cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mouse RNase 4 and RNase 5/ang 1 locus utilizes dual promoters for tissue-specific expression

The ribonuclease A (RNase A) superfamily has been the subject of extensive studies in the areas of protein evolution, structure and biochemistry and are exciting molecules in that they appear to be responding to unique selection pressures, generating proteins capable of multiple and diverse activities. The RNase 4 and RNase 5/ang 1 shared locus breaks a pattern that is otherwise canonical among the members of the RNase A gene superfamily. Conserved among humans, mice and rats, the locus includes two noncoding exons followed by two distinct exons encoding RNase 4 and RNase 5/ang 1. Transcription from this locus is controlled by differential splicing and tissue-specific expression from promoters located 5 0 to each of the non-coding exons. Promoter 1, 5 0 to exon I, is universally active, while Promoter 2, 5 0 to exon II, is active only in hepatic cells in promoter assays in vitro. Transcription from Promoter 2 is dependent on an intact HNF-1 consensus binding site which binds the transcription factor HNF-1a .I n summary, RNase 4 and RNase 5/ang 1 are unique among the RNase A ribonuclease genes in that they maintain a complex gene locus that is conserved across species with transcription initiated from tissue-specific dual promoters followed by differential exon splicing.
Estimation of Dose-Response Functions and Optimal Doses with a Continuous Treatment

This paper considers the continuous-treatment case and develops nonparametric estimators for the average dose-response function, the treatment level at which this function is maximized (location of the maximum), and the maximum value achieved by this function (size of the maximum). These parameters are identified by assuming that selection into different levels of the treatment is based on observed characteristics. The proposed nonparametric estimators of the location and size of the optimal dose are shown to be jointly asymptotically normal and uncorrelated. More generally, these estimators can be used to estimate the location and size of the maximum of a partial mean (Newey, 1994). To illustrate the utility of our approach, the techniques developed in the paper are used to estimate the turning point of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) for NOx ,t hat is, the level of per capita income at which the emissions of NOx reach their peak and start decreasing. Finally, a Monte Carlo exercise is performed partly based on the data used in the empirical application. The results show that the nonparametric estimators of the location and size of the optimal dose developed in this paper work well in practice (especially when compared to a parametric model), in some cases even for relatively small sample sizes.
When Manipulation Backfires: The Effects of Time Delay and Requester on the Foot‐in‐the‐Door Technique

We examined the effects of 2 variables on compliance rates within the foot-in-the-door procedure. Participants who agreed to a small request were presented with a larger request either immediately after the first request or 2 days later. The second request was presented either by the same person or by a different requester. Compared to a control group receiving only the large request, participants were more likely to agree to the second request in all experimental conditions except one. When the same requester presented the second request without delay, participants were less likely than the control group to agree to the target request. This latter condition represents a situation in which typical foot-in-the-door procedures can backfire on the requester.
Designs for ATDRSS tri-band reflector antenna

An approach to designing a triband reflector antenna is described. In this approach, three separate feeds are used. This allows each feed to be optimized for a single band. The feeds are isolated by means of frequency-selective surfaces (FSS). The FSS will transmit certain frequencies while reflecting others. Conventionally, most FSS are designed to be used in two frequency bands. The challenge is to design an FSS that works for three bands (e.g., transmitting two bands and reflecting a third). Two reflector antenna configurations are presented, an offset single reflector and a symmetric-shaped dual reflector. The offset fed single reflector antenna configuration has been selected for integration into proposed ATDRSS (Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System) designs. CADAM drawings have been completed for the design concept and a 1/13th scale model has been constructed, using this offset-fed antenna configuration. This design is shown to meet the original ATDRSS single-access antenna pointing requirements. >
Is an open architecture tester really achievable

Summary form only given. Management of tester technology has been a real challenge with Motorola's diverse product portfolio. Global support for multiple tester hardware architectures and operating systems is very expensive, difficult, and time consuming. Migration to new proprietary tester platforms requires massive efforts from design, test engineering, production, maintenance, and other areas. The semiconductor industry is ready for a common OA (open architecture) tester. The OA tester will provide many benefits to semiconductor manufacturers such as: lower costs, faster access to new technology, wider supplier base, and protection from obsolescence. Also, the OA tester will provide benefits to the ATE suppliers such as: substantially reduced support costs, reduced training, and larger market potential. Development and acceptance of the OA tester concept will not be easy, but should be achievable.
Tombusvirus P19 RNA silencing suppressor (RSS) activity in mammalian cells correlates with charged amino acids that contribute to direct RNA-binding

Tombusvirus P19 is a protein encoded by tomato bushy stunt virus and related tombusviruses. Earlier studies have demonstrated that P19 is an RNA silencing suppressor (RSS) in plant cells. However, it has not been systematically investigated how P19 suppresses RNA interference in various mammalian cell settings. We have studied the RSS effect of P19 in mammalian cells, HEK293T, HeLa, and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We have individually mutated 18 positively charged residues in P19 and found that 6 of these charged residues in P19 reduce its ability to suppress RNA interference. In each case, the reduction of silencing of RNA interference correlated with the reduced ability by these P19 mutants to bind siRNAs (small interfering RNAs). Our findings characterize a class of RNA-binding proteins that function as RSS moieties. We find a tight correlation between positively charged residues in P19 accounting for siRNA-binding and their RSS activity. Because P19’s activity is conserved in plant and animal cells, we conclude that its RSS function unlikely requires cell type-specific co-factors and likely arises from direct RNA-binding.
A Review of Research on Universal Design Educational Models

Universal design for learning (UDL) has gained considerable attention in the field of special education, acclaimed for its promise to promote inclusion by supporting access to the general curriculum. In addition to UDL, there are two other universal design (UD) educational models referenced in the literature, universal design of instruction (UDI) and universal instructional design (UID). This descriptive review of 13 research studies conducted in pre-K–12 and post-secondary settings examined how researchers are applying and evaluating UD in educational settings. Results of the review illustrated that studies use a range of research designs to examine student outcomes and participant perceptions of UD-based curriculum and instruction. Researchers report on their application of UD principles in varied ways, with no standard formats for describing how UD is used. Based on results of the review, we provide recommendations to help establish a meaningful research base on the validity of UD in education.
Migration of the Aged

This article is restricted to a consideration of the reasons why migration of the elderly has increased over time, why it will increase still further, and why the migration of the elderly proceeds from diffuse points of origin to quite specific destinations.
Medication overuse headache: clinical features, pathogenesis and management

Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a problem that is estimated to occur in up to 1% of the population. It is a common feature underlying chronic headache, especially chronic migraine. MOH represents a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Many patients are referred to headache specialty clinics, where they can represent the majority of patients. The syndrome remains underdiagnosed and the role of symptomatic medication overuse in producing MOH is often underestimated. With proper education of medical providers, prevention of this too often intractable syndrome could be improved. The basis of therapy is discontinuance of the abused medication. Additional treatment relies on a multifaceted approach that embraces proper use of symptomatic pain medications and management of psychiatric comorbidities and also emphasizes patient education. Various pharmacological regimens, both abortive and prophylactic, are available. Further scientific study is warranted to elucidate the ultimate mechanisms of this syndrome and define more effective treatments. This article gives detailed clinical description, tentative pathophysiological explanation, and therapeutic suggestions. Drug Dev Res 68:449–460, 2007. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optical frequency scanning without deflection using an acoustooptic modulator

A change in the RF frequency driving an acoustooptic modulator causes a change in the deflection of the diffracted light beam. It is found that for a certain angle of incidence upon multiple transducer acoustooptic modulators one can obtain diffracted beams which show no change in deflection for a change in acoustic frequency. However, the change in acoustic frequency is imparted to the optical beam. This effect occurs over an RF frequency band centered about the Bragg frequency. An explanation of this effect is presented. >
Experimental study on recording and track edge characteristics of bicrystal thin film media

Track edge recording characteristics of bicrystalline thin film media grown on (100) GaAs single crystalline substrates are studied using magnetic force microscopy. It is found that, along the effective easy axes, recorded tracks exhibit well-defined track edges with both trimmed and untrimmed thin film heads, and unlike oriented thin film media, no "V" shaped edge transition is observed. Along the effective hard axes, track edge charges can be clearly observed at both sides. Non-percolated bit patterns can be observed at a recording density of 6800 fr/mm.
Experimental Evaluation of Dynamic Redundancy Resolution in a Nonholonomic Wheeled Mobile Manipulator

Mobile manipulators derive significant novel capabilities for enhanced interactions with the world by merging mobility with manipulation. However, a careful resolution of the redundancy and active control of the reconfigurability, created by the surplus articulated DOFs and actuation, are the keys to unlocking this potential. Nonholonomic wheeled mobile manipulators, formed by mounting manipulator arms on disc-wheeled mobile bases, are a small but important subclass of mobile manipulators. The primary control challenges arise due to the dynamic-level coupling of the nonholonomy of the wheeled mobile bases with the inherent kinematic and actuation redundancy within the articulated chain. The solution approach in this paper builds upon a dynamically consistent and decoupled partitioning of the articulated system dynamics between the external (task) space and internal (null) space. The independent controllers, developed within each decoupled space, facilitate active internal reconfiguration, in addition to resolving redundancy at the dynamic level. Specifically, two variants of null-space controllers are implemented to improve disturbance rejection and active reconfiguration during performance of end-effector tasks by a primary end-effector impedance mode controller. These algorithms are evaluated within an implementation framework that emphasizes both virtual prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop testing with representative case studies.
Further insight into the technique and outcomes of "curative" catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

During the past decade, catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as an important treatment option for patients with symptomatic AF refractory to ≥1 antiarrhythmic agents. Electric isolation of the pulmonary vein musculature (PVI) has been identified as the primary end point for both catheter- and surgical-based AF ablation procedures.1 What is less clear is whether the addition of “linear lesions” or ablation of atrial sites demonstrating complex atrial electrograms improves outcome for patients with paroxysmal, persistent, or long-standing persistent AF.2,3 This issue remains an area of active discussion, debate, and investigation. Article see p 269 In this issue of Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology , Gaita et al2 report the results of a prospective single-center randomized study of 204 patients who underwent catheter ablation for treatment of paroxysmal or persistent/permanent AF. Patients were stratified according to whether they had paroxysmal (n=125) or persistent/permanent (n=79) AF and were then randomized in a 2:1 fashion to undergo PVI alone or PVI combined with a “roof line” and a “left mitral line.” Follow-up visits that included an ECG, 24-hour Holter, and an echocardiogram were set up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months and then every year thereafter. If a patient experienced symptoms between follow-up visits, an event monitor was prescribed. A recurrence was defined as a symptomatic or asymptomatic episode of AF or atrial flutter lasting ≥30 seconds after a 2-month blanking period. Patients who developed a recurrence after the blanking period were offered a repeat ablation procedure. The outcome of ablation was evaluated at 12 months of follow-up and at completion of the study. Each patient was followed for a minimum of 3 years. Among the 125 patients with paroxysmal AF, the single-procedure success rate at 12 months was 46% with PVI alone versus …
The Nature of Borders and International Conflict: Revisiting Hypotheses on Territory

This study examines the utility of moving beyond a simple “on–off” dichotomous view of contiguous land borders. For each of the 301 contiguous land borders between states in the international system, measures of ease of interaction, salience, and overall border “vitalness” have been developed using Geographical Information Systems technology. These variables are used to test two major extant lines of thought in international relations literature, as well as our proposed alternative, regarding the expected effect of the “nature” of borders on interstate behavior. We conclude not only that the “nature” of contiguous borders matters but also that the relationship between each of the three border measures and the likelihood of conflict is curvilinear concave—with both high ease of interaction and high salience related to lower levels of conflict, and the middle range of both variables related to higher levels of conflict.
A generalized method to determine detectability of rare and cryptic species using the ornate box turtle as a model

Estimates regarding population parameters are often based on data from surveys. To ensure that such estimates are as accurate as possible, it is important to know the detectability resulting from the particular survey method used. We used radiotelemetry to measure detectability of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata), using visual-encounter surveys in a sand prairie in northwestern Illinois, USA. We found that the overall detection probability of visual-encounter surveys was 0.03, and our high frequency of nondetection was due to a failure to detect visible turtles rather than turtles being underground or hidden in dense vegetation. Despite the substantial population density at our study site, visual-encounter surveys failed to detect box turtles on most visits, which resulted in a prohibitively high number of surveys that would be required to accurately estimate population size or to infer absence of the species from a site. Our method of using radiotelemetry to measure detection probability of a survey method could be easily applied to other small, cryptic, or rare species. However, our low detection probability and high frequency of nondetections recommend against use of visual-encounter surveys alone in estimating population parameters for ornate box turtles. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Methane Emission in a Specific Riparian-Zone Sediment Decreased with Bioelectrochemical Manipulation and Corresponded to the Microbial Community Dynamics.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria are widespread in terrestrial ecosystems, especially in anaerobic soils and sediments. Thermodynamically, dissimilatory metal reduction is more favorable than sulfate reduction and methanogenesis but less favorable than denitrification and aerobic respiration. It is critical to understand the complex relationships, including the absence or presence of terminal electron acceptors, that govern microbial competition and coexistence in anaerobic soils and sediments, because subsurface microbial processes can effect greenhouse gas emissions from soils, possibly resulting in impacts at the global scale. Here, we elucidated the effect of an inexhaustible, ferrous-iron and humic-substance mimicking terminal electron acceptor by deploying potentiostatically poised electrodes in the sediment of a very specific stream riparian zone in Upstate New York state. At two sites within the same stream riparian zone during the course of six weeks in the spring of 2013, we measured CH4 and N2/N2O emissions from soil chambers containing either poised or unpoised electrodes, and we harvested biofilms from the electrodes to quantify microbial community dynamics. At the upstream site, which had a lower vegetation cover and highest soil temperatures, the poised electrodes inhibited CH4 emissions by ~45% (when normalized to remove temporal effects). CH4 emissions were not significantly impacted at the downstream site. N2/N2O emissions were generally low at both sites and were not impacted by poised electrodes. We did not find a direct link between bioelectrochemical treatment and microbial community membership; however, we did find a correspondence between environment/function and microbial community dynamics.
Rare location of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma revealed by SPECT/CT

1054 Learning Objectives 1. Understand the diagnostic strategy of hyperparathyroidism and importance of preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. 2. Discuss the advantages and limitations of imaging modalities and selective venous sampling in localizing a parathyroid adenoma. 3. Illustrate the extraordinary power of SPECT/CT in identifying ectopic parathyroid adenomas by presenting a case of an adenoma in aorticopulmonary window (APW) revealed by SPECT/CT. Ectopic parathyroid adenomas can be difficult to locate intraoperatively since they can occur from the upper neck to the mid-mediastinum. Radioisotopic localization of parathyroid adenomas pre-operatively is useful for planning the surgical approach, and minimizing expense by shortening surgical and recovery time by directing minimally invasive surgery for both the surgically naive patient and for the patient re-explored surgically with recurrent/residual hyperparathyroidism. We present a case of a rare location for an ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the aorticopulmonary window (APW) and discuss the general usefulness of SPECT/CT for the localization of ectopic parathyroid adenomas. Methods: 1. Extensive literature review. 2. Retrospective data review including but not limited to imaging findings in an interesting case.3. Post surgical pathology report and clinical data on follow up. Conclusions: This is the first reported case of localization of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the APW with SPECT/CT, a rare location (less than 1%). 99mTc-sestamibi imaging for the neck and upper chest should be performed in all patients undergoing re-exploration for a suspected parathyroid adenoma and in all patients in whom there is a negative pre-operative ultrasound of the neck. SPECT/CT should also be considered to guide minimally invasive surgery, whether initial or re-exploration, if planar imaging is non-contributory
Laboratory Toxicity of Several Insecticides to the Honey Bee

LD95’s for honey bees ( A pis mellifera L.) held 72 hours after mist chamber treatments were as follows: parathion<phosdrin® (1-methoxycarbonyl-1-propen-2-yl dimethyl phosphate)<dieldrin<Guthion® ( O,O -dimethyl S -4-oxo-1,2,3-bcnzotriazin-3-(4H)-ylmethyl phosphorodithioate)<phosphamidon<Sevin® (1-naphthyl N -methylcarbamate)<phorate<Trithion® ( S-(p -chlorophenylthio)methyl O,O -diethyl phosphorodithioate)<DDT<ethion<Phostex® (bis(dialkoxyphosphinothioyl) disulfides (alkyl ratio 25% isopropyl, 75% ethyl). The first five materials had a mean LD95 of 0.0046%; the next four materials, 0.039%; and the last two materials, 0.57% concentration. These apparent levels of toxicity determined in the laboratory are not necessarily indicative of bee poisoning hazard in the field where residual action is an important factor. Bioassay of laboratory-killed honey bees showed 1.0 microgram of dieldrin per bee; while field-killed bee samples contained 0.5 microgram of dieldrin per bee.
The Agglutination Method of Diagnosis in the Control of Glanders

In the control of glanders the first and most important requirement is an accurate diagnosis. The inoculation method of Strauss gave much assistance in cases of apparent lesions, from which inoculating material could be obtained. This, however, did not afford assistance in cases of horses which had been exposed to the disease, but which did not exhibit symptoms or lesions of the malady. Mallein was welcomed as a means of detecting the disease in cases of this kind and in obscure cases generally, but its application has not been altogether satisfactory. Its limitations have not been so clearly defined as those of tuberculin, and the obstacles and complications in its use render many of the results difficult of interpretation. For these reasons a method that can be applied by a trained man, eliminating nearly if not all of the troublesome features of the mallein test, is worthy of careful consideration. The agglutination method of diagnosis, which was first applied to glanders by M'Fadyean, was recommended in the work of control of the disease by Schiitz and Miessner, and by Schniirer, and more recently studied in this laboratory, offers a possible solution for several of the difficult features in the diagnosis of glanders. The method as formulated by Schiitz and Miessner has been officially adopted for the diagnosis of glanders generally in Prussia. When there are cases of suspected glanders, the veterinarian or official in charge applies for sterile bottles, which are forwarded from the laboratory to receive the blood. The specimen of blood and the horse from which it was taken are given a number for identification, and the samples are sent to the laboratory. The test is made and the results reported, with directions for the disposition of the animal. In Austria, Schniirer makes the diagnosis of glanders in suspected cases for the Austrian army. His method of procedure is practically the same as that of Schiitz and Miessner, and he reports it as more
Octahedral extensions with a given cubic subfield

Abstract Let K / Q be a non-Galois cubic extension with | d K | a power of a prime p. We prove a conjecture of Wong, namely that the number of S 4 -extensions of Q containing K and having discriminant a power of p is of the form 2 n − 1 for some nonnegative n ∈ Z , and that n is positive if K is totally real.
Preliminary Study on Mechanical Property Tests for Karst Rock

To properly read and treat different kinds of Karst discovered by tunnel constructing,the conception of karst rock is drawn out,and some projects are suggested on mechanical property tests for karst rock.With an ex- ample of rock samples got from Tongzhilin tunnel,Chongqing-Suining railway,some physical tests are proven,such as,specific gravity,bulk density,porosity,and hygroscopic coefficient.Some mechanical tests are given,such as tensile(compression)strength,shear strength and deformation behavior,Aslo,sound emission test,petrographic ananlysis and electron microscopic test are researched.Test effects and micro-physical characters are analysised,e- lectron microscopic pictures are calculated by using fractal theory,which is proved by construction site.
Sexual identity development: relationship with lifetime suicidal ideation in sexual minority women

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study draws on a life course perspective to evaluate in a sample of sexual minority women: (1) the relationship between age at reaching sexual identity milestones and risk of suicidal ideation, (2) developmental stages or stages of sexual identity development that represent greatest risk and (3) the relationship between age of reaching milestones and parental support. BACKGROUND: Research shows higher rates of suicidal ideation among sexual minority women than heterosexual women. Evidence suggests this is partly accounted for by risk factors including sexual identity development and parental support. However, it remains unclear whether there are stages of particularly high risk. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. Data come from a prospective study of sexual minority women that used convenience and respondent-driven sampling methods. METHODS: Using logistic regression, we examined associations among age at sexual identity developmental milestones, parental support and suicidal ideation in a large (N = 820), ethnically diverse sample of sexual minority women. RESULTS: Compared with women who first wondered about their sexual identity in adulthood, those who first wondered in early, middle or late adolescence had greater odds of lifetime suicidal ideation. Younger age at subsequent milestones (first decided or first disclosed) was not associated with heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Parental support was independently associated with suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that where one is in the process of identifying as a sexual minority may be more important than age in understanding risk of suicidal ideation in this population. As individuals come to accept and integrate their sexual minority identity risks associated with younger age diminish. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses and other healthcare providers who work with youth should routinely ask about sexual orientation and suicidal ideation and be aware that youth in the earliest stages of coming out as sexual minority may be at particularly high risk of suicide.© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Language: en
Principles of Hazard Reduction

In this chapter the philosophy and the methods of reducing explosion hazard are summarized in very general terms. The aim is to establish a conceptual foundation for more detailed consideration of specific means of hazard reduction in the following chapters.
Hierarchy-Preserving Formal Verification Methods for Pre-silicon Security Assurance

The wide usage of hardware intellectual property (IP) cores from untrusted vendors has raised security concerns in the integrated circuit (IC) industry. Existing testing methods are designed to validate the functionality of the hardware IP cores. These methods often fall short in detecting unspecified (often malicious) logic. Formal methods, on the other hand, can help eliminate hardware Trojans and/or design backdoors by formally proving security properties on soft IP cores despite the high proof development cost. To alleviate the computation burden, we propose a new hierarchy-preserving formal verification (HiFV) framework for circuit trust evaluation at the pre-silicon stage. This framework is derived from the Proof-Carrying Hardware (PCH) and is dedicated for security property verification of System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms, where third-party soft IPs are integrated as sub-modules. The key novelty lies in the improvement of the proof construction process of the previously developed security property verification framework, so that the framework can support building theorem proofs in a hierarchical way. We assume a trusted third-party verification house exists, which can use the proposed framework for security theorem construction and proof writing. The applicability of the proposed framework is demonstrated by formally verifying the memory integrity property on an 8051 microprocessor whose sub-modules were treated as untrusted third-party IPs.
Leave the left wing

Alas, the American Academy of Pediatric's leadership has found yet another left-wing cause into which to divert our membership dues: Marian Wright Edelman's Stand for Children march on Washington ("Nation urged to `come together' for children," April AAP News ). Ms. Edelman is one of the chief architects of our modern welfare state, and now she is calling for more of the same. Consider these facts: In 1965, the African-American illegitimate birth rate was 22 percent. Today, it hovers between 70 and 80 percent. The Great Society welfare programs have literally destroyed the African-American family. Virtually every index of child welfare has worsened during the last 30 years: child poverty, single parent households, teen pregnancies, juvenile crime, child neglect and abuse, drug usage and educational failures. This is despite spending $5.4 trillion collected from responsible, hard-working, tax-paying families who have watched their total tax burden climb to 40 percent of their income. This has forced mothers into the workforce and their children into day care.
Reflex Control of the Systemic Venous Bed

In a series of investigations on the control of venous tone, it was shown in anesthetized, open-chest dogs on cardiopulmonary bypass that venoconstriction occurs during the infusions of norepinephrine and epinephrine, while trimethaphan results in venodilatation. Lowering the pressure acting on the carotid baroreceptors and on the receptors within the left atrium and left ventricle results in reflex venoconstriction, while stimulation of these receptors relaxes the veins. Hypoxia produces venoconstriction as a result of stimulation of the carotid chemoreceptors, but the veno constriction which results from hypercapnia evidently is primarily central in origin. Reflex venoconstriction to carotid occlusion and central vagal stimulation can be blocked by the administration of guanethidine and reserpine. In intact, unanesthetized human subjects, to whom these drugs were administered orally in doses which are commonly utilized in clinical practice, reflex venoconstriction of the forearm veins was blocked. These investigations emphasize that the systemic venous bed reacts vigorously to neural and humoral stimuli, and that these reactions profoundly alter the cardiac output. In this manner, by exerting control of the rate at which the blood is delivered into the systemic arterial bed, the venous side of the circulation plays an important role in the control of the arterial pressure as well.
Dual-mode and broadband quantum dot lasers

Owing to the 3-D confinement and Stranski-Krastanov (S-K) growth mechanism, the InAs/GaAs QDs often exhibits large gain compression factor as well as large inhomogeneous gain spectrum broadening associated with the strain and size dispersion, which makes it a ideal candidate for the broadband and multi-mode laser applications, such as frequency comb and swept source lasers. However, in order to achieve broadband and high output power, the QD gain devices have to be operated at high injection levels to excite the ground and excited state emissions, thus, the gain spectra usually exhibit a dip between the ground state and excited state due to the finite number of density-of-states in the QD structures. In this presentation, we will show several devices applications of the broadband QD gain region, including broadband swept-source laser, dual-mode laser, and mode lock lasers. The InAs quantum dot (QD) heterostructures were grown on (001) GaAs substrates in a Veeco GEN II molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system. The active region contains 7-stack of InAs QD layers. In order to achieve the broadband gain emission, each InAs QD active region was tuned by carefully changing the QD growth conditions. In-situ annealing under As2 overpressure before and after QD formation was also performed to enhance QD size inhomogeneity. In addition, the as-grown QD heterostructures were annealed in a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process at 700°C for 60 sec, which can effectively enhance the inter-diffusion between the InAs QD and GaAs capping regions and further increase the emission linewidth. The InAs QDs were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements. The QD laser devices are setup in external cavity configurations as well as active mode lock configurations. The device characteristics will be discussed in details.
Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion: A Key Tool for Translational Science in the Lungs.

Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) promises to be a comprehensive platform for assessment, reconditioning, and preservation of donor lungs and has been dramatically changing the face of clinical lung transplantation. Besides its increasing role in lung transplantation, EVLP has also been recognized as a useful tool for translational research involving the lungs. Based on recent remarkable evidence and experience using EVLP in lung transplantation, there is growing interest in, and expectations for, the use of EVLP beyond the field of lung transplantation. By combining EVLP with advances in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology, and oncology, the evolving technology of EVLP has tremendous potential to advance pulmonary medicine and science. In this review, we revisit recent advances in EVLP technology and research and discuss the future translation of EVLP applications into life-changing medicine.
“Rashomon” and the Componential Approach to Developing Measures of Mood and Behavior

Question is raised about how to describe an all-encompassing emotional and cognitive experience as depression, in a manner that makes it amenable to scientific study. Attempts to reduce the state to its mood and behavioral elements appear to violate the essential “wholeness” of the experience, distorting its nature. However, to determine its structure, how the state changes, and is affected by interventions, it is necessary to quantify its elements and to analyze their interactions. The difficulties of previous scientific efforts in separating the elements and quantifying such abstract qualities as feelings are described. A “phenomenological,” non-theoretical approach is adopted for measuring the dimensions of behavior. It is applied in a multihospital study across a diverse sample of depressed patients, aimed at testing hypotheses about the psychobiology of depression. The approach utilizes doctor and patient vantages with established psychological measures, based on an observational method applied in a classic art film, “Rashomon,” to identify the 11 major behavioral components of the disorder. The intensities of the depressed state are measured by integrating the vantages of the clinician and the patient. The descriptions of depression from the empirically derived mood and behavioral constructs are in accord with those eloquently described by the literary artists afflicted with the disorder. To measure “expressive” qualities of the disorder, a new video method, the video interview behavioral evaluation scales (VIBES) is applied. How the “multivantaged method” uncovers the key roles of conflict, anxiety, and hostility in the phenomena of the state is presented
Energy Efficient Building HVAC Control Algorithm with Real-time Occupancy Prediction

Abstract A large amount of energy is wasted through inefficient operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system due to the lack of reliable building occupancy measurement and prediction. To mitigate this problem, an innovative change-point logistic regression model is developed to provide an accurate forecast of building occupancy. A novel building HVAC control algorithm is then developed by embedding the occupancy prediction model into the model predictive control (MPC) framework. The occupancy-based MPC algorithm tries to minimize building electricity consumption and maximize building occupants’ comfort at the same time. A penalty factor is introduced which allows building occupants to determine the optimal trade-off between comfort and energy efficiency. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed HVAC control strategy with real-time occupancy prediction not only reduces electricity consumption but also improves building occupants’ comfort.
Antibody Subclass Detection Using Graphene Nanopores

Solid-state nanopores are promising for label-free protein detection. The large thickness, ranging from several tens of nanometers to micrometers and larger, of solid-state nanopores prohibits atomic-scale scanning or interrogation of proteins. Here, a single-atom thick graphene nanopore is shown to be highly capable of sensing and discriminating between different subclasses of IgG antibodies despite their minor and subtle variation in atomic structure. Extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, rigorous statistical analysis with a total aggregate simulation time of 2.7 μs, supervised machine learning (ML), and classification techniques are employed to distinguish IgG2 from IgG3. The water flux and ionic current during IgG translocation reveal distinct clusters for IgG subclasses facilitating an additional recognition mechanism. In addition, the histogram of ionic current for each segment of IgG can provide high-resolution spatial detection. Our results show that nanoporous graphene can be used to det...
Evaluating the feasibility of the KDIGO CKD referral recommendations.

In 2012, the international nephrology organization Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) released recommendations for nephrology referral for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The feasibility of adhering to these recommendations is unknown. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the primary care population at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). We translated referral recommendations based upon serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria into a set of computable criteria in order to project referral volume if the KDIGO referral recommendations were to be implemented. Using electronic health record data, we evaluated each patient using the computable criteria at the times that the patient made clinic visits in 2013. We then compared the projected referral volume with baseline nephrology clinic volume. Out of 56,461 primary care patients at BWH, we identified 5593 (9.9%) who had CKD based on albuminuria or estimated GFR. Referring patients identified by the computable criteria would have resulted in 2240 additional referrals to nephrology. In 2013, this would represent a 38.0% (2240/5892) increase in total nephrology patient volume and 67.3% (2240/3326) increase in new referral volume. This is the first study to examine the projected impact of implementing the 2012 KDIGO referral recommendations. Given the large increase in the number of referrals, this study is suggestive that implementing the KDIGO referral guidelines may not be feasible under current practice models due to a supply-demand mismatch. We need to consider new strategies on how to deliver optimal care to CKD patients using the available workforce in the U.S. health care system.
Black Raspberries Enhance Natural Killer Cell Infiltration into the Colon and Suppress the Progression of Colorectal Cancer

Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity against cancer development. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate immune-modulating effects using dietary compounds. Our laboratory has been investigating the chemopreventive potential of black raspberries (BRBs) and previously demonstrated their beneficial modulation of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The current study investigated their potential on modulating NK cells. To avoid the excessive inflammation caused by the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment that leads to colitis, we treated the mice with overnight DSS so that it would slightly irritate the colon but still promote colon carcinogenesis with 100% incidence in both the ApcMin/+ mice and azoxymethane (AOM)-treated mice. A significant decrease of tissue-infiltrating NK cells along the progression of microadenoma-to-adenoma and adenoma-to-adenocarcinoma was observed in the ApcMin/+/DSS and AOM/DSS mice, respectively. Depletion of NK cells significantly promoted the development of CRC, suggesting a critical role of NK cells in combating CRC progression. BRBs significantly suppressed the CRC progression and increased the number of tissue-infiltrating NK cells in both mouse models. Moreover, we further determined BRBs’ effects on NK cells in the human biopsy specimens collected from our previously completed clinical trial, in which CRC patients consumed BRBs for an average of 4 weeks during a pre-surgical window. We observed an increased number and an enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells by BRB intervention. The current study provides evidence that BRBs have the potential to enhance the tumor immunesurveillance of NK cells that can be beneficial in the setting of CRC prevention and treatment.
Boundary-structure-aware transfer functions for volume classification

We present novel transfer functions that advance the classification of volume data by combining the advantages of the existing boundary-based and structure-based methods. We introduce the usage of the standard deviation of ambient occlusion to quantify the variation of both boundary and structure information across voxels, and name our method as boundary-structure-aware transfer functions. Our method gives concrete guidelines to better reveal the interior and exterior structures of features, especially for occluded objects without perfect homogeneous intensities. Furthermore, our method separates these patterns from other materials that may contain similar average intensities, but with different intensity variations. The proposed method extends the expressiveness and the utility of volume rendering in extracting the continuously changed patterns and achieving more robust volume classifications.
Metro Detroit: residential location and neighbourhood perceptions

Metro Detroit has long been one of the most socially divided metropolitan regions in the United States. While the north-western suburbs are among the wealthiest in the nation, the region’s urban co...
Isolated coarctation of the aorta in the fetus: A diagnostic challenge.

Isolated coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to account for 4%-6% of all congenital heart disease (CHD) in the United States, with a reported prevalence of ~4 per 10 000 live births. Prenatal recognition of coarctation is important as it may improve neonatal survival and reduce morbidity. However, despite advances in imaging and the trend toward detailed aortic arch assessment as part of a comprehensive fetal echocardiogram, isolated CoA may still elude prenatal detection, with potentially lethal consequences if the diagnosis is not suspected and the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closes spontaneously in postnatal life. The purpose of this review is to outline the methods of antenatal aortic arch evaluation in the current era, discuss "red flags" that raise the suspicion for CoA, including associated anomalies and serve as a repository of the most up to date information regarding its diagnosis in utero and its perinatal management. Other aortic arch abnormalities, such as interrupted aortic arch, or CoA associated with complex single ventricles, are not included in this review.
Transplatform: Culture, Context, and the Intellivision/Atari VCS Rivalry:

In this article, we develop the concept of “transplatform” to contribute to platform studies. We analyze the rivalry between the Atari Video Computer System (VCS)—the best-known member of the “seco...
Shari'a-Compliant Investment Banking in the Sultanate of Oman

This article considers a range of topics relating to Shari'ah-compliant investment banking activities under the Islamic Banking Regulatory Framework of the Central Bank of the Sultanate of Oman. The article discusses the seven tiers of investment banking activities under the Framework and provisions relating to investor protection, capital, financial ratios, prohibited activities, approvals to be obtained from the Capital Markets Authority.
Mössbauer spectra of circumstellar silicate dust analogs used as a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst

Synthetic smoke produced by nonequilibrium gas-to-solid condensation in a Fe-SiO-H2-O2 vapor served as a catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch-type catalytic production of hydrocarbons, reactions likely occurring in protostellar nebulae. The freshly-synthesized smoke gave a Mossbauer spectrum showing just a hint of sharp absorption maxima; use as a catalyst brought about deepening and narrowing of the absorption peaks along with a 100-fold increase in mass density, apparently by hydration. Predominant in both raw and post-catalytic spectra is a doublet typical of ferric silicates and oxides. We conclude that the Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions enhanced development of ferric phases similar to those in interplanetary dust particles and chondritic meteorites.
Adverse childhood experiences as a predictor of attendance at a health-promotion program

This short-term longitudinal study examined whether adverse childhood experiences predicted attendance at a fitness program. We asked undergraduates participating in a group fitness program at a university to complete measures of mental health and adverse childhood experiences at the start of the semester. Attendance data were obtained from the recreational center at the end of the semester. Adverse childhood experiences predicted attendance after parental education and mental health were taken into account. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that more adverse childhood experiences predict lower attendance at a health-promotion program. Findings suggest a need for adverse childhood experiences screening to prevent drop-out.