cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HELPING POOR READERS: A CASE STUDY OF A COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION READING TUTORIAL

Reading is an essential skill for functioning in modern society, fundamental to achievement and success. Yet, an alarming proportion of students have significant difficulties with reading. Research indicates that computer assisted instruction (CAI) can provide an effective educational tool to help poor readers. This case study investigates the effectiveness of a CAI reading tutorial in helping poor readers improve their ability to read. The multimedia CAI program investigated supports the active cognitive participation of the learner, delivers multisensory instruction, provides timely, directed feedback, teaches phonics skills, and implements 100 percent mastery learning. The instruction is individualized and self-paced. Results of pre-post reading comprehension tests and interviews indicate that poor readers completing the CAI tutorial significantly improved their reading skills and the students and their teachers felt that using the CAI tutorial helped the students become better readers.
Gallium nitride based power switches for next generation of power conversion

Power conversion impacts all areas of electricity consumption, including motion control, lighting, air conditioning, and information technology. Si, the workhorse of the industry, has served well so far but reached its material limits. To keep up with the advancement of technologies enabling new conveniences, power conversion techniques need to go through significant transformation that calls for the next generation semiconductor for power switching. SiC and GaN, which have the potential to push the envelope beyond Si providing solutions for the entire range of power conversion at higher efficiencies and reduced form factors. GaN HEMTs have an added advantage over SiC MOSFETs owing to the high-mobility electron channel formed at the AlGaN/GaN interface, which has been the basis of radio frequency amplifiers. GaN has enabled systems that can run with lesser cooling at frequencies at least ten times higher than current Si-based systems, significantly reducing the form factor both electrically (passive components) and mechanically (heat sinks). The high current and voltage required for high power conversion application make the chip area in a lateral topology uneconomical and difficult to manufacture. Vertical GaN devices on bulk GaN substrates complete the portfolio of power switches required to address the power conversion market.
Members of the Toc159 Import Receptor Family Represent Distinct Pathways for Protein Targeting to Plastids

Plastids represent a diverse group of organelles that perform essential metabolic and signaling functions within all plant cells. The differentiation of specific plastid types relies on the import of selective sets of proteins from among the approximately 2500 nucleus-encoded plastid proteins. The Toc159 family of GTPases mediates the initial targeting of proteins to plastids. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the Toc159 family consists of four genes: atTOC159, atTOC132, atTOC120, and atTOC90. In vivo analysis of atToc159 function indicates that it is required specifically for the import of proteins necessary for chloroplast biogenesis. In this report, we demonstrate that atToc120 and atToc132 represent a structurally and functionally unique subclass of protein import receptors. Unlike atToc159, mutants lacking both atToc120 and atToc132 are inviable. Furthermore, atToc120 and atToc132 exhibit preprotein binding properties that are distinct from atToc159. These data indicate that the different members of the Toc159 family represent distinct pathways for protein targeting to plastids and are consistent with the hypothesis that separate pathways have evolved to ensure balanced import of essential proteins during plastid development.
Tactile Situation Awareness System (TSAS) as a Compensatory Aid for Sensory Loss

The Tactile Situation Awareness System (TSAS) began as a sensory cue to counteract pilot spatial disorientation. More recent adaptations of TSAS provide feedback for postural instability and spatial cues for persons with hearing loss. This demonstration included a brief presentation on past TSAS developments and recent applications. Attendees experienced an interactive demonstration of the TSAS hover-drift countermeasure for helicopter pilots, as well as recent applications of vibrotactile cues for looming, for postural stability, and for aiding target localization in pilots with noise-induced hearing loss.
Gait synthesis for the SD-2 biped robot to climb sloping surface

A scheme to enable the SD-2 biped robot to climb sloping surfaces is proposed. By means of sensing devices, namely position sensors on the joints and force sensors underneath the heel and toe, the robot is able to detect the transition of the supporting terrain from a flat floor to a sloping surface. An algorithm is developed for the biped robot control system to evaluate the inclination of the supporting foot and the unknown gradient, and a compliant motion scheme is then used to enable the robot to transfer from level walking to climbing the slope. While the robot walks on the slope, the gait synthesis is a simple modification to the one used for level walking. Experiments with the SD-2 biped robot show that the overall scheme, while simple to implement, is powerful and reliable enough to permit walking from level to slope or vice versa. Finally, it is argued that the proposed mechanism can be extended to quasi-dynamic and dynamic gaits. >
A Survey of Operations Research Models and Applications in Homeland Security

Operations research has had a long and distinguished history of work in emergency preparedness and response, airline security, transportation of hazardous materials, and threat and vulnerability analysis. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 and the formation of the US Department of Homeland Security, these topics have been gathered under the broad umbrella of homeland security. In addition, other areas of OR applications in homeland security are evolving, such as border and port security, cyber security, and critical infrastructure protection. The opportunities for operations researchers to contribute to homeland security remain numerous.
Light-Induced Temperature Transitions in Biodegradable Polymer and Nanorod Composites†

Shape-memory materials (including polymers, metals, and ceramics) are those that are processed into a temporary shape and respond to some external stimuli (e.g., temperature) to undergo a transition back to a permanent shape.[1, 2] Shape memory polymers are finding use in a range of applications from aerospace to fabrics, to biomedical devices and microsystem components.[3–5] For many applications, it would be beneficial to initiate heating with an external trigger (e.g., transdermal light exposure). In this work, we formulated composites of gold nanorods (<1% by volume) and biodegradable networks, where exposure to infrared light induced heating and consequently, shape transitions. The heating is repeatable and tunable based on nanorod concentration and light intensity and the nanorods did not alter the cytotoxicity or in vivo tissue response to the networks.
Differential regulation of SK and BK channels by Ca2+ signals from Ca2+ channels and ryanodine receptors in guinea-pig urinary bladder myocytes

Small-conductance (SK) and large-conductance (BK) Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels are key regulators of excitability in urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) of guinea-pig. The overall goal of this study was to define how SK and BK channels respond to Ca(2+) signals from voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) in the surface membrane and from ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) release channels or ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. To characterize the role of SK channels in UBSM, the effects of the SK channel blocker apamin on phasic contractions were examined. Apamin caused a dose-dependent increase in the amplitude of phasic contractions over a broad concentration range (10(-10) to 10(-6) M). To determine the effects of Ca(2+) signals from VDCCs and RyRs to SK and BK channels, whole cell membrane current was measured in isolated myocytes bathed in physiological solutions. Depolarization (-70 to +10 mV for 100 ms) of isolated myocytes caused an inward Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)), followed by an outward current. The outward current was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by apamin (10(-10) to 10(-6) M), and designated I(SK). I(SK) had a mean amplitude of 53.8 +/- 6.1 pA or approximately 1.4 pA pF(-1) at +10 mV. The amplitude of I(SK) correlated with the peak I(Ca). Blocking I(Ca) abolished I(SK). In contrast, I(SK) was insensitive to the RyR blocker ryanodine (10 microM). These data indicate that Ca(2+) signals from VDCCs, but not from RyRs, activate SK channels. BK channel currents (I(BK)) were isolated from other currents by using the BK channel blockers tetraethylammonium ions (TEA(+); 1 mM) or iberiotoxin (200 nM). Voltage steps evoked transient and steady-state I(BK) components. Transient BK currents have previously been shown to result from BK channel activation by local Ca(2+) release through RyRs ('Ca(2+) sparks'). Transient BK currents were inhibited by ryanodine (10 microM), as expected, and had a mean amplitude of 152.6 pA at +10 mV. The mean number of transient BK currents during a voltage step (range 0 to 3) correlated with I(Ca). There was a long delay (52.4 +/- 2.7 ms) between activation of I(Ca) and the first transient BK current. In contrast, ryanodine did not affect the steady-state BK current (mean amplitude 135.4 pA) during the voltage step. The steady-state BK current was reduced 95 % by inhibition of VDCCs, suggesting that this process depends largely on Ca(2+) entry through VDCCs and not Ca(2+) release through RyRs. These results indicate that Ca(2+) entry through VDCCs activates both BK and SK channels, but Ca(2+) release (Ca(2+) sparks) through RyRs activates only BK channels.
Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration by Court-Ordered Men: Distinctions and Intersections Among Physical Violence, Sexual Violence, Psychological Abuse, and Stalking

This study continues previous work documenting the structure of violence perpetrated by males against their female intimate partners. It assesses the construct validity of a measurement model depicting associations among eight subtypes of perpetration: moderate physical violence, severe physical violence, forced or coerced sexual violence, sexual violence where consent was not possible, emotional/verbal psychological abuse, dominance/isolation psychological abuse, interactional contacts/surveillance related stalking, and stalking involving mediated contacts. Data were obtained from a sample of 340 men arrested for physical assault of a female spouse or partner, and court ordered into batterer intervention programs. Men were surveyed before starting the intervention. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported the validity of model as evidenced by good model to data fit and satisfaction of requirements for fit statistics. In addition, the eight factor solution was characterized by a slightly better model to data fit than a four factor higher order solution described in the author's previous work. Latent variable correlations across the broader categories of intimate partner violence (IPV) revealed that the violence subtypes were mostly moderately positively correlated and ranged from .381 (emotional/verbal psychological abuse with interactional contacts/surveillance related stalking) to .795 (dominance/isolation psychological with abuse with forced sex). Future studies should determine whether there are distinct risk factors and health outcomes associated with each of the eight IPV perpetration subtypes and identify possible patterns of co-occurrence.
Recombinant adenoassociated virus 2/5-mediated gene transfer is reduced in the aged rat midbrain

Clinical trials are examining the efficacy of viral vector-mediated gene delivery for treating Parkinson’s disease. Although viral vector strategies have been successful in preclinical studies, to date clinical trials have disappointed. This may be because of the fact that preclinical studies fail to account for aging. Aging is thesinglegreatestriskfactorfordevelopingParkinson’sdiseaseandagealterscellularprocessesutilizedby viral vectors. We hypothesized that the aged brain would be relatively resistant to transduction when compared with the young adult. We examined recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/5-mediated green fluorescent protein (rAAV2/5 GFP) expression in the young adult and aged rat nigrostriatal system. GFP overexpression was produced in both age groups. However, following rAAV2/5 GFP injection to the substantia nigra aged rats displayed 40%e60% less GFP protein in the striatum, regardless of rat strain or durationofexpression.Furthermore,agedratsexhibited40%fewercellsexpressingGFPand4-foldlessGFP
Variations of the Origin of the Arcuate Artery

Results: The results indicate that the arcuate artery originated from the dorsalis pedis artery in 13 of 20 specimens (65%) and from the lateral tarsal artery in 6 of 20 (30%), and a variation in origination was noted in 1 of 20 specimens (5%). Conclusions: This cadaveric study demonstrates that the arcuate artery can originate from the dorsalis pedis artery, the lateral tarsal artery, and one other variant. The dorsal arterial network of the lower extremity is important to consider during the overall clinical and surgical assessment of a patient. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 103(3): 181-184, 2013) The blood supply to the forefoot largely depends on the dorsalis pedis artery and its branches. The anterior tibial artery forms the dorsalis pedis artery at the level of the ankle joint and lies inferior to the extensor retinaculum and the extensor hallucis brevis muscle. 1,2 The lateral tarsal artery arises at the cuneonavicular joint from the dorsalis pedis artery. 3 Distally at the first tarsometatarsal joint, the dorsalis pedis artery branches laterally to form the arcuate artery. 2 The arcuate artery, the deep plantar branch, and the first dorsal metatarsal branch are all branches from the dorsalis pedis. 3 The dorsalis pedis pulse, which is normally palpated between the extensor digitorum longus and extensor hallucis longus muscles, 1,4,5 may not be palpable when
Performance of Decode-Based Differential Modulation for Wireless Relay Networks in Nakagami-m Channels

We consider a regenerative differential modulation scheme for wireless networks with relays to seek cooperative diversity. We examine the performance of a differential binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme, referred to as the differential decode-and-forward (DDF), for wireless relay networks composed of one source, one relay and one destination node in Nakagami-m fading channels. A regenerative relay differentially decodes/encodes the received signal and forwards it to the destination. A closed form bit error rate (BER) expression is presented for the piece-wise linear (PL) detector. Both analytical and simulation results show that the proposed DDF scheme is capable of providing diversity gain in Nakagami-m fading channels.
ON BUCKEYES, GATORS, SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, AND THE MIRACLE ON ICE: "PULLING TOGETHER" IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER SUICIDE RATES

Abstract Joiner's (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of serious suicidal behavior asserts that the need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995) is so powerful that, when satisfied, it can prevent suicide. We investigate the hypothesis that perceived membership in a valued group as well as interactions with group members result in sports-related “pulling together” that may meet the need to belong. We found that local suicide rates correlated with final national rankings of local college football teams; fewer suicides occurred on the day of the “Miracle on Ice” than on any other February 22; and fewer suicides occurred on recent Super Bowl Sundays compared to non-Super Bowl Sundays. Implications for models of suicidality as well as clinical utility are discussed.
North Korean-Iranian Cooperation in Ballistic Missile Development

North Korea and Iran have cooperated on ballistic missile and space launch technology for nearly three decades. The technology has included short, medium and intermediate range missile technology mainly going from North Korea to Iran. Currently both countries are probably on development paths to field a limited nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile deterrent capability for regime security. North Korea is taking the lead with a liquid fuel rocket approach and Iran is leading in the solid fuel rocket approach. The probable ultimate, but likely distant, goal of these programs is to put the continental U.S. under the threat of a limited nuclear attack. It is difficult to come to any other conclusion when the currently deployed missile systems in Iran and North Korea already put their regional enemies at risk. (Note, this paper was written before the 15 April 2012 parade where North Korea displayed six mobile three stage liquid fuel probable ICBMs, designated KN-08.)
An Empirical Study Of Price Thresholds And Price Sensitivity

This study of part-time paid semester employment by undergraduate students at the Eastern Institute of Technology New Zealand finds a high proportion of students in part-time paid employment, 62 per cent compared to 81 per cent in Manthei and Gilmore's (2005) earlier study at Canterbury University. Replicating their work in a non-university tertiary setting, adds another instance to the New Zealand evidence. The findings are discussed relative to policy frameworks in New Zealand and elsewhere that ignore such student employment changes and the consequences semester-time paid employment may have for tertiary engagement, retention and success.
The role of hyperentanglement in quantum interferometry

We discuss the role of hyperentanglement in quantum-interference experiments that involve the nonlinear process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion. A multidimensional theory of parametric down-conversion is presented along with experimental verification for various interferometry arrangements.
Antigenic heterogeneity of human glioma tissue and cell lines (HGL) defined by monoclonal antibodies (MAs)

The antigenic heterogeneity of human glioma tissue (19 glioblastoma, 6 astrocytomas) and 13 human glioma-derived cell lines (HGL) was investigated with a panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies (MAs) which defined markers of glioma-associated (GL) or lymphoid distribution (LM). Results obtained from radioimmuno-assay, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, absorption, and polyacrylamide gel analysis estab-lished the following: 1) In general, expression of multiple antigens within one system (GL) correlated with multiple antigen expression in the other (LM). 2) Within the LM panel, Thy-1 and HLA-A,B antigens were expressed by all HGL, whereas only 4/13 HGL were Ia positive, and 3/13 CALLA positive. T-cell marker expression was infrequent and sporadic. 3) Glioblastoma and astrocytoma tissues exhibited less hetero-geneity than HGL; high proportions expressed >75% of the GL specificities tested for. 4) Two MAs highly reactive with glioblastomas (>70% positive) were minimally reactive with astrocytomas (1/6). Glio-blastomas and HGL are antigenically complex and heterogeneous, but the identification of finite antigen distributions by large numbers of MAs may serve a prognostic significance.
The Facial Musculature of the Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

The facial muscles of Didelphis are more primitive in form than those of any previously described therian mammal. The retroauricular musculature consists in Didelphis virginiana of only three muscles representing the superficial division, a single muscle for the entire deep division, and a single muscle for the intrinsic division. The derivation of the intrinsic muscles is from the superficial rather than the deep division. All five portions of the orbitotemporal musculature are rather simple; three of these are represented by only one muscle each, and several portions maintain primitive continuity with one another. The buccolabial musculature consists of a superficial oral sphincter, plus a relatively simple m. buccinator, from which is derived the m. maxillonasolabialis. The platysma and m. sphincter colli superficialis retain a primitive continuity with one another. The deep facial musculature is also simple, with the m. stylohyoideus passing medial to the m. digastricus posterior as in primates.
Could Sleep Characteristics Guide ECT Electrode Placement: Implication for Bipolar Mixed States

Copyright: © 2013 Youssef NA. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Despite advances in treatment of depression, Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) is still one of the most serious conditions. Severe depression has a huge negative impact on morbidity and mortality due to both mental and physical health of individuals, families, and society. Whether for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Bipolar Disorder (BD), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) has been the most potent and most rapidly acting form of treatment for TRD and/or sociality over the last 70 years.
Erythroid burst-promoting activity produced by interleukin-1-stimulated endothelial cells is granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells to elaborate heterogeneous hematopoietic growth factors, including granulocyte-macrophage and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSF and G-CSF, respectively). Because erythroid burst- promoting activity (BPA) is also elaborated by endothelial cells exposed to IL-1, we sought to determine whether the BPA released by IL- 1-induced endothelial cells simply reflects the known erythropoietic activity of GM-CSF or whether other uncharacterized factors might be involved. Media conditioned by multiply passaged endothelial cells cultured for three days with recombinant IL-1 alpha (ECMIL-1) stimulated erythroid burst and GM colony formation in cultures of human nonadherent T-lymphocyte-depleted marrow mononuclear cells. Pretreatment with an anti-GM-CSF antiserum neutralized all the BPA and 56% of the GM colony-stimulating activity (GM-CSA) in ECMIL-1. The antiserum used in these studies did not inhibit IL-3 or G-CSF activity and did not inhibit ECMIL-1-induced murine GM colony growth (a measure of human G-CSF). To examine whether GM-CSF induces BPA release by accessory cells, media conditioned by marrow cells cultured for three days with GM-CSF were tested in the colony growth assays. Pretreatment with anti-GM-CSF antiserum completely neutralized the BPA and GM-CSA of the marrow cell-conditioned medium. We conclude that GM-CSF is the BPA elaborated by IL-1-induced endothelial cells. The in vitro erythropoietic activity of GM-CSF is not dependent on induced BPA release by accessory cells and therefore likely results from a direct effect of GM-CSF on progenitor cells.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-based Structural Analysis of the Dihydropyridine Receptor α1S Subunit Reveals Conformational Differences Induced by Binding of the β1a Subunit

The skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor α1S subunit plays a key role in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling by sensing membrane voltage changes and then triggering intracellular calcium release. The cytoplasmic loops connecting four homologous α1S structural domains have diverse functions, but their structural arrangement is poorly understood. Here, we used a novel FRET-based method to characterize the relative proximity of these intracellular loops in α1S subunits expressed in intact cells. In dysgenic myotubes, energy transfer was observed from an N-terminal-fused YFP to a FRET acceptor, ReAsH (resorufin arsenical hairpin binder), targeted to each α1S intracellular loop, with the highest FRET efficiencies measured to the α1S II-III loop and C-terminal tail. However, in HEK-293T cells, FRET efficiencies from the α1S N terminus to the II-III and III-IV loops and the C-terminal tail were significantly lower, thus suggesting that these loop structures are influenced by the cellular microenvironment. The addition of the β1a dihydropyridine receptor subunit enhanced FRET to the II-III loop, thus indicating that β1a binding directly affects II-III loop conformation. This specific structural change required the C-terminal 36 amino acids of β1a, which are essential to support EC coupling. Direct FRET measurements between α1S and β1a confirmed that both wild type and truncated β1a bind similarly to α1S. These results provide new insights into the role of muscle-specific proteins on the structural arrangement of α1S intracellular loops and point to a new conformational effect of the β1a subunit in supporting skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling.
Effects of Estradiol-17β or Dihydrotestosterone on Cell Types in Equine Pituitaries Staining for Prolactin, Growth Hormone, or Both

Abstract Ovariectomized pony mares were treated with vehicle (controls), estradiol-17β (estradiol), or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) daily for 21 days in summer, and the pituitary content of prolactin and growth hormone (GH) and the numbers of cells staining immunocytochemically for prolactin (lactotropes), GH (somatotropes), or both hormones (mammosomatotropes) were assessed. Treatments did not alter (P > .1) plasma prolactin concentrations over the 21 days. Estradiol treatment increased (P .1) any prolactin characteristic. The number of somatotropes was not altered by either treatment (P > .1) nor was the pituitary content of GH (P > .1). Given that the mass of prolactin accumulation in the pituitary in response to estradiol was several-fold greater than the approximate doubling of the number of lactotropes and mammosomatotropes, it appears that estradiol administration to ovariectomized pony mares stimulates not only the number of prolactin-producing cells but also the amount of prolactin production per cell.
Abstract 2170: Molecular modeling of novel peptide-receptor interaction for targeted drug delivery of prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. Due to the harsh side effects of conventional chemo- and radiotherapies, targeted drug delivery is now gaining the focus of cancer researchers. The key for success of any newly developed targeted drug delivery systems is the novel design of targeting peptides which have high binding affinities to differentially over-expressed receptors on the surface of PCa cells. Two over-expressed such receptors, which can be targeted to the cell surface of PCa cells are: Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRH-R), and Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). The analysis done from molecular dynamics simulation data gave an important information about each interaction; such as RMSD, The number of contacts between receptor and peptide within a cutoff distance of 5 A and the binding free energies, ΔGGBSA of the interactions. In all systems, the back bone RMSD deviation of the receptor was calculated using the last 10 ns of the sampling process and averaged over all trajectories. The RMSD data deviated between 1.22 - 2.51 A. The free binding energies or ΔGGBSA was calculated from the last 10 ns of the sampling process. The QH1 system has the more negative ΔGGBSA -36.15 kcal mol-1 and the QH4 system has the least negative ΔGGBSA of -18.4 kcal mol-1 among the eight systems of GnRH-R. QH2 system exhibits a highly interactive hydrogen bond (bond distance is 2.65 A) between 134th position of the receptor amino acid sequence GLU and 5th position of the qh2 peptide9s TYR. The ΔGGBSA is for the qh2 system is – 34.92 kcal mol-1. In the PSMA and its targeting peptide interactions, T2IA has the least negative ΔGGBSA of -47.37 kcal mol-1. A salt bridge was observed between the 10th position of the T2IA peptide sequence ARG and the 328 position of the 3RBU receptor9s GLU. Based on our molecular modeling studies, we have determined the best targeting peptides among all the newly designed peptides. The binding efficiency of the targeting peptides with the lowest binding energies will be further investigated surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in near future. Citation Format: Ahmad Salam, Vincent Hembrick, Jesse Jaynes, Timothy Turner, Mohamed Abdalla. Molecular modeling of novel peptide-receptor interaction for targeted drug delivery of prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2170.
The Role of Diet in the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes

Abstract A dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes in the United States and globally is related to the rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Having a blood glucose level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes is associated with a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes and is referred to as prediabetes. Losing weight and increasing physical activity can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Treatment goals focus on controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids with emphasis on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to prevent micro- and macrovascular complications. Nutritional management of diabetes, also known as diabetes medical nutrition therapy, is based on individual assessment to develop a personalized tailored evidence-based treatment plan. The distribution of macronutrient and dietary pattern may vary based on a number of factors, including matching insulin to lifestyle in type 1 diabetes and weight loss in type 2 diabetes.
Phenotypic differences based on staging of Alzheimer's neuropathology in autopsy-confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies.

Abstract Introduction The goal was to compare subgroups of dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) using neuropathological measures to differentiate ‘pure’ Lewy body (LB) dementia from ‘mixed’ DLB [co-occurring LB and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology] to facilitate diagnostic decision-making and future development of interventions based on predicted type(s) of neuropathology. Studies comparing these groups are rare relative to those differentiating ‘pure’ AD and all-cause DLB, and are limited by insufficient sample size, brief cognitive batteries, and/or absence of autopsy confirmation. To address these limitations, we assessed cognition and other features in a large, autopsy-confirmed DLB sample using an extensive neuropsychological battery. Methods Subjects from an AD research center autopsy series satisfying DLB pathology criteria were divided by an AD neuropathology index into DLB-LB (Braak stage 0–3) (n = 38) and DLB-AD (Braak stage 4–6) (n = 41) and compared on baseline variables from chart reviews and standardized measures. Results DLB-LB subjects were more impaired on visuospatial constructions, visual conceptual reasoning, and speed of processing, but less impaired on verbal memory and confrontation naming. All-type hallucinations occurred more frequently in DLB-LB, while delusions were common in both groups. Groups were similar in education and age at onset, and in baseline age, dementia severity, and functional capacity. Conclusion Salient findings included greater impairment on visual tasks and speed of processing and more frequent reports of all-type hallucinations in DLB-LB compared to DLB-AD. Relatively intact confrontation naming in DLB-LB and no differences in reported delusions were of note. Identifying differences in phenotypic features can improve prediction of underlying neuropathology.
Material parameters of perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions from spin torque ferromagnetic resonance techniques

The exchange-stiffness and saturation magnetization for the CoFeB based free layer of perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions (MTJs) were determined by performing spin torque ferromagnetic resonance measurements over a range of different sized devices. The field dispersion of several low-frequency spin wave modes shows a size dependent shift in the resonance frequencies due to the change in the lateral confinement and demagnetization field. From the effect of the demagnetizing field, the free layer saturation magnetization is estimated to be ∼800 emu/cm3 and its total perpendicular anisotropy field ∼12 kOe. From the separation of spin wave dispersion relations, an exchange stiffness value of 0.35 eV A2 is extracted.
Impact of berry polyphenolics on lowering obesity-induced inflammation: Evidence in molecular and animal models

C attention has been directed to the health benefits of berries in preventing chronic diseases. The benefits are mainly attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of anthocyanins in berries. Since individual anthocyanins have different antioxidant properties, it is probable that berries having different anthocyanin compositions exert different biological and physiological effects. This study aimed to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of three types of berries differing in major anthocyanins (malvidin in blueberry, cyanidin in blackberry, and delphinidin in blackcurrant, respectively). Anthocyanin fractions of blueberry, blackberry and blackcurrant were obtained by solid phase extraction from 80 % methanol crude extracts. RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with 5, 10, and 25 ug/mL berry extracts for 12 h. Then, cells were treated with LPS for 12 h and mRNA abundance of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was determined by real-time PCR. Blackberry extract suppressed the gene expression by 15-20% at 25 ug/mL. The other berry extracts also suppressed TNF-alpha and IL1-beta to a lesser extent. The findings suggest that anti-inflammatory effects of berries vary depending on their anthocyanin compositions and that blackberry extract may possess a more potent anti-inflammatory property than the blueberry and blackcurrant extracts.
Cell Screening Using Resistive-Pulse Sensing

Abstract Resistive-pulse sensing is a versatile technique used for determining the size and concentration of particles in a population. This method involves measuring a current pulse that is produced as a particle transits a small channel, or pore. Recent work has shown that adding chemical functionalization to these devices allow one to probe particle-pore interactions, and in particular, screening of biological cells for specific surface-marker expression. Specific interactions between receptors on cells and functionalized antibodies can lead to longer transit times through the channel than when there are non-specific or no interactions. This protocol outlines the methods used to fabricate resistive-pulse sensors with chemical functionality.
Recent weather fluctuations and agricultural yields: implications for climate change

We summarize recent statistical analyses that link agricultural yields to weather fluctuations. Similar to other sectors, high temperatures play a crucial role in predicting outcomes. Climate change is predicted to significantly increase high temperatures and thereby reduce yields. How good are such models at predicting future outcomes? We show that a statistical model estimated using historic US data on corn and soybean yields from 1950 to 2011 is very capable of predicting aggregate US yields for the years 2012–2015, where 2012 was much hotter than normal and is expected to become the new normal under climate change. We conclude by discussing recent studies on the implication of predicted yield declines with a special focus on adaptation and commodity prices.
Specialized Trial Courts: Concentrating Expertise on Fact

In the absence of a specialized patent trial court with expertise in fact-finding, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit often reviews de novo the many factual questions that pervade patent law. De novo review of fact by an appellate court is problematic. In the area of patent law, as in other areas of law, there are sound institutional justifications for the conventional division of labor that gives trial courts primary responsibility for questions of law. This Article identifies the problems created by de novo appellate review of fact and argues for the creation of a specialized trial court to which the Federal Circuit would feel compelled to defer on questions of fact. It also discusses how such a court would be designed, focusing on the manner in which trial court judges could use the court-appointed advisors to evaluate competing factual claims.
Synthetic Fiber Capstan Drives for Highly Efficient, Torque Controlled, Robotic Applications

This paper describes the design and performance of a synthetic rope on sheave drive system. This system uses synthetic ropes instead of steel cables to achieve low weight and a compact form factor. We demonstrate how this system is capable of 28-Hz torque control bandwidth, 95% efficiency, and quiet operation, making it ideal for use on legged robots and other dynamic physically interactive systems. Component geometry and tailored maintenance procedures are used to achieve high endurance. Endurance tests based on walking data predict that the ropes will survive roughly 247,000 cycles when used on large (90 kg), fully actuated bipedal robot systems. The drive systems have been incorporated into two novel bipedal robots capable of three-dimensional unsupported walking. Robot data illustrate effective torque tracking and nearly silent operation. Finally, comparisons with alternative transmission designs illustrate the size, weight, and endurance advantages of using this type of synthetic rope drive system.
Identification of large-scale meteorological patterns associated with extreme precipitation in the US northeast

Patterns of daily large-scale circulation associated with Northeast US extreme precipitation are identified using both k-means clustering (KMC) and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) applied to tropopause height. The tropopause height provides a compact representation of the upper-tropospheric potential vorticity, which is closely related to the overall evolution and intensity of weather systems. Extreme precipitation is defined as the top 1% of daily wet-day observations at 35 Northeast stations, 1979–2008. KMC is applied on extreme precipitation days only, while the SOM algorithm is applied to all days in order to place the extreme results into the overall context of patterns for all days. Six tropopause patterns are identified through KMC for extreme day precipitation: a summertime tropopause ridge, a summertime shallow trough/ridge, a summertime shallow eastern US trough, a deeper wintertime eastern US trough, and two versions of a deep cold-weather trough located across the east-central US. Thirty SOM patterns for all days are identified. Results for all days show that 6 SOM patterns account for almost half of the extreme days, although extreme precipitation occurs in all SOM patterns. The same SOM patterns associated with extreme precipitation also routinely produce non-extreme precipitation; however, on extreme precipitation days the troughs, on average, are deeper and the downstream ridges more pronounced. Analysis of other fields associated with the large-scale patterns show various degrees of anomalously strong moisture transport preceding, and upward motion during, extreme precipitation events.
Revolving Loan Fund: A Novel Approach to Increasing Access to Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Methods in Community Health Centers

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a revolving loan fund (RLF) on timing of device insertion and long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) access among a high-risk urban population at 3 Boston community health centers. DESIGN Three health centers were identified to implement a RLF. Each clinic received $5000 from the RLF to purchase LARC devices. Data collected through medical record review retrospectively 1 year prior to start of the RLF and prospectively for 1 year thereafter included patient demographics, type of LARC selected, patient's date of documented interest in a LARC device, and date of insertion. The effect of a RLF on delay to LARC insertion was tested using negative binomial regression, controlling for site and potential confounding variables between the pre- and post-RLF periods. SETTING Three urban community health centers. PARTICIPANTS Reproductive-aged women who received family planning services at the 3 participating health centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Increasing access to LARC and decreasing wait times to LARC insertion after implementation of the RLF. RESULTS Data on 133 patients in the pre-RLF group and 205 in the post-RLF group were collected. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics between the 2 time periods. LARC uptake increased significantly from the pre- to post-RLF period, specifically among implant users. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean number of days in delay from interest to insertion from the pre- to post-RLF period (pre-RLF: 31.3 ± 50.6 days; post-RLF: 13.6 ± 16.7 days, adjusted P < .001). The reasons for the delay did not differ significantly between the 2 time periods. CONCLUSION The RLF decreased wait time for the devices and increased overall insertion rates. This may serve as a promising solution to improve LARC access in community health centers. This project could be expanded to include more health centers, creating a city wide RLF. This expansion could allow for further data analysis, including unintended pregnancy rates with LARC delay, LARC continuation rates, and sustainability of a RLF.
Toxic Effects of Alcohol on the Heart

Although alcohol has been imbibed by most civilizations throughout recorded history, its use has always been accompanied by calls for temperance. Globally, alcohol remains one of the leading contributors to morbidity and mortality, besides having pervasive psychosocial and economic consequences. Alcohol has a complex relationship with cardiovascular health and has often been equated to a razor-sharp double-edged sword. While light-to-moderate alcohol intake may have a protective effect on cardiovascular risk in certain populations, excessive or heavy episodic (binge) drinking has well-described harmful sequelae. Specific cardiovascular toxic effects include cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, hypertension, and stroke. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of the evidence behind the cardiovascular effects of alcohol and examines possible physiological mechanisms responsible for its noxious effects on the heart.
Stem Cells and Engineered Scaffolds for Regenerative Wound Healing

The normal wound healing process involves a well-organized cascade of biological pathways and any failure in this process leads to wounds becoming chronic. Non-healing wounds are a burden on healthcare systems and set to increase with aging population and growing incidences of obesity and diabetes. Stem cell-based therapies have the potential to heal chronic wounds but have so far seen little success in the clinic. Current research has been focused on using polymeric biomaterial systems that can act as a niche for these stem cells to improve their survival and paracrine activity that would eventually promote wound healing. Furthermore, different modification strategies have been developed to improve stem cell survival and differentiation, ultimately promoting regenerative wound healing. This review focuses on advanced polymeric scaffolds that have been used to deliver stem cells and have been tested for their efficiency in preclinical animal models of wounds.
Prevalence and characteristics of coronary microvascular dysfunction among chest pain patients in the emergency department.

Aims:Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is common in patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries but has not been described in low-risk symptomatic patients. We therefore assessed the pre...
Trait Response and Change in Genetic Variation Upon Selection for Spike Number in Salina Wildrye

Abstract Salina wildrye (Leymus salinus [M.E. Jones] A. Love) is a perennial cool-season grass that potentially could become an important restoration species in the Colorado Plateau. However, its seed production has never been commercially viable due to sparse heading. We compared a 4x ssp. salmonis population, Lakeside C3, to an 8x ssp. salinus population, 9043501, for seed production − related traits and measured the response of 9043501 to 2 cycles of selection for increased spike number over a 4-yr period at Millville, Utah. Seed yield of Lakeside and 9043501 was similar (P > 0.10) in 2013, but seed yield of 9043501 was 81% greater (P 0.10) in 2014 and 2015. Seeds per spike of 9043501 were 71% (P 0.10). Selection did not change (P > 0.10) seeds per spike or individual seed mass. Consequently, seed yield increased (P 0.10) in 2014 or 2015. Dry matter per plant across the 4 yr increased (P
Poisson‘s Ratio Induced Radial Inertia Confinement During Dynamic Compression of Hyperelastic Foams

Hyperelastic foams have excellent impact energy absorption capability and can experience full recovery following impact loading. Consequently, hyperelastic foams are selected for different applications as shock isolators. Obtaining accurate intrinsic dynamic compressive properties of the hyperelastic foams has become a crucial step in shock isolation design and evaluation. Radial inertia is a key issue in dynamic characterization of soft materials. Radial inertia induced stress in the sample is generally caused by axial acceleration and large deformation applied to a soft specimen. In this study, Poisson’s ratio of a typical hyperelastic foam – silicone foam – was experimentally characterized under high strain rate loading and was observed to drastically change across the densification process. A transition in the Poisson’s ratio of the silicone foam specimen during dynamic compression generated radial inertia which consequently resulted in additional axial stress in the silicone foam sample. A new analytical method was developed to address the Poisson’s ratio-induced radial inertia effects for hyperelastic foams during high rate compression.
An examination of icons, signal words, color, and messages in warnings for children on the Internet:

Most minors have unrestricted access to the Internet, which, along with educational content, contains deleterious content not appropriate for minors. A system of warnings targeting minors on the In...