cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of an alternatively spliced AATYK mRNA : Expression pattern of AATYK in the brain and neuronal cells

The AATYK gene encodes a tyrosine kinase whose expression is up-regulated during the apoptosis and differentiation of 32Dcl3 myelobalstic cells. Because high levels of AATYK mRNA have also been detected in the brain, and because these transcripts differ in size from that observed in the 32Dcl3 cell line, it was of interest to determine whether this gene encodes mRNAs that are alternatively spliced and whether these mRNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. We have isolated a novel, alternatively spliced AATYK mRNA using cDNA library screening and RT–PCR, whose expression is readily detected in the brain but not myeloid cells. Western blot analysis revealed that the AATYK protein was expressed in virtually all regions of the adult rat brain in which neurons are present, including olfactory bulb, forebrain, cortex, midbrain, cerebellum and pons. Immunohistochemical labeling of adult brain sections showed the highest levels of AATYK expression in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb. Expression of AATYK was also up-regulated as a function of RA-induced neuronal differentiation of p19 embryonal carcinoma cells, supporting a role for this protein in mature neurons and neuronal differentiation.
The 6-min walk test: an independent correlate of elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity in children and young adult sickle cell patients

Elevation of echocardiography-determined tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) predicts high systolic pulmonary artery pressure. The present study tested the hypotheses that elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity is associated with both hemolysis and hypoxia and abnormal 6-min walk test (6MWT) results. This study aims to correlate elevated TRV with different clinical laboratory findings and 6MWT and to find the independent predictors of increased TRV. A prospective study of 80 patients aged 5–25 years old with sickle cell disease (SCD) under basal conditions and 40 matched controls was conducted. Hemolytic analysis was assessed by the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, serum bilirubin, and reticulocyte count. Oxygen saturation determination using pulse oximeter and 6MWT were done. The overall prevalence of elevated TRV (≥2.5 m/s) was 28.75 %. Associated risk factors were older age (r = 0.28, p = 0.01), longer duration of disease (r = 0.25, p = 0.025), higher reticulocytic count (r = 0.344, p = 0.002), lower O2 saturation (r = −0.574, p = 0.0001), and shorter walked distance in 6MWT (r = −0.75, p = 0.0001). By multivariate logistic analysis, only the distance walked during 6MWT was the independent correlate of elevated TRV (odds ratio = 0.85; 95 % CI = 0.74 to 0.98 p = 0.033). The study provides evidence for independent association of TRV with abnormal 6MWT results. The 6-min walk test can be used as noninvasive adjuvant tool for functional capacity assessment of SCD patients with elevated TRV.
The influence of ethnic diversity on social network structure in a common-pool resource system: implications for collaborative management

Social networks have recently been identified as key features in facilitating or constraining collaborative arrangements that can enhance resource governance and adaptability in complex social-ecological systems. Nonetheless, the effect of ethnicity on social network structure in an ethnically diverse common-pool resource system is virtually unknown. We characterize the entire social network of Hawaii’s longline fishery, an ethnically diverse competitive pelagic fishery, and investigate network homophily, network structure, and cross-scale linkages. Results show that ethnicity significantly influences social network structure and is responsible for a homophily effect, which can create challenges for stakeholder collaboration across groups. Our analysis also suggests that ethnicity influences the formation of diverse network structures, and can affect the level of linkages to outside industry leaders, government or management officials, and members of the scientific community. This study provides the first empirical examination of the impact of ethnic diversity on resource user’s social networks in the common-pool resource literature, having important implications for collaborative resource management.
An Appraisal of Allocation of Foreign Capital

Disregarding, for a moment, the sudden alteration of internal and external market conditions during the Great Depression, let us appraise the pattern of allocation of foreign capital entering the East European economies via public and private channels. We shall consider later the rationality of allocation from the standpoint of radical structural changes brought about by the Great Depression.
Velocity/Pressure-Gradient Correlations in a FORANS Approach to Turbulence Modeling

The accuracy and reliability of turbulence models based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations depend on accuracy of modeling turbulent diffusion, interaction of turbulent pressure and velocity fields, and dissipative processes. In fourth-order statistical closures (FORANS models), the turbulent diffusion needs to be modeled only in transport equations of the fourth-order velocity moments. When the Gram-Charlier series expansion is used, such modeling can be achieved without unknown model coefficients and assuming the Gaussian turbulence. In the current paper, a consistent approach to modeling the velocity – pressure-gradient correlations of second, third-, and fourth-order velocity correlations with a limited number of model coefficients is discussed. New models for “slow” and “rapid” terms of the velocity – pressure-gradient correlations of different orders are proposed. The model expressions are verified using available DNS data in a two-dimensional channel flow and a zero-pressure gradient boundary layer over a flat plate.
Immediate and long-term effects of pregnancy on glomerular function in the SHR

Micropuncture experiments investigated 1) whether a gestational renal vasodilation occurs in the hypertensive gravida and 2) whether pregnancy exposes the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) kidney to increased glomerular blood pressures and thus ultimately to glomerular injury. These studies demonstrate that there is no gestational vasodilation in the midterm pregnant SHR (renal vascular resistance, 30 +/- 2 vs. 30 +/- 3 (mmHg.ml-1.min in midterm pregnant vs. virgin SHR) and, of importance, no difference in glomerular blood pressure in pregnant vs. virgins (54 +/- 1 vs. 55 +/- 1 mmHg). In the long term after three repetitive pregnancies there is no worsening in glomerular function compared with age-matched virgin SHRs (single nephron glomerular filtration rate, 26 +/- 2 vs. 23 +/- 1 nl/min), perhaps not surprising in view of the lack of change in glomerular hemodynamics during a pregnancy. Additional observations indicated that the midterm pregnant, repetitively pregnant, and virgin SHRs have no vasodilatory response to an intravenous amino acid load. Thus the SHR has no acute renal vasodilatory reserve to a glycine infusion and is also unable to undergo a gestational vasodilation. This has no negative impact on either mother or babies and may actually be beneficial to the long-term health of the maternal kidney.
Light transmission channels in random scattering media(Conference Presentation)

Recently it has been shown that shaping the wavefront of an incident laser beam can significantly enhance the total transmission of light through strong scattering media [1]. This is done by coupling light to high transmission channels. However, optical absorption would modify such transmission channels. In a disordered system with uniform absorption, the maximal transmission channel changes from diffusive to ballistic-like transport [2]. This ballistic-like transport may enable new modes of imaging in absorbing media. If the absorption is distributed non-uniformly in space, the high transmission channels redirect the energy flows to circumvent the absorbing regions to minimize loss. Thus the attenuation of high transmission channels by inhomogeneous absorption becomes lower than that by homogeneous absorption [3]. Since the maximum transmission channel is the most efficient in bypassing the absorbing region, the ratio of its transmittance to the average transmittance increases with absorption, eventually exceeds the ratio without absorption. The finding that inhomogeneous absorption may have a weaker impact on open channels than homogeneous absorption is promising for practical applications. [1] S. M. Popoff, A. Goetschy, S. F. Liew, A. D. Stone, and H. Cao. Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 133903 (2014). [2] S. F. Liew, S. M. Popoff, A. P. Mosk, W. L. Vos, and H. Cao. Phys. Rev. B 89, 224202 (2014). [3] S. F. Liew and H. Cao. Opt. Express 23, 11043 (2015).
Platelet-type von Willebrand's disease.

Platelet-type von Willebrand’s disease is a recently described disorder of primary hemostatis, possessing attributes both of von Willebrand’s disease and of a qualitative platelet abnormality. This article discusses the clinical features, laboratory aspects, pathophysiology, and treatment of platelet-type von Willebrand’s disease.
Acquired myasthenia gravis: Immunopathology

Much of the remarkable advance in our understanding of the immunopathology of MG relates to the availability of two gifts of nature that permit the ready purification of the antigen, AChR. Immunization of experimental animals with AChR has led to the development of the extremely faithful animal model, EAMG. The pathogenic effects on neuromuscular transmission in myasthenia gravis and experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis are mediated by antibody-induced antigenic modulation of end plate AChR, end plate membrane destruction through complement fixation and recruitment of inflammatory cells, and antibody-induced blockade of the function of the remaining AChR molecules.
Addressing violent extremism as public health policy and practice

ABSTRACTAddressing violent extremism could potentially benefit from new initiatives that extend beyond criminal justice and are a part of public health policy and practice. This claim is based on knowledge from prior countering violent extremism (CVE) research and on immersion with communities, practitioners, and policymakers. This knowledge indicates that to date law enforcement-centered initiatives have not generated targeted evidence-based prevention or intervention initiatives, and they have had the unintended consequence of provoking community resistance. The Center for Disease Control’s Ten Essential Public Health Services is proposed as a new conceptual framework for a public health approach to addressing violent extremism which aims for policy and practice shifts. The public health approach offers opportunities for multi-purpose programming, avoiding stigma, and leveraging existing public health resources. Such shifts are illustrated by discussing the CVE program being further developed in Los Ang...
Communication Failure/Miscommunication

Communication failure, communication breakdown, miscommunication, and related terms have attracted considerable attention within a number of disciplines and across a broad spectrum of applied contexts. Although there is no consensus on conceptual distinctions among these constructs, there are vibrant programs of applied research in such areas as aviation and medical safety, as well as others, that seek to understand the role that communication failures play in prompting a variety of errors that, in turn, result in accidents and other negative consequences. This entry explicates a variety of communication failures and how they may be repaired. In addition, it provides examples from the aviation and medical safety domains that illustrate the way in which communication failures are implicated in errors that produce catastrophic consequences. Keywords: communication failure; error; risk
From In silico Protein Epitope Density Prediction to Testing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Vaccine Candidates in a Murine Model of Colonization.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses worldwide and is a common serotype linked to hemorrhagic colitis and an important cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Treatment of EHEC O157:H7 infections is complicated, as antibiotics can exacerbate Shiga toxin (Stx) production and lead to more severe symptoms including HUS. To date, no vaccines have been approved for human use, exposing a void in both treatment and prevention of EHEC O157:H7 infections. Previously, our lab has shown success in identifying novel vaccine candidates via bio- and immunoinformatics approaches, which are capable of reducing bacterial colonization in an in vivo model of intestinal colonization. In this study, we further characterized seventeen of the identified vaccine candidates at the bioinformatics level and evaluated the protective capacity of the top three candidates when administered as DNA vaccines in our murine model of EHEC O157:H7 colonization. Based on further immunoinformatic predictions, these vaccine candidates were expected to induce neutralizing antibodies in a Th2-skewed immunological response. Immunization of BALB/c mice with two of these candidates resulted in reduced bacterial colonization following EHEC O157:H7 challenge. Additionally, immune sera was shown to prevent bacterial adhesion in vitro to Caco-2 cells. Together, this study provides further validation of our immunoinformatic analyses and identifies promising vaccine candidates against EHEC O157:H7.
Thermal resistance optimization of GaN/substrate stacks considering thermal boundary resistance and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity

Here, we investigate the effects of thermal boundary resistance (TBR) and temperature-dependent thermal conductivity on the thermal resistance of GaN/substrate stacks. A combination of parameters such as substrates {diamond, silicon carbide, silicon, and sapphire}, thermal boundary resistance {10–60 m2K/GW}, heat source lengths {10 nm–20 μm}, and power dissipation levels {1–8 W} are studied by using technology computer-aided design (TCAD) software Synopsys. Among diamond, silicon carbide, silicon, and sapphire substrates, the diamond provides the lowest thermal resistance due to its superior thermal conductivity. We report that due to non-zero thermal boundary resistance and localized heating in GaN-based high electron mobility transistors, an optimum separation between the heat source and substrate exists. For high power (i.e., 8 W) heat dissipation on high thermal conductive substrates (i.e., diamond), the optimum separation between the heat source and substrate becomes submicron thick (i.e., 500 nm), w...
HYPERTENSION CONTROL IS STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY PATIENT'S HEALTH CAPABILITY

Introduction: Achieving chronic disease control is a multifactorial process that includes patient-specific factors such as health literacy and patient activation but these characteristics are not commonly assessed. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of patient-specific factors in achieving blood
Identification of SNPs, QTLs, and dominant markers associated with wheat grain flavor using genotyping-by-sequencing

Abstract Consumer acceptance of whole wheat products can be hindered by the flavor, aroma, and texture. A laboratory mouse model system was used to examine flavor using a two-choice feeding system employing a common check variety and the Student's t statistic as a consumption phenotype. Samples were from a doubled haploid population derived from “Yummy” (Louise) and “yucky” (Yumai34) soft white spring wheat parents. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) identified 655 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers that differed between the two parents, which were used to create a genetic map with 24 linkage groups. Thirty-nine SNP markers exhibited a significant marker-trait association with consumption, and four significant QTL were detected. Additionally, a novel approach that identified dominant markers successfully found both Louise- and Yumai34-dominant GBS sequence tags. The Louise-dominant markers exhibited high levels of marker-trait association with the Student's t statistic flavor preference phenotype. In total, markers mapped to seven genic regions. In particular, dominant markers on 4DL exhibited the greatest F-values and provided the strongest evidence that genes involved in wheat flavor were located there. This work furthers the understanding of the genetics involved in wheat grain flavor and will aid in the development of varieties with greater consumer acceptance for whole-wheat products.
A high-current InP-channel triple heterojunction tunnel transistor design

VLSI devices are constrained by CF dd 2/2 power dissipation. Low power dissipation requires low V dd , yet reducing V dd increases I off . Tunnel FETs (TFETs) have steep subthreshold swings (S.S.) and can operate at low V dd , yet their I on is limited by low tunneling probability. This low I on results in large CV dd /I delay and slow logic operation. For greatly increased Ion, we had proposed a triple-heterojunction (3HJ) TFET design incorporating source and channel heterojunctions (HJ) [1, 2]. The designs of [1, 2] have an InAlAsSb channel, yet no low-trap-density dielectric interfaces to InAlAsSb have been reported. In contrast, low-trap-density dielectric interfaces have been demonstrated to InAs, InGaAs, and InP [3, 4, 5]. Here we propose an InGaAs/GaAsSb/InAs/InP 3HJ TFET design, with growth lattice-matched to InP. The gated channel surface is InAs and InP, and thus can have low trap density. The p-type side of the tunnel junction is GaAsSb, instead of strained GaSb [6], as compressive strain increases the hole transport effective mass, reducing the tunneling probability. In ballistic simulations, with I off = 10 3 μA/μm and V dd =0.3V, I on is an extremely high 540μA/μm. Even when simulated assuming incoherent quantum transport, with acoustic and optical phonon scattering modelled, I on remains very high at 250μA/μm.
Crisis theory and the process of divorce.

Therapy at a time of one of life's crises can lead one to maximize opportunities that the state of flux offers and attain new levels of functioning
Current State of Research and Summary of Preceding Summits

During its 25th anniversary year, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) undertook a project to completely re-evaluate their research program and to help focus and direct future directions of alopecia areata (AA) research to better meet the goals of individuals with and the scientists working to discover mechanisms of disease and better treatments for AA. This project was embodied in five research summits in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014 as part of the NAAF's main strategic initiative, the Alopecia Areata Treatment Development Program, to accelerate progress toward a viable treatment. The sixth summit, "Building and Crossing the Translational Bridge," was held in 2016 and highlighted strong clinical data on the efficacy of topical and oral JAK inhibitors in mouse models and human AA. The advances discussed in this most recent summit provide real hope for a reliable and relatively safe treatment for AA. This work validates the last 10 years of research translating basic research of AA into new treatments based on the firm foundation of modern immunologic and genetic research.
Explanations for the 2014 oil price decline: Supply or demand?

Abstract The Brent price of crude oil declined from $112 in June 2014 to a low of $31 in January 2016 (both nominal prices), a cumulative decrease of more than 70%. Some attribute the decline to increased oil production due to the U.S. shale revolution. This paper proposes a variety of diagnostics to assess the how consistent this explanation is with the data. I find that the data are broadly inconsistent with this attribution of the decline to shale oil. Rather, the data are more consistent with a demand-side explanation of weakening global economic conditions and demand for commodities, including but not limited to oil. In summary, there is no evidence that the U.S. shale revolution played a significant role in the decline in oil prices since 2014. Rather, the evidence suggests that weakening oil demand played a much stronger role in driving the 2014 decline in oil prices.
Liberty, Dignity, and Resposibility: The Moral Triad of a Good Society

In The Constitution of Liberty, Friedrich Hayek wrote, the belief in individual responsibility...has always been strong when people firmly believed in individual freedom (1960, 71; see also 1967, 232). He also observed that during his time the belief in individual responsibility has markedly declined, together with the esteem for freedom. In surveying the twentieth century, noting the ascent of the philosophy of entitlement, the philosophy of command and control, and their institutional embodiments - the welfare state and the regulatory state - one can only respond, indeed. Lately, perhaps, a reversal has begun.
Prostate Cancer: The Magnitude of the Problem in the United States

This paper presents a chart (Figure 1) that is intended to put into perspective the magnitude of prostatic disease in the United States male population projected for 1987.
Workers and Corporate Governance: The Role of Political Culture

This paper considers the relationship between worker influence and structures of corporate governance in firms where workers are one of several constituencies that exert managerial power. The basis of the analysis is this: to contribute to the value of the firm, corporate governance structures that give managerial power to workers should accomplish two purposes. The structures should provide a way for workers to resolve conflicts of interest among themselves; and the structures should provide a way for workers and managers to make credible commitments to each other. Conversely, if the corporate governance structures do not accomplish these purposes, firm value is more likely to be maximized by structures that provide little or no managerial influence to workers (at least through the devices of corporate governance). The paper analyzes the institutional implications of these generalizations by developing a conception of the "political culture" of firms, distinguishing, in particular, among "hard" and "soft" forms of worker participation in governance. The paper concludes that there are unlikely to be demonstrable efficiency gains from either form of participation; and that these forms face grave difficulties in adjustment to new production methods and prospective shifts in sectoral prosperity.
Three-Dimensional Stereoscopic Endoscopy

A novel stereoscopic endoscope has been developed as a research tool capable of obtaining precise, three-dimensional measurements of intraluminal structures. At the time of this article, preliminary data regarding the technical capabilities of the stereoscopic endoscope have been evaluated in the laboratory. An overview of potential clinical applications of the stereoscopic endoscope is presented.
A review of computer aided detection in mammography.

Abstract Breast screening with mammography is widely recognized as the most effective method of detecting early breast cancer and has consistently demonstrated a 20–40% decrease in mortality among screened women. Despite this, the sensitivity of mammography ranges between 70 and 90%. Computer aided detection (CAD) is an artificial intelligence (AI) technique that utilizes pattern recognition to highlight suspicious features on imaging and marks them for the radiologist to review and interpret. It aims to decrease oversights made by interpreting radiologists. Here we review the efficacy of CAD and potential future directions.
Examining the potential of otolith chemistry to determine natal origins of wild Lake Michigan Chinook salmon

Previous research has demonstrated a large movement of hatchery-reared Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, suggesting the potential for wild fish to exhibit ...
Design Tradeoffs of Interactive Visualization Tools for Educational Technologies

Instruction in most STEM domains uses visuals to illustrate complex problems. During problem solving, students often manipulate and construct visuals. Traditionally, students draw visuals on paper and receive delayed feedback from an instructor. Educational technologies have the advantage that they can provide immediate feedback on students’ visuals. This feedback allows students to learn visualization conventions and to learn new content knowledge. This paper presents a design-based research approach to develop visual tools for an educational technology for chemistry. In this research, three design tradeoffs emerged: (1) Which aspects of the drawing task should visual tools constrain? (2) How should visual tools account for variability in students’ prior experiences? (3) How should the design of multiple visual tools be aligned so that students can easily transition between them? Our design-based research approach comprises three studies that address each of these design challenges in the context of chemistry visualizations. Our studies yield principles for the design of interactive visual tools for educational technologies.
Evidence of hypervirulence in Listeria monocytogenes clonal complex 14.

Purpose. Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes central nervous system (CNS) and maternal-neonatal (MN) infections, bacteremia (BAC), and gastroenteritis in humans and ruminants. Specific clonal complexes (CC) have been associated with severe listeriosis cases, however, less is known about differences among subgroup virulence patterns. This study aimed to assess variation in virulence across different CC and clinical outcomes. Methodology. Galleria mellonella larvae were used to compare virulence phenotypes of 34 L . monocytogenes strains representing isolates from CC1, CC6 (from lineage I), and CC7, CC9, CC14, CC37 and CC204 (from lineage II) classified by clinical outcome: BAC, CNS and MN infection. Larvae survival, LD50, cytotoxicity, health index scores and bacterial concentrations post-infection were evaluated as quantifiable indicators of virulence. Results. Isolates belonging to CC14 and MN-associated infections are hypervirulent in G. mellonella as they led to lower G. mellonella survival rates and health index scores, as well as reduced cytotoxic effects when compared to other CC and clinical outcomes included here. CC14 isolates also showed increased bacterial concentrations at 8 and 24 h post-infection, indicating ability to survive the initial immune response and proliferate within G. mellonella larvae. Conclusion. Subgroups of L. monocytogenes possess different virulence phenotypes that may be associated with niche-specificity. While hypervirulent clones have been identified so far in lineage I, our data demonstrate that hypervirulent clones are not restricted to lineage I, as CC14 belongs to lineage II. Identification of subgroups with a higher ability to cause disease may facilitate surveillance and management of listeriosis.
Integrin α6β4 signaling switches DNA repair from homologous recombination to non-homologous end-joining pathway to sensitize breast cancer cells to cisplatin

Abstract Integrin α6β4 is highly expressed in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and drives aggressiveness by stimulating proliferation, angiogenesis, cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Signaling from this integrin stimulates DNA repair and apoptosis resistance, suggesting that it could contribute to therapeutic resistance. Upon testing this hypothesis, we found that integrin α6β4 signaling promoted a three-fold greater sensitivity to cisplatin but exhibited no difference in response to other chemotherapies tested. Mechanistic investigations revealed that integrin α6β4 stimulated quicker and higher amplitude of activation of ATM, Chk2, p53, and 53BP1, which required the integrin β4 signaling domain. Genetic manipulation of gene expression demonstrated that mutant p53 cooperated with integrin α6β4 for cisplatin sensitivity and was necessary for downstream phosphorylation of 53BP1 and enhanced ATM activation. Additionally, we discovered that integrin α6β4 preferentially activated DNA-PKc in response to cisplatin, which led to formation of DNA-PKc-p53 complexes and 53BP1 activation. As a result, integrin α6β4 shifted double strand break repair from homologous recombination (HR) to non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). In summary, we discovered a novel function of integrin α6β4 in switching DSB repair from HR to NHEJ that results in cisplatin sensitivity in TNBC.
Who dissents? Self-efficacy and opposition action after state-sponsored election violence:

Reactions to acts of state-sponsored election violence and other forms of repression vary greatly across individuals. This article develops a theory that the psychological characteristic of self-ef...
Lipoprotein insulin resistance score in nondiabetic patients with obesity after bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Lipoprotein insulin resistance (LPIR) score is a composite biomarker representative of atherogenic dyslipidemia characteristic of early insulin resistance. It is elevated in obesity and may provide information not captured in glycosylated hemoglobin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance. While bariatric surgery reduces diabetes incidence and resolves metabolic syndrome, the effect of bariatric surgery on LPIR is untested. Objectives We sought to assess the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on LPIR in nondiabetic women with obesity. Setting Nonsmoking, nondiabetic, premenopausal Hispanic women, age ≥18 years, undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy at Bellevue Hospital were recruited for a prospective observational study. Methods Anthropometric measures and blood sampling were performed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. LPIR was measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results Among 53 women (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, n = 22; sleeve gastrectomy, n = 31), mean age was 32 ± 7 years and body mass index 44.1 ± 6.4 kg/m2. LPIR was reduced by 35 ± 4% and 46 ± 4% at 6 and 12 months after surgery, respectively, with no difference by procedure. Twenty-seven of 53 patients met International Diabetes Federation criteria for metabolic syndrome preoperatively and had concomitant higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, glycosylated hemoglobin, nonhigh-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and LPIR. Twenty-five of 27 patients experienced resolution of metabolic syndrome postoperatively. Concordantly, the preoperative differences in homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, glycosylated hemoglobin, and nonhigh-density lipoprotein-cholesterol between those with and without metabolic syndrome resolved at 6 and 12 months. In contrast, patients with metabolic syndrome preoperatively exhibited greater LPIR scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate improvement in insulin resistance, as measured by LPIR, after bariatric surgery with no difference by procedure. This measure, but not traditional markers, was persistently higher in patients with a preoperative metabolic syndrome diagnosis, despite resolution of the condition.
Temperature Distribution on Lithium-ion Polymer Battery: From 12V Module to 48V Pack

The performance, safety, and lifetime of lithium-ion battery are significantly affected by its operating temperature, which is the result of the ambient temperature combined with the heat generation from the battery. Understanding the heat generation characteristics and temperature distribution of the lithium-ion batteries is important to design the effective thermal management system (TMS). In this paper, a battery module consists of four series-connected lithium polymer cells is constructed. The surface temperature of the cells in the module is measured by eight thermocouples during discharging tests under different ambient temperatures. The thermal model of the battery module is created in ANSYS Fluent and the simulated temperature distribution data is collected. The simulated data is validated by the experimental data with acceptable discrepancy. A simplified 48V battery pack thermal model is then created in ANSYS Fluent using the validated module model as a base unit. The simulated temperature distributions across the 48V battery pack are also presented. The proposed battery thermal model provides a design guideline to thermal management system for battery module and pack.
A Multidisciplinary Spine Surgical Indications Conference Leads to Alterations in Surgical Plans in a Significant Number of Cases: A Case Series.

STUDY DESIGN Case series. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary spine surgery indications conference (MSSIC) on surgical planning for elective spine surgeries. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Identifying methods for pairing the proper patient with the optimal intervention is of the utmost importance for improving spine care and patient outcomes. Prior studies have evaluated the utility of multidisciplinary spine conferences for patient management, but none have evaluated the impact of a MSSIC on surgical planning and decision making. METHODS We implemented a mandatory weekly MSSIC with all spine surgeons at our institution. Each elective spine surgery in the upcoming week is presented. Subsequently, a group consensus decision is achieved regarding the best treatment option based on the expertise and opinions of the participating surgeons. We reviewed cases presented at the MSSIC from September 2019 to December 2019. We compared the surgeon's initial proposed surgery for a patient with the conference attendees' consensus decision on the best treatment and measured compliance rates with the group's recommended treatment. RESULTS The conference reviewed 100 patients scheduled for elective spine surgery at our indications conference during the study period. Surgical plans were recommended for alteration in 19 cases (19%) with the proportion statistically significant from zero indicated by a binomial test (P < 0.001). The median absolute change in the invasiveness index of the altered procedures was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 1-4). Participating surgeons complied with the group's recommendation in 96.5% of cases. CONCLUSION In conjunction with other multidisciplinary methods, MSSICs can lead to surgical planning alterations in a significant number of cases. This could potentially result in better selection of surgical candidates and procedures for particular patients. Although long-term patient outcomes remain to be evaluated, this care model will likely play an integral role in optimizing the care spine surgeons provide patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.
The Neuroanatomic Studies of Albert L. Rhoton Jr. in Historical Context: An Analysis of Origin, Evolution, and Application.

The incorporation of perspective into art and science revolutionized the study of the brain. Beginning in about 1504, Leonardo da Vinci began to model the ventricles of the brain in three dimensions. A few years later, Andreus Vesalius illustrated radically novel brain dissections. Thomas Willis' work, Cerebri Anatome (1664), illustrated by Christopher Wren, remarkably showed the brain undersurface. Later, in the early 1800s, Charles Bell's accurate images of neural structures changed surgery. In the 1960s, Albert L. Rhoton Jr. (1932–2016) began to earn his place among the preeminent neuroanatomists by focusing his lens on microanatomy to harness a knowledge of microneurosurgery, master microneurologic anatomy, and use it to improve the care of his patients. Although his biography and works are well known, no analysis has been conducted to identify the progression, impact, and trends in the totality of his publications, and no study has assessed his work in a historical context compared with the contributions of other celebrated anatomists. We analyzed 414 of 508 works authored by Rhoton; these studies were analyzed according to subjects discussed, including anatomic region, surgical approaches, subjects covered, anatomic methods used, forms of multimedia, and subspecialty. Rhoton taught detailed neuroanatomy from a surgical perspective using meticulous techniques that evolved as the technical demands of neurosurgery advanced, inspiring students and contemporaries. His work aligns him with renowned figures in neuroanatomy, arguably establishing him historically as the most influential anatomist of the neurosurgical era.
MDS-439: A Simplified Three-Marker Panel for Myelodysplastic Syndrome Prognostic Outperforms the Well-Established Revised International Prognostic Scoring Systems (IPSS-R)

Context: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of hematopoietic stem-cell disorders with heterogenous survival rates. In order to make better clinical treatment decisions, there is a constant need to classify the patients using baseline characteristics and improve existing prognostic scoring systems. Objective: The most popular prognostic scoring system for MDS patients is the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) (Greenberg et al., Blood, 2012). In this study, we aimed to develop a new prognostic scoring panel using a Cox proportional hazard model, which outperforms the IPSS-R model. Patients: A total of 982 MDS patients prior to hypomethylating agent (HMA) treatment were included in this study. Among them, 45% of patients were MDS-EB, 28% MDS-MLD, 12% MDS-RS, 6% MDS-SLD, 6% MDS-U, 2% 5q-, and the rest MDS-MLD-RS. The median time to follow-up was 12 months (range: 0–193 months) with a 36% incidence of death. Patients were randomly split into 75% training and 25% testing cohorts. Main Outcome Measures: The primary study outcome was overall survival, the time between first diagnosis and death or last follow-up, and probability of death for MDS patients treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2009 and 2019. Results: We performed feature selections using the training set. The methods applied included Lasso, tree regression, univariate, and multivariate analyses. The features that are common across these four approaches are included in the study. Hemoglobin (as a continuous variable), cytogenetic level, and MDS subtype were the features that were selected consistently across multiple approaches. Our proposed model trained using the training set from the three aforementioned features showed AUC performances of 0.85, 0.86, and 0.93 in the testing cohort at 70, 60, and 50 months, respectively. These numbers correspond to an average of 4% AUC improvement compared to IPSS-R. Conclusions: We proposed a new panel comprised of only three markers, hemoglobin, cytogenetic level, and MDS subtype, with high AUC performance for prognostic applications. Although the new model utilizes fewer variables compared to the IPSS-R panel, it outperforms IPSS-R for predicting long-term survival in MDS patients, which might be the result of including disease subtypes and considering hemoglobin as a continuous variable.
A 4-31GHz Direct-Conversion Receiver Employing Frequency-Translated Feedback

This paper presents a multi-band direct-conversion receiver with frequency-translated feedback. The forward path includes a low-noise transconductance amplifier followed by four-phase passive mixers which drive baseband amplifiers, and the feedback path employs tunable resistor banks attached to additional four-phase passive mixers, allowing tunable frequency-selective input matching. The receiver operates from 4–31 GHz exhibiting greater than 25 dB gain through 22 GHz and greater than 17 dB gain through 31 GHz. Noise figure is 5.2 to 9.8 dB, rising with frequency; input-referred 1-dB compression point is -17 dBm; and in-band IIP3 is -6.6 dBm. Out-of-band 1-dB blocker compression is greater than -12 dBm. The receiver core consumes 91 mW, whereas an integrated 2:1 frequency divider and pass-gate buffer for generating non-overlapping four-phase clocks consumes an additional 87–227 mW from 4–31 GHz, respectively.
Impact of consecutive extreme rainstorm events on particle transport: Case study in a Sonoran Desert range, western USA

Abstract Quantifying erosion rates in different landscape settings provides insight into how landforms change under different climatic, tectonic and anthropogenic influences. Sediment traps designed to capture grus detached from granitic hill crests of an arid Sonoran Desert mountain range were placed prior to every precipitation event over a three-year period, just above rills that drain areas between 18 and 68 m 2 . The slopes are underlain by moderately to strongly weathered granitic rocks to a depth of about a meter. Within this 3-year window, a 1000-year precipitation event followed 27 days later by a 500-year event detached granitic grus in amounts far greater than previous storms, capturing between 22 × and 63 × the average amount transported in the previous 59 rain events — indicating the non-linear nature of the response of grus detachment to precipitation intensity. Considering every precipitation event over a 3-year period, no detachment occurred from events with less than 2 mm of total rainfall, and only minimal erosion occurred from rainfall events with totals between 2 and 10 mm with durations typically less than 30 min. Detachment increased greatly with rain intensities of 36 mm/h or more. Grus detachment from these arid crests increases with drainage area, a higher percentage of exposed soil, and steeper slopes. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios reveal that suspended sediment transported from hill crest to trap derives from recycled dust and not the local granite bedrock.
GABAergic modulation of inferior colliculus excitability: role in the ethanol withdrawal audiogenic seizures

The role of the inferior colliculus and GABAeric transmission within this structure in the development of susceptibility to sound-induced seizures in ethanol-dependent rats was examined. Ethanol-dependent rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions which destroyed approximately 50.0 +/- 6.4% of the inferior colliculus failed to exhibit susceptibility to sound-induced seizures. However, comparable medial geniculate body lesions (82.7 +/- 2.7% complete) did not alter wild running, slightly reduced tonus and actually increased clonus susceptibility in rats treated similarly with ethanol. As reported previously, bilateral injection of either muscimol (43-263 pmol/site) or racemic baclofen (520-1580 pmol/site) into the inferior colliculus also suppressed seizure susceptibility. Other studies in ethanol-naive animals found that bilateral microinfusion of (+)-bicuculline methiodide (2 or 20 pmol/min for up to 5 min) into the inferior colliculus induced wild running and clonus closely resembling sound-induced seizure responses in ethanol-dependent rats. Although similar microinjections of (+)-bicuculline methiodide (0.4 pmol/min for 5 min) into the inferior colliculus did not induce seizure activity directly, an increased susceptibility to sound-induced seizures was observed. Electrolytic lesions of the medial geniculate body did not block wild running responses induced by (+)-bicuculline methiodide, but slightly reduced clonus. Five-minute infusions of picrotoxin (200 pmol/min), Ro5-3663 (2000 pmol/min), kainic acid (20 or 200 pmol/min), strychnine (2000 pmol/min) or carbachol 2000 pmol/min) into the inferior colliculus of ethanol-naive rats all induced bicuculline-like seizures. Seizures induced by bicuculline methiodide, picrotoxin or Ro5-3663 occurred within 5 min after the start of infusions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Applications of GIS in Engineering Measurements

The GIS is a computerized database management system that provides graphic access (capture, storage retrieval, analysis, and display) to spatial data. GIS software provides a map display that allows thematic mapping of data and its graphic output overlain onto a map image. The study finds that there are two types of data in general-spatial data and attribute data. The two most common ways of representing spatial data are the raster and vector formats. The linkage between attribute data and spatial data is the key advantage of using GIS. The process by which this is accomplished is called geocoding. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of state departments of transportation developing more accurate road base maps using digital imagery and kinematic GPS. There has also been significant growth in web-based GIS applications and the use of GIS for managing infrastructure inventories. This Chapter thoroughly reviews emerging issues and applications that are forefronts of current attention include- metadata, data visualization, and enterprise GIS. Keywords: computer-aided drafting; geocoding; global positioning systems; object-oriented database management systems; relational database management systems
Pooling Information Across Different Studies and Oligonucleotide Chip Types to Identify Prognostic Genes for Lung Cancer

Our goal in this work was to pool information across microarray studies conducted at different institutions using two different versions of Affymetrix chips to identify genes whose expression levels offer information on lung cancer patients’ survival above and beyond the information provided by readily available clinical covariates. We combined information across chip types by identifying “matching probes” present on both chips, and then assembling them into new probesets based on Unigene clusters. This method yielded comparable expression level quantifications across chips without sacrificing much precision or significantly altering the relative ordering of the samples. We fit a series of multivariable Cox models containing clinical covariates and genes and identified 26 genes that provided information on survival after adjusting for the clinical covariates, while controlling the false discovery rate at 0.20 using the Beta-Uniform mixture method. Many of these genes appeared to be biologically interesting and worthy of future investigation. Only one gene in our list has been mentioned in previously published analyses of these data. It appears that the increased statistical power provided by the pooling was key in finding these new genes, since only nine out of the 26 genes were detected when we apply these methods to the two data sets separately, i.e., without pooling.
DEVELOPMENT OF A FLAT SURFACE TIRE TESTING MACHINE

A low speed continuous belt, flat surface tire testing machine has been developed to perform force and moment tests on automotive and light truck tires. The design and development of the machine are presented including discussion of machine geometry, belt tracking, belt support bearing, machine controls and the multi-axis load transducer. The specifications and capacities for the machine are also presented.
Analysis of heuristic methods for partial constraint satisfaction problems

Problems that do not have complete solutions occur in many areas of application of constraint solving. Heuristic repair methods that have been used successfully on complete CSPs can also be used on overconstrained problems. A difficulty in analyzing their performance is the uncertainty about the goodness of solutions returned in relation to the optimal (best possible) solutions. This difficulty can be overcome by testing these procedures on problems that can be solved by complete methods, which return certifiably optimal solutions. With this experimental strategy, comparative analyses of hill-climbing methods were carried out using anytime curves that could be compared with known optima. In addition, extensive analysis of parameter values for key strategies such as random walk and restarting could be done precisely and efficiently by allowing local search to run until a solution was discovered that was known to be optimal, based on earlier tests with complete methods. An important finding is that a version of min-conflicts that incorporates the random walk strategy, with a good value for the walk probability appears to be as efficient in this domain as several of the more elaborate methods for improving local search that have been proposed in recent years. This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. IRI-9207633. and IRI-9504316. Some of this material was presented at the Workshop on Overconstrained Systems at CP95.