cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of a Protozoan Virus from the Human Genitourinary Parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

The flagellated protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis is an obligate human genitourinary parasite and the most frequent cause of sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Most clinical isolates of T. vaginalis are persistently infected with one or more double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses from the genus Trichomonasvirus, family Totiviridae, which appear to influence not only protozoan biology but also human disease. Here we describe the three-dimensional structure of Trichomonas vaginalis virus 1 (TVV1) virions, as determined by electron cryomicroscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction. The structure reveals a T = 1 capsid comprising 120 subunits, 60 in each of two nonequivalent positions, designated A and B, as previously observed for fungal Totiviridae family members. The putative protomer is identified as an asymmetric AB dimer consistent with either decamer or tetramer assembly intermediates. The capsid surface is notable for raised plateaus around the icosahedral 5-fold axes, with canyons connecting the 2- and 3-fold axes. Capsid-spanning channels at the 5-fold axes are unusually wide and may facilitate release of the viral genome, promoting dsRNA-dependent immunoinflammatory responses, as recently shown upon the exposure of human cervicovaginal epithelial cells to either TVV-infected T. vaginalis or purified TVV1 virions. Despite extensive sequence divergence, conservative features of the capsid reveal a helix-rich fold probably derived from an ancestor shared with fungal Totiviridae family members. Also notable are mass spectrometry results assessing the virion proteins as a complement to structure determination, which suggest that translation of the TVV1 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in fusion with its capsid protein involves -2, and not +1, ribosomal frameshifting, an uncommonly found mechanism to date.
A Multiparty Communication Architecture for Enterprise Age of Space Missions

In this paper, an enterpri se model for commercial space exploration missions is presented. This model has two key features multi -partisan and commercial. This model is based on four orthogonal industrial groups: experimental, instrumental, deployment and communication. On the basi s on this model, we represent multi -party aspects on two recently deployed lunar exploration missions: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Chandriyyan -1. Finally, we present some of future potentials of this enterprise model.
Protein kinase C and calcium channel activation as determinants of renal vasoconstriction by angiotensin II and endothelin.

The mechanisms mediating renal microvascular constriction induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET) have not been fully established. In the present study, we have determined the effects of isradipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on Ang II- or ET-induced constriction of afferent arterioles (AAs) and efferent arterioles (EAs) using the isolated perfused hydronephrotic kidney. Ang II (0.3 nmol/L) and ET (0.3 nmol/L) constricted AAs by 36 +/- 2% and 29 +/- 3%, respectively. Isradipine reversed AA constriction induced by both peptides. However, Ang II-induced AA constriction was more sensitive to isradipine than ET-induced constriction (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50], 1.2 +/- 0.2 nmol/L [n = 12] versus 170 +/- 65 nmol/L [n = 19]; P < .01). The sensitivity of Ang II-induced AA constriction to isradipine was identical to that of KCI-induced AA constriction (IC50, 4.2 +/- 0.9 nmol/L; n = 12). Pretreatment with staurosporine (50 nmol/L), a protein kinase C inhibitor, enhanced the sensitivity of ET-induced AA constriction to isradipine (4.3 +/- 1.7 nmol/L, n = 14), rendering it identical to that of KCl-induced AA constriction. Ang II and ET decreased EA diameter by 26 +/- 2% (n = 12) and 12 +/- 2% (n = 8), respectively. In contrast to AA constriction, EA constriction induced by both peptides was relatively refractory to isradipine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Many Faces of Correlates of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents

In a sample of White working-class adolescents, 21% scored above 12 on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), with almost twice as many girls as boys in the high-CDI group. Maternal and adolesc...
A Functional Role for the B56 α-Subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A in Ceramide-mediated Regulation of Bcl2 Phosphorylation Status and Function *

Recently it has been shown that the potent apoptotic agent ceramide activates a mitochondrial protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and promotes dephosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl2 (Ruvolo, P. P., Deng, X., Ito, T., Carr, B. K., and May, W. S. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 20296–20300). In cells expressing Bcl2, dephosphorylation of Bcl2 appears to be required for ceramide-induced cell death because treatment of cells with low doses of the PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid blocks Bcl2 dephosphorylation and promotes cell survival. Furthermore, the non-phosphorylatable (i.e. PP2A-resistant) gain-of-function S70E mutant Bcl2 can protect cells from ceramide-induced apoptosis. These findings support a model whereby Bcl2 function is regulated by PP2A. PP2A is a heterotrimer that contains a catalytic C-subunit, a structural A-subunit, and a regulatory B-subunit. The A- and C-subunits are fairly conserved and ubiquitously expressed, and they form the catalytic complex of the phosphatase. In contrast, there are at least three families of diverse B-subunit molecules that vary in expression temporally and by tissue type. It is hypothesized that ceramide regulates PP2A via the B-subunit. Thus, understanding the mechanism of how PP2A regulates Bcl2 phosphorylation status and how ceramide might regulate this process requires identification of the regulatory B-subunit of PP2A that comprises the Bcl2 phosphatase. Results indicate that the B56 α-subunit is a candidate regulatory subunit of the physiologic Bcl2 phosphatase since (a) B56 α associates with Bcl2 as evidenced by pull-down experiments, (b) B56 α co-localizes with Bcl2 in mitochondrial membranes, (c) ceramide promotes translocation of B56 α to mitochondrial membranes, and (d) overexpression of B56 α promotes mitochondrial PP2A activity and Bcl2 dephosphorylation and potentiates cell killing with ceramide. These findings suggest a role for B56 α in regulating the Bcl2 phosphatase.
A vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol for cooperative collision warning

This paper proposes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocol for cooperative collision warning. Emerging wireless technologies for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-roadside (V2R) communications such as DSRC are promising to dramatically reduce the number of fatal roadway accidents by providing early warnings. One major technical challenge addressed in this paper is to achieve low-latency in delivering emergency warnings in various road situations. Based on a careful analysis of application requirements, we design an effective protocol, comprising congestion control policies, service differentiation mechanisms and methods for emergency warning dissemination. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed protocol achieves low latency in delivering emergency warnings and efficient bandwidth usage in stressful road scenarios.
Synthesis and release of N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) by crayfish nerve fibers : Implications for axon-glia signaling

Early physiological and pharmacological studies of crayfish and squid giant nerve fibers suggested that glutamate released from the axon during action potential generation initiates metabolic and electrical responses of periaxonal glia. However, more recent investigations in our laboratories suggest that N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) may be the released agent active at the glial cell membrane. The investigation described in this paper focused on NAAG metabolism and release, and its contribution to the appearance of glutamate extracellularly. Axoplasm and periaxonal glial cell cytoplasm collected from medial giant nerve fibers (MGNFs) incubated with radiolabeled L-glutamate contained radiolabeled glutamate, glutamine, NAAG, aspartate, and GABA. Total radiolabel release was not altered by electrical stimulation of nerve cord loaded with [(14)C]glutamate by bath application or loaded with [(14)C]glutamate, [(3)H]-D-aspartate or [(3)H]NAAG by axonal injection. However, when radiolabeled glutamate was used for bath loading, radiolabel distribution among glutamate and its metabolic products in the superfusate was changed by stimulation. NAAG was the largest fraction, accounting for approximately 50% of the total recovered radiolabel in control conditions. The stimulated increase in radioactive NAAG in the superfusate coincided with its virtual clearance from the medial giant axon (MGA). A small, stimulation-induced increase in radiolabeled glutamate in the superfusate was detected only when a glutamate uptake inhibitor was present. The increase in [(3)H]glutamate in the superfusion solution of nerve incubated with [(3)H]NAAG was reduced when beta-NAAG, a competitive glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II) inhibitor, was present.Overall, these results suggest that glutamate is metabolized to NAAG in the giant axon and its periaxonal glia and that, upon stimulation, NAAG is released from the axon and converted in part to glutamate by GCP II. A quisqualate- and beta-NAAG-sensitive GCP II activity was detected in nerve cord homogenates. These results, together with those in the accompanying paper demonstrating that NAAG can activate a glial electrophysiological response comparable to that initiated by glutamate, implicate NAAG as a probable mediator of interactions between the MGA and its periaxonal glia.
Large-Signal Modeling of SOI MESFETs

Abstract It has been demonstrated that sub-micron metal–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) can be fabricated using a commercial 3.5 V silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS foundry with no changes to the CMOS process flow. The SOI MESFETs demonstrate excellent RF capabilities and can operate at voltages that are at least 3X higher than the MOSFET breakdown voltage. If the high voltage capability is to be exploited in radio frequency integrated circuits it is important to develop an accurate empirical model of the device. This paper presents the SPICE model development of the SOI MESFET. A measurement-based approach is used to customize a commercially available, large-signal TOM3 MESFET model. Using the TOM3 model, an SOI MESFET Colpitts oscillator operating at 1.5 GHz has been simulated with an output swing of 7 V to illustrate the high voltage RF applications of the device.
Quantitative validation of carbon-fiber laminate low velocity impact simulations

Abstract Simulations of low velocity impact with a flat cylindrical indenter upon a carbon fiber fabric reinforced polymer laminate are rigorously validated. Comparison of the impact energy absorption between the model and experiment is used as the validation metric. Additionally, non-destructive evaluation, including ultrasonic scans and three-dimensional computed tomography, provide qualitative validation of the models. The simulations include delamination, matrix cracks and fiber breaks. An orthotropic damage and failure constitutive model, capable of predicting progressive damage and failure, is developed in conjunction and described. An ensemble of simulations incorporating model parameter uncertainties is used to predict a response distribution which is then compared to experimental output using appropriate statistical methods. Finally, the model form errors are exposed and corrected for use in an additional blind validation analysis. The result is a quantifiable confidence in material characterization and model physics when simulating low velocity impact in structures of interest.
Metal complexes with polymeric ligands: Chelation and metalloinitiation approaches to metal tris(bipyridine)‐containing materials

Synthetic approaches to metal complexes with polymeric ligands are described. The development of efficient methods for preparing simple bipyridine (bpy) derivatives and their corresponding metal complexes has facilitated their use as initiators and coupling agents in polymer syntheses. Ligand reagents were utilized as initiators in controlled polymerization reactions to form poly(2-R-2-oxazolines) (R = methyl, ethyl, phenyl, undecyl), polystyrenes, poly(methyl methacrylates) (PMMA)s, poly(e-caprolactone)s, and poly(lactic acid)s with bipyridine chelates at the end or centers of the chains. Poly(ethylene glycol) macroligands were formed by a chain-coupling method. Detailed studies of reaction kinetics were performed to determine the scope and limitations of each reaction type with different catalysts and reaction conditions. These results are illustrated for bpyPMMA n (n = 1 or 2), which was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization with a CuBr/1,4,4,7,7,10-hexamethyltriethylenetetraamine catalyst system. Results of the kinetics investigations performed with other ligands and metalloinitiators are summarized. Macroligands thus prepared were coordinated to a labile metal ion, Fe(II), with standard protocols. Ultraviolet-visible spectral data for selected Fe-centered polymers are provided that confirm the production of the targeted polymeric iron complex products. An inert metal, Ru(II), was used as a template for generating architectural diversity; polymeric complexes with one to six chains emanating from the central core, as well as different heteroarm star products, were prepared.
Management of Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Pregnancy

Introduction Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) is a rare but potentially fatal cerebrovascular condition. Pregnant women are at greater risk of DVST because of their hypercoagulable state. Report A 20-year-old post-partum woman presented to the emergency department after an episode of seizure and complained only of a headache and chest pain. A T 1 -weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image of her brain with contrast revealed an empty delta sign in her super sagittal sinus. Discussion Management of dural venous sinus thrombosis during or after pregnancy is a difficult issue that requires an approach based on the individual patient profile.
Simulation of Closely Related Dynamic Nonlinear Systems With Application to Process–Voltage–Temperature Corner Analysis

Even for a single circuit, it has become increasingly time consuming to simulate at the SPICE level. However, the situation is getting worse when it comes to simulating thousands of such circuits, where often one circuit is closely related to another. This problem arises in applications such as process-voltage-temperature corner circuit simulation or simulation-in-the-loop circuit optimization. The traditional approach to solving this problem is to repeatedly invoke SPICE simulation on each of those circuits. Such an approach does not exploit the similarity among those circuits and could lead to prohibitively high computational cost. This paper presents a new simulation approach capable of simulating hundreds and thousands of closely related systems with the computational cost comparable to or even less than that of a few simulations, yet with the same simulation accuracy and robustness. The proposed approach is based on the combination of the LU-factorization-based direct method (used to construct preconditioners) and Krylov-subspace-based iterative methods (used to solve circuit equations) to explore the common characteristics shared by a set of closely related systems. The key novelty is a systematic method that uses the fewest direct solving for underlying linearized systems and then solves the rest using Krylov-subspace-based iterative methods, with preconditioners computed from those LU factors. In addition, a method of automatically constructing preconditioners from device equations has been developed based on model compilation and demonstrated on MOS transistor Berkeley short-channel IGFET model (BSIM) models. Several circuit examples are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Characterization of Asynchronous Templates for Integration into Clocked CAD Flows

Asynchronous circuit design can result in substantial benefits ofreduced power, improved performance, and high modularity. However,asynchronous design styles are largely incompatible with clocked CAD,which has prevented wide-scale adoption. The key incompatibility istiming. Thus most commercial work relies on custom CAD or untimeddelay-insensitive design methodologies. This paper proposes a newmethodology, based on formal verification and relative timing, tocreate and prove correct necessary constraints to support asynchronousdesign with traditional clocked CAD. These constraints support timingdriving synthesis, place and route, and behavior and timing validationof fully asynchronous designs using traditional clocked CAD flows.This flow is demonstrated through a simple example pipeline in IBM's65nm process showing the ability to retarget the design for improvedpower and performance.
Lagrangian characteristics of continental shelf flows forced by periodic wind stress

Abstract. The coastal ocean may experience periods of fluctuating along-shelf wind direction, causing shifts between upwelling and downwelling conditions with responses that are not symmetric. We seek to understand these asymmetries and their implications on the Eulerian and Lagrangian flows. We use a two-dimensional (variations across-shelf and with depth; uniformity along-shelf) primitive equation numerical model to study shelf flows in the presence of periodic, zero-mean wind stress forcing. The model bathymetry and initial stratification is typical of the broad, shallow shelf off Duck, NC during summer. After an initial transient adjustment, the response of the Eulerian fields is nearly periodic. Despite the symmetric wind stress forcing, there exist both mean Eulerian and Lagrangian flows. The mean Lagrangian displacement of parcels on the shelf depends both on their initial location and on the initial phase of the forcing. Eulerian mean velocities, in contrast, have almost no dependence on initial phase. In an experiment with sinusoidal wind stress forcing of maximum amplitude 0.1Nm and period of 6 days, the mean Lagrangian across-shelf displacements are largest in the surface and bottom boundary layers. Parcels that originate near the coast in the top 15m experience complicated across-shelf and vertical motion that does not display a clear pattern. Offshore of this region in the top 10m a rotating cell feature exists with offshore displacement near the surface and onshore displacement below. A mapping technique is used to help identify the qualitative characteristics of the Lagrangian motion and to clarify the long time nature of the parcel displacements. The complexity of the Lagrangian motion in a region near the coast and the existence of a clear boundary separating this region from a more regular surface cell feature offshore are quantified by a calculation from the map of the largest Lyapunov exponent.
Absorption, Photoluminescence, and Resonant Raman Scattering in Bil3

Absorption, photoluminescence, and resonant Raman scattering have been measured in BiI3 at low temperatures with a tunable dye laser. The results do not support the “bielectron” model of Gross et al. Absorption, Photolumineszenz und der resonante Ramaneffekt wurden an BiJ3 bei tiefen Temperaturen mit Hilfe eines durchstimmbaren Farbstofflasers gemessen. Die Ergebnisse konnen nicht im Rahmen des „Zweielektronenmodells” von Gross et al. erklart werden.
A PC-based automated guided probe testing system

The physical structure of the PC-based guided probe testing system is presented. Major components of the system are shown, and a discussion of their functioning within the system is given. The guided probe algorithm that is used to locate an error is an analytic process. A typical automatic test pattern generation system will start by simulating a number of random test patterns in order to obtain expected responses and cover a percentage of possible faults. Testing strategies that provide insight into the efficient testing of printed circuit boards are discussed. >
Cloning of a cDNA encoding bovine interleukin-18 and analysis of IL-18 expression in macrophages and its IFN-gamma-inducing activity.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a recently described cytokine that enhances interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, either independently or synergistically with IL-12. These properties identify IL-18 as an immunoregulatory cytokine that may be pivotal in host defense against intracellular pathogens. We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA encoding bovine IL-18. The open reading frame (ORF) is 582 bp in length, encoding a predicted 192 amino acid (aa) precursor protein. Multiple sequence alignment demonstrated that bovine IL-18 has 65% and 78% identity with the predicted amino acid sequences of murine and human IL-18, respectively. IL-18 mRNA was constitutively present in bovine peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), with no upregulation on stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-18 transcripts were weakly detected in B lymphocytes but inducible in the B cell line BL-3. Human recombinant IL-18 (rHuIL-18) induced IFN-γ production by PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), which was po...
Open-field host specificity test of Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of tropical soda apple (Solanaceae) in the United States

Abstract An open-field experiment was conducted to assess the suitability of the South American leaf feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth for biological control of Solanum viarum Dunal in the USA. An open-field test with eggplant, Solanum melongena L., was conducted on the campus of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a S. viarum control plot was established 40 km from the campus. One hundred adult beetles were released in each plot at the beginning of the experiment during the vegetative stage of the plants, and forty additional beetles were released in the S. melongena plot at the flowering stage. All the plants in each plot were checked twice a week and the number of adults, immatures, and eggs recorded. Results showed almost a complete rejection of eggplant by G. boliviana. No noticeable feeding damage was ever recorded on eggplant. The experiment was ended when the eggplants started to senesce or were severely damaged by whiteflies and spider mites. The results of this open-field exper...
Conjugate Diameters and the Special Theory of Relativity

(1969). Conjugate Diameters and the Special Theory of Relativity. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 227-232.
EXPECTATIONS, EVALUATIONS AND EQUITY

One important reason for the inconsistent findings of the research on inequitably over-rewarded individuals is the failure to understand and control the process by which rewards come to be related to the formation of expectations about rank or position on the dimensions of evaluation which are the basis for the allocation of rewards in social systems. If individuals have well-defined expectations concerning position or rank on the dimension of evaluation which serves as the basis for allocating rewards, when reward-expectations are violated the individual will define the situation as unjust and will attempt to act equitably when allowed to distribute rewards. If, on the other hand, an individual's rank expectations are not clearly defined, rank expectations emerge which tend to be consistent with the actual distribution of rewards. In this case, individuals come to define the initial distribution by some third party as equitable, and when given the opportunity to allocate rewards they maintain the existing reward distribution, continuing to allocate more pay to themselves.
CRT-200.57 Left Main Coronary Artery Intervention With and Without Ventricular Assist Device

Coronary artery bypass grafting is the standard of care for most patients with obstructive left main (LM) coronary disease. In poor surgical candidates, high-risk percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) is a consideration. The results from randomized trials examining short-term mortality
HIGH RISK HEART FAILURE PATIENT MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE PATHWAY: IMPROVING CARE AND OUTCOMES

Heart failure (HF) patients at high risk (hr) for poor outcomes are a national focus. Multidisciplinary protocols (MP) for hospitalized HF patients have variable results. The purpose of this study was to test a MP in hrHF patients in a center with low readmission rates and to report outcomes. A MP
Resistive Bloom filters: From approximate membership to approximate computing with bounded errors

Approximate computing provides an opportunity for exploiting application characteristics to trade the accuracy for gains in energy efficiency. However, such opportunity must be able to bound the error that the system designer provides to the application developer. Space-efficient probabilistic data structure such as Bloom filter can provide one such means. Bloom filter supports approximate set membership queries with a tunable rate of false positives (i.e., errors) and no false negatives. We propose a resistive Bloom filter (ReBF) to approximate a function by tightly integrating it to a functional unit (FU) implementing the function. ReBF approximately mimics partial functionality of the FU by recalling its frequent input patterns for computational reuse. The accuracy of the target FU is guaranteed by bounding the ReBF error behavior at the design time. We further lower energy consumption of a FU by designing its ReBF using low-power memristor arrays. The experimental results show that function approximation using ReBF for five image processing kernels running on the AMD Southern Islands GPU yields on average 24.1% energy saving in 45 nm technology compared to the exact computation.
The Extraction Technology of the Essential Oil from the Flowers of Pittosporum tobira Ait.

Objective To Compare the essential oil extracted from the flowers of Pittosporum tobira Ait.by solid-phase microextraction(SPME)and steam distillation.Methods GC-MS was used to analyze their components.Results There were 62 components identified from products of SPME and 58 from those of steam distillation.Conclusion Comparing with those of steam distillation,the contents of undecane,nonane increased by SPME;and some components that would not be extracted by steam;disti llation were extracted by SPME, such as verbenol,y-Elenene,calarene,(1)-a-Gurjunene,viridiflorol etc.
The Application of Business Process Reengineering in Optimization by Previous Research Vehicle Order Processing

The business process reengineering(BPR-Business Process Reengineering) has become a hot issue in the area of enterprise management.Firstly introduces the background of BPR,the basic theory and method;using the theory and method of BPR,combined with the successful practice of the automotive industry,a preliminary analysis and design of car vehicle sales business process of enterprises,and concludes the process reengineering early conclusion and industry to continue to carry out the idea of business process optimization.For the reference vehicle management system subject of enterprise operation.
Layer- and frequency-dependent second harmonic generation in reflection from GaSe atomic crystals

We report optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) in reflection from GaSe crystals of 1 to more than 100 layers using a fundamental picosecond pulsed pump at 1.58 eV and a supercontinuum white light pulsed laser with energies ranging from 0.85 to 1.4 eV. The measured reflected SHG signal is maximal in samples of $\ensuremath{\sim}20$ layers, decreasing in thicker samples as a result of interference. The thickness- and frequency-dependence of the SHG response of samples thicker than $\ensuremath{\sim}7$ layers can be reproduced by a second-order optical susceptibility that is the same as in bulk samples. For samples $\ensuremath{\lesssim}7$ layers, the second-order optical susceptibility is reduced compared to that in thicker samples, which is attributed to the expected band-gap increase in mono- and few-layer GaSe.
QCM virtual sensor array: Vapor identification and molecular weight approximation

Abstract Herein, we present a promising approach for simultaneous identification and molecular weight approximation of closely related pure organic vapors using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). In this regard, a QCM virtual sensor array (VSA) was fabricated employing a binary blend of ionic liquid and polymer, i.e. 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([HMIm][NTf2]) and poly(methyl methacrylate). This VSA technique allows discrimination/identification of closely related alcohols including isomers, while use of a composite coating facilitates molecular weight approximation of this set employing only the first harmonic. Statistical analyses (principal component and discriminant analyses) allowed identification of all analytes with extremely high accuracy. Molecular weight approximations were achieved with a linear correlation of R2≈0.99. This is the first report of a QCM sensor array that allows both identification and molecular weight approximation of organic vapors.
Perioperative management of rare coagulation factor deficiency states in cardiac surgery.

Rare bleeding disorders (RBDs) include the hereditary deficiency of fibrinogen, factor (F)II, FV, FV + FVIII, FVII, FX, FXI or FXIII. RBDs do not confer a protective effect against atheromatous plaque formation, and thus the need for cardiovascular (CV) surgery in RBD patients is expected to increase with improved healthcare access (diagnosis and management) and longevity of the population. Clinical data regarding the management of RBDs in this setting are sparse, but the perioperative care team is obliged to gain a better understanding on available biological and pharmacological hemostatic agents. Perioperative management of RBDs in CV surgery is further complicated by heparin anticoagulation, haemodilution, and consumption of procoagulant and anticoagulant proteins associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aims of this review are to summarize pathophysiology of RBDs and laboratory monitoring pertinent to CV surgery, available factor replacement agents, and to provide the framework for perioperative coagulation management of RBD patients.
Aberrant pro-atrial natriuretic peptide/corin/natriuretic peptide receptor signaling is present in maternal vascular endothelium in preeclampsia.

Abstract Objective Corin is a serine protease that converts pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP) to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a cardiac hormone that regulates salt-water balance and blood pressure. ANP is degraded by natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR). This study was to determine if aberrant pro-ANP/corin/NPR signaling is present in maternal vascular system in preeclampsia. Study design Maternal venous blood was obtained from 197 pregnant women (84 normotensive, 16 complicated with chronic hypertension (CHT), 11 mild and 86 severe preeclampsia). Plasma corin and pro-ANP concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maternal subcutaneous fat tissue was obtained from 12 pregnant women with cesarean section delivery (6 normotensive and 6 preeclampsia). Vascular ANP and its receptors NPR-A, NPR-B, and NPR-C expression were examined by immunostaining of paraffin embedded subcutaneous fat tissue sections. Results Corin concentrations were significantly higher in mild (2.78 ± 0.67 ng/ml, p Conclusions ANP is a vasodilator and NPR-C is a clearance receptor for ANP. The finding of upregulation of NPR-C expression suggests that circulating ANP clearance or degradation is increased in preeclampsia. These results also suggest that pro-ANP/corin/NPR signaling is dominant in the vascular system in preeclampsia.
Exoplanets and Habitability

The discovery of planets outside of our Solar System has been accompanied by numerous surprises. The field of exoplanets has undergone enormous diversification over the past 20 years. The reasons for this include (but are not limited to) new detection techniques, longer period baseline, smaller mass/radius sensitivity, and atmosphere detection and modeling. As a result of these developments, we are able to accurately characterize the orbits of exoplanets and infer properties of their atmosphere’s surface conditions. Figure 1 demonstrates the rapid rate at which the field has grown and the new techniques, most particularly the transit method, which have greatly enriched both the number and diversity of the discoveries. The sensitivity of radial velocity and transit surveys to planets at longer periods is fundamentally limited by the survey duration. Many of the radial velocity surveys are now pushing this detection threshold beyond orbital periods of 10 years and with upgraded instruments are sensitive to masses only a few times that of the Earth.
The Design and Implementation of OpenMP 4.5 and OpenACC Backends for the RAJA C++ Performance Portability Layer

Portability abstraction layers such as RAJA enable users to quickly change how a loop nest is executed with minimal modifications to high-level source code. Directive-based programming models such as OpenMP and OpenACC provide easy-to-use annotations on for-loops and regions which change the execution pattern of user code. Directive-based language backends for RAJA have previously been limited to few options due to multiplicative clauses creating version explosion. In this work, we introduce an updated implementation of two directive-based backends which helps mitigate the aforementioned version explosion problem by leveraging the C++ type system and template meta-programming concepts. We implement partial OpenMP 4.5 and OpenACC backends for the RAJA portability layer which can apply loop transformations and specify how loops should be executed. We evaluate our approach by analyzing compilation and runtime overhead for both backends using PGI 17.7 and IBM clang (OpenMP 4.5) on a collection of computation kernels.
Structural and Functional Consequences of Myocardial Collagen Remodeling

Myocardial fibrillar collagens provide for muscle fiber and cardiac myocyte alignment and impart a tensile strength to the myocardium that maintains ventricular shape and size, and governs tissue stiffness. This network of collagen is intimately related with the myocyte and muscle fiber, as well as the coronary vasculature. Consisting primarily of collagen types I and III, fibrillar collagen is relatively inelastic and, even though normally present in relatively small amounts, plays an important role in the behavior of the ventricle during diastole. In renovascular and genetic hypertension, the hypertrophic response of the myocardium includes a progressive remodeling of the collagen matrix. Typically, there is an increase in collagen concentration, thickening of existing fibrillar collagen, and the addition of new collagen to all components of the matrix. The consequences of this remodeling are a stiffer myocardium and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. These pathophysiologic aspects of the hypertrophic process are independent of the concomitant remodeling of the myocyte. Thus, an abnormal accumulation of interstitial collagen is a major distinguishing factor between physiologic and pathologic hypertrophy. Removal of less than half of the normal amount of collagen following collagenase activation results in a dilated ventricle with increased compliance. Collagenase activation, collagen degradation, and a dilated, thin-walled left ventricle are evident during ischemia, in dilated cardiomyopathy, and at end-stage heart failure. Thus, chronic changes in the shape and size of the heart are the result of an inadequate interstitial collagen matrix.
Image-guided endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy.

Objectives We studied the efficacy and safety of image-guided balanced orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy. Methods The data of 24 patients (45 orbits) were reviewed for demographics, ophthalmologic outcomes, and complications in regard to image-guided (18 orbits) versus non-image-guided surgery (27 orbits). Results Overall, all patients had a reduction in proptosis (mean reduction, 6.2 mm in proptosis) as measured by Hertel exophthalmometry. There was improvement in the visual acuity of all 12 orbits with preoperative acuity of 20/40 or worse and either complete resolution (38%) or improvement (62%) in the 16 orbits with optic neuropathy. These measures reached statistical significance. Despite subjective improvement in surgeon confidence, the use of image guidance did not result in a statistically significant difference in postoperative ophthalmologic outcomes. Medical and sinonasal complications were experienced by 11.1% and 18.5% of patients who underwent image-guided and non-image-guided orbital decompression, respectively. Conclusions Image guidance may be a useful adjunct to balanced orbital decompression for Graves' orbitopathy, but it was not associated with a statistically significant improvement in outcomes in this study.
CHAPTER 9 – Simple Carbohydrates

This chapter focuses on carbohydrates, which are major functional constituents of living systems and the primary source of energy in animal cells. They provide the skeletal framework for tissues and organs of the human body, and serve as lubricants and support elements of connective tissue. They confer biological specificity and provide recognition elements on cell membranes and in addition, they are components of nucleic acids and are covalently linked with lipids and proteins. Carbohydrates consist of polyhydroxyketone or polyhydroxyaldehyde compounds, and their condensation products. Carbohydrates may be classified as monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are single polyhydroxyaldehyde or polyhydroxyketone units, whereas oligosaccharides consist of two to ten monosaccharide units joined together by glycosidic linkages. Sucrose and lactose are disaccharides, and each are made up of two monosaccharide units. Polysaccharides, also known as glycans, are polymers that may contain many hundreds of monosaccharide units. They are further divided into homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides. The former contain only a single type of polysaccharide unit, whereas the latter contain two or more different monosaccharide units. Monosaccharides are identified by their carbonyl functional group (aldehyde or ketone), and by the number of carbon atoms they contain. Starch and glycogen are energy storage forms of carbohydrate and are thus, known as storage carbohydrates. When the supply of carbohydrate exceeds the needs of the cell, the excess is converted to storage forms. When the situation is reversed, the storage forms are converted to usable forms of carbohydrate. Therefore, a storage carbohydrate should be capable of rapid synthesis as well as breakdown in response to the energy requirements of the cell.
Homology models of mouse and rat estrogen receptor-α ligand-binding domain created by in silico mutagenesis of a human template: molecular docking with 17ß-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, and paraben analogs

Abstract Crystal structures exist for human, but not rodent, estrogen receptor-α ligand-binding domain (ERα-LBD). Consequently, rodent studies involving binding of compounds to ERα-LBD are limited in their molecular-level interpretation and extrapolation to humans. Because the sequences of rodent and human ERα-LBDs are >95% identical, we expected their 3D structures and ligand binding to be highly similar. To test this hypothesis, we used the human ERα-LBD structure (PDB 3UUD ) as a template to produce rat and mouse homology models. Employing the rodent models and human structure, we generated docking poses of 23 Group A ligands (17β-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, and 21 paraben analogs) in AutoDock Vina for interspecies comparisons. Ligand RMSDs (A) (median, 95% CI) were 0.49 (0.21–1.82) (human-mouse) and 1.19 (0.22–1.82) (human-rat), well below the 2.0–2.5 A range for equivalent docking poses. Numbers of interspecies ligand-receptor residue contacts were highly similar, with Sorensen Sc (%) = 96.8 (90.0–100) (human-mouse) and 97.7 (89.5–100) (human-rat). Likewise, numbers of interspecies ligand-receptor residue contacts were highly correlated: Pearson r = 0.913 (human-mouse) and 0.925 (human-rat). Numbers of interspecies ligand-receptor atom contacts were even more tightly correlated: r = 0.979 (human-mouse) and 0.986 (human-rat). Pyramid plots of numbers of ligand-receptor atom contacts by residue exhibited high interspecies symmetry and had Spearman rs = 0.977 (human-mouse) and 0.966 (human-rat). Group B ligands included 15 ring-substituted parabens recently shown experimentally to exhibit decreased binding to human ERα and to exert increased antimicrobial activity. Ligand efficiencies calculated from docking ligands into human ERα-LBD were well correlated with those derived from published experimental data (Pearson partial rp = 0.894 and 0.918; Groups A and B, respectively). Overall, the results indicate that our constructed rodent ERα-LBDs interact with ligands in like manner to the human receptor, thus providing a high level of confidence in extrapolations of rodent to human ligand-receptor interactions.
A Simple Approach for Sustainable Transportation Systems in Smart Cities: A Graph Theory Model

The idea of public transportation is supported by most in theory but often heavily criticized by users when put into application. There are common tensions that are related to public transportation, as described by frequent users: unreliable, too crowded, and slow. The University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) is a growing metropolitan institution that uses a shuttle system to transport students among their three campuses daily. As of 2015, the current total student enrollment is approximately 16,000; UNO plans to enroll 20,000 students by 2020. The expected student growth is also reflected by the current construction of new buildings and expansion of UNO’s campus. Like most metropolitan universities, space and parking on a college campus is a limited resource, and UNO’s shuttle transportation system plays a vital role in ensuring student mobility between campuses. With growing pressure from the UNO community to improve kinesis there is a need to optimize intra-campus transportation in an environmentally sustainable manner. To alleviate the tensions involved with the UNO shuttle system, we have created an algorithm to model shuttle routes using graph theory. Once modeled, our program chooses an optimized route based on various conditions: time, volume of students anticipated to use the shuttle, and fuel cost. The algorithm created can be used to optimize transportation routes, alleviate user tension, and decrease the carbon footprint of transportation networks. Our project thus charts the future by improving student transportation methods and people movement between urban campuses in an environmentally friendly and efficient way.
Ann Yearsley, Earl Goodwin, and the Politics of Romantic Discontent

There is a dearth of more substantial critical studies on Ann Yearsley’s tragic drama Earl Goodwin in general, and while the few out there have helpfully illuminated the play’s representation of the historical plight of women and the poor during Anglo-Saxon times, as well as its application to their current predicaments in Romantic-era England and France, they have tended to leave unexplored the ways in which Yearsley simultaneously is clarifying and extending her anger at and frustration with the class- and gender-based discrimination she experienced firsthand in the fallout with her mentor Hannah More over the profits from her first book. This article aims to fill this gap by delineating the many ways in which Earl Goodwin represents, on one level, her ongoing response to the defamation she suffered in the wake of More’s public campaign to ruin her reputation. Documenting the inextricability of the play’s explicit social and political critiques with Yearsley’s ongoing response to the More fiasco should in fact reinforce the extent to which her more familiar initial reactions are as fundamentally politically as they are personally motivated. Earl Goodwin offers readers a positive example of how to respond to abuses of power without resorting to revenge while still actively resisting, always refusing to airbrush the inequities she and others like her (women, the poor, and especially working-class women) continue to face day in and day out, enduring insult and injustice, but remaining undaunted in the commitment to the cause of beneficial social change.
A Proposed Consideration for Cross-National Marketing Research

There is a growing body of research studies dealing with different cultures. Although it is widely accepted that cross-cultural differences exist, there is little empirical evidence actually documenting such differences or suggesting the particular form or pattern they take. This paper reviews some of the cross-cultural and cross-national studies and proposes some standardization of dimensions to be used to define culture. Hopefully, this would allow the development of a more coherent model of the effects of different cultures.
A novel, composite measure of screen-based media use in young children (ScreenQ) and associations with parenting practices and cognitive abilities.

Screen-based media use is prevalent in children and is associated with health risks. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations involve access to screens, frequency, content, and co-viewing. The aim of this study was to test the ScreenQ, a composite measure of screen-based media use. ScreenQ is a 15-item parent report measure reflecting AAP recommendations. Range is 0–26, higher scores reflecting greater non-adherence. With no “gold standard” available, four validated measures of skills and parenting practices cited as influenced by overuse were applied as the external criteria, including expressive language, speed of processing, emergent literacy, and cognitive stimulation at home. Psychometric analyses involved Rasch methods and Spearman’s ρ correlations. Sixty-nine families were administered ScreenQ. Child age ranged from 36 to 63 months old (52 ± 8; 35 girls). Mean ScreenQ score was 9.6 (±5.0; 1–22). Psychometric properties were strong (rCo-α = 0.74). ScreenQ scores were negatively correlated with CTOPP-2 (Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, Second Edition) (rρ = −0.57), EVT-2 (Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition) (rρ = −0.45), GRTR (Get Ready to Read!) (rρ = −0.30) and StimQ-P (rρ = −0.42) scores (all p ≤ 0.01). ScreenQ shows potential as a composite measure of screen-based media use in young children in the context of AAP recommendations. ScreenQ scores were correlated with lower executive, language and literacy skills, and less stimulating home cognitive environment.
Approaching the power limit of an electrodynamic WPTS with nearly coupling-independent operation

This paper further develops a theoretical analysis on the limitation on transmitted power for a low-frequency electrodynamic wireless power transfer system (WPTS). Based on an equivalent circuit model that was experimentally verified in a previous work, we derive an explicit-form solution of the maximum possible power that can be transferred to an electrical load under a given constant B - field amplitude. The obtained results reveal the essential role of the quality factor Q of the mechanical resonator and the electromagnetic receiver. At the short-circuit (resonance) frequency, we denote these two values as Qo and Q LO respectively. In particular, the maximum delivered power is a fractional function of the effective figure of merit characterized by $Me = k_{e}^{2} Q_{0}QL_{0}$ , where $k_{e}$ is the generalized electrodynamic coupling coefficient. Larger Me results in higher maximum output power, which then reaches and levels out at its fundamental limit when Me » 1. Motivating from that observation, we propose a simple method to improve the WPTS performance while keeping the operating frequency well below 1 kHz. This approach is referred to as a nearly coupling-independent operation.