cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPLAT: a unified SIP services platform for VoIP applications

The steady improvements in the networking infrastructure and ever increasing broadband penetration has fueled the resurgence of voice-over-IP (VoIP). One of the important contributors to this growth has also been the development and wide acceptance of the session initiation protocol (SIP). However, the current usage of SIP requires a per-application deployment (each application using its own SIP stack). In addition to shared port number problems, this leads to a narrow development of SIP based services, even though SIP, as a protocol, offers incredible opportunities for enabling various applications simultaneously. In this paper, we propose SPLAT—a unified SIP platform, consisting of a client-side SIP service and supporting network infrastructure blocks, that provide unified mechanisms to execute generic SIP functions through an exported higher level API. Applications can leverage the API and ready-made building blocks for creating richer interfaces without significant and often repeated development effort, e.g. a conferencing server coupled with a gaming server can provide context-aware audio conferencing between occupants of a particular game room. Importantly, the SPLAT framework is available to all applications including the ones not inherently based on SIP and thus presents a great opportunity for enhancing such applications. The SIP service API is designed to be extensible and provides novel higher level functional primitives like ad hoc conferencing and seamless transition of sessions. In addition, it also exports a low level interface for specialized applications that need direct access to SIP call flows. Another feature of the service is that it allows a user to plug-in an end device (softphone, IP phone, PSTN phone) of his/her choice on a per-session basis. We demonstrate the richness of the API by describing prototypes for enhancing various applications as well as new converged applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health at High Speed Broadband Internet Access, Health Communication, and the Digital Divide

The study reported here explored the broadband digital divide in the context of Internet-based health communication. Inequities in the adoption of broadband technology were examined and the comprehensive model of health information seeking (CMIS) was used to make predictions about the implications of broadband Internet for personal health. Data from a population-based survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 2005 (N = 5,586) were analyzed. Results showed that those who were younger, more educated, and lived in an urban area were more likely to have a broadband Internet connection in their home. Furthermore, consistent with the CMIS, those with a broadband connection were more likely to use the Internet for health-related information seeking and communication than those with a dial-up connection.
Framing family conversation after early diagnosis of iatrogenic injury and incidental findings

Surgeons are rarely formally trained in giving bad news to patients. The aim of our study was to examine and compare techniques of disclosure of iatrogenic and incidental operative findings among surgical residents. General surgery residents performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the SurgicalSIM device in a mock operating room. Half (n = 8) were presented with a common bile duct injury, and half (n = 7) encountered metastatic gallbladder cancer during the operation. Both groups disclosed this information to a patient’s scripted family member and completed a questionnaire. All encounters were videotaped and independently rated using a modified SPIKES protocol, a validated tool for delivering bad news. We compared disclosure of iatrogenic versus unexpected findings by year of training. Analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test. Regardless of the year of training, more residents were comfortable with disclosure of an incidental finding than disclosure of an iatrogenic injury (47 vs. 33%). Senior residents (PGY4-PGY5) had better ratings by SPIKES (p < 0.05), most notably for tailoring disclosure to what patient and family understand, exploring patient and family expectations, and offering to answer any questions (p < 0.05). Even though all residents felt more comfortable with disclosure of an incidental finding, the quality of the disclosure by SPIKES score was the same for iatrogenic and incidental operative findings (p = NS). In general, trainees are ill prepared for delivering bad news. Disclosure of iatrogenic injuries was more challenging compared to that of incidental findings. Senior residents do better than junior residents at delivering bad news.
A W-band CMOS PA encapsulated in an organic flip-chip package

This paper presents for the first time an organic Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) based system-on-package (SOP) module for a W-band CMOS power amplifier. The integrated circuit is flip-chipped and fully encapsulated into an all-LCP platform through construction of a cavity to host the chip. Additionally, a matching network is designed and implemented to improve broadband performance of the return loss and gain in the packaged die. Results show the encapsulated flip-chip package is attributed for 1.5 dB of loss in peak amplifier gain and only a slight degradation in return loss. Utilization of a matching network increased the packaged chip gain by 1.1 dB and significantly improved the return loss. This fully encapsulated packaged W-band 45-nm SOI CMOS PA achieves 5.0 dBm output power at 6.0 dB power gain and 5.2% PAE at 90 GHz with 1.0 V supply. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the highest performance demonstrated for a W-band CMOS PA on SOP module.
OVICIDES JULIEAE N. GEN., N. SP. (NEMERTEA: CARCINONEMERTIDAE) ON XANTHID CRABS FROM THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA

A new genus and species of symbiotic, semi-parasitic nemertean worm, Ovicides julieae n. gen., n. sp., is described from the xanthid crabs Chlorodiella nigra and C. xishaensis. The new genus possesses accessory stylet pouches and exhibits simultaneous hermaphroditism, features new to the family Carcinonemertidae. The new species has a relatively small anterior proboscis chamber and small basis, yet it possesses the largest stylet to basis ratio (up to 0.650) reported for the family. It also has a flame cell pattern of at least 2[(3+3)], which is different from those reported for two other species. The worm occurred in a lightly granulated sheath on the abdominal sterna, pleopods, and clutches of its host, but few adult worms were found. The species exhibited a high host specificity and was more frequently found on C. nigra than on C. xishaensis (7.5 vs. 0.4%, overall prevalence, respectively). Worms were only found on female crabs, and worm intensity showed a modest but significantly positive correlation with host size. Ovicides julieae represents the second genus in the Carcinonemertidae, the fifth described carcinonemertid species from Australia, and the eleventh described species in the family.
Adaptation Strategies for Managing Recurring Congestion—Operational Improvements

Increasing roadway capacity has been the traditional method to cope with and manage traffic congestion. Capacity enhancement strategies generally improve mobility of all road users. Sometimes, however, they are designed to improve mobility of special users—such as high-occupancy vehicles (e.g., carpools and public transport vehicles).
Hyperphagia in the Blowfly

1. The nervous mechanism controlling feeding in the blowfly has been re-investigated. 2. The data presented reveal that the mechanism is more complex than originally thought but can be readily understood in the same basic terms as the original model, that is, the interaction of peripheral sensory excitation and internal inhibition. 3. The old model becomes the new by the addition of two new sources of internal inhibition--body-wall stretch receptors and a thoracic ganglion locomotor centre. 4. The several sources of internal inhibition are not equal in their inhibitory effect; removing body-wall stretch receptors produces a more vigorous hyperphagia than removing the foregut stretch receptor.
Introduction: Globalization and the Environment

Human societies have long experienced the increasingly rapid expansion of the modern world-economy; an economy that has existed since at least the middle 1400s, meeting crisis after crisis in accumulation (e.g.Abu-Lughod 1989; Arrighi 1994; Chase-Dunn 1998; Chase-Dunn and Hall 1997; Chew 2001; Frank 1978, 1998; Frank and Gills 1993; Kentor 2000; Moore 2003; Pomeranz 2000; Wallerstein 1974, 1979). Rapid technological growth has been part and parcel of this expansion that has tightened the global division of labor and importance of distant events for all humans. This division of labor permits further expansion in rationalized production, and it reaches everywhere to expand markets and offer up cheap labor and material resources to increase surplus value ( e.g. Marx 1906; see also Foster 1999, 2002; Harvey 1999).
PDTB Discourse Parsing as a Tagging Task: The Two Taggers Approach

Full discourse parsing in the PDTB framework is a task that has only recently been attempted. We present the Two Taggers approach, which reformulates the discourse parsing task as two simpler tagging tasks: identifying the relation within each sentence, and identifying the relation between each pair of adjacent sentences. We then describe a system that uses two CRFs to achieve an F1 score of 39.33, higher than the only previously existing system, at the full discourse parsing task. Our results show that sequential information is important for discourse relations, especially cross-sentence relations, and that a simple approach to argument span identification is enough to achieve state of the art results. We make our easy to use, easy to extend parser publicly available.
Probabilistic recharging model in uncertain environments

In a long-term work or experiment, a robot is usually required to dock on a charging station and recharging itself. However, docking on a recharging station might not be always reliable. Even the most meticulous developed robot system may have the possibility that sometimes would execute abnormally. In our work, we focus on the uncertainty in the docking procedure. More formally, we use a Bernoulli distribution to model the events of successfully docking or not in one trial. Because of the uncertainty in a docking procedure, the robot may need to try multiple times till successfully docking the station. Hence it is very important for a robot to a priori consider the uncertainty in the docking procedure so that it can optimally decide when it needs to recharge and how much energy it needs to charge. Previous research work that related to recharging includes [4], [5], [2], [3], and [1]. They used a battery threshold as a flag to make decisions on when to go back for recharging. Instead of using a static threshold, another strategy is the utilize adaptive method [7], and [6]. All previous methods do not consider uncertainty in the procedure when the robot is trying to docking the recharging station. In our work, we assume there is uncertainty in docking such that a robot may need several attempts before successfully docking the recharging station. The main contribution of our work is that we designed a probabilistic recharging model, which considers the uncertainty in the recharging procedure. With our probabilistic recharging model, we can fast and accurately estimate the average reward that the robot may gain in real execution. To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first model that tolerates imperfect docking mechanism. When modelling the rewards, we apply a discounting parameter with
Less Than 5 Minutes.

In every emergency department (ED), there are special codes for different levels of acuity. At my institution, a “code 3” ambulance means a sick patient, lights and sirens, sweaty paramedics who are talking too fast and trying to expeditiously hand off care, and a patient who is usually in respiratory distress, having a cardiac arrest or experiencing a stroke. As a resident, I love code 3 ambulances. Perhaps that sounds unhealthy, or kind of twisted, but I do, in a way that only other emergency medicine providers can understand. They are part of why I love the practice of emergency medicine. A good code 3 never fails to get my pulse rate up and release a little dopamine for my limbic system to enjoy. Late last year, I started a morning shift with one of my favorite attendings. We were in perfect sync, seamlessly dispositioning patients, discussing educational cases with the intern, and making a respectable dent in the waiting room. “Code 3 ambulance; ETA 3 minutes,” came the overhead announcement. We assembled in the resuscitation bay, assigned roles to our nurses and technicians, asked the intern to prepare for a possible intubation, and then stood around talking about a crazy trauma case that had come in the previous night. My patient arrived. A gray and lifeless body jerked back and forth on the gurney as paramedics continued chest compressions. Her tiny chest seemed too compliant, squishy and soft under our efforts, her abdomen distended. An endotracheal tube stuck out of her mouth next to her swollen and bloodied tongue. Normal saline was running into her intravenous line. Paramedics recounted 39 minutes of CPR, six 1-mg doses of epinephrine, 40 units of vasopressin, two 200-J defibrillations, 300 mg amiodarone, all administered after she was found down in the bathroom for an unknown period. Despite these heroic efforts, she had no pulse, no organized rhythm on the monitor, and no cardiac movement on ultrasonography. Her eyes were wide open, dry, and unresponsive; her pupils were fixed as she stared up at the ceiling, looking beyond us. Less than 5 minutes later, I called time of death. I thanked the
Are You Pouring on the Pounds? Agenda Building for Sugary Drink Limits in New York City

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene launched its “Are You Pouring on the Pounds,” one of the first urban anti-obesity public health campaigns focused on sugary drink consumption in 2009. This surprisingly simple and inexpensive social marketing campaign raised awareness and possibly changed consumption behaviours pertaining to drinks with high calorie content through paid advertising and news media attention in a difficult-to-penetrate media market.
Dithizone adsorption at matal electodes: Electrochemical characterization of dithizone anion at a silver electrode

Abstract The redox behavior of the anion of diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) has been investigated at a silver electrode in alkaline media. The dithizone anion is reduced at the azo group at silver, but the observed voltammetric wave is split into surface and bulk components due to the adsorption of the anion at the silver surface. The product of this electrode reaction, the correponding hydrazo species, is also adsorbed at silver surface, but to a lesser extent. The cathodic processes for the dithizone anion reduction are complicated in alkaline solutions prepared with alkali hydroxides by the electrodeposition of alkali metals onto the silver surface and the subsequent formation of alkali metal-silver intermetallic compounds. The dithizone anion can also be oxidized at silver to form the corresponding disulfide compound. This disulfide, which is insoluble in the aqueous systems, adsorbs at the silver surface in multilayer quantities. This disulfide film passivates the silver electrode towards surface oxidation until potentials >ca. 400–500 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) are reached.
POD-based Reduced-order Model for Arbitrary Mach Number Flows

We develop a new reduced-order model (ROM) based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), which can be used for quantitative prediction of not only smooth o ws, but also o ws with strong discontinuities. In contrast to conventional POD ROMs based on some linearized form of the o w equations, the new model is derived using a Galerkin projection of the original nonlinear discretized 2-D Euler equations onto the POD basis. This approach can be interpreted as a variant of a spectral method with a truncated set of basis functions. A system of nonlinear ODEs obtained this way resembles the major nonlinear and conservation properties of the original discretized Euler equations. The new reduced-order model also preserves the stability properties of the original discrete full-order equations, so that no additional stabilization is required unlike the conventional POD-based models that are inherently unstable. The performance of the new POD ROM is evaluated for 2-D compressible unsteady inviscid o ws over a wide range of Mach numbers including trans- and supersonic o ws with strong shock waves.
Selective 351 nm photodissociation of cysteine-containing peptides for discrimination of antigen-binding regions of IgG fragments in bottom-up liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry workflows.

Despite tremendous inroads in the development of more sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) strategies for mass spectrometry-based proteomics, there remains a significant need for enhancing the selectivity of MS/MS-based workflows for streamlined analysis of complex biological mixtures. Here, a novel LC–MS/MS platform based on 351 nm ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) is presented for the selective analysis of cysteine–peptide subsets in complex protein digests. Cysteine-selective UVPD is mediated through the site-specific conjugation of reduced cysteine residues with a 351 nm active chromogenic Alexa Fluor 350 (AF350) maleimide tag. Only peptides containing the AF350 chromophore undergo photodissociation into extensive arrays of b- and y-type fragment ions, thus providing a facile means for differentiating cysteine–peptide targets from convoluting peptide backgrounds. With the use of this approach in addition to strategic proteolysis, the selective analysis of diagnostic h...
A forgotten population: estimating the number of children outside of households in Cambodia

Two national household surveys, the Demographic and Health Surveys and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, drive assessment of the Millennium Development Goals, Poverty Reduction Strategies, and other major international platforms in most low- and middle-income countries. However, little attention has been given to the fact that household surveys are limited to people living in households, therefore excluding some of the world’s most vulnerable populations and including the homeless, people living in institutions, and migrant laborers. The situation of children living outside of households is particularly precarious because many of these children are also outside of families or in families that cannot adequately care for them. Deprivation and stress related to these early life experiences can negatively affect health and productivity across the life course. This manuscript reviews the issues facing children outside of households and argues for the importance of gathering robust data about this population to formulate responsive policies and services, mobilize resources, and foster accountability. Cambodia is highlighted to illustrate the recent work that the government has undertaken to quantify two key subgroups of children outside of households: children living in residential care institutions and homeless children living on the street or in other public places. The methods, ethical considerations, and implications of Cambodia’s enumeration are discussed.
Effect of exercise training on sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is difficult to manage for those who are intolerant or noncompliant with standard facial mask treatment options. Current treatment options do not address the underlying cause of OSA. Exercise as a treatment option has been found to improve OSA indices. Study objectives To assess the efficacy of exercise on apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) in adult patients with OSA via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Additional objectives included evaluation of other indices of OSA and well-being in patients after completing an exercise regimen. Measurements and results Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched based on a priori criteria of all studies evaluating the effect of an exercise program on various sleep apnea indices. Both PRISMA statement and MOOSE consensus statement were adhered to. Eight Articles (182 participants) were included: a meta-analysis using a random effects model showed, a decrease in AHI (unstandardized mean difference [USMD], −0.536, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.865 to −0.206, I 2 , 20%), reduced Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) (USMD, −1.246, 95% CI, −2.397 to −0.0953, I 2 , 0%), and lower body mass index (BMI) (USMD, −0.0473, 95% CI, −0.0375 to 0.280, I 2 , 0%), in patients receiving exercise as treatment. Relative risks (RR) and odds ratios (OR) showed decreases in AHI (OR: 72.33, 95% CI, 27.906 to 187.491, RR: 7.294, 95% CI, 4.072 to 13.065) in patients receiving exercise as treatment. Conclusion Among adult patients with OSA, exercise as the sole intervention was associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Ontogeny of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger in rat ileal basolateral membrane vesicles.

This study was designed to examine the activity of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger across the basolateral membranes of the ileal enterocyte and its developmental pattern. The function of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger was studied using a well validated basolateral membrane vesicle technique. Na+ uptake represented transport into the vesicle rather than binding as validated by initial rate studies. Na+ uptake represented an electroneutral process as shown by studies in which negative membrane potential was induced by the ionophore valinomycin. Various outwardly directed pH gradients significantly stimulated Na+ uptake compared with no pH gradient conditions at all age groups. However, the magnitude of stimulation was significantly different between the age groups with more marked stimulation of amiloride-sensitive Na+ uptake occurring in adolescent rats as compared to weanling or suckling rats. The amiloride sensitivity of the pH stimulated Na+ uptake was investigated using [Amiloride] = 10(-2)-10(-5) M at pHi/pHo = 5.2/7.5. At 10(-2) M amiloride concentration, Na+ uptake was inhibited by 80%, 70%, 77%, in the basolateral membranes of adolescent, weanling and suckling rats, respectively. Dixon plot analysis in both adolescent and weanling rats was consistent with two amiloride binding sites, a low affinity system and a high affinity system. In the suckling rat, on the other hand, the data supported a single high affinity binding site. Kinetic studies revealed a Km for amiloride-sensitive Na+ uptake of 12.6 +/- 6.6, 10.2 +/- 1.77, 9.46 and Vmax of 4.83 +/- 1.22, 4.47 +/- 0.36 and 8.08 +/- 1.92 n.mol.mg.protein-1.7 s-1 in suckling, weanling and adolescent rats, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Recovery of the value of natural amenities: from oil fields to nature preserve

This study expands the existing literature on impact of environmental amenities and disamenities on the value of single family housing by temporally and spatially examining changes in the effect of nature and industry. The study area is bounded by a forest, a portion of which has been designated as a nature preserve and another portion which had various oil wells and was transformed into a nature preserve in 1994. Using market price data from sales transactions collected over a period of twenty-eight years, this study examines the changes in the impact of nature preserve and industrial site in the City of Whittier, CA before and after the conversion. A series of spatial hedonic models is examined in a longitudinal analyses to compare the effects of transformation and examine the recovery process over time across space. The results reveal that it took 10–12 years for the oil well site to recover its positive association to nearby single-family homes as a natural amenity. There was an initial increase of positive association between the site and the sales price of single-family houses upon the conversion. In contrast, positive association between the nature preserve and nearby properties had constantly decreased since the conversion. Ten years after the conversion, the positive impact of the former oil well sites surpassed the positive impact of the neighboring never-developed nature preserve.
SLICE — A System for Simulation Through a Set of Cooperating Expert Systems

Expert systems have been receiving increasing attention as potential components of automated, real-time systems. Early applications to engineering problems such as PROSPECTOR (analysis of borehole logs) or R1 (configuration of computer equipment) involved an interaction with the user in an off-line environment. However, applications are now being considered in which users interact with expert systems in real time, while also taking control or design decisions. Among the applications that have been proposed, or are being actively developed, are military command and control systems (Taylor, 1983), aircraft flight decks and space flight operations (Marsh, 1984), and air traffic control systems (Gosling & Hockaday, 1984; Shively & Schwamb, 1984). In all these applications, a critical aspect is the role of the human in the system, and the interface between the human operator or decision-maker and the automated system. Data flows in to the system from sensors and is stored in a database by a data management system.
Soil Properties and Classification (Soil Taxonomy)

The consistent use of standard procedures is one of the strengths of the National Cooperative Soil Survey in the USA. Together these standards ensure that soil descriptions and data can be compared, grouped, classified, and interpreted effectively. Important standards include horizon nomenclature to convey soil-forming processes and genetic history of the soil, morphological property terms, and definitions to describe important soil characteristics in the field, laboratory methods for analyzing soil samples, and the use of Soil Taxonomy to classify soils. Soil Taxonomy integrates morphological characteristics with presumed soil genetic pathways through the use of quantitatively defined diagnostic horizons and characteristics. Soil Taxonomy is a six-tiered hierarchical system that uses a unique mnemonic naming system (except for the lowest level, series) that conveys considerable information about the soils making up each taxonomic class.
Millennials, Media, and Research: Ageism and the Younger Worker

Traditionally, employment concerns of ageism in the USA have focused on individuals over the age of 40. Indeed, the most common research on ageism, considered in this chapter as discriminatory acts targeting specific age groups (Palmore 1999), examines topics like the protection of older workers (Rothenberg and Gardner 2011), whether discrimination of older workers is intentional or unintentional, subsequent effects on employee attitudes (James et al. 2013), and the relationship between discrimination of older workers and intended retirement age (Bayl-Smith and Griffin 2014). Furthermore, US legislation focuses its protection against age discrimination solely on individuals over the age of 40, as is evident from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967. Despite the parameters of the ADEA, ageism is not limited to those who are 40 and older.
The Valuation of Unemployment

This chapter develops methods of measuring the value workers set upon a period of unemployment. In existing studies of the distribution of earnings, there is already an implicit valuation of unemployment. If a given worker is employed one week less, his or her earnings are reduced by the weekly wage rate. If only earnings are examined in studying inequality, then a week’s unemployment is valued at a week’s less earnings.
Efficient ray-casting of quadric surfaces for forward-scan sonars

A method is presented to effectively scan the 3-D surface(s) of a target comprising of quadric components for simulating the 2-D image acquired by a forward-scan sonar for a given pose. This involves a closed-form solution to compute the coordinates of a point on the target surface(s), projecting onto a given image pixel. A certain advantage over previous algorithms is we generate a minimal set of 3-D surface points for a given sonar viewpoint; therefore, it allows space and time efficiency for image synthesis.
Retargeting a Dual-Acting sRNA for Multiple mRNA Transcript Regulation

Multitargeting small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) represent a potentially useful tool for metabolic engineering applications. Natural multitargeting sRNAs govern bacterial gene expression by binding to the translation initiation regions of protein-coding mRNAs through base pairing. We designed an Escherichia coli based genetic system to create and assay dual-acting retargeted-sRNA variants. The variants can be assayed for coordinate translational regulation of two alternate mRNA leaders fused to independent reporter genes. Accordingly, we began with the well-characterized E. coli native DsrA sRNA. The merits of using DsrA include its well-characterized separation of function into two independently folded stem-loop domains, wherein alterations at one stem do not necessarily abolish activity at the other stem. Expression of the sRNA and each reporter mRNA was independently controlled by small inducer molecules, allowing precise quantification of the regulatory effects of each sRNA:mRNA interaction in vivo with a...
A linearized circle packing algorithm

Abstract This paper presents a geometric algorithm for approximating radii and centers for a variety of univalent circle packings, including maximal circle packings on the unit disc and the sphere and certain polygonal circle packings in the plane. This method involves an iterative process which alternates between estimates of circle radii and locations of circle centers. The algorithm employs sparse linear systems and in practice achieves a consistent linear convergence rate that is far superior to traditional packing methods. It is deployed in a MATLAB® package which is freely available. This paper gives background on circle packing, a description of the linearized algorithm, illustrations of its use, sample performance data, and remaining challenges.
Evaluation of amyloid protective factors and alzheimer disease neurodegeneration protective factors in elderly individuals

Importance While amyloid and neurodegeneration are viewed together as Alzheimer disease pathophysiology (ADP), the factors that influence amyloid and AD-pattern neurodegeneration may be considerably different. Protection from these ADP factors may be important for aging without significant ADP. Objective To identify the combined and independent protective factors for amyloid and AD-pattern neurodegeneration in a population-based sample and to test the hypothesis that “exceptional agers” with advanced ages do not have significant ADP because they have protective factors for amyloid and neurodegeneration. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study conducted a prospective analysis of 942 elderly individuals (70-≥90 years) with magnetic resonance imaging and Pittsburgh compound B–positron emission tomography scans enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, a longitudinal population-based study of cognitive aging in Olmsted County, Minnesota. We operationalized “exceptional aging” without ADP by considering individuals 85 years or older to be without significant evidence of ADP. Main Outcomes and Measures We evaluated predictors including demographics, APOE , intellectual enrichment, midlife risk factors (physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia), and the total number of late-life cardiac and metabolic conditions. We used multivariate linear regression models to identify the combined and independent protective factors for amyloid and AD-pattern neurodegeneration. Using a subsample of the cohort 85 years of age or older, we computed Cohen d –based effect size estimations to compare the quantitative strength of each predictor variable in their contribution with exceptional aging without ADP. Results The study participants included 423 (45%) women and the average age of participants was 79.7 (5.9) years. Apart from demographics and the APOE genotype, only midlife dyslipidemia was associated with amyloid deposition. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac and metabolic conditions, but not intellectual enrichment, were associated with greater AD-pattern neurodegeneration. In the 85 years or older cohort, the Cohen d results showed small to moderate effects (effect sizes > 0.2) of several variables except job score and midlife hypertension in predicting exceptional aging without ADP. Conclusions and Relevance The protective factors that influence amyloid and AD-pattern neurodegeneration are different. “Exceptional aging” without ADP may be possible with a greater number of protective factors across the lifespan but warrants further investigation.
Abstract 49: Targeting Endothelial Cells with HO-1 Attenuated Vascular and Adipocyte Dysfunction in Mice Fed High Fat Diet

Introduction: Obesity or high fat diet (HF) are risk factors for the development of hypertension. We examined the hypothesis that targeting the vascular system with human heme oxygenase -1 (HO-1) may attenuate both vascular and adipocyte dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Lentivirus (Lenti) construct expressing human HO-1 under the control of endothelium specific promoters VE-cadherin (VECAD-HO-1) and VECAD −GFP (control) were used to treat mice, using a bolus injection into the renal artery, and kept on a high fat diet for 26 weeks. Human HO-1 gene expression was sustained for 9 months. For in vitro studies, human EC were cultured with Lenti- VECAD-HO-1 and added to Lenti-VECAD-GFP or control. The conditioned media (CM) from ECs was harvested and 10% CM was added to adipogenic media to measure paracrine effect on adipogenesis in human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) derived adipocytes. Signaling molecules were measured by western blot. Results: Lentiviral transduction with VECAD-HO-1 construct attenuated the increase in blood pressure (from 149.9 ± 2.4 to 118 ± 2.0 mmHg, p Conclusion: Targeting HO-1 to ECs resulted in the attenuation of blood pressure and the prevention of body weight gain resulting in increased ANG-1, PDGF, and VGEF levels and the reprogramming of MSCs derived adipocytes to produce healthy and smaller adipocytes with the release of adiponectin.
Transit Rider Body Mass Index Before and After Completion of Street Light-Rail Line in Utah.

Objectives. To determine whether 2012 to 2015 (times 1–3) ridership changes correlated with body mass index (BMI) changes after transit line completion in Salt Lake City, Utah.Methods. We used Global Positioning System/accelerometry–measured transit ridership measures in 2012 to 2013 (times 1–2) to compare objective and self-reported ridership. Regression models related changes in objectively measured ridership (times 1–2) and self-reported ridership (times 1–2 and times 1–3) to BMI changes, adjusting for control variables.Results. Objective and self-reported ridership measures were consistent. From time 1 to 2 (P = .021) or to 3 (P = .015), BMI increased among self-reported former riders and decreased among new riders (P = .09 for both times 1–2 and times 1–3), although the latter was nonsignificant. Time 3 attrition adjustment had no effect on results. Adjusting for baseline BMI, the nonsignificant effect for new riders remained nonsignificant, indicating no BMI change; the BMI increase after discontinu...
Human endometrial stromal cell decidualization requires transcriptional reprogramming by PLZF.

Infertility and early embryo miscarriage is linked to inadequate endometrial decidualization. Although transcriptional reprogramming is known to drive decidualization in response to progesterone, the key signaling effectors that directlymediate this hormone response are not fully known. This knowledge gap is clinically significant because identifying the early signals that directly mediate progesterone-driven decidualization will address some of the current limitations in diagnosing and therapeutically treating patients at most risk for early pregnancy loss.We recently revealed that the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) is a direct target of the progesterone receptor and is essential for decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). The purpose of this current work was to identify the genome-wide transcriptional program that is controlled by PLZF during hESC decidualization using an established in vitro hESC culture model, siRNA-mediated knockdownmethods, and RNA-sequencing technology followed by bioinformatic analysis and validation. We discovered that PLZF is critical in the regulation of genes that are involved in cellular processes that are essential for the archetypal morphological and functional changes that occur when hESCs transform into epithelioid decidual cells such as proliferation and cell motility. We predict that the transcriptome datasets identified in this study will not only contribute to a broader understanding of PLZF-dependent endometrial decidualization at the molecular level but may advance the development of more effective molecular diagnostics and therapeutics for the clinical management of female infertility and subfertility that is based on a dysfunctional endometrium.Summary SentencePLZF drives progesterone-dependent transcriptional reprogramming of the human endometrial stromal cells to enable decidualization.
Registration of BTx623ms8, a new and easily identifiable nuclear male sterile mutant in sorghum.

The USDA–ARS has released a new nuclear male sterile sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] mutant BTx623ms8 (Reg. No. GS-786, PI 682727). Previously, seven sorghum nuclear male sterile mutants have been reported, but three are no longer available. Here we register a new nuclear male sterile mutant isolated from a mutagenized BTx623 mutant library that is genetically different from any of the four male sterile mutants currently available. The ms8 mutant had microscopic transparent anthers that abort early during microsporogenesis. It can be easily identified at early stages of anthesis by the appearance of prominent white, hairy stigma, rather than yellow anthers as seen in BTx623 and all other fertile sorghum accessions. We have developed BC6F2 seeds that produce approximately 50% male sterile plants by pollinating the homozygous ms8 mutants with the heterozygous fertile plants. The ms8 is a single recessive nuclear gene mutation and can be easily bred into other sorghum lines through recurrent backcrossing, broadening the utility of this easily recognizable nuclear male sterility. © Crop Science Society of America. All rights reserved.
Reentrant phase behavior and coexistence in asymmetric block copolymer electrolytes

It is known that the addition of salts to symmetric block copolymers leads to stabilization of ordered phases and an increase in domain spacing; both trends are consistent with an increase in the effective Flory-Huggins interaction parameter between the blocks, χ. In this work, we show that the addition of salt to a disordered asymmetric block copolymer first leads to the formation of coexisting ordered phases which give way to a reentrant disordered phase at a higher salt concentration. The coexisting phases are both body centered cubic (BCC) with different domain spacings, stabilized by partitioning of the salt. Further increase in salt concentration results in yet another disorder-to-order transition; hexagonally packed cylinders are obtained in the high salt concentration limit. The coexisting phases formed at intermediate salt concentration, elucidated by electron tomography, showed the absence of macroscopic regions with distinct BCC lattices. A different asymmetric block copolymer with composition in the vicinity of the sample described above only showed only a single disorder-to-order transition. However, the dependence of domain spacing on salt concentration was distinctly non-monotonic, and similar to that of the sample with the reentrant phase behavior. This dependence appears to be an announcement of reentrant phase transitions in asymmetric block copolymer electrolytes. These results cannot be mapped on to the traditional theory of block copolymer electrolyte self-assembly based on an effective χ.
The Languages of Southeastern Asia

The origin of the various languages of Southeastern Asia is veiled by the same mist, broken by only occasional glimmers of light, which hides from the ethnologist and even the historian the steps by which the territory was populated, its culture diffused. Nevertheless, a rough outline appears practicable. Among the most ancient inhabitants of the area are the various tribes of Negritos, the Eta, the Semang, and the Andaman Islanders. One of their characteristics, in this region just as in Africa, seems to be that, with the exception of but one group, they everywhere abandoned their original language and adopted in its place that spoken by their respective neighbors, that is, the Sakai, Malayan, or African Negro dialects.
Evolution of transportation policy and economics

Abstract This chapter discusses the shift in the focus of transportation policy from questions regarding transportation industries or carriers needed to conduct policy in a regulated environment, to issues regarding the finance and pricing of the transportation system and investment decisions on infrastructure. Policymakers are faced with the classic economic problem of allocating scarce resources in a manner that will maximize social welfare and to do so requires the expertise and advice of economists. A vehicle miles travelled (VMT) tax has been proposed as a first step in providing sustainable highway finance and correcting distortions caused by historic underpricing of roads in the United States. Several empirical studies examining the distributional Impact of a VMT tax are reviewed here as policymakers grapple with practical solutions to the finance problem. Issues regarding transit investment and subsidies as well as economic factors to consider when making multimodal investment decisions for freight are discussed. The role of transportation economists in these policy decisions is particularly critical if policies are to achieve desired objectives.
Assesment of selected indicators of sustainable rural development in the districts Písek, Tábor, Tachov

The comparison of evaluations concerning to rural areas of districts Pisek, Tabor, Tachov shows that the border district Tachov has good suppositions for the development because of its favourable demographical structure. The comparably equal characteristic of districts Pisek, Tabor, Tachov is the quantitative potential in facilities of civic equipment, which is in the district Tachov slightly exceeding districts Pisek and Tabor as the results of settlement interests of previous government regime in the border areas. On the opposite, the contemporary market environment in the district Tachov comparing to inland districts Pisek and Tabor shows lower interest of entrepreneurial subjects in this area. This article was created with contribution of grant GA-CR number 205/97/0081 - "Sustainable rural development...."
DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF A HORIZONTALLY CURVED BRIDGE

A method of analysis of the dynamic response of a simple-span horizontally curved bridge subjected to a constant moving force is presented. Differential equations for the out-of-plane vibrational motion of the curved bridge under the action of the constant moving force are derived and solved with the method of initial conditions. The effect of the torsional inertia is studied both in the free vibration solution and in the forced vibration solution. The parameters of the problem are radius of horizontal curvature, rigidity ratio, and speed parameter. The effects of warping and damping are also studied. The significant parameters that describe the behavior of the horizontally curved bridge are the radius of curvature and the rigidity ratio. The effect of changing either of these two parameters results in the change of the fundamental natural frequency of the curved bridge. Under the passage of the constant moving force, the curved bridge is vibrating basically at its fundamental natural frequency.
MEMS/NEMS Techniques and Applications

Ultrasound is an imaging tool with a broad range of applications such as medical diagnostics, underwater exploration and nondestructive evaluation of materials. As early as the first half of the 19th century, sound waves had been used for underwater navigation and ranging. However, the history of modern acoustics began with the establishment of the theory of sound by Lord Rayleigh, and the discovery of piezoelectric effect by the Curie brothers, both in the late 1800s. Acoustical devices have been used for practical underwater imaging applications since World War I. Use of ultrasound in medicine started in the 1930s, and initially was confined to therapy, particularly in tissue heating. The first use of ultrasound as a medical diagnostic tool was for transmission imaging of brain tumors in the early 1940s. In the following years, sonic energy reflection from within soft tissue histological elements was reported, pioneering pulse-echo ultrasound imaging. Linear transducer arrays with electronic scanning started replacing fixed-focus mechanical sector scanners in the 1970s, providing greatly improved resolution and faster image formation. The details of the history of ultrasound imaging and transducer technologies can be found in several books [1, 2] and papers [3]–[6].
Differential inhibition of pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons along the rostrocaudal axis of anterior piriform cortex

The spatial representation of stimuli in sensory neocortices provides a scaffold for elucidating circuit mechanisms underlying sensory processing. However, the anterior piriform cortex (APC) lacks topology for odor identity as well as afferent and intracortical excitation. Consequently, olfactory processing is considered homogenous along the APC rostral-caudal (RC) axis. We recorded excitatory and inhibitory neurons in APC while optogenetically activating GABAergic interneurons along the RC axis. In contrast to excitation, we find opposing, spatially asymmetric inhibition onto pyramidal cells (PCs) and interneurons. PCs are strongly inhibited by caudal stimulation sites, whereas interneurons are strongly inhibited by rostral sites. At least two mechanisms underlie spatial asymmetries. Enhanced caudal inhibition of PCs is due to increased synaptic strength, whereas rostrally biased inhibition of interneurons is mediated by increased somatostatin-interneuron density. Altogether, we show differences in rostral and caudal inhibitory circuits in APC that may underlie spatial variation in odor processing along the RC axis.