cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic patterns and insulin responsiveness of enlarging fat cells

The rate and pattern of glucose metabolism, basal lipolysis, and intracellular concentration of free fatty acids were determined in isolated epididymal fat cell preparations (mean volume 30-800 pl) from rats on the basis of fat cell number and in relation to the cell volume. The effects of increasing glucose concentrations in the medium and of insulin on the cellular metabolic activities were compared. Expanding fat cell volume correlated positively and significantly (P 400 pl) fat cells were not modified by insulin or by increments in glucose concentration. The results indicate that the reduced capacity of the large fat cells to respond to insulin cannot be attributed solely to a limited capacity of the cells to take up and metabolize increasing amounts of glucose. The acquired unresponsiveness of the large cells to insulin may result from an alteration in the mechanism of action of insulin and may be related to an intracellular metabolic derangement with increased basal lipolysis, free fatty acid accumulation, and accelerated glyceride synthesis resulting from the accumulation of triglyceride.
Exploiting parallelism and structure to accelerate the simulation of chip multi-processors

Simulation is an important means of evaluating new microarchitectures. Current trends toward chip multiprocessors (CMPs) try the ability of designers to develop efficient simulators. CMP simulation speed can be improved by exploiting parallelism in the CMP simulation model. This may be done by either running the simulation on multiple processors or by integrating multiple processors into the simulation to replace simulated processors. Doing so usually requires tedious manual parallelization or re-design to encapsulate processors. This paper presents techniques to perform automated simulator parallelization and hardware integration for CMP structural models. We show that automated parallelization can achieve an 7.60 speedup for a 16-processor CMP model on a conventional 4-processor shared-memory multiprocessor. We demonstrate the power of hardware integration by integrating eight hardware PowerPC cores into a CMP model, achieving a speedup of up to 5.82.
An Experimental Investigation on Forced Convection Heat Transfer From a Cylinder Embedded in a Packed Bed

Forced convection heat transfer from a cylinder embedded in a packed bed of spherical particles was studied experimentally. With air as the working fluid, the effects of particle diameter and particle thermal conductivity were examined for a wide range of thermal conductivities (from 200 W/m K for aluminum to 0.23 W/m K for nylon) and three nominal particle sizes (3 mm, 6 mm, and 13 mm). In the presence of particles, the measured convective heat transfer coefficient was up to seven times higher than that for a bare tube in crossflow. It was found that higher heat transfer coefficients were obtained with smaller particles and higher thermal conductivity packing materials. The experimental data were compared against the predictions of a theory based on Darcy’s law and the boundary layer approximations. While the theoretical equation was moderately successful at predicting the data, improved correlating equations were developed by modifying the form of the theoretical equation to account better for particle diameter and conductivity variations.
The impact of cytogam on cardiac transplant recipients with moderate hypogammaglobulinemia

THE IMPACT OF CYTOGAM ON CARDIAC TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH MODERATE HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA M.H. Yamani, R.C. Starling, R. Avery, S. Mawhorter, A. McNeil, N.B. Ratliff, D. Cook, D. Pelegrin, P. Colosimo, K. Kiefer, R. Hobbs, D. Taylor, P. McCarthy, J.B. Young, Cardiovascular Medicine; Infectious Disease; Anatomic Pathology; Allogen Laboratory; CardioThoracic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
The Role of Decitabine for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

OBJECTIVE:To review the available literature addressing the role of decitabine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).DATA SOURCES:Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (January 1970-March 2012) of English-language literature using the terms decitabine, acute myeloid leukemia, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:All published studies and abstracts, as well as relevant consensus guidelines, evaluating the current literature about the role of decitabine for the treatment of AML were included.DATA SYNTHESIS:Decitabine has been evaluated for the treatment of AML in several different settings. In patients with newly diagnosed AML who are not candidates for standard remission induction chemotherapy, a Phase 2 trial of decitabine administered for 5 days per cycle demonstrated a 24% complete remission rate (CR). A subsequent Phase 3 trial comparing decitabine and low-dose cytarabine or best supportive care in a similar patient population showed a gre...
A 10 MHz Bandwidth, 2 mV Ripple PA Regulator for CDMA Transmitters

A combined class-AB and switch-mode regulator based supply modulator with a master-slave architecture achieving wide bandwidth and low ripple is presented. Low frequency content of the envelope waveform is provided by a synchronous-rectifier based switch-mode power supply while high frequency content is provided by a rail-to-rail class-AB amplifier. A wide range, low loss output current sensing circuit is used at the class-AB amplifier output, canceling the ripple due to switch-mode power supply and extending overall modulator bandwidth. The proposed regulator is designed and fabricated on a 0.35 mum CMOS process. The combined regulator achieves a maximum efficiency of 82% and an IMD3 of 65 dBc at 10 MHz for 16 dBm output power. The regulator achieves a frequency range up to 10 MHz with less than 0.2% envelope tracking error, making this PA regulator suitable for CDMA applications.
Utilizing the age of references to control the exhaustivity of the reference representation in information retrieval

Abstract The effectiveness of using the age of references to control the exhaustivity of the reference representation in information retrieval was investigated through analysis of optimal cluster-based retrieval results. The CF310 database, a subset of the CF database, was used. The two types of reference representations studied were the “foreground” representation, restricted to references with ages less than or equal to a specific age threshold, and the “background” representation, restricted to references with ages greater than this age threshold. It was assumed that the optimal level of exhaustivity for the foreground representation would be that age threshold at which the representation was restricted to references in the research front. It was also assumed that this representation would produced significantly better results than the exhaustive representation. The results show, as expected, that the foreground representation at its optimal level of exhaustivity is restricted to references of a relatively recent vintage—with ages less than or equal to seven. However, this representation does not produce significantly better results than the exhaustive representation. The background representation at its optimal level of exhaustivity is the exhaustive representation. Interestingly, the optimization of results for individual queries yields significantly better retrieval performance than the foreground representation at its optimal level of exhaustivity. Twenty-one out of 44 queries have optimal results with either the foreground or background representations, 15 have optimal results with just the foreground representation, and 8 have optimal results with just the background representation. The levels of exhaustivity for the optimal results vary considerably among the queries and, when the foreground representation is the optimal representation, span the complete range of age threshold values.
Markov's Inequality and Chebyshev's Inequality for Tail Probabilities: A Sharper Image

Markov's inequality gives an upper bound on the probability that a nonnegative random variable takes large values. For example, if the random variable is the lifetime of a person or a machine, Markov's inequality says that the probability that an individual survives more than three times the average lifetime in the population of such individuals cannot exceed one-third. Here we give a simple, intuitive geometric interpretation and derivation of Markov's inequality. These results lead to inequalities sharper than Markov's when information about conditional expectations is available, as in reliability theory, demography, and actuarial mathematics. We use these results to sharpen Chebyshev's tail inequality also.
Proportioning a Hydra

SYNOPSIS. Pieces of hydra tissue of various sizes and shapes were cut from the body columns of adult hydra and allowed to regenerate. The proportions of the resulting animals were determined first by counting cells in the head and body, and secondly by measuring the structures directly using an ocular micrometer. Head-body proportions were found to be constant over a tenfold size range. Very small regenerates had a larger head fraction and large budding regenerates had a smaller head fraction. Extra structures developed in certain shape pieces, but total head-body tissue remained proportional. More detailed measurement of the head showed that the hypostome regulated only slightly with total size change, while the tentacle tissue varied considerably to maintain the head-body ratio. This suggested that the patterning of the hypostome and the tentacles might involve separate processes, with the latter being responsible for proportion regulation. While the body mass appeared to be determined by the proportioning mechanism, its circumference was related to the circumference of the hypostome, suggesting a causal relationship between the two organizers and the column shaping. The basal disc remained proportional to the body except in the smallest pieces. A Gierer-Meinhardt pattern formation scheme could account for the results found.
Melatonin level and pattern in postpartum versus nonpregnant nulliparous women.

Objective To compare 24‐hour melatonin level and timing in postpartum and nonpregnant nulliparous women. Melatonin release provides information regarding circadian rhythm timing, which influences health. Design 2‐group comparison of data derived from intensive within‐subject data collection. Setting Participants' typical daily environment. Participants 38 postpartum and 20 nonpregnant nulliparous women. Mothers' infants were 4 to 10 weeks of postnatal age. Main Outcome Measures Urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin assayed from each voiding and corrected for volume using creatinine. Results Postpartum women had significantly higher baseline, lower maximum, lower percent rise, and differing pattern of 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin than nonpregnant nulliparous women. Conclusion Differences in melatonin suggest possible circadian rhythm disruption in the postnatal period. JOGNN, 35, 608‐615; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552‐6909.2006.00082.x
Genetic approaches to harvesting lichen products

Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi, green algae and/or cyanobacteria. They have a varied chemistry and produce many polyketide-derived compounds, including some, such as depsides and depsidones, that are rarely reported elsewhere. Although lichens have been appreciated in traditional medicines, their value has largely been ignored by the modern pharmaceutical industry because difficulties in establishing axenic cultures and conditions for rapid growth preclude their routine use in most conventional screening processes. Recently, molecular genetic techniques using PCR, genomic library construction and heterologous expression have provided an alternative approach to begin exploring the diversity of polyketide biosynthetic pathways in lichens. The techniques can be expanded to cover other pathway types and be integrated with conventional culture collection-based screening to provide a comprehensive search for novel chemical entities in these organisms.
NIST's role in measurement accuracy for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.

77 THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The mission of NIST is “to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.” As health care and the industry that supports it cut across all of these areas, NIST has a long history of supporting accuracy in health care measurements. The objectives of this effort are to develop and maintain the measurements and standards infrastructure to facilitate accurate decision making in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. NIST efforts in support of health care measurements have focused on development of accurate methods, definitive and reference methods as defined by NCCLS1 and on development of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs). SRMs are well-characterized materials with certain properties quantified with stated uncertainties. SRMs may be in the form of pure crystalline materials with certified purity, they may be aqueous or organic solutions with certified concentrations of one or more analytes, or they may be natural matrix materials, such as human serum, with certified concentrations of analytes. Certified values are obtained by a variety of modes,2 but in almost all cases, the certification measurements include measurements made at NIST using methods developed and critically evaluated at NIST. To learn more about NIST SRMs, see http://srmcatalog. nist.gov/. Initial efforts to develop SRMs to address clinical measurement needs began in the 1960s and were aimed at correction of errors associated with calibration. At that time, most methods involved preparation of calibrants from crystalline materials. The purity of such materials varied greatly, so NIST undertook development of a number of crystalline SRMs for commonly measured serum analytes. One of these was glucose for which NIST developed SRM 917, certified in 1970 to be 99.96 0.1 mass percent pure. The current lot of this material, designated as SRM 917b, is certified to be 99.7 6 0.2 mass percent pure. The newer material is not necessarily less pure; more sensitive analytical techniques are available now for detecting impurities that might have been missed in characterizing earlier materials. SRM 917b also has reference values for the optical rotation to serve as a standard for polarimetry. The next challenge was to develop higher order methods, called definitive methods, for measuring these analytes in serum. This method development work began at NIST in the 1970s for both organic and inorganic constituents. For both organic and inorganic species, the primary approach used was based upon isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Most elements come in several isotopic forms. The
An Analysis of the Microsporidian Genus Brachiola, with Comparisons of Human and Insect Isolates of Brachiola algerae

The genus Brachiola is the newest microsporidian genus established for a human infection with the type species being B. vesicularum in skeletal muscle. Subsequently, the microsporidium, Nosema algerae, identified from mosquitoes, was added to this genus because of morphological and physiological similarities. The present report illustrates a confirmed case of Brachiola algerae infecting skeletal muscle in a 56-year-old woman who was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis with immunosuppressive drugs. In the following study, these two human-infecting microsporidian species are ultrastructurally compared from human biopsy tissue. Additionally, Brachiola algerae from mosquitoes as reference B. algerae, was grown in athymic mice and compared to the human isolate in vivo, and in culture. B. algerae is morphologically identical in the host situations presented and different from B. vesicularum in human skeletal muscle. B. algerae has a consistently, slightly longer spore that typically contains one row of polar filament coils, while B. vesicularum typically contains two rows of polar filament coils and occasionally, one or three rows. In proliferative development, B. vesicularum forms protoplasmic extensions which do not occur on B. algerae, nor have they been reported on any other microsporidium. This report demonstrates that B. vesicularum and B. algerae are two different species of Brachiola that infect human skeletal muscle.
Retirement Plan Participation and Asset Allocation, 2010

To establish current savings behavior, one necessary measurement of retirement preparation is identifying the percentage of workers with employment-based retirement plans, as well as understanding the characteristics of workers with and without access to such programs. The findings from this paper show that there has been a significant increase in the percentage of family heads with a defined contribution (DC) plan (typically a 401(k)-type plan) over time. The likelihood of a working family head participating in a retirement plan increased with the size of his or her employer. In 2010, among family heads working for employers with 10-19 employees, 22.4 percent participated in a plan, compared with 67.2 percent of family heads who worked for employers with 500 or more employees. In 2010, 18.9 percent of family heads who participated in an employment-based retirement plan had a defined benefit (DB) plan only, while 65.0 percent had a defined contribution (DC) plan only, and the remaining 16.1 percent had both a DB and a DC plan. This was a significant change from 1992, when 42.3 percent had a DB plan only, and 40.8 percent had a DC plan only. Asset allocation within a family head’s retirement plan seems to be affected by his or her ownership of other types of retirement plans. Those who own an IRA are more likely to be invested all in stocks if they also own a 401(k)-type of plan. Those who own a DB plan and a 401(k)-type plan are less likely to allocate their DC plan to all interest-earning assets. Due to the increased participation in DC plans, the manner in which participants allocate assets within these plans could have a significant effect upon the financial resources they ultimately will have available in retirement. The distribution of participants invested in each proportion of stocks was found not to vary significantly with age between ages 35-64, although higher educational attainment, income, and net worth were correlated with more investment in stocks. Taken together, this suggests that, even with increased experience, availability, and use of these types of plans, there remains a need for more financial education of participants. The PDF for the above title, published in the April 2013 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another April 2013 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Characteristics of the Population With Consumer-Driven and High-Deductible Health Plans, 2005-2012.”
The Communist International and US Communism, 1919–1929, by Jacob A. Zumoff

In this admirable book, Jacob Zumoff offers a challenging re-interpretation of the history of the first decade of the American Communist movement and its relationship with the Communist Internation...
Impact of vectorborne parasitic neglected tropical diseases on child health

Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are all vectorborne neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that are responsible for significant disease burden in impoverished children and adults worldwide. As vectorborne parasitic diseases, they can all be targeted for elimination through vector control strategies. Examples of successful vector control programmes for these diseases over the past two decades have included the Southern Cone Initiative against Chagas disease, the Kala-azar Control Scheme against leishmaniasis, the Onchocerciasis Control Programme and the lymphatic filariasis control programme in The Gambia. A common vector control component in all of these programmes is the use of adulticides including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and newer synthetic pyrethroid insecticides against the insect vectors of disease. Household spraying has been used against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, and insecticide-treated bed nets have helped prevent leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis. Recent trends in vector control focus on collaborations between programmes and sectors to achieve integrated vector management that addresses the holistic vector control needs of a community rather than approaching it on a disease-by-disease basis, with the goals of increased efficacy, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. As evidence of vector resistance to currently used insecticide regimens emerges, research to develop new and improved insecticides and novel control strategies will be critical in reducing disease burden. In the quest to eliminate these vectorborne NTDs, efforts need to be made to continue existing control programmes, further implement integrated vector control strategies and stimulate research into new insecticides and control methods.
Package Technology Selection of 28nm High Power FPGA with Pb-Free Solder Bumps: Flip Chip Molded BGA (FCMBGA) versus Traditional Flip Chip Bare Die Package

Selecting the optimal flip-chip package technology for the next generation 28nm FPGA is critical not only to meet reliability benchmarks for Pb-free bumps, but also in meeting the field-use environment requirements for high power devices. Component level reliability testing was conducted on three separate package types: Bare die flip chip BGA (FCBGA), flip chip molded BGA with capillary underfill (FCMBGA w/CUF), and flip chip molded BGA with molded underfill. (FCMBGA). Testing was conducted independently at two separate sites. Testing included moisture resistance testing (MRT), temperature cycle (JESD22-A104 Condition Level B), and a hybrid test combining 100 hours of unbiased HAST (JESD22-A118A) with temperature cycling. Reliability monitoring was conducted through multiple means including electrical testing for circuit continuity, CSAM imaging at frequent read points to monitor silicon integrity and underfill adhesion performance, cross-sections for the inspection of bump crack propagation, and FIB anal...
Protamine and conversion of mevalonic acid to cholesterol by liver homogenates.

SummaryProtamine is a potent inhibitor of a system essential for conversion of mevalonic acid to cholesterol. Evidence was presented that protamine combines with a polyanion, presumably “free” or “combined” RNA, that is essential for maintenance of an ATP level required in utilization of mevalonic acid.
Structural and equilibrium effects of the surface passivant on the stability of Au nanorods.

Au nanomaterials are well-known for their optical properties, where Au nanorods have demonstrated unique capabilities because of their readily tunable size and shape. Unfortunately, functionalization of the material surface is challenging because of their lack of stability after only a few purification cycles. Here, we demonstrate that enhanced Au-nanorod stability can be achieved by purifying the materials using dilute cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) wash solutions. To this end, purifying the materials in such a manner shifts the passivant on/off equilibrium to maintain surfactant adsorption to the metal surface, leading to enhanced stability. Interestingly, from this study, a bimodal distribution of Au nanorods was evident, where one species was prone to bulk aggregation, whereas the second population remained stable in solution. This likely arose from defects within the CTAB bilayer at the nanorod surface, resulting in selective material aggregation. For this, those structures with high numbers o...
Fast Generalized Multiscale FEM for Complex Media: Effortless Modeling of Topography and Heterogeneity

Numerical modeling of acoustic wave propagation is challenging for both classical finite difference methods and finite element approaches in the presence of irregular free surface topography and anomalies with high velocity contrasts. There is inaccuracy in modeling irregular boundaries in finite difference methods and time-consuming mesh generation for finite element methods. We present a hybrid approach to address these issues within the framework of the generalized multiscale finite element method (GMsFEM). In particular, we propose an efficient procedure to perform finite element based simulations without tedious mesh generation processes. The approach applies the GMsFEM to reduce computational complexity by utilizing two automatically generated grid systems. Using a complicated, 2D salt dome model, we demonstrate the accuracy of the GMsFEM solutions and the associated reduction in computing time by an order of magnitude.
Back-end-of-line compatible Poly-SiGe lateral nanoelectromechanical relays with multi-level interconnect

Nanoelectromechanical (NEM) relays show promise in a wide variety of low power applications. NEM relays have near-zero leakage current, in contrast to the relatively high leakage current of nanoscale CMOS transistors, thus enabling hybrid CMOS-NEM relay systems that are more energy efficient. If NEM relays can be fabricated in the back-end-of-line (BEOL) metallization process, they can be added to a CMOS integrated circuit without adding significantly to the die area. In this paper, we demonstrate a CMOS BEOL-compatible fabrication process of NEM relays with protected, buried interconnects. The NEM relay processing steps are at temperatures below 425 °C and all mechanical and chemical processing steps are designed to avoid damage to underlying CMOS transistors. We demonstrate a lateral relay with buried interconnect that switches for more than 1000 cycles with resistances below 300 kΩ in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure.
ID: 103: COMPARATIVE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF TWO HAND-HYGIENE PRODUCTS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background Contaminated hands of healthcare workers (HCW) are an important source of transmission of healthcare-associated infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the primary form of hand hygiene in healthcare settings, are effective but do not provide sustained antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to quantitatively visualize the immediate and persistent antimicrobial effectiveness of 1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)+61% ethanol versus 70% ethanol at 2-time points: immediately after application on normal skin flora and after hand contamination with environmental microbes in the ICU. Methods A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial with crossover design and paired data was done in three medical ICUs in a large academic teaching hospital. Eligible personnel included permanent and temporary HCWs involved with direct patient care in the ICU. HCWs were randomly assigned to one of two hand hygiene products using a crossover design. Hand prints were obtained immediately after hand hygiene was performed and again after spending >5 minutes in the ICU common areas. The numbers of aerobic colony-forming units (CFU) were compared for the two groups after log transformation. Results A total of 51 HCWs completed testing of both products. On bare hands, use of CHG+alcohol was associated with significantly lower recovery of aerobic CFU, both immediately after use (0.27±0.38 and 0.88±0.55 log10 CFU; P=.035) and after spending time in the ICU common areas (1.81±0.48 and 2.17±0.35 log10 CFU; P Conclusions The CHG+alcohol product was associated with significantly lower aerobic bacterial colony counts on hands of healthcare personnel, both immediately after use and after spending time in ICU common areas. Further studies are needed to determine if the use of the CHG+alcohol product results in sustained antimicrobial protection against healthcare-associated pathogens on hands of HCW.
Postpartum Health: A comparison of Mothers with Preterm Infants and Mothers with Fullterm Infants

This study was to compare mother's postpartum physical health, mental health, and role performance between mothers with fullterm infants and preterm infants over 3 months postpartum period. The study used a correlational and longitudinal design and was secondary data analysis from a large study. A convenience sample of 132 mothers who had fullterm and preterm infants was followed up for 3 times (postpartum 1-2 days, 6 weeks, and 3 months) during the first 3 months postpartum period. Postpartum physical health was assessed by level of fatigue in the morning and in the afternoon, and number of physical symptoms. Postpartum mental health was assessed by positive affect, anxiety, and depression; and postpartum role performance was measured by role functional status. Mothers with preterm infants experienced higher levels of fatigue in the morning, lower positive affect, higher anxiety and higher depression over 3 data collection time points, compared to mothers with fullterm infants. Mothers with preterm infants also resumed lesser self-care activity and social and community activity than the counterparts. It implies that some aspects of preterm birth and caring for preterm infants continue to negatively affect the mother's health outcomes during the postpartum period.
Seasonal Differences in Performance of the Ranger School Qualifying Road March

The U.S. Army Ranger School conducts a 61-day training course several times per year to train soldiers in combat skills. One of the qualifying tests is a timed road march. Warmer weather imposes greater thermal strain on the body which in turn compromises endurance performance. This presents a problem in assessing performance across classes and making the road march fair for all students since some will be doing this event in cold or cool conditions (winter, spring and fall classes), whereas others will be doing it in hot conditions (summer classes). Purpose: To assess the influence of seasonal differences on road march performance. Methods: Road march times and per-mile pace were obtained from three Ranger School course classes (total: n = 66; [spring: n = 24, summer: n = 23, and winter: n = 19]). Road marches were ~19.3 km for the spring and winter marches and ~12.9 km for the summer march. Heart rates (HRs) and core body temperatures (Tcores) were obtained throughout each march. Weather conditions were spring: air temperatures (Ta): 17.2 to 21.0 °C; relative humidity (% RH): 53 to 75%; summer: Ta: 24.4 to 25.0 °C, RH: 82 to 89%; and winter: Ta: −4.4 to −6.2 °C, RH: 51 to 60 %. Results: The per-mile pace of the spring class (15:35 + 0:45) [min: sec] was significantly slower ( p < 0.05) than the summer class (14:57 + 0:58) or the winter class (14:46 + 1:19). A significant main effect of Tcore was observed by class; with the summer class students exhibiting significantly ( p < 0.05) higher Tcore than spring or winter students (spring: 37.7 + 0.4 °C; summer: 38.2 + 0.5 °C; winter: 37.7 + 0.5 °C). Conclusions: The Ranger School’s goal of having equally challenging road marches across classes was not met. Even with the shorter course, the thermal strain was greatest for summer students, and a greater number of spring class students passed the standard with less than maximum effort.
The Network of Genetic Admixture in Humans

Recent advances in the field of genetic data analysis reveal promising findings in the field of human history; especially when combined with proper data analysis tools. Within the field of modern genetics, there is evidence that the human populations have genetically interacted as a result of several events. The genetic admixture contains multiple pieces of DNA that have been passed down subsequently through generations making it combine DNA from different source groups. In this paper, we construct and analyze the network of human genetic admixture. We study the topology of this network, we investigate its \(\delta \)-hyperbolicity (negative curvature), and, using it, identify the core vertices by proposing the \(\delta \)-hyperbolicity-neighborhood measure that we assign to each vertex.
The Dwarf, the Goetzen and C. S. Forester’s African Queen: A Reassessment of Naval Operations in First World War Africa

ABSTRACTPublic awareness of the African theatre in the Great War stems largely from C. S. Forester’s 1935 novel The African Queen, and its subsequent 1951 film adaptation. Long thought to have been inspired by British activities on Lake Tanganyika, Forester’s novel more closely resembles events in Cameroon where German missionary Alphons Hermann attempted to sink HMS Dwarf using homemade torpedoes.
The Battle on the Greasy Grass, 1876

Few conflicts in American history are more famous than the Battle of the Little Big Horn, or the Greasy Grass as the Sioux called it. Few moments in American history are as clearly etched in the popular imagination as the last stand of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his Seventh Cavalry. The image of Custer and his gallant band surrounded by hordes of Indian warriors has served as a symbol of Indian-white conflict, of “civilization” battling “savagery,” of America’s frontier identity. Yet the enduring image of the last stand — promoted and perpetuated by generations of writers, artists, and movie makers — is one created by people who were not there. This chapter reproduces several views of the battle by people who lived through it and told their stories in later life: an Arikara scout for the Seventh Cavalry; a Cheyenne warrior; a Sioux council chief; a Sioux who was fourteen years old at the time; and a Sioux woman who recalled the battle from the viewpoint of the village the soldiers attacked.
Exploratory Factor Analysis

Publisher Summary Factor analysis is a collection of methods for explaining the correlations among variables in terms of more fundamental entities called factors. It grew out of the observation that variables from a carefully formulated domain, such as tests of human ability or measures of interpersonal functioning, are often correlated with each other. According to the factor analytic perspective, variables correlate because they are determined in part by common, but unobserved influences. These influences must be superordinate to the variables that are actually measured because they account for the individual differences in the tests. The goals of factor analysis are to determine the number of fundamental influences underlying a domain of variables, to quantify the extent to which each variable is associated with the factors, and to obtain information about their nature from observing which factors contribute to performance on which variables. The chapter also illustrates how factor analysis resembles the partial correlation problem in several ways.
On a Normal Mean with Known Coefficient of Variation

This paper deals with estimation of θ when iid (independent and identically distributed) observations are available from a N(θ,cθ2) distribution where c > 0 is assumed to be known. Using the equivariance principle under the group of scale and direction transformations we first characterize the class of equivariant estimators of θ. We then investigate a few equivariant estimators, including the maximum likelihood estimator, in terms of standardized bias and standardized mean squared error.
Automatic Synthesis of NF Models by Program Analysis

Network functions (NFs), like firewall, NAT, IDS, have been widely deployed in today’s modern networks. However, currently there is no standard specification or modeling language that can accurately describe the complexity and diversity of different NFs. Recently there have been research efforts to propose NF models. However, they are often generated manually and thus error-prone. This paper proposes a method to automatically synthesize NF models via program analysis. We develop a tool called NFactor, which conducts code refactoring and program slicing on NF source code, in order to generate its forwarding model. We demonstrate its usefulness on two NFs and evaluate its correctness. A few applications of NFactor are described, including network verification.
Influence of polyamide membrane surface chemistry on gypsum scaling behavior

Abstract Mineral scaling of thin-film composite desalination membranes is affected by the surface chemistry and roughness of the membrane polyamide selective layer, but the relative contributions of these surface properties to scaling is unknown. We studied the influence of differences in polyamide surface chemistry on gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) scaling of thin-film composite membranes, independent of surface roughness, with the goal of improving scaling resistance through changes to membrane surface chemistry. Smooth polyamide films and thin-film composite membranes were created using a molecular layer-by-layer deposition technique, and the surface chemistry of the polyamide films was enriched with amine or carboxyl functional groups by varying the final monomer deposition step in the layer-by-layer assembly process. Polyamide films and composite membranes with different surface chemistry were subjected to gypsum scaling by both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation mechanisms. Results from quartz crystal microbalance experiments and dynamic membrane scaling tests show that differences in the polyamide surface chemistry do not influence long-term gypsum scaling behavior. We conclude that hydrodynamic conditions have a greater effect than differences in surface chemistry on the gypsum scaling behavior of polyamide thin-film composite membranes.
A computationally identified compound antagonizes excess FGF-23 signaling in renal tubules and a mouse model of hypophosphatemia.

Patients with excess fibroblast growth factor–23 (FGF-23) in their circulation have metabolic deficiencies that contribute to chronic kidney disease and the bone-softening disorder rickets. The pharmacokinetics of the available molecules that target the FGF-23 receptor complex limit clinical applicability. Xiao et al. used computationally based screening to identify a compound predicted to bind the ligand, not the receptor. When tested experimentally, the compound was selective for FGF-23 compared to other FGF family ligands and prevented FGF signaling in cultured kidney cells and isolated renal tubules. The compound reduced the serum concentration of FGF-23 and raised the serum concentration of phosphorus, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone in a mouse model of excess FGF-23. Thus, this approach of targeting the ligand, rather than the receptor, may be a new therapeutic option for hypophosphatemic patients.
Analysis of Predictors of Resection and Survival in Locally Advanced Stage III Pancreatic Cancer: Does the Nature of Chemotherapy Regimen Influence Outcomes?

Background Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC) historically portends a poor prognosis. FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel have proven effective in the metastatic setting. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of these regimens compared with older regimens in LAPC.
Recovering relative orientation and scale from visual odometry and ranging radio measurements

In this paper we propose a new approach to recovering the relative position and orientation of a pair of platforms moving on the plane by fusing the kinds of estimates provided by visual odometry systems with distance measurements obtained from ranging radio systems. By combining these two complementary sources of information we are able to provide estimates that could not be obtained using either source separately. We show that the localization problem can be phrased as an optimization problem where we are interested in maximizing a convex function subject to a set of convex constraints and we propose an efficient and effective solution scheme that leverages the structure of the problem. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate that the proposed method performs creditably on actual robotic platforms.
Risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias following improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators implanted for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

In patients who undergo implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD), data is unclear whether their ICD generator needs to be replaced at end of life if their left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) improves. Despite improvement in EF, the underlying scar may represent a potential substrate for ventricular arrhythmias. Data on 280 patients who underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention of SCD was obtained from two centers. Patients were followed for any improvement in EF to ≥35%. All arrhythmic events during follow-up, including appropriate and inappropriate shocks/ATP, were recorded. Thirty percent (n = 86/280) of patients improved their EF to >35% of which 41% (n = 37) underwent a generator change by the study ending period with the rest not yet at ERI. Mean baseline EF in patients with and without target EF improvement was 26 ± 7 and 23 ± 7% (p = 0.2). After excluding patients whose arrhythmic events data were unavailable, the final sample consisted of 62 patients in the EF improvement group and 156 patients in the group without EF improvement. In the group with EF improvement, appropriate events (shock + ATP) were noted in 19% of patients (n = 12/62) and inappropriate shocks and ATP in 6% of (n = 4/62) patients after their EF improved to >35%. Four patients received appropriate therapies when their EF was low prior to improvement. In contrast, in patients who had no improvement in EF, 27% (n = 43/156) received an appropriate therapy (p = 0.6) while 11% (n = 18/156) (p = 0.2) received inappropriate shocks and ATP. All-cause mortality was higher in patients without subsequent improvement in EF versus those with EF improvement (31 vs. 15% (p = .005). There was no significant difference in the number of appropriate therapies received by each group. Patients continue to be at high risk for sudden cardiac death despite improvement in EF.
Phonemic analysis-synthesis skills of normal and speech defective children

A group of 18 normal speaking Ss and 18 children with developmental articulatory speech defects were matched and exposed to three series of tape recorded utterances which were associated with 47 minimal triplet words. In condition I, each child heard one word from each of the 47 triplets; progressively fragmented words were given in conditions II and III. The child repeated the words or completed the mutilated members of the triplets and pointed to one of three pictures depicting each of the. triplets. The groups did not differ in condition I. The speech defective children, however, were inferior to the normal Ss in perceptual integration of fragmented words. These findings were discussed in terms of phonemic ‘cloze’ and suggestions for further research were offered.
Endogenous circadian rhythm of basal pupil size in rabbits

Purpose The authors examined the circadian change of basal pupil size in light-dark entrained normal rabbits and in entrained rabbits with unilaterally decentralized ocular sympathetic nerves. The pattern of the circadian pupillary rhythm was compared with the circadian patterns of intraocular pressure (IOP) and body temperature in the same rabbits. Methods Adult male New Zealand albino rabbits were entrained to a daily 12-hour light-12-hour dark cycle. Using an infrared camera recording system, basal pupil sizes in seven entrained rabbits were videotaped under a constant dark environment at 1-hour intervals for 24 hours. Hourly IOP and rectal temperature in the same rabbits were measured separately under both the regular light-dark cycle and constant dark. In 10 entrained rabbits that underwent unilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk, measurements of pupil size and IOP in constant dark were performed. Results In normal rabbits, a smaller basal pupil size in the subjective light phase and a consistently larger pupil size in the subjective dark phase were observed. Notably, pupil size increased sharply at the beginning of the subjective dark phase and peaked shortly. Circadian rhythms of IOP and body temperature were present under the regular light-dark cycle and in constant dark. As did pupillary enlargement, IOP rose sharply at the beginning of the subjective dark phase and peaked shortly thereafter. Body temperature, however, increased gradually and peaked in the late subjective dark phase. In rabbits with unilaterally decentralized ocular sympathetic nerves, the circadian rhythm of pupil size was present only in the intact eye. In addition, the circadian IOP elevation in the decentralized eye was reduced significantly. Conclusions In light-dark entrained rabbits, basal pupil size changes in a circadian pattern and peaks at the beginning of the dark phase. The circadian pupillary rhythm disappears after ocular sympathetic decentralization. There are similar characteristics in the circadian rhythm of IOP. The increase of basal pupil size in the early dark phase is not related to the nocturnal increase of body temperature.
Production of free fatty acids from switchgrass using recombinant Escherichia coli

Switchgrass is a promising feedstock to generate fermentable sugars required for the sustainable operation of biorefineries because of their abundant availability, easy cropping system, and high cellulosic content. The objective of this study was to investigate the potentiality of switchgrass as an alternative sugar supplier for free fatty acid (FFA) production using engineered Escherichia coli strains. Recombinant E. coli strains successfully produced FFAs using switchgrass hydrolysates. A total of about 3 g/L FFAs were attained from switchgrass hydrolysates by engineered E. coli strains. Furthermore, overall yield assessments of our bioconversion process showed that 88 and 46% of the theoretical maximal yields of glucose and xylose were attained from raw switchgrass during sugar generation. Additionally, 72% of the theoretical maximum yield of FFAs were achieved from switchgrass hydrolysates by recombinant E. coli during fermentation. These shake-flask results were successfully scaled up to a laboratory scale bioreactor with a 4 L working volume. This study demonstrated an efficient bioconversion process of switchgrass-based FFAs using an engineered microbial system for targeting fatty acid production that are secreted into the fermentation broth with associated lower downstream processing costs, which is pertinent to develop an integrated bioconversion process using lignocellulosic biomass. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:91-98, 2018.
Heart Functional and Structural Compendium of Cardiosplenic and Cardiorenal Networks in Acute and Chronic Heart Failure Pathology

The present compendium shows irreversible ventricular dysfunction as assessed by temporal echocardiography while histological and structural measurements of the spleen and kidney added a novel dire...
Logopenic Primary Progressive Aphasia

Logopenic primary progressive aphasia is an atypical variant of Alzheimer’s disease characterized by decreased rate of spontaneous language production. PET/MR imaging demonstrates cortical atrophy and corresponding hypometabolism, typically most severe in the left lateral temporoparietal region.
Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Platelet Frataxin as a Protein Biomarker for the Rare Disease Friedreich's Ataxia.

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by an intronic GAA triplet expansion in the FXN gene, leading to reduced expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin. FA is estimated to affect 1 in 50 000 with a mean age of death in the fourth decade of life. There are no approved treatments for FA, although experimental approaches, which involve up-regulation or replacement of frataxin protein, are being tested. Frataxin is undetectable in serum or plasma, and whole blood cannot be used because it is present in long-lived erythrocytes. Therefore, an assay was developed for analyzing frataxin in platelets, which have a half-life of 10 days. The assay is based on stable isotope dilution immunopurification two-dimensional nano-ultra high performance liquid chromatography/parallel reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry. The lower limit of quantification was 0.078 pg frataxin/μg protein, and the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity for discriminating between controls and FA cases. T...