cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OPTIMAL SOLID WASTE TAX POLICY WITH CENTRALIZED RECYCLING

Economic models have demonstrated the effi ciency of curbside collection taxes. This paper demonstrates that such effi ciencies disappear in economies with centralized recycling options — where recyclable materials can be removed from the waste stream either by households or at a centralized recycling facility. In such economies, a curbside garbage tax not only fails to encourage the centralized recycler to internalize the external costs of waste disposal, but introduces ineffi ciencies to the costminimizing mix of household and centralized recycling efforts. The optimal waste policy is a tax assessed further downstream at the landfi ll rather than at the curb.
Anti-aliasing techniques for signal verification and sensor integrity

In this paper, the development of algorithms for autonomously adjusting sensors with anti-aliasing techniques is discussed. In the current world environment of rapidly changing and progressing technologies, adaptability is the lynchpin for success. Tunable sources, such as Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), are becoming more common to address the adaptability need on the proactive side. It follows that sensors themselves must then be able to expand and adapt to aid in this endeavor. The research outlined in this paper further explores the relationship between the frame rate of a sensor and the modulation frequency of an incoming signal. Signals modulated at frequencies matching or near the frame rate of a sensor cause aliasing effects more consistently and frequently than those further from the sensor's frame rate. These situations affect the sensor's accuracy in these regions, creating a "blind spot" for the sensor where fluctuations in the signal are indistinguishable from frame to frame. The relationship between the frame rate of a sensor and the modulation frequency of a signal, quantified by a change in irradiance from frame to frame, was previously explored. From these primary findings, an algorithm was developed utilizing a method analogous to that of on-off keying, to improve frame rate adaptability. This algorithm was tested and expanded to include more complex scenarios. The potential for this method, including further testing, project scope and direction, as well as future complexities involving the inclusion of a feedback loop to the laser modulation controller are presented. The paper concludes with discussions on applications of these results to improve current and future sensor technology development, testing, and characterization.
A Study of the Feasibility of FDG-PET/CT to Systematically Detect and Quantify Differential Metabolic Effects of Chronic Tobacco Use in Organs of the Whole Body—A Prospective Pilot Study

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to systematically detect and quantify differential effects of chronic tobacco use in organs of the whole body. Materials and Methods Twenty healthy male subjects (10 nonsmokers and 10 chronic heavy smokers) were enrolled. Subjects underwent whole-body FDG-PET/CT, diagnostic unenhanced chest CT, mini-mental state examination, urine testing for oxidative stress, and serum testing. The organs of interest (thyroid, skin, skeletal muscle, aorta, heart, lung, adipose tissue, liver, spleen, brain, lumbar spinal bone marrow, and testis) were analyzed on FDG-PET/CT images to determine their metabolic activities using standardized uptake value (SUV) or metabolic volumetric product (MVP). Measurements were compared between subject groups using two-sample t tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests as determined by tests for normality. Correlational analyses were also performed. Results FDG-PET/CT revealed significantly decreased metabolic activity of lumbar spinal bone marrow (MVPmean: 29.8 ± 9.7 cc vs 40.8 ± 11.6 cc, P = 0.03) and liver (SUVmean: 1.8 ± 0.2 vs 2.0 ± 0.2, P = 0.049) and increased metabolic activity of visceral adipose tissue (SUVmean: 0.35 ± 0.10 vs 0.26 ± 0.06, P = 0.02) in chronic smokers compared to nonsmokers. Normalized visceral adipose tissue volume was also significantly decreased ( P = 0.04) in chronic smokers. There were no statistically significant differences in the metabolic activity of other assessed organs. Conclusions Subclinical organ effects of chronic tobacco use are detectable and quantifiable on FDG-PET/CT. FDG-PET/CT may, therefore, play a major role in the study of systemic toxic effects of tobacco use in organs of the whole body for clinical or research purposes.
Cancer-derived extracellular vesicles: the ‘soil conditioner’ in breast cancer metastasis?

It has been recognized that cancer-associated mortality is more often a result of the disrupted physiological functions in multiple organs following metastatic dissemination of cancer cells, rather than the presence and growth of the primary tumor. Despite advances in our understanding of the events leading to cancer initiation, growth, and acquisition of invasive properties, we are still unable to effectively treat metastatic disease. It is now being accepted that the secretion of extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes from cancer cells, has a profound impact on the initiation and propagation of metastatic breast cancer. These cancer-secreted vesicles differ from other means of cellular communication due to their capability of bulk delivery and organotropism. Here, we provide an overview of the role of extracellular vesicles in breast cancer metastasis and discuss key areas that may facilitate our understanding of metastatic breast cancer to guide our efforts towards providing better therapies.
Methionine deprivation regulates the translation of functionally-distinct c-Myc proteins.

Numerous studies have demonstrated a critical role for the c-myc gene in the control of cellular growth. Alterations of the c-myc gene have been found associated with many different types of tumors in several species, including humans. The increased synthesis of one of the major forms of c-Myc protein, c-Myc 1, upon methionine deprivation provides a link between the regulation of oncogenes and the nutritional status of the cell. While deregulation or overexpression of the other major form, c-Myc 2, has been shown to cause tumorigenesis, the synthesis of c-Myc 1 protein is lost in many tumors. This suggests that the c-Myc 1 protein is necessary to keep the c-Myc 2 protein “in check” and prevent certain cells from becoming tumorigenic. Indeed, we have shown that overproduction of c-Myc 1 can inhibit cell growth. We have also shown that c-Myc 1 and 2 proteins have a differential molecular function in the regulation of transcription through a new binding site for Myc/Max heterodimers. We have also recently identified new translational forms of the c-Myc protein which we term Δ-c-Myc. These proteins arise from translational initiation at downstream start sites which yield N-terminally-truncated c-Myc proteins. Since these proteins lack a significant portion of the transactivation domain of c-Myc, they behave as dominant-negative inhibitors of the full-length c-Myc 1 and 2 proteins. The synthesis of Δ-c-Myc proteins is also regulated during cell growth and is repressed by methionine deprivation. Therefore, the synthesis of c-Myc 1 and Δ-c-Myc proteins are reciprocally regulated by methionine availability. We have also found some tumor cell lines which synthesize high levels of the Δ-c-Myc proteins. Taken together, our data suggest that c-Myc function is dependent on the levels of these different translational forms of c-Myc protein which are regulated by the nutritional status of the cell during growth.
Higher order synergies among agents, simulation, and model-driven engineering

Software agents, modeling and simulation, and Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) are fields with their unique body of knowledge. However, developments in one area can provide new avenues for advancing the methodologies and technical strategies in other fields. This paper examines the synergies among these three fields by highlighting selected challenges in each area and delineating how methods developed in one field can mutually be beneficial. We categorize the ways in which the agent paradigm can contribute to critical activities in MDE, and similarly we describe how domain-specific languages and model transformation strategies can be instrumental in the design, implementation, and management of agent systems.
Comparison of Serum Free Light Chain Levels and 24 Hour Urinary Monoclonal Protein Secretion in Patients with Myeloma: Concordant Changes with Response to Therapy.

Abstract Background: The measurement of monoclonal (M) protein in the serum and urine is critical for response assessment and disease evaluation in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The serum free light chain (FLC) assay offers a new and sensitive method of assessing response to therapy. An important question that has not been adequately addressed is the correlation between 24 hour urine M protein levels and serum FLC measurements, and the extent to which response to therapy estimated using the FLC assay correlates with that assessed using the 24 hour urine M protein level. Methods: A total of 2194 sets of data, with simultaneous UPEP and serum FLC measurement, were studied. These included 752 unique patients, with individual patients having 1–23 paired assessments over time. FLC estimation was carried out using the serum FLC assay (Freelite; The Binding Site Limited, UK) performed on a Dade-Behring Nephelometer. Based on the established reference range, kappa/lambda FLC ratio 1.65 were defined as abnormal indicating the presence of monoclonal lambda and kappa FLC, respectively. The monoclonal light chain isotype was considered the involved FLC isotype, and the opposite light chain type as the uninvolved FLC type. The Urine M protein by UPEP was compared to the serum levels of the involved light chain using Spearman Rank Correlation. For comparisons in individual patients over time, those with at least 10 measurements each were studied. Results: The median involved FLC level in patients with an undetectable urine M protein was 2.3 mg/dl compared to 32.2 mg/dL among those with a detectable urine M protein (P Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between urine M-protein and serum free light chain across patients and the correlation is stronger in individual patients in whom the effect of inter-patient variation in other confounding factors can be eliminated. These data if confirmed in a clinical trial setting would support the use of serum FLC levels instead of urinary M protein measurements to assess response to therapy.
Hypertension and Acute Hypertensive Crisis

Hypertension prevalence is more than 30% in the general population and may be as high as 50% in some populations with mental illness. It is defined using cutoffs for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) that vary based on age and certain medical conditions.
DNA Bending and Protein-DNA Interactions

We show how the site of bending in a DNA fragment can be identified by gel electrophoresis of circularly permuted analogs of the fragment. A molecular model which incorporates bending at ApA residues yields a shape for a bent kinetoplast DNA fragment which is in excellent agreement with the electrophoretic analysis. Hydrodynamic theory is used to estimate the extent of bending. A similar analysis of the complex of CAP protein with the lac operator DNA fragment shows that the protein bends the DNA molecule.
Substrate Specificity for Bacterial RNases HII and HIII Is Influenced by Metal Availability.

ABSTRACT We tested the activities of four predicated RNase H enzymes, including two RNase HI-type enzymes, in addition to RNase HII (RnhB) and RNase HIII (RnhC), on several RNA-DNA hybrid substrates with different divalent metal cations. We found that the two RNase HI-type enzymes, YpdQ and YpeP, failed to show activity on the three substrates tested. RNase HII and RNase HIII cleaved all the substrates tested, although the activity was dependent on the metal made available. We show that Bacillus subtilis RNase HII and RNase HIII are both able to incise 5′ to a single ribonucleoside monophosphate (rNMP). We show that RNase HIII incision at a single rNMP occurs most efficiently with Mn2+, an activity we found to be conserved among other Gram-positive RNase HIII enzymes. Characterization of RNases HII and HIII with metal concentrations in the physiological range showed that RNase HII can cleave at single rNMPs embedded in DNA while RNase HIII is far less effective. Further, using metal concentrations within the physiological range, RNase HIII efficiently cleaved longer RNA-DNA hybrids lacking an RNA-DNA junction, while RNase HII was much less effective. Phenotypic analysis showed that cells with an rnhC deletion were sensitive to hydroxyurea (HU). In contrast, cells with an rnhB deletion showed wild-type growth in the presence of HU, supporting the hypothesis that RNases HII and HIII have distinct substrate specificities in vivo. This work demonstrates how metal availability influences the substrate recognition and activity of RNases HII and HIII, providing insight into their functions in vivo. IMPORTANCE RNase H represents a class of proteins that cleave RNA-DNA hybrids, helping resolve R-loops and Okazaki fragments, as well as initiating the process of ribonucleotide excision repair (RER). We investigated the activities of four Bacillus subtilis RNase H enzymes and found that only RNases HII and HIII have activity and that their substrate preference is dependent on metal availability. To understand the factors that contribute to RNase HII and RNase HIII substrate preference, we show that in the presence of metal concentrations within the physiological range, RNases HII and HIII have distinct activities on different RNA-DNA hybrids. This work provides insight into how RNases HII and HIII repair the broad range of RNA-DNA hybrids that form in Gram-positive bacteria.
Are NCAA Division I Athletes Prepared for End-of-Athletic-Career Transition? A Literature Review.

Objective: This review focuses on research that specifically highlights the constructs, paradigms, and factors that impact the end-of-athletic-career transition. However, the majority of th...
Desktop micromilled microfluidics

Micromilling is a proven method for prototyping microfluidic devices; however, high overhead costs, large machine footprints, an esoteric software stack, and nonstandard device bonding protocols may be hampering the widespread adoption of micromilling in the greater microfluidics community. This research exploits a free design-to-device software chain and uses it to explore the applicability of a new class of inexpensive, desktop micromills for fabricating microfluidic devices out of polycarbonate. We present an analysis framework for stratifying micromill’s spatial accuracy and surface quality. Utilizing this we concluded milling geometries directly on the substrate is advantageous to making molds out of the substrate, in terms of accuracy and minimum feature size. Moreover, we proposed a general procedure to calculate feedrate and spindle-speed for any sub-millimeter endmill based on a recommended load percentage. We also established stepover is the major parameter in determining the surface quality rather than spindle-speed and feedrate, showing low-cost mills are able to deliver high-quality surface finishes. Ultimately, we clarified the suitability of low-cost micromills and a cost-efficient assembly method in the field of microfluidics by demonstrating rate- and size-controlled microfluidic droplet generation.
Buckled beam based optical interferometric pressure sensor with low temperature cross-sensitivity

A novel optical fiber extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer pressure sensor with low temperature cross-sensitivity is presented. The Fabry-Perot is formed by the endface of an optical fiber and the center part of a buckled beam. The working principle of the sensor involves a pressure transfer and displacement transfer and amplification mechanism based on a buckled beam. When the sensor is subjected to an external pressure, the sheet steel will deflect, resulting in an axial displacement of the buckled beam. The buckled beam will experience a deflection, and the deflection at the midpoint of the beam is one order of magnitude larger than the deflection of the sheet steel. So, a relatively large change in the cavity length can be obtained. Compared with the traditional diaphragm based pressure sensors, the sensitivity of our sensor was improved by one order of magnitude, and the temperature-pressure cross-sensitivity was found to be as low as 22 Pa/℃.
Clinical providers' experiences with returning results from genomic sequencing: an interview study.

Current medical practice includes the application of genomic sequencing (GS) in clinical and research settings. Despite expanded use of this technology, the process of disclosure of genomic results to patients and research participants has not been thoroughly examined and there are no established best practices. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 genetic and non-genetic clinicians returning results of GS as part of the NIH funded Clinical Sequencing Exploratory Research (CSER) Consortium projects. Interviews focused on the logistics of sessions, participant/patient reactions and factors influencing them, how the sessions changed with experience, and resources and training recommended to return genomic results. The length of preparation and disclosure sessions varied depending on the type and number of results and their implications. Internal and external databases, online resources and result review meetings were used to prepare. Respondents reported that participants’ reactions were variable and ranged from enthusiasm and relief to confusion and disappointment. Factors influencing reactions were types of results, expectations and health status. A recurrent challenge was managing inflated expectations about GS. Other challenges included returning multiple, unanticipated and/or uncertain results and navigating a rare diagnosis. Methods to address these challenges included traditional genetic counseling techniques and modifying practice over time in order to provide anticipatory guidance and modulate expectations. Respondents made recommendations to improve access to genomic resources and genetic referrals to prepare future providers as the uptake of GS increases in both genetic and non-genetic settings. These findings indicate that returning genomic results is similar to return of results in traditional genetic testing but is magnified by the additional complexity and potential uncertainty of the results. Managing patient expectations, initially identified in studies of informed consent, remains an ongoing challenge and highlights the need to address this issue throughout the testing process. The results of this study will help to guide future providers in the disclosure of genomic results and highlight educational needs and resources necessary to prepare providers. Future research on the patient experience, understanding and follow-up of recommendations is needed to more fully understand the disclosure process.
Chronic dyspnoea: finding the cause to reduce mortality

Dyspnea or shortness-of-breath (SOB) is a subjective sensation that is uncomfortable and often results in anxiety when it is felt that the SOB is out of proportion to a given level of exertion (1,2).
A comparative review of recent bioinformatics tools for inferring gene regulatory networks using time-series expression data

The Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) inference problem in computational biology is challenging. Many algorithmic and statistical approaches have been developed to computationally reverse engineer biological systems. However, there are no known bioinformatics tools capable of performing perfect GRN inference. Here, we review and compare seven recent bioinformatics tools for inferring GRNs from time-series gene expression data. Standard performance metrics for these seven tools based on both simulated and experimental data sets are generally low, suggesting that further efforts are needed to develop more reliable network inference tools.
Projected changes in wind assistance under climate change for nocturnally migrating bird populations

Current climate models and observations indicate that atmospheric circulation is being affected by global climate change. To assess how these changes may affect nocturnally migrating bird populations, we need to determine how current patterns of wind assistance at migration altitudes will be enhanced or reduced under future atmospheric conditions. Here, we use information compiled from 143 weather surveillance radars stations within the contiguous United States to estimate the daily altitude, density, and direction of nocturnal migration during the spring and autumn. We intersected this information with wind projections to estimate how wind assistance is expected to change during this century at current migration altitudes. The prevailing westerlies at midlatitudes are projected to increase in strength during spring migration and decrease in strength to a lesser degree during autumn migration. Southerly winds will increase in strength across the continent during both spring and autumn migration, with the strongest gains occurring in the center of the continent. Wind assistance is projected to increase across the central (0.44 m/s; 10.1%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.32 m/s; 9.6%) during spring migration, and wind assistance is projected to decrease within the central (0.32 m/s; 19.3%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.17 m/s; 6.6%) during autumn migration. Thus, across a broad portion of the continent where migration intensity is greatest, the efficiency of nocturnal migration is projected to increase in the spring and decrease in the autumn, potentially affecting time and energy expenditures for many migratory bird species. These findings highlight the importance of placing climate change projections within a relevant ecological context informed through empirical observations, and the need to consider the possibility that climate change may generate both positive and negative implications for natural systems.
Reducing Racial Inequities in Health: Using What We Already Know to Take Action

This paper provides an overview of the scientific evidence pointing to critically needed steps to reduce racial inequities in health. First, it argues that communities of opportunity should be developed to minimize some of the adverse impacts of systemic racism. These are communities that provide early childhood development resources, implement policies to reduce childhood poverty, provide work and income support opportunities for adults, and ensure healthy housing and neighborhood conditions. Second, the healthcare system needs new emphases on ensuring access to high quality care for all, strengthening preventive health care approaches, addressing patients’ social needs as part of healthcare delivery, and diversifying the healthcare work force to more closely reflect the demographic composition of the patient population. Finally, new research is needed to identify the optimal strategies to build political will and support to address social inequities in health. This will include initiatives to raise awareness levels of the pervasiveness of inequities in health, build empathy and support for addressing inequities, enhance the capacity of individuals and communities to actively participate in intervention efforts and implement large scale efforts to reduce racial prejudice, ideologies, and stereotypes in the larger culture that undergird policy preferences that initiate and sustain inequities.
Design and synthesis of novel protease inhibitors. Tripeptide α′,β′-epoxyketones as nanomolar inactivators of the proteasome

Abstract Tripeptide α′,β′-epoxyketones were prepared stereospecifically starting from Boc-[S]-phenylalanine. Diastereomer 5b inhibited the chymotrypsin-like activity of porcine endothelial cell derived proteasome at low nanomolar concentrations.
Quantifying Measurement Capabilities of Ground-Based Interferometric Radar for Rockfall Hazard Applications

New ground-based remote sensing techniques developed over the past decade present solutions to many challenges associated with traditional in situ monitoring of mass movement hazards. In particular, ground-based interferometric radar (GBIR) and terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs) are ideal candidates for application to rockfall hazard monitoring, owing to high precision in displacement sensitivity and spatial resolution, respectively. Through controlled experiments with a synthetic rock specimen and measurements of induced rock movements in the field, this study aims to quantify lower bounds of repeatable displacement detection for single rock targets using GBIR and to compare the results to total station and TLS measurements. One investigation used a synthetic rock that was moved with precisely controlled displacements to determine the lower bound threshold and accuracy of the GBIR for detecting translational movements of a realistic rock-like scatterer. This study found that the GBIR system was capable of reliably measuring displacements as low as about 0.2 mm with accuracy in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 mm. A controlled study was also performed at a field site where boulders were displaced at millimeter-scale increments and measured using the GBIR, a total station, and a TLS. Results from this portion of the study showed consistent results between the three measurement techniques within measurement error bounds.
Antioxidant properties and sensory evaluation of microgreens from commercial and local farms

Abstract Microgreens are young and tender vegetables or herbs that provide attractive color, flavor, and nutrition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and sensory qualities of broccoli microgreens grown by different methods (hydroponically vs. soil grown) and from different sources (commercial vs. local farm). No significant difference in total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity was found in all broccoli microgreens, but a significantly higher chlorophyll concentration was found in farm microgreens than the commercial ones. Moreover, the soil-grown farm microgreens possessed a significantly higher vitamin C concentration than hydroponically-grown farm sample and commercial sample. Participants in the sensory study favored farm samples regardless of growing method, and their overall liking was significantly correlated with taste of the microgreens. In addition, six other microgreens from the local farm were analyzed for their nutritional quality. These conclusions suggested a potential for consumers to still benefit nutritionally by purchasing commercial microgreens at a lower cost; however, it may be worthwhile for consumers to purchase microgreens from local farms for a better sensory experience.
Microfluidic Study of the Electrocoalescence of Aqueous Droplets in Crude Oil

In electrocoalescence, an electric field is applied to a dispersion of conducting water droplets in a poorly conducting oil to force the droplets to merge in the direction of the field. Electrocoal...
Legal empowerment approaches in the context of COVID-19

Emerging data reveals the COVID-19 pandemic’s disproportionate impact on historically marginalized communities. Drawing on in-depth interviews with legal empowerment practitioners, this article exp...
Microsurgical resection of petroclival meningiomas treated with stereotactic radiosurgery to address persistent post-treatment trigeminal pain.

Abstract Background Petroclival meningiomas (PCM) are challenging tumors to manage. Observation, Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and surgical resection have typically been offered as treatment options. A percentage of patients with PCMs present with trigeminal pain. We present four patients with small PCMs presenting with Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) that were treated with radiosurgery and continued to have debilitating trigeminal pain afterwards. All of them underwent microsurgical resection (MR) of their tumor to manage their trigeminal pain. Objective Trigeminal Neuralgia in the setting of PCM is rare. Oftentimes in these subset of patients TN pain persists after radiation and medical therapy. We explore the possibility of addressing intractable TN pain with microsurgical resection. Methods Patients with petroclival meningiomas presenting with trigeminal pain and having persistent pain after treatment with radiosurgery were included in our review. Those patients were treated with microsurgical resection of their tumor to help control their persistent pain. The patients’ demographics, clinical, and radiological data were reviewed. The primary aim of the review was to assess the patients’ Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) trigeminal neuralgia scores following microsurgical resection. Results Four female patients were identified. The tumors were locally controlled after SRS, however all four patients continued to have debilitating trigeminal pain despite medical management. All patients had complete resolution of their TN pain in the immediate postoperative period, with a BNI score of I on their last follow up. Conclusion Microsurgical resection is an appropriate option for patient’s petroclival meningiomas with persistent facial pain after treatment with SRS.
Lymphatic injury alters the contractility and mechanosensitivity of collecting lymphatics to intermittent pneumatic compression

KEY POINTS We present the first in vivo evidence that lymphatic contraction can entrain with an external oscillatory mechanical stimulus. Lymphatic injury can alter collecting lymphatic contractility, but not much is known about how its mechanosensitivity to external pressure is affected, which is crucial given the current pressure application methods for treating lymphoedema. We show that oscillatory pressure waves (OPW), akin to intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy, optimally entrain lymphatic contractility and modulate function depending on the frequency and propagation speed of the OPW. We show that the OPW-induced entrainment and contractile function in the intact collecting lymphatics are enhanced 28 days after a contralateral lymphatic ligation surgery. The results show that IPC efficacy can be improved through proper selection of OPW parameters, and that collecting lymphatics adapt their function and mechanosensitivity after a contralateral injury, switching their behaviour to a pump-like configuration that may be more suited to the altered microenvironment. ABSTRACT Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is commonly used to control the swelling due to lymphoedema, possibly modulating the collecting lymphatic function. Lymphoedema causes lymphatic contractile dysfunction, but the consequent alterations in the mechanosensitivity of lymphatics to IPC is not known. In the present work, the spatiotemporally varying oscillatory pressure waves (OPW) generated during IPC were simulated to study the modulation of lymphatic function by OPW under physiological and pathological conditions. OPW with three temporal frequencies and three propagation speeds were applied to rat tail collecting lymphatics. The entrainment of the lymphatics to OPW was significantly higher at a frequency of 0.05 Hz compared with 0.1 Hz and 0.2 Hz (P = 0.0054 and P = 0.014, respectively), but did not depend on the OPW propagation speed. Lymphatic function was significantly higher at a frequency of 0.05 Hz and propagation speed of 2.55 mm/s (P = 0.015). Exogenous nitric oxide was not found to alter OPW-induced entrainment. A contralateral lymphatic ligation surgery was performed to simulate partial lymphatic injury in rat tails. The intact vessels showed a significant increase in entrainment to OPW, 28 days after ligation (compared with sham) (P = 0.016), with a similar increase in lymphatic transport function (P = 0.0029). The results suggest an enhanced mechanosensitivity of the lymphatics, along with a transition to a pump-like behaviour, in response to a lymphatic injury. These results enhance our fundamental understanding of how lymphatic mechanosensitivity assists the coordination of lymphatic contractility and how this might be leveraged in IPC therapy.
Ensemble Lung Segmentation System Using Deep Neural Networks

Lung segmentation is a significant step in developing computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) using Chest Radiographs (CRs). CRs are used for diagnosis of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), lung cancer, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Hence, developing a Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system would provide a second opinion to help radiologists in the reading process, increase objectivity, and reduce the workload. In this paper, we present the implementation of our ensemble deep learning model for lung segmentation. This model is based on the original DeepLabV3+, which is the extended model of DeepLabV3. Our model utilizes various architectures as a backbone of DeepLabV3+, such as ResNet18, ResNet50, Mo-bilenetv2, Xception, and inceptionresnetv2. We improved the encoder module of DeepLabV3+ by adjusting the receptive field of the Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP). We also studied our algorithm’s performance on a publicly available dataset provided by Shenzhen Hospital, that contains 566 CRs with manually segmented lungs (ground truth). The experimental result demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model on the dataset, achieving an Intersection-Over-Union (IoU, Jaccard Index) score of 0.97 on the test set.
Design and Implementation of Unhealthy Leaves Disease Detection Using Image Processing

Indian economy is dependent on agriculture. Identification of the diseases is the main key to preventing the losses in the yield and quantity of the agricultural product.It is very difficult to identify the plant disease in the field. Leaves are important for fast growing of plants as well as production of crops. The farmer can easily identify the disease by seeing the symptoms but it take lot of time to identify different parts of field. So in these work is explore to design a vehicle it will move randomly in the field and it take video and send the mail as attachment. The video is converted to maximum number of frames and these frames are converted into images. This images are our input for the algorithm. By using image processing technique along with machine learning algorithm convolution Neural Network (CNN).In these work train the CNN algorithm with large number of leaf disease image data sets of different sizes and shapes. The proposed system is to design automatic vehicle to take video and mail it. These work is done by using raspberry pi3B. The video to image convert make some frames. In Convolution neural network algorithm and training process is done windows operating system (OS).
The Hardest Explicit Construction.

We investigate the complexity of explicit construction problems, where the goal is to produce a particular object of size $n$ possessing some pseudorandom property in time polynomial in $n$. We give overwhelming evidence that ${\bf APEPP}$, defined originally by Kleinberg et al., is the natural complexity class associated with explicit constructions for objects whose existence follows from the probabilistic method, by proving that a host of well-studied explicit construction problems lie in this class. We then observe that a result of Jeřabek on provability in Bounded Arithmetic, when reinterpreted as a reduction between search problems, shows that constructing a truth table of high circuit complexity is complete for ${\bf APEPP}$ under ${\bf P}^{\bf NP}$ reductions. This demonstrates that constructing a hard truth table is a universal explicit construction problem in a concrete sense. This result in fact gives a precise algorithmic characterization of proving $2^{\Omega(n)}$ circuit lower bounds for ${\bf E}^{\bf NP}$: the complete problem for ${\bf APEPP}$ has a ${\bf P}^{\bf NP}$ algorithm if and only if such a lower bound holds. Together with our proof that pseudorandom generators can be constructed in ${\bf APEPP}$, this also yields a self-contained and significantly simplified proof of the celebrated result of Impagliazzo and Wigderson that worst-case-hard truth tables can be used to derandomize algorithms (although the conclusion is weaker as our derandomization requires an ${\bf NP}$ oracle). As another corollary of this completeness result, we show that ${\bf E}^{\bf NP}$ contains a language of circuit complexity $2^{\Omega(n)}$ if and only if it contains a language of circuit complexity $\frac{2^n}{3n}$. Finally, for several of the problems shown to lie in ${\bf APEPP}$, we demonstrate direct polynomial time reductions to the explicit construction of hard truth tables.
Aiming for the Bullseye: Targeted activities decrease misconceptions related to enzyme function for undergraduate biochemistry students

Biochemistry curricula present a particular challenge to undergraduate students with abstract concepts which can lead to misconceptions that impede learning. In particular, these students have difficulty understanding enzyme structure and function concepts. Targeted learning activities and three-dimensional (3D) physical models are proposed to help students challenge these misconceptions and increase conceptual understanding. Here we assessed such pedagogical tools using the Enzyme-Substrate Interactions Concept Inventory (ESICI) to measure (mis)conceptual changes from Pre- to Post- time points in a single semester undergraduate biochemistry course. A Control group of students engaged with the active learning activities without the 3D physical models and students in the Intervention group utilized these activities with the 3D physical models. At the Post- time point both groups had higher, yet similar ESICI scores of the same magnitude as the highest scoring group from the national sample. Concomitantly, many misconception markers decreased compared to the national sample, although some of these differed between the Control and Intervention groups. Based on this assessment, both pedagogical approaches successfully increased conceptual understanding and targeted many of the misconceptions measured by the ESICI, however, several misconceptions persisted. Surprisingly, the students who used the 3D physical models did not demonstrate a further decrease in the misconception markers. Additionally, psychometric evaluation of the ESICI with our sample recommends the revision of several questions to improve the validity of this assessment. We also offer suggestions to improve instruction and pedagogical tools with further avenues for research on learning.
Subcellular Morphology and Biochemistry of Eosinophils

The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the power of ultrastructural morphologic analysis either alone or combined with newer ultrastructural protocols in aiding our understanding of eosinophil biology. We draw from our personal knowledge of eosinophils from several species (human, mouse, guinea pig, rat, rabbit, opossum, and monkey) but most particularly from our ultrastructural studies of human eosinophils in vivo and in vitro. We first review general substructural features of mature eosinophils as a granulocyte class and then review the established morphologic rules for eosinophil differentiation and maturation by emphasizing the morphology of eosinophilic myelocytes in general. Included in this discussion is an overview of eosinophil granulogenesis. We also consider some key sources of confusion regarding eosinophil morphology and address particular criteria needed to avoid these potential pitfalls.
Edward B. Lewis: Autobiography

I was born May 20, 1918 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. My father was a watchmaker and jeweler. After completing grammar school he had to drop out to learn the trade of watchmaking in order to do his share of supplementing his parents’ income. My mother finished high school and married my father in 1910. He worked in a jewelry store in Wilkes-Barre until it was forced to close during the Great Depression. It was a tragic period for my parents, who then had to struggle to make ends meet. They never wavered in their devotion to my brother and me.
3 – The good news

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a partial listing of the factors many people find compelling and necessary at some stage in their professional development. There is much to love about private practice, and there are probably as many practitioners as there are reasons why people decide to take this step in their careers. Private practice offers a clear invitation to rethink all priorities, especially the nature, focus, and extent of one's clinical activities. One may come to a point in professional life when he or she would like to further develop a particular skill. For instance, one may want to enhance individual treatment abilities, but there may neither be the need nor the opportunity for this shift in current job. One may want to pursue further education their field (for example, complete another formal fellowship, pursue geriatric or rehabilitation training, or enter into psychoanalytic training). Entering private practice is an opportunity for promoting self-directed professional growth.
Chapter 9 GATA proteins as molecular gatekeepers of adipogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the regulators of early stages of adipogenesis. Particularly, the role of GATA transcription factors in adipocyte differentiation and their possible role in determination of cell fate are discussed. Owing to their expression pattern and unique function in both white and brown adipocyte precursors, GATA transcription factors are interesting molecular models to explore the poorly understood mechanisms controlling early stages of adipocyte differentiation. The GATA family of transcription factors is named for their ability to bind DNA at a cognate DNA sequence (A/T)GATA(A/G). They do so via two homologous zinc finger domains, each of which bears the signature sequence Cys-X 2 -Cys-X 17 -Cys-X 2 -Cys. Of the six GATA proteins, GATA-2 and GATA-3 are expressed abundantly in white adipose, while GATA-2 but not -3 is expressed in brown adipose tissue. Interestingly, GATA expression is restricted to early stages of preadipocyte differentiation in clonal cell lines as well as in the stromal–vascular fraction of adipose tissue, which contains preadipocytes and other cell types. This unique expression pattern suggests that transcriptional downregulation of GATA factors may be a feature of adipogenesis. In adipogenic cell lines, constitutive GATA expression throughout differentiation down regulates expression of functionally critical genes.
Negotiating risks in context: a perspective on unprotected anal intercourse and barebacking among men who have sex with men--where do we go from here?

Recently, an alarming trend toward unprotected anal intercourse has emerged in men who have sex with men. A highly dangerous form of unprotected anal intercourse, barebacking—the deliberate and conscious choice to engage in anal sex without condoms knowing that there are risks involved—has received much attention in the gay press. This trend poses new challenges for HIV prevention. As the target population changes, prevention interventions must also evolve to remain effective. A review of the scientific literature on risk behaviors and the popular literature and websites devoted to barebacking suggests that many contextual factors influence the decision to engage in unprotected anal intercourse. This review examines the most salient contextual factors affecting risk behavior in gay/bisexual men. It also identifies four main cohorts and predominant contextual factors that appear to motivate unprotected anal intercourse in each. In answering the question “where do we go from here,” we conclude that contextual issues must be addressed in hybrid prevention interventions that include harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and traditional approaches.
Optimizing recursive queries with monotonic aggregates in DeALS

The exploding demand for analytics has refocused the attention of data scientists on applications requiring aggregation in recursion. After resisting the efforts of researchers for more than twenty years, this problem is being addressed by innovative systems that are raising logic-oriented data languages to the levels of generality and performance that are needed to support efficiently a broad range of applications. Foremost among these new systems, the Deductive Application Language System (DeALS) achieves superior generality and performance via new constructs and optimization techniques for monotonic aggregates which are described in the paper. The use of a special class of monotonic aggregates in recursion was made possible by recent theoretical results that proved that they preserve the rigorous least-fixpoint semantics of core Datalog programs. This paper thus describes how DeALS extends their definitions and modifies their syntax to enable a concise expression of applications that, without them, could not be expressed in performance-conducive ways, or could not be expressed at all. Then the paper turns to the performance issue, and introduces novel implementation and optimization techniques that outperform traditional approaches, including Semi-naive evaluation. An extensive experimental evaluation was executed comparing DeALS with other systems on large datasets. The results suggest that, unlike other systems, DeALS indeed combines superior generality with superior performance.
Outsourcing in China: opportunities, challenges and lessons learned: INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the opportunities, challenges and lessons of information technology outsourcing (ITO) in China.Design/methodology/approach – The challenges, opportunities and trends in offshore ITO in China are examined based on two trips to software centers in China, interviews and conversations with Chinese executives and government officials, research programs of outsourcing researchers and information from advisors and practitioners.Findings – The paper extracts lessons learned about practices, processes and cultural factors that contribute to outsourcing success in China; why China attract ITO customers; how cultural dimensions and differences in accepted business practices complicate outsourcing in China; what strengths and weaknesses to expect from Chinese IT workers and outsourcing companies; and how to evaluate, select and manage Chinese suppliers.Originality/value – The paper presents principles and extracts lesson learned to address the issues and opportunitie...
Calcific salpingitis associated with intrauterine pregnancy

transitional cell carcinomas have a good prognosis. Three of the eight reported cases of bladder carcinoma during pregnancy have been transitional cell carcinoma, grade 1, including this case. Hematuria in pregnancy needs to be completely evaluated. Choate and associates2 reported that cystitis is the most common cause of hematuria in pregnancy. If cystitis does not respond to appropriate medication, then a thorough urologic investigation should be done. Fig. 2 represents a modified algorithm for diagnosis of the pregnant patient with hematuria and is recommended for use. Benson and Brewer3 have devised such algorithms for adults (excluding pregnancy). This algorithm represents a modification appropriate for application to the pregnant patient.