cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Debugging: from novice to expert

We conducted a study to demonstrate that formal training in debugging helps students develop skills in diagnosing and removing defects from computer programs. To accomplish this goal in an assembly language course, we designed multiple activities to enhance students' debugging skills. These activities included debugging exercises, debugging logs, development logs and reflective memos, and collaborative assignments. In a previous paper, we reported positive qualitative results. Students agreed that formal debugging training enhanced their debugging skills. In this paper, we present positive quantitative results that support our previous qualitative results. Students who completed the optional debugging exercises spent significantly less time on debugging their programs than those who did not. Furthermore, we develop a model of debugging abilities and habits based on students' comments in their debugging logs, development logs, reflective memos, and evaluation surveys. Students and educators could use the model to diagnose students' current debugging skills and take actions to enhance their skills.
Penetration of aorta by an intact sternal wire: Diagnosis by cardiac CT

An 83-year-old woman developed jaw pain 3 weeks after coronary bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. Plasma troponin was negative, and the electrocardiogram showed old T-wave inversions. Cardiac CT angiography (Siemens Definition; Siemens, New York, NY), selected because the patient was anticoagulated, showed an occluded saphenous vein graft to the ramus intermedius. In addition, one of the sternal wires was shown to penetrate the anterior wall of the ascending aorta (Fig. 1) with a periaortic hematoma. Anticoagulation was reversed, and the wire was surgically removed. She recovered uneventfully and has had no further symptoms. Although uncommon, sternal wire misplacement, fracture, or migration can occur both early and late after median
Genetic and spatial structure within a swift fox population

Summary 1. We incorporated spatial data on swift foxes ( Vulpes velox ) with genetic analysis to assess the influence of relatedness between individuals on their social and spatial ecology. We recorded the space use patterns of 188 radio-collared swift foxes in southeastern Colorado from January 1997 to December 2000. One hundred and sixty-seven foxes were also genotyped at 11 microsatellite DNA loci and the degree of relatedness between individuals was estimated. 2. We described the genetic structure of the population by examining the relatedness of neighbours and the relationship between the spatial and genetic distance of all individuals. We found that close kin appeared to cluster within the population. Neighbours were significantly more related (mean R = 0·089 ± 0·01) than non-neighbours (mean R = 0·003 ± 0·01; randomization test, P < 0·0002). Female clusters were more extensive than male clusters. 3. The degree of genetic relatedness among foxes was useful in explaining why foxes tolerated encroachment of their home ranges by neighbours; the more closely related neighbours were, the more home-range overlap they tolerated (Mantel test, P = 0·0004). Foxes did not appear to orientate their home ranges to avoid neighbours and home ranges overlapped by as much as 54·77% ( x = 14·13% ± 0·41). Neighbours also occasionally engaged in concurrent den sharing. 4. Relatedness influenced the likelihood that an individual would inherit a newly vacated home range, with a mean relatedness of range inheritors to previous owners of 0·333 ± 0·074. Thus, the genetic structure of the population and interactions between kin were interrelated to space-use patterns and social ecology of the swift fox.
Trends in the intergenerational transmission of divorce.

I use data from the 1973-1996 NORC General Social Survey to examine trends in the intergenerational transmission of divorce. the propensity for the children of divorce to end their own marriages. The rate of divorce transmission declined by almost 50% in the study period. This result was essentially unchanged by statistical controls for various personal and family background differences between respondents.
Clustering 16S rRNA for OTU prediction

Motivation: With the advancements of next-generation sequencing technology, it is now possible to study samples directly obtained from the environment. Particularly, 16S rRNA gene sequences have been frequently used to profile the diversity of organisms in a sample. However, such studies are still taxed to determine both the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and their relative abundance in a sample. Results: To address these challenges, we propose an unsupervised Bayesian clustering method termed Clustering 16S rRNA for OTU Prediction (CROP). CROP can find clusters based on the natural organization of data without setting a hard cut-off threshold (3%/5%) as required by hierarchical clustering methods. By applying our method to several datasets, we demonstrate that CROP is robust against sequencing errors and that it produces more accurate results than conventional hierarchical clustering methods. Availability and Implementation: Source code freely available at the following URL: http://code.google.com/p/crop-tingchenlab/, implemented in C++ and supported on Linux and MS Windows. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The natural history of splanchnic artery aneurysms and outcomes after operative intervention.

Objective Splanchnic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are uncommon, and standards for surveillance and intervention are lacking. The goal of this study was to review our 20-year experience with managing SAAs. Methods The Research Patient Data Registry at the Massachusetts General Hospital was queried, and all patients with SAAs identified by axial imaging from 1994 to 2014 were included. Aneurysms were stratified into two cohorts: those that underwent early intervention ( Results There were 264 SAAs identified in 250 patients. In 166 patients, 176 SAAs (66.6%) were placed into the surveillance cohort; 38 SAAs (21.6%) did not have subsequent axial imaging and were considered lost to follow-up. Mean aneurysm size in the surveillance cohort at first imaging study was 16.28 mm (8-41 mm), and mean surveillance time was 36.1 months (2-155 months); 126 SAAs (91.3%) remained stable in size over time, and 8 SAAs (5.8%) required intervention for aneurysm growth after a mean of 24 months. There were no ruptures in the surveillance cohort. There were 88 SAAs (33.3%) repaired early. Mean size of SAAs that were repaired early was 31.1 mm (10-140 mm). For intact SAAs, 30-day morbidity and mortality rates after repair were 13% and 3%, respectively. In the early repair cohort, 13 SAAs (14.7%) were ruptured at presentation. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates after rupture were 54% and 8%, respectively. Five ruptured SAAs (38%) were anatomically located in the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. On univariate analysis, pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms were strongly associated with rupture ( P = .0002). Conclusions Small SAAs (≤25 mm) are not prone to significant expansion and do not require frequent surveillance imaging. Imaging every 3 years for small SAAs is adequate. Aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade and gastroduodenal aneurysms are more likely to rupture and therefore warrant a more aggressive interventional approach.
Thyroid Swelling and Thyroiditis in the Setting of Recent hCG Injections and Fine Needle Aspiration

A 60-year-old woman presented with a neck mass and underwent fine needle aspiration of a left thyroid nodule. During this time, she had been injected with hCG for weight loss. Soon after, she developed rapid diffuse thyroid growth with pain. She was ultimately diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis due to postaspiration subacute thyroiditis and subsequently became hypothyroid. This condition is rare in the nonpregnant state in noncystic nodules with a smaller needle gauge approach. The incidence of thyroid nodule discovery and evaluation is increasing. As more procedures are undertaken, understanding of potential complications is important. This case highlights potential complications of thyroid fine needle aspiration including diffuse thyroid swelling and thyroiditis. The role of hCG injections is speculated to have potentially stimulated thyroid follicular epithelium via cross-reactivity with the TSH receptor and contributed to the acute inflammatory response after fine needle aspiration.
ID: 221: “Super-pDCs”: A novel highly potent, CD141+ human blood plasmacytoid dendritic cell subtype

Dendritic cells(DCs) are a heterogeneous population that regulate both innate and adaptive immunity. Human blood DCs are broadly characterized as pDC(BDCA2+), mDC1(BDCA1+), and mDC2(BDCA3+(CD141)). While much work has focused on the functional role of CD141hi mDCs, we investigated the maturation potential and functional significance of a novel BDCA3int subtype of classically-defined pDCs. Using flow cytometry, we identified four human blood DC subsets: BDCA2+/3−, BDCA2+/3int, BDCA2−/3int, and BDCA2−/3hi. Upon stimulation with TLR9 agonists CpG-A or HSV-1, the BDCA2+/3int DCs had the highest frequency of IFN- α + and TNF- α + production, while mDC2 were non-responsive. Although CD141+ DC produce IFN- λ in response to pI:pC, both pDC populations were the highest responders to HSV-1. Virus-stimulated BDCA2+/3int DCs became more activated and mature with higher expression of co-stimulatory and migratory receptors than the BDCA2+/3− cells. IRF7, the master regulator of IFN production in pDCs, was constitutively expressed by both pDC but not BDCA2-DCs. The BDCA2+/3int DCs were more potent than BDCA2+/3− cells at the preferential acquisition of cellular material from HSV-infected Raji cells. AMNIS ImageStream analysis of morphology showed no difference in circularity and size between the BDCA2+/3int and BDCA2+/3-DCs, but the mDC2 were larger and less circular than the pDC subsets. These data indicate that BDCA2+/3int DCs exhibit major classical pDC functions, but are phenotypically and functionally distinct from BDCA2−/3int and BDCA2−/3hi DCs. Together, these results describe a novel, high functioning CD141+ pDC subset and demonstrates CD141 is not unique to mDC2.
Examining moderators of the relation between body consciousness during sexual activity and disordered eating

ABSTRACTFemale undergraduates (N = 441) completed questionnaires about body consciousness during sexual activity, weight/shape concern, disordered eating (i.e. dietary restraint), self-objectification, and perfectionistic self-presentation. Controlling for weight/shape concern, body consciousness during sexual activity interacted with self-objectification and perfectionistic self-presentation to identify the level of dietary restraint. In comparing moderator models and including weight/shape concern in interaction with the proposed moderators, weight/shape concern interactions with self-objectification and perfectionistic self-presentation both remained important for dietary restraint. Findings elucidate points of intervention when working with clients exhibiting high levels of body consciousness during sexual activity, self-objectification, or perfectionistic self-presentation. Findings additionally highlight the importance of considering sexual experiences when working with clients exhibiting disordered...
Taxonomic status of Acleisanthes, Selinocarpus, and Ammocodon (Nyctaginaceae)

Recent molecular and morphological studies suggest that neither Acleisanthes nor Selinocarpus (Nyctaginaceae) are monophyletic as currently circumscribed. Further, these data provide no basis for continued recognition of the monotypic genus Ammocodon as separate from these other two genera. Therefore, all 8 Selinocarpus species and the monospecific Ammocodon are transferred to Acleisanthes; 3 additional Selinocarpus species are reduced to synonymy. The genus Acleisanthes is now composed of 16 species, distributed primarily in the Chihuahuan Desert of North America. Diagnostic features of Acleisanthes include an herbaceous or woody perennial habit in arid environments, and the presence of both cleistogamous and chasmogamous flowers often simultaneously on an individual plant. Further, flowers are usually axillary and subtended by 1 to 4 subulate bracts, with chasmogamous flowers frequently white or yellow and funnelform to salverform.
Structure, function and value of street trees in California, USA

Abstract This study compiled recent inventory data from 929,823 street trees in 50 cities to determine trends in tree number and density, identify priority investments and create baseline data against which the efficacy of future practices can be evaluated. The number of street trees increased from 5.9 million in 1988 to 9.1 million in 2014, about one for every four residents. Street tree density declined from 65.6 to 46.6 trees per km, nearly a 30% drop. City streets are at 36.3% of full stocking. State-wide, only London planetree (Platanus × hispanica) comprises over 10% of the total, suggesting good state-wide species diversity. However, at the city scale, 39 communities were overly reliant on a single species. The state’s street trees remove 567,748 t CO2 (92,253 t se) annually, equivalent to taking 120,000 cars off the road. Their asset value is $2.49 billion ($75.1 million se). The annual value (USD) of all ecosystem services is $1.0 billion ($58.3 million se), or $110.63 per tree ($29.17 per capita). Given an average annual per tree management cost of $19.00, $5.82 in benefit is returned for every $1 spent. Management implications could include establishing an aggressive program to plant the 16 million vacant sites and replace removed trees, while restricting planting of overabundant species. Given the tree population’s youth there is likely need to invest in pruning young trees for structure and form, which can reduce subsequent costs for treating defects in mature trees.
Advocating for Teaching Students about the Role of Lawyer as Counselor – Winning Isn't Always Everything

From the very first day of law school, students learn about the law through the lens of litigated cases and through the eyes of a lawyer in the role of advocate – a lawyer that is supposed to argue for a particular position or a cause. However, lawyers serve crucial roles that do not focus on making arguments or “winning,” but on planning, advising, and counseling their clients on a wide variety of matters, such as risk assessment, avoidance of potential legal problems, and the resolution of disputes without resorting to litigation. This is true for many different types of lawyer, but especially for the transactional lawyer who negotiates and drafts contracts. This article explains how to design a transactional drafting course that introduces students to the role of lawyer as counselor, and provides suggestions for introducing students to the role of lawyer as counselor in all of their first year required courses, without the need for abandoning the use of appellate cases.
Religion and Community in the New Urban America

Paul D. Numrich, a scholar of comparative religion, and Elfriede Wedam, a sociologist of religion, examine the interaction of religious organisations and urban life in Religion and Community in the...
Analysis on concentration of lead,cadmium,and mercury in vegetables sold in Jiangbei district,Ningbo

Objective:To learn the contamination of lead,cadmium,and mercury in vegetables sold in Ningbo Jiangbei district and to provide bases for establishment of preventive measures.Methods: 72 vegetable samples of 8 varieties were randomly collected from 3 markets in Jiangbei district.Samples were then prepared by microwave digestion,and analyzed according to GB/T5009.Cabbage standard(GBW10014)was applied for quality control.Results: The detectable rates of lead,cadmium,mercury were 100%,100% and 16.7%,respectively.Comparatively higher concentration of lead were detected in lettuce and water spinach,while edible fungi and lettuce were found contaminated by cadmium.Concentration of mercury detected was comparatively low.Conclusion: There exist mild contamination of lead,cadmium,and mercury in vegetables sold in Ningbo Jiangbei district.
An automated method for registering lidar data in restrictive, tunnel-like environments

A method for automated registration of lidar datasets specifically tailored to geometries with high length-to-width ratios operates on data in curvilinear coordinates. It relaxes the minimum change in perspective requirement between neighboring datasets typical of other algorithms. Range data is filtered with a series of discrete Gaussian and derivative of Gaussian filters to form a second-order Taylor series approximation to the surface about each sampled point. Principal curvatures with respect to the surface normal are calculated and compared across neighboring datasets to determine homologies and the best fit transfer matrix. The method reduces raw data volume requirements and processing time.
Construction of the Eukaryotic Expression Vector Carrying Tandem Affinity Purification Tag for Oncoprotein SET and Its Expression in L-02 Liver Cells

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To construct the vector pcDNA3.1/SET-TAP carrying tandem affinity purification tag for the differentially expressed protein SET which can be used to further study protein-protein interactions of SET in L-02 liver cells.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from L-02 liver cells,the open reading frame of SET was isolated by using RT-PCR and the TAP gene was amplified from plasmid.Adopting overlap PCR to construct the fusion gene(SET-TAP) through a chimeric primer,then the fusion gene and pcDNA3.1/zeo(+) were digested by EcoRⅠand XhoⅠ.The recombinant vector pcDNA3.1/SET-TAP was constructed through T4 ligase for 16 h at 16 ℃,and then transformed into E.coli DH 5α.After the sequence was confirmed by using double enzyme digestion and sequence analysis,L-02 liver cells were transiently transfected with recombinant vector via Lipofectamine 2000.The expression of fusion protein was preliminary detected by using real-time PCR and western blotting.RESULTS: Results from double enzyme digestion and sequencing showed that the fusion gene was correctly inserted into the vector pcDNA3.1/zeo(+).The pcDNA3.1/SET-TAP could transcribe and express the fusion protein effciently in L-02 liver cells verified by real-time PCR and western blotting.CONCLUSION: The recombinant vector pcDNA3.1/SET-TAP was successfully constructed,laying the foundation to further study the protein-protein interactions of oncoprotein SET in L-02 liver cells treated with trichloroethylene.
Minimally Invasive Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Associated GI Interventions

There have been significant advances in the field of HPB surgery over the last two decades. This chapter primarily emphasizes on the key historical aspects of liver and pancreas surgery followed by the current techniques involved with minimally invasive hepatobiliary surgery. The chapter also mentions about the interventional GI procedures regularly performed in patients with diseases of the liver pancreas and biliary tree.
Evaluation and Feedback

This chapter reviews the educational, cultural, and linguistic factors that contribute to international medical graduate physicians’ perceptions of feedback and self-assessment as high-risk behaviors. Lack of exposure in medical school to feedback, limited role modeling of self-reflection, and an emphasis on certain cultural values all contribute to a high level of anxiety about the feedback process. This anxiety can be interpreted by faculty as disinterest or lack of motivation. Functioning in a second language can impact relationships with patients and supervisors’ assessment of residents’ capabilities.
Thermophysical properties and conduction mechanisms in AsxSe1−x chalcogenide glasses ranging from x = 0.2 to 0.5

The arsenic (As) to selenium (Se) ratio in AsxSe1-x glasses ranging from x = 0.2 to 0.5 was varied in order to examine the effect of chemical and topological ordering on the glass' thermal transport behavior. The fundamental thermal properties of glass transition temperature (Tg), thermal conductivity (k), and heat capacity (cp) were experimentally measured using differential scanning calorimetry, transient plane source method, and ultrasonic testing. Based on topological constraint theory, inflections in Tg and k were found at the structural coordination number ⟨r⟩ of 2.4, whereas a slight increase in heat capacity (cp) with increasing ⟨r⟩ was observed. A maximum in total thermal conductivity of 0.232 W/m·K was measured for the composition with x = 0.4, which corresponds to the stoichiometric As2Se3. Gas kinetic theory was used to derive an expression for the photon (kp) portion of thermal conductivity, which was calculated by measurements of the glass' absorption coefficient (α) and refractive index (n). Models based on Debye theory were used to derive expressions for specific heat (cv) and the lattice (kl) portion of thermal conductivity. The maximum value for kp was 0.173 W/m·K for the composition with x = 0.2, and a minimum value of 0.144 W/m·K was measured for the composition with x = 0.4. Photonic conduction was found to be the dominant carrier mechanisms in all compositions, comprising 60% to 95% of the measured total thermal conductivity.
Single Cell Proteomics Reveals Novel Cytokine-Producing Function of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells

During infection, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are called upon to proliferate and differentiate to produce more innate and adaptive immune cells to combat infection. Traditionally, HSPCs are thought to respond to depletion of downstream hematopoietic cells during infection. More recent evidence suggests that HSPCs may respond directly to infection and pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, little is known about the direct immune response of HSPCs and the molecular signaling regulating this response upon sensing an infection. In this study, we have combined transgenic and genetic knockout mouse models with a novel single cell barcode proteomics microchip technology to tackle these questions. We show that although long-term hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) (defined by Lineage-cKit+Sca1+CD150+CD48-) do not secrete cytokines upon toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation, short-term HSCs and multipotent progenitor cells (MPPs) (defined by Lineage-cKit+Sca1+, referred to as LKS thereafter) can produce copious amounts of cytokines upon direct TLR-4 and TLR-2 stimulation, indicating that LKS cells can directly participate in an immune response by producing a myriad of cytokines, upon a bacterial infection. Within the population of LKS cells we detect multiple functional subsets of cells, specialized in producing myeloid-like, lymphoid-like or both types of cytokines. Moreover, we show that the cytokine production by LKS cells is regulated by the NF-κB activity, as p50-deficient LKS cells show reduced cytokine production while microRNA-146a (miR-146a)-deficient LKS cells show significantly increased cytokine production.
Selective embolization of ruptured feeding artery aneurysm followed by resection of arteriovenous malformation

This is the case of a man in his 40s who suffered sudden collapse into a deep coma as a result of a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) feeding artery aneurysm within the lateral ventricle. The ruptured aneurysm was successfully treated with Onyx embolization of the feeding pedicle. The AVM and the feeding artery aneurysm were then removed via a transcallosal approach. This case highlights the utility of interrogating the AVM with microcatheterization of the feeding pedicles in order to define the exact anatomical features necessary for treatment planning. It also reviews the anatomy of the choroidal fissure.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/UeqFzhTRU1Q.
Heterologous Expression, Purification, and Functional Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Phosphatidylinositol 3'-Kinase

The Plasmodium falciparum malarial parasite genome appears to encode one and only one phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K), and sequence analysis suggests that the enzyme is a “class III”- or “Vps34”-type PI3K. PfVps34 has generated excitement as a possible druggable target and potentially a key target of artemisinin-based antimalarials. In this study, we optimize the PfVps34 gene for heterologous expression in yeast, purify the protein to homogeneity, use a recently validated quantitative assay for phosphatidylinositol 3′-phosphate production from phosphatidylinositol (Hassett et al., companion paper; DOI 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00416) to quantify activity and drug inhibition of that activity, and investigate the importance of key residues in the enzyme’s catalytic and “N-lobe” domains. Data suggest that PfVps34 is indeed inhibited by artemisinin and related drugs but only under conditions that cleave the drugs’ endoperoxide bridge to generate reactive alkylating agents.
Developmental exposure to low concentrations of two brominated flame retardants, BDE-47 and BDE-99, causes life-long behavioral alterations in zebrafish

Abstract Background Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were widely used as flame retardants until the early 2000s, mainly in home furnishings and electronics. The persistence of PBDEs in the environment leads to continued ubiquitous exposure to low levels, with infants and children experiencing higher exposures than adults. Accumulating evidence suggest that low-level exposures during early life stages can affect brain development and lead to long-term behavioral impairments. We investigated the effects of zebrafish exposure to low doses of the two prominent PBDEs; 2,2′,4,4′,5,-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) and 2,2′,4,4′,-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), during embryo-development on short- and long-term behavioral endpoints. We included the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) due to its well documented neurotoxicity across species from zebrafish to humans. Methods Zebrafish embryos were exposed to the following individual treatments; 0.1% DMSO (vehicle control); 0.3 μM CPF; 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 μM BDE-47; 0.003, 0.03, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 20 μM BDE-99 from 5 until 120 h post fertilization (hpf). Low exposure levels were determined as those not causing immediate overt toxicity, and behavior assays were conducted in the low-level range. At 144 hpf the larvae were tested for locomotor activity. At approximately 6 months of age adult zebrafish were tested in a behavioral battery including assays for anxiety-related behavior, sensorimotor response and habituation, social interaction, and predator avoidance. Results In the short-term, larval locomotor activity was reduced in larvae treated with 0.3 μM CPF and 0.1 μM BDE-47. BDE-99 treatment caused non-monotonic dose effects, with 0.3 μM causing hyperactivity and 1 μM or higher causing hypoactivity. In the long-term, adult anxiety-related behavior was reduced in all treatments as measured in both the novel tank dive test and tap test. Discussion We show that exposure of zebrafish embryos to low concentrations of the brominated flame retardants BDE-47 and BDE-99, and the organophosphate pesticide CPF, caused both short- and long-term behavioral impairments. Interestingly, we also found that at very low exposure concentrations, where there were no visible effects on larval activity, adult behavior was still strongly affected.
Reinterpreting Comparative Race Relations: The United States and Brazil

lAWith respect to race relations, the Brazilian situation is probably the nearest approach to paradise to be found anywhere in the world," said sociologist Gilberto Freyre (1959: 9). Although this blunt statement by Brazil's noted scholar represents one of his less guarded observations, it does accurately reflect an assessment that has been popular through much of the twentieth century.' Students of race relations in the United States have long been fascinated with the Brazilian case, viewing it as a model of "racial democracy" that North Americans might imitate. It is little wonder, then, that when the charge of "myth" emerged from recent studies of "racial democracy" by respected scholars, the intriguing, striking contrast between the United States and Brazil suddenly appeared blurred and confused.2 Moreover,
Depurination of DNA as a possible mutagenic pathway for cells.

The possible consequences of depurination for both spontaneous and induced mutagenesis were investigated using in vitro and in vivo assays. Depurination of synthetic polynucleotide templates such as poly[d(A-T))] or poly[d(G-C)] leads to increased misincorporation of noncomplementary nucleotides when these templates are copied by prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases.
Applications of Polymers in Packaging

Handmade metal cans which were introduced in France in 1810, were improved and became the standard containers for processed foods a century later. However, the major breakthrough in packaging was the introduction of transparent regenerated cellulose film (cellophane) packaging which was invented by Brandenburg in Switzerland in 1908 and produced in the U.S. in 1924.
Using Genetics To Study Otter Connectivity And Population Size In Northwestern Montana

River otters (Lontra canadensis) have begun to recover in the Upper Clark Fork River (UCFR) after decades of mining and smelting activity severely impacted the population. An initial project in 2009 showed otters occur throughout the UCFR but at seemingly lower densities than other rivers in Montana. We are working to estimate otter population size in the UCFR and determine connectivity between other geographically close rivers. We are using 11 microsatellite loci amplified from tissue samples collected from trapped otters to look at connectivity between 5 rivers: the Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River, Clearwater River, UCFR, and Lower Clark Fork River. We are using heterozygosity and Fst values to indicate population substructuring as well as using principle component analysis to visualize any differentiation. Additionally, we are using hair collected from hair snares to genetically estimate population size in the UCFR. Initial results from tissues indicate that otters in the 5 rivers are highly connected, and no one population is more connected to the UCFR than another. These results are based on a small samples size; additional samples currently being analyzed will enhance our ability to interpret this situation. Additional samples will be collected in 2011 to strengthen the population estimate. This is one of a few projects, and the first in Montana, to use genetics to look at population substructuring in otters.
Zebra finches are sensitive to combinations of temporally distributed features in a model of word recognition.

Discrimination between spoken words composed of overlapping elements, such as “captain” and “captive,” relies on sensitivity to unique combinations of prefix and suffix elements that span a “uniqueness point” where the word candidates diverge. To model such combinatorial processing, adult female zebra finches were trained to discriminate between target and distractor syllable sequences that shared overlapping “contextual” prefixes and differed only in their “informative” suffixes. The transition from contextual to informative syllables thus created a uniqueness point analogous to that present between overlapping word candidates, where targets and distractors diverged. It was found that target recognition depended not only on informative syllables, but also on contextual syllables that were shared with distractors. Moreover, the influence of each syllable depended on proximity to the uniqueness point. Birds were then trained birds with targets and distractors that shared both prefix and suffix sequences an...
Bleaching causes loss of disease resistance within the threatened coral species Acropora cervicornis

The staghorn coral was once prevalent throughout the Florida Reef Tract. However, the last few decades have seen a substantial reduction in the coral population because of disease outbreaks and increasing ocean temperatures. The staghorn coral shows no evidence of natural recovery, and so has been the focus of restoration efforts throughout much of the Florida region. Why put the time and effort into growing corals that are unlikely to survive within environmental conditions that continue to deteriorate? One reason is that the genetic make-up – the genotype – of some corals makes them more resilient to certain threats. However, there could be tradeoffs associated with these resilient traits. For example, a coral may be able to tolerate heat, but may easily succumb to disease. Previous studies have identified some staghorn coral genotypes that are resistant to an infection called white-band disease. The influence of high water temperatures on the ability of the coral to resist this disease was not known. There also remained the possibility that more varieties of coral might show similar disease resistance. To investigate Muller et al. conducted two experiments exposing staghorn coral genotypes to white-band diseased tissue before and during a coral bleaching event. Approximately 25% of the population of staghorn tested was resistant to white-band disease before the bleaching event. When the corals were exposed to white-band disease during bleaching, twice as much of the coral died. Two out of the 15, or 13%, of the coral genotypes tested were resistant to the disease even while bleached. Additionally, the level of bleaching within the coral genotypes was not related to how easily they developed white-band disease, suggesting that there are no direct tradeoffs between heat tolerance and disease resistance. These results suggest that there are very hardy corals, created by nature, already in existence. Incorporating these traits thoughtfully into coral restoration plans may increase the likelihood of population-based recovery. The Florida Reef Tract is estimated to be worth over six billion dollars to the state economy, providing over 70,000 jobs and attracting millions of tourists into Florida each year. However, much of these ecosystem services will be lost if living coral is not restored within the reef tract. The results presented by Muller et al. emphasize the need for maintaining high genetic diversity while increasing resiliency when restoring coral. They also emphasize that disease resistant corals, even when bleached, already exist and may be an integral part of the recovery of Florida’s reef tract.
The second symposium of the ICTM Study Group of African Musics: selected highlights

(2018). The second symposium of the ICTM Study Group of African Musics: selected highlights. Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa: Vol. 15, No. 1-2, pp. 153-161.
Bright clumps in the D68 ringlet near the end of the Cassini Mission

Abstract The D68 ringlet is the innermost narrow feature in Saturn's rings. Prior to 2014, the brightness of this ringlet did not vary much with longitude, but sometime in 2014 or 2015 a series of bright clumps appeared within D68. These clumps were up to four times brighter than the typical ringlet, occurred within a span of ∼ 120° in corotating longitude, and moved at an average rate of 1751.7°/day during the last year of the Cassini mission. The slow evolution and relative motions of these clumps suggest that they are composed of particles with a narrow (sub-kilometer) spread in semi-major axis. The clumps therefore probably consist of fine material released by collisions among larger (up to 20 m wide) objects orbiting close to D68. The event that triggered the formation of these bright clumps is still unclear, but it could have some connection to the material observed when the Cassini spacecraft passed between the planet and the rings.
Measuring and Mitigating PCR Bias in Microbiome Data

Abstract PCR amplification plays a central role in the measurement of mixed microbial communities via high-throughput sequencing. Yet PCR is also known to be a common source of bias in microbiome data. Here we present a paired modeling and experimental approach to characterize and mitigate PCR bias in microbiome studies. We use experimental data from mock bacterial communities to validate our approach and human gut microbiota samples to characterize PCR bias under real-world conditions. Our results suggest that PCR can bias estimates of microbial relative abundances by a factor of 2-4 but that this bias can be mitigated using simple Bayesian multinomial logistic-normal linear models. Author summary High-throughput sequencing is often used to profile host-associated microbial communities. Many processing steps are required to transform a community of bacteria into a pool of DNA suitable for sequencing. One important step is amplification where, to create enough DNA for sequencing, DNA from many different bacteria are repeatedly copied using a technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). However, PCR is known to introduce bias as DNA from some bacteria are more efficiently copied than others. Here we introduce an experimental procedure that allows this bias to be measured and computational techniques that allow this bias to be mitigated in sequencing data.
Juneau: data lake management for Jupyter

In collaborative settings such as multi-investigator laboratories, data scientists need improved tools to manage not their data records but rather their data sets and data products, to facilitate both provenance tracking and data (and code) reuse within their data lakes and file systems. We demonstrate the Juneau System, which extends computational notebook software (Jupyter Notebook) as an instrumentation and data management point for overseeing and facilitating improved dataset usage, through capabilities for indexing, searching, and recommending "complementary" data sources, previously extracted machine learning features, and additional training data. This demonstration focuses on how we help the user find related datasets via search.
Effect of a wall on three-dimensionally unstable trailing vortices from a delta wing

This paper is associated with a poster winner of a 2018 APS/DFD Milton van Dyke Award for work presented at the DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion. The original poster is available online at the Gallery of Fluid Motion, https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2018.GFM.P0020.
Radiolabeling and Imaging of Adoptively Transferred Immune Cells by Positron Emission Tomography.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using 89Zr is a clinically relevant imaging modality that enables long-term monitoring of adoptively transferred immune cells. This article describes a two-step radiometal labeling procedure utilizing the bifunctional siderophore p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-desferrioxamine (DFO-Bz-NCS) that chelates 89Zr with high affinity and binds covalently to primary amines of cell-surface proteins via its isothiocyanate moiety. Cells labeled with 89Zr-DFO-Bz-NCS remain viable and retain the radiolabel, enabling repetitive PET imaging of adoptively transferred immune cells with high sensitivity and specificity for up to 2 weeks.
Migrating from ILLiad to Tipasa.

AbstractTennessee State University was a decade long user of OCLC’s ILLiad platform. 2019 marked the year when the relationship with that system ended as our two interlibrary loan departments migra...
Percutaneous Trigeminal Stimulation for Intractable Facial Pain: A Case Series.

Background Facial pain syndromes can be refractory to medical management and often need neurosurgical interventions. Neuromodulation techniques, including percutaneous trigeminal ganglion (TG) stimulation, are reversible and have emerged as alternative treatment options for intractable facial pain. Objective To report the complication rates and analgesic effects associated with TG stimulation and identify potential predictors for these outcomes. Methods A retrospective chart review of 59 patients with refractory facial pain who underwent TG stimulation was conducted. Outcomes following trial period and permanent stimulation were analyzed. Patients with >50% pain relief during trial stimulation received permanent implantation of the stimulation system. Results Successful trial stimulation was endorsed by 71.2% of patients. During the trial period, 1 TG lead erosion was identified. History of trauma (facial/head trauma and oral surgery) was the only predictor of a failed trial compared to pain of idiopathic etiology (odds ratio: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.03-0.66). Following permanent implantation, approximately 29.6% and 26.5% of patients were diagnosed with lead erosion and infection of the hardware, respectively. TG lead migrations occurred in 11.7% of the patients. The numeric rating scale score showed a statistically significant reduction of 2.49 (95% CI: 1.37-3.61; P = .0001) at an average of 10.8 mo following permanent implantation. Conclusion TG stimulation is a feasible neuromodulatory approach for the treatment of intractable facial pain. Facial/head trauma and oral surgery may predict a nonsuccessful trial stimulation. Future development of specifically designed electrodes for stimulation of the TG, and solutions to reduce lead contamination are needed to mitigate the relatively high complication rate.
A 92.4% Efficient, 5.5V:0.4-1.2V, FCML Converter with Modified Ripple Injection Control for Fast Transient Response and Capacitor Balancing

This paper presents a highly-integrated, 5-level flying capacitor multilevel (FCML) dc-dc converter that uses augmented ripple-injection control to achieve self-startup, fast transient response, and flying capacitor voltage balance. The converter provides 5.5 V:0.4 V-1.2 V step down with robust load- and line-rejection, peak efficiency of 92.4 % and >80 % efficiency at a 13.8:1 conversion ratio with peak current up to 1.4 A. All power devices, bootstrap capacitors, and control functions are integrated on chip; flying and bypass capacitors are die-attached using a custom assembly process.
Mild membrane depolarization in neurons induces immediate early gene transcription and acutely subdues responses to successive stimulus

Abstract The transcriptional profile of immediate early genes (IEGs) is indicative of the duration of neuronal activity, but it is unknown whether it affected by the strength of depolarization. Also unknown is whether an activity history of graded potential changes influences further neuronal activity. In this work with dissociated rat cortical neurons, we found mild depolarization – mediated by elevated extracellular KCl – not only induces a wide array of rapid IEGs, but also transiently depresses transcriptional and signaling responses to a successive stimulus. This latter effect was independent of de novo transcription, translation, calcineurin (CaN) signaling, and MAPK signaling downstream of PKC. Furthermore, as measured by multiple electrode arrays, mild depolarization acutely subdues subsequent spontaneous and bicuculline-evoked activity. Collectively, this work suggests that a recent history of graded potential changes acutely depresses neuronal intrinsic properties and subsequent responses. Such effects may have several potential downstream implications, including reducing signal-to-noise ratio during Hebbian plasticity processes.
Cosmetic outcomes following transoral versus transcervical thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND Central neck scars following thyroidectomy can negatively impact patient quality of life. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy can reduce postoperative cosmetic burden. METHODS Prospective cohort study of patients seen between June 2018 and January 2019. Scar cosmesis was determined using the validated Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) scale and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) measuring color, contour, and irregularity. RESULTS Eighty-one patients (80% female, mean age 43.7 years) were analyzed, with 60% and 40% receiving transcervical and transoral thyroidectomy. Median time from surgery was 3.4 (range: 1-37.1) weeks. Mean SCAR score was greater for transcervical recipients (4.69 vs transoral 0.99, P < .001), indicating worse cosmesis. Mean surgeon-rated total VAS score was similarly increased for transcervical recipients (72.84 vs transoral 16.73, P < .001). Interrater reliability for both SCAR and total VAS scores was excellent (intraclass correlation 0.93; 95% CI: 0.90-0.95 for both). CONCLUSION Transoral thyroidectomy provides significantly enhanced early cosmesis over the transcervical approach.
Deformation behavior of nanoscale Al–Al2Cu eutectics studied by in situ micropillar compression

Abstract Deformation behavior of nanoscale laser processed Al–Al2Cu eutectics at room temperature is characterized through in situ micro-pillar compression testing in a scanning transmission microscope. Interlamellar spacing of Al–Al2Cu eutectics varies from hundreds of nanometers to 20 nm. Three different sizes of micro-pillars are fabricated in order to study the deformation behaviors of single colony and multiple colonies, corresponding to the single crystal and polycrystal respectively. For single colonies, lamellar orientations parallel, normal or inclined to the loading direction were tested. The main findings are: 1) the plasticity mechanisms strongly depend on loading orientation: buckling and kinking in the parallel-loaded eutectics, planar sliding along Al–Al2Cu lamellar interfaces in the incline-loaded eutectics and localized shearing in the normal-loaded eutectics. 2) the incline-loaded eutectics exhibits the lowest compression flow strength, and the normal-loaded eutectics has the highest compression flow strength. 3) with decreasing inter-lamellar spacing, the strength increases and plasticity is uniformly distributed, as opposed to shear localization. Highest compressive plasticity is observed in polycrystalline eutectics with an ensemble of lamellar orientations with ~20 nm average spacing: 17.9% at flow stress of 1.63 GPa, and degenerate, bimodal morphology: 11.1% at flow stress of 1.36 GPa.
On the Mechanism Underlying the Divergence of Perturbation Theory

It is well known that perturbation theory in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory generates a divergent series. It has been shown recently (hep-th/9609139) that such divergence can be understood in the context of Lebesgue’s dominated convergence theorem. That theorem governs the validity of the formal manipulation done to generate the perturbative series in the functional integral formalism. It was shown that one of its hypothesis is violated in theories like the λo4 theory in 1, 2 or 3 space-time dimensions. Question: given that in 4 dimensions a new source of divergence appears (renormalons), can they also be understood in the context of Lebesgue’s theorem?
Synthesis and flash sintering of (Hf1-xZrx)B2 solid solution powders

Abstract (Hf1-xZrx)B2 solid solution powders were synthesized by two methods. First, solution-based processing of HfCl4, ZrCl4, sucrose, and H3BO3 was conducted followed by heat treatment in Argon to carry out the carbothermal reduction (CTR) reaction to form the diboride powders. Alternatively, in the so-called borohydride reduction (BHR) method, HfCl4, ZrCl4 and NaBH4 were mixed in an Argon glove box followed by heat treatment in Argon at 700−1500 °C. The synthesized powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and TGA, and the influence of different parameters such as starting composition, heat treatment temperature and time on products characteristics were revealed. Both CTR and BHR solid solution powders were then consolidated within ∼5 min in a homemade flash sintering (FS) setup. The composition, microstructure, hardness, and thermal-oxidation properties of flash sintered ceramics were characterized, and the implication of this study and directions for future research were discussed.