cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ROCK1 plays an essential role in the transition from cardiac hypertrophy to failure in mice

Abstract Pathological cardiac hypertrophy caused by diverse etiologies eventually leads to cardiac dilation and functional decompensation. We have recently reported that genetic deletion of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) inhibited several pathological events including cardiomyocyte apoptosis in compensated hypertrophic hearts. The present study investigated whether ROCK1 deficiency can prevent the transition from hypertrophy to heart failure. Transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of Gαq develop compensated cardiac hypertrophy at young ages, but progress into lethal cardiomyopathy accompanied by increased apoptosis after pregnancy or at old ages. The studies were first carried out using age- and pregnancy-matched wild-type, Gαq, ROCK1 −/− , and Gαq/ROCK1 −/− mice. The potent beneficial effect of ROCK1 deletion is demonstrated by abolishment of peripartum mortality, and significant attenuation of left ventricular (LV) dilation, wall thinning, and contractile dysfunction in the peripartum Gαq transgenic mice. Increase in cardiomyocyte apoptosis was suppressed by ROCK1 deletion, associated with increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) activation and inhibition of mitochondrial translocation of Bax. In addition, ROCK1 deficiency also improved survival, inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and preserved LV dimension and function in old Gαq mice at 12 months. Furthermore, transgenic overexpression of ROCK1 increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and accelerated hypertrophic decompensation in Gαq hearts in the absence of pregnancy stress. The present study provides for the first time in vivo evidence for the long-term beneficial effects of ROCK1 deficiency in hypertrophic decompensation and suggests that ROCK1 may be an attractive therapeutic target to limit heart failure progression.
Changes in wingstroke kinematics associated with a change in swimming speed in a pteropod mollusk, Clione limacina

SUMMARY In pteropod mollusks, the gastropod foot has evolved into two broad, wing-like structures that are rhythmically waved through the water for propulsion. The flexibility of the wings lends a tremendous range of motion, an advantage that could be exploited when changing locomotory speed. Here, we investigated the kinematic changes that take place during an increase in swimming speed in the pteropod mollusk Clione limacina. Clione demonstrates two distinct swim speeds: a nearly constant slow swimming behavior and a fast swimming behavior used for escape and hunting. The neural control of Clione 9s swimming is well documented, as are the neuromuscular changes that bring about Clione 9s fast swimming. This study examined the kinematics of this swimming behavior at the two speeds. High speed filming was used to obtain 3D data from individuals during both slow and fast swimming. Clione 9s swimming operates at a low Reynolds number, typically under 200. Within a given swimming speed, we found that wing kinematics are highly consistent from wingbeat to wingbeat, but differ between speeds. The transition to fast swimming sees a significant increase in wing velocity and angle of attack, and range of motion increases as the wings bend more during fast swimming. Clione likely uses a combination of drag-based and unsteady mechanisms for force production at both speeds. The neuromuscular control of Clione 9s speed change points to a two-gaited swimming behavior, and we consider the kinematic evidence for Clione 9s swim speeds being discrete gaits.
Carcinoembryonic antigen directed herpes viral oncolysis improves selectivity and activity in colorectal cancer

Background. G207 is an oncolytic herpes virus whose replicative cycle requires cellular ribonucleotide reductase (RR) for viral DNA synthesis. We attempt to enhance viral cytotoxicity in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-producing colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through CEA-driven RR production. Methods. CEA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on LS174T and HCT-8 human CRC cells. The CEA enhancer-promoter (CEA E-P) was functionally assessed by luciferase assay. CEA E-P was cloned upstream of UL39, the gene encoding the large subunit of RR. Cells were transfected with CEA E-P/LL39 and infected with G207 for cytotoxicity assays. LS174T, with or without CEA E-P/UL39, were implanted into athymic mouse flanks (n = 28) and treated with G207. Results. CEA levels were 7-fold higher in LS174T versus HCT-8 (P <.00001). CEA E-P increased luciferase expression 7.5-fold in LS174T (P <.01), with no increase in HCT-8. G207 cytotoxicity of CEA E-P/UL39-transfected LS174T cells increased 69% by day 10 versus nontransfected cells (P <.001), with no significant increase in HCT-8. Combining CEA E-P/UL39 with G207 in LSI 74T flank tumors resulted in a 65% decrease in tumor volume versus G207, phosphate-buffered saline, or CEA E-P/UL39 alone (P <.0001). Conclusions. CEA-driven RR production by CEA-secreting CRC cells significantly improves oncolytic viral cytotoxicity and specificity in vitro, and reduces tumor burden in vivo.
Defining the transcriptional redundancy of early bodywall muscle development in C. elegans: evidence for a unified theory of animal muscle development

Myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) are required for mammalian skeletal myogenesis. In contrast, bodywall muscle is readily detectable in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos lacking activity of the lone MRF ortholog HLH-1, indicating that additional myogenic factors must function in the nematode. We find that two additional C. elegans proteins, UNC-120/SRF and HND-1/HAND, can convert naive blastomeres to muscle when overproduced ectopically in the embryo. In addition, we have used genetic null mutants to demonstrate that both of these factors act in concert with HLH-1 to regulate myogenesis. Loss of all three factors results in embryos that lack detectable bodywall muscle differentiation, identifying this trio as a set that is both necessary and sufficient for bodywall myogenesis in C. elegans. In mammals, SRF and HAND play prominent roles in regulating smooth and cardiac muscle development. That C. elegans bodywall muscle development is dependent on transcription factors that are associated with all three types of mammalian muscle supports a theory that all animal muscle types are derived from a common ancestral contractile cell type.
Collective Teacher Efficacy: Its Meaning, Measure, and Impact on Student Achievement

This article is a theoretical and empirical analysis of the construct of collective teacher efficacy. First, a model of collective efficacy was elaborated for use in schools. Then, an operational measure of collective teacher efficacy was developed, tested, and found to have strong reliability and reasonable validity. Finally, using the instrument to examine urban elementary schools in one large midwestern district, collective teacher efficacy was positively associated with differences between schools in student-level achievement in both reading and mathematics.
The data deluge: Challenges and opportunities of unlimited data in statistical signal processing

Recently, there has been a dramatic increase of the amount of audio, video, and images created and shared on the internet by users around the world. Much of this content is publicly available and free of cost. When viewed through the lens of pattern classification, this content can be seen as a virtually unlimited supply of training data for various statistical modeling and labeling tasks such as speech recognition and computer vision. In order to effectively exploit this data resource, significant research challenges must be addressed. In this paper, we present three significant challenges that must be solved to harness the potential of this “data deluge”. We then describe recent work in spoken language processing and image processing that has begun to address these challenges in order to tackle large-scale classification tasks. By bringing together the work of these two communities, we hope to stimulate the cross-pollination of ideas and methods among different signal processing communities.
Comparison of mechanical and in vivo performance of new and reprocessed harmonic scalpels.

Abstract Objectives To compare the mechanical and clinical performance of new and reprocessed harmonic scalpels (HS). Methods A total of 89 reprocessed and 90 new HS (laparoscopic coagulating shears with a curved blade and 5-mm-diameter shaft) were subjected to visual inspection, destructive testing, and nondestructive mechanical testing. Subsequently, new HS, randomly selected reprocessed HS, and selected reprocessed HS with known abnormalities were graded on clinical performance by 14 surgeons in a porcine model. Results Visual inspection of the HS discriminated between the new and reprocessed instruments in 11 of the 12 visual criteria ( P ≤0.02). In vitro mechanical testing revealed greater clamp arm dislodge forces for the new HS ( P P P P = 0.01) and were significantly better for tissue sticking ( P = 0.01), tissue transection ( P = 0.02), tissue dissection ( P P P = 0.04) compared with reprocessed HS with obvious defects. Conclusions In vitro and in vivo data demonstrated significantly greater performance for new HS compared with reprocessed HS. Mechanical testing of reprocessed HS could not adequately distinguish which HS would result in decreased performance. These findings raise important issues of clinical safety in the contemporary quest for cost-effectiveness.
A bioassay for the detection of benzimidazoles reveals their presence in a range of environmental samples

Cobamides are a family of enzyme cofactors that include vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and are produced solely by prokaryotes. Structural variability in the lower axial ligand has been observed in cobamides produced by diverse organisms. Of the three classes of lower ligands, the benzimidazoles are uniquely found in cobamides, whereas the purine and phenolic bases have additional biological functions. Many organisms acquire cobamides by salvaging and remodeling cobamides or their precursors from the environment. These processes require free benzimidazoles for incorporation as lower ligands, though the presence of benzimidazoles in the environment has not been previously investigated. Here, we report a new purification method and bioassay to measure the total free benzimidazole content of samples from microbial communities and laboratory media components. The bioassay relies on the “calcofluor-bright” phenotype of a bluB mutant of the model cobalamin-producing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. The concentrations of individual benzimidazoles in these samples were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Several benzimidazoles were detected in subpicomolar to subnanomolar concentrations in host-associated and environmental samples. In addition, benzimidazoles were found to be common contaminants of laboratory media components. These results suggest that benzimidazoles present in the environment and in laboratory media have the potential to influence microbial metabolic activities.
The Voices of Registered Play Therapists as Supervisors

This study examined the background, perceived training needs, and issues of Registered Play Therapist Supervisors (n 305) and their supervisees. Supervisors completed a four-part survey regarding demographics, supervisor and supervisee issues, and perceptions of training needs for supervisors of play therapists. Important findings are the lack of training in and possible understanding of clinical supervision, the lack of perceived need for supervision of supervision, and the absence of countertransference as an important issue for supervisors.
Some experience with absorption, phonon Raman, and luminescence spectroscopic probes of crystal structure of f-element compounds

Abstract Spectroscopic probes can be very useful and rapid for identifying the solid state crystal structure exhibited by an f-element compound. In some cases spectroscopic means of identifying crystal structure might be the only way to carry out conveniently experimental investigations while varying the sample temperature and/or pressure. Some successes and limitations of our absorption, phonon Raman, and luminescence spectroscopic methods for identifying crystal structures of f-element compounds are discussed and summarized.
Roles of Religious Involvement and Social Support in the Risk of Colon Cancer among Blacks and Whites

This population-based case-control study of Blacks and Whites in North Carolina (1996–2000) examined the relation between social ties, etiology of colon cancer, and stage of disease at diagnosis. Interviews were conducted with 637 cases and 1,043 controls. Information was collected on two dimensions of social ties, structural (network) dimensions and functional (emotional and tangible help) dimensions. Infrequent attendance at religious services (less than once per month) was associated with a regional/advanced stage of colon cancer at diagnosis in Whites (odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 2.57; p for trend = 0.02) but not in Blacks (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.66, 2.21; p for trend = 0.80). Among Blacks, minimal emotional support was strongly associated with risk of colon cancer (OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.06, 10.35; p for trend < 0.001) and with both local (OR = 3.69, 95% CI: 1.08, 12.69; p for trend < 0.001) and advanced (OR = 5.10, 95% CI: 2.03, 12.82; p for trend < 0.01) disease. No associations between emotional support and risk of colon cancer or stage of disease were observed among Whites. These results suggest that certain characteristics of social ties are associated with both risk of and prognostic indicators for colon cancer.
MDS-Med Guide®: Assessing Medication Effects Using Resident Assessment Data (CE)

Abstract The MDS-Med Guide ® is a unique new clinical tool developed to integrate patient assessment data with medication monitoring in the federally mandated resident assessment process. The guide correlates medication effects with a patient's physical, functional, and psychosocial status; identifies medications that may cause or aggravate common geriatric problems; and facilitates incorporation of medication information into the patient's care plan. The information provided in the guide is applicable to all geriatric patients receiving medication therapy to treat chronic diseases and conditions and should be of benefit to geriatric nurses in all practice settings. (Geriatr Nurs 2000;21:291-8)
Strategic HRM in North America: looking to the future

Strategic human resources management (HRM) remains one of the most popular and rapidly growing areas of HRM research. In this article, we undertake a selective review of the strategic HRM literature with a particular emphasis on research from the North American context. After outlining the research landscape and areas of consensus and disagreement, we discuss several emerging issues that effective HRM systems must contend with in the future, including technological fluidity, workforce demographic changes and shifting worker values. With an eye toward future research opportunities, we also discuss the broadening of performance outcomes in strategic HRM research and highlight the importance of effectively managing HRM systems for multiple employee groups.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF SPRING ANALOGY FOR DYNAMIC UNSTRUCTURED FLUID MESHES

Dynamic fluid grids are commonly used for the solution of flow problems with moving boundaries. They are often represented by a network of fictitious lineal springs that can become unreliable when the fluid mesh undergoes large displacements and/or deformations. In this paper, we propose to control the arbitrary motion of two-dimensional dynamic unstructured fluid grids with additional torsional springs. We show that such springs can be designed to prohibit the interpenetration of neighboring triangles, and therefore to provide the method of spring analogy with the robustness needed for enlarging its range of applications. We illustrate our new dynamic mesh motion algorithm with several examples that highlight its advantages in terms of robustness, quality, and performance.
A self-organizing hybrid sensor system with distributed data fusion for intruder tracking and surveillance

A wireless sensor network is a network of distributed sensor nodes each equipped with its own sensors, computational resources and transceivers. These sensors are designed to be able to sense specific phenomenon over a large geographic area and communicate this information to the user. In this work a novel approach to tracking dynamic targets in a sensor field is presented. Using a combination of static and mobile sensor nodes we can track a target through the sensor field. Unlike other tracking methods that are based on computationally complex methods, the strategy adopted in this work is based on a computationally simple but effective technique of dividing the coverage region into grids based on the target location. The algorithms developed are based on a number of reasonable assumptions that are easily verified in a densely distributed sensor networks and require simple computations that efficiently tracks the target in the sensor field. The performance analysis of the tracking system is done on an experimental test-bed and also through simulation and the improvement in accuracy over other methods demonstrated.
Small comet hypothesis draws renewed attention

Five papers that will appear in the December 15 issue of the AGU publication Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) are heating up an ongoing debate about a hypothesis that small and watery comet-like objects, each about the size of a small house and most weighing 20–40 tons, bombard the Earth 10 million times each year and deposit water vapor into the upper atmosphere. Louis Frank, physics professor at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and John Sigwarth, senior research associate there, say that these small comets dissipate into water vapor and may have sprinkled enough water over the history of the planet to fill the oceans.
Periscope detection radar

The periscope detection problem is described. An advanced simulation model is developed which allows the performance of advanced periscope detection radars to be determined. An advanced system employing three-dimensional filters and distribution-free CFAR is postulated. Detection curves are developed showing the effects of radar resolution, platform altitude and sea state on system performance. The best detection performance is achieved with high resolution radar operating at low platform altitudes.
Query driven simulation using SIMODULA

This paper describes the design and early implementation phases of a simulation modeling environment that integrates a process-oriented simulation language and a database system with object-oriented extensions. User may interact with the system simply by formulating SQL-like queries to retrieve information stored from previous simula tions, or indeed cause information to be automatically generated.
La Politique Populaire A-T-Elle Un Genre? Un Exemple Mexicain (Do Popular Politics Have a Gender: A Mexican Example)

The study of men-as-men shows that there has been no groundswell demand by men to study themselves; on the contrary, the study of men and masculinities has arisen with the feminist movements, the gay and lesbian movements, and because of their demands to transform gender inequalities in all their cultural, social, economic, and political aspects. This essay is a contribution toward an analysis of gender focused on the “lost” subjects in gender studies: as actors with volition and agency, men are engendered and engendering, too.
Predictors of mortality in patients hospitalized for congestive heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 40.

Background: There are limited data regarding the predictors of mortality in patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40%. Methods: We evaluated clinical characteristics, mortality and prognostic factors in a sample of consecutive patients hospitalized for CHF with LVEF ≥ 40%. Multivariable Cox regression models were developed to predict mortality using baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic variables. Results: The study population consisted of 191 patients, mean age 70 ± 14.6 years (60% female) with average follow-up of 4.0 ± 2.8 years. Cumulative 5-year mortality was 58% in the entire population and it was 59% in men and 57% in women (p = 0.411). In multivariable analyses, predictors of mortality were the following: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) > 25 mg/dL (HR = 1.77; p = 0.002); absence of hypertension (HR = 1.58; p = 0.032), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) ≤ 4.1 cm (HR = 1.73; p = 0.011) and LVEF ≤ 45% (HR = 1.69; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Patients hospitalized for heart failure with LVEF ≥ 40% have very high mortality. Absence of hypertension, elevated BUN and lower LVEF ≤ 45% indicate increased risk of short- and long-term mortality. Lower LVEDD is an independent predictor of mortality in heart failure patients with LVEF ≥ 40%.
Nymph Growth and Development, Oviposition, and Seed Damage on Cowpea by Lygus hesperus (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Twenty cowpea genotypes were tested for resistance to Lygus hesperus Knight. During 1982, we measured the effect of these genotypes on nymph survival and growth, and ovipositional preference. Susceptibility of the 20 genotypes to Lygus -induced seed damage was also measured in both natural field and caged adult female infestations. Nymph growth and seed damage were evaluated again in 1983. Significant reductions in nymph growth were measured on 8 of the 20 entries when compared with the susceptible standard ‘California Blackeye 5’ (CB5). The two genotypes exerting greatest reduction on nymph growth were PI 170861 and PI 148674. Oviposition by Iygus bugs was significantly lower on ‘KR78-3-2’ and PI 367925 than on ‘CB5’. Mean numbers of seeds damaged by Iygus bugs were significantly lower for the cowpea acquisitions ‘New Era’, PI 227829, and ‘CR17-1-13’ than for ‘CBS’ in both free-choice and no-choice experiments. Several of these cowpea acquisitions appear to be good genetic sources for developing improved varieties with resistance to lygus bugs.
Evaluation of Optimized CPR Schemes for Computational Aeroacoustics Benchmark Problems

Correction Procedure via Reconstruction (CPR) is a differential discontinuous formulation for conservation laws. In this paper, a recently developed optimized CPR scheme, named frequency optimized CPR (FOCPR), was employed and tested. The idea is to resolve the broadest range of wave frequencies on a given mesh given an acceptable error threshold. In the FOCPR method, both polynomial and Fourier components are included in the basis. The free-parameters of the Fourier basis were chosen to minimize both dispersion and dissipation errors. The performance of the CPR and the FOCPR schemes was compared with a set of CAA problems: the 1D linear wave propagation, the 1D wave propagation on a 2D mesh governed by the 2D Euler equations, the Fourth Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) Workshop on Benchmark Problems: Category 2(C2) and Problem 2 Category 3 (C3P2). It was shown that the FOCPR scheme was able to give more accurate solutions than the CPR scheme for CAA problems on meshes with barely enough resolution for highfrequency waves. For problems with widely varying mesh sizes and non-dimensional wave numbers, the benefit from the FOCPR scheme may be limited.
A Modified Cage and Procedure for Rearing Parasites of Brown Soft Scale

The California sleeve cage was modified to facilitate collection of parasites of Coccus hesperidum L. by constructing a removable bottom and coverings for all ventilation holes. When an anesthetic, CO2, was introduced into the cage, the parasites could be collected with a modified hand vacuum device. The number of parasites collected was determined volumetrically. Then the collected parasites were transferred to field cages for field release. The modified cage resulted in savings of 29.6–59.6 man-h/wk.
Renal artery disease and hypertension.

The most important cause of renal hypertension is actually an extrarenal disease, occlusive disease of the renal arteries. Arteriosclerosis is responsible for the majority of these lesions, and stenosing fibroplasia accounts for a smaller group. The renal arterial plaques that are now being recognized in middle-aged hypertensive patients have a grave potential in terms of loss of renal function.
Occupational health status and countermeasures in welding enterprises of Changshu City

[Objective]To understand the basic situation of occupational health in welding enterprises of Changshu City,and put forward countermeasure for existing problem.[Methods]Present situation investigation was performed on 95 welding enterprises for occupational health in Changshu City in 2012. [Results]Most enterprises had relatively perfect occupational health system,some enterprises had no or not complete system. Field detection rate and occupational health examination rate was relatively low,only53. 7% and 36. 8%,respectively.[Conclusion]The field management of welding workplaces is not optimistic in this city. It is necessary to improve occupational health management system,to standardize field management of workplace,and urge enterprises to carry out the field detection in workplace and health surveillance on workers.
Study on Influence of Excitation System Parameters on Transient Characteristics of Generator Set

The excitation control system of generator has significant effect on the static stability,dynamic stability and transient stability of the power system.In power system stability calculation,using correct excitation system model and parameters is very important.Excitation system parameters are numerous,such as the excitation time constant,the static gain of the excitation system,the PID time constant,the open circuit time constant of the generator excitation windings,etc.The influence of the above parameters on the transient characteristics of the generator set is studied in the case of a three machine system in Hubei province.The research results will provide reference for the optimal of the parameters of the excitation system model.
New and emerging therapeutic options for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most challenging adverse events of chemotherapy, and one that has substantial negative effects on patients, clinicians, and the wider health care system. Use of CINV prophylaxis consistent with clinical practice guidelines is essential for attaining optimal CINV control. In recent years, there has been a dramatic improvement in the control of CINV with the introduction of effective antiemetic agents, including the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT3]) receptor antagonists (ondansetron, granisetron, and palonosetron) and the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists (aprepitant and fosaprepitant). An important benefit of the newer antiemetic agents is their improved ability to control the delayed CINV that can develop in the days after chemotherapy administration. In October 2014, a fixed-dose oral combination containing the novel NK1 receptor antagonist netupitant and palonosetron (NEPA) received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The combination of 2 effective antiemetic agents in a single, oral capsule may help simplify CINV management. Ongoing studies are evaluating new CINV approaches (eg, the novel NK1 receptor antagonist rolapitant), as well as the optimal use of existing therapies. Patient education regarding the timing, prevention, and treatment of CINV is another key component of CINV management.
Design and implementation of central control system for a multi-channel active stereoscopic virtual reality

Virtual reality can enrich both the content and means of mining experimental teaching. The paper studies the feasibility of developing a central control system for an active stereoscopic virtual reality experimental teaching system newly built at the mining virtual reality and numerical simulation center,Northeastern university,to automate and manipulate the related hardware through TCP / IP network,as well as its implementation. The authors wish their practice and experience could benefit potential readers.
Social Violence for Global Consumption: The Cultural Politics of Favela Rising

In this article, the author analyzes the documentary film Favela Rising, by directors Matt Mochary and Jeff Zimbalist. The film’s problematic depiction of Rio de Janeiro’s Grupo Cultural AfroReggae –designed as a strategy to transmit to a global audience the gruesome reality of the Vigario Geral favela– elicits a reflection about the way cultural agency and cultural agents are assessed and interpreted.
Architecture and the Welfare State

Edited by Mark Swenarton, Tom Avermaete, and Dirk van den HeuvelRoutledge, 2014360 pages$59.95 (paperback)The editors of Architecture and the Welfare State claim that despite great interest among a...
Low-Energy Theorem for γ γ → 3 π and the Reaction γ + Z → 3 π + Z

Recently a low-energy theorem was proposed by Adler, Lee, Treiman, and Zee and by Terent'ev for the reaction $2\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3\ensuremath{\pi}$. This theorem is supposed to be valid at an unphysical point in the production amplitude. One possible way to test its reliability is to measure the reaction ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}+3\ensuremath{\pi}$ which unfortunately has a very small cross section. In this paper we investigate another reaction which may allow a more satisfactory check of the low-energy theorem, namely, the photoproduction of three pions off a target nucleus. Cross sections, angular and energy distributions, and invariant-mass plots are given for several beam energies assuming a lead target. The $\ensuremath{\eta}$-meson background is also examined.
Spatial Category Bias in a Three-Dimensional Virtual Environment

One bias in spatial memory is that individuals remember a target toward the centroid of its region, the category bias or prototype effect. The standard approach to investigate the bias follows the category adjustment (CA) model by Huttenlocher, Hedges, and Duncan (1991) , with the use of a two-dimensional (2D) dot-in-circle task in which observers see a target in a blank circle and indicate its location after a brief interval. However, it is unclear whether the work has ecological validity. Investigations using real life spaces compromise control. The current paper investigated the effect in a 3D virtual environment, as it lends high levels of experimental control in a simulated naturalistic space. The pattern found with the 2D dot-in-circle task was replicated with its 3D virtual counterpart. We discuss how our method, in addition to increasing ecological validity under controlled conditions, eliminates concerns regarding studies that applied the CA model to more ecologically valid environments.
LinkageMapView—rendering high-resolution linkage and QTL maps

MOTIVATION Linkage and quantitative trait loci (QTL) maps are critical tools for the study of the genetic basis of complex traits. With the advances in sequencing technology over the past decade, linkage map densities have been increasing dramatically, while the visualization tools have not kept pace. LinkageMapView is a free add-on package written in R that produces high resolution, publication-ready visualizations of linkage and QTL maps. While there is software available to generate linkage map graphics, none are freely available, produce publication quality figures, are open source and can run on all platforms. LinkageMapView can be integrated into map building pipelines as it seamlessly incorporates output from R/qtl and also accepts simple text or comma delimited files. There are numerous options within the package to build highly customizable maps, allow for linkage group comparisons, and annotate QTL regions. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/LinkageMapView/.
Racial Differences in Heart Age and Impact on Mortality

Abstract Background Heart age is an estimate of the age of a person's cardiovascular system given their cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The difference between a person's chronological age and heart age (excess heart age) represents their added CVD risk. Objective To examine racial differences in excess heart age and whether race impacts the association between excess heart age and CVD mortality. Methods This analysis included 5110 participants (2449 non-Hispanic white, 1287 non-Hispanic black, and 1374 Mexican-American) from the NHANES III who were free of CVD. Heart age was calculated using the sex-specific non-laboratory-based Framingham risk prediction functions. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to evaluate the relationship (overall and by race) between excess heart age and CVD mortality. Results Mean excess heart age was greatest in non-Hispanic blacks (13.0 years), followed by Mexican-Americans (10.5 years), and non-Hispanic whites (8.5 years); p Conclusions Compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans have more excess heart age, but the risk of CVD death for the same level of excess heart age appears more pronounced in non-Hispanic whites. Further investigation is needed to show the usefulness of these findings in directing future efforts and resource allocation for reduction of health disparities between ethnic groups.
Direct Laser Writing of Low‐Density Interdigitated Foams for Plasma Drive Shaping

Monolithic porous bulk materials have many promising applications ranging from energy storage and catalysis to high energy density physics. High resolution additive manufacturing techniques, such as direct laser writing via two photon polymerization (DLW-TPP), now enable the fabrication of highly porous microlattices with deterministic morphology control. In this work, DLW-TPP is used to print millimeter-sized foam reservoirs (down to 0.06 g cm−3) with tailored density-gradient profiles, where density is varied by over an order of magnitude (for instance from 0.6 to 0.06 g cm−3) along a length of <100 µm. Taking full advantage of this technology, however, is a multiscale materials design problem that requires detailed understanding of how the different length scales, from the molecular level to the macroscopic dimensions, affect each other. The design of these 3D-printed foams is based on the brickwork arrangement of 100 × 100 × 16 µm3 log-pile blocks constructed from sub-micrometer scale features. A block-to-block interdigitated stitching strategy is introduced for obtaining high density uniformity at all length scales. Finally, these materials are used to shape plasma-piston drives during ramp-compression of targets under high energy density conditions created at the OMEGA Laser Facility.
Pydigree: a python library for manipulation and forward-time simulation and of genetic datasets

The development of software for working with data from population genetics or genetic epidemiology often requires substantial time spent implementing common procedures. Pydigree is a cross-platform Python 3 library that contains efficient, user friendly implementations for many of these common functions, and support for input from common file formats. Developers can combine the functions and data structures to rapidly implement programs handling genetic data. Pydigree presents a useful environment for development of applications for genetic data or rapid prototyping before reimplementation in a higher-performance language. Pydigree is freely available under an open source license. Stable sources can be found in the Python Package Index at https://pypi.python.org/pypi/pydigree/, and development sources can be downloaded at https://github.com/jameshicks/pydigree/ .
Specify the matching of motor drive and electric machine in prime mover emulators

In either a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbed of power system or a testing of an experimental machine such as a new electric generator, it would be necessary to substitute a surrogate mechanical power source for a prime mover that is not available or inapplicable onsite. In order to meet this need, the behavior of the prime mover can be emulated by an electric machine energized and controlled by a power electronic motor drive. The prime mover can be various mechanical power sources such as gas turbine, diesel engine and wind turbine, etc. In this research, we focus on using controlled alternative-current (AC) electric machines, i. e. induction machines and synchronous machines, to emulate prime movers. Based on linearization and power balance, an equation is derived to specify the matching of motor drive and electric machine in prime mover emulators (PMEs). This equation helps the selection of a motor drive and an electric machine in appropriate pair for a prime mover to be emulated. It also helps the design of test items for PMEs. The effectiveness of the matching equation has been verified by simulation tests in Matlab/Simulink.
Toward Detection of Abnormal Behaviors in Timing and Security Requirements

Finding software system defects during the requirements analysis phase can yield significant savings of time and effort when compared to finding the same defects during development or testing phases. The requirements engineering field has helped bring about significant advances in the early detection of system defects. However, a relatively small amount of research has been done regarding the detection of abnormal system behaviors. This is especially true for non-functional requirements (NFRs), which include areas such as timing and security requirements. Our work proposes the beginnings of a domain-specific modeling language for requirements analysis, with a particular emphasis on detecting abnormal system behaviors. We also demonstrate a preliminary version of our approach on a real-time embedded system.
Review of the Fractal Character of Natural Fault Surfaces with Implications for Friction and the Evolution of Fault Zones

Surface roughness has been a topic of considerable interest within the engineering community for many years, primarily because surface roughness affects the frictional properties and wear of sliding surfaces, the properties of electrical contacts, and the stiffness of machine parts (Thomas, 1982). Most engineering studies however concentrate on surfaces that can be described using Euclidean geometry rather than the type of surfaces described by fractal geometry. The reason is that almost all man-made surfaces, and many natural ones, mimic simple Euclidean geometric forms, such as spheres, cylinders, planes, or their derivatives. Euclidean shapes have great practical importance; for example, ball bearings function well because they are close approximations to spheres, while a mirror provides an undistorted reflection because it is a close approximation to a plane.
Physical, Chemical, and Mineralogical Properties of Soils

Soils used for constructing ponds originally occurred at or near the land surface. Some were well-drained soils, and others were situated in wetlands and covered with water all or part of the time. There are three basic types of aquaculture ponds: watershed ponds, levee ponds, and excavated ponds.1 Watershed ponds are formed by making embarkments across natural watercourses to impound runoff. Soils for building embankments may come from both inside and outside the areas that will become pond bottoms. Surfaces of pond bottoms may be the original land surfaces with vegetation removed, or the original land surfaces may be cut to obtain fill material for embankments and subsurface soil layers exposed. Sometimes, where topography is irregular, depressions in bottoms may be filled to prevent excessively deep areas. Final pond bottom surfaces will be compacted. Levee ponds are constructed in fairly level areas, and fill material for levees usually is cut almost entirely from pond bottom areas. Bottoms of new levee ponds are normally subsurface layers of soil that have been compacted. Excavated ponds are made by digging pits, and pond bottoms are formed by compacting subsurface layers of soil. Where site soils are highly permeable, clay may be hauled in from other areas, spread over bottoms, and compacted to form barriers against seepage in watershed and levee ponds. Bottom soils of such ponds may have physical and chemical features much different than those of native site soils.
Detection and quantitation of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157, O111, and O26 in beef and bovine feces by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 and certain non-O157 EHEC serotypes (such as O26:H11, 026: NM, O111:118, and O111:NM) have emerged as significant causes of human disease throughout the world. Important virulence attributes of EHEC are the intimin protein (encoded by the eae gene) and Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (encoded by the stxl and stx2 genes, respectively). Two sets of real-time polymerase chain reaction (R-PCR) assays were developed for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of EHEC through the monitoring of the presence of the eae and stx genes, and these assays were evaluated. In the eae R-PCR assay, three sets of primers and TaqMan probes were designed for the amplification and real-time detection of a portion of the eae gene specific to the EHEC O26, O111, and 0157 serotypes. In the stx R-PCR assay, two sets of primers and TaqMan probes were used to amplify and detect the stxl and stx2 genes. DNA prepared from 67 bacterial strains carrying known virulence markers was tested to determine the specificities of the two assays. In the eae R-PCR assay, eae O157 - and eae O111 -specific primer-probe sets identified only EHEC 0157 and O111 strains, respectively. The eae O26 -specific primer-probe set identified all EHEC 026 isolates and some Shiga toxin-negative serotypes of enteropathogenic E. coli and rabbit diarrheagenic E. coli The. stx R-PCR assay was able to identify only those strains carrying either or both of the Shiga toxin-encoding genes. The detection range of both R-PCR assays was linear over DNA concentrations corresponding to 10 3 to 10 8 CFU/ml of an EHEC strain. Both assays were able to detect and quantify very low levels (1 to 10 CFU/g of food or feces) of EHEC in feces and ground beef enriched for 16 h in a modified Trypticase soy broth. In conclusion, eae- and stx-based R-PCR assays are reliable and sensitive methods for the rapid screening and specific and quantitative detection of important serotypes of EHEC in cattle and in foods of bovine origin.
The Hardware Performance Monitor Toolkit

In this paper we present the Hardware Performance Monitor (HPM) Toolkit, a language independent performance analysis and visualization system developed for performance measurements of applications running on the IBM Power 3 with AIX and on Intel clusters with Linux. The HPM Toolkit supports analysis of applications written in Fortran, C, and C++. It was designed to collect hardware events with low overhead and minimum measurement error, and to display a rich set of metrics, including hints to help users in optimizing applications, without requiring modifications in the software infrastructure.
Development of a Photoaffinity Probe for Adrenocorticotropin Receptors

Despite the enormous interest in the study of polypeptide hormone receptors, progress has been slow owing to the extremely small concentrations of receptors in target tissues. While some significant progress has been made in the case of peptide hormones that are acidic in character, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (Dufau et al., 1975) and prolactin(Shiu and Friesen, 1974), the identification of the specific receptors of the basic polypeptide hormones has proved to be much more difficult. Peptide hormones, especially those with isoelectric points above pH 8 [e.g., adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), glucagon], display a strong tendency to bind to a variety of inert materials as well as nonreceptor components of the target tissue. Since such binding appears specific by the criteria generally employed to define receptors and since the number of such nonreceptor sites greatly exceeds that of specific receptors (Cuatrecasas et al., 1975), the task of detecting and characterizing the physiologically relevant receptor is a formidable one. Fractiona-tion of the plasma-membrane components of the target cell on the basis of binding of the radioactive hormone may result in the isolation of nonreceptor components that may display high affinity for the hormone. Other approaches to the identification of the specific receptor are therefore necessary.
Health beliefs associated with poor disease self-management in smokers with asthma and/or COPD: a pilot study.

Background: Compared to nonsmokers, smokers with chronic disease are less likely to adhere to self-management recommendations for the management of their chronic conditions. Although the literature...
E-037 Computational modeling for the pre-treatment planning of flow diverting stents

Introduction Sizing flow diverters (FDs) can be challenging during cerebral aneurysm pre-treatment planning. FDs can differ from their labelled lengths by 30% after deployment because of changes in vessel curvature and diameter. 1 Current FD sizing tools do not account for vessel shape or predict device apposition. We present a pilot study to evaluate the use of computational modelling for FD sizing. The modelling software is based on the finite element approach and has been shown to simulate FD deployments that closely match clinical deployments. 2 Methods Twenty-four patient cases in three hospitals were selected for treatment with the pipeline embolization device. Twelve of the cases were pre-planned using the SurgicalPreView computational modeling software, while the remaining cases were conventionally planned. In the computationally modeled cases, each patient’s CT image data were uploaded to SurgicalPreView and re-constructed before treatment. The principal physician simulated deployment of 1–3 different FDs on the software and evaluated simulation results before treatment. After treatment, the physician filled out a questionnaire on the usefulness of the simulation results. Further, post-treatment image data for the 12 cases were used to compare simulated and clinical deployments. Results According to physician responses, computational modeling was useful for all cases and it improved confidence in device selection. In 58% of cases, simulation results changed the physician’s original device selection. In most cases, the physician selected a longer length device or a larger device diameter after evaluating simulation results. Limited effect was observed on operative time and the number of endovascular devices used. An example comparison between simulated and clinical deployments is shown in figure 1. Conclusion Overall, the pilot study showed improvements in FD pre-treatment planning using computational modeling. Simulation results helped physicians predict the behavior of FDs in tortuous vessels and with maximizing apposition. Pretreatment planning may reduce costs by shortening operative time and reducing the number of devices used. Improvements to FD selection can potentially lead to better patient outcomes. References Fernandez H, Macho J, Andaluz J, Serra L, Larrabide I. Braided device foreshortening. presented at the Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery, 2014. Babiker H, et al. Clinical validations of simulated neurovascular braided stent deployments . presented at the Frontiers in Medical Devices Conference – Innovations in Modeling and Simulation: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Washington, DC, 2016. Disclosures B. Chong: 4; C; Endovantage LLC. B. Bendok: None. C. Krishna: None. M. Sattur: None. B. Brown: None. R. Tawk: None. D. Miller: None. L. Rangel-Castilla: None. G. Lanzino: None.