cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extended Minimal Routing in 2-D Meshes with Faulty Blocks

In this paper, several enhanced sufficient conditions are given for minimal routing in 2-dimensional (2-D) meshes with faulty nodes contained in a set of disjoint faulty blocks. It is based on an early work of Wu's minimal routing in 2-D meshes with faulty blocks. Unlike many traditional models that assume all the nodes know global fault distribution, our approach is based on the notion of limited global fault information. First, a fault model called faulty block is reviewed in which all faulty nodes in the system are contained in a set of disjoint faulty blocks. Fault information is coded in a 4-tuple called extended safety level associated with each node of a 2-D mesh to determine the feasibility of minimal routing. Specifically, we study the existence of minimal route at a given source node based on the associated extended safety level, limited distribution of faulty block information, and minimal routing. An analytical model for the number of rows and columns that receive faulty block information is also given. Extensions to Wang's minimal-connected-components (MCCs) are also considered. MCCs are rectilinear-monotone polygonal shaped fault blocks and are refinement of faulty blocks. Our simulation results show substantial improvement in terms of higher percentage of minimal routing in 2-D meshes under both fault models.
Predicting the performance of SoC verification technologies

Verification demands for system on chip (SoC) design looms as one of the most significant challenges to designers. With the substantial costs and increasing importance of system verification technologies, determining the best verification strategy is critical to SoC design and business success. The paper focuses on how a designer can apply a model to perform tradeoffs between the different types of emulation, hardware acceleration, and simulation verification tools available. The predictive power of the modeling approach is applied to usage scenarios to determine the most appropriate verification strategy to employ in current or future SoC development efforts.
Concentrated Migratory Morning Flight at Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA

Abstract I describe large volume morning flights of migrant songbirds in autumn along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, USA. These flights have at times exceeded 10,000 birds/hr since their discovery in 2002, ranking the site among the continent's highest volume regular migratory songbird concentration locations. Migrants move in “reverse” direction northeastward up a peninsula in Lake Pontchartrain, and fly across a 9-km water gap to reach the north shore, usually struggling into a headwind. Flights are dominated by Yellow and Yellow-rumped warblers (Dendroica petechia and D. coronata), Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), and American Robin (Turdus migratorius) during their respective migratory peaks. These species have exceeded 800 birds/hr, and 70 other small landbird species have been recorded. Flights of >100 birds/hr were more frequent after nights with more hours of northerly winds.
Echoic Memory Interference and Comprehension in a Foreign Language

Based on the hypothesis that students who are less able to comprehend speech in a foreign language suffer from greater echoic memory interference, faculty evaluated the listening comprehension of students in several introductory foreign language courses. The evaluations were used to assign students to weaker and stronger comprehension groups. Both groups were tested for echoic memory interference using the standard suffix procedure in which a list of digits is read with either a tone control, or a suffix recall, appended to the end of the list. Echoic interference is measured by comparing the recall performance in the suffix and nonsuffix (tone) conditions. Poorer recall of terminal digits in lists in the suffix condition, as compared to the nonsuffix condition, indicates echoic interference. The results were consistent with our hypothesis, suggesting that students with weaker listening comprehension depend more upon vulnerable sensory codes in echoic memory, while those with better comprehension rely on stable higher-order codes.
Ribosome stalling is responsible for arginine-specific translational attenuation in Neurospora crassa

The Neurospora crassa arg-2 upstream open reading frame (uORF) plays a role in negative arginine-specific translational regulation. Primer extension inhibition analyses of arg-2 uORF-containing RNA translated in a cell-free system in which arginine-specific regulation was retained revealed “toeprints” corresponding to ribosomes positioned at the uORF initiation and termination codons and at the downstream initiation codon. At high arginine concentrations, the toeprint signal corresponding to ribosomes at the uORF termination codon rapidly increased; a new, broad toeprint that represents additional ribosomes stalled on the uORF appeared 21 to 30 nucleotides upstream of this site; and the toeprint signal corresponding to ribosomes at the downstream initiation codon decreased. These data suggest that arginine increases ribosomal stalling and thereby decreases translation from the downstream initiation codon. Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are present in the 59 leaders of a number of eukaryotic mRNAs, particularly those involved in growth and development (12, 14, 18, 22, 30). Some of these are known to reduce translation from downstream initiation codons. In the best-understood example of eukaryotic uORF control, Saccharomyces cerevisiae GCN4, the predicted primary sequences of the uORFs appear relatively unimportant for their function. In other cases, the primary sequences of the uORFs are critical. The mechanistic basis for the action of these uORFs has been hypothesized to involve the sequence-dependent arrest of the ribosomes translating them. This creates a blockade to ribosomal scanning that reduces ribosome loading at the downstream initiation codon (13). Only for uORF2 of the cytomegalovirus gp48 transcript has arrest of ribosomes at a eukaryotic uORF been directly demonstrated (3, 4). In this case, ribosomes appear to arrest by an unregulated mechanism at the uORF translation termination site. However, the mechanisms by which other sequencespecific eukaryotic uORFs act and how they might play regulatory roles remain unknown.
Phosphorus storages in historically isolated wetland ecosystems and surrounding pasture uplands

Historically isolated wetland ecosystems may provide a phosphorus (P) storage sink for runoff from agricultural pastures. Four historically isolated wetlands were characterized on two cow-calf ranches in the Lake Okeechobee Basin, Florida, to (i) quantify P storage in ecosystem compartments (plant biomass, litter, and soil) of historically isolated wetlands and surrounding improved pasture uplands, (ii) determine if a P storage gradient existed with landscape position, and (iii) evaluate the potential to increase wetland ecosystem P storage if these wetlands are hydrologically restored. The hydroperiod for the wetlands studied ranged between 241 and 315 days. In general, more P was stored in wetland plant biomass and soil than in the corresponding upland compartments. Surface soils (0–10 cm) were by far the largest reservoir of P (>87%), and soil organic matter accounted for >69% of the variability in wetland soil total P. The amount of P stored in these wetlands could be increased by applying nitrogen (N), as the above-ground wetland plant biomass was N limited. Better alternatives for longer-term increases in P storage should promote increased accumulation of soil organic matter in wetland soils. Wetland hydrologic restoration that resulted in an increase in wetland area of between 5 and 20% could potentially increase wetland ecosystem P storage by up to 13 kg P ha−1.
COOPERATION, COLLECTIVES FORMATION AND SPECIALIZATION

Cooperation in spatial evolutionary game theory has revealed various interesting insights into the problem of the evolution and maintenance of cooperative behavior. In social dilemmas, cooperators create and maintain a common resource at some cost to themselves while defectors attempt to exploit the resource without contributing. This leads to classical conflicts of interest between the individual and the community with the prisoner’s dilemma as the most prominent mathematical metaphor to describe such situations. The evolutionary fate of cooperators and defectors sensitively depends on the interaction structure of the population. In spatially extended populations, the ability to form clusters or collectives often supports cooperation by limiting exploitation to the cluster boundaries but often collectives formation may also inhibit or even eliminate cooperation by hindering the dispersal of cooperators. Another attempt at resolving the conflict of interest allows individuals to drop out of unpromising public enterprises and hence changes compulsory interactions into voluntary participation. This leads to a cyclic dominance of cooperators, defectors and loners that do not participate and gives rise to oscillatory dynamics which again subtly depends on the population structure. Here we review recent advances in the dynamics of cooperation in structured populations as well as in situations where cooperative investments vary continuously. In such continuous games, the evolutionary dynamics driven by mutation and selection can lead to spontaneous diversification and specialization into high and low investing individuals which provides a natural explanation for the origin of cooperators and defectors.
Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood Infusion for Type 1 Diabetes

Objective The physical, emotional, and economic costs of type 1 diabetes (T1D) mandate continued efforts to develop effective strategies to prevent or reverse the disease. Herein, we describe the scientific and therapeutic rationale underlying efforts utilizing umbilical cord blood (UCB) as a therapy for ameliorating the progression of this autoimmune disease. Materials and Methods We recently embarked on a pilot study to document the safety and potential efficacy of autologous UCB infusion in subjects with T1D. Under this protocol, patients recently diagnosed with the disease and for whom autologous cord blood is stored, undergo infusion. Studies are performed before infusion and every 3 to 6 months postinfusion for immunologic and metabolic assessment. To date, 15 autologous infusions have been performed. Results Preliminary observations suggest that autologous cord blood transfusion is safe and provides some slowing of the loss of endogenous insulin production in children with T1D. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that umbilical cord blood contains highly functional populations of regulatory T cells (Treg) and that increased Treg populations may be found in the peripheral blood of subjects more than 6 months after cord blood infusion. We provide the rationale for cord blood–based therapies, a summary of our initial protocol, and plans for future studies designed to explore the potential of cord blood–derived regulatory T cells to treat T1D. Conclusions Prolonged follow-up and additional mechanistic efforts are urgently needed to determine if umbilical cord blood–derived stem cells can be used as part of safe and effective therapies for T1D.
Streaming Magnetic Features near Sunspots

Observations prompted by Sheeley’s discovery of outflowing CN bright points from sunspots have established that there occur small moving magnetic features (MMF’s) near sunspots. These MMF’s exhibit a highly ordered pattern of movement directly related to the associated sunspot. The observations are consistent with the concept of magnetic flux outflow (MFO), a process whereby net magnetic flux of the same polarity as the sunspot is transferred from a decaying sunspot to the surrounding magnetic network. Small magnetic flux concentrations are apparently convected outward by a velocity cell centered on the sunspot. Doppler spectroheliograms have provided evidence for such systematic outward velocities extending as far as 10000 to 20000 km beyond the outer edge of the penumbra of some sunspots, which is comparable to the extent of MFO. While MFO is best observed by means of time-lapse movies of the magnetic fields, it is also manifested morphologically on individual magnetograms by features that resemble moats (or bays) and wreaths around only those sunspots where MFO is present. Two examples of magnetic features streaming toward and into rapidly forming sunspots are described, providing evidence for the occurrence of magnetic flux inflow (MFI) associated with the growth phase of sunspot development. It is, therefore, likely that MFI and MFO are basic aspects of the evolutionary development of sunspots. Observational and instrumental aspects relevant to the investigation of MMF’s are described in the Appendix.
Male and Female Athletes' and Nonathletes' Expectations about Sport Psychology Consulting

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore expectations of athletes and nonathletes about sport psychology consulting. Tinsley's (1982) Expectations About Coun-seling-Brief form was revised using sport psychology terms. The revised instrument, Expectations About Sport Psychology Consulting (EASPC) questionnaire, was administered to 111 athletes (64 male and 47 female) and 166 nonathletes (72 male and 94 female) attending an NCAA Division I university. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the data fit the hypothesized 3-factor model (i.e., personal commitment, facilitative conditions, and consultant expertise). A 2 (College Sport Participation) 2 (Gender) MANOVA and follow-up discriminant function analyses revealed that females had higher expectancies of personal commitment than did males whereas males believed that consultants were more directive and more capable of solving problems quickly than did females. No significant differences were obtained between athletes and their peers. The results ...
T-cell Co-regulatory Molecule Expression in Renal Angiomyolipoma and Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

OBJECTIVES To investigate the expression of B7-H3 and B7-H1 in renal angiomyolipoma (AML) tumors and the related, devastating syndrome of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). We recently reported the high expression of T-cell co-regulatory B7-H ligands in renal cell carcinoma tumor vasculature and tumor cells. AML is a highly vascular tumor that most frequently emanates from the kidney. Events leading to its pathogenesis remain enigmatic and understudied. METHODS Immunohistochemical methods were used to assess the tumor expression of B7-H1 and B7-H3 in paraffin-embedded tissues from 110 patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy for renal AML and from 7 patients with LAM who had undergone lung biopsy. RESULTS B7-H3 was expressed by 100% of the AML and LAM specimens, and B7-H1 expression was detected in only 2.7% of the specimens studied. Both membranous and cytoplasmic B7-H3 expression was noted in the smooth muscle, blood vessel, and lipoid cell components of the tumors; however, no expression was detected in the adjacent, normal parenchyma tissue. B7-H3 staining was noted in a median of 90% (range 20%-100%) of cells from renal AMLs and was independent of patient age (P = .43), sex (P = .27), tumor size (P = .21), and symptomatic presentation (P = .35). CONCLUSIONS B7-H3 was expressed at high levels in renal AMLs and pulmonary LAM, and B7-H1 was infrequently expressed in these tumors. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the utility of B7-H3 as a diagnostic marker or immune/angiogenic target to improve the management of AML and the potentially devastating condition of LAM, for which effective treatment is lacking.
All Anybody Ever Wanted of Me Was to Work: The Memoirs of Edith Bradley Rendleman

All Anybody Ever Wanted of Me Was to Work: The Memoirs of Edith Bradley Rendleman. Jane Adams. ed. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1996. $39.95 hardcover, $19.95 paperback.
Toward, single molecule detection with photonic crystal microcavity biosensors

Time resolved biomolecular binding events were measured using photonic crystal microcavity resonators integrated with microfluidics. The optical field is confined to a volume of 33 /spl times/ 10/sup -18/ liters, which enables monitoring of single binding events.
Microfluidic optomechanics

We bridge between optomechanics and microfluidics by experimentally demonstrating optically excited vibrations. Our device enables extending optomechanics to non-solid phases of matter in a fluid containing microcapillary.
Tuning the properties of mucin via layer-by-layer assembly.

Multilayer films consisting of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) were prepared on various substrates using layer-by-layer assembly. The effects of both the assembly pH and ionic strength on multilayer characteristics were investigated by assessing film thicknesses (10–80 nm), surface wetting characteristics, and cell repulsion. Also, the dynamic assembly behavior was monitored using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) to further understand the effect of assembly pH on film characteristics. Assembly studies revealed that substantial amounts of BSM adhere to the outermost surface only at low pH conditions. The resulting multilayer films assembled at low pH conditions were found to exhibit hydrophilic and cell repellent behavior. In addition, it was found that batch-to-batch variations of the biopolymer BSM could dramatically alter properties.
Two Major Concerns About Service-Learning: What if We Don't Do It? And What if We Do?

American higher education has failed to cultivate a public conscience, insulating graduates from the consequences of their decisions in the lives of others; service-learning is presented as a remed...
Phase Transition Analogy for a Laser with an Injected Signal

The question of the nature of the phase transition for a laser with an injected signal, which is a coherent field with a well-defined phase, has been discussed a number of times in the literature.1,2,3,4 For a laser in the absence of an injected signal there is general agreement that in the mean field approximation, there is an analogy between the laser transition at threshold and the Landau theory of the equilibrium second order phase transition. A typical example of the Landau theory is the Curie-Weiss theory, which is an approximate model of ferromagnetism where the order parameter is taken as a scalar magnetization which can point up or down, i.e. the order parameter is real and takes on positive and negative values. The second order phase transition is the symmetry breaking spontaneous magnetization that occurs when the temperature T is lowered below the critical temperature Tc. In the mean field treatment of the laser, the usual procedure is to reduce the two component complex order parameter, the electric field, to the one component order parameter, the real part of the electric field which takes on positive and negative values.
Abstract 42: A Talin Mutant that Disrupts Talin-integrin Binding in Platelets Decelerates aIIbß3 Activation Without Pathological Bleeding

Tight regulation of integrin affinity is a critical component of hemostasis. The final step of integrin inside-out activation is talin binding to two distinct sites within the integrin β cytoplasmic tail, an NPLY sequence and a membrane-proximal region (MPR). Selective deletion of talin1 from platelets (Tln1fl/flPf4-Cre+) completely prevents integrin activation and thrombus formation, and results in profound defects in hemostasis. Interestingly, platelet-specific expression of a talin1 mutant (L325R) that lacks the ability to bind the MPR, but can still bind the NPLY sequence, phenocopies talin1-knockout platelets. In this study we sought to analyze the effects on thrombosis and hemostasis of a platelet-specific talin1 mutation (W359A) that dramatically impairs binding to the NPLY sequence and does not rescue the talin1 deficiency in transfected cells. Homozygous knock-in of talin(W359A) is embryonic lethal in mice. Thus, Tln1W359A/wt mice were crossed with Tln1fl/flPf4-Cre+ mice to generate Tln1W359A/flPf4-Cre+ (TlnWA) and Tln1wt/flPf4-Cre+ (Tlnwt) control mice. Expression of talin(W359A) in platelets partially rescued talin1 deficiency. Compared to Tlnwt controls, agonist-induced αIIbβ3 activation was reduced by ~50% and spreading on fibrinogen was only moderately impaired in TlnWA platelets. However, kinetic studies demonstrated decelerated αIIbβ3 activation in TlnWA platelets, which resulted in delayed aggregation under static conditions and reduced thrombus size at low shear rates. Interestingly, adhesion of TlnWA platelets to collagen at high shear rates was not significantly better than that of talin-deficient cells and TlnWA mice were completely protected from FeCl3-induced carotid artery occlusion. Lastly, in contrast to platelet-specific talin-knockout or TlnLR mice, TlnWA mice showed no detectable gastrointestinal bleeding and only modestly increased tail-bleeding times compared to littermate controls. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the talin(W359A) mutation decelerates, but does not abolish, talin-dependent integrin activation in platelets. Our studies further suggest that this delay in integrin activation is protective from pathological vessel occlusion while it does not affect hemostasis in mice.
O-010 Planning for Efficiency: Survey of Technical and Workflow Practices before Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background Mechanical thrombectomy plays a critical role in the management of acute ischemic stroke due to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). As healthcare systems adapt to more efficiently deliver patients with ELVO for timely thrombectomy, hospitals may benefit from increased awareness of successful workflows in place at other centers experienced with endovascular intervention. Methods E-mail and phone interviews were conducted with endovascular team members at each of 30 high volume stroke centers. Each of these centers was certified as an Advanced Comprehensive or Advanced Primary Stroke Center. Questions were categorized into four major workflow steps of triage, team activation, transport, and case preparation. Results During the triage workflow step, 53% of surveyed institutions designate specific non-physician staff to respond to stroke alerts alongside physicians and facilitate timely triage. Imaging triage involves CT angiography and CT perfusion at 57% of institutions, CT angiography without CT perfusion at 30%, and some use of MRI at 10%. During the team activation step, the neurointerventionalist was contacted prior to completion of non-invasive imaging at 86% of institutions, and thus before triage was a decision to treat could be made. Likewise, the remaining neurointerventional team members were called in prior to making a decision to treat at 59% of institutions. Team members were contacted directly by the neurointerventionalist at 63% of institutions, and by a hospital operator at 23%. Once activated, the mean required arrival time for nurse and technologist staff was 30 minutes. During the transport workflow step, patients were permitted to be transported to the neurointerventional suite before team arrival at 43% of institutions. Emergency department staff were involved in transport at 87% of facilities, while the neurointerventional team was involved at only 20%. For the case preparation step, procedural trays were set up in advance of team arrival at only 13% of institutions. Thrombectomy devices were stored in a centralized, easy-to-find location at 54% of centers. A power injector for angiographic runs was consistently used at 43%, but no institution left the injector loaded in anticipation of cases. Anesthesiology routinely participated in thrombectomies at 67% of institutions, though general anesthesia was only used consistently in only 21%. Conclusion Workflow processes related to triage, team activation, transport, and case preparation prior to mechanical thrombectomy vary widely between institutions. These differences may reflect institution-specific factors or incomplete awareness of best practices. Broader dissemination of best practices and successful workflows may allow institutions to develop more efficient systems of care than would otherwise be possible. Disclosures A. Kansagra: None. G. Meyers: None. M. Kruzich: None. D. Cross: None. C. Moran: 2; C; Medtronic Neurovascular. 3; C; Medtronic Neurovascular. C. Derdeyn: None.
A comparison of structural connectivity in anxious depression versus non-anxious depression

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders are highly co-morbid. Research has shown conflicting evidence for white matter alteration and amygdala volume reduction in mood and anxiety disorders. To date, no studies have examined differences in structural connectivity between anxious depressed and non-anxious depressed individuals. This study compared fractional anisotropy (FA) and density of selected white matter tracts and amygdala volume between anxious depressed and non-anxious depressed individuals. Methods 64- direction DTI and T1 scans were collected from 110 unmedicated subjects with MDD, 39 of whom had a co-morbid anxiety disorder diagnosis. Region of interest (ROI) and tractography methods were performed to calculate amygdala volume and FA in the uncinate fasciculus, respectively. Diffusion connectometry was performed to identify whole brain group differences in white matter health. Correlations were computed between biological and clinical measures. Results Tractography and ROI analyses showed no significant differences between bilateral FA values or bilateral amygdala volumes when comparing the anxious depressed and non-anxious depressed groups. The diffusion connectometry analysis showed no significant differences in anisotropy between the groups. Furthermore, there were no significant relationships between MRI-based and clinical measures. Conclusion The lack of group differences could indicate that structural connectivity and amygdalae volumes of those with anxious-depression are not significantly altered by a co-morbid anxiety disorder. Improving understanding of anxiety co-morbid with MDD would facilitate development of treatments that more accurately target the underlying networks.
Fluid flows with interactive boundaries

One of the most fascinating and non-intuitive class of problems in fluid mechanics are those involving the interplay between dynamic boundaries and fluid flows. The coupling between the dynamics of...
Functional Outcomes of the Ream-and-Run Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Concise Follow-up of a Previous Report

Abstract:We previously reported the results at an average of 4.5 years after treatment of 176 patients with the ream-and-run arthroplasty. In the present study, we present the patient self-reported functional outcomes and clinical implant survival of the original cohort at a mean of 10 years (range,
Small-sample performance of the MTM and MWM estimators for the parameters of log-location-scale families

ABSTRACTLog-location-scale families arise as parametric models in numerous areas of application (e.g., economics, insurance). Since outliers are common in real data sets, it is therefore important to use estimators that are robust. It was recently shown that for estimating parameters of the log-location-scale families, two methods - Trimmed (MTM) and Winsorized Moments (MWM) - offer reasonable trade-offs between robustness and efficiency when sample size is large. In this paper, we perform a simulation study to check their performance in samples as small as n = 10. For numerical examples, we consider the lognormal and log-logistic distributions and their e-contaminated neighbourhoods, as well as t10 and log-Pareto-tailed-normal distributions. We also demonstrate how the formulas of MTMand MWM estimators can be adjusted to fit other log-location-scale families and their variants. Comparisons of estimators are made on the basis of three criteria: relative efficiency with respect to the maximum likelihood es...
Impact of Bevacizumab Chemotherapy on Glioblastomas

Glioblastomas are the most common primary tumor of the brain. These tumors are differentiated from other tumors because of their highly vascularized nature, making them a prime target for anti-angiogenic therapies. Multiple phase II trials have investigated the efficacy of bevacizumab (Avastin), an antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on recurrent glioblastomas. The beneficial results of bevacizumab in these studies have led to randomized Phase III trials looking at the impact of using bevacizumab at the time of diagnosis by adding it to the standard Stupp protocol of radiation therapy plus 6 months of temozolomide. Due to the fact that there continues to be a fraction of patients who do not respond or have disease progression while on bevacizumab therapy as well as patients who experience side effects of bevacizumab requiring stoppage of treatment, future studies will be needed to determine, potentially by gene expression studies, the best candidates for this targeted therapy.
Ion Implantation Synthesis and Characterization of Cobalt Nanodots

A study of the synthesis of Co nanodots by ion implantation was carried out. Silica was implanted with 35 keV Co + ion beams with doses of 8×10 15 , 3×10 16 and 1×10 17 at/cm 2 and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of spherical nanodots in these samples. Annealing in vacuum at 900 oC was used to change the size distribution of the nanodots. The annealed samples presented an absorption band related to the plasmon collective excitation of the metallic nanodots that redshifted for higher Co contents. The magnetic character of the samples was revealed by magnetic force microscopy measurements that showed the presence of randomly distributed structures with defined magnetization in the case of annealed samples. This work shows the feasibility of synthesizing Co nanodots with controlled size distribution.
M1-E2 Mixing from L Subshell Conversion Ratios

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the multipole orders of nuclear transitions from measurements of internal conversion coefficients for a particular electron shell or internal conversion coefficient ratios for different electron shells and comparison of the results with the tabulated theoretical values. The determination of the multipole order mixture from L-subshell ratios is convenient for mixed M1-E2 transitions, because of the great sensitivity of L-subshell ratios to the E2 admixtures especially when the E2 admixtures are of the order of several per cent or less. When the three L-subshell ratios are measured, the M1-E2 mixing ratio should be overdetermined because theory requires that a unique value for the M1-E2 mixing ratio be given by any one of the three L-subshell ratios. It also studies the L-subshell ratios of rotational M1-E2 transitions. Altogether eight different transitions are studied but only three of them showed reasonable consistency in the E2 admixtures as inferred from different L-subshell ratios.
Identification of integrin drug targets for 17 solid tumor types

Integrins are contributors to remodeling of the extracellular matrix and cell migration. Integrins participate in the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton, regulate growth factor signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and control cell motility. In solid tumors, integrins are involved in promoting metastasis to distant sites, and angiogenesis. Integrins are a key target in cancer therapy and imaging. Integrin antagonists have proven successful in halting invasion and migration of tumors. Overexpressed integrins are prime anti-cancer drug targets. To streamline the development of specific integrin cancer therapeutics, we curated data to predict which integrin heterodimers are pausible therapeutic targets against 17 different solid tumors. Computational analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) gene expression data revealed a set of integrin targets that are differentially expressed in tumors. Filtered by FPKM (Fragments Per Kilobase of transcript per Million mapped reads) expression level, overexpressed subunits were paired into heterodimeric protein targets. By comparing the RNA-seq differential expression results with immunohistochemistry (IHC) data, overexpressed integrin subunits were validated. Biologics and small molecule drug compounds against these identified overexpressed subunits and heterodimeric receptors are potential therapeutics against these cancers. In addition, high-affinity and high-specificity ligands against these integrins can serve as efficient vehicles for delivery of cancer drugs, nanotherapeutics, or imaging probes against cancer.
Interprofessional education during an autism session

Abstract Interprofessional education (IPE) gained a strong foothold in the beginning of the twenty-first century as an effort to improve care to patients through enhanced teamwork. The aim of this study was to compare attitudes and experiences of the learners, which included graduate students, physicians in training, and practicing healthcare professionals, before and after an interprofessional clinical practice (IPCP) six-h autism didactic and experiential training session. The training session consisted of a 1-h lecture on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a 2-h behavior review meeting consisting of four different case study discussions among the learners, a 1-h lunch, a 1-h therapy session with children diagnosed with ASD, and a 1-h discussion among the learners. The IPCP learners (n = 63) completed a pre- and post-learning questionnaire of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and 12 Statements instruments and both showed an overall significant improvement in the learners interprofessional education after completing the training session. This study was able to show that students, professional trainees, and practicing professionals from different backgrounds led by an expert in the field can exchange ideas and role perceptions in an interprofessional didactic and experiential session, and develop improved attitudes toward IPCP. Moving forward, interprofessional education research needs to focus more on professional trainees and practicing professionals working together in combined didactic and experiential environments for children diagnosed with ASD.
Water Table Fluctuation from Green Infrastructure Sidewalk Planters in Philadelphia

AbstractPopularity of infiltration-based green infrastructure (GI) has spurred concern about rising groundwater tables and the potential detrimental effect on building foundations. This study exami...
National Expansion of Sleep Telemedicine for Veterans: The TeleSleep Program.

Study Objectives:(1) Review the prevalence and comorbidity of sleep disorders among United States military personnel and veterans. (2) Describe the status of sleep care services at Veterans Health ...
Optimization of optical parameters for improved photodynamic therapy of Staphylococcus aureus using endogenous coproporphyrin III

Abstract Background It has recently been shown that endogenous photosensitization of Gram-positive bacteria is achieved through the accumulation of the heme precursor coproporphyrin III and not protoporphyrin IX, as was previously assumed. As previous studies have operated under this assumption, the efficacy of optimal targeting of the absorption peaks of coproporphyrin III has not been explored. Methods Staphylococcus aureus was endogenously photosensitized through the addition of either the small molecule VU0038882, aminolevulinic acid, or both. The efficacy of five different LEDs whose wavelengths target different coproporphyrin III absorption peaks were determined in vitro. Based on these in vitro measurements, the effectiveness of utilizing these LEDs to treat a skin infection was predicted using a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the fluence rates and resulting bacterial reductions as a function of depth. Results Optimal targeting of the Soret band provided a 4.7-log improvement as compared to previously utilized wavelengths. Activation of the Q-bands was found to provide similar cytotoxic effects but required significantly larger doses of light. Despite near sterilization in vitro, it was predicted that Soret band targeted light would only provide at least a 2 log-reduction up to 430 μm into the skin while Q-band targeted light could remain effective up to 1 mm in depth. Multiplexing these different wavelengths was found to provide a further 0.5–1.0 log-reduction in bacterial viability. Conclusions Accurate targeting of coproporphyrin III has shown that endogenous photodynamic therapy has the potential to be further developed into an effective treatment of skin and soft tissue infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.
Constraints to commercialisation of smallholder agriculture in Tanintharyi division, Myanmar

Myanmar is a country in rapid economic and political transition, with opportunities emerging for its smallholders to benefit from current economic growth. However many smallholders are trapped in semi-subsistence agriculture, disconnected from markets. Commercialisation can increase farm incomes, and - through the multiplier effect - lead to wider pro-poor growth in the rural economy. However, there are many constraints to commercialisation that prevent this process from occurring. While literature on constraints confronting smallholders abounds internationally, there is a paucity of literature on the challenges confronting smallholders in Myanmar. This study investigates constraints to commercial farming in the townships (districts) of Myeik and Palaw in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi Division. A representative two-stage sample of 259 rural households was drawn from these townships, and data relating to livelihoods and agricultural enterprises were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The most important determinants of commercialisation identified using Heckman regression were the household’s land endowment, liquidity, land quality, and productive assets. Access to affordable financial services could boost household liquidity and investment in farm inputs, assets and improvements to land, so alleviating the most important constraints to commercial farming.
A Statistical Method for Associating Earthquakes with Their Source Faults in Southern California

We present a new statistical method for associating earthquakes with their source faults in the Southern California Earthquake Center’s 3D Community Fault Models (CFMs; Plesch et al., 2007) in near‐real time and for historical earthquakes. The method uses the hypocenter location, focal mechanism orientation, and earthquake sequencing to produce the probabilities of association between a given earthquake and each fault in the CFM as well as the probability that the event occurred on a fault not represented in the CFM. We used a set of known likely associations (the Known Likely Sets) as training or testing data and demonstrated that our models perform effectively on these examples and should be expected to perform well on other earthquakes with similar characteristics including the full catalog of southern California earthquakes (Hauksson et al., 2012). To produce near‐real‐time associations for future earthquakes, the models have been implemented as an R script and connected to the Southern California Seismic Network data processing system operated by the California Institute of Technology and the U.S. Geological Survey to automatically produce fault associations for earthquakes of M ≥ 3.0 as they occur. To produce historical associations, we apply the method to the most recent CFM version (v.5.2), yielding modeled historical associations for all events of M ≥ 3.0 in the catalog of southern California earthquakes from 1981 to 2016. More than 80% of these events and 99% of moment within the geography covered by the CFM had a primary association with a CFM fault. The models can help identify clusters of small earthquakes that indicate the onset of activity associated with major faults. The method will also assist in communicating objective information about the faults that source earthquakes to the scientific community and general public. In the event of a damaging southern California earthquake, the near‐real‐time association will provide valuable information regarding the similarity of the current event to forecast scenarios, potentially aiding in earthquake response.
Towards a Threat Model for Fog Computing

In recent years, the addition of billions of Internet of Thing (IoT) device spawned a massive demand for computing service near the edge of the network. Due to latency, limited mobility, and location awareness, cloud computing is not capable enough to serve these devices. As a result, the focus is shifting more towards distributed platform service to put ample computing power near the edge of the networks. Thus, paradigms such as Fog and Edge computing are gaining attention from researchers as well as business stakeholders. Fog computing is a new computing paradigm, which places computing nodes in between the Cloud and the end user to reduce latency and increase availability. As an emerging technology, Fog computing also brings newer security challenges for the stakeholders to solve. Before designing the security models for Fog computing, it is better to understand the existing threats to Fog computing. In this regard, a thorough threat model can significantly help to identify these threats. Threat modeling is a sophisticated engineering process by which a computer-based system is analyzed to discover security flaws. In this paper, we applied two popular security threat modeling processes - CIAA and STRIDE - to identify and analyze attackers, their capabilities and motivations, and a list of potential threats in the context of Fog computing. We posit that such a systematic and thorough discussion of a threat model for Fog computing will help security researchers and professionals to design secure and reliable Fog computing systems.
Correspondence: Adaptation, learning, self-repair, and feedback

In this note, definitions of adaptation, learning, and self-repair are proposed, and the relation of adaptation and feedback indicated. Learning and self-repair are defined as special forms of adaptation.
Assessment of stress markers in restrained individuals following physical stress with and without sham CED activation.

Abstract Introduction Law enforcement and pre-hospital care personnel often confront individuals who must be physically restrained. Many are under the influence of illicit substances, and law enforcement officers may need to use a controlled electrical device (CED) to gain control of the individual and they are often placed into the prone maximum restraint (PMR) position. These techniques have previously been evaluated for their physiologic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological effects of anticipating and experiencing a sham CED activation in healthy human subjects who were exercised and restrained compared with no sham activation by assessing the differences in a panel of several known biomarkers of stress. Methods We performed a randomized, crossover controlled human subject trial to study the stress associated with exercise, physical exhaustion, and restraint with and without an added psychological stress simulating the field use of a CED. Twenty five total subjects; each subject performed two different trials each consisting of a brief period of intense exercise on a treadmill to exhaustion followed by placement in the PMR with and without induced psychological stress. Blood samples were collected for analysis pre and post exercise, as well as 10 min after completion of the exercise. A panel of hormones and stress markers were measured. Results We found no significant differences in any of the stress biomarkers measured between the two study groups. A trend towards higher levels of copeptin was measured in the sham CED activation arm. Conclusion During a brief period of intense exercise followed by the psychological stress of anticipated CED application, there did not appear to be statistically significant changes in the stress panel of biomarkers measured, only a trend towards significance for higher copeptin levels in the patients exposed to the psychological stress.
Conservation status, threats, and information needs of small mammals in Alaska

ABSTRACT Despite their diversity and ecological importance, small mammals are under-represented in conservation research relative to other mammals. We evaluated the conservation status of 36 small mammal species in Alaska, U.S.A. using a ranking system that we previously developed, the Alaska Species Ranking System (ASRS). We compared results from the ASRS with NatureServe’s subnational rankings. Finally, we surveyed taxonomic experts to identify recommended conservation actions and research priorities for 5 species of high conservation concern. In general, the ASRS and NatureServe agreed on the rankings of species in the highest and lowest risk categories. Species of highest conservation concern were taxa endemic to the state, including 2 island-endemic shrews, and taxa from the orders Chiroptera and Eulipotyphla. Because the ASRS includes information needs in its assessment, 15 of the 20 species considered lowest concern by NatureServe were considered intermediate concern by the ASRS. In the ASRS, most species (n = 24) were assessed to have low biological vulnerabilities, but high information needs. Population size and trends were unknown for all species; distributional limits and understanding of population dynamics were incomplete for all species except 4. Disease and climate change effects on habitat were perceived as important threats, but affected only 8 species. Taxonomic experts identified addressing data deficiencies and protecting habitat as important conservation actions; they identified monitoring population trends, modeling habitat, and researching species’ genetic diversity and adaptive capacity as high priorities. Conservation assessments that require accurate and current data on population trends or threats may lead to bias against data deficient groups such as small mammals. Our findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for data deficiencies in conservation status ranks to avoid conflation of sparse information with low conservation concern.
How to make money in food animal practice plus stuff they might not have taught you in school

On the day that you graduate from veterinary school, you have the greatest amount of knowledge that you will ever have. However, you are not the best veterinarian that you will ever be on the day that you graduate. As you progress through your practice career, you will gain wisdom. Wisdom is gained through experience, but only if you pay attention and learn from your mistakes. You may not be the best veterinarian that you ever were on the day that you retire due to your knowledge both being lost over time and becoming outdated. However, you can always be improving as a veterinarian through continuing education, learning from clients, peers, and experience, and most importantly: curiosity. “Semper curiosus!”
International Transmission of Confidence Shocks

This paper investigates the role of global confidence cycles, measured as the common factor across a wide range of business or consumer confidence indicators, on macroeconomic and financial fluctuations in 40 countries. I estimate a factor-augmented vector autoregression model, where global confidence shocks are identified through recursive restriction. I report two main results. First, the global confidence cycle has played a key role in macroeconomic fluctuations, explaining over a quarter of total variation in industrial production and unemployment rates over 1985-2019, based on median across countries. Second, the transmission of global confidence shocks to domestic variables was significant in most countries although it was more pronounced in advanced economies than in emerging market and developing economies.