cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation of ALOX15 expression with eosinophilic or reflux esophagitis in a cohort of pediatric patients with esophageal eosinophilia

The differential diagnosis between eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often challenging. We recently showed that the ALOX15 protein is expressed in 95% of esophageal biopsies from patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE. Here we correlated ALOX15 expression with the clinical classification of EoE or GERD in a cohort of consecutive pediatric patients (n = 62) with at least 1 esophageal biopsy containing at least 15 eosinophils per high-power field (eos/HPF). The patients were categorized into the following groups: (1) at least 15 eos/HPF in the distal esophagus only (n = 24), (2) at least 15 eos/HPF in the proximal esophagus only (n = 5), and (3) at least 15 eos/HPF in the distal and proximal biopsies (n = 33). Control groups included patients with GERD with biopsies containing 6 to 15 eos/HPF (n = 9), patients with GERD with 5 eos/HPF or less (n = 15), patients with candida esophagitis (n = 15), and patients with normal biopsies (n = 15). ALOX15 was positive in 90.5% of patients with EoE (13/16 in group 1, 4/4 in group 2, 31/33 in group 3) versus 44% of patients with GERD (4/8 in group 1, 0/1 in group 2, and 0/0 in group 3), 2 of 9 (22%) of patients with 6 to 15 eos/HPF, and was negative in all patients with GERD with biopsies containing 5 eos/HPF or less, all patients with candida esophagitis, and all normal controls. In conclusion, ALOX15 is a sensitive marker of EoE; however, subpopulations of patients with GERD with >5 eos/HPF also express ALOX15. Positive ALOX15 expression is more prevalent in EoE than in GERD and may prove to be a useful diagnostic marker in patients with discrepant biopsy findings between the proximal and distal esophagus.
Adaptive active appearance models

The active appearance model (AAM) is a powerful tool for modeling images of deformable objects and has been successfully used in a variety of alignment, tracking, and recognition applications. AAM uses subspace-based deformable models to represent the images of a certain object class. In general, fitting such complicated models to previously unseen images using standard optimization techniques is a computationally complex task because the gradient matrix has to be numerically computed at every iteration. The critical feature of AAM is a fast convergence scheme which assumes that the gradient matrix is fixed around the optimal coefficients for all images. Our work in this paper starts with the observation that such a fixed gradient matrix inevitably specializes to a certain region in the texture space, and the fixed gradient matrix is not a good estimate of the actual gradient as the target texture moves away from this region. Hence, we propose an adaptive AAM algorithm that linearly adapts the gradient matrix according to the composition of the target image's texture to obtain a better estimate for the actual gradient. We show that the adaptive AAM significantly outperforms the basic AAM, especially in images that are particularly challenging for the basic algorithm. In terms of speed and accuracy, the idea of a linearly adaptive gradient matrix presented in this paper provides an interesting compromise between a standard optimization technique that recomputes the gradient at every iteration and the fixed gradient matrix approach of the basic AAM.
Simulation-based real-time decision making for route planning

Decision making is an active area of research in simulation, systems engineering and artificial intelligence. One subset area of decision making, automated route planning, is covered with our approach being based on the technique of simulation rather than on purely heuristic or geometric techniques. This new technique is called simulation-based planning. Simulation-based planning is useful for route planning under various conditions including uncertain locations and events with potential adversarial activity. We claim that it is only by using simulation that one can make the most effective plan in uncertain and complex environments. An experimental design is outlined along with our plans for further development.
Low Energy Threshold in the Growth of Cubic Boron Nitride Films by ECR Plasma Assisted Magnetron Sputtering

We report the growth of cubic boron nitride (cBN) films by magnetron sputtering on Si (100) substrates. The films are grown in the presence of negative substrate bias voltages and a nitrogen plasma produced by an electron cyclotron resonance source. We find evidence for a sharp low-voltage threshold in the substrate bias (-105 V) beyond which the samples are predominantly cBN. The structural quality of the cBN films is optimized in a narrow range of voltages near this threshold. We discuss the important role of energetic ions in the formation of cBN in light of recent theoretical findings.
Is there adaptation in the ozone mortality relationship: a multi-city case-crossover analysis.

Background: Ozone has been associated with daily mortality, mainly in the summer period. Despite the ample literature on adaptation of inflammatory and pulmonary responses to ozone, and the link, in cohort studies, between lung function and mortality risk there has been little done to date to examine the question of adaptation in the acute mortality risk associated with ambient ozone. Methods: We applied a case-crossover design in 48 US cities to examine the ozone effect by season, by month and by age groups, particularly focusing on whether there was an adaptation effect. Results: We found that the same day ozone effect was highest in summer with a 0.5% (95% CI: 0.38, 0.62) increase in total mortality for 10 ppb increase in 8-hr ozone, whilst the effect decrease to null in autumn and winter. We found higher effects in the months May- July with a 0.46% (95% CI: 0.24, 0.68) increase in total mortality for 10 ppb increase in ozone in June, and a 0.65% (95% CI: 0.47, 0.82) increase in mortality during July. The effect decreased in August and became null in September. We found similar effects from the age group 51–60 up to age 80 and a lower effect in 80 years and older. Conclusion: The mortality effects of ozone appear diminished later in the ozone season, reaching the null effect previously reported in winter by September. More work should address this issue and examine the biological mechanism of adaptation.
Basic calcium phosphate crystals up-regulate metalloproteinases but down-regulate tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 in human fibroblasts

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals on expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and -2 in human fibroblasts. Method Using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method and phosphocitrate (PC), a specific inhibitor of the biological effects of BCP crystals, we examined the effects of BCP on the steady state transcript levels of metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, -9 and -13 and TIMP-1 and -2 in human fibroblasts. DNA primers against elongation factor were used as internal controls. RNAs isolated from human fibroblasts treated with BCP crystals (50μg/ml) in the presence or absence of PC (10 −3 M) were used as templates, and RNA from untreated control cultures and cultures treated with Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Results We observed increases in MMP-1, -3, -9 and -13 transcripts by BCP crystals. BCP crystal down-regulated TIMP-1 and -2 over untreated controls. Western blot analysis confirmed that BCP crystals down-regulate the synthesis of TIMP-1 and -2. While IL-1β up-regulated MMP-1, -3, -9 and -13, it had no significant effect on expression of either TIMP. In all cases, PC specifically reversed the differential regulation of MMPs and TIMPs by BCP crystals but had no effect on IL-1β induction of MMP expression. Conclusion The ability of BCP to induce the synthesis of degradative MMPs while down-regulating the synthesis of the naturally occurring counterpart TIMPs may explain the changes consistent with a role of BCP crystal in the pathogenesis of degenerative changes in osteoarthritis. The ability of PC to reverse both degradative effects of BCP crystal suggests that PC can be a potential therapeutic agent for BCP crystal deposition diseases.
Ultrasound-guided central venous access: a homemade phantom for simulation.

While the base layer of the mould is congealing, select the latex tubes (Penrose drains) that will be used to simulate the vessels. One-half inch diameter tubes work well to simulate the neck and femoral vessels and one-quarter inch diameter tubes appear like brachial vessels. Tie the latex tubes at one end and fill them with water, being careful to minimize the amount of trapped air. The volume of water in each tube determines whether it will be used to simulate an artery or a vein. For example, tubes that have less water will compress easily and therefore will appear like veins. After the desired volume of water is placed in the latex tube, tie off the open end. After the base layer of the mould is firm, place the latex tubes on top of it. A second aliquot of the gelatin‐Metamucil mixture (enough to fill one-third of the container’s volume, as described above) is poured onto the base layer, with enough volume to surround and cover the latex drains. This will form the middle layer. Chill the mould again until firm. Lastly, prepare another gelatin‐Metamucil mixture and pour it on top of the middle layer until the container is filled to the point that the latex drains are no longer visible. Chill the mould a third time until it is firm and then remove it from the Pyrex container. At this point the phantom is ready for use. Discussion
Online Social Support for Parents: A Critical Review

This review critically examines 19 international articles addressing online social support for parents and provides evidence that parents around the world perceive emotional and informational support online. These studies highlight the benefits of the online environment to parents, including convenience and anonymity, although some drawbacks were also noted such as a lack of credibility. Social support theories have been extended to the online environment; however, the understanding of parents' online social network structure is limited. Social support implies a positive effect on well-being, and future studies are needed to further explore this. Overall, social capital theory and stress and coping perspectives hold promise for future studies to extend descriptive work. Although representative samples and sound measurement are needed, the articles in this review lay a descriptive foundation to further study this topic.
Self-organizing city: experiments using multi-agent model and space syntax

This paper describes a process of using local interactions to generate intricate global patterns and emergent urban forms. Starting with network topology optimization, agent-based model (ABM) is used to construct the micro-level complexity within a simulated environment. The authors focus on how agent-driven emergent patterns can evolve during the simulation in response to the "hidden hand" of macro-level goals. The research extends to the agents' interactions driven by a set of rules and external forces. An evaluation method is investigated by combining network optimization with space syntax. The multi-phase approach starts with defining the self-organizing system, which is created by optimizing its topology with ABM. A macro-level "attraction map" is generated based on space syntax analysis. Then the map is used to control various construction operations of an adaptive urban model.
Incidence and diversity of double-stranded RNA in Lentinula edodes

Most fungal viruses which have been characterized possess genomes composed of one to three segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) which are separately encapsidated in isometric particles (Buck, 1986). Viral infection occurs widely in fungi, but with few exceptions does the host-parasite interaction culminate in an altered phenotype of the fungus. However, there are several well documented cases where viral infection
Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from the patients in Ningbo with variable number tandem repeat method

Objective:To investigate the genotyping and distribution pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in Ningbo with variable number tandem repeats(VNTR) analysis.Methods: M.tuberculosis clinical isolates selected from Ningbo randomly were cultured with Lowenstein-Jensen medium.The bacteria from which the genome DNA was extracted were collected.The polymorphism of VNTR locus was tested in the DNA sample with PCR respectively.The clustering of genotype was analyzed with BioNumerics.Results: 15 VNTR loci of 90 M.tuberculosis clinical isolates were analyzed respectively.The results showed that there were obvious polymorphisms of VNTRs.The clustering of genotype showed that these strains could be categorized into 4 gene clusters(Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ) and 84 genotypes.11.1% were clusterⅠincluding 10 genotypes,17.8% were clusterⅡincluding 15 genotypes,65.6% were cluster Ⅲ including 54 genotypes,5.6% were cluster Ⅳ including 5 genotypes.Conclusion: The results showed that there were obvious polymorphisms of VNTRs of M.tuberculosis clinical strains preliminarily.There were at least 4 clusters of VNTR genotype and cluster Ⅲ was the predominant prevalent strain in Ningbo.
Intracellular Targeting Using Bispecific Antibodies

The technological development and application of bispecific antibodies for biological research have advanced steadily since the idea of creating hybrid reagents with dual specificity was first promulgated by Nisonoff and Rivers (1). It was realized that appropriately designed bispecific antibodies could provide a unique means for selectively delivering biologically active agents onto the surface of target cells so that they could ultimately be internalized (2-7). Hybrid constructs developed in my laboratory used a specific antibody to reversibly bind the effector molecule within its combining site, whereas the second antibody or ligand component accurately targeted the complex to selected sites on the cell membrane Fig. 1). Those target receptor sites, along with the attached hybrid antibody complex, are subsequently taken inside the cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Cytotoxic drugs and toxins were chosen for delivery via the bispecific reagent because the entry of these potent molecules into target cells is signaled by an easily measured intracellular activity (2-7). Fig. 1. Intracellular delivery of effector molecules using bispecific antibodies. A bifunctional carrier is constructed by linking a monoclonal anti-effector antibody to a monoclonal cell-targeting antibody. A noncovalent complex forms when the effector is added and binds to its specific antibody-combining sites. The targeting antibody directs this preformed complex to a distinct receptor site on the cell membrane. Alternatively, cells can be pretreated with the bispecific antibody, allowing the empty combining sites of the cell-bound reagent to be filled by subsequently added effector molecules. Surface-localized complexes quickly enter cells via a receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway. Escape of the effector from the cell vesicle system and passage into the cytosol is achieved but occurs slowly (∼24 h).
Urban aesthetics: reframing mobility for ubiquitous computing

This dissertation expands the understanding of the relationship between mobility and technology for ubiquitous computing. Beginning with an examination of urban mobility, I propose and illustrate new ways researchers might study and design for this complex field by first looking for insight from a different discipline, cultural geography. Building on this foundation, I present two ethnographic studies done on the public transportation systems of Orange County, California and London, UK, which investigate the aesthetic aspects of urban journeys. An analysis of this ethnographic work gives rise to a series of inspirations for design, which act as new avenues for technological explorations of urban mobility. Drawing from these principles and ethnographic material, I will describe two very different design concepts envisioned for use in the London Underground: a mobile music sharing system, undersound, and an augmented Oyster Card wallet, SeeShell. A reflection upon these interrelated pieces of research will serve to highlight new, actionable directions, for further ubiquitous computing work relating to mobility.
Rapid overdrive pacing for refractory tachyarrhythmias in patients after open-heart surgery

The efficacy of rapid ventricular pacemaker overdrive in the treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias is presented as a new approach to the management of these rhythm disorders in patients after cardiac surgery. This mode of therapy is exemplified in the control of heart rate and return of normal sinus rhythm in patients with both types of tachyarrhythmias refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic agents. In addition, the pathogenesis and mechanisms of pacemaker overdrive in terminating these rhythm disturbances are delineated.
A CAESARIAN ANALOGY

While Caesar as man of letters is most famous for his commentarii , it should not be forgotten that he also wrote two volumes on Analogy and was the author of various verses, one set of which, on the comic playwright Terence and his relationship to Menander, runs as follows (fr. 1 Courtney): tu quoque, tu in summis, o dimidiate Menander, poneris, et merito, puri sermonis amator. lenibus atque utinam scriptis adiuncta foret uis, comica ut aequato uirtus polleret honore cum Graecis neue hac despectus parte iaceres! 5 unum hoc maceror ac doleo tibi deesse, Terenti.
Why "Cultural Sensitivities" and "Localizations" in Global E-Learning?

This chapter examines the importance of cultural sensitivity and localization in the delivery of global e-learning. The branding, course ecology, curriculum design, instructional strategies/pedagogical approaches, multimedia builds, information handling, and direct instruction in e-learning need to fit the needs of the diverse learners. Those that offer global e-learning must consider the national, ethnic and racial backgrounds of their learners to offer customized value-added higher education. Cultural sensitivities apply to initial learner outreach and their success in the e-learning; localizations enhance the applied learning and also the transferability of the learning after the global learners graduate. Cultural sensitivities and localizations may make global e-learning more field-independent and effective because of the reliance on each learner’s local resources. A “Cultural Sensitivities and Localizations Course Analysis (CSLCA)” Tool for global e-learning has been included in the appendix.
Surface integral equation using numerical green's function of anisotropic inhomogeneous media

Surface integral equation (SIE) leveraging the analytic homogeneous-medium Green's function is only suitable for investigating piecewise homogeneous objects. In this paper, we demonstrate that by taking advantage of numerical Green's function (NGF), SIE methods can be extended to model arbitrarily inhomogeneous and anisotropic media. In our scheme, NGFs of complicated media are computed with differential equation (DE) methods where the domain can be truncated by arbitrary boundary conditions. Electromagnetic scatterings of anisotropic geometries are simulated to validate the proposed scheme, where NGFs are obtained by the finite element method (FEM).
Safety of research bronchoscopy in asthma and COPD

Background: Fibre-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) is a research tool in asthma and COPD with a good safety record in stable patients. There is no data regarding adverse events for FOB in patients with asthma/COPD exacerbations. Aims: To evaluate the safety of FOB in subjects participating in experimental rhinovirus infection studies. Methods: We reviewed the records of these subjects from a single centre since 2000. Subjects had FOB at baseline and convalescence (stable) and during the virus-induced exacerbation (infection) with biopsies, brushings and BAL. Results: The clinical characteristics of the subjects are in Table 1 . There were no adverse events in the asthma studies and 3 in the COPD studies. Two subjects developed lower respiratory tract infections requiring antibiotics. In 1 subject (non-smoker) this occurred at the infection FOB and the subject was withdrawn. In the other subject (COPD) this occurred at the baseline FOB and he continued in the study and had 2 other uneventful FOB. One subject (smoker) had FOB terminated due to hypoxia. Conclusions: The incidence of adverse events in research FOB in asthma and COPD exacerbations is low.
H+ is involved in the activation of calcineurin by calmodulin.

We have studied recently the surface hydrophobic properties of several calmodulin (CaM) target enzymes and found that a certain amphipathic domain(s) of the enzyme was exposed in response to a H+ increase within the neutral pH range. The exposed domain appeared to be related to their CaM-binding domains and associated with their activation by CaM (Huang, S., Carlson, G. M., and Cheung, W. Y. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 7631-7638). In this paper, the involvement of H+ in the activation of calcineurin (CaN), one of the CaM target enzymes, was further studied. Using dansylated CaM to monitor its conformational change, we found that the binding of Ca2+ to CaM occurred at a lower range of Ca2+ concentrations (pCa from 7 to 6) than the formation of CaM.CaN complex (pCa from 6 to 5). However, addition of H+ within the neutral pH range shifted the formation of CaM.CaN complex to the lower range of Ca2+ concentrations. Similarly, the addition of H+ shifted the Ca2+ requirement for enzyme activation to a lower Ca2+ range. These results show that the interaction of CaM with CaN could be initiated either by Ca2+ or by H+ in the presence of suboptimal Ca2+, suggesting a positive cooperative effect between Ca2+ and H+. The CaM-stimulated activity of CaN was accompanied by a time-dependent autoinactivation. Kinetic analysis showed that the autoinactivation initiated by Ca2+ or by H+ was biphasic and that the decay rate constants were comparable. In heavy water (D2O), the Ca(2+)-induced formation of CaM.CaN complex as well as the activity of CaN were decreased, indicating a solvent deuterium isotope effect. The same solvent isotope effect was observed in the H(+)-induced formation of CaM.CaN complex and in the H(+)-induced enzyme activity. When the enzyme was rendered CaM-independent by limited proteolysis, the isotope effect was abolished, suggesting that H+ was involved in the CaM-dependent and not the CaM-independent activity. Collectively, these data suggest that the interaction of CaM with CaN depends on the two cations: Ca2+ exposes an amphipathic domain on CaM, and H+ exposes the CaM-binding domain on the target enzyme.
Has the time come to abandon chloride-rich resuscitation fluids?

Over the past several years, there has been an increasing focus on the potential impact of resuscitation fluid composition on outcomes in critically ill patients (1-3). Chloride is the most abundant anion in the extracellular fluid, and plays an essential role in many body functions including acid-base balance, muscular activity, osmosis, and immunomodulation (4). Yet in both animal models and observational clinical studies, the use of hyperchloremic (physiologically “unbalanced”) solutions has been linked to increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and/or mortality. However, these associations have not been consistent across studies, and have not been confirmed in clinical trial settings (5). Currently, in the United States, 0.9% saline (chloride content 154 mEq/L) remains the predominant solution used for resuscitation in critically ill patients.
Quality of Primary Care for Children With Disabilities Enrolled in Medicaid

Abstract Objective The quality of primary care delivered to Medicaid-insured children with disabilities (CWD) is unknown. We used the newly validated CWD algorithm (CWDA) to examine CWD prevalence among Medicaid enrollees 1 to 18 years old, primary care quality for CWD, and differences in primary care quality for CWD and non-CWD. Methods Cross-sectional study using 2008 Medicaid Analytic eXtract claims data from 9 states, including children with at least 11 months of enrollment (N = 2,671,922 enrollees). We utilized CWDA to identify CWD and applied 12 validated or endorsed pediatric quality measures to assess preventive/screening, acute, and chronic disease care quality. We compared quality for CWD and non-CWD unmatched and matched on age, sex, and number of nondisabling chronic conditions and outpatient encounters. Results CWDA identified 5.3% (n = 141,384) of our study population as CWD. Care quality levels for CWD were below 50% on 8 of 12 quality measures (eg, adolescent well visits [44.9%], alcohol/drug treatment engagement [24.9%]). CWD care quality was significantly better than the general population of non-CWD by +0.9% to +15.6% on 9 measures, but significantly worse for 2 measures, chlamydia screening (−3.4%) and no emergency department visits for asthma (−5.0%; all P Conclusions One in 20 Medicaid-insured children is CWD, and the quality of primary care delivered to CWD is suboptimal. Areas needing improvement include preventive/screening, acute care, and chronic disease management.
Characteristics and fall experiences of older adults with and without fear of falling outdoors

ABSTRACTObjective: Using a theoretical model that combines an ecological perspective and Bandura's theory of self-efficacy as a guide, we sought to compare experiences and characteristics of community dwelling older adults with and without concern about falling outdoors.Method: A survey of randomly selected community dwelling older adults across NYC (N = 120) was conducted using the outdoor falls questionnaire. Descriptive quantitative analyses of participant characteristics were conducted for all participants and for those with and without concern about falling outside. Conventional content analysis using two coders was employed to examine outdoor fall experiences for each group. A mixed methods matrix was used to integrate qualitative and quantitative findings.Results: Some participant characteristics were more common among those with a concern about falling outside such as decreased functional status, female gender, and number of prior outdoor falls. As per descriptions of outdoor fall experiences, par...
Strain Rate Effect on Shear Behavior of Open-Graded Aggregates

Despite their wide application as construction materials in various earthworks built by state and local transportation agencies, the role of physical and mechanical factors in the strength and deformation behavior of crushed, manufactured open-graded aggregates (OGAs) is not well studied. In this investigation, the strain rate dependency of strength–deformation behaviors of two commonly employed crushed aggregates with small (12.7 mm) and large (38.1 mm) sizes is investigated. A 150-mm diameter triaxial testing device was used to conduct a drained compression test at five strain rates, ranging from 0.000083%/s to 0.0083%/s. To evaluate the significance of confining stress and density on the effect of strain rates, the shear tests were conducted at 34 kPa and 207 kPa effective confining stress levels, with the samples compacted at loose (30%) and dense (95%) relative densities. The peak friction angle, maximum dilation angle, secant modulus, and axial strain at which the aggregates started to dilate were d...
A Flash-Based Non-Uniform Sampling ADC With Hybrid Quantization Enabling Digital Anti-Aliasing Filter

This paper introduces different classes of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architecture that non-uniformly samples the analog input and shifts from conventional voltage quantization to a hybrid quantization paradigm wherein both voltage and time quantization are utilized. In this architecture, the sampling rate adapts to the input frequency, which maintains an alias-free spectrum and enables an anti-aliasing (AA) filtering in the digital domain to relax the analog AA filter. In addition, the digital AA filter can generate uniform outputs from non-uniform samples to interact with the synchronous digital signal processor seamlessly and benefit from reconfigurability and technology scaling. To prove the concept, a flash-based non-uniform sampling ADC is proposed and the circuit non-idealities of key building blocks are analyzed. A silicon prototype is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS, which utilizes a 15-level voltage quantizer and a shared time quantizer with maximum resolution of 9 ps. Combined with the digital AA filter, it improves SNR by 30 dB in comparison with a conventional 4-bit uniformly sampled Nyquist-rate ADC and measures an EVM of −28 dB for a 64 quadrature amplitude modulation input signal under a 30-dB higher blocker.
Eye-Movement Control in Reading

Publisher Summary During reading, one typically has impression that eyes are gliding smoothly across the page. However, this is an incorrect impression; instead the eyes make a series of rapid movements (called saccades) separated by periods of time when the eyes are relatively still (called fixations). It is only during the fixations that new visual information is encoded from the text because vision is functionally suppressed during the saccades. Fixations typically last about 200–250 ms, although individual fixations in reading can be as short as 50–100 ms and as long as 500 ms. Distributions of fixation durations look like normal distributions (with the mean around 200–250 ms) that are skewed to the right. Typically, saccades last roughly 20–40 ms; the duration of the saccade depends almost exclusively on the size of the saccade. Saccades moving from the end of one line to the next (called return sweep) typically last longer than the movements that progress along a line, and they also tend to undershoot the intended target. Thus, a return sweep will often be followed by a corrective movement to the left (when reading English).
Constitution of iron-boron alloys in the low boron range

The solid solubility of boron in iron has been determined by saturating iron with respect to Fe2B at several temperatures from 870° to 1135°C. In alpha iron the maximum solubility was found to be 0.002 pct B and in gamma iron the solubility varied from 0.001 pct at 915°C to 0.020 pct B at 1165°C. The eutectic and peritectoid temperatures were found to be 1165° and 911°C respectively and the gamma iron solidus was located approximately at 0.020 pct B.
Extracellular signal regulated kinase 5 and inflammasome in progression of mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer in desperate need of treatment. We have previously shown that extracellular signaling regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) plays an important role in mesothelioma pathogenesis using ERK5 silenced human mesothelioma cells exhibiting significantly reduced tumor growth in immunocompromised mice. Here, we used a specific ERK 5 inhibitor, XMD8-92 in various in vitro and in vivo models to demonstrate that inhibition of ERK5 can slow down mesothelioma tumorigenesis. First, we show a dose dependent toxicity of XMD8-92 to 2 human mesothelioma cell lines growing as a monolayer. We also demonstrate the inhibition of ERK5 phosphorylation in various human mesothelioma cell lines by XMD8-92. We further confirmed the toxicity of XMD8-92 towards mesothelioma cell lines grown as spheroids in a 3-D model as well as in intraperitoneal (immune-competent) and intrapleural (immune-deficient) mouse models with and without chemotherapeutic drugs. To ascertain the mechanism, we explored the role of the nod-like receptor family member containing a pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the process. We found XMD8-92 attenuated naive and chemotherapeutic-induced inflammasome priming and activation in mesothelioma cells. It can thus be concluded that ERK5 inhibition attenuates mesothelioma tumor growth and this phenomenon in part is regulated by the inflammasome.
Using Digital Interventions to Support Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and Advanced Liver Disease: A Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Alcohol abstinence is the most important therapeutic goal for individuals with advanced liver disease (ALD), but commonly co-occurring alcohol use disorders (AUD) make it difficult to achieve. This challenge is perhaps best documented in the pre- and post-liver transplant period: around 30% of patients on a liver transplant list relapse with alcohol, and up to 50% can relapse in the first 10 years post-transplant. Tools to assist patients with ALD and AUD in initiating and maintaining abstinence have been limited: safe, tolerable, and effective pharmacotherapies for AUD are not widely used and treatment is often complicated by medical issues including malnourishment, physically debility, covert or overt hepatic encephalopathy, sleep and fatigue disorders, comorbid depression, and anxiety disorders.......
Structural and kinetic studies of the effect of guanine-N7 alkylation and metal cofactors on DNA replication.

A wide variety of endogenous and exogenous alkylating agents attack DNA to preferentially generate N7-alkylguanine (N7-alkylG) adducts. Studies of the effect of N7-alkylG lesions on biological processes have been difficult in part because of complications arising from the chemical lability of the positively charged N7-alkylG, which can readily produce secondary lesions. To assess the effect of bulky N7-alkylG on DNA replication, we prepared chemically stable N7-benzylguanine (N7bnG)-containing DNA and evaluated nucleotide incorporation opposite the lesion by human DNA polymerase β (polβ), a model enzyme for high-fidelity DNA polymerases. Kinetic studies showed that the N7-benzyl-G lesion greatly inhibited dCTP incorporation by polβ. The crystal structure of polβ incorporating dCTP opposite N7bnG showed a Watson–Crick N7bnG:dCTP structure. The polβ-N7bnG:dCTP structure showed an open protein conformation, a relatively disordered dCTP, and a lack of catalytic metal, which explained the inefficient nucleotid...
The Dawn of the Nazi Era

This chapter addresses Hitler’s ascent to power, with a surprising support of academics. We learn about a lone Einstein’s public anti-Nazi position, criticized by some leading American and German leading scholars. And we learn how the initial American policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany slowly shifts to disapproval.
The First Limit Formula and L-series

Let k be an imaginary quadratic field, with discriminant —dk < 0 so that dk is the absolute value of the discriminant. Let o be the ring of integers in k, and let a be an ideal class.
Abstract TP346: Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditures Among Older Americans With Stroke: Data From the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2003-2014

Introduction: Out of pocket healthcare (OOP) expenditures may undermine continuing efforts to equitably curb mortality among elderly stroke survivors. We sought to evaluate, at a national level out...
Influence of Menstrual Cycle Timing on Screening Breast MRI Background Parenchymal Enhancement and Diagnostic Performance in Premenopausal Women

Purpose To assess the influence of menstrual cycle timing on background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and performance on screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in premenopausal women at high risk for developing breast cancer. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, all screening breast MRIs performed from January 2007 through November 2010 in premenopausal women in whom day from last menstrual period was recorded were identified. Prospectively recorded BPE levels and Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System MRI assessments were extracted from our database. Subject outcomes were determined by using biopsy, imaging follow-up, and linkage with the regional tumor registry (minimum 12-month follow-up). Associations of BPE levels (minimal/mild versus moderate/marked) with menstrual cycle phase (follicular [day 0-15] versus luteal [day 16-35]) and week (1, 2, 3, or 4) were compared. Differences in MRI performance metrics, including abnormal interpretation rate (AIR), positive biopsy rate (PBR), cancer yield, sensitivity, and specificity, were compared between menstrual cycle phase and menstrual cycle week. Results Three-hundred twenty examinations in 244 premenopausal women met inclusion criteria with nine cancers diagnosed. BPE levels were not associated with menstrual cycle phase or week (P > 0.05). MRI performance metrics (ie, AIR, PBR, cancer yield, sensitivity, or specificity) did not differ significantly based on menstrual cycle phase or menstrual cycle week (P > 0.05). Conclusions Obtaining screening breast MRI exams during specific phases or weeks of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women does not reliably produce MRI examinations with lower BPE levels or improved performance.
High-quality two-dimensional lithium niobate photonic crystal slab nanoresonators

We report a 2D LN PhC slab nanoresonators with high optical Q over 3 × 105. Such a high quality enables us to probe the intriguing anisotropy of nonlinear optical phenomena of LN never reported previously.
Demo Abstract: Exploring packet dynamics through the combination of symbolic execution and random testing

Network protocols are difficult to test due to the extremely large number of packet dynamics possibilities. Random testing is simple and effective in achieving reasonable coverage but unable to cover corner cases. Symbolic execution based testing is more efficient in exploring low-possibility paths but suffers from the scalability problem. In this demonstration, we apply the combination of symbolic execution based testing and random testing to symbolically and efficiently explore the state space of packet dynamics. We use the code coverage metric to evaluate the effectiveness of different testing methods on network protocols. Our experiments on Multipath-TCP (MPTCP) show that the combination method can achieve higher coverage than symbolic execution based testing and random testing.
A structural and spectroscopic overview of molecular lanthanide complexes with fluorinated O-donor ligands

Abstract The lanthanide elements are prevalent in modern electronics, contrast agents, and phosphors. Precursors for luminescent materials frequently use fluorinated ligands to promote volatility for chemical vapor deposition methods. In molecular complexes, fluorination is also a commonly used technique to reduce energy loss during luminescence, and the oxophilicity of the lanthanide ions makes fluorinated alkoxides an attractive tool for the design of luminescent lanthanide complexes. Herein, the structural and photophysical properties of lanthanide complexes ligated by fluorinated alkoxides have been reviewed. Selected examples of several categories are presented in detail, including carboxylates, chelating and non-chelating ligands, and systems with up to three metal centers. Potential areas for further investigation are highlighted.
Teachers’ perspectives on communication and parent engagement in early childhood education programs for migrant farmworker children:

As early childhood education programs in the United States increasingly serve a growing number of children from linguistically and culturally diverse families, understanding teacher practices to be...
Detection and Titration of Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Inhibiting (NAI) Antibodies Using an Enzyme-Linked Lectin Assay (ELLA)

The neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A viruses (IAV) is a structurally and antigenically important envelope glycoprotein. There are eleven known subtypes of NA of which two, N1 and N2, circulate in swine. The sialidase activity of NA is required for the release of nascent virus particles from infected cell membranes and inhibition of NA enzymatic activity can significantly reduce virus titers and duration of infection. Efforts to improve IAV vaccine technology in humans have focused on the generation of neuraminidase inhibiting (NAI) antibodies and should be considered in swine as well. The enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) conducted in 96-well plates has enabled high-throughput analysis of serum samples for NAI antibody titers. Through the use of reverse genetics, custom antigen panels and antisera can be generated to encompass the antigenically diverse population of NA that circulate in swine. The ELLA is a robust method to assess NAI antibody titers and characterize the antigenic difference between NA antigens.
Streamlining Care in Crisis: Rapid Creation and Implementation of a Digital Support Tool for COVID-19

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in rapidly evolving best practices for transmission reduction, diagnosis, and treatment. A regular influx of new information has upended traditionally static hospital protocols, adding additional stress and potential for error to an already overextended system. To help equip frontline emergency clinicians with up-to-date protocols throughout the evolving COVID-19 crisis, our team set out to create a dynamic digital tool that centralized and standardized resources from a broad range of platforms across our hospital. Using a design thinking approach, we rapidly built, tested, and deployed a solution using simple, out-of-the-box web technology that enables clinicians to access the specific information they seek within moments. This platform has been rapidly adopted throughout the emergency department, with up to 70% of clinicians using the digital tool on any given shift and 78.6% of users reporting that they "agree" or "strongly agree" that the platform has affected their management of COVID-19 patients. The tool has also proven easily adaptable, with multiple protocols being updated nearly 20 times over two months without issue. This paper describes our development process, challenges, and results to enable other institutions to replicate this process to ensure consistent, high-quality care for patients as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its unpredictable course.
Democratizing Capital: Building Union Coop Partnerships Through Economically Targeted Investing and Crowdfunding Innovations

In many nations, workers possess a promising tool to catalyze social innovation by advancing cooperative business models and mutualistic business practices. This tool is the power of worker’s capital itself, pooled in massive pension funds, deployed in targeted private equity funds, and distributed in the pocketbooks and individual investments of workers themselves. The challenge is how to coordinate and deploy the potential power of this “workers’ capital” in a way that can humanize the broader economic system. This chapter explores how recent policy innovations in equity crowdfunding laws across the world, together with technological innovations (e.g., the expansion of social media and the rise of internet investment portals), have opened new paths for social innovation through a democratized deployment of investment capital by worker cooperative advocates. If strategically pursued, equity crowdfunding offers a pragmatic tool to democratize capital in labor-friendly ways. Through equity crowdfunding, large numbers of average investors can pursue socially conscious goals by coming together to support cooperative enterprises, built around socially innovative goals of democratic worker control, concern for the community, mutualism and equity among members. Labor unions can play an important role in strategically pursuing these socially innovative possibilities by promoting crowdfunding opportunities to their members.
Semantic Matching for Sequence-to-Sequence Learning

In sequence-to-sequence models, classical optimal transport (OT) can be applied to semantically match generated sentences with target sentences. However, in non-parallel settings, target sentences are usually unavailable. To tackle this issue without losing the benefits of classical OT, we present a semantic matching scheme based on the Optimal Partial Transport (OPT). Specifically, our approach partially matches semantically meaningful words between source and partial target sequences. To overcome the difficulty of detecting active regions in OPT (corresponding to the words needed to be matched), we further exploit prior knowledge to perform partial matching. Extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate the proposed approach, showing consistent improvements over sequence-to-sequence tasks.
Pandemics throughout the centuries

Pandemics have ravished the globe periodically, often associated with war, at times commencing as fever and rash, beginning in recorded history in the crowded walled city of Athens during the Peloponnesian War as described in great detail by the Athenian historian and military general Thucydides in 430 BCE. As the world now faces the first major pandemic of the 21st century, we focus on the "plague" commencing in Athens in 430 BCE and the 2 pandemics of the more recent century, which killed more than one million, the Spanish flu of 1918 and the Asian flu of 1957. The latter linked with successful vaccine development thanks to the heroic efforts of microbiologist Maurice Hilleman. We now look back and then forward to the viral infection coronavirus disease 2019 now devastating the world.
Transient Voltage Stability Effects on Hosting Capacity of Behind-the-Meter Devices

Transient stability effects from distributed energy resources (DER) are being seen on the bulk electric system as there has been rapid development of these resources in areas such as California and the northeast United States. Other behind-the-meter devices include dynamic loads, which are also known to cause transient stability effects largely due to induction motors on voltage stability. Hosting capacity studies for DERs typically consist of steady state analysis of the system and do not include effects from dynamic loads. This paper examines the transient voltage stability effects of both DERs and dynamic loads and how these effects can change the hosting capacity. Results show that the addition of dynamic loads reduces the hosting capacity of DERs when hosting capacity is based on minimum voltage swing limits. However, the introduction of DERs to a system with dynamic loads improves the transient voltage stability.
CEO Dismissal: The Role of Investment Analysts

While poor firm performance has been shown to be an important predictor of CEO dismissal, financial performance alone cannot explain the increased incidence of CEO dismissal. The complex and ambiguous relationship between poor firm performance and CEO dismissal is due in part to the uncertainty that surrounds the board’s evaluation of the firm’s CEO. In this study, we propose that investment analysts, as legitimate third party evaluators of the firm and its leadership, provide certification as to the CEO’s ability, or lack thereof, and thus help reduce the ambiguity associated with the board’s evaluation of the CEO’s efficacy. In addition, the board tends to respond to investment analysts because their stock recommendations influence investors, whom the board wants to appease. Using panel data on the SP consequently negative analyst recommendations had a weaker impact on CEO dismissal in the post-litigation period.
Complex Ecological-Economic Systems and Their Governance Issues

The late Elinor Ostrom was the person who most clearly saw through the supposed dilemma called the “tragedy of the commons” (Hardin 1968; Ostrom 1990). It was widely argued that managing common property resources was an impossible proposition, that either common property is privatized in some way or else there will be an inevitable tendency for the resource to be overharvested, possibly to complete destruction or exhaustion. Such outcomes were seen as inevitable outcomes of prisoner dilemma games where agents using common property resources will fail to cooperate uwith one another and instead seek to get as much of the resource for themselves as soon as possible. However, she understood from early in her work (Ostrom 1976) that people seek to work out arrangements for managing common property resources. As she studied this phenomenon over time she came to realize that different groups pursue different solutions. This led her to pose the concept of polycentricity and the importance of institutional diversity around the world, based on local circumstances and cultures (Ostrom 2005, 2012).