cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complement regulation of T-cell alloimmunity.

Complement proteins are generated both by the liver (systemic compartment) and by peripheral tissue-resident cells and migratory immune cells (local compartment). The immune cell–derived, alternative pathway complement components activate spontaneously, yielding local, but not systemic, production of C3a and C5a. These anaphylatoxins bind to their respective G-protein–coupled receptors, the C3a receptor and the C5a receptor, expressed on T cells and antigen-presenting cells, leading to their reciprocal activation and driving T-cell differentiation, expansion, and survival. Complement deficiency or blockade attenuates T-cell–mediated autoimmunity and delays allograft rejection in mice. Increasing complement activation, achieved by genetic removal of the complement regulatory protein decay accelerating factor, enhances murine T-cell immunity and accelerates allograft rejection. Signaling through the C3a receptor and the C5a receptor reduces suppressive activity of natural regulatory T cells and the generation and stability of induced regulatory T cells. The concepts, initially generated in mice, recently were confirmed in human immune cells, supporting the need for testing of complement targeting therapies in organ transplants patients.
Diagnostic Radiographic Imaging for Salivary Endoscopy

Diagnostic imaging of the salivary glands has undergone significant evolution with advances in cross-sectional imaging techniques. Prior to the advent of CT and MRI, sialography performed with x-ray techniques or under fluoroscopic guidance was the mainstay of evaluation of the salivary glands. The emergence of sialoendoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic technique for salivary disorders creates unique challenges in imaging. Each pathologic condition of the gland and duct is treated differently by sialoendoscopic technique; thus, radiographic identification of the various pathologies and their potential endoscopic complications is imperative. This article discusses the different diagnostic imaging approaches to evaluation of the salivary ductal system and the advantages of each technique in the diagnostic work-up for sialoendoscopy. CONVENTIONAL SIALOGRAPHY
3-D Eddy Current Torque Modeling

This paper presents an analytic based eddy current torque analysis procedure. The equations are derived using the second-order vector potential and the magnetic rotor is modeled using the magnetic charge sheet concept. The formulation enables the damping and stiffness equations to be derived. The equations are numerically computed and the accuracy is compared against experimental torque and power measurements.
Application Of Gradient-Index Lens Design Techniques To Lenses For Integrated Optics

Design problems associated with the design of Luneburg-type waveguide lenses fabricated by a waveguide index of refraction gradient are investigated. In particular, the control of polarization, modal, and chromatic aberration and focal length control are discussed. A design example of a lens to be fabricated by non-resist electron beam lithography which is corrected for polarziation aberration is presented.
Biomechanical analysis of internal fixation techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis

Although numerous fixation techniques have been developed for performing small joint arthrodesis, no previous study of the biomechanical properties of these constructs has been published. The strength of specimens of arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint performed with cadaver material was determined for three-point anteroposterior bending, axial torsion, and lateral cantilever bending stress. Crossed Kirschner wires, intraosseous wiring, and figure of eight tension-band wiring were studied. Figure of eight tension-band wiring demonstrates superior strength in anteroposterior bending and torsion. For lateral bending stress, no significant difference exists among the techniques studied.
Association of myasthenia gravis with pemphigus vulgaris, Candida albicans infection, polymyositis and myocarditis.

Abstract A 52-year-old man developed generalized myasthenia gravis, with pronounced oculobulbar muscle weakness. At the age of 54, he developed pemphigus vulgaris, manifested by papulo-bullous eruptions in the skin and oral mucosa, and by the presence of serum globulin which bound to intercellular substance of the stratified squamous epithelium. Candida albicans was repeatedly cultured from the oral lesions. At the age of 56, the patient developed severe weakness of trunk and limb muscles, and elevation in the serum of enzymes originating from muscle. The electromyogram was compatible with both myasthenia gravis and polymyositis, and the muscle biopsy with polymyositis. The electrocardiogram indicated myocardial damage. The patient died suddenly. Post-mortem examination revealed degenerative changes in skeletal and cardiac muscle, with interstitial and perivascular round cell infiltration, round cell infiltration of the thyroid, and a normal thymus. The patient demonstrated the association of myasthenia gravis with polymyositis (58 reported patients) with pemphigus vulgaris (9 reported patients), with Candida albicans infection, and with lesions in the myocardium.
A new technique for examining microscopic fracture processes at crack tips

Fracture in regions ahead of crack tips may be studied in cross section by interrupting the growth of the cracks and then causing them to resume growth along types of fracture paths distinctly different from the types of paths followed by the earlier portions of the crack. Microvoids ahead of crack tips have been sectioned by low temperature cleavage and by cleavage with liquid amalgams. The process of nucleation in front of crack tips is proved.
Initial development of the Temporary Utilities Index: a multiattribute system for classifying the functional health impact of diagnostic testing

Purpose The effects of testing and screening on quality of life may influence the future behavior of society, but have not been quantified. We derived a health classification and survey items for the morbidities of testing and screening, to be the foundation of a multiattribute utility instrument, the Temporary Utilities Index.
A 12-Year-Old African American Girl With Subacute Bilateral Ophthalmoplegia

A twelve-year-old African-American female presented with two week history of progressively worsening headache and fatigue, and vision difficulties for the past week. The physical examination was normal. The neurological evaluation was normal, except for cranial nerves (CN) testing, which showed bilateral restriction of adduction (CN III) and up gaze (CN IV) motions, vertical nystagmus, and left side facial paresis of central origin (CN VII). The bilateral exotropia and ophthalmoplegia are characteristics of WEBINO (Wall-Eyed Bilateral Intranuclear Ophthalmoplegia) syndrome, associated to a brain stem structural lesion. The following causes were evaluated and ruled out: tumor, infection, ischemic stroke, non-infectious inflammation. Pediatric Acquired Demyelinating Syndromes were then considered. Neuromyelitis Optica was ruled out in the absence of neuritis and normal spinal cord MRI. The differential diagnosis between Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis, causing an isolated brain stem syndrome, is discussed.
Assessing mangrove products and services at the local level : the use of focus groups and individual interviews

Information on the array of mangrove products and services used, understood, and perceived at the local level may help decision makers, stakeholders, and others make better resource management decisions. Qualitative research methods can reveal information on ecosystem products and services at the local level. In-depth interviews have been used to collect data on local use of mangrove wood and wood products. This paper reports on the use of both focus groups and individual interviews to learn from local beneficiaries about the array of ecosystem products and services associated with a mangrove ecosystem and explores the relative importance of wood products to local mangrove ecosystem beneficiaries. The analysis shows that focus groups and individual interviews reveal different information. Furthermore, the data show that the local resource beneficiaries do not view wood products as the most important service of the mangrove ecosystem.
The horse in backstretch culture

This research explores the local culture of the backstretch of a harness racetrack and investigates the main source of social cohesion and meaning, the horse itself. The paper describes key features of the context and analyzes how the horse influences local systems of meaning—economic, technological, chronemic, interpersonal, and psychological. The study indicates how the significance of daily experience for individuals arises from interplay and tensions among such local systems of meaning.
Separation of spinal cord motor signals using the FastICA method

Evoked motor signals descending down the corticospinal tract can be recorded selectively with multi-contact electrodes from the spinal cord surface. This method of extracting motor signals from the spinal cord may provide a means of communication for people with spinal cord injury. The information rate obtained with such an interface will improve if the separation of neural channels can be increased. In this study, the feasibility of increasing the channel separation was investigated using the blind source separation (BSS) technique. Neural signals recorded with multi-contact surface electrodes were treated as a linear mixture of independent neural sources located inside the spinal cord. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to estimate the dimensionality of the raw signals, and then the fixed-point FastICA algorithm was used to separate the primary neural sources from the secondary (smaller) ones. In all trials but one, the separation between the neural channels has increased by eliminating the secondary sources. These results suggest that the information rate of a spinal cord interface can be improved by separating the neural recordings into their independent components and selecting the ones with the largest distance between them. Comparison of independent component analysis (ICA) and PCA reveals that ICA performs better in this application.
Left ventricular parietal block produced by transventricular aortic commissurotomy.

Abstract Preoperative and postoperative electrocardiograms of 29 patients who underwent transventricular aortic commissurotomy were reviewed. Fifteen of 26 tracings which showed normal ventricular depolarization forces preoperatively showed left axis deviation with significant changes in direction of the terminal depolarization forces postoperatively. In 3 patients in whom the electrocardiogram was monitored during operation, these changes were observed as soon as the aortic dilator was advanced toward the aortic valve. The tracings taken in a comparable number of patients who were subjected to right ventriculotomy or left atriotomy failed to show similar changes. The acute occurrence of this conduction defect in the apparent absence of myocardial infarction is attributed to the mechanical trauma to the fibers of the superior division of the left bundle caused by the dilator as it is passed through the outflow tract of the left ventricle.
Clinical predictors of suicidal acts after major depression in bipolar disorder: a prospective study

Objective: This study determined the clinical predictors of suicidal behavior during a 2-year follow-up of patients with bipolar disorder presenting with a major depressive episode (MDE). Method: Sixty four patients with DSM-III-R bipolar disorder were assessed at presentation for treatment of an MDE. Correlates of past suicidal behavior were determined by comparing patients with and without a history of suicide attempts using a t-test, Wilcoxon test or chi-squared test of independence on individual explanatory variables. Putative predictors of attempts during the follow-up period were tested separately using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Twelve of 64 patients had at least one suicide attempt in the follow-up period, five of them attempted in the first 2 months and seven around or shortly after the 1-year follow-up visit. All attempters had a history of past suicide attempts. Most predictors of future suicidal behavior were correlates of past suicidal behavior. Family history of suicide acts and comorbid borderline personality disorder predicted early attempts, while younger age, high hostility scores, number of past attempts, subjective pessimism as reflected in depression and suicidal ideation, and few reported reasons for living predicted suicidal acts during the whole period. Conclusion: In this data set of bipolar patients we noted an intriguing picture of two clusters of suicide attempts. Hostility was the strongest risk factor. These findings may have implications in both the identification of at-risk patients and the timing of clinical interventions including aggressive pharmacotherapeutic prophylaxis to prevent relapse or recurrence of depressive symptomatology.
A hybrid CFD-PBPK model for naphthalene in rat and human with IVIVE for nasal tissue metabolism and cross-species dosimetry.

A PBPK model for naphthalene in the rat and human that incorporates a hybrid CFD-PBPK description of the upper respiratory tract was developed to support cross-species dosimetry comparisons of naphthalene concentrations and tissue normalized rate of metabolism in the nasal respiratory and olfactory epithelium, lung and liver. In vitro measurements of metabolic rates from microsomal incubations published for rat and monkey (surrogate for human) were scaled to the specific tissue based on the tissue microsomal content and volume of tissue. The model reproduces time courses for naphthalene blood concentrations from intravenous and inhalation exposures in rats and upper respiratory tract extraction data in both naive rats and rats pre-treated to inhibit nasal metabolism. This naphthalene model was applied to estimate human equivalent inhalation concentrations (HECs) corresponding to several NOAELs or LOAELs for the non-cancer effects of naphthalene in rats. Two approaches for cross-species extrapolation were compared: (1) equivalence based on tissue naphthalene concentration and (2) equivalence based on amount metabolized per minute (normalized to tissue volume). At the NOAEL of 0.1 ppm, the regional gas dosimetry ratio (RGDR) based on naphthalene concentration was 0.18 for the dorsal olfactory region; however, the RGDR rises to 5.4 when based on the normalized amount metabolized due to the lower of expression of CYP isozymes in the nasal epithelium of primates and humans. The resulting HEC is 0.12 ppm (0.63 mg/m(3)) continuous exposure at the rat NOAEL of 0.1 ppm (6 h/day, 5 days/week).
A Separated Impedance Matcher/Load Coil Assembly for Convenient Spatial Translation of an ICP Torch

Spatial studies of analyte emission in the inductively coupled plasma have revealed wide variance in the position of maximum signal. Obviously, in routine chemical analysis best results are obtained when emission is viewed in this region. Moreover, in fundamental or developmental studies on the ICP it is often necessary to scan or observe atypical regions of the plasma discharge. Such scans or the selection of spatial observation regions can be accomplished by several alternative means.
Feasibility of in vivo measurement of carotid wall shear rate using spiral fourier velocity encoded MRI

Arterial wall shear stress is widely believed to influence the formation and growth of atherosclerotic plaque; however, there is currently no gold standard for its in vivo measurement. The use of phase contrast MRI has proved to be challenging due to partial-volume effects and inadequate signal-to-noise ratio at the high spatial resolutions that are required. This work evaluates the use of spiral Fourier velocity encoded MRI as a rapid method for assessing wall shear rate in the carotid arteries. Wall shear rate is calculated from velocity histograms in voxels spanning the blood/vessel wall interface, using a method developed by Frayne and Rutt (Magn Reson Med 1995;34:378-387). This study (i) demonstrates the accuracy of the velocity histograms measured by spiral Fourier velocity encoding in a pulsatile carotid flow phantom compared with high-resolution two-dimensional Fourier transform phase contrast, (ii) demonstrates the accuracy of Fourier velocity encoding-based shear rate measurements in a numerical phantom designed using a computational fluid dynamics simulation of carotid flow, and (iii) demonstrates in vivo measurement of regional wall shear rate and oscillatory shear index in the carotid arteries of healthy volunteers at 3 T.
Cycling efficiency is related to the percentage of type I muscle fibers

We determined that the variability in the oxygen cost and thus the caloric expenditure of cycling at a given work rate (i.e., cycling economy) observed among highly endurance-trained cyclists (N = 19; mean +/- SE; VO2max, 4.9 +/- 0.1 l.min-1; body weight, 71 +/- 1 kg) is related to differences in their % Type I muscle fibers. The percentage of Type I and II muscle fibers was determined from biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle that were histochemically stained for ATPase activity. When cycling a Monark ergometer at 80 RPM at work rates eliciting 52 +/- 1, 61 +/- 1, and 71 +/- 1% VO2max, efficiency was determined from the caloric expenditure responses (VO2 and RER using open circuit spirometry) to steady-state exercise. Gross efficiency (GE) was calculated as the ratio of work accomplished.min-1 to caloric expenditure.min-1, whereas delta efficiency (DE) was calculated as the slope of this relationship between approximately 50 and 70% VO2max. The % Type I fibers ranged from 32 to 76%, and DE when cycling ranged from 18.3 to 25.6% in these subjects. The % Type I fibers was positively correlated with both DE (r = 0.85; P less than 0.001; N = 19) and GE (r = 0.75; P less than 0.001; N = 19) during cycling. Additionally, % Type I fibers was positively correlated with GE (r = 0.74; P less than 0.001; N = 13) measured during the novel task of two-legged knee extension; performed at a velocity of 177 +/- 6 degrees.s-1 and intensity of 50 and 70% of peak VO2 for that activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Task-Selection Bias: A Case for User-Defined Tasks

Usability evaluations typically occur throughout the life cycle of a product. A number of decisions and practical biases concerning the tasks selected for usability evaluations can influence the results. A pervasive bias is to select only tasks that are possible to perform with the product under evaluation, introducing a subtle bias for the participants. One way to avoid this problem is to employ user-defined tasks (UDTs) in usability evaluations. In addition, having participants define tasks to perform in a product evaluation allows a more accurate assessment of product usability. This is because UDTs based on users' requirements and expectations should be relatively independent of the functional capabilities of a product. However, there are a number of methodological and practical issues that result from the introduction of UDTs in a usability evaluation. The best approach is to design hybrid evaluations using both UDTs and product-supported tasks.
The prevention and treatment of aspiration of vomitus during pharmacosedation and general anesthesia

The aspiration of gastric contents can occur in patients with a depressed level of consciousness. Pulmonary aspiration is a serious potential complication of pharmacosedation and general anesthesia. Sequelae associated with aspiration include pulmonary obstruction, chemical pneumonitis, secondary infection, and possibly death. Morbidity following aspiration is enhanced with an increased volume of aspirate, a more acidic pH, a high particle content, and bacterial contamination. Treatment of aspiration is dependent on the nature of the aspirate. Identifying aspiration-susceptible patients, employing preventive measures, and using careful anesthetic technique can effectively reduce the risk of aspiration.
Anterior Septal Reconstruction for Treatment of Severe Caudal Septal Deviation Clinical Severity and Outcomes

ObjectiveTo report the long-term efficacy of a modified extracorporeal septoplasty technique in the treatment of anterocaudal septal deviations.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic tertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsData were obtained by a retrospective review of patients treated by a single surgeon (S.P.M.) from December 2010 to April 2014. A total of 77 patients (52 male, 25 female) met inclusion criteria. The Nasal Obstruction Septoplasty Effectiveness (NOSE) scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) were administered to all patients preoperatively and at each postoperative visit. Statistical analysis was performed using a matched-pair t test comparing preoperative and postoperative NOSE and VAS scores. A recently described severity scale for nasal obstruction was applied to NOSE scores to demonstrate postoperative results.ResultsAverage follow-up was 4.7 months. Average preoperative NOSE and VAS scores were 68.2 ± 17.4 and 7.2 ± 1.8, respectively, placing these patients ...
Follicular development: Lessons learned from human in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization has offered new insights into our understanding of ovulation induction, folliculogenesis, and luteal phase events. This new information is provided by the ability to precisely study these cycles in a frequent and sequential fashion through the use of peripheral blood markers, ultrasound evaluation, and follicular fluid constituents and cell culture techniques, as well as direct observation of the oocyte, fertilization, and cleavage. In these stimulated cycles the follicular phase serum estradiol levels in conjunction with ultrasound were evaluated; a poor correlation was shown between follicle size and number and estrogen production. This distinct dyssynchrony suggests the recruitment of a number of cohorts of follicles in each stimulated cycle. From the biochemical markers in follicular fluid, cyclic adenosine monophosphate has a distinct predictive value in regard to pregnancy in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles. In the luteal phase, the mass effect of aspiration of great numbers of granulosa cells, the effect of supplemental progesterone, and the influence of high follicular phase estradiol levels remain controversial and, therefore, a less clear cut pattern emerges. Variations in the protocol have not greatly improved the major problems of folliculogenesis associated with ovulation induction and an in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program, that is, follicular asynchrony and luteal phase deficiency.
Incentive shift in the rat following training to resist punishment

Abstract An incentive shift paradigm was used to test for the similarity of fear and frustration. In Experiment 1, rats trained to resist electric shock punishment showed neither a negative contrast effect nor any performance decrement when reward was shifted from 10 to one pellet. Experiment 2 replicated the basic findings of Experiment 1, but also showed that punishment training did not influence the magnitude of performance shift for animals receiving increases in reward magnitude. Finally, Experiment 3 additionally found that rats sensitized to punishment showed an increase in negative contrast effect. These results support the hypothesized functional similarity between conditioned fear and conditioned frustration with learned persistence or sensitivity to one generalizing to the other as suggested by Amsel's (1972) theory of persistence.
High conversion efficiency, high energy terahertz pulses by optical rectification in cryogenically cooled lithium niobate

We demonstrate highly efficient terahertz (THz) generation by optical rectification (OR) of near-optimum pump pulses centered at 1.03 μm in cryogenically cooled lithium niobate. Using a close to optimal pulse duration of 680 fs and a pump energy of 1.2 mJ, we report conversion efficiencies above 3.8±0.4%, which is more than an order of magnitude higher than previously reported. The results confirm the advantage of using cryogenic cooling of the lithium niobate crystal that significantly reduces the THz absorption, enabling the scaling of THz pulse energies to the millijoule level via OR.
Oxygenation of the Rat 9l Gliosarcoma and the Rat 13672 Mammary Carcinoma with Various Doses of a Hemoglobin Solution

Tumor oxygen tensions were measured using a computer controlled pO2 microelectrode in two preclinical solid tumor models, the rat 9L gliosarcoma and the rat 13672 mammary carcinoma. Tumor oxygenation profiles were determined under four conditions: 1) normal air breathing, 2) carbogen (95% O2/5% CO2) breathing, 3) after intravenous administration of a solution of ultrapurified polymerized bovine hemoglobin with normal air breathing and 4) after intravenous administration of a solution of ultrapurified polymerized bovine hemoglobin with carbogen breathing. Both tumors had severely hypoxic regions under normal air breathing conditions. Although carbogen breathing increased the oxygenation of the better oxygenated portions of the tumor, it did not impact on the severely hypoxic tumor regions. Administration of the hemoglobin solution was effective in increasing the oxygenation throughout both tumors under normal air breathing conditions. The addition of carbogen breathing to administration of the hemoglobin s...
Paley-Wiener criterion for relaxation functions

It is shown how the Paley-Wiener theorem in Fourier-transform theory can provide the bound for physically acceptable relaxation functions for long times. In principle the linear exponential decay function, and hence also a superposition of linear exponential decay functions, does not provide an acceptable description of relaxation phenomenon although the Paley-Wiener bound can be made to approach arbitrarily close to linear exponential. A class of relaxation functions proposed recently obeys the Paley-Wiener bound. The general necessity for time-dependent relaxation rates is emphasized and discussed.
Une condition d’invariance du modèle de régression à coefficients aléatoires

Cet article developpe une condition d’invariance du modele de regression a coefficients aleatoires (RCA) et de cette facon permet : (i) d’etendre les resultats de Rao (1963, 1967)”; (ii) de fournir une nouvelle demonstration de l’egalite des estimateurs des moindres carres generalises directs et ceux en deux etapes du modele RCA”; et (iii) de rectifier une proposition de McAleer (1992) pour les modeles mixtes.
A detailed study of yield and reliability for vacuum packages fabricated in a wafer-level Au-Si eutectic bonding process

An Au-Si eutectic wafer-level bonding process was developed for low-temperature vacuum packaging of MEMS devices. Using Au-Si eutectic bonding, devices were encapsulated by bonding a silicon cap wafer to a device wafer. Micromachined Pirani vacuum sensors were encapsulated in order to characterize the packaged pressures. These packages had cavity dimensions of 2.3×2.3 mm with a depth of 90 µm. Yields of 84.6% and 94.1% were achieved in packages with bond ring widths of 100 and 150 µm. With the use of getters and a pre-bond outgassing step, pressures from ≪3.7 to 23.3 mTorr were achieved. Furthermore, pressures were shown to remain stable to within ±2.5 mTorr for over 4 years of testing.
Weight gain associated with psychotropic drugs.

Weight gain is a common adverse effect of psychotropic drugs. Clinically significant weight gain puts the patient at risk for coronary heart disease, hypertension, Type II diabetes, dyslipidaemia and cancer, and can lead to non-compliance, with the probability of relapse and subsequent (re)hospitalization. This review focuses on specific drug classes such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anxiolytics that have a propensity to induce clinically significant weight gain. Patients should be informed of potential drug-induced weight gain and instructed in the importance of weight management techniques (e.g., proper nutrition, physical exercise, behaviour modification). Individual patient-risk profiles should also be assessed. To ensure adherence to treatment, a proactive physician-patient relationship is essential. Patient compliance and quality-of-life issues are addressed. For appropriate medication selection, the clinician should consider the weight gain potential of various psychotropic agents.
Mining frequent patterns in protein structures: a study of protease families

Motivation: Analysis of protein sequence and structure databases usually reveal frequent patterns (FP) associated with biological function. Data mining techniques generally consider the physicochemical and structural properties of amino acids and their microenvironment in the folded structures. Dynamics is not usually considered, although proteins are not static, and their function relates to conformational mobility in many cases. Results: This work describes a novel unsupervised learning approach to discover FPs in the protein families, based on biochemical, geometric and dynamic features. Without any prior knowledge of functional motifs, the method discovers the FPs for each type of amino acid and identifies the conserved residues in three protease subfamilies; chymotrypsin and subtilisin subfamilies of serine proteases and papain subfamily of cysteine proteases. The catalytic triad residues are distinguished by their strong spatial coupling (high interconnectivity) to other conserved residues. Although the spatial arrangements of the catalytic residues in the two subfamilies of serine proteases are similar, their FPs are found to be quite different. The present approach appears to be a promising tool for detecting functional patterns in rapidly growing structure databases and providing insights in to the relationship among protein structure, dynamics and function. Availability: Available upon request from the authors.
Variability in the Environmental Factors Driving Evapotranspiration from a Grazed Rangeland during Severe Drought Conditions

Abstract Nearly one-half of the earth’s terrestrial surface is susceptible to drought, which can have significant social, economic, and environmental impacts. Therefore, it is important to develop better descriptions and models of the processes linking the land surface and atmosphere during drought. Using data collected during the International H2O Project, the study presented here investigates the effects of variations in the environmental factors driving the latent heat flux (λE) during drought conditions at a rangeland site located in the panhandle of Oklahoma. Specifically, this study focuses on the relationships of λE with vapor pressure deficit, wind speed, net radiation, soil moisture content, and greenness fraction. While each of these environmental factors has an influence, soil moisture content is the key control on λE. The role of soil moisture in regulating λE is explained in terms of the surface resistance to water vapor transfer. The results show that λE transitioned between being water or e...
Heat Shock-Induced Inhibition of Acute Steroidogenesis in MA-10 Cells Is Associated with Inhibition of the Synthesis of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein1

The synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs) rapidly increases in cells under a broad range of stress conditions in addition to heat shock. Previous studies have shown that the induction of HSPs severely impairs the ability of steroidogenic cells to synthesize steroids in response to acute stimulation. De novo synthesis of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein has been shown to be indispensable for acute steroid hormone biosynthesis; however, the effect of HSP induction on the synthesis of the StAR protein has not yet been studied. In the present study we investigated whether HSP induction might influence the steroidogenic activity of MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells, and whether this effect may involve the synthesis of StAR protein. MA-10 cells exposed to 45 C for 10 min and allowed to recover for 2 h at 37 C displayed a 6-fold increase in HSP-70 at 3 h postrecovery and a 20-fold increase in this protein at 6 h postrecovery. This heat shock regimen also acutely inhibited both progesterone produc...
Effect of noise on modulation amplitude and phase in frequency-domain diffusive imaging

We theoretically investigate the effect of noise on frequency-domain heterodyne and/or homodyne measurements of intensity-modulated beams propagating through diffusive media, such as a photon density wave. We assumed that the attenuated amplitude and delayed phase are estimated by taking the Fourier transform of the noisy, modulated output data. We show that the estimated amplitude and phase are biased when the number of output photons is small. We also show that the use of image intensifiers for photon amplification in heterodyne or homodyne measurements increases the amount of biases. Especially, it turns out that the biased estimation is independent of AC-dependent noise in sinusoidal heterodyne or homodyne outputs. Finally, the developed theory indicates that the previously known variance model of modulation amplitude and phase is not valid in low light situations. Monte-Carlo simulations with varied numbers of input photons verify our theoretical trends of the bias.
On Process Temperature in Powder-Bed Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: Model Development and Validation

Powder-bed beam-based metal additive manufacturing (AM) such as electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) has a potential to offer innovative solutions to many challenges and difficulties faced in the manufacturing industry. However, the complex process physics of EBAM has not been fully understood, nor has process metrology such as temperatures been thoroughly studied, hindering part quality consistency, efficient process development and process optimizations, etc., for effective EBAM usage. In this study, numerical and experimental approaches were combined to research the process temperatures and other thermal characteristics in EBAM using Ti–6Al–4V powder. The objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive thermal model, using a finite element (FE) method, to predict temperature distributions and history in the EBAM process. On the other hand, a near infrared (NIR) thermal imager, with a spectral range of 0.78 μm–1.08 μm, was employed to acquire build surface temperatures in EBAM, with subsequent data processing for temperature profile and melt pool size analysis. The major results are summarized as follows. The thermal conductivity of Ti–6Al–4V powder is porosity dependent and is one of critical factors for temperature predictions. The measured thermal conductivity of preheated powder (of 50% porosity) is 2.44 W/m K versus 10.17 W/m K for solid Ti–6Al–4V at 750 °C. For temperature measurements in EBAM by NIR thermography, a method was developed to compensate temperature profiles due to transmission loss and unknown emissivity of liquid Ti–6Al–4V. At a beam speed of about 680 mm/s, a beam current of about 7.0 mA and a diameter of 0.55 mm, the peak process temperature is on the order around 2700 °C, and the melt pools have dimensions of about 2.94 mm, 1.09 mm, and 0.12 mm, in length, width, and depth, respectively. In general, the simulations are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results with an average error of 32% for the melt pool sizes. From the simulations, the powder porosity is found critical to the thermal characteristics in EBAM. Increasing the powder porosity will elevate the peak process temperature and increase the melt pool size.
A. Effect of Computerized Triage Support for Evaluation and Treatment of Febrile Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Who Present to the Emergency Department

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 21 (2015) S355eS373 S357 Department (ED) electronic medical record (EMR) on time to antibiotic administration and other time-sensitive measures. We hypothesize that triage support will decrease time to vitals, blood cultures, antibiotics, and unit transfer. Methods: A before-after interventional study was conducted of all adult (age 18) patients with history of BMT and fever >37.1 C admitted from a 60,000-visit university ED with an active BMT program between October 2011 and July 2014. Cohorts were defined by implementation of a computerized triage support advisory in February 2013. This system was comprised of a best practice advisory (BPA) using both a computer prompt and an automated page to alert clinicians to the history of recent BMT. The primary outcome was time to antibiotics, and secondary outcomes included time to vital signs, blood cultures, and transfer. A one-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare before-after intervention times, and the Chi-squared test was used for comparisons of proportions. Statistical tests were assessed for significance at the 5% level. Results: Sixty-three patients were included in the study, and most had blood cultures drawn and antibiotics started empirically (87% and 86%, respectively). Median time to antibiotics was lower after BPA implementation (79 vs. 114 min, p<0.01). Despite earlier antibiotic administration, the rate of blood cultures (85% after vs. 92% before, p1⁄40.67) and antibiotics (87% vs. 83%, p1⁄40.96) did not change. No differences were observed in time to vital signs, blood culture, or ED disposition did not change. Conclusion: Computerized triage support was associated with decreased time to antibiotics, without increased health care utilization. Further studies designed to better understand the role of enhanced triage tools and EMR screening protocols are critical to standardizing care and identifying patients at high risk of clinical deterioration.
Compressed sensing and robust recovery of low rank matrices

In this paper, we focus on compressed sensing and recovery schemes for low-rank matrices, asking under what conditions a low-rank matrix can be sensed and recovered from incomplete, inaccurate, and noisy observations. We consider three schemes, one based on a certain Restricted Isometry Property and two based on directly sensing the row and column space of the matrix. We study their properties in terms of exact recovery in the ideal case, and robustness issues for approximately low-rank matrices and for noisy measurements.
Stochastic grey-box modeling of queueing systems: fitting birth-and-death processes to data

This paper explores grey-box modeling of queueing systems. A stationary birth-and-death (BD) process model is fitted to a segment of the sample path of the number in the system in the usual way. The birth (death) rates in each state are estimated by the observed number of arrivals (departures) in that state divided by the total time spent in that state. Under minor regularity conditions, if the queue length (number in the system) has a proper limiting steady-state distribution, then the fitted BD process has that same steady-state distribution asymptotically as the sample size increases, even if the actual queue-length process is not nearly a BD process. However, the transient behavior may be very different. We investigate what we can learn about the actual queueing system from the fitted BD process. Here we consider the standard $$GI/GI/s$$GI/GI/s queueing model with $$s$$s servers, unlimited waiting room and general independent, non-exponential, interarrival-time and service-time distributions. For heavily loaded $$s$$s-server models, we find that the long-term transient behavior of the original process, as partially characterized by mean first passage times, can be approximated by a deterministic time transformation of the fitted BD process, exploiting the heavy-traffic characterization of the variability.
Does sex education affect adolescent sexual behaviors and health

This study examines whether offering sex education to young teenagers affects several measures of adolescent sexual behavior and health: virginity status, contraceptive use, frequency of intercourse, likelihood of pregnancy, and probability of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, I find that while sex education is associated with adverse health outcomes, there is little evidence of a causal link after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity via fixed effects and instrumental variables. These findings suggest that those on each side of the ideological debate over sex education are, in a sense, both correct and mistaken. Opponents are correct in observing that sex education is associated with adverse health outcomes, but are generally incorrect in interpreting this relationship causally. Proponents are generally correct in claiming that sex education does not encourage risky sexual activity, but are incorrect in asserting that investments in typical school-based sex education programs produce measurable health benefits.
Secondary Markets, Risk, and Access to Credit Evidence from the Mortgage Market

Secondary markets for credit are widely believed to improve efficiency and increase access to credit. In part, this is because of their greater ability to manage risk. However, the degree to which secondary markets expand access to credit is virtually unknown. Using the mortgage market as an example, we begin to fill that gap. Our conceptual model suggests that secondary credit markets have potentially ambiguous effects on interest rates, but unambiguous positive effects on the number of loans issued. We focus our empirical analysis on the latter using 1992-2004 HMDA files for conventional, conforming, home purchase loans in conjunction with Census tract data.
Simvastatin Reduces Neointimal Thickening in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice After Experimental Angioplasty Without Changing Plasma Lipids

Background— Statins exert antiinflammatory and antiproliferative actions independent of cholesterol lowering. To determine whether these actions might affect neointimal formation, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on the response to experimental angioplasty in LDL receptor–deficient (LDLR−/−) mice, a model of hypercholesterolemia in which changes in plasma lipids are not observed in response to simvastatin. Methods and Results— Carotid artery dilation (2.5 atm) and complete endothelial denudation were performed in male C57BL/6J LDLR−/− mice treated with low-dose (2 mg/kg) or high-dose (20 mg/kg) simvastatin or vehicle subcutaneously 72 hours before and then daily after injury. After 7 and 28 days, intimal and medial sizes were measured and the intima to media area ratio (I:M) was calculated. Total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were similar in simvastatin- and vehicle-treated mice. Intimal thickening and I:M were reduced significantly by low- and high-dose simvastatin compared with veh...
Signaling Mechanisms Linking Neuronal Activity to Gene Expression and Plasticity of the Nervous System

Sensory experience and the resulting synaptic activity within the brain are critical for the proper development of neural circuits. Experience-driven synaptic activity causes membrane depolarization and calcium influx into select neurons within a neural circuit, which in turn trigger a wide variety of cellular changes that alter the synaptic connectivity within the neural circuit. One way in which calcium influx leads to the remodeling of synapses made by neurons is through the activation of new gene transcription. Recent studies have identified many of the signaling pathways that link neuronal activity to transcription, revealing both the transcription factors that mediate this process and the neuronal activity-regulated genes. These studies indicate that neuronal activity regulates a complex program of gene expression involved in many aspects of neuronal development, including dendritic branching, synapse maturation, and synapse elimination. Genetic mutations in several key regulators of activity-dependent transcription give rise to neurological disorders in humans, suggesting that future studies of this gene expression program will likely provide insight into the mechanisms by which the disruption of proper synapse development can give rise to a variety of neurological disorders.
Educational Java applets for visualizing MOS memory

A set of Java applet programs has been developed for memory simulation. These applets include the memory architecture and all the key elements, such as 4-T and 6-T memory cell, row decoder, column decoder and sense amplifier and many other lower-level devices. Each of the applets includes three execution modes: demonstration, simulation and gateway modes, to assist the user in their easy learning of the main concepts of the applets. These semiconductor memory applets are appropriate entry-level Junior class and are served on the world wide web. Educational Java applets are intended to give the user an active learning environment by providing opportunity to simulate almost all possible subjects that users are interested in.
Methodological Proposal for an Interventional Study to Assess Value in Academic Libraries among Collegiate Freshmen

Universities, and especially their libraries, have faced severe budget cuts in recent years, forcing academic libraries to demonstrate value to their institutions. Numerous observational studies have established a correlation between library utilization and value metrics. The next step is an interventional study, which attempts to control extraneous factors. This type of research can be difficult to design. This article proposes one method. Through an interventional study among undergraduate freshman, libraries can provide supplemental library instruction in order to determine if student exposure to available resources increases student GPA and retention. These outcomes are used as measures of user and financial value based on current research trends. The methodology involves dividing university seminar course sections into two groups: one which receives additional library instruction and one which does not. The course sections will be evenly divided along major and college. After instruction is administered, students’ academic records will be collected to assess GPA and collegiate retention. Statistics will only be processed as aggregates in order to protect individuals. The planned parsimony of this model allows researchers to draw the clearest linkage between exposure to library resources and academic outcomes.
NICE: Creating a Cybersecurity Workforce and Aware Public

The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) aims to create an operational, sustainable, and continually improving program for cybersecurity awareness, education, training, and workforce development. As part of the initiative, the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework aims to codify cybersecurity talent; define the cybersecurity workforce in common terms; and tie the workforce's various jobs, competencies, and responsibilities into a common architecture.