cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sherman-morrison-woodbury-formula-based algorithms for the surface smoothing problem

Abstract Surface smoothing applied to range-elevation data acquired using a variety of sources has been a very active area of research in computational vision over the past decade. Generalized splines have emerged as the single most popular approximation tool to this end. In this paper we present a new and fast algorithm for solving the surface smoothing problem using a membrane, a thin-plate, or a thin-plate—membrane spline for data containing discontinuities. Our approach involves imbedding the surface smoothing problem specified on an irregular domain (in the sense of discontinuities and boundaries) in a rectangular region using the capacitance-matrix method based on the Sherman-Morrison-Woodbury formula of matrix analysis. This formula is used in converting the problem of solving the original linear system resulting from a finite-element discretization of the variational formulation of the surface smoothing problem to solving a Lyapunov matrix equation or a cascade of two Lyapunov matrix equations. The reduced problem can then be solved very efficiently using the ADI method and the bi-conjugate-gradient technique. Our solution requires the generation of a dense capacitance matrix, for which we propose a practical and efficient method. We demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithm via experiments on sparse-data surface smoothing, making performance comparisons with the conjugate-gradient and hierarchical-basis preconditioned conjugate-gradient algorithms.
Relative Accuracy based Location Estimation in Wireless Ad Hoc Sensor Networks

In sensor networks, the location of a sensor making an observation is a vital piece of information to allow accurate data analysis. GPS is an established technology to enable precise position information. Yet, resource constraints and size issues prohibit its use in small sensor nodes that are designed to be cost efficient. Instead, most positions are estimated by a number of algorithms. To date, however, the focus was on individual accuracy of each sensor's position estimates in isolation to the complete network. In this paper, we propose a novel positioning algorithm called nQUAD to enable representative topology information based on relative accuracy. nQUAD makes use of relative distances to determine the quadrant it resides in and refines its estimation according to neighbor provided information and reports a level of certainity along with estimates. Our experiment results suggest significant improvements in individual accuracy in comparison to lateration based alternatives. At top of all, drastic improvements are achieved in the overall topology to enable accurate analysis of data.
A Novel Effect of Growth Hormone on Macrophage Modulates Macrophage-Dependent Adipocyte Differentiation

The GH receptor (GHR) is expressed on macrophages. However, the precise role of GH in regulation of macrophage function is unclear. We hypothesized that soluble factors including cytokines produced by macrophages in a GH-dependent manner regulate adipogenesis. We confirmed expression and functional integrity of the GHR in the J774A.1 macrophage cells. Conditioned medium (CM) from macrophages inhibited adipogenesis in a 3T3-L1 adipogenesis assay. CM from GH-treated macrophages decreased the inhibitory effect of CM from macrophages on adipogenesis. This effect on preadipocyte differentiation was active only during the first (early) phase of adipocyte differentiation. CM from stromal vascular compartment macrophages of mice with macrophage-specific deletion of the GHR exhibited more inhibitory effect on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation compared with CM from stromal vascular compartment macrophages of control mice, indicating that intact GH action in primary macrophages also increases preadipocyte differentiation. GH did not increase IGF-1 expression in macrophages. PCR array analysis identified IL-1beta as a candidate cytokine whose expression was altered by GH in macrophages. Levels of IL-1beta mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in GH-treated J774A.1 macrophages. Nuclear factor-kappaB stimulates IL-1beta gene expression, and GH induced a significant decrease in the levels of phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB in macrophages. IL-1beta is a known inhibitor of adipogenesis, and these results support GH-dependent down-regulation of macrophage IL-1beta expression as one mechanism for the observed increase in adipogenesis with CM from GH-treated macrophages. We conclude that GH decreases secretion of IL-1beta by the macrophage and thus in a paracrine manner increases adipocyte differentiation. These results provide a novel mechanism for GH's actions in the control of adipogenesis.
Moment tensor rate functions for the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

The fault plane and overall coseismic slip of the 1989 Loma Prieta, California, earthquake (Ms=7.1) are we!! determined (Plafker and Galloway, 1989). Te!eseis- mic waves can be used to determine the time history of moment release. We invert a data set of ten broadband P and SH waves for the most general point source descrip- tion: the five moment tensor rate functions. The linear inversion also provides formal estimates of model uncer- tainty. While the moment tensor rate functions suggest a different focal mechanism for the first few seconds of the rupture process, it is not statistically significant at the 95% level. We can thus proceed to invert for one single time function (the source time function), and five scalars (the moment tensor). The major double couple that we find (strike !38o+_6 o clockwise from North, dip 76o+5 o, slip an- gle 120o+!0 o) agrees with the results of Plafker and Gallo- way (1989). The minor double couple is small (1%). The best point source depth is about 10 km. Several broadband P waves show that a small precursor occurred a few seconds before the main pulse of moment release. The duration of the source time function is 9 s, with a moment of 2_+0.5 x1019 Nm. A bilateral rupture with velocity of 2.8 ImPs and 9 s duration encompasses the aftershock region.
Single-copy routing in intermittently connected mobile networks

Intermittently connected mobile networks are wireless networks where most of the time there does not exist a complete path from source to destination, or such a path is highly unstable and may break soon after it has been discovered. In this context, conventional routing schemes would fail. To deal with such networks we propose the use of an opportunistic hop-by-hop routing model. According to the model, a series of independent, local forwarding decisions are made, based on current connectivity and predictions of future connectivity information diffused through nodes' mobility. The important issue here is how to choose an appropriate next hop. To this end, we propose and analyze via theory and simulations a number of routing algorithms. The champion algorithm turns out to be one that combines the simplicity of a simple random policy, which is efficient in finding good leads towards the destination, with the sophistication of utility-based policies that efficiently follow good leads. We also state and analyze the performance of an oracle-based optimal algorithm, and compare it to the online approaches. The metrics used in the comparison are the average message delivery delay and the number of transmissions per message delivered.
A neurotoxic regimen of MDMA suppresses behavioral, thermal and neurochemical responses to subsequent MDMA administration.

Rationale: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces a long-term depletion of serotonin (5-HT) in the rat brain; this depletion may have some functional consequences. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of MDMA on the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and 5-HT, body temperature and the 5-HT behavioral syndrome in rats 7 days following a neurotoxic regimen of MDMA. Methods: One week after the rats were treated with a neurotoxic regimen of MDMA (10 mg/kg, IP, every 2 h for a total of four injections), the rats were injected with a subsequent injection of MDMA. In vivo microdialysis combined with HPLC was utilized to measure the extracellular concentration of 5-HT and dopamine in the striatum. The increase in body temperature was determined by rectal temperature measurements, and the 5-HT behavioral syndrome was scored using a rating scale following the administration of MDMA.Results: The neurotoxic regimen produced a 45% reduction in brain 5-HT concentrations. The magnitude of the MDMA-induced increase in the extracellular concentration of 5-HT, but not dopamine, in the striatum produced by an acute injection of MDMA (7.5 mg/kg, IP) was reduced in rats treated previously with the neurotoxic regimen of MDMA when compared with that in control animals. In addition, the magnitude of the 5-HT behavioral syndrome, as well as the hyperthermic response, produced by MDMA was markedly diminished in rats that had previously received the neurotoxic regimen of MDMA. Conclusions: It is concluded that the long-term depletion of brain 5-HT produced by MDMA is accompanied by impairments in 5-HT function, as evidenced by the deficits in the neurochemical, thermal and behavioral responses to subsequent MDMA administration.
Increasing minorities in the physical therapy profession through student admissions.

The purpose of this article is to provide important information for educators, clinicians, and students involved in minority student selection for physical therapy educational programs. This information should assist admissions committees in making appropriate judgments and decisions regarding minority applicants. Information considered to be important as a basis for minority student selection decisions are the Bakke decision, the intentions of affirmative action, an assessment of disadvantage, predictors for minority student selection, and the leadership roles within the profession.
Motivational Interviewing for Parent-Child health interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered approach focusing on building intrinsic motivation for change. This paper presents a meta-analysis of parent-involved MI to improve pediatric health behavior and health outcomes. METHODS Study inclusion criteria: (1) examined modifiable pediatric health behaviors (< 18 years old); (2) used MI or motivational enhancement; (3) conducted a randomized controlled trial with a comparison group (non-MI control or active treatment group); (4) conducted the intervention with only a parent or both a parent and child; and (5) were written in English. Twenty-five studies (with 5,130 participants) were included and independently rated. Weighted mean effect sizes, using random-effects assumptions, were calculated. RESULTS Relative to comparison groups, MI was associated with significant improvements in health behaviors (e.g., oral health, diet, physical activity, reduced screen time, smoking cessation, reduced second hand smoke) and reduction in body mass index. Results suggest that MI may also outperform comparison groups in terms of dental caries, but more studies are needed. MI interventions were more successful at improving diets for Caucasians and when the intervention included more MI components. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide support for providing motivational interviewing to parents and children to improve pediatric health behaviors.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Polyamine Deacetylase Inhibitors, and High-Resolution Crystal Structures of Their Complexes with Acetylpolyamine Amidohydrolase.

Polyamines are essential aliphatic polycations that bind to nucleic acids and accordingly are involved in a variety of cellular processes. Polyamine function can be regulated by acetylation and deacetylation, just as histone function can be regulated by lysine acetylation and deacetylation. Acetylpolyamine amidohydrolase (APAH) from Mycoplana ramosa is a zinc-dependent polyamine deacetylase that shares approximately 20% amino acid sequence identity with human histone deacetylases. We now report the X-ray crystal structures of APAH–inhibitor complexes in a new and superior crystal form that diffracts to very high resolution (1.1–1.4 A). Inhibitors include previously synthesized analogues of N8-acetylspermidine bearing trifluoromethylketone, thiol, and hydroxamate zinc-binding groups [Decroos, C., Bowman, C. M., and Christianson, D. W. (2013) Bioorg. Med. Chem. 21, 4530], and newly synthesized hydroxamate analogues of shorter, monoacetylated diamines, the most potent of which is the hydroxamate analogue of ...
Contemporary Review of Artificial Urinary Sphincters for Male Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Abstract Introduction The most common cause of urinary incontinence in men after radical prostatectomy is intrinsic sphincter deficiency, which can affect long-term quality of life. The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy has been reported to be 2.5% to 90%. For patients with moderate to severe male SUI, the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is considered the gold standard in surgical treatment. Aim To review the available literature on the development, patient selection, surgical technique, complications, and management of AUS for male SUI. Methods A literature review was performed through PubMed from 1947 to 2015 regarding AUS for male SUI. Main Outcome Measures To assess various surgical techniques related to AUS insertion, outcomes, and complications and to offer recommendations regarding management of complications. Results The AUS can be placed through a perineal or trans-scrotal incision, particularly in the setting of dual insertion of an AUS and an inflatable penile prosthesis. The most commonly used cuff is 4.0 cm. The efficacy of InhibiZone is debatable. Pressure-regulating balloons can be filled with saline or contrast material and can be placed in an orthotopic or an ectopic location. In a systematic review of the literature, dry or improved continence rates are achieved in 79% of patients, with 90% reporting satisfaction and improved quality-of-life index scores after surgery. The most common AUS complications include a nonfunctioning device, sub-cuff atrophy, erosion, and infection. These complications are managed by strategies such as cuff downsizing, tandem cuff placement, and explantation. Dual AUS and inflatable penile prosthesis insertion is feasible for patients with SUI and erectile dysfunction. Conclusion The AUS is a durable and effective device for the management of SUI. Surgeons should be versed in the different device components, their potential complications, and their management
Development and psychometric assessment of the healthcare provider cultural competence instrument.

This study presents the measurement properties of 5 scales used in the Healthcare Provider Cultural Competence Instrument (HPCCI). The HPCCI measures a health care provider’s cultural competence al...
An experimental study of vortex generators in boundary layer ingesting diffusers with a centerline offset

A fundamental experimental investigation was conducted on the flow characteristics and performance of a diffuser ingesting a thick boundary layer of a high shape factor. The duct is characterized by a S-shaped offset and a cross-sectional area change going from a semi-circle at the entrance to a full circle at the exit. The performance of the diffuser was quantified by the two parameters of primary concern in jet engine applications: Total pressure recovery and total pressure distortion at the fan face (i.e. the exit) calculated from the total pressure data measured inside the duct. Flat plate vortex generators (vg’s) were deployed in an attempt to alter the flow structure inside the diffuser and eliminate separation in order to realize improvements in the diffuser performance descriptors. It was readily observed that the presence of the offset had a very strong effect on the behavior of the flow, causing separation and strong secondary flows in the Sduct accompanied by total pressure recovery of approximately 90% and total pressure distortion at the fan face of 77% (normalized to dynamic pressure) for the base case without flow control. Installation of vg’s in the Sduct helped to decrease the distortion to about 11% in some cases and prevented flow separation. However, in all cases, it was not possible to improve the pressure recovery in the S-duct much beyond the 90% range for the base flow with no vg’s.
Ontogeny of neonatal pulmonary vascular pressure-flow relationships.

Previously we reported that pulmonary vascular pressure gradients determined by vascular occlusion varied as a function of neonatal age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of blood flow on pressure gradients during normoxia (inspired O2 28%) and hypoxia (inspired O2 4.2%) in isolated, indomethacin-treated lungs obtained from lambs at less than 1, 2-4, 12-14, and 30-32 days of age (n = 6 at each age). The total pulmonary pressure gradient was partitioned into pressure gradients across relatively indistensible arteries and veins and relatively compliant vessels in the middle region (delta Pm) by inflow and outflow occlusions at flows of 25, 50, 75, and 100 ml.kg-1.min-1. During normoxia, lungs from lambs less than 1 day of age had significantly greater pressures at each flow than lungs from older lambs, due primarily to a significantly greater delta Pm in this age group. During hypoxia, the greatest vasoconstriction occurred in the youngest group, also due mostly to an increased delta Pm. This enhanced response to hypoxia in the younger age groups was due to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis; without indomethacin treatment, the older age groups had a greater hypoxic pressor response than the younger groups. The arterial vascular resistance at all ages was relatively constant as a function of blood flow during both normoxia and hypoxia, whereas the total and middle vascular resistances generally decreased as a function of flow. The venous resistance initially decreased and then was constant. These results suggest that the neonatal pulmonary circulation h as a fixed arterial resistance, a slightly distensible venous region at low flows, and a more distensible middle region.
Research Progress Tantalum Powder Production Technology

This paper introduces that the traditional tantalum powder technology of sodium-thermic reduction of K_2 TaF_7 and recent advances of this technology,discusses several new technologies including homogenous reduction method,EMR,sodium-thermic reduction of tantalum oxide with CaCl_2 and FFC process,as well as these advantages and flaws,presents the overview of prospective tantalum powder technology.
Platelet function and pyrophosphates in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Platelet function and serum pyrophosphate (PPi) levels were measured in 15 osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) patients and their parents. The bleeding time was abnormal in five of the subjects. Platelet adhesion to glass was occasionally abnormal (9 of 30 subjects). Platelet factor 3 (PF3) release was impaired in all patients except one and in one or both parents. Platelet aggregation to ADP was abnormal in most of the subjects. Aggregation to collagen was also frequently defective. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregation was always normal. Serum PPi levels were elevated in 62.5% of the subjects. The increased level of PPi was occasionally related to the defect in release of PF3; however, addition of PPi to normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP) did not alter the PF3 release or ADP aggregation. Thrombin-clotted PRP contributed to the elevated PPi but no more in the subjects than in the controls. Presumed carriers of the gene for OI may have defective platelet function and elevated serum PPi, even though no obvious signs of the disease are apparent.
The Cheshire Study: Change in Incidence of Myopia Following Program Intervention

The evolution of treatment programs used by clinical disciplines are fundamentally determined by the accepted basic hypotheses relating to the etiology of a condition. In vision care this can readily be seen as it relates to the etiology of myopia. When considering the etiology of myopia, one is faced with the relative contribution of heredity and environment in the development of the condition.
Portal vein resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Although isolated portal vein involvement has classically been a contraindication for resection, portal vein resection can be performed safely with a low perioperative mortality rate. Importantly, overall survival is similar between patients undergoing pancreatectomy with portal vein resection and those undergoing standard pancreatic resection. Suspected isolated portal vein involvement, therefore, frequently does not preclude operability and, by itself, should not be a contraindication for pancreatic resection.
Fifth-year response to thinning in a water oak plantation in north Louisiana

A 21 ac, 28-yr-old water oak (Quercus nigra L.)plantation, on an old-field loessial site in north Louisiana, was subjected to three thinning treatments during the winter of 1987-1988: (I) no thinning, (2) light thinning to 180 dominant and codominant trees/at, and (3) heavy thinning to 90 dominant and codominant trees/at. Prior to thinning, the plantation averaged 356 trees/at and 86@/ac of basal area, with a quadratic mean diameter of 6.7 in. Thinning reduced stand basal areas to 52 and 34ft2/ac for the light and heavy thinning treatments, respectively. After 5 yr, both thinning treatments increased diameter growth rates of individual residual trees, both when all trees were considered and when the analysis was limited to dominant and codominant trees only. Neither thinning treatment affected either stand-level volume growth or total yield 5 yr after treatment. However, thinning distributed total volume growth among fewer trees, such that, when trees of all crown classes were considered in the analysis, average annual volume growth per tree increased with increasing intensity of thinning. Both basal area growth and volume growth following light thinning appear to be su..cient to promote rapid recovery of the stand to a fully stocked condition in the nearfuture. In contrast, heavy thinning reduced density to a severely understocked condition that will prohibit optimum occupancy of the site for a long period. Among the treatments evaluated in this study, light thinning produced the most desirable combination of individual-tree diameter growth and stand-level basal area growth. South. J. Appl. For. 25(1):31-39.
Method of quantifying 3D strain distribution in skeletal muscle using cine phase contrast MRI.

Intramuscular pressure (IMP), a correlate of muscle tension, may fill an important clinical testing void. A barrier to implementing this measure clinically is its non-uniform distribution, which is not fully understood. Pressure is generated by changes in fluid mass and volume, therefore 3D volumetric strain distribution may affect IMP distribution. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for quantifying 3D volumetric strain distribution in the human tibialis anterior (TA) during passive tension using cine phase contrast (CPC) MRI and to assess its accuracy and precision.Five healthy subjects each participated in three data collections. A custom MRI-compatible apparatus repeatedly rotated a subject's ankle between 0° and 26° plantarflexion while CPC MRI data were collected. Additionally, T2-weighted images of the lower leg were collected both before and after the CPC data collection with the ankle stationary at both 0° and 26° plantarflexion for TA muscle segmentation. A 3D hexahedral mesh was generated based on the TA surface before CPC data collection with the ankle at 0° plantarflexion and the node trajectories were tracked using the CPC data. The volumetric strain of each element was quantified.Three tests were employed to assess the measure accuracy and precision. First, to quantify leg position drift, the TA segmentations were compared before and after CPC data collection. The Hawsdorff distance measure (error) was 1.5 ± 0.7 mm. Second, to assess the surface node trajectory accuracy, the deformed mesh surface was compared to the TA segmented at 26° of ankle plantarflexion. This error was 0.6 ± 0.2 mm. Third, the standard deviation of volumetric strain across the three data collections was calculated for each element and subject. The median between-day variability across subjects and mesh elements was 0.06 mm3 mm(-3) (95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.18 mm3 mm(-3)). Overall the results demonstrated excellent accuracy and precision.
Properties of microplasmas excited by microwaves for VUV photon sources

Microplasma sources typically take advantage of pd (pressure × size) scaling by increasing pressure to operate at dimensions as small as tens of microns. In many applications, low pressure operation is desirable, which makes miniaturization difficult. In this paper, the characteristics of low pressure microplasma sources excited by microwave power are discussed based on results from experimental and computational studies. The intended application is production of VUV radiation for chemical analysis, and so emphasis in this study is on the production of resonant excited states of rare gases and radiation transport. The systems of interest operate at a few to 10 Torr in Ar and He/Ar mixtures with cavity dimensions of hundreds of microns to 1 mm. Power deposition is a few watts which produces fractional ionization of about 0.1%. We found that production of VUV radiation from argon microplasmas at 104.8 nm and 106.7 nm saturates as a function of power deposition due to a quasi-equilibrium that is established between the electron temperature (that is not terribly sensitive to power deposition) and the population of the Ar(4s) manifold.
Child Sex-Trafficking Recognition, Intervention, and Referral: An Educational Framework for the Development of Health-Care-Provider Education Programs

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this Delphi study was to obtain consensus among an international, multidisciplinary panel of child sex-trafficking experts and child sex-trafficking survivors on the most important elements needed in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary health-care-provider education program on the recognition, intervention, and referral of child sex-trafficking victims and survivors.Methods: A two-round Delphi method was utilized to identify the most important elements of a child sex-trafficking health-care-provider education program. A content validity index score was utilized to determine consensus and order importance of each element.Results: Eight content areas including 63 subcontent areas were identified by an international panel of 23 subject-matter experts representing clinical professions, law enforcement, academia, and community support organizations as important for inclusion in comprehensive health-care-provider education programs. Three content areas and 19 subcontent areas were...
A Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus‐Like Eruption Induced by Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea is a medication with many well-described cutaneous side effects, notably the dermatomyositis-like eruption known as hydroxyurea dermopathy. Although systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with hydroxyurea use, cutaneous lupus has not. We report a novel case of chronic cutaneous lupus induced by hydroxyurea and propose that this is a side effect that is distinct from hydroxyurea dermopathy.
Heart Transplant Patient Selection and Preparation

Appropriate risk stratification of patients with end-stage heart failure is critical for transplant patient selection and allocation of scarce donor organs. The selection of cardiac transplant candidates is a multidisciplinary process that continues to evolve. The ultimate decision about whether to place a patient on the heart transplant waiting list is made by a multidisciplinary team and is based on a combination of the patient’s heart failure severity, comorbidities that may increase perioperative and long-term risk, social support system, and clinical judgment.
A randomized trial of the effects of the no-carrageenan diet on ulcerative colitis disease activity

BACKGROUND: Carrageenan is a very common food additive in Western diets, but predictably causes inflammation in thousands of cell-based and animal experiments. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of carrageenan exposure on the interval to relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical trial was conducted to assess if patients with ulcerative colitis in remission would have a longer interval to relapse if they followed a diet with no carrageenan. All participants were instructed in the no-carrageenan diet and were randomized to either placebo capsules or carrageenan-containing capsules. The carrageenan in the capsules was less than the average daily carrageenan intake from the diet. Relapse was defined as an increase of two or more points on the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI) and intensification of treatment for ulcerative colitis. Participants were followed by telephone calls every two weeks until relapse or one year of participation. The occurrence of relapse and inflammatory biomarkers were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twelve patients completed study questionnaires. Three patients who received carrageenan-containing capsules relapsed, and none of the patients who received placebo-containing capsules relapsed (p = 0.046, log-rank test). Laboratory tests showed increases in Interleukin-6 (p = 0.02, paired t-test, two-tailed) and fecal calprotectin (p = 0.06; paired t-test, two-tailed) between the beginning and the end of study participation in the carrageenan-exposed group, but not in the placebo-group. CONCLUSION: Carrageenan intake contributed to earlier relapse in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. Restriction of dietary carrageenan may benefit patients with ulcerative colitis.
First Order Metaethical Principles: Boylan’s Philosophical Work on Ethics and Personhood Theory

We begin our express voyage into ethical theory with an examination of first order ethical principles as set out by this author. As mentioned earlier, there are two forms of metaethics: first and second order. In the first order the author sets out intellectual presuppositions that are necessary in order to structure some normative theory. These principles can apply to any of the realistic, naturalistic theories that are set out in the subsequent chapters: virtue ethics, utilitarianism, and deontology.
Adaptation of Enhanced TSV Capacitance as Membrane Property in 3D Brain-inspired Computing System

Neurophysiological architecture using 3D integration technology offers a high device interconnection density as well as fast and energy efficient links among the neuron and synapses layers. In this paper, we propose to reconfigure the Through-Silicon-Vias (TSVs) to serve as the neuronal membrane capacitors that map the membrane electrical activities in a hybrid 3D neuromorphic system. We also investigate new methodology that could significantly enhance the TSV capacitance to achieve a high efficiency of signal processing through membrane. An optimal CAD framework is designed to optimally utilize such TSV devices, and resolve the signal-integrity issues arising at fast data rates during massively parallel data transmissions. The electrical performance of the 3D neuromorphic chip is compared against the ones of the 2D counterpart design to demonstrate the advantages of our design and methodology.
Unphysical poles and dispersion relations for Möbius domain-wall fermions in free field theory at finite L s

We find that the quark propagator constructed from the domain-wall fermion operator has ${L}_{s}\ensuremath{-}1$ extra poles as well as the pole that realizes the physical quark in the continuum limit. We show the energy-momentum dispersion relation for the physical and unphysical poles of M\"obius domain-wall fermions in free field theory at finite ${L}_{s}$. The dependence of extra pole energies on the M\"obius parameter $b\ensuremath{-}c$ and on the domain-wall height ${M}_{5}$ is investigated. Our result suggests that small values of $b\ensuremath{-}c$ set a large lower bound on the unphysical pole masses and the contribution of these poles could be suppressed well by calculating with small $b\ensuremath{-}c$.
Area Decomposition for Electromechanical Models of Power Systems

Abstract The notion of slow coherency is introduced as a less demanding definition of coherency, which allows for a lack of coherency in the fast part of machine transients. The relationship between the time scale properties and the slow coherency is shown to be the dichotomic solution of a matrix Riccati equation. A grouping algorithm is presented which reduces the area decomposition problem to one of obtaining a basis for the slow subsystem and performing a Gaussian elimination. A geometric interpretation of this area grouping algorithm is also presented. The procedure is illustrated with a 3machine and a 16-machine example.
Religious and Humanist Perspectives on Human Rights

The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the best known comprehensive statement on human rights. The foundations of these human rights, however, can be manifold. There are several approaches to founding principles of human rights. This paper considers some of these perspectives: (1) a Roman Catholic natural law perspective; (2) a Protestant covenant approach; (3) a Muslim “umma” point of view; (4) an Orthodox understanding; and (5) a “humanist-humanitarian activist” approach. While discussing the various perspectives on “first generation” civil and political human rights, this paper makes some comparisons in regard to foundations, group versus individual approaches, relationship and influence on/from the State, and current developments. It is argued that each of these voices is needed in the ongoing development of the human rights discussion and implementation.
Oxidative stress inhibits human p53 by site-specific glutathionylation at cysteines 124, 141, and 182 and disruption of dimerization

3360 Several lines of evidence indicate that the sequence-specific DNA binding activity of human p53 is highly prone to oxidative inactivation, and the redox modulators such as the Ref-1/ thioredoxins can reactivate and stimulate p53 transactivating function in cells. However, the cellular mechanisms including covalent modifications, if any, those protect and modulate the p53 protein during the recurring episodes of oxidative and nitrosative stresses, which often underlie the processes of carcinogenesis, malignant progression, and different disease states, remain unknown. Here, we show for the first time, that p53 is subjected to a new and reversible posttranslational modification, namely, glutathionylation (S-thiolation, which involves disulfide formation between reactive cysteines in proteins and low MW thiols) under oxidative stress. Using biotinylated GSH or GSSG as probes, we detected rapid thiol incorporation into the purified recombinant p53 protein and the extent of glutathionylation increased with higher GSSG/GSH ratios. The modified p53 had significantly decreased ability to bind its consensus DNA sequence. Reciprocal immunoprecipitations and a GST-overlay assay showed that cellular p53 was marginally glutathionylated under steady-state conditions, however, the modification levels increased markedly in cells treated with DNA-damaging or oxidizing agents, in parallel with the kinetics of p53 accumulation seen after these treatments. In-gel trypsinization and peptide identification by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry revealed Cys-124, Cys-141 and Cys-182 as the sites of glutathionation. Biotinylated maleimide also reacted rapidly with p53 to form an adduct with cys141, implying this to be the most reactive cysteine on protein surface. Computer-assisted molecular modeling using the crystal structure of p53-DNA complex showed that disulfide formation is compatible with either cys 124 or cys 141 alone, but, not together, and glutathionation of either sites would lead to a destabilization of the dimeric state and hinder p53 association with DNA. Protein crosslinking by glutaraldehyde followed by SDS-PAGE confirmed the inability of glutathionated p53 to form dimeric and tetrameric states. Glutathionylation of reactive cysteines is emerging as a central mechanism by which changes in the intracellular redox state may be transduced into a functional cellular response. We conclude that S-thiolation is a novel negative regulatory mechanism that protects the essential thiols of p53 from irreversible oxidation, and is a part of the posttranslational signaling cascade that control p53’s biological activities. The process may also control the levels of functionally-active p53 after DNA damage response (supported by RO1 CA 97343 grant to KSS).
Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia Pathogenesis and the Link to the Metabolic Syndrome

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a well-described source of chronic blood loss. We aim to review the previously hypothesized etiologies of GAVE and focus on recent proposed mechanisms, including metabolic syndrome. We will support these theories with newly discovered clinical associations and possible therapeutic implications. Historically, GAVE has been associated with connective tissue disease and liver disease. Based on these associations and its histologic appearance, GAVE has presumed to be caused by mechanical- and hormonally mediated injury. Recent findings have been notable for a clinical association with aspects of the metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the pathogenic etiology may be akin to aspects of the metabolic syndrome via microvascular injury and neoangiogenesis. The potential etiologies of GAVE include hypergastrinemia, mechanical injury, and microvascular injury with neovascular proliferation particularly in the metabolic syndrome. Further research is needed to evaluate these proposed mechanisms and potential targets for treatment.
A Brief History of the Study of Neuroanatomy

It has been said that there is an anatomical instinct in man, perhaps even in animals (Singer, 1957). A working knowledge of anatomy can be very useful to predatory animals, and, in fact, some of the earliest cave paintings depict crude drawings of animals with arrows pointing to the region of the heart. Not too surprisingly, the two organs that have received the most sustained interest have been the heart and the brain—the two organs that represent the most vulnerable targets for attack. It was, perhaps, because of this common denominator that teachers such as Aristotle tended to view these organs as a functional pair; Aristotle believed that the brain served as a sort of radiator for cooling the blood.
Physical Activity and Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

The relationship of physical inactivity to the development of cardiovascular disease and the role that enhanced physical activity may play in the promotion of cardiovascular health and the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease are discussed in this article.The authors review what has been learned about this subject in human and experimental animal studies and also note unresolved problems. Strategies for modification of exercise behavior to promote cardiovascular health are also included.
RNAlater and flash freezing storage methods nonrandomly influence observed gene expression in RNAseq experiments

RNA-sequencing is a popular next-generation sequencing technique for assaying genome-wide gene expression profiles. Nonetheless, it is susceptible to biases that are introduced by sample handling prior gene expression measurements. Two of the most common methods for preserving samples in both field-based and laboratory conditions are submersion in RNAlater and flash freezing in liquid nitrogen. Flash freezing in liquid nitrogen can be impractical, particularly for field collections. RNAlater is a solution for stabilizing tissue for longer-term storage as it rapidly permeates tissue to protect cellular RNA. In this study, we assessed genome-wide expression patterns in 30 day old fry collected from the same brood at the same time point that were flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C or submerged and stored in RNAlater at room temperature, simulating conditions of fieldwork. We show that sample storage is a significant factor influencing observed differential gene expression. In particular, genes with elevated GC content exhibit higher observed expression levels in liquid nitrogen flash-freezing relative to RNAlater-storage. Further, genes with higher expression in RNAlater relative to liquid nitrogen experience disproportionate enrichment for functional categories, many of which are involved in RNA processing. This suggests that RNAlater may elicit a physiological response that has the potential to bias biological interpretations of expression studies. The biases introduced to observed gene expression arising from mimicking many field-based studies are substantial and should not be ignored.
Adsorption of the Liquid Crystal Molecule 5CB on Graphene

We use density functional theory to explore the stable adsorption geometries of the liquid crystal molecule 5CB on a graphene sheet. First, we calculate the dependence of the polarizability of 5CB on its geometry. Our results break down the contributions of the cyano, biphenyl, and alkyl groups to the optical properties of 5CB, confirming the biphenyl group as the most influential. Second, we quantify possible adsorption structures of 5CB on graphene. We find that 5CB can stably adsorb with its biphenyl group oriented intermediate to the armchair and zigzag crystallographic directions, in addition to adsorbing with the biphenyl oriented along those directions.
Evaluation of Known Genotoxic Agents and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol for SCE Induction by the Intraperitoneal 5-Bromo-2’-Deoxyuridine Infusion Technique for Sister Chromatid Exchange Visualization

A new technique for measurement of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induction which utilizes intraperitoneal infusion of 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for SCE visualization was evaluated using 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), a metabolically activated polyaromatic hydrocarbon with multiple development stage-specific biological effects, and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), a direct-acting alkylating agent, in a transplacental system. Maternal bone marrow and whole fetus were examined. A recently developed procedure for isolating fetal cells was used which permitted, for the first time, the evaluation of SCE induction in fetal brain as well as other fetal organs.
Steroidal Regulation of mRNA Coding for Potassium Channels in Uterine Smooth Muscle

Excitable tissues can produce changes in behavioral and physiological states of an animal by undergoing prolonged changes in their excitability. One clear example of such a system is the smooth muscle of the adult mammalian uterus, whose electrical properties are closely linked to the action of steroid hormones (Burnstock et al., 1963; Marshall, 1974; Kuriyama and Suzuki, 1976). During the course of pregnancy, the uterus undergoes extensive development to a relatively quiescent state at mid-gestation, and then alters its electrical properties to become highly excitable shortly before birth occurs. The progressive shifts in electrical properties follow changes in the hormonal status of the mother, with progesterone levels relatively high at mid-gestation and estrogen concentrations showing a sharp rise at the end of pregnancy. Electrophysiological changes resembling those occurring during pregnancy can be produced by administration of steroid hormones to ovariectomized animals. In general, estrogen treatment enhances the uterine smooth muscle excitability and progesterone reduces it.
The Neighborhood Context

Previous chapters have shown that the characteristics of the respondents, by influencing their choices and constraints, significantly affect the way in which they use the neighborhood and thereby the sense of community that is created. The analysis, however, has been mostly performed at the individual level and has not examined how the contextual (structural) influence of the neighborhood affects its residents’ behavior.1
A Low-Power, High-Speed Readout for Pixel Detectors Based on an Arbitration Tree

In this article, a low-power, high-speed arbitration tree for pixel detector readout is presented. The synchronized, binary tree priority encoder establishes a position-dependent priority list at the start of every time frame. Pixels that indicate the presence of data for readout are sequentially granted access to a shared bus for data transfer to the periphery, without the use of an additional global strobe signal. It can be used for either full frame imaging or zero-suppressed readout, in which case it can simultaneously generate the pixel address. To increase the readout frame rate, the pixel array is subdivided into two halves, which allow interleaved latching of data at the output serializer. The design was implemented in a 65-nm LP-CMOS process for the readout of a $64\times64$ pixel array. Measurement results demonstrate a deadtimeless, full frame imaging rate of ~50 kfps, achieved with a dedicated output for every ( $32\times32$ ) 1024 pixels and for a pixel data packet of 11 bits, with no bit errors detected over 1000 frames. The measured energy per bit is 0.94 pJ.
Abstract MP12: Increasing Circulating Anp Levels With Sacubitril Without Ras Blockage Aggravates Renal Disease In Dahl Ss Rats

Salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension is accompanied with severe cardiorenal complications. In this condition, elevated blood pressure (BP) resulting from high salt intake can be partially associated wi...
ItAS a Cruel Summer: Household Responses to Reductions in Government Nutrition Assistance

The appropriate size and scope of government nutrition assistance programs is a regular source of debate among policy-makers, and with calls to reduce government benefits, a clear understanding of household responses to any proposed benefit reduction is critical. Exploiting the design of U.S. nutrition assistance programs, we examine how low-income households reallocate their budgets following an exogenous reduction in nutrition assistance benefits. The magnitude of our results suggests that the budget for an average low-income household with children is severely inflexible and likely unable to absorb more than a $2 to $3 reduction in nutrition benefits per child per week.
Archaeological Material Manifestations

Based on the archives, the type and nature of the Araucanian society of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the specifics of its social structure, political organization, religious beliefs and practices, and the demographic structure are discussed. Also considered is the standardization of and simplicity in the material culture during this period as best represented in ceramics and in ceremonial mound stratigraphy, which is hypothesized to be the result of more collective labor given to the war and less to the production, display, and accumulation of elaborate objects that symbolize individual wealth and prestige.
Power Data Network Dynamic Simulation Platform

Simulation is a powerful tool for research. In many cases, it is needed for realistic network simulation and the power of data prediction, modeling a large number of simple interactions electricity Statute, without attention to details of a particular Statute, to identify a key component or the whole network’s support of power protocol and the ability of stable work under critical conditions such as data stream change, long-term transmission and critical states. This paper proposes and implements a model of power data network dynamic simulation platform to solve the dynamic and power protocol simulation problem in large-scale network simulation, through multi-threaded and multi-agent dynamic changing, the layered implementation of OSI model, and simplified simulation methods of the power protocol.