cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Tripartite Protein Complex with the Potential to Couple Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis to Cell Adhesion in Brain

We identify a complex of three proteins in brain that has the potential to couple synaptic vesicle exocytosis to neuronal cell adhesion. The three proteins are: (1) CASK, a protein related to MAGUKs (membrane-associated guanylate kinases); (2) Mint1, a putative vesicular trafficking protein; and (3) Veli1, -2, and -3, vertebrate homologs of C. elegans LIN-7. CASK, Mint1, and Velis form a tight, salt-resistant complex that can be readily isolated. CASK, Mint1, and Velis contain PDZ domains in addition to other modules. However, no PDZ domains are involved in complex formation, leaving them free to recruit cell adhesion molecules, receptors, and channels to the complex. We propose that the tripartite complex acts as a nucleation site for the assembly of proteins involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis and synaptic junctions.
Evaluation of state-of-the-art imaging systems for in vivo monitoring of retinal structure in mice: current capabilities and limitations.

Animal models of human diseases play an important role in studying and advancing our understanding of these conditions, allowing molecular level studies of pathogenesis as well as testing of new therapies. Recently several non-invasive imaging modalities including Fundus Camera, Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) have been successfully applied to monitor changes in the retinas of the living animals in experiments in which a single animal is followed over a portion of its lifespan. Here we evaluate the capabilities and limitations of these three imaging modalities for visualization of specific structures in the mouse eye. Example images acquired from different types of mice are presented. Future directions of development for these instruments and potential advantages of multi-modal imaging systems are discussed as well.
A Game-Theoretic Approach to Decision Support for Intelligent Water Distribution

Cyber-physical systems, and the intelligent decision support systems that they enable, carry the promise of greater efficacy in environmental management. The complexity of the physical infrastructure subject to decisions by environmental management systems is often an impediment to this efficacy. Other challenges include fundamental differences in the operation of cyber and physical components, and significant interdependency among the cyber components that facilitate decision support and the physical components they control. The agent-based computing paradigm is proposed for surmounting these challenges, due to the flexibility of software agents as autonomous and intelligent decision-making components. In this paper, we utilize an agent-based system to illustrate the application of game theory to decision support for environmental management, in the context of intelligent water distribution. Simulation results are presented to validate the model proposed, and to investigate the effect of various model parameters on water allocation.
A Handheld Electrostatic Precipitator for Sampling Airborne Particles and Nanoparticles

Researchers at NIOSH are developing methods for characterizing ultrafine aerosols in workplaces. One method includes the detailed analysis of collected particles using electron microscopy (EM). In order to collect samples for EM at remote workplaces including mining and manufacturing facilities, researchers have developed a handheld electrostatic precipitator (ESP) particle sampler capable of collecting airborne particles including nanoscale materials, for subsequent EM analysis. The handheld ESP has been tested in the laboratory and is currently undergoing beta testing in the field. Gross collection efficiencies were measured with a CPC and net efficiencies by EM analysis of collected samples. Using laboratory-generated NaCl aerosols in the 30–400 nm size range at a flow rate of 55 cc/min and ESP operating voltages between 5.6–6.8 kV, both gross and net efficiencies were measured and showed a similar correlation with voltage, with maximum efficiency of approximately 86% at 6.4 kV. EM images from samples ...
Optimizing Reduction Computations In a Distributed Environment

We investigate runtime strategies for data-intensive applications that invovle generalized reductions on large, distributed datasets. Our set of strategies includes replicated filter state, partitioned filter state, and hybrid options between these two extremes. We evaluate these strategies using emulators of three real applications, different query and output sizes, and a number of configurations. We consider execution in a homogeneous cluster and in a distributed environment where only a subset of nodes hst the data. Our results show replicating the filter state scales well and outperforms other schemes, if sufficient memory is available and sufficient computation is involved to offset the cost of global merge step. In other cases, hybrid is usually the best. Moreover, in almost all cases, the performance of the hybrid strategy is quite close to the best strategy. Thus, we believe that hybrid is an attractive approach when the relative performance of different schemes cannot be predicted.
Molecular orbital theory of the properties of inorganic and organometallic compounds 4. Extended basis sets for third‐and fourth‐row, main‐group elements

Two new series of efficient basis sets for third- and fourth-row, main-group elements have been developed. Split-valence 3-21G basis sets have been formulated from the minimal expansions by Huzinaga, in which each atomic orbital has been represented by a sum of three Gaussians. The original expansions for s− and p−type orbitals (except those for 1s) have been replaced by new combinations in which the two sets of orbitals (of the same n quantum number) share Gaussian exponents. The Huzinaga expansions for 1s, 3d and 4d (fourth-row elements only) have been employed without further alteration. The valence atomic functions 4s, 4p for third-row elements; 5s, 5p for fourth-row elements have been split into two and one Gaussian parts. Supplemented 3-21G(*) representations have been formed from the 3-21G basis sets by the addition of a set of single d−type Gaussian functions. The performance of 3-21G and 3-21G(*) basis sets is examined with regard to the calculation of equilibrium geometries, normal mode vibrational frequencies, reaction energies, and electric dipole moments involving a variety of normal and hypervalent compounds containing third- and fourth-row, main-group elements. The supplementary functions incorporated into the 3-21G(*) basis sets are generally found to be important, especially for the proper description of equilibrium bond lengths and electric dipole moments. 3-21G(*) representations are recommended for general use in lieu of the unsupplemented 3-21G basis sets.
Digital VLSI multiprocessor design for neurocomputers

The architecture and circuit design of digital processors for general-purpose neurocomputing are presented. The processing element is suitable for a tightly coupled multiprocessor chip connected in one-dimensional ring or two-dimensional mesh fashion. An off-chip microprogrammed array controller broadcasts instructions to all processing elements. Mappings of the feedforward and feedback operations in the backpropagation neural network into the mesh-connected processing element matrix are described. Detailed design of the circuit blocks is also described. More than 128 processing elements can be implemented in a super chip by use of advanced 0.5- mu m CMOS technology to achieve 2.56 billion operations per second. >
Structure and Characteristics of the Stepfamily: Implications for Counseling

In this article, the development, structure, and characteristics of the stepfamily are described and distinguished from those of traditional, intactfamilies. Stepfamily concerns are identified and discussed as typical transitional issues rather than as insurmountable problems. Implications for counseling are discussed.
Evidence of the effect of summertime midlatitude convection on the subtropical lower stratosphere from CRYSTAL‐FACE tracer measurements

[1] Trace gas and particle measurements taken during the CRYSTAL-FACE mission are used to examine mixing in the summer subtropical lower stratosphere. Vigorous convection in the central and eastern United States injected a significant amount of tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere, which was subsequently advected over the region sampled during the CRYSTAL-FACE mission. Aerosols produced by biomass burning were observed over Florida during a time period with a large number of forest fires in the western United States and eastern Canada, providing evidence of convective injection of tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere. The circumstances of the large-scale flow pattern in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, vigorous summertime convection, abundant forest fires, and the downstream sampling allow a unique view of mixing in the lower stratosphere. We calculate the fractions of midlatitude tropospheric air in the sampled lower stratosphere and mixing rates on the basis of consistency between a number of tracer-tracer correlations. The tropospheric endpoints to the mixing estimates give an indication of midlatitude continental convective input into the lower stratosphere. We also discuss the possible impact of summertime midlatitude convection on the composition of the stratosphere as a whole.
Biharmonic Volumetric Mapping Using Fundamental Solutions

We propose a biharmonic model for cross-object volumetric mapping. This new computational model aims to facilitate the mapping of solid models with complicated geometry or heterogeneous inner structures. In order to solve cross-shape mapping between such models through divide and conquer, solid models can be decomposed into subparts upon which mappings is computed individually. The biharmonic volumetric mapping can be performed in each subregion separately. Unlike the widely used harmonic mapping which only allows C0 continuity along the segmentation boundary interfaces, this biharmonic model can provide C1 smoothness. We demonstrate the efficacy of our mapping framework on various geometric models with complex geometry (which are decomposed into subparts with simpler and solvable geometry) or heterogeneous interior structures (whose different material layers can be segmented and processed separately).
A necessary and sufficient minimality condition for uncertain systems

A necessary and sufficient condition is given for the exact reduction of systems modeled by linear fractional transformations (LFTs) on structured operator sets. This condition is based on the existence of a rank-deficient solution to either of a pair of linear matrix inequalities which generalize Lyapunov equations; the notion of Gramians is thus also generalized to uncertain systems, as well as Kalman-like decomposition structures. A related minimality condition, the converse of the reducibility condition, may then be inferred from these results and the equivalence class of all minimal LFT realizations defined. These results comprise the first stage of a complete generalization of realization theory concepts to uncertain systems. Subsequent results, such as the definition of and rank tests on structured controllability and observability matrices are also given. The minimality results described are applicable to multidimensional system realizations as well as to uncertain systems; connections to formal powers series representations also exist.
A low voltage, low noise CMOS RF receiver front-end

This paper presents a low-power, low-voltage radio frequency (RF) receiver front-end implemented in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process that is intended for 2.4 GHz wireless applications. It includes a single-ended low-noise amplifier (LNA) with on-chip spiral inductors and a passive switching direct downconversion mixer. The LNA has a simulated noise figure of 0.75 dB and power gain of 12.9 dB. With a -30 dBm RF input and a 0.45V LO signal, the mixer has a simulated noise figure of 7.8 dB, conversion gain of -2.2 dB, 1-dB compression point of -8 dBm, input third-order intercept point (IIP3) of 14.4 dBm. Comparison between this work and others have shown better noise performance and less power dissipation.
Cloud tomography: Role of constraints and a new algorithm

[1] Retrieving spatial distributions of cloud liquid water content from limited-angle emission data (passive microwave cloud tomography) is ill-posed, and a small inaccuracy in the data and/or numerical treatments may result in a large error in the retrieval. Proper handling of the ill-posedness is an ongoing challenge to the atmospheric remote sensing community. In this paper we first analyze the major regularization methods that each apply a single but different constraint to their retrievals and extend these methods to allow for multiple constraints. We then develop a new iterative algorithm that can also incorporate complex physical constraints with great flexibility. To understand the influences of different constraints on the retrievals, we use the new iterative algorithm with various combinations of constraints to retrieve a stratocumulus cloud simulated with a large-eddy-simulation model. For this relatively homogeneous cloud case, the standard least squares method with no constraints, as expected, performs very poorly, and yields a very large retrieval error, making this method nearly useless. Adding a nonnegativity constraint reduces the mean retrieval error by a factor of 6 but the internal structure of the cloud is still not reproduced in the retrieval. Adding a smoothness constraint dramatically improves the retrieved spatial structure of the cloud, and brings the mean error down further, although the retrieved cloud top edges are still considerably blurred. Further adding the so-called double-side constraint (based on scaled adiabatic profiles) produces the best result; the retrieval faithfully reproduces the cloud water structure with a mean retrieval error of only one third of that of the nonnegativity and smoothness constrained method.
Almost) Everything is Illuminated Adenosine Shines a Light on Cardioprotection

In a recent issue of Nature Medicine , Eckle et al1 demonstrated that activation of an adenosine receptor (Adora2b) acts via the circadian clock protein, period2 (Per2), to induce a metabolic switch from fatty acid to glucose in cardiomyocytes, which is protective against ischemic injury. Indeed, stabilization of Per2 expression by exposure of mice to intense light has a similar cardioprotective effect as Adora2b activation. Timing is everything, and it has long been known that there is a temporal variation in the incidence of clinical cardiovascular events—myocardial infarction, stroke, and perhaps even the response to angioplasty.2 Recently, genetic manipulations in mice have linked proteins relevant to the core molecular clock with regulation of blood pressure homeostasis3 and thrombogenesis,4 as well as the size of cardiac infarcts consequent to ischemia-reperfusion.5 Now, a report by Eckle et al1 in Nature Medicine implicates Per2, an important regulator of the negative limb of the molecular clock, in cardioprotection from ischemia in mice by inducing a metabolic switch away from fatty acid metabolism to anaerobic glycolysis. Adenosine has long …
SKELETAL CHANGES AND BLOOD SERUM CALCIUM LEVEL IN PIGEONS RECEIVING ESTROGENS

Fluctuations in serum calcium in doves and chickens have been associated with egg shell formation or ovarian activity (1, 2). In doves the serum calcium rises during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle (3). In the hen it has been correlated with the size of the egg (4). However, it was not until 1936 that estrogens were demonstrated to cause a rise in blood calcium (5). Kyes and Potter (6) noted that many female pigeons have solid bones, while males uniformly have marrow-filled bones. The condition of the bones was correlated with the size of the ovarian follicles. When the follicles were 2 mm. or less in diameter, the femurs contained large marrow spaces. Osseous tissue partially invaded the marrow in birds in which the follicles were more than 4.5 mm. in diameter, and bony spicules filled the marrow cavities when the follicles were 10.0 mm. or larger in diameter. The present investigation
Reduction in chemotherapy order errors with computerized physician order entry

Purpose: To measure the number and type of errors associated with chemotherapy order composition associated with three sequential methods of ordering: handwritten orders, preprinted orders, and computerized physician order entry (CPOE) embedded in the electronic health record. Materials and Methods: From 2008 to 2012, a sample of completed chemotherapy orders were reviewed by a pharmacist for the number and type of errors as part of routine performance improvement monitoring. Error frequencies for each of the three distinct methods of composing chemotherapy orders were compared using statistical methods. Results: The rate of problematic order sets—those requiring significant rework for clarification—was reduced from 30.6% with handwritten orders to 12.6% with preprinted orders (preprinted v handwritten, P .001) to 2.2% with CPOE (preprinted v CPOE, P .001). The incidence of errors capable of causing harm was reduced from 4.2% with handwritten orders to 1.5% with preprinted orders (preprinted v handwritten, P .001) to 0.1% with CPOE (CPOE v preprinted, P .001). Conclusion: The number of problem- and error-containing chemotherapy orders was reduced sequentially by preprinted order sets and then by CPOE. CPOE is associated with low error rates, but it did not eliminate all errors, and the technology can introduce novel types of errors not seen with traditional handwritten or preprinted orders. Vigilance even with CPOE is still required to avoid patient harm.
Bridging the gap between nanomagnetic devices and circuits

This paper looks at designing circuit elements that will be constructed with nanoscale magnets within the Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) computational paradigm. In magnetic QCA (MQCA) logical operations and dataflow are accomplished by manipulating the polarizations of nanoscale magnets. Wires and gates have already been experimentally demonstrated at room temperature. However, to realize more complex circuits - and eventually systems - more than just wires and gates in isolation are required. For example, gates must be inter-connected, signals must cross, etc. All structures must be controlled by the envisioned drive circuitry. In this paper, structures that will facilitate these circuit-level tasks are presented for the first time.
Coulomb blockade in monolayer MoS2 single electron transistor

Substantial effort has been dedicated to understand the intrinsic electronic properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). However, electron transport study on monolayer MoS2 has been challenging to date, especially at low temperatures due to large metal/semiconductor junction barriers. Herein, we report the fabrication and characterization of the monolayer MoS2 single-electron transistor. High performance devices are obtained through the use of low work function metal (zinc) contact and a rapid thermal annealing step. Coulomb blockade is observed at low temperatures and is attributed to single-electron tunneling via two tunnel junction barriers. The nature of Coulomb blockade is also investigated by temperature-dependent conductance oscillation measurement. Our results hold promise for the study of novel quantum transport phenomena in 2D semiconducting atomic layer crystals.
Tree Based Trajectory Planning for Mars Aerocapture

This paper develops a tree based trajectory planning for Mars aerocapture mission for large payloads. ADEPT (Adaptable Deployable Entry & Placement Technology) is a novel planetary entry concept that utilizes a mechanically deployable aero-shell with a flexible carbon fabric that can be used as control actuator. This concept has the potential to modulate not only the bank angle but also the angle of attack, giving an additional degree of control authority for planetary entry maneuver. This paper introduces a tree based guidance algorithm for ADEPT planetary entry vehicle. Tree branches are calculated based on available control authority, and the feasible branches are selected based on maximum energy depletion for aerocapture maneuver. Simulation results show the efficacy of the proposed method of finding feasible aerocapture trajectories. The developed trajectories can be shaped according to the desired exit conditions and is robust to variations in initial conditions.
Chronic stenosis of the larynx with special consideration of skin grafting

1. Treatment for chronic stenosis of the larynx should be delayed until the patient is in the best possible general condition and until any local inflammatory reaction has entirely cleared. 2. The type of treatment indicated in a given instance depends largely on the character and extent of the stenosis rather than on its cause. 3. Bouginage, the most commonly employed procedure in the treatment of stenosis of the larynx, has in our experience at The Mayo Clinic been one of the least effective procedures. 4. Elastic pressure applied by means of soft rubber dilators is one of the most satisfactory methods of treating chronic stenosis. 5. Laryngofissure with excision of the scarring and any thickened or distorted cartilage, followed by skin grafting, is the most effective method of dealing with chronic cicatricial stenosis and often will restore a satisfactory laryngeal lumen after other methods of treatment have failed.
Inflammation of the Periurethral Glands of Littre Simulating Tumor

A young man presented with a subfrenular nodule of the penis that proved to be ectasia and chronic inflammation of the periurethral glands of Littre. Pathological processes involving these glands are rare but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of penile or urethral lesions.
Photochemical and Thermal Stability Studies on a Liquid Crystal Mixture of Cyanobiphenyls

Liquid crystals (LCs) have unique properties that allow them to be used in information display devices.1 In particular, LCs are useful for displays used in wrist watches, calculators, message boards, flat-panel television, and large-screen projection systems.2 The choice of materials is often dictated by the desired application. The use of LCs in electro-optical devices exposed to high-intensity light must meet not only the usual criteria for these devices such as birefringence, dielectric and conductivity anisotropy, and alignment qualities, but must be photochemically stable to long exposures of visible light and thermally stable to heat generated by exposure to visible and near infrared light. Large-screen projection displays that use liquid crystal light valves3 have more severe photochemical stability requirements to achieve long lifetime displays than many other devices. Even very small absorption “tails” of the LCs that extend into the visible region of the spectrum can cause lifetime problems (should photo-decomposition occur) because of the high intensity of light used. Figure 1 shows a light valve projection system.3
One-pot synthesis of MnO2–chitin hybrids for effective removal of methylene blue

Abstract Manganese dioxide (MnO2)-chitin–hybrid material was prepared by a facile “one-pot” synthesis method. MnO2–chitin hybrid was used for the effective removal of methylene blue (MB) from liquid solution as model for wastewater treatment. The hybrid obtained was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of pH and temperature were studied. MnO2–chitin hybrid showed high performance for oxidative decolorization and removal of MB. Typically, 25 mL of MB (20 mg/L) can be completely decolorized in 2.5 min with 8.5 mg of the MnO2–chitin hybrid. The hybrid material exhibited excellent recyclability and durability with the degradation value of 99% for MB after ten consecutive cycles.
Quantization of Gaussian samples at very low SNR regime in continuous variable QKD applications

The main problem for information reconciliation in continuous variable Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) at low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) is quantization and assignment of labels to the samples of the Gaussian Random Variables (RVs) observed at Alice and Bob. Trouble is that most of the samples, assuming that the Gaussian variable is zero mean which is de-facto the case, tend to have small magnitudes and are easily disturbed by noise. Transmission over longer and longer distances increases the losses corresponding to a lower effective SNR exasperating the problem. This paper looks at the quantization problem of the Gaussian samples at very low SNR regime from an information theoretic point of view. We look at the problem of two bit per sample quantization of the Gaussian RVs at Alice and Bob and derive expressions for the mutual information between the bit strings as a result of this quantization. The quantization threshold for the Most Significant Bit (MSB) should be chosen based on the maximization of the mutual information between the quantized bit strings. Furthermore, while the LSB string at Alice and Bob are balanced in a sense that their entropy is close to maximum, this is not the case for the second most significant bit even under optimal threshold. We show that with two bit quantization at SNR of -3 dB we achieve 75.8% of maximal achievable mutual information between Alice and Bob, hence, as the number of quantization bits increases beyond 2-bits, the number of additional useful bits that can be extracted for secret key generation decreases rapidly. Furthermore, the error rates between the bit strings at Alice and Bob at the same significant bit level are rather high demanding very powerful error correcting codes. While our calculations and simulation shows that the mutual information between the LSB at Alice and Bob is 0.1044 bits, that at the MSB level is only 0.035 bits. Hence, it is only by looking at the bits jointly that we are able to achieve a mutual information of 0.2217 bits which is 75.8% of maximum achievable. The implication is that only by coding both MSB and LSB jointly can we hope to get close to this 75.8% limit. Hence, non-binary codes are essential to achieve acceptable performance.
Exploring Differences in the Aspirin-Colorectal Cancer Association by Sex and Race/Ethnicity: The Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Background: Evidence has accumulated that long-term use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) protects against colorectal cancer. We tested whether the inverse associations between NSAIDs and colorectal cancer is similarly observed across sexes and five racial/ethnic groups (Japanese, Latino, African American, Native Hawaiian, and white) in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) Study. Methods: During a mean follow-up of 16.1 years, we identified 4,882 invasive incident colorectal cancer cases among 183,199 eligible participants. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Use of aspirin and other NSAIDs was associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer in men (HR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69–0.86 for current vs. never users of aspirin) but not in women ( P interaction = 0.005). Among male current users, a reduced risk was observed with ≥6 years of aspirin or total NSAID use. The inverse association with current NSAID use in men was observed in all racial/ethnic groups, except for Native Hawaiians, and was stronger in whites. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the benefit of NSAIDs for colorectal cancer may be strongest for white men and generalizes to African American, Japanese, and Latino, but not to Native Hawaiian men. The lack of inverse association observed in women and Native Hawaiian men in the MEC should be interpreted with caution. Impact: As only very few ethnic/racial groups are likely to be represented in trials of NSAIDs and colorectal cancer, it is important to conduct prospective observational studies in various populations to test the generalizability of their results. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(2); 162–9. ©2016 AACR .
A survey

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architecture has emerged in response to limitations of traditional networking architectures in satisfying todays complex networking needs. In particular, SDN allows network administrators to manage network services through abstraction of lower-level functionality. However, SDN is a logically centralized technology. Therefore, scalability, and especially the control plane (i.e. controller) scalability in SDN is one of the problems that needs more attention. In this survey paper, we first discuss the scalability problems of controller(s) in an SDN architecture. We then comprehensively survey and summarize the characterizations and taxonomy of state-of-the-art studies in SDN control plane scalability. We organize the discussion on control plane scalability into two broad approaches: Topology-related approaches and Mechanisms-related approaches. In Topology-related approaches, we study the relation between topology of architectures and scalability issues. It has sub-categories of Centralized (Single) Controller Designs and Distributed approaches. Distributed approaches, in turn, have also sub-categories: Distributed (Flat) Controller Designs, Hierarchical Controller Designs, and Hybrid Designs. In Mechanisms-related approaches, we review the relation between various mechanisms used to optimize controllers and scalability issues. It has sub-categories of Parallelism-based Optimization and Control Plane Routing Scheme-based Optimization. Furthermore, we outline the potential challenges and open problems that need to be addressed further for more scalable SDN control planes.
Environmental Political Culture and Environmental Political Development: An Analysis of Legislative Voting, 1971–1989

On a number of recent occasions I have argued that environmental affairs since World War II arose from widespread changes in values associated with the evolution of the American society and economy. The change was slow and persistent, demographic in character, as people became more educated and more affluent. Older types of production and consumption gave way to newer and among the newer was "environmental quality," a new component in the persistent desire for a higher "standard of living." Such new values were held more strongly among younger people and became diffused throughout society more fully with each new generation.1 Much of that argument rested on qualitative evidence, drawn from the publications of environmental organizations, new developments in environmental science, public policy at state and federal levels, the debates in legislative bodies, regulatory agencies and executive offices, and the contests implicit in litigation. At the same time, some of it was quantitative, especially that provided by
Microbial acceleration of aerobic pyrite oxidation at circumneutral pH

Pyrite (FeS2) is the most abundant sulfide mineral on Earth and represents a significant reservoir of reduced iron and sulfur both today and in the geologic past. In modern environments, oxidative transformations of pyrite and other metal sulfides play a key role in terrestrial element partitioning with broad impacts to contaminant mobility and the formation of acid mine drainage systems. Although the role of aerobic micro-organisms in pyrite oxidation under acidic-pH conditions is well known, to date there is very little known about the capacity for aerobic micro-organisms to oxidize pyrite at circumneutral pH. Here, we describe two enrichment cultures, obtained from pyrite-bearing subsurface sediments, that were capable of sustained cell growth linked to pyrite oxidation and sulfate generation at neutral pH. The cultures were dominated by two Rhizobiales species (Bradyrhizobium sp. and Mesorhizobium sp.) and a Ralstonia species. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing and genome reconstruction indicated the presence of Fe and S oxidation pathways in these organisms, and the presence of a complete Calvin–Benson–Bassham CO2 fixation system in the Bradyrhizobium sp. Oxidation of pyrite resulted in thin (30–50 nm) coatings of amorphous Fe(III) oxide on the pyrite surface, with no other secondary Fe or S phases detected by electron microscopy or X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Rates of microbial pyrite oxidation were approximately one order of magnitude higher than abiotic rates. These results demonstrate the ability of aerobic microbial activity to accelerate pyrite oxidation and expand the potential contribution of micro-organisms to continental sulfide mineral weathering around the time of the Great Oxidation Event to include neutral-pH environments. In addition, our findings have direct implications for the geochemistry of modern sedimentary environments, including stimulation of the early stages of acid mine drainage formation and mobilization of pyrite-associated metals.
On-Line Monitoring of a Batch PMMA Reactor

Abstract A novel approach for on-line monitoring of a batch process is proposed in this article. The proposed method is mainly based on the recursive estimation of the Rstatistic that considers the true distribution of the correlated noise during a batch operation. The method effectively reduces the computation loading in on-line implementation and decreases the possibility of false alarm while doing on-line monitoring of a batch operation. A case study on a pilot-plant-scale polymerization of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) simulator has demonstrated the potential benefits of this algorithm. The result is also compared with that obtained from a traditionally on-line mult-way PCA method.
Preclinical and clinical evidence for the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor in the pathogenesis of depression.

Long before its isolation and characterization in 1981 by Vale and colleagues (1), a factor such as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was postulated to play a pathophysiological role in patients suffering from depression. Increased plasma cortisol concentrations have been observed in many patients with endogenous depression (2). Although the hypercortisolemia could theoretically result from abnormalities in the peripheryadrenals or pituitary—it was postulated that an unknown factor in the central nervous system (CNS) was responsible for the hyperactivity of the pituitary-adrenal axis (3). With the discovery of CRF, it is now possible to directly test the hypothesis that this peptide might be dysregulated in various psychiatric disorders.
Correlations Between Quantitative MR Imaging Properties and Viscoelastic Material Properties of Agarose Gel

This study determines and assesses correlations between quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) parameters (proton density, diffusion, T1 and T2 relaxation) and viscoelastic material properties (storage modulus) for various low concentrations (0.5–3.0 % weight/volume) of agarose gel. MR imaging was done using a 3T (Philips Achieva) scanner. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of the gels. The repeatability and accuracy of the DMA measurements have some dependence on various geometric sample and measurement parameters. An optimal set of parameters (for compression mode testing) that would produce reliable and repeatable measurements was identified for ranges of sample geometry. Higher concentrations of agarose were associated with higher storage moduli and lower relaxation times, diffusion coefficients, and proton densities. Of the qMRI parameters, T2 relaxation is the most sensitive to changes in concentration.
Maximizing Local Access to Therapeutic Deliveries in Glioblastoma. Part II: Arborizing Catheter for Convection-Enhanced Delivery in Tissue Phantoms

ABSTRACT Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is the process of local, pressure driven flow of drugs into brain parenchyma containing tumor tissue, resulting in greater distribution of the infused drugs compared to diffusion-dependent therapies. Nevertheless, even with the advantage of CED over simple diffusion, the large volumes necessary to target entire tumors and peritumor volumes have been previously unachievable with currently available catheters. We present a novel, multiport, arborizing catheter designed specifically for improving drug distribution into the brain. We evaluated the performance of the arborizing catheter by quantifying volume dispersed (Vd) and mean distribution ratios (Vd:Vi) in infusion studies using agarose brain phantoms and compared results to a single-port catheter. Three experimental groups were evaluated: (i) single-port infusions at 1 μL/min; (ii) single-port infusions at 7 μL/min; and (iii) seven-port arborizing catheter infusions at 1 μL/min/port. Significantly greater Vd was calculated for the arborizing catheter group (10.47 ± 1.07 cm3) compared with the single-port catheter groups at the low- and high-flow rates (2.36 ± 0.21 cm3 and 5.14 ± 0.56 cm3), respectively. Vd:Vi for the arborizing catheter was 37% lower than the single-port catheter at 1 μL/min, but 100% greater than the single-port catheter at 7 μL/min. The multiport, arborizing catheter produced the greatest distribution of the infusate, which would be advantageous for CED; however, it did not exhibit the greatest distribution ratio, likely due to overlapping distribution volumes from the multiple individual ports.
Optic nerve sheath fenestration: a revised lateral approach for nerve access

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, describes a disease of poorly understood pathophysiology with a specific set of signs and symptoms including potential...
Reactive Myeloproliferative Syndrome Secondary to Tumor-Related Inflammation in Giant-Cell Tumor of the Scapula: A Case Report.

Giant-cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign lesion with variable aggressiveness that occurs primarily in the metaepiphyseal regions of long bones. The most frequent locations, in order of decreasing prevalence, are the distal aspect of the femur, the proximal aspect of the tibia, the distal aspect of the radius, and the sacrum1. Although flat-bone involvement is rare, GCTB has been reported in the scapula2. This case report describes the unusual occurrence of a hematological paraneoplastic syndrome in association with GCTB. Systemic manifestations, such as oncogenic osteomalacia secondary to GCTB with resolution of clinical symptoms following tumor resection, have been described3-5. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of GCTB associated with a paraneoplastic syndrome consisting of hematological abnormalities and evidence of systemic inflammation. We describe a case of a reactive myeloproliferative syndrome secondary to tumor-related inflammation in GCTB. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and he provided consent. A thirty-year-old man presented with a one-year history of a mass in the posterior aspect of the right shoulder, progressive fatigue, and occasional chills, fevers, and night sweats. The patient reported that the mass had grown substantially over the last few months. Radiographs, computed tomography (CT) (Figs. 1-A, 1-B, and 1-C), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Figs. 2-A, 2-B, and 2-C) revealed a 15.0 cm × 15.5-cm hemorrhagic lytic osseous lesion of the right inferior scapular body with soft-tissue extension. In addition, the patient had anemia (hematocrit, 26.6%; hemoglobin level, 8.6 g/dL); iron deficiency (iron, 20 μg/dL; percent saturation, 11%; transferrin, 138 mg/dL); evidence of highly proliferative marrow (red blood-cell [RBC] distribution width, 17.2%); thrombocytosis (platelet count, 873 × 103/mm3); mild coagulopathy (international normalized …
Challenges and Advances in A Priori Routing

An a priori route is a route which specifies an ordering of all possible customers that a particular driver may need to visit. The driver may then skip those customers on the route who do not receive a delivery. Despite the prevalence of a priori routing, construction of these routes still presents considerable challenges. Exact methods are limited to small problem sizes, and even heuristic methods are intractable in the face of real-world-sized instances. In this chapter, we will review some of the ideas that have emerged in recent years to help solve these larger instances. We focus on the probabilistic traveling salesman problem and the recently introduced probabilistic traveling salesman problem with deadlines and discuss how objective-function approximations can reduce computation time without significantly impacting solution quality. We will also present several open research questions in a priori routing.
Anatomy and Microanatomy of Peripheral Nerve

The anatomy of the peripheral nervous system is presented, with special emphasis on the connective tissue sheaths and their relationship to the nerves' blood supply. The microanatomy of nerve fibers is also presented, with a focus on pathologic changes caused by compression and ischemic injuries. The article highlights neuropathologic findings relevant to the surgical management of peripheral nerve injury and entrapment.
Natural Structural Shapes (A Unified Optimal Design Philosophy)

Good design is based on a thorough understanding of the limitations imposed by natural law as well as the existent technology. In 1775 the Parisian Academy of Sciences ceased to accept papers concerning perpeda mobilae based on the universal observation that all motion within our experience eventually attenuates unless some sort of driving force sustains it. Such machines were later recognized to be in conflict with the second law of thermodynamics in that they implied entropy generation. The design of substances and materials is limited by the fact that there are numerous chemical reactions that cannot take place and chemical bonds that cannot be sustained. In mechanical behavior, the amount of force available implies clear limitations on the speed that a particle can achieve in a given amount of time. On a more subtle level, there are motions in particle dynamics that cannot be sustained by noncentral forces, and so on. What is clear is that all design is subject to the limitations of natural law or, more precisely, natural law as now understood. A clear understanding of natural phenomena can overcome perceived limitations of false theories. Therefore, in order to free ourselves from the shackles of such false limitations, our primary efforts must be directed toward an understanding of natural law. Our designs then will reflect this understanding.
Software Capabilities of the Adage Graphics Terminals

Most evaluations or descriptions of display systems concentrate heavily on the hardware characteristics, but offer little insight into the capabilities and facilities offered by the software. Since hardware/software operation is so interrelated, the true power of any system is highly dependent upon both.
The thermal and mechanical stability of Fe90−xAlxZr10 metallic glasses

Amorphous Fe90−xAlxZr10 alloys were prepared by rapid solidification in either an arc hammer apparatus or by melt-spinning for the composition range 0 25. An annealing embrittlement phenomenon was observed for the alloys with x > 5 in the ductile melt-spun ribbons. The thicker foils produced in the arc hammer apparatus were generally brittle as-cast even though the structure was completely amorphous. The annealing embrittlement was observed to correlate with increases in microhardness. The composition dependences of the crystallization behavior and the annealing embrittlement are consistent with recent suggestions that viscosity increases caused by structural relaxation during annealing are involved in embrittlement.
Ideal Type: Conceptions in the Social Sciences

Many social sciences formulate or rely on generalizations about human behavior in its ‘subjectively meaningful’ aspect; yet taken literally, these statements appear generally to be false. Three main interpretations have been offered in defense of such statements' scientific legitimacy. First, Max Weber suggests that they are the result, not of generalizing, but of idealizing abstraction from concrete reality; they are therefore not to be understood as ‘laws,’ but as ‘ideal types.’ Second, Alfred Schutz argues that the scientific comprehension (Verstehen) of individuals' subjective action-meanings proceeds through the ‘objectifying’ (‘ideal-typifying’) grasp of their inner durations in terms of constellations of schematically conceived kinds of experiences. As long as the so-conceived experiences are completely ‘anonymous,’ i.e., not specific to any particular (kinds of) subjectivity, they can function in genuine generalizations; to the extent to which they exhibit traces of specific subjectivities, they render such statements ideal-typical in Weber's sense. Third, Daniel Hausman proposes to view these statements as definitions of systems, i.e., as models, to be used as complex predicates in assertions about the structures of parts of the social world. These (empirical) assertions must be interpreted as (implicitly) qualified by vague ceteris paribus clauses, i.e., as ‘inexact.’
Personalizing Algebra to Students’ Individual Interests in an Intelligent Tutoring System: Moderators of Impact

Students experience mathematics in their day-to-day lives as they pursue their individual interests in areas like sports or video games. The present study explores how connecting to students’ individual interests can be used to personalize learning using an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) for algebra. We examine the idea that the effects of personalization may be moderated by students’ depth of quantitative engagement with their out-of-school interests. We also examine whether math problems designed to draw upon students’ knowledge of their individual interests at a deep level (i.e., actual quantitative experiences) or surface level (i.e., superficial changes to problem topic) have differential effects. Results suggest that connecting math instruction to students’ out-of-school interests can be beneficial for learning in an ITS and reduces gaming the system. However, benefits may only be realized when students’ degree of quantitative engagement with their out-of-school interests matches the depth at which the personalized problems are written. Students whose quantitative engagement with their interests is minimal may benefit most when problems draw upon superficial aspects of their interest areas. Students who report significant quantitative engagement with their interests may benefit most when individual interests are deeply incorporated into the quantitative structure of math problems. We also find that problems with deeper personalization may spur positive affective states and ward off negative ones for all students. Findings suggest depth is a critical feature of personalized learning with implications for theory and AI instructional design.