cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global competition and the dynamics of culture evolution

Summary form only given. Since the early 1970s, the United States has experienced a leveling in its long-term historic rates of economic growth. While the American economy is growing, the current growth rate averaging 2.3 percent since the early 1970s does not match the previous historic rate of 3.4 percent. Economic growth is predicated on a variety of variables, but primary is the rate of productivity increase. The decline in the rates of productivity increase have reduced the capacity for American competitiveness in the context of the global economy. Productivity, in turn, is primarily a function of technological advance. Here, the authors examines what technology is and how technology relates to the processes of economic development and American global competitiveness. Further, who and or what manages that technological flow and for which purpose is also studies.
Reconsidering Antimalarials in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Developments of Translational Clinical Interest

Successful trials of biologic therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have raised interest in targeting a variety of additional putative mechanisms of action. These include preparations that antagonize Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and 9, one of the actions of antimalarials. Although they have been studied for over a hundred years, the last decade has witnessed a flurry of reports demonstrating novel physiologic effects of these agents. Prospective and retrospective studies that document disease-modifying outcomes of antimalarials have appeared. This report summarizes those breakthroughs and insights, which are important in our approach toward SLE management. ### Historical context According to legend, bark from a “fever tree” in 1620s Peru miraculously cured the mysterious illness of the Countess of Cinchona. That event led the Jesuits in Europe to form the first modern cartel — one that controlled the international production and distribution of quinine by the 1660s1. The first modern clinical investigations of quinine for rheumatic disorders were not published until Payne’s report of its efficacy for cutaneous lupus in 18942 and were expanded upon in the 1920s and 1930s. The quinacrine story is among the most colorful in the annals of pharmacologic interventions. It was the last discovery by German bacteriologist Paul Ehrlich before he died in 1915. In the United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration and congressional leadership had to go to court to get pro-German sympathizers at the Winthrop Chemical Company to disclose the quinacrine manufacturing process. … Address correspondence to Dr. Venuturupalli; E-mail: swamy.venuturupalli{at}gmail.com
Chemical analysis of vinyl‐crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) model networks and use of the resulting structural information in the interpretation of their elastomeric properties

Model networks were prepared by selective crosslinking through vinyl groups occurring as either chain ends or as side-groups on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) backbone. Iodometric titrations were used to determine the number of unreacted groups, thereby providing detailed information on the completeness of the reactions and the structure of the resulting networks. The end-linking reaction of the vinyl-terminated chains was generally found to be at least 95% complete. In the case of very high junction functionality, however, the extent of reaction was significantly lower, presumably because of steric interferences in the vicinity of the junctions, as was concluded in a previous investigation. Lower extents of reaction were also found in the case of vinyl groups located along the chains, probably because such groups are constrained by two chain sequences instead of one. The equilibrium elastomeric properties of both types of networks were interpreted using the structural information thus obtained and were found to be in good agreement with previous experimental results. They are also in satisfactory agreement with theory, without introduction of the highly questionable assumption of large contributions from interchain entanglements.
Intraprocedural Safety and Technical Success of the MVP Micro Vascular Plug for Embolization of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations

This case series describes early experience, intraprocedural safety, and technical success of the MVP Micro Vascular Plug (MVP; Covidien, Irvine, California) for embolization of 20 pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) using 23 plugs in seven patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. There was no device migration, and all devices were successfully detached electrolytically. Immediate cessation of flow through the feeding artery was achieved in 21 of 23 (91%) deployments. There was one minor complication. This series demonstrates the MVP to be safe and technically successful in the treatment of PAVMs.
Technical aspects of abdominal CT in infants and children.

Aspects pratiques: preparation, sedation, immobilisation, positionnement. 7 ans d'experience. 2700 examens
Do interpersonal features of social anxiety influence the development of depressive symptoms

This study is a prospective examination of possible interpersonal features of social anxiety that might predict increases in depressive symptoms. It was hypothesised that social anxiety would be associated with avoidance of expressing emotion, lack of assertion, and interpersonal dependency and that these dysfunctional interpersonal styles would predict depressive symptoms one year later while controlling for Time 1 depressive symptoms. One hundred and two undergraduates completed interview and self-report measures of these interpersonal styles in addition to measures of social anxiety and depressive symptoms. Results indicated that social anxiety was associated with all three interpersonal styles. However, only avoidance of expressing emotions predicted Time 2 depressive symptoms. Theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS

The field of non-pharmacological therapies for treatment resistant depression (TRD) is rapidly evolving and new somatic therapies are valuable options for patients who have failed numerous other treatments. A major challenge for clinicians (and patients alike) is how to integrate the results from published clinical trials in the clinical decision-making process. We reviewed the literature for articles reporting results for clinical trials in particular efficacy data, contraindications and side effects of somatic therapies including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Each of these devices has an indication for patients with different level of treatment resistance, based on acuteness of illness, likelihood of response, costs and associated risks. ECT is widely available and its effects are relatively rapid in severe TRD, but its cognitive adverse effects may be cumbersome. TMS is safe and well tolerated, and it has been approved by FDA for adults who have failed to respond to one antidepressant, but its use in TRD is still controversial as it is not supported by rigorous double-blind randomized clinical trials. The options requiring surgical approach are VNS and DBS. VNS has been FDA-approved for TRD, however it is not indicated for management of acute illness. DBS for TRD is still an experimental area of investigation and double-blind clinical trials are underway.
Harder and Stiffer Bone Osseointegrated to Roughened Titanium

Mechanisms underlying the beneficial anchorage of roughened titanium implants have not been identified. We hypothesized that the implant surface roughness alters intrinsic biomechanical properties of bone integrated to titanium. Nano-indentation performed on two- and four-week post-implantation bone specimens of rats revealed that bone integrated to acid-etched titanium was approximately 3 times harder than that integrated to the machined titanium, both at the osseointegration interface and at the inner area of the peri-implant bone. The hardness of the acid-etched surface-associated bone was equivalent to that of untreated cortical bone at week 4, while the bone hardness around the machined surface was equivalent to that of the untreated trabecular bone. The elastic modulus of the integrated bone was 1.5 to 2.5 times greater around the acid-etched surface than around the machined surface. Analysis of the data suggests that the implant surface roughness affects the biomechanical quality of osseo-integrate...
Retention 101: Where Robots Go … Students Follow

At Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne we have developed ETCS 101—Introduction to Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science, a freshman success course for students in the School of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science. The main objective of this course is to increase retention. The course aims to provide students with sufficient computer and personal development skills and to help them develop the right mental attitude conducive for academic success. Features of the course include projects of software and hardware nature, extensive use of the Internet and Web software tools, and a team-teaching format. As the main project of this course, small teams of students design, build, program, and test an autonomous mobile robot using LEGO® parts, sensors, and the Robotic Command eXplorer (RCX) controller. This is a multidisciplinary, project-driven learning process that encourages students to develop problem solving and teamwork skills and fosters their creativity and logic.
A Review of Scale Development Practices in the Study of Organizations

Questionnaires are the most commonly used method of data collection infield research (Stone, 1978). Problems with the reliability and validity of measures used on questionnaires has often led to difficulties in interpreting the results of field research (Cook, Hepworth, Wall & Wart-, 1981; Schriesheim, Powers, Scandura, Gardiner & Lankau, 1993). This article reviews scale development procedures for 277 measures used in 75 articles published in leading academic journals from 1989 to 1994. It points out some of the problems encountered and provides examples of what could be considered “best practices “in scale development and reporting. Based on the review, recommendations are made to improve the scale development process.
Recurrent 16p11.2 microdeletions in autism

Autism is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component, yet the identification of autism susceptibility loci remains elusive. We investigated 180 autism probands and 372 control subjects by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) using a 19K whole-genome tiling path bacterial artificial chromosome microarray to identify submicroscopic chromosomal rearrangements specific to autism. We discovered a recurrent 16p11.2 microdeletion in two probands with autism and none in controls. The deletion spans 500-kb and is flanked by 147-kb segmental duplications (SDs) that are >99% identical, a common characteristic of genomic disorders. We assessed the frequency of this new autism genomic disorder by screening an additional 532 probands and 465 controls by quantitative PCR and identified two more patients but no controls with the microdeletion, indicating a combined frequency of 0.6% (4/712 autism versus 0/837 controls; Fisher exact test P 5 0.044). We confirmed all 16p11.2 deletions using fluorescence in situ hybridization, microsatellite analyses and aCGH, and mapped the approximate deletion breakpoints to the edges of the flanking SDs using a custom-designed high-density oligonucleotide microarray. Bioinformatic analysis localized 12 of the 25 genes within the microdeletion to nodes in one interaction network. We performed phenotype analyses and found no striking features that distinguish patients with the 16p11.2 microdeletion as a distinct autism subtype. Our work reports the first frequency, breakpoint, bioinformatic and phenotypic analyses of a de novo 16p11.2 microdeletion that represents one of the most common recurrent genomic disorders associated with autism to date.
Optimal Control of Acid Rain in a Federation with Decentralized Leadership and Information

Abstract We examine some aspects of the acid rain problem in the European Union. Acid rain is a by-product of electricity production, and the EU is a federal system characterized by decentralized leadership; that is, regional governments are leaders and the center is a common follower. Regional governments design environmental policies and the center designs an interregional income redistribution policy in a setting with decentralized information. Information is decentralized in that an upwind regional power plant is privately informed about its technology. We show that the subgame perfect equilibrium of a game with decentralized leadership and information is constrained socially optimal.
Insights into the three-dimensional structure of crotalase: Implications for biological activity and substrate specificity

Abstract Crotalase is a serine protease from eastern diamondback rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamanteus ) venom. Crotalase has high amino-acid sequence similarity to three other members of the serine protease family, α-thrombin, β-trypsin and kallikrein A. Their structural information was used to predict the folding of crotalase. The computational structural data were used to explain biochemical properties of this important enzyme. The first computational model for the structure of crotalase is reported herein. The implications of the details of the structure for the biological activity are discussed.
Targeting Behaviors to Measure and Change

The first tasks of clinical services are to establish rapport and a therapeutic alliance with the child and family and to find out the general nature of the problem and its severity. Then the clinician and the family need to come to an understanding about how assessment and treatment will proceed, a process that will be especially important if one is to gather data as we are suggesting.
Assessment of protein side-chain conformation prediction methods in different residue environments

Computational prediction of side-chain conformation is an important component of protein structure prediction. Accurate side-chain prediction is crucial for practical applications of protein structure models that need atomic-detailed resolution such as protein and ligand design. We evaluated the accuracy of eight side-chain prediction methods in reproducing the side-chain conformations of experimentally solved structures deposited to the Protein Data Bank. Prediction accuracy was evaluated for a total of four different structural environments (buried, surface, interface, and membrane-spanning) in three different protein types (monomeric, multimeric, and membrane). Overall, the highest accuracy was observed for buried residues in monomeric and multimeric proteins. Notably, side-chains at protein interfaces and membrane-spanning regions were better predicted than surface residues even though the methods did not all use multimeric and membrane proteins for training. Thus, we conclude that the current methods are as practically useful for modeling protein docking interfaces and membrane-spanning regions as for modeling monomers.
Structural Determinations for Sodium Borate Glasses Using B10 and B11 NMR

In earlier NMR studies of structure and bonding in borate glasses (1–7), the central transition (m=1/2 ↔ 1/2) of the B-11 isotope has been employed almost exclusively. Aside from its usefulness in the determination of N4, the fraction of four coordinated boron atoms, B-11 NMR has been of limited value in determining the coupling constant (Qcc) and the asymmetry parameter (n) found in the glass. This limitation is due primarily to the importance of dipolar broadening and the existence of distributions in Qcc and n. B-10 NMR, on the other hand, affords 3 advantages over the use of the central transition of B-11 NMR: 1) dipolar broadening is much less important (8); 2) the distribution of Qcc is directly obtainable from a part of the B-10 NMR spectrum (8); and 3) there exists another part of the B-10 NMR experimental spectrum that is sensitive to the distributions of n, but insensitive to distributions of Qcc (9). These features of the B-10 NMR spectrum are employed in this work for the study of glasses in the sodium borate system.
Spectral Conditions for Composition Operators on Algebras of Functions

We establish general sufficient conditions for maps between function algebras to be composition or weighted composition operators, which extend previous results in [2,4,6,7]. Let $X$ be a locally compact Hausdorff space and $A \subset C(X)$ a dense subalgebra of a function algebra, not necessarily with unit, such that $X = \partial A$ and $p(A)=\delta A$, where $\partial A$ is the Shilov boundary, $\delta A$ -- the Choquet boundary, and $p(A)$ -- the set of $p$-points of $A$. If $T\colon A \to B$ is a surjective map onto a function algebra $B\subset C(Y)$ such that either $\ps(Tf\cdot Tg)\subset\ps(fg)$ for all $f,g \in A$, or, alternatively, $\ps(fg)\subset\ps(Tf\cdot Tg)$ for all $f,g \in A$, then there is a homeomorphism $\psi\colon \delta B\to\delta A$ and a function $\a$ on $\delta B$ so that $(Tf)(y)=\a(y)\,f(\psi(y))$ for all $f \in A$ and $y \in\delta B$. If, instead, $\ps(Tf\cdot Tg)\cap\ps(fg)\neq \varnothing$ for all $f,g\in A$, and either $\ps(f)\subset \ps(Tf)$ for all $f\in A$, or, alternatively, $\ps(Tf)\subset \ps(f)$ for all $f\in A$, then $(Tf)(y)=f(\psi(y))$ for all $f \in A$ and $y \in \delta B$. In particular, if $A$ and $B$ are uniform algebras and $T\colon A \to B$ is a surjective map with $\ps(Tf\cdot Tg)\cap\ps(fg)\neq\varnothing$ for all $f,g \in A$, that has a limit, say $b$, at some $a\in A$ with $a^2=1$, then $(Tf)(y)=b(y)\,a(\psi(y))\, f(\psi(y))$ for every $f\in A$ and $y\in\delta B$.
Innervation of Lower Limbs

As you will see, the innervation of the lower limb is perhaps slightly more complicated than that of the upper limb; but it, too, can be reduced to a set of principles. First, however, a review of the salient features of lower limb development to help explain the functional organization of the lumbosacral plexus.
When a Product Is Still Fictional: Anticipating and Speculating Futures through Concept Videos

This paper explores corporate concept videos as a type of design fiction that embed a vision about the future of computing -- including how computing should be done, for whom, and the norms that might exist -- and allow for a discourse to explore and contest these claims. We introduce a method for critiquing and analyzing concept videos. Through an analysis of Google Glass' and Microsoft HoloLens' concept videos and a discourse analysis of media articles during the time period after the products were announced but before they were available to the public, we introduce a method of analysis that lets us surface values and critique the narratives presented in technology concept videos and in early media reactions. We also introduce the language of "anticipatory" and "speculative" orientations toward the future to better describe how people imagine sociotechnical futures.
Changing demographics and outcomes of lung transplantation recipients with cystic fibrosis

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common diagnoses in adult and pediatric patients undergoing lung transplantation (LTx). A changing pattern of indications for LTx among patients with CF has been noted. This study analyzes the prevalence and characteristics of patients with CF who underwent LTx in the current era. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the United Network of Organ Sharing database of all LTx performed from 1999 to 2013 ( N = 20,345). Sub-analyses focused on children ( Results CF was the indication for LTx in 14% (2,877) of who patients underwent LTx, a decrease from >17% in the early era to p p = 0.009). The mean age of patients with CF undergoing LTx increased across the eras (early, 28 years ± 10; mid. 28 years ± 10; current, 30 years ± 11; p p p iratory volume in 1 second and waitlist times decreased ( p p > 0.05) at 5.1 years overall. Conclusions The proportion of LTx performed for CF has significantly decreased over time, a trend especially pronounced in pediatric patients. The change in pre-transplant characteristics across eras indicates a trend to perform LTx in more clinically ill and older patients with CF. The overall post-LTx survival has not changed.
The role of individual certification for EMC engineers and technicians

This paper describes the role of individual certification of EMC personnel. In comparison, if our test labs and equipment are required to meet certain standards of conformance, should not then EMC people also have to meet some standard? Whether certified in-house or by an independent certification agency like NARTE, the certification of EMC personnel does play an important role in the EMC community. This paper discusses the current criteria needed to obtain national EMC certification and the benefits of certification to not only the individual or the organization they work for but to the EMC community as a whole.
MO-FG-BRB-01: Debater

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusion of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: 1.Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education 2.Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice 3.Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay
Natural Intracellular Consequences of Amyloid

APP is an extremely complex, multifunctional molecule. There is little doubt that APP and its derivatives (eg Aβ and Aβ42) have essential roles in the regulation of key neural functions, including, but not limited to, synapse formation, maintenance, and growth, in neurite extension and in synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory.
Practical Leadership in Public Administration: The Practicality of Poetry

Can practical understandings about the human elements of leadership in Public Administration be gained from poetic literature? This paper argues that it can, supporting the view of a minority of theorists like Leo Strauss and Dwight Waldo. It analyzes four examples of such poetic utility in two Shakespearean plays – Henry V and Richard III. First, it analyzes how the winning-warrior leader Henry V is used in some business schools to teach MBWA (management by walking about). Second, it shows how the poetry in this play facilitates understanding the unconscious of public policy leadership. Third, it analyzes the relevance of text and sub-texts of the losing-warrior leader Richard III. Fourth, it analyzes the depth that Sigmund Freud explained in Richard III, including insights about what is explained as stronzi. The relevance is suggested for Public Administration theory and practice in such ways as upgrading its reflection about leadership.
Fracture-Induced Anisotropy of the Stress-Strain Response of Shale at Multiple Scales

Author(s): Xu, H; Busetti, S; Arson, C | Abstract: This paper investigates deformation and stiffness anisotropy induced by damage propagation in a rock brittle deformation regime. Specifically, a finite-element-based Continuum damage mechanics model is used to capture sample size effects and the influence of intrinsic anisotropy on the stress-strain response of shale. The differential stress-induced damage (DSID) model previously proposed by the authors is calibrated against triaxial compression tests performed on North Dakota Bakken shale samples. Laboratory tests simulated with the FEM reproduce deformation and damage localization phenomena and capture the increase of boundary effects expected in larger samples. Simulations performed for various initial states of damage are used to investigate the role of the dominant fabric anisotropy of the rock: bedding planes in shale are modeled by a smeared damage zone with the DSID model and by a discrete crack plane. The continuum approach successfully captures the development of microcrack propagation and energy dissipation at the early stage of the strain hardening process observed in triaxial compression tests. Additionally, using initial anisotropic damage can effectively account for various types of mechanical anisotropy in shale.
Thermochemical energy storage in strontium-doped calcium manganites for concentrating solar power applications

Abstract Thermochemical energy storage (TCES) using redox cycles of reducible perovskite oxides can potentially provide higher specific energy capacities and storage temperatures than molten-salt systems for large-scale energy storage in concentrating solar power (CSP) and other applications. Perovskites from earth abundant cations, such as CaMnO3, are needed for cost-effective solutions, but such materials must demonstrate favorable thermodynamics for high specific TCES (chemical + sensible) and favorable kinetics for heat-driven reduction and exothermic re-oxidation in the redox cycle. This paper explores the thermodynamics and kinetics of Ca 1 - x Sr x MnO 3 - δ ( x = 0.05 and 0.1 ) particles for TCES redox cycles where the particles are heated and reduced in N2 ( P O 2 ≈ 10 - 4 bar) to high temperatures T H up to 1000 °C in a solid-particle solar receiver. Chemical and sensible energy stored in the reduced perovskite particles is released as needed to a power cycle via re-oxidation and cooling of the material. Variation of oxygen non-stoichiometry ( δ ) of Ca 1 - x Sr x MnO 3 - δ with temperature and P O 2 is measured via thermogravimetric analysis. Reaction enthalpy for reduction and re-oxidation is determined by fitting the variation of δ with temperature and P O 2 to a two-reaction point defect model. The fits compare favorably to differential scanning calorimetry with overall reaction enthalpies varying significantly with δ . For CSP applications, limited time in the solar receiver for perovskite reduction requires fast kinetics to achieve high specific TCES. Once the material is characterized thermodynamically, kinetic measurements for particle reduction and re-oxidation are performed in a packed-bed reactor to assess rates of O2 release and uptake at various temperatures and P O 2 with particles of diameter between 250 and 425 μm. Packed-bed experiments indicate that the low values of A-site Sr-doping stabilize the CaMnO 3 - δ structure and allow large δ at high temperatures and P O 2 ≈ 10 - 4 bar. In these time-limited redox cycling experiments between 500 and 900 °C, mass-transfer limited kinetics allows the Ca 0.95 Sr 0.05 MnO 3 - δ to reach a specific TCES of 620 kJ kg−1, which is 78% of the equilibrium limit of 791 kJ kg−1. X-ray diffraction after 1000 redox cycles showed that the Ca 1 - x Sr x MnO 3 - δ particles have excellent phase stability for the desired redox conditions.
Novel approaches to the design of bioavailable melanotropins

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The melanocortin system is a primordial and critical system for survival, involved in a wide variety of physiological functions. It includes melanocortin receptors (MCRs) and melanotropin ligands (MCLs). MCRs are important drug targets that can regulate several key physiological processes. Extensive efforts have been made to develop peptide and peptidomimetics targeting melanocortin receptors including MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. Most research is focused on developing potent and selective melanotropins. However, developing bioavailable melanotropins remains challenging.Areas covered: Herein, the authors summarize promising strategies for developing bioavailable MCLs by using cyclized N-methylated melanotropins, and using cyclotide and tetrapeptide as templates. They discuss their unique advantages in oral availability and targeting MCRs in the central nervous system or in peripheral tissues. Finally, they discuss the observed differences in thepharmacology of MCRs between in vitro and...
P005 The UCLA virtual crossmatch exchange – An update

Aim The aim of this study is to compare virtual crossmatch (VXM) predictions with Flow Cytometric crossmatch (FXM) outcomes by utilizing the sensitivity of solid phase assays to detect the presence of DSA. Methods The UCLA Virtual Crossmatch Exchange consists of a paper challenge in which labs predict the potential T/B FXM outcome of 4 virtual donors against 4 sera based on single antigen bead results and donor specific HLA profiles. Virtual predictions, calculated %PRA, class I/II DSA, and renal transplant risk assessment for each virtual donor-patient pair are reported. In a follow-up study, cells from 1 original virtual donor are sent and tested against 1 repeat serum, allowing VXM and actual FXM results to be compared. Results A total of 34 T and 34 B-cell predictions were submitted over 4 exchanges. Table 1 shows a direct comparison of T/B VXM predictions with actual FXM outcome. For VXM T-cell predictions, 79% (19/24) of positive predictions agreed with actual FXM results, while 81% (21/26) of positive B-cell predictions agreed with actual FXM results. Negative predictions achieved less agreement, as only 11% (1/9) and 0% (0/8), of negative T/B predictions, respectively, agreed with actual FXM results. In the presence of strong class I DSA (MFI > 15,000), as in Exchange 6, VXM T-cell predictions were in complete agreement with FXM outcome. However, in the presence of weak class I/II DSA (MFI Conclusions This data shows agreement between VXM predictions and FXM outcome varies depending on MFI strength. Strong DSA leads to good agreement, while weak DSA leads to greater variability. Thus, educational tools such as the Virtual Paper Challenge aid in creating standards for quality control for the virtual crossmatch. Download : Download high-res image (308KB) Download : Download full-size image
Pediatric Dilated Cardiomyopathy-Associated LRRC10 (Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing 10) Variant Reveals LRRC10 as an Auxiliary Subunit of Cardiac L-Type Ca2+ Channels.

BackgroundGenetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are incompletely understood. LRRC10 (leucine‐rich repeat–containing 10) is a cardiac‐specific protein of unknown function. Heterozygous muta...
Long-range Kitaev chains via planar Josephson junctions

We show how a recently proposed solid-state Majorana platform comprising a planar Josephson junction proximitized to a 2D electron gas (2DEG) with Rashba spin-orbit coupling and Zeeman field can be viewed as an effectively one-dimensional (1D) Kitaev chain with long-range pairing and hopping terms. We highlight how the couplings of the 1D system may be tuned by changing experimentally realistic parameters. We also show that the mapping is robust to disorder by computing the Clifford pseudospectrum index in real space for the long-range Kitaev chain across several topological phases. This mapping opens up the possibility of using current experimental setups to explore 1D topological superconductors with nonstandard and tunable couplings.
Spatial and temporal evapotranspiration trends after wildfire in semi-arid landscapes

Abstract In recent years climate change and other anthropogenic factors have contributed to increased wildfire frequency and size in western United States forests. This research focuses on the evaluation of spatial and temporal changes in evapotranspiration (ET) following the 2011 Las Conchas Fire in New Mexico (USA) using the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance Model (SSEBop ET). Evapotranspiration is coupled with soil burn severity and analyzed for 16 watersheds for water years 2001–2014. An average annual decrease of 120 mm of ET is observed within the regions affected by the Las Conchas Fire, and conifers were converted to grassland a year after the fire. On average, the post-fire annual ET in high, moderate, and low burn severity is lower than pre-fire ET by approximately 103–352 mm, 97–304 mm, and 91–268 mm, respectively. The ratio of post-fire evapotranspiration to precipitation (ET/P) is statistically different from pre-fire conditions (α = 0.05) in nine of the watersheds. The largest decrease in ET is approximately 13–57 mm per month and is most prominent during the summer (April to September). The observed decrease in ET contributes to our understanding of changes in water yield following wildfires, which is of interest for accurately modeling and predicting hydrologic processes in semi-arid landscapes.
Intermittent Hypoxia and Hypercapnia, a Hallmark of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Alters the Gut Microbiome and Metabolome

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by episodic obstruction to breathing due to upper airway collapse during sleep. Because of the episodic airway obstruction, intermittently low O2 (hypoxia) and high CO2 (hypercapnia) ensue. OSA has been associated with adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, although data regarding potential causal pathways are still evolving. As changes in inspired O2 and CO2 can affect the ecology of the gut microbiota and the microbiota has been shown to contribute to various cardiometabolic disorders, we hypothesized that OSA alters the gut ecosystem, which, in turn, exacerbates the downstream physiological consequences. Here, we model human OSA and its cardiovascular consequence using Ldlr-/- mice fed a high-fat diet and exposed to intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia (IHH). The gut microbiome and metabolome were characterized longitudinally (using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry [LC-MS/MS]) and seen to covary during IHH. Joint analysis of microbiome and metabolome data revealed marked compositional changes in both microbial (>10%, most remarkably in Clostridia) and molecular (>22%) species in the gut. Moreover, molecules that altered in abundance included microbe-dependent bile acids, enterolignans, and fatty acids, highlighting the impact of IHH on host-commensal organism cometabolism in the gut. Thus, we present the first evidence that IHH perturbs the gut microbiome functionally, setting the stage for understanding its involvement in cardiometabolic disorders. IMPORTANCE Intestinal dysbiosis mediates various cardiovascular diseases comorbid with OSA. To understand the role of dysbiosis in cardiovascular and metabolic disease caused by OSA, we systematically study the effect of intermittent hypoxic/hypercapnic stress (IHH, mimicking OSA) on gut microbes in an animal model. We take advantage of a longitudinal study design and paired omics to investigate the microbial and molecular dynamics in the gut to ascertain the contribution of microbes on intestinal metabolism in IHH. We observe microbe-dependent changes in the gut metabolome that will guide future research on unrecognized mechanistic links between gut microbes and comorbidities of OSA. Additionally, we highlight novel and noninvasive biomarkers for OSA-linked cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Foreword: Intellectual Property and Religious Thought

This foreword summarizes papers from the University of St. Thomas (MN) Law Journal symposium, Intellectual Property and Religious Thought, featuring scholars in law, religion/ethics, and technology from three continents. The recent explosion of commentary on the scope and purposes of intellectual property has examined IP law through many other disciplines. But IP scholars have only begun to mine the intellectual lodes of the world’s historic religious traditions. The time is ripe for wider exploration about how religious themes, practices, and communities may inform IP law and policy. For one thing, the scope of IP rights can no longer be seen simply as a technical/economic matter of productivity or efficiency: recent disputes over the patenting of the human genome, the costs of patented AIDS drugs in poor nations, and the effect of seed patents on farmers show that IP has moral and social implications. Moreover, several of the great religious traditions have long histories of thought about property rights and obligations that might be applied fruitfully to IP. Finally, the increasing extension of IP rights over natural processes and living things raises bioethics questions that have long been a concern of religious ethics. In a pluralistic society, no one religious approach can dominate; but religious ideas are legitimate contributors to democratic conversation and debate.This foreword summarizes the symposium papers, which fall into three categories: "God, Ownership, and Intellectual Creation"; "Life Patents, Religion, and Social Justice"; and "IP, Religion, and Social Relationships/Obligations." Symposium contributors include IP legal scholars Margo Bagley, Shubha Ghosh, Roberta Kwall, Bashar Malkawi, Alina Ng, and David Opderbeck, and religion/ethics scholars Audrey Chapman, Marco Fioretti, Paul Griffiths, and Jeremy Stern.The foreword concludes with brief reflections on future directions in research and practice. First, religious reflections on creativity and ownership should influence the practice of religious communities and individuals, quite apart from the content of civil law. Second, with respect to law and policy debates, religious thought may “root” themes such as social obligation, or the sense of creativity as a gift, “in a richer social imagination that gives them meaning and weight,” as David Opderbeck puts it. Finally, religion has particular relevance to issues concerning IP, trade, and development in the global South--partly because many developing nations are deeply religious, and partly because religious agencies do much of the on-the-ground humanitarian work on matters with IP ramifications such as health care and agriculture.
Cross-Layer Capacity Estimation and Throughput Maximization in Wireless Networks

In this chapter, we explore techniques for capacity estimation and throughput maximization in multi-hop wireless networks. The specific problem we investigate is the following: how can we characterize the set of all feasible end-to-end connection throughput rate vectors which can be supported by the network (i.e., what is the network capacity), and how can we design cross-layer algorithms at the scheduling, routing, and transport layers which are guaranteed to operate the network close to its capacity? We approach this problem from three distinct perspectives which have greatly influenced research in this field: (1) throughput scaling in random geometric graphs whose nodes are distributed uniformly in space, (2) geometric packing and linear programming-based techniques for arbitrary networks, and (3) the dynamic back-pressure scheme based on queueing theoretic principles for achieving network stability. A recurring theme throughout this chapter is the role of geometric insights into the design and analysis of provably good algorithms for multi-hop wireless networks. We also include a brief survey of related developments in the field of cross-layer algorithms for multi-hop wireless networks.
Students' interest for and work with applet-enhanced word problems

Study of student interest for and work with interactive nonroutine mathematics problems (ESCOT Problems of the Week (EPoWs); mathforum.org/escotpow/) posted on The Math Forum site was undertaken to address two questions: (1) What is the contribution of applet-enhancements to students' interest for and work with nonroutine challenge problems? And, (2) what are the effects of story context and other person scaffolding on student interest for and work with interactive online problems?
Mechanotransduction, Metastasis and Genomic Instability

Cells translate mechanical forces in the environment into biochemical signals in a process called mechanotransduction. In this way, mechanical forces direct cell behavior, including motility, proliferation, and differentiation, and become important in physiological processes such as development and wound healing. Abnormalities in mechanotransduction can lead to aberrant cell behavior and disease, including cancer. Changes in extracellular mechanical forces or defects in mechanosensors can result in misregulation of signaling pathways inside the cell, and ultimately lead to malignancy. Here, we discuss the ways in which physical attributes of the tumor microenvironment can promote metastasis and genomic instability, two hallmark features of cancer.
How Online Reviews Become Helpful: A Dynamic Perspective

Abstract Online product reviews aid consumer decision making. Although many studies show that review characteristics have salient effects on review helpfulness, little research has investigated whether such effects change temporally. To bridge this research gap, we study the dynamic formation of review helpfulness by considering the behaviors of three major players in a typical review system: consumers, the review hosting firm, and reviewers. This study uses both dynamic and static drivers of review helpfulness to examine temporal changes in their effects on review helpfulness, along two time characteristics of a post: its lifespan and its timing. Daily data collected from Amazon show that for long post lifespans or late post timing, the effects of static drivers and the spillover effect of dynamic drivers weaken, but the carryover effect of dynamic drivers strengthens. For vendors to leverage user reviews of a product, high-quality reviews posted early are extremely important and should be cultivated diligently. Sorting by review quality attributes, such as review length, also can effectively prolong the time window for reviewers to write high-quality detailed reviews.
Browsing and fire decreases dominance of a resprouting shrub in woody encroached grassland

North American grasslands have experienced increased relative abundance of shrubs and trees over the last 150 yr. Alterations in herbivore composition, abundance, and grazing pressure along with changes in fire frequency are drivers that can regulate the transition from grassland to shrubland or woodland (a process known as woody encroachment). Historically, North American grasslands had a suite of large herbivores that grazed and/or browsed (i.e., bison, elk, pronghorn, deer), as well as frequent and intense fires. In the tallgrass prairie, many large native ungulates were extirpated by the 1860s, corresponding with increased homesteading (which led to decreased fire frequencies and intensities). Changes in the frequency and intensity of these two drivers (browsing and fire) have coincided with woody encroachment in tallgrass prairie. Within tallgrass prairie, woody encroachment can be categorized in to two groups: non-resprouting species that can be killed with fire and resprouting species that cannot be killed with fire. Resprouting species require additional active management strategies to decrease abundance and eventually be removed from the ecosystem. In this study, we investigated plant cover, ramet density, and physiological effects of continuous simulated browsing and prescribed fire on Cornus drummondii C.A. Mey, a resprouting clonal native shrub species. Browsing reduced C. drummondii canopy cover and increased grass cover. We also observed decreased ramet density, which allowed for more infilling of grasses. Photosynthetic rates between browsed and unbrowsed control shrubs did not increase in 2015 or 2016. In 2017, photosynthetic rates for browsed shrubs were higher in the unburned site than the unbrowsed control shrubs at the end of the growing season. Additionally, after the prescribed fire, browsed shrubs had ~90% decreased cover, ~50% reduced ramet density, and grass cover increased by ~80%. In the roots of browsed shrubs after the prescribed fire, nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) experienced a twofold reduction in glucose and a threefold reduction in both sucrose and starch. The combined effects of browsing and fire show strong potential as a successful management tool to decrease the abundance of clonal-resprouting woody plants in mesic grasslands and illustrate the potential significance of browsers as a key driver in this ecosystem.
Reciprocal and Extortive Strategies: Infinitely Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma

The Prisoner's Dilemma game has a long history stretching across the social, biological, and physical sciences. In 2012, Press and Dyson developed a method for analyzing the mapping of the 8-dimensional strategy profile onto the 2-dimensional payoff space in an infinitely iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game, based on Markov chain analysis and memory-one strategies. We generalize this approach and introduce the concept of strategy parameter to show that linear relations among player payoffs are a ubiquitous feature of the infinitely iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game. Our extended analysis is applied to various strategy profiles including tit-for-tat, win-stay-lose-shift, and other randomized strategy sets. Strategy profiles are identified that map onto the vertices, edges, and interior of the Prisoner's Dilemma quadrilateral in the 2-dimensional payoff (score) space. A DaMD strategy is defined based solely on "Defection after Mutual Defection" and leads to linear relations between player scores using strategy parameter analysis. The DaMD strategy is shown to result in an equal (reciprocal) or larger (extortive) score for its user compare to the other player, independent of the strategy of the other player. The extortive scores occur when the probabilities for the DaMD player to cooperate after conflicting plays (cooperate-defect or defect-cooperate) sum to less than 1. The equal reciprocal scores occur when the probabilities for the DaMD player to cooperate after conflicting plays (cooperate-defect or defect-cooperate) sum to 1. When one player selects the extortive DaMD, the opposing player can force the equal punishment payoffs for both players in the infinitely iterated Prisoner's dilemma by also choosing the DaMD strategy. Possible pathways to mutual cooperation based on DaMD are discussed.