, diversity, and complexity of human culture, but we remain unsure how this came to be. The very uniqueness of human culture is both a puzzle and a problem. It is puzzling as to why more species have not adopted this manifestly beneficial strategy and problematic because the comparative methods of evolutionary biology are ill suited to explain unique events. Here, we develop a more particularistic and mechanistic evolutionary neuroscience approach to cumulative culture, taking into account experimental, developmental, comparative, and archaeological evidence. This approach reconciles currently competing accounts of the origins of human culture and develops the concept of a uniquely human technological niche rooted in a shared primate heritage of visuomotor coordination and dexterous manipulation.
Effects of outdoor education stream classes on substrate movement and macroinvertebrate colonization

ABSTRACTMany outdoor education centers, camps, nature centers, and parks nationwide bring thousands of students to designated stream sites each year. Organizations that repeatedly use the same site...
Copigment-polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) composite systems for anthocyanin stabilization

Abstract This study aimed to explore copigment-polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) composite systems for simultaneous color intensification and stabilization of anthocyanins. The polysaccharide-based PECs consisting of chitosan and chondroitin sulfate were fabricated at different pHs (3.3, 4.0, and 5.0) and incorporated various copigments, including catechol (CAT), gallic acid (GA), gallic acid ethyl ester (GAEE), and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We found that copigments could modulate anthocyanin loading into PECs and color quality of formulations, depending on the formulated pH and types of copigments. At pH 3.3 and 4.0, the incorporation of copigments simultaneously improved the red color and encapsulation efficiency of PECs, whereas these effects were not pronounced at pH 5.0. Stability assay demonstrated the synergistic effect of copigmentation and PECs encapsulation at pH 3.3 on protection of anthocyanin against nucleophilic attack of ascorbic acid. This phenomenon was attributed to the additional dense network created by hydrogen bonding between copigments and polysaccharides as well as the formation of hydrophobic environments inside PECs. The strongest copigmentation effect was observed for GAEE, followed by CAT, GA, and EGCG. However, the stabilizing effect of copigments was negligible or even opposite at pH 4.0 and 5.0. Our findings on pH- and copigment-dependent modulating effects should guide the design of copigment-PECs composite systems as carriers for natural colorants, such as anthocyanin, in nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Liver transplantation for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a common indication for liver transplantation (LT), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) are historically contraindicated due to their aggressive behavior. On the basis of recent experiences, some groups have proposed a clinical trial investigating the role of LT for patients with early cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), defined as a single lesion ≤ 2 cm. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinicopathologic features and outcomes following LT for patients who were initially diagnosed with HCC and subsequently found to have either ICC or cHCC-CCA on explant. Patients with the diagnosis of primary liver cancer (PLC) after LT from a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes for patients with early CCA were compared with patients with HCC within Milan criteria (MC). Out of 618 patients transplanted with PLC, 44 patients were found to have CCA on explant. On the basis of preoperative imaging, 12 patients met criteria for early CCA and were compared with 319 patients who had HCC within MC. The 1- and 5-year overall survival for early CCA versus HCC was 63.6% versus 90.0% and 63.6% versus 70.3% (log-rank, P = 0.25), respectively. Overall recurrence was 33.3% for early CCA versus 11% for HCC. On explant the patients with CCA were more likely understaged with higher tumor grade and vascular invasion. In conclusion, patients with CCA present a diagnostic challenge, which often leads to the finding of more aggressive lesions on explant after LT, higher recurrence rates, and worse post-LT survival. Careful consideration of this diagnostic conundrum needs to be made before a clinical trial is undertaken. Liver Transplantation 24 634-644 2018 AASLD.
Volume and recurrence of submarine-fan-building turbidity currents

(now published in "The Depositional Record") Submarine fans are archives of Earth-surface processes and change, recording information about the turbidity currents that construct and sculpt them. The volume and recurrence of turbidity currents are of great interest for geohazard assessment, source-to-sink modeling, and hydrocarbon reservoir characterization. Yet, such dynamics are poorly constrained. This study integrates data from four Quaternary submarine fans to reconstruct the volume and recurrence of the formative turbidity currents. Calculated event volumes vary over four orders of magnitude (10^5 to 10^9 m3), whereas recurrence intervals vary less, from 50 to 650 years. The calculated turbidity-current-event volume magnitudes appear to be related to slope position and basin confinement. Intraslope-fan deposits have small event volumes (~ 10^6 m3) while ponded-fan deposits have very large event volumes (10^8 to 10^9 m3). Deposits in non-ponded, base-of-slope environments have intermediate values (10^7 to 10^8 m3). Sediment bypass in intraslope settings and flow trapping in ponded basins likely accounts for these differences. There seems to be no clear relationship between event recurrence and basin confinement. Weak scaling exists between event volume and source-area characteristics, but sediment storage in fluvial and/or intraslope transfer zones likely complicates these relationships. The methodology and results are also applied to reconstruct the time of deposition of ancient submarine-fan deposits. The volume and recurrence of submarine-fan-building turbidity currents form intermediate values between values measured in submarine canyons and channels ( 10^8 m3 and >10^3 yr), indicating that small, frequent flows originating in submarine canyons often die out prior to reaching the fan, while rare and very large flows mostly bypass the fan and deposit sediment on the abyssal plain. This partitioning of flow volume and recurrence along the submarine sediment-routing system provides valuable insights for better constraining geohazards, hydrocarbon resources, and the completeness of the stratigraphic record.
Stay connected and keep motivated: Modeling activity level of exercise in an online fitness community

Recent years have witnessed a growing popularity of activity tracking applications. Previously work has focused on three major types of social interaction features in such applications: cooperation, competition and community. Such features motivate users to be more active in exercise and stay within the track of positive behavior change. Online fitness communities such as Strava encourage users to connect to peers and provide a rich set of social interaction features. Utilizing a large-scale behavioral trace data set, this work aims to analyze the dynamics of online fitness behaviors and network subscription as well as the relationship between them. Our results indicate that activeness of fitness behaviors not only has seasonal variations, but also vary by user group and how well users are connected in an online fitness community. These results provide important implications for studies on network-based health and design of application features for health promotion.
Economic Effectiveness of Mitigation and Resilience

Implementation of means for enhancing cyber resilience, such as those discussed in the preceding chapters, costs money. Is this a worthwhile investment? This chapter provides an economic perspective on how to choose the most economically appropriate approaches to improving cyber resilience. These considerations are rather complex. For example, property damage, except for destruction of data, has thus far been a relatively minor cost of cyber threats, in contrast to instances of significant loss of functionality of a cyber system itself or the system it helps operate. The latter translates into loss of output (sales revenue and profits) and loss of employment, and is often referred to as business interruption (BI). Thus, in addition to pre-event mitigation, post-disaster strategies that enable a system to rebound more efficiently and quickly offer the prospects of greatly reducing BI. Moreover, there are numerous resilience tactics that comprise a strategy on both the cyber service provider side and customer side, many of which are relatively inexpensive. The latter include backup data storage and equipment, substitutes for standard cyber components, conserving on cyber needs, and recapturing lost production once the cyber capability is restored. This chapter describes the analysis based on basic principles of economics and is couched in a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) framework as an aid to decision-making. This chapter goes beyond the conceptual level and offers estimates of the costs and effectiveness of various mitigation and resilience tactics.
Eicosanoids: role in experimental renal disease.

Endogenous prostaglandin biosynthesis modulates such renal functions as regional blood flow (1), salt and water transport (2), renin secretion (3,4) and neurotransmitter release (5). More recently, the vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2, which normally is quantitatively a minor product of arachidonic acid metabolism in the kidney under resting or basal conditions, has been shown to be increased in several models of renal injury and may be, in part, responsible for some of the pathophysiological derangements (6–9). Two models, ureteral obstruction and subtotal renal ablation, in which thromboxane seems to play a pathogenetic role, are described in more detail in this chapter. In addition, the role of prostaglandins, thromboxane and dietary fatty acids on kidney function and structure in several immunological models of renal disease and hypertension are discussed.
Tuning the colour and efficiency of OLEDs

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the road map used to tune the colour and efficiency of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). A comprehensive introduction to the potential of OLED technology is first provided. Then attention is given to one way to obtain a multi-emission by a single phosphor, making use of platinum(II) complexes as phosphorescent emitters. OLEDs prepared using highly luminescent Pt(II) complexes containing cyclometallating bidentate and terdentate ligands are presented. These complexes with square planar configuration often lead to stacking and formation of luminescent aggregates. A brief description of the nature of these bimolecular excited states is reported. Taking advantage of this behaviour, many types of OLEDs, such as White OLED (WOLED), Near-InfraRed OLED (NIROLED) and Plant Growth OLED (PGOLED), are shown. Such devices fulfil the requirements to become an important part of ‘green photonics’.
The Slow Rate of Technical Change

One of the most dangerous of occupations is forecasting. Most dangerous of all is technological forecasting. I therefore have no intention of trying to anticipate the direction of science and technology in the future. However, while the exact nature of our technical advances is an unsafe basis for planning possible actions, I believe we can build a more constructive foundation for both public and private policies by considering several aspects of the process of technical change. An understanding of this process should provide our policymakers in government and industry with better perspectives on how and why technical change impacts our economic and social systems. More important, it can provide a reasonable basis for minimizing adverse impacts and deriving the maximum benefits. When policymakers act without an adequate understanding of the process of technical change, which is almost always the case, they not only accomplish little in providing a good match between technical change and social change, but there is an increased probability that damage will be done to the process of technical change itself.
Translanguaging as a pedagogy for equity of language minoritized students

For years, bilingual programmes have allocated the languages of bilinguals to separate teachers, lessons, or even days or hours of the week to avoid damaging the ‘purity’ of languages, confusing la...
Factors Associated With Use of a High-Volume Cancer Center by Black Women With Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE:Disparities exist between population subgroups in the use of gynecologic oncologists and high-volume hospitals. The objectives of this study were to explore the experiences of black women...