cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of maximum-likelihood-based detection for two multirate access schemes for CDMA signals

Future wireless systems will need to accommodate information sources with different data rates. Direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS/CDMA) is a multiple access technique that is well suited to provide multirate access. Thus, in this paper, multirate communication systems are considered for the transmission of DS/CDMA wireless signals. Performance for maximum-likelihood-based detection is studied in the context of two multirate access methodologies: multicode access, where high data rate users multiplex their information streams onto multiple codes; and variable spreading length access where signature sequences of different lengths are assigned to users with different data rates. Various maximum-likelihood-based detection schemes for the variable spreading length system are considered as they can achieve near-optimal performance and thus provide reference points for comparison with suboptimal schemes. In addition, asymptotic multiuser performance measures are calculated and bounded to compare performance of the two systems.
"Millipede": a MEMS-based scanning-probe data-storage system

Ultrahigh storage densities of up to 1 Tb/in./sup 2/ or more can be achieved by using local-probe techniques to write, read back, and erase data in very thin polymer films. The thermomechanical scanning-probe-based data-storage concept called Millipede combines ultrahigh density, small form factor, and high data rate. After illustrating the principles of operation of the Millipede, a channel model for the analysis of the readback process is introduced, and analytical results are compared with experimental data. Furthermore, the arrangement of data-storage fields as well as dedicated fields for servo and timing control is discussed, and system aspects related to the readback process, multiplexing, synchronization, and position-error-signal generation for tracking are introduced. Finally, the application of (d,k) modulation coding as a means to further increase areal density is presented, and the effect on the user data rates discussed.
Review article: the global emergence of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance.

Author(s): Thung, I; Aramin, H; Vavinskaya, V; Gupta, S; Park, JY; Crowe, SE; Valasek, MA | Abstract: BackgroundHelicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent global pathogens and can lead to gastrointestinal disease including peptic ulcers, gastric marginal zone lymphoma and gastric carcinoma.AimTo review recent trends in H. pylori antibiotic resistance rates, and to discuss diagnostics and treatment paradigms.MethodsA PubMed literature search using the following keywords: Helicobacter pylori, antibiotic resistance, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, prevalence, susceptibility testing.ResultsThe prevalence of bacterial antibiotic resistance is regionally variable and appears to be markedly increasing with time in many countries. Concordantly, the antimicrobial eradication rate of H. pylori has been declining globally. In particular, clarithromycin resistance has been rapidly increasing in many countries over the past decade, with rates as high as approximately 30% in Japan and Italy, 50% in China and 40% in Turkey; whereas resistance rates are much lower in Sweden and Taiwan, at approximately 15%; there are limited data in the USA. Other antibiotics show similar trends, although less pronounced.ConclusionsSince the choice of empiric therapies should be predicated on accurate information regarding antibiotic resistance rates, there is a critical need for determination of current rates at a local scale, and perhaps in individual patients. Such information would not only guide selection of appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy but also inform the development of better methods to identify H. pylori antibiotic resistance at diagnosis. Patient-specific tailoring of effective antibiotic treatment strategies may lead to reduced treatment failures and less antibiotic resistance.
Semantic processing in the left versus right cerebral hemispheres following unilateral hand contractions

Unilateral hand contractions increase activation in the motor cortex of the contralateral hemisphere, providing a means to alter the relative degree of activation in the right hemisphere versus the left hemisphere through spreading activation. Prior research reported enhanced verbal creativity as measured by performance on remote associate problems in Hebrew from left-hand contractions (right-hemisphere activation). We sought to extend the previous findings to English problems and to homograph interpretation. In Experiment 1, unilateral hand contractions in fact altered performance on the English remote associates, but in the direction of improved performance following right-hand contractions and left-hemisphere activation. In Experiment 2, the probability of retrieving atypical interpretations of homographs with multiple meanings was least likely for left-hemisphere dominant strong right handers, but the hand contraction manipulation had no effect.
CYTONUCLEAR THEORY FOR HAPLODIPLOID SPECIES AND X-LINKED GENES. II. STEPPING-STONE MODELS OF GENE FLOW AND APPLICATION TO A FIRE ANT HYBRID ZONE.

We develop cytonuclear, hybrid zone models for haplodiploid species or X-linked genes in diploid species using a stepping-stone framework of migration, in which migration rates vary with both direction and sex. The equilibrium clines for the allele frequencies, cytonuclear disequilibria, and frequencies of pure parental types are examined for species with diagnostic markers, under four important migration schemes: uniform migration of both sexes in both directions, greater migration of both sexes from one direction, greater migration of females, and greater migration of males. Of the three cytonuclear variables examined, the allele frequency clines are the most informative in differentiating among the various migration patterns. The cytonuclear disequilibria and the frequency of the pure parental types tend to be useful only in revealing directional asymmetries in migration. The extent of hybrid zone subdivision has quantitative but not qualitative effects on the distribution of cytonuclear variables, in that the allele frequency clines become more gradual, the cytonuclear disequilibria decrease in magnitude, and the frequencies of pure parentals decline with increasing subpopulation number. Also, the only major difference between the X-linked and haplodiploid frameworks is that a higher frequency of pure parentals is found when considering haplodiploids, in which male production does not require mating. The final important theoretical result is that censusing after migration yields greater disequilibria and parental frequencies than censusing after mating. We analyzed cytonuclear data from two transects from a naturally occurring hybrid zone between two haplodiploid fire ant species, Solenopsis invicta and S. richteri, using our stepping-stone framework. The frequency of S. invicta mtDNA exceeds the frequency of the S. invicta nuclear markers through much of this hybrid zone, indicating that sex differences in migration or selection may be occurring. Maximum-likelihood estimates for the migration rates are very high, due to an unexpectedly large number of pure parental types in the hybrid zone, and differ substantially between the two transects. Overall, our model does not provide a good fit, in part because the S. invicta-S. richteri hybrid zone has not yet reached equilibrium.
Effect of Statolon on Friend Virus Leukemia in Mice.

SummaryStatolon, an anionic polysaccha-ride known to induce interferon in mice, inhibits Friend virus leukemia when administered as early as 6 days before and as late as 7 days after Friend virus inoculation. The majority of Statolon-treated mice are completely protected against Friend virus leukemia and are resistant to rechallenge with Friend virus.
Preanesthesia evaluation for ambulatory surgery: do we make a difference?

Purpose of reviewAmbulatory surgery is considered low risk; however, both surgery-related and patient-related factors combine to determine the overall risk of a procedure. The preanesthesia evaluation is useful to gather information and determine whether additional testing or medical optimization is
Influence of Certain Bacteriophages on the H Antigens of Salmonella poona and E. typhi.

ConclusionsThree races of bacteriophages have been isolated. which attack the H antigens of 2 strains of Salmonella poona. Two races of phage have been isolated which are able to attack the H antigen of E. typhi. This finding is another example of the selective activity of bacteriophages which is directed particularly against the non-somatic portions of the bacterial cell.
Renal insufficiency due to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors represent a major therapeutic breakthrough for treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure and various chronic renal diseases. They are effective generally well tolerated and safe for most patients. However, acute renal insufficiency or overt renal failure occurs in some patients with underlying critical renal artery stenosis (RAS), hypertensive nephrosclerosis, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic congestive heart failure. Diuretic-induced sodium depletion and underlying chronic renal insufficiency are the major predisposing factors for renal insufficiency in all of these patient populations. Renal insufficiency is usually asymptomatic, nonoliguric, associated with hyperkalemia, and in nearly every case completely reversible after discontinuation of the offending agent. Moreover, it can usually be managed in the outpatient setting by discontinuation of the ACE inhibitor, concomitant diuretic or both. An asymptomatic increase in serum creatinine in patients administered ACE inhibitors should raise the possibility of RAS; however, more common renal diseases should be considered. The decision to pursue testing for RAS should be done on an individual basis; moreover, it is imperative that patient willingness to undergo invasive procedures including angioplasty and/or surgery should be determined prospectively.
Mindfulness, General Trust, and Social Support Among Trauma-Exposed College Students

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present study was to examine whether mindfulness predicts general trust and social support among trauma-exposed college students, as well as to examine the potential moderating effect of posttraumatic stress on these relationships. Participants consisted of 536 trauma-exposed college students attending a public university in the southeast United States. After controlling for PTSD symptoms and type of trauma, mindfulness was positively associated with general trust and social support at low and mean levels of PTSD symptomatology; however, the relationships between mindfulness and these variables were nonsignificant at high levels of PTSD symptomatology.
Integrity of graphs without leaking

Secure data sharing in multi-party data sharing environments over third-party distribution frameworks requires that both integrity and confidentiality of the data be assured. Digital signature schemes are commonly used for integrity verification of data. However no such technique exists for graphs, even though graphs are one of the most widely used data organization structures. Techniques exist for directed acyclic graphs and trees, which are restricted forms of graphs. Such techniques are integrity-preserving (binding) but not confidentiality-preserving (hiding), which lead to leakage of sensitive information during integrity verification. The recently proposed structural signature scheme for trees is both binding and hiding, however is not suitable for graphs.In this paper, we propose a signature scheme for graph structures, which is provably binding and hiding. The proposed scheme is based on the structure of the graph as defined by depth-first graph traversals. Graphs are structurally different from trees in that they have four types of edges: tree, forward, cross, and back-edges. The fact that an edge is a forward-edge, a cross-edge or a back-edge conveys information that is sensitive in several contexts. Moreover, back-edges pose a more difficult problem than the one posed by forward, and cross-edges primarily because back-edges add bidirectional properties to graphs. We prove that the proposed technique is both binding and hiding. While providing such strong security guarantees, our signature scheme is also efficient: for DAGs, it incurs $O(n)$ (linear) cost for computation, storage and distribution of structural signatures, and for cyclic graphs, it incurs $O(n+d)$ cost, where $n$ is the number of nodes and $d$ is the maximum number of back-edges incident on a node in the graph.
Zerebrale Ischämie bei aktiver Riesenzellarteriitis: Klinische und diagnostische Besonderheiten bei 36 Patienten

Hintergrund: Zerebrale Ischamien (ZI) sind seltene aber potentiell lebensbedrohliche Komplikationen einer aktiven Riesenzellarteriitis (aRZA) durch Befall der prazerebralen Arterien. Ziel der Untersuchung: Analyse klinischer und diagnostischer Besonderheiten der multimodalen vaskularen Diagnostik kraniozervikaler Arterien. Patienten und Methodik: Beobachtungsstudie an 317 Patienten mit aRZA darunter 36 (11%) mit ZI. Die A. temporalis (ATS) wurde mit Ultraschall (US) bei 36, bioptisch bei 27, die prazerebralen Arterien mit US bei 36, CTA/MRA bei 21 und FDG-PET bei 18 untersucht. Ergebnisse: Zerebrale Ischamien betrafen in 72% das hintere Stromgebiet und traten bei 5 Pat. (14%) nach Beginn einer Steroidtherapie auf. Bei 10 Patienten mit klinisch, sonografisch und bioptisch (n=5) unauffalliger ATS zeigte die PET in 9 Fallen eine RZA der prazerebralen Arterien. RZA typische Veranderungen an den prazerebralen Arterien, lagen sonografisch bei 67% (in 61% Halos an der A. vertebralis), in der CTA/MRA bei 43% und in der PET bei 72% vor. Konkurrierende Ursachen (>50% Stenose der ACI bei 3, Vorhofflimmern bei 4 Patienten) einer ZI lagen bei 19% der Patienten vor. Schlussfolgerung: Die aRZA muss als spezifisch behandelbare Ursache von ZI auch beim Vorliegen konkurrierender Ursachen beachtet werden. Zur Diagnose der aRZA prazerebraler Arterien, bei denen haufig die extrakraniellen AV betroffen sind, stehen mit US, CTA/MRA und PET mehrere Verfahren zur Verfugung, die auch bei normaler ATS Hinweise auf eine aRZA der prazerebralen Arterien in unterschiedlichen Stadien ihrer Entwicklung geben konnen.
Folded planar Marchand balun with improved isolation for radio frequency Automated Test Equipment applications

This paper describes a folded planar Marchand balun with an isolation circuit. The circuit is proposed for use in efficient, low-cost, high-volume Automated Test Equipment (ATE) solutions. Many radio designs use radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) with differential inputs or outputs to reduce the effects of common-mode noise or interference. Most RF ATEs, however, only provide single-ended inputs and outputs; consequently a balun is necessary in the device interface board (DIB). The Marchand balun has been a popular circuit since its introduction because it has larger bandwidth than other types of combiners and because it can be simultaneously be used as an impedance transformer. Unfortunately, the Marchand balun suffers from poor isolation and impedance matching at the output port. To improve the performance of the Marchand balun, a compact isolation circuit was designed. The balun shows improved impedance match at the output port with a slight reduction in bandwidth.
Tracking Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Shifts in Data with TREND

Principal component analysis (PCA) discovers patterns in multivariate data that include spectra, microscopy, and other biophysical measurements. Direct application of PCA to crowded spectra, images, and movies (without selecting peaks or features) was shown recently to identify their equilibrium or temporal changes. To enable the community to utilize these capabilities with a wide range of measurements, we have developed multiplatform software named TREND to Track Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium population shifts among two-dimensional Data frames. TREND can also carry this out by independent component analysis. We highlight a few examples of finding concurrent processes. TREND extracts dual phases of binding to two sites directly from the NMR spectra of the titrations. In a cardiac movie from magnetic resonance imaging, TREND resolves principal components (PCs) representing breathing and the cardiac cycle. TREND can also reconstruct the series of measurements from selected PCs, as illustrated for a biphasic, NMR-detected titration and the cardiac MRI movie. Fidelity of reconstruction of series of NMR spectra or images requires more PCs than needed to plot the largest population shifts. TREND reads spectra from many spectroscopies in the most common formats (JCAMP-DX and NMR) and multiple movie formats. The TREND package thus provides convenient tools to resolve the processes recorded by diverse biophysical methods.
Preservation for circulating monographs: Assessing and adapting practices for a changing information environment

ABSTRACTColorado State University Libraries has adopted a new method for treating damaged books from the circulating collections. Prompted by organizational change and the desire for preservation procedures to reflect collection development priorities, the method has evolved over several years into a workflow that incorporates repair, withdrawal, and print or electronic replacement. This process enables the library to make strategic decisions about the conservation of its print collections, enhance its electronic collections, and to more efficiently use limited resources.
ENDOR Characterization of Hydrogen-Bonding to Immobilized Quinone Anion Radicals

ENDOR spectra have been recorded for the anion radicals of p-benzoquinone, 2-methyl-p-benzoquinone and ubiquinone in frozen isopropanol solution. Hyperfine interaction between solvent -OH protons hydrogen-bonded to the semiquinone oxygens and the unpaired electron of the radical occurs and is detected by selective deuteration of the isopropanol hydroxyl group. The hyperfine tensor of the hydrogen-bonded proton is axial with A11 positive and equal to approximately twice the negative of A1, which indicates that the interaction is essentially dipolar in nature. For UQ−, A11 =6.1 MHz and A1=−2.8 MHz. These results demonstrate the utility of ENDOR in studying interactions between quinone radicals and their local environments, and should be useful in characterizing quinone binding sites in reaction centers and other quinone binding proteins.
Anti-Immigrant Hate Crime

The FBI does not provide statistics on hate crimes against immigrants. Media and anecdotal reports indicate that immigrants are frequent victims of hate crime. These crimes range from verbal threats and harassment to lynchings and massacres to beheading and burying aliens (claimed). Hate crime statistics in Great Britain are divided into five categories, in which one or more hate crime strands are deemed to be a motivating factor (race, sexual, religious, disability, transgender). Crimes motivated by the victim being an immigrant or foreigner might be counted in any of the five categories. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in hate crime in England and Wales. The increase cannot be attributed to anti-immigrant sentiments. Media items in the wake of an attack by Muslim extremists document the hateful reactions.
The Basic Theoretical Framework

Cosmology is by now a mature experimental science. We are privileged to live at a time when the story of genesis (how the Universe started and developed) can be critically explored by direct observations. Looking deep into the Universe through powerful telescopes, we can see images of the Universe when it was younger because of the finite time it takes light to travel to us from distant sources. Existing data sets include an image of the Universe when it was 0.4 million years old (in the form of the cosmic microwave background), as well as images of individual galaxies when the Universe was older than a billion years. But there is a serious challenge: in between these two epochs was a period when the Universe was dark, stars had not yet formed, and the cosmic microwave background no longer traced the distribution of matter. And this is precisely the most interesting period, when the primordial soup evolved into the rich zoo of objects we now see. The observers are moving ahead along several fronts. The first involves the construction of large infrared telescopes on the ground and in space, that will provide us with new photos of the first galaxies. Current plans include ground-based telescopes which are 24–42 m in diameter, and NASA’s successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, called the James Webb Space Telescope. In addition, several observational groups around the globe are constructing radio arrays that will be capable of mapping the three-dimensional distribution of cosmic hydrogen in the infant Universe. These arrays are aiming to detect the long-wavelength (redshifted 21-cm) radio emission from hydrogen atoms. The images from these antenna arrays will reveal how the non-uniform distribution of neutral hydrogen evolved with cosmic time and eventually was extinguished by the ultra-violet radiation from the first galaxies. Theoretical research has focused in recent years on predicting the expected signals for the above instruments and motivating these ambitious observational projects.
There is more to episodic memory than just episodes

Recently many theorists have viewed life periods as a central organizing component of autobiographical memory. We resurrect some of our old unpublished research exploring the utility of distinguishing between periods (long-term thematic generalizations), episodes (sequential narratives of specific events or sets of interrelated events) and moments (isolated often vivid instants in time). We found that people readily generated memories that differed according to the primary characteristics ascribed to these units, as well as according to other interesting secondary characteristics (e.g., degree of emotionality). We use this distinction, and the reactions that it received from our reviewers, as a springboard for examining more recent attempts at documenting periods. This examination suggests that at least part of the difficulty that our original study met in being published may have been due to the differences in the goals of autobiographical and standard memory research: standard memory approaches consider underlying representations and processes whereas autobiographical memory, because it is concerned with how people remember their lives, requires consideration of phenomenological perspectives. Although standard memory measures can reveal informative qualities of lifetime periods, understanding how people think about and use periods in their autobiographical memories, requires at least some research that considers memory from the perspective of the rememberer.
Radiation Shielding Information Center and Biomedical Computing Technology Information Center

The scope of the Radiation Shielding Information Center (RSIC) located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) includes the physics of interaction of radiation with matter; radiation production, protection and transport; radiation detectors and measurements; engineering design techniques; shielding materials properties; computer codes useful in research and design; and nuclear data compilations. The goals of RSIC are to function as a technical institute to provide bibliographic information, computer codes, and data upon request; collect, evaluate, enrich, distill, and repackage information to extend the state-of-the-art (this brings into the public domain technology more usable and more valuable than the sum of the input); and to initiate and effect research and development in areas of need that can be managed by RSIC personnel.
Nicotine effects on thermoregulatory responses of men and women during acute cold exposure.

INTRODUCTION Due to the impact of nicotine (NIC) on the physiological processes involved in temperature regulation during cold exposure, it is conceivable that NIC may affect the body's thermoregulatory abilities during a cold stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of NIC on thermoregulatory responses during acute cold exposure. METHODS There were six men and six women between the ages of 18 and 25 yr who participated in this study. All subjects were active, apparently healthy smokers. Each subject performed two cold air trials consisting of a 30-min baseline period (BASE) and a 120-min exposure to 10 degrees C air. One cold air trial was performed following a NIC dosing using a 21-mg transdermal patch while the other trial was performed after a placebo (PL) treatment. RESULTS During the cold air trials, there were no differences in rectal temperature (Tre) or mean skin temperature (Tsk) between the PL and NIC treatments in either sex (p > 0.05). However, in men, heat production (M) was 12% lower (p 0.05). DISCUSSION In conclusion, although NIC administration resulted in sex-specific alterations in M and tissue insulation during cold exposure, the response in Tre was unaffected.
Comparative Safety of Two Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccines in Children: Data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD)

Background: Preliminary review of data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), 1991-1994, revealed that more serious adverse events were reported in children who received a specific brand of recombinant hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine. Objective: To compare the post-marketing safety experience of the two recombinant HepB vaccines licensed for use in infants and children in the United States. Design: Review of a case series derived from passive surveillance data in the national VAERS. A retrospective cohort study using data from one health maintenance organization participating in Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a computerized record linkage system. Populations Studied: U.S. children, ages birth-10 years for whom adverse events after HepB vaccine were reported to VAERS, 1991-1994. Children, ages birth-6 years, who received HepB vaccine at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Northern California, 1991-1994. Main Outcome Measures: VAERS reporting rates for each vaccine by manufacturer were calculated from the numbers of reported events occurring within 30 days of HepB vaccination and the number of doses distributed by the manufacturers. VSD event rates for each vaccine were calculated from the numbers of hospitalization or emer- gency room visits within 30 days of HepB vaccination and the number of vaccine doses administered to the cohort. Results: In VAERS, higher rates of serious events (i.e., life threatening or resulting in hospitalization or permanent disability) were reported in children who received Vaccine A vs. Vaccine B (relative risk (RR): 3.13- 8.18, P , 0.01), particularly by those vaccinated in the private (RR: 7.62-28.58, P , 0.01), but not public sector (RR: 2.12, P 5 0.19). Similar types of events were reported in recipients of both vaccines. In contrast, analysis of VSD data showed no significant difference in rates of hospitalization or ER visits in children who received either HepB vaccine (RR: 0.96-1.25, P. 0.05). Conclusions: Our investigation reveals that it is unlikely there is a true difference between rates of serious events temporally associated with the two HepB vaccines in children. This study demonstrates the dual roles played by VAERS and VSD in providing a more complete picture of the post-marketing safety profile of childhood vaccines, and underscores the importance of using other analytic studies to evaluate findings from passive surveillance systems of adverse events. j clin epidemiol 51;6: 503-510, 1998. © 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.
What's in the pipeline for lower functional gastrointestinal disorders in the next 5 years?

The overall objectives of this review are to summarize actionable biomarkers for organic etiology of lower functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) that lead to individualized treatment for th...
Emission-spectrometric determination of trace non-rare earth elements in yttrium oxide using AgF-Ga2O3 mixed carrier

An emission-spectrometric method is described for the quantitative determination of traces of non-rare earth elements in yttrium oxide, employing addition of AgF-Ga2O3 mixed carrier. This addition effects an increase of the rate of evaporation of the analytical elements and of the number of atoms in the arc plasma. It enhances the sensitivity of the analytical elements to a larger extent than other carriers and permits the determination of microquantities of the elements (Mg, Ca, Mn, Co, Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Al, B, Sn, As, Bi) within limits of detection from 0.1 to 13 ppm in high-purity yttrium oxide. The coefficients of variation are less than 20%.
The personal, the political and the popular: Sino-Japanese film collaboration in the early reform era

AbstractFollowing the severe restrictions of the Cultural Revolution, China restarted widespread imported film distribution in 1978. Between 1978 and the start of the revenue-sharing quota in 1994,...
Global change adaptation limits future resilience

Abstract Global conditions are changing at unprecedented rates (1), challenging species resilience (2). Populations can respond to these changes through genetic adaptation and physiological plasticity (3, 4), and it is well accepted that these processes interact (5). However, the relative role plasticity and adaptation play in promoting resilience to global change and the potential impacts of rapid adaptation on plasticity during this process are not well understood (3, 5–10). Here, using experimental evolution and reciprocal transplantation of the marine coastal copepod, Acartia tonsa, we show rapid adaptation to global change conditions carries costs, notably a loss of physiological plasticity. Twenty generations of selection resulted in rapid, highly parallel adaptation to greenhouse conditions. However, this adaptation reduced plasticity and fitness, particularly when returned to ambient conditions and under food limitation. Due to the loss of plasticity, greenhouse adapted lines could no longer tolerate ambient conditions and compensated by additional adaptive evolution, a process that eroded nucleotide diversity in genes containing adaptive genetic variation for global change conditions. These results show that adaptation can negatively affect plasticity, limiting resilience to new stressors and previously benign environments. Our findings challenge the common assertion that the presence of adaptive genetic potential or physiological plasticity alone will enable population resilience under global change conditions. Significance statement Understanding how species will respond to changing environmental conditions is an essential step in mitigating the potential negative consequences of human induced global change conditions. Typically, it is assumed that a species with sufficient plasticity or adaptive potential will be resilient in the face of these changes. Here, we experimentally evolve a copepod to simulated future acidic and warm conditions. We show that rapid adaptation reduced phenotypic plasticity and eroded the adaptive genetic variation necessary to tolerate additional environmental stress. These findings demonstrate that the presence of plasticity or adaptive potential do not necessarily indicate a resilient population, illustrating the importance of considering the interaction between these factors when predicting species tolerance to global change.
High-precision shock equation of state measurements for metallic fluid carbon between 15 and 20 Mbar

Diamond is an efficient ablator material to convert the energy of high-power giant lasers into ablation pressure with applications for High-Energy-Density (HED) science, planetary science, and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) research at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Unfortunately, current theoretical equation of state models cannot reproduce all the observed experimental data in the multi-megabar regime particularly relevant for HED and ICF research. New experimental data on the behavior of carbon at extreme pressures and temperatures are, therefore, essential to improve our predictive capability to design and analyze dynamic compression experiments for HED or ICF research and build improved equation of state models in the future. Here, we report high-precision laser-driven shock compression measurements on diamond single crystals at the Omega Laser Facility. Using ultrafast Doppler optical Velocimetry Interferometer System for Any Reflector (VISAR) to track the leading shock front and a quartz plate as an in situ reference, we obtain relative pressure-density shock equation-of-state measurements between 15 and 20 Mbar with an impedance-matching procedure. We also report shock-and-release measurements in a spherical geometry at the NIF. The new data provide tight constraints on the compressibility of warm dense carbon along the Hugoniot of full density diamond, allowing us to discriminate between existing theoretical equation-of-state models. We find that both LLNL LEOS 9061 and LANL Sesame 7835 models capture well the shock compressibility in the explored range. LANL Sesame 7835 also reproduces well the observed shock-and-release behavior of diamond near 10–20 Mbar.
An innovative filtration based Raman mapping technique for the size characterization of anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Abstract Characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) is of significant importance in the production quality control, applications and study of their toxicological effects. In this study, we developed a filtration-based Raman mapping technique as a rapid approach for the analysis of different sizes and concentrations of anatase TiO2-NPs. Four different sizes of TiO2 standards: 173, 93, 41, and 8 nm measured by electron microscopy techniques were dispersed using a probe sonicator with sodium pyrophosphate as a dispersing agent. The resulting hydrodynamic diameter measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) was stabilized at 192, 289, 325, and 360 nm respectively as a negative correlation with the ones by TEM. These NPs were then collected on a 0.1 μm (pore size) filter membrane with a vacuum pump and scanned using a Raman imaging microscope. The result shows that the 100 × objective lens was more capable of detecting the smallest size particles (8 nm) and lowest concentration (0.0004 g L−1) evaluated than the 20 × objective lens. Moreover, at low concentrations (i.e. 0.0004 and 0.004 g L−1), we established a linear correlation between the map area covered by the particles and the particle size measured by TEM. While at higher concentration (i.e. 0.04 g L−1), a positive correlation was established between the particle size and its corresponding Raman intensity. These results demonstrated a successful application of Raman mapping technique in rapid characterization of the size of anatase TiO2-NPs as small as 8 nm, which will facilaite the TiO2-NPs research, production, and applications.
Global architecture of the nucleus in single cells by DNA seqFISH+ and multiplexed immunofluorescence

Identifying the relationships between chromosome structures, chromatin states, and gene expression is an overarching goal of nuclear organization studies. Because individual cells are highly variable at all three levels, it is essential to map all three modalities in the same single cell, a task that has been difficult to accomplish with existing tools. Here, we report the direct super-resolution imaging of over 3,660 chromosomal loci in single mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) by DNA seqFISH+, along with 17 chromatin marks by sequential immunofluorescence (IF) and the expression profile of 70 RNAs, in the same cells. We discovered that the nucleus is separated into zones defined by distinct combinatorial chromatin marks. DNA loci and nascent transcripts are enriched at the interfaces between specific nuclear zones, and the level of gene expression correlates with an association between active or nuclear speckle zones. Our analysis also uncovered several distinct mESCs subpopulations with characteristic combinatorial chromatin states that extend beyond known transcriptional states, suggesting that the metastable states of mESCs are more complex than previously appreciated. Using clonal analysis, we show that the global levels of some chromatin marks, such as H3K27me3 and macroH2A1 (mH2A1), are heritable over at least 3-4 generations, whereas other marks fluctuate on a faster time scale. The long-lived chromatin states may represent “hidden variables” that explain the observed functional heterogeneity in differentiation decisions in single mESCs. Our integrated spatial genomics approach can be used to further explore the existence and biological relevance of molecular heterogeneity within cell populations in diverse biological systems.
Thromboembolic events in metastatic testicular cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Thromboembolic events in metastatic testicular cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy
Review of the Current Medical and Surgical Treatment Options for Microstomia in Patients With Scleroderma.

BACKGROUND Most patients with scleroderma suffer from microstomia, which can have debilitating consequences on their quality of life. Unfortunately, treatment options remain limited. No specific guidelines exist; hence, microstomia remains a challenge to treat in this patient population. OBJECTIVE This review aims to evaluate the different medical and surgical treatment modalities currently available for microstomia in patients with scleroderma and make recommendations for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS A search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid Embase was conducted to identify articles discussing the treatment of microstomia in scleroderma. Twenty articles discussing surgical therapy and one article discussing medical therapy were reviewed. RESULTS Mostly because of a scarcity of high-level evidence, no individual therapy has documented long-term efficacy. Some treatments demonstrate positive results and warrant further research. CONCLUSION Given the variability of results, specific recommendations for the treatment of microstomia in patients with scleroderma are difficult to establish. A multifaceted approach that includes surgical and medical therapy is likely the best option to improve oral aperture in this patient population. Surgical treatments such as neurotoxins, autologous fat grafting, and ultraviolet A1 phototherapy may hold the most potential for improvement.
Affordable Adjustments and Exploitable Opportunities in the European Union: The Search for Alternatives to Sanctions Busting Trade

My research explores the role of trade interests in sanctions busting. The literature on sanctions busting argues that economic sanctions create commercial opportunities for third-party states to exploit as sender state firms cease trading with states targeted by sanctions. EU member states, particularly, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are frequently cited as sanctions busters. Sanctions busting trade has been shown to weaken the effectiveness of economic sanctions, which can generate political costs for EU firms attempting to maintain trade relationships with targeted states. I argue that the picture is incomplete, demonstrating that firms’ in EU member states instead follow a “path of least resistance.” By following this path, EU member states eschew sanctions busting commercial opportunities because more convenient and equally lucrative commercial opportunities potentially exist with alternative trade partners within their existing dense trading networks. The economic community that has developed among EU member states thus serves as a convenient “path of least resistance” and provides a less costly – both economically and politically – route for trade as the number of sanctions in force increases. Using UN Comtrade data from 1962-2011, I test the effects of intra-EU trade on the likelihood of sanctions busting using a multilevel logistic regression and find that as intra-EU trade increases for EU member states, the probability of sanctions busting declines. Scholars have largely ignored the effects of membership in the EU on economic sanctions and sanctions busting, which potentially could improve how economic sanctions are designed, implemented, and enforced.
A regulatory sub-circuit downstream of Wnt signaling controls developmental transitions in neural crest formation

The process of cell fate commitment involves sequential changes in the gene expression profiles of embryonic progenitors. This is exemplified in the development of the neural crest, a migratory stem cell population derived from the ectoderm of vertebrate embryos. During neural crest formation, cells transition through distinct transcriptional states in a stepwise manner. The mechanisms underpinning these shifts in cell identity are still poorly understood. Here we employ enhancer analysis to identify a genetic sub-circuit that controls developmental transitions in the nascent neural crest. This sub-circuit links Wnt target genes in an incoherent feedforward loop that controls the sequential activation of genes in the neural crest lineage. By examining the cis-regulatory apparatus of Wnt effector gene AXUD1, we found that multipotency factor SP5 directly promotes neural plate border identity, while inhibiting premature expression of specification genes. Our results highlight the importance of repressive interactions in the neural crest gene regulatory network and illustrate how genes activated by the same upstream signal become temporally segregated during progressive fate restriction.
Impact of the Skull Size on the Normal Brain Radiation Dose During Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Results of a Pilot Study.

Objective: The objective of the present study was evaluation of the interrelationships between changes in the skull size and variations in the normal brain radiation dose during Gamma Knife surgery (GKS).
Clinical sequencing of soft tissue and bone sarcomas delineates diverse genomic landscapes and potential therapeutic targets

The genetic, biologic, and clinical heterogeneity of sarcomas poses a challenge for the identification of therapeutic targets, clinical research, and advancing patient care. Because there are > 100 sarcoma subtypes, in-depth genetic studies have focused on one or a few subtypes. Herein, we report a comparative genetic analyses analysis of 2,138 sarcomas representing 45 pathological entities. This cohort was prospectively analyzed using targeted sequencing to characterize subtype-specific somatic alterations in targetable pathways, rates of whole genome doubling, mutational signatures, and subtype-agnostic genomic clusters. The most common alterations were in cell cycle control and TP53, receptor tyrosine kinases/PI3K/RAS, and epigenetic regulators. Subtype-specific associations included TERT amplification in intimal sarcoma and SWI/SNF alterations in uterine adenosarcoma. Tumor mutational burden, while low compared to other cancers, varied between and within subtypes. This resource will improve sarcoma models, motivate studies of subtype-specific alterations, and inform investigations of genetic factors and their correlations with treatment response.
COVID-19 and systemic racism pandemics impact daily life for immigrant/refugees, Minneapolis, USA

Background: The pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism have a deleterious impact on the daily life experiences and health for populations of color. The experiences are compounded for immigrant/refugee communities that may have other barriers such as English language literacy or trauma. Cumulative stress due to everyday racism is harmful for health. Objectives: This study describes the impact of day-to-day lived experiences of Karen, Somali, and Latinx communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted over three weeks in September and October 2020 to understand the daily life experiences of Karen, Somali and Latinx adults drawn from community contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd. Interviewers were bilingual and from the communities they interviewed. Nine questions were asked, ranging from their knowledge of COVID-19, prevention practices, experiences during shelter-in-place, and the perceptions of the police murder of George Floyd. Qualitative analysis included transcript review, coding facilitated by Atlas.ti Cloud software, summaries, and validation by interviewers. Findings: Thirty-two adults were interviewed (Latinx = 10, Karen = 10, Somali = 12). One-third were in person per participant request and complying with COVID-19 precautions, and the remainder were remote. The average age recorded was 37 years (range 20–66 years), 43.8% males and 56.3% females. Respondents reported experiences of discrimination and systemic racism while engaging in daily life activities, including accessing foods and common goods, school, work, transportation, and healthcare, all of which were exacerbated by COVID-19 and the police murder of George Floyd. Conclusions: Immigrant/refugee communities of color in Minneapolis/St. Paul face daily experiences of racism that were compounded by the events of 2020. Discrimination and systemic racism contribute to the persistent health inequities among populations of color.
A Compiler Abstraction for Machine Independent Parallel Communication Generation

In this paper, we consider the problem of generating efficient, portable communication in compilers for parallel languages. We introduce the Ironman abstraction, which separates data transfer from its implementing communication paradigm. This is done by annotating the compiler-generated code with legal ranges for data transfer in the form of calls to the Ironman library. On each target platform, these library calls are instantiated to perform the transfer using the machine's optimal communication paradigm. We confirm arguments against generating message passing calls in the compiler based on our experiences using PVM and MPI — specifically, the observation that these interfaces do not perform well on machines that are not built with a message passing communication paradigm. The overhead for using Ironman, as opposed to a machine-specific back end, is demonstrated to be negligible. We give performance results for a number of benchmarks running with PVM, MPI, and machine-specific implementations of the Ironman abstraction, yielding performance improvements of up to 42% of communication time and 1–14% of total computation time.