cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HDAC inhibitor-mediated epigenetic regulation of glaucoma-associated TGFβ2 in the trabecular meshwork

Purpose Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) results from glaucomatous damage to the trabecular meshwork (TM). The glaucoma-associated factor TGFβ2 is increased in aqueous humor and TM of POAG patients. We hypothesize that histone acetylation has a role in dysregulated TGFβ2 expression. Methods Protein acetylation was compared between nonglaucomatous TM (NTM) and glaucomatous TM (GTM) cells using Western immunoblotting (WB). Nonglaucomatous TM cells were treated with 10 nM thailandepsin-A (TDP-A), a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor for 4 days. Total and nuclear proteins, RNA, and nuclear protein-DNA complexes were harvested for WB, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, respectively. Paired bovine eyes were perfused with TDP-A versus DMSO, or TDP-A versus TDP-A plus the TGFβ pathway inhibitor LY364947 for 5 to 9 days. Intraocular pressure, TM, and perfusate proteins were compared. Results We found increased acetylated histone 3 and total protein acetylation in the GTM cells and TDP-A treated NTM cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that TDP-A induced histone hyperacetylation associated with the TGFβ2 promoter. This change of acetylation significantly increased TGFβ2 mRNA and protein expression in NTM cells. In perfusion-cultured bovine eyes, TDP-A increased TGFβ2 in the perfusate as well as elevated IOP. Histologic and immunofluorescent analyses showed increased extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal proteins in the TM of TDP-A treated bovine eyes. Cotreatment with the TGFβ pathway inhibitor LY364947 blocked TDP-A-induced ocular hypertension. Conclusions Our results suggest that histone acetylation has an important role in increased expression of the glaucoma-associated factor TGFβ2. Histone hyperacetylation may be the initiator of glaucomatous damage to the TM.
Lactate uptake by toadfish hepatocytes: passive diffusion is sufficient

Mechanisms of hepatic lactate uptake were studied in the gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta by following the accumulation of [14C]lactate by isolated hepatocytes in vitro. Uptake rates were linear for up to 5 s at external lactate concentrations of 1 and 20 mmol l−1. 5-s uptake rates for several concentrations in the physiological range (i.e. 0.2–20 mmol l−1) yielded a linear double reciprocal plot (1/v vs 1/[lactate]) that passed through the origin. Lactate uptake was not inhibited by known inhibitors of carrier-mediated lactate transport (e.g. 5 mmol l−1 α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate; 10 mmol l−1 pyruvate), and was not stereospecific for l-(+)-lactate. These observations indicate that lactate uptake is by passive diffusion in toadfish hepatocytes. Lactate uptake by toadfish hepatocytes further differed from lactate uptake by mammalian tissues in that rates were not altered by changes in either pHe. (6.5–8.0) or [Na+]c (3–151 mmol l−1). Rates of lactate conversion to glucose and CO2 were measured and compared to uptake rates, and it appears that rates of lactate metabolism are not limited by passive diffusion. These results are discussed in relation to rates of lactate uptake and metabolism in mammalian hepatocytes.
DC circulating fault current suppression using a series resonant circuit for a 1000 MW, +/− 500 kV modular multilevel converter based HVDC system

First, a parameter sensitivity analysis is conducted on the modular multilevel converter (MMC) based HVDC system as pole-to-ground and pole-to-pole faults are applied with peak magnitudes evaluated in the PSCAD/EMTDC environment. The transmission corridor is composed of both cable and overhead line. A DC circulating current suppression methodology using resonance principles for pole-to-pole fault scenarios is described based on findings from the fault analysis.
Pool boiling enhancement through hierarchical texturing of surfaces

Pool boiling is an important technology that can be used for the thermal management of microelectronics. Previous studies have shown that pool boiling enhancement can be obtained by controlling the surface wettability, by patterning surface features, and by controlling micro/nano porosity characteristics of the heater surface. While many of these studies have focused on the increase in critical heat flux (CHF), both an increase in CHF and heat transfer coefficient are desired for application to thermal management. In this study pool boiling experiments are conducted on hierarchical copper microporous structures in order to maximize the heat transfer coefficient and critical heat flux (CHF). This was accomplished by investigating the boiling curve for DI water on flat and structured microporous copper surfaces fabricated with spherical copper powder. The surfaces were tested as-fabricated and by machining channels into the coated surfaces to control vapor and liquid flow paths. Unpatterned (as-fabricated) microporous structures showed that the CHF can be increased over 220% compared to that of flat surfaces, both with a significant rise (>100°C) in the surface superheat. The large increase in superheat was found to arise from the existence of partial dry-out in the microporous copper. By patterning the microporous copper, vapor was allowed to escape and resulted in a 412% increase in CHF with significant decrease in surface superheat (<49°C) over those of flat surfaces. This large enhancement is believed to be attributed to the effective removal of the partial dry-out within the patterned porous copper as well as the separation of liquid and vapor flow over the surface. Moreover, it was found that both the thickness of the microporous layer and depth of the channel played an important role in both CHF and heat transfer coefficient enhancement. Both can be easily controlled during packaging to improve thermal management of devices cooled through pool boiling.
Humanists, Antihumanists, and Nouveaux Philosophes on What Makes Us Free

The question of personal freedom lies at the heart of much of the criticism that Nouveaux philosophes such as Andre Gluc ksmann and Bernard-Henri L evy directed at postmodern writers such as Gilles Del euze and Felix Gua ttari. Glucksmann, Levy, and others often turned to early modern humanists such as Francois Rabelais and Erasmus in order to help make their case against the postmoderns. This chapter focuses on Glucksmann’s reading of Rabelais’ novels in his Master Thinkers (1977) to show that, while for both Nouveaux philosophes and postmodern antihumanists, personal freedom needs to be understood in terms of individual autonomy, for sixteenth-century humanists freedom can only be grounded in love of the other.
Quantification of furandiones in ambient aerosol

Abstract Furandiones are products of the photooxidation of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC), like toluene, and contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Because few molecular tracers of anthropogenic SOA are used to assess this source in ambient aerosol, developing a quantification method for furandiones holds a great importance. In this study, we developed a direct and highly sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the quantitative analysis of furandiones in fine particulate matter that is mainly free from interference by structurally-related dicarboxylic acids. Our application of this method in Iowa City, IA provides the first ambient measurements of four furandiones: 2,5-furandione, 3-methyl-2,5-furandione, dihydro-2,5-furandione, and dihydro-3-methyl-2,5-furandione. Furandiones were detected in all collected samples with a daily average concentration of 9.1 ± 3.8 ng m−3. The developed method allows for the accurate measurement of the furandiones concentrations in ambient aerosol, which will support future evaluation of these compounds as tracers for anthropogenic SOA and assessment of their potential health impacts.
Pulse transit time measurement using seismocardiogram and in-ear acoustic sensor

This paper presents a new setup and method of measuring pulse transit time (PTT) using seismocardiographic data from a MEMS accelerometer and acoustic recordings from a commercial microphone placed inside the ear. A DSP system is designed and implemented in MATLAB, and experimentally tested on 5 healthy adult subjects at rest. Failure conditions are also examined to evaluate the robustness of the system. Our results suggest that the proposed technique could be a highly-relevant method for PTT measurements, which could be further translated into blood pressure (BP) values.
A meta-analysis of classroom-wide interventions to build social skills: Do they work?

Outcomes of 28 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1981 and 2007 were evaluated quantitatively to assess the effectiveness of classroom-wide interventions for the improvement of social...
Practice patterns and outcomes for hormone receptor positive and node negative breast cancer patients with intermediate risk Oncotype DX scores: Analysis of the National Cancer Database.

553Background: The advent of the Oncotype DX (ODX) test has widely affected chemotherapeutic treatment decisions in patients with early stage hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Patients with ...
Prediction of graduation delay based on student performance

Numerous factors may impact a student's ability to succeed and ultimately graduate, including pre-university preparation, as well as the student support services provided by a university. In this work we study and analyze the impact of such factors on the graduation rates of a university using three predictive models: Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Gaussian Processes (GPs) and Deep Boltzmann Machines (DBMs). We train those models using actual student data. In particular, we used high school GPA, ACT score, gender and ethnicity as the main feature set for training those models. The results show that the DBMs edges out SVMs and GPs in some regards, which has been discussed in detail in the paper, although the difference in performance among the models is negligible with respect to overall accuracies obtained.
Parameter Study of Resonator-Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors

We recently proposed a resonator structure to increase the quantum efficiency (QE) of a quantum well infrared photodetector. In this paper, we performed a systematic study on its QE as a function of detector size and doping density. We found that the experimental result generally agrees with the prediction from electromagnetic modeling, and the resonant coupling scheme is effective with the pixel pitch as small as $6~\mu \text{m}$ . In addition, we modeled the potential detector performance at even smaller pixel pitches and found that the maximum QE occurs at 3- $\mu \text{m}$ pixel pitch for 9- $\mu \text{m}$ detection, where QE is predicted to be above 80%.
The Undoing of a Man: Cuckoldry in Heywood's Edward IV

Manhood was a complex social construct in early modern England. Males could not simply mature or grow from boys to men. Instead, they had to assert or prove they were men in multiple ways, such as growing a beard, behaving courageously in battle, exercising self-control in walking, talking, weeping, eating, and drinking, pursuing manly interests, exhibiting manly behaviors, avoiding interests or behaviors typically ascribed to women, marrying a woman and providing for her physical, sexual, and spiritual needs, and living and dying as a faithful Christian. Once a male became a “man” in the eyes of others, his efforts shifted from “making” himself manly to maintaining or defending his reputation as a “true man.” All men could undermine their manhood through their own actions or inactions, but the married man could also lose his reputation through his wife's infidelity. Numerous literary husbands in early modern literature live anxiously with the knowledge they might suffer a cuckold's humiliation and shame....
Minority Groups and Judicial Legitimacy: Group Affect and the Incentives for Judicial Responsiveness:

This paper introduces a new perspective into the literature on judicial legitimacy by examining the incentives for courts to cater to a popular majority and offering a novel model of legitimacy tha...
Clinicopathologic Factors Predictive of Occult Lymph Node Involvement in Cutaneous Head and Neck Melanoma.

Objectives Evaluate clinicopathologic factors contributing to regional lymph node (LN) metastases in cutaneous head and neck melanoma (HNM). Study Design Retrospective review of a national cancer database. Setting National Cancer Database (2004-2012). Methods National Cancer Database (NCDB) cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were head and neck cutaneous site codes, melanoma histology codes, and clinically node-negative status. Independent, clinicopathologic factors associated with pathologic positive LN status were identified by multivariable logistic regression. Subset analysis was performed on thin melanoma cases of 0.75 to 1 mm tumor depth to determine factors predictive of LN involvement and survival. Results Of 66,495 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 18,882 had nodes examined pathologically with 9.7% presenting with occult positive LN involvement. Mean (SD) age was 62.9 (16.13) years, and primary sites were scalp and neck (42.2%), face (40.2%), and external ear, lip, or eyelid (7.6%). Multivariable analysis found younger age; primary site of cutaneous scalp, neck, or face; increasing thickness; mitoses; ulceration; and vertical growth phase presence were independently associated with LN positivity ( P 70 was negatively associated with LN involvement ( P = .002) in this subset. Conclusion This is the largest study examining factors predictive of occult LN involvement in patients with clinical node-negative cutaneous HNM who may benefit from sentinel LN biopsy. Primary sites of external ear, lip, or eyelid are less likely to present with occult nodal involvement, and older patients with T1a melanoma ≥0.76 mm are unlikely to present with regional node metastasis and may not require sentinel node guided management.
A computational reconstruction of Papio phylogeny using Alu insertion polymorphisms.

Since the completion of the human genome project, the diversity of genome sequencing data produced for non-human primates has increased exponentially. Papio baboons are well-established biological models for studying human biology and evolution. Despite substantial interest in the evolution of Papio, the systematics of these species has been widely debated, and the evolutionary history of Papio diversity is not fully understood. Alu elements are primate-specific transposable elements with a well-documented mutation/insertion mechanism and the capacity for resolving controversial phylogenetic relationships. In this study, we conducted a whole genome analysis of Alu insertion polymorphisms unique to the Papio lineage. To complete these analyses, we created a computational algorithm to identify novel Alu insertions in next-generation sequencing data. We identified 187,379 Alu insertions present in the Papio lineage, yet absent from M. mulatta [Mmul8.0.1]. These elements were characterized using genomic data sequenced from a panel of twelve Papio baboons: two from each of the six extant Papio species. These data were used to construct a whole genome Alu-based phylogeny of Papio baboons. The resulting cladogram fully-resolved relationships within Papio. These data represent the most comprehensive Alu-based phylogenetic reconstruction reported to date. In addition, this study produces the first fully resolved Alu-based phylogeny of Papio baboons.
Punishment and Classroom Control

(1988). Punishment and Classroom Control. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 61, No. 6, pp. 261-264.
Design of a Thumb Strength Testing Device

The scope of the project was to design a pneumatic cylinder for measuring the resistive and applied force of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) after anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) surgery. The patient’s distal section of the first phalange, of the thumb, is the area of evaluation. The device is intended for assessing both the quality of the surgery results as well as physical therapy progression. Criteria such as mobility, compact design, accuracy, repeatability, and ease of operation are some of the major requirements. The initial prototype is intended to collect FPL strength data to establish operating conditions.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
The Impact of Body Mass Index on Perioperative and Postoperative Outcomes for Endovascular Abdominal Aneurysm Repair.

Background There is varying evidence regarding the effects of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). This study investigates the effects of BMI on an index of perioperative and postoperative outcomes after EVAR. Methods Four hundred ninety-two patients who underwent elective EVAR at Mount Sinai Hospital were included in this study. Patients were classified as either normal weight (BMI = 18.5–25), overweight (BMI = 25-30), or obese (BMI>30). Chi-squared tests were used to determine significant differences between weight classes across an index of outcomes. The following outcomes were collected: intraoperative complications (e.g., conversion to open), perioperative complications (e.g., hematoma, bowel ischemia, and so forth), and postoperative outcomes (endoleak, sac enlargement, sac shrinkage, access site infection, prolonged postoperative length of stay, reintervention, stroke, claudication/lower extremity ischemia, deep vein thrombosis, limb occlusion, renal complications, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture, AAA-related mortality, and all-cause mortality). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a log-rank test were used to determine meaningful differences in all-cause mortality following EVAR between the respective weight classes. Subsequently, multivariate Cox proportional hazards were performed for selection of outcomes, with weight classes as predictors. Finally, a multivariate logistic regression was performed for postoperative hospital stay. Subgroup multivariate analysis was also performed examining only class I obese patients, rather than all obese patients. Results Overweight patients were significantly less likely to experience all-cause mortality up to 9 years after EVAR than normal-weight patients in both Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Obese patients similarly had a lower risk of mortality in Kaplan-Meier analysis, but this did not persist in the multivariate analysis. Overweight patients were also significantly less likely to require a postoperative hospital stay longer than 1 day when compared with normal-weight patients. Finally, obese patients were less likely to have a sac shrinkage greater than 5 mm after EVAR, but were also less likely to have an endoleak. Conclusions This study adds to the debate on the effects of BMI on outcomes of EVAR. Obesity was not a risk factor for negative perioperative or postoperative outcomes after EVAR with the exception of decreased sac shrinkage. Obese patients were less likely to have an endoleak, and overweight patients were protected against all-cause mortality and longer postoperative hospital stays.
Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations of Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) occurs with an incidence rate of 1.6 to 3.9 per 100,000 patient-years, which increases with age and has a slight female preponderance. ITP is termed acute, persistent or chronic when its duration is 12 months, respectively. In this narrative review, we discuss the clinical manifestations of ITP in children and adults. ITP is asymptomatic in some patients; however, when present, bleeding is the most common symptom and can be mild as in petechiae, purpura and epistaxis, or severe and even life threatening in cases of intracranial haemorrhage, and massive gastrointestinal or urinary tract bleeding. A platelet count
Making the Diagnosis: The Use of Clinical Features and Scoring Systems

Although appendicitis remains a common pediatric disease, making the diagnosis may be difficult. Obtaining a thorough history and physical exam remains of the utmost importance in determining whether a patient has appendicitis. The use of clinical scoring systems can improve the predictive value of our clinical assessment and aid in making the correct diagnosis. This chapter will discuss the approach to clinical diagnosis and the current scoring systems commonly used.
First Report of Ectomycorrhizal Fungus, Laccaria ochropurpurea, Associated with Castanea dentata (American Chestnut) Roots in a Mixed-Species Plantation

American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is critically endangered by chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria parasitica. Beneficial interactions with mutualistic ectomycorrhizae sometimes confer resistance to pathogens; however, little is known about the mycorrhizal partners of American chestnut. Basidiocarps of Laccaria ochropurpurea were observed in a 10-year-old American chestnut plantation. The identity of the species was confirmed utilizing the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. In spring 2018, root fragments were excised from beneath three American chestnut trees in three separate plots where basidiocarps were observed. Root tips with evidence of mycorrhizal fungal colonization were pooled, extracted, and sequenced to confirm both the plant host and mycorrhizal associates. To our knowledge, this is the first direct confirmation of American chestnut roots associated with L. ochropurpurea. We suggest further studies to investigate whether this association is common, whether it confers any disease resistance, and if this mutualistic association could be employed in restoration efforts of the American chestnut.
Chapter 2 – Optical Sources: Light-Emitting Diodes and Laser Technology

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of fundamentals of optical transmitter design for fiber optic data communications. In particular, it emphasizes on the operating principles behind the three most common types of optical sources used for data communications: light-emitting diodes (LEDs), edge-emitting semiconductor laser diodes, and vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The chapter also provides a brief review of semiconductor properties. It is noted that the sources for fiber optic communications often operate at wavelengths near 1,300 or 1,550 nm. An optical source for fiber optic communications must exhibit a high radiance over a narrow band of wavelengths that coincide with the transmission window of the fiber, typically 0.8-1.55 μ m. The emissive area should be no greater than the core diameter of the fiber, and the distribution of incident radiation should match the numerical aperture of the fiber. Semiconductor sources generally satisfy these requirements by emission of light at a pn junction through the process of injection luminescence. For the range of wavelengths commonly used in data communications, the efficiency of both sources and detectors is determined by the bandgap energy. It is often desirable for the bandgap of the detectors to be slightly less than that of the source materials.
Treatment of infants suffering from acute post renal failure after consumption of melamine contaminated powdered milk

Objective To evaluate the surgical emergent treatments and curative effects on in- fants suffering from acute post renal failure by consumption of powdered milk contaminated by mela- mine. Methods Eleven cases were treated with retrograded catheterizations of ureter with semi-rigid ureteroscopy (F6.8) and 2 cases were treated with. The renal function was followed up in these pa- tients. Results Only 1 patient got anuria and whose haemoglobin continued to drop postoperatively. This patient underwent a redo operation and peritoneal dialysis. The other 12 patients recovered well. The renal function of all the 13 children got back to normal without surgical complications. Conclusions The technique of retrograded catheterization of ureters under ureteroscope was a minimally invasive, safe and effective therapy for infants with post renal acute renal failure by consumption of powdered milk contaminated by melamine. For those infants whose urethras are thin and small, is also an effec- tive method, But the bleeding tendency should be corrected before open. Key words: Infant; Kidney failure, acute; Ureteroscopes
The paradox of success and public perspective: COVID-19 and the perennial problem of prevention.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, some were speculating that, if social distancing worked, growth (spread) slowed and hospital capacity was not exceeded (all of which were purposes of imposing the restrictions), then people would start saying that precautions were unnecessary, and demand a quick return to ‘normal’. That appears to be where we are now. The flattening of the disease curve and the reduction from the predicted number of deaths in many areas are the results of the actions taken to reduce spread. However, that does not mean that the pandemic is over, nor does it mean that it is time to eliminate the protective measures we have taken. The slowdown is evidence that the social distancing tools are …
A Rare Case of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1C With an Unusual Presentation.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy type 1 (CMT1) is an inherited demyelinating neuropathy characterized by distal muscle weakness and atrophy. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1C (CMT1C) is a rare form of CMT1 caused by mutations in the lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor (LITAF) or small integral membrane protein of the lysosome/late endosome (SIMPLE) gene. Phenotypically, CMT1C is characterized by sensory loss and slow conduction velocity, and is typically slowly progressive and often associated with pes cavus foot deformity and bilateral foot drop. A 42-year-old female presented with a 10-year history of slowly progressive bilateral calf pain and cramps. After multiple electromyography/nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS) and genetic testing, the patient was revealed to have CMT1C with a heterozygous pathogenic variant, c.334G>A (p.Gly112Ser). However, the presentation of the patient's CMT1C phenotype was unusual compared to patients with similar diagnosis in a previous study, including a normal sensory exam with the exception of high arches and mildly reduced vibratory sense. Additionally, the patient's teenage son already started showing symptoms of CMT1C despite the fact that the onset of the disease typically occurs at an older age. This particular case further highlights the idea that the phenotype related to CMT1C may have a wide spectrum of disease severity.
Syntactic Data, Patterns, and Structure

Introduction: The Problem, and a Possible Solution Natural Language Data Linguists appear to be in an enviable position among scientific disciplines. The lifeblood of science is data, and unlike, say, glaciologists, who can only collect primary material for their research in remote and generally rather inhospitable parts of the planet, or particle physicists, who require access to massive, extremely expensive, and sometimes erratic machines – with demand for access to such machines far exceeding supply – linguists are literally surrounded by the kind of data that make up the target of their investigations. It's true that field linguists need informants at a considerable distance from where they themselves live, and experimental linguists often need laboratories with elaborate and sophisticated equipment. But for syntacticians – linguists who investigate the structure of sentences, a large fraction of whom (possibly a majority) study sentences in their own respective languages – matters are as convenient as they could possibly be. Syntacticians have intuitive access to all of the sentences made available by their own knowledge of their language, as well as the speech (and reactions) of their fellows in constant use around them, and ready-made corpora in the form of written materials and electronic records, many of which are available for searches based on word sequences (Google, for example, is a valuable source of data for both syntacticians and morphologists). Learning how to take advantage of this vast pool of readily available data is a major component of syntacticians’ training. In a sense, of course, the true data of syntax are not strings of words themselves, but judgments about the status of those strings of words. The syntactician's primary responsibility is to give an account of how it is that certain strings of words have the status of sentences, while other do not, and still others have a kind of shadowy intermediate status – not bad enough to be outright rubbish, but not good enough to pass completely unnoticed in conversation as utterly and tediously normal. For example, consider the status of the three word strings in (1): (1) a. I asked Robin to leave the room. b. I requested Robin to leave the room. c. I inquired (of) Robin to leave the room.
Exposing patterns of adult solicitor behaviour: towards a theory of control within the cybersexual abuse of youth

The online solicitation of youth has been established as an unintended consequence of the connectedness afforded individuals through computer-mediated conversation. Information systems research foc...
Fuzzing Hardware Like Software.

Hardware flaws are permanent and potent: hardware cannot be patched once fabricated, and any flaws may undermine any software executing on top. Consequently, verification time dominates implementation time. The gold standard in hardware Design Verification (DV) is concentrated at two extremes: random dynamic verification and formal verification. Both struggle to root out the subtle flaws in complex hardware that often manifest as security vulnerabilities. The root problem with random verification is its undirected nature, making it inefficient, while formal verification is constrained by the state-space explosion problem, making it infeasible against complex designs. What is needed is a solution that is directed, yet under-constrained. Instead of making incremental improvements to existing DV approaches, we leverage the observation that existing software fuzzers already provide such a solution, and adapt them for hardware DV. Specifically, we translate RTL hardware to a software model and fuzz that model. The central challenge we address is how best to mitigate the differences between the hardware execution model and software execution model. This includes: 1) how to represent test cases, 2) what is the hardware equivalent of a crash, 3) what is an appropriate coverage metric, and 4) how to create a general-purpose fuzzing harness for hardware. To evaluate our approach, we fuzz four IP blocks from Google's OpenTitan SoC. Our experiments reveal a two orders-of-magnitude reduction in run time to achieve Finite State Machine (FSM) coverage over traditional dynamic verification schemes. Moreover, with our design-agnostic harness, we achieve over 88% HDL line coverage in three out of four of our designs -- even without any initial seeds.
Internet infrastructure and the commons: grassroots knowledge sharing in Barcelona

Ideas of the Internet as a digital commons offer hope that innovations in networked technologies can bring about more just and equitable futures. Focused on purportedly immaterial flows of knowledg...
Autonomous vehicles and mobility for people with special needs

Abstract Large mobility gaps exist between people with and without disabilities. People with special needs are heavily dependent upon public transportation for their essential needs. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to increase mobility for these populations. However, they have been largely absent from AV perception research. To fill this gap, we analyzed their perceptions, willingness to use, and concerns over autonomous public transit (APT) based on an on-board intercept survey of 1861 current bus riders in Michigan, with 40% having some type of special needs. We found significant differences among different special needs groups. While respondents who were visually impaired, mobility restricted, or with multiple accommodation needs were more likely to rely on public transit than those without any special needs, their willingness to use APT varied. Respondents with visual impairment were more likely, but riders with mobility disabilities were less likely to be willing to use APT. In addition, our survey results suggest that respondents with special needs perceive AVs primarily negatively. This was especially true for mobility-restricted groups. Furthermore, there were differences in bus riders’ reasons not to use APT. Compared to respondents without special needs, those with multiple accommodation needs hold concerns over APT’s safety more, while respondents with mobility disabilities were more likely to distrust AV technology. This study advances our understanding of different special needs populations’ perception and acceptance of APT, providing support to policymakers in developing inclusive policies and practices that would bring the promised benefits of AVs to these populations.
Achieving a sub milliohm Load Line on a Discrete Graphics Product

The Direct Current Load Line (DCLL) and the Alternating Current Load Line 3 (ACLL3) target of 0.5mOhm has been defined for a graphics core power delivery network in order to achieve the preferred peak performance on the next generation discrete graphics product. The pathfinding effort led to explore various innovative solutions to have a line of sight for achieving this challenging impedance target, which includesA.Study of various stack up and routing strategies to achieve the lower Resistance path (Rpath)B.Novel idea of bulk capacitors provision beneath System on Chip (SoC) cavity to lower Load Line (LL) around the Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) bandwidthC.Improved Power Integrity (PI) design methodology for an accurate ACLL and reasonable DCLL estimationD.Enhancement in Package Design for Manufacturing (DFM) rules to gain extra margins
Transplacental Transmission of Pemphigus Herpetiformis in the Setting of Maternal Lymphoma

Pemphigus herpetiformis (PH) is characterized by grouped vesicular or papular pruritic lesions with histologic and immunopathologic features of pemphigus. PH can manifest at any age, and paraneoplastic cases have been reported. We describe a healthy boy born with acral crateriform erosions of the hands and feet whose 35-year-old mother had similar lesions. Biopsies from both patients were most consistent with PH. The mother was diagnosed with high-grade B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and began chemotherapy with dexamethasone, and her lesions quickly improved. The infant had no additional lesions after 3 weeks of age and his acral erosions healed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a diagnosis of PH in an infant and the first case of transplacental transmission of PH. This is also the first report of paraneoplastic PH in lymphoma. This case adds to the growing differential diagnosis of skin disease in postpartum women and their neonates.
The Effects of Frequency and Hold Times on Fatigue Crack Propagation Rates in a Nickel Base Superalloy

The elevated temperature cyclic crack propagation behavior of a nickel base superalloy, Astroloy, produced by a hot isostatic pressing technique has been evaluated. Environment, frequency and peak load hold times have been controlled to evaluate the effects of creep and environment of fatigue crack propagation rates at several temperatures.
Diffusion of High Molecular Weight Compounds through Sclera

Purpose To determine the in vitro permeability of the sclera to high molecular weight compounds and the relationship between scleral permeability and molecular size. Methods Fresh rabbit sclera was mounted in a two-chamber diffusion apparatus, and its permeability to sodium fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated bovine serum albumin, FITC-IgG, and FITC dextrans ranging in molecular weight from 4 to 150 kDa was determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Electron microscopy was used to assess the impact of the experimental design on scleral ultrastructural integrity. The effect of the diffusion apparatus on scleral hydration was examined. Rabbit scleral permeability was compared with previously reported data for human and bovine sclera. Results Scleral permeability decreased with increasing molecular weight and molecular radius, consistent with previous human and bovine data. Molecular radius was a better predictor of scleral permeability than molecular weight. The sclera was more permeable to globular proteins than to linear dextrans of similar molecular weight. The experimental apparatus did not alter scleral ultrastructure. Permeability of rabbit sclera was similar to human sclera but greater than bovine sclera. Conclusions Large molecules, such as IgG, diffuse across sclera in a manner consistent with porous diffusion through a fiber matrix. Transscleral delivery of immunoglobulins and other large compounds to the choroid and retina may be feasible.
A Temperature-Dependent Positive Feedback on the Magnitude of Carbon Isotope Excursions

The decrease in the average magnitude of carbon isotope excursions in marine carbonates over Phanerozoic time is a longstanding unresolved problem. In addition, carbon isotope excursions commonly co-occur with oxygen isotope excursions of the same sign, implying the existence of a longstanding link between organic carbon burial fluxes and temperature. It was proposed that this connection was provided by the thermodynamic relationship between temperature and microbial respiration rates – changes in temperature drive changes in organic carbon remineralization rate and organic carbon burial efficiency. Such a mechanism provides the logic for a positive feedback affecting the magnitude of both climate changes and carbon isotope excursions. Here, we employ feedback analysis to quantify the strength of this mechanism with modifications to a simple carbon isotope mass balance framework. We demonstrate that the potential strength of this feedback is large (perhaps several permil) for plausible ranges of historical climate change. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of the surface temperature boundary condition on the magnitude of the expected carbon isotope excursion. Comparisons of our model predictions with data from the terminal Eocene and Late Ordovician (Hirnantian) greenhouse–icehouse climate transitions suggest that these excursions might be substantially explained by such a thermodynamic microbial respiration feedback. Consequently, we hypothesize that the observed pattern of decreasing excursion magnitude toward the present might be explained at least, in part, by a decrease in the mean temperature of environments of organic carbon burial driven by long-term climate and paleogeographic trends.
Automatic crack growth tracking of bimaterial interface cracks

The propagation process of an interfacial crack in composite material is studied using the modified maximum dilatational strain energy density criterion, NT-criterion. Some necessary assumptions have been adopted to facilitate the use of the NT-criterion in this case. The stress intensity factors at the crack tip are extracted from the complex displacement field and finite element results. A simple algorithm for automatic crack propagation is presented with an illustrative example.
Effects of toxicants on populations: A qualitative: Approach III. Environmental and food chain pathways*

A population subjected to a chronic dose of toxicant may exhibit effects ranging from the physiological to the system level. This modelling investigation discusses system level effects of a toxicant on a population when exposure is via both environmental and food chain pathways. The main analytical results yield conditions sufficient for persistence and conditions sufficient for extinction of the toxicant stressed population. The model contains state variables representing the population biomass, the concentration of toxicant in the environment, and the concentration of toxicant in the organism. The population dynamics are assumed governed by a modified Smith-type differential equation. First order kinetics are imposed on the toxicant concentrations. The population-toxicant coupling is accomplished by a linear dose-response formulation. Because of the complexity of the rudimentary, three dimensional, coupled coupled nonlinear system of differential equations, an approximation to the model is obtained by assuming toxicant uptake from the environment is negligible. This reduced model is contrasted with the original model by biological and numerical methods. In addition, this approximation is demonstrated to be a useful tool to study population-toxicant interactions since predictions based upon the reduced model yield appropriate indications of threshold values for toxicant concentrations as well as the level of persistence of the population.
Establishing a Basis for Multi-System Collaboration: Systemic Team Development

Reports of child sexual abuse require police, child protective services, forensic and medical evaluators, prosecutors, family court and treatment providers to negotiate complementary, overlapping roles with children and families. Administrators from these agencies in Kansas City, Missouri clarified this multi-system response by applying a theory-based model for team development previously studied in direct practice with families. This article presents that model and an exploratory case study of this effort. Findings suggest the model's efficacy for resolving inter-agency conflict and may contribute to constructing logic models in multi-system collaboration.
Laparoscopic fenestration for the treatment of patients with severe adult polycystic liver disease

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to present our experience in laparoscopic fenestration for patients with severe symptomatic adult polycystic liver disease (APLD), analyze its feasibility, and evaluate its immediate and mid-term outcome. Methods Between January 2000 and January 2002, 9 patients underwent laparoscopic fenestration for symptomatic APLD in our laparoendoscopic unit. All patients had both liver lobes affected with multiple cysts, whereas type II disease (present in 8 patients) was not a contraindication for the procedure. The results were retrospectively evaluated. Results Conversion to laparotomy was required in 1 patient who was submitted to a second laparoscopic procedure (2 years postoperatively) after being admitted to our department with sepsis. Complete regression of symptoms was achieved in 7 of our patients (77.8%). One death occurred because of acute renal failure established 5 weeks after the patient was discharged. During a mean follow-up of 25.8 months, 2 patients presented with recurrence of their symptoms (22.2%). One of them was reoperated on; both of them remain symptom free 14 months postoperatively. Conclusions Laparoscopic fenestration appears to be a useful and effective approach for severe APLD. It is associated with short hospital stay and a significant symptom-free period. Despite the reported morbidity, aggressive and meticulous deroofing of as many cysts as possible can be successfully applied for carefully selected patients with type II disease.
Cartilage viability after repetitive loading: A preliminary report

Abstract Objective To assess matrix changes and chondrocyte viability during static and continuous repetitive mechanical loading in mature bovine articular cartilage explants. Methods Cartilage explants were continuously loaded either statically or cyclically (0.5Hz) for 1–72h (max. stress 1megapascal). Cell death was assessed using fluorescent probes and detection of DNA strand breakage characteristic of apoptosis. Cell morphology and matrix integrity were evaluated using histology and transmission electron microscopy. Results Repetitive loading of articular cartilage at physiological levels of stress (1megapascal) was found to be harmful to only the chondrocytes in the superficial tangential zone (STZ) and depended on the characteristics (static vs cyclic) and duration (1–72h) of the applied load. The chondrocytes in the middle and deep zone remained viable at all times. Static loads caused cell death at an early time (3h) as compared with cyclic loads (sinusoidal, 0.5 cycles per s for 6h). The amount and extent of cell death peaked at 6h of cyclic loading, and did not change in subsequent experiments run for longer periods of time (up to 72h). There was no indication of fragmented nuclear DNA but there was evidence of injurious cell death (necrosis) by electron microscopy. Morphological analysis of cartilage repetitively loaded for 24h showed matrix damage only in the uppermost superficial layer at the articular surface, reminiscent of the early stages of osteoarthritis. Conclusions Cell death in mature cartilage explants occurred after 6 hours of continuous repetitive load or 3h of static load. Cell death was directly related to the mechanical load, as control (free-swelling) explants remained viable at all times. The excessive, repetitive loading conditions imposed are not physiological, and demonstrate the deleterious effects of mechanical overload resulting in morphological and cellular damage similar to that seen in degenerative joint disease.
Resection of Postmyocardial Infarction Ventricular Aneurysms for Cardiac Arrhythmias

Three patients in whom the resection of a ventricular aneurysm led to termination of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias are reported. The patients have remained well without recurrence of myocardial infarction, cardiac failure or cardiac arrhythmia for periods of 11 to 45 months. Congestive heart failure and peripheral embolism have been recognized as important complications of ventricular aneurysm and as possible indications for surgical resection; arrhythmias have received relatively little attention, but may constitute another indication for operation.
Devaluing and revaluing seriality: The gendered discourses of media franchising:

Gender anchors cultural negotiations over what media franchising is and how its serial production practices and narratives are valued. Cultural tensions between the economic viability and cultural ...
Calcium-dependent heparin-like ligands for L-selectin in nonlymphoid endothelial cells

L-Selectin is a calcium-dependent mammalian lectin that mediates lymphocyte trafficking by recognizing sialylated ligands on high endothelial venules in lymph nodes. Although L-selectin probably mediates neutrophil extravasation into nonlymphoid tissues, no corresponding ligand has been characterized. Staining of cultured endothelial cells with an L-selectin chimera (LS-Rg) showed an internal pool of ligands. Metabolic labeling with sulfur-35-labeled sulfate revealed heparin lyase-sensitive ligands that bound LS-Rg in a calcium-dependent, sialic acid-independent manner. A fraction of commercial heparin bound to LS-Rg and LS-Rg bound to heparin-agarose, both in a calcium-dependent manner. Thus, L-selectin recognizes endothelial heparin-like chains, which could be physiological ligands mediating leucocyte trafficking.
TonB-dependent outer membrane transport: going for Baroque?

The import of essential organometallic micronutrients (such as iron-siderophores and vitamin B 12 ) across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria proceeds via TonB-dependent outer membrane transporters (TBDTs). The TBDT couples to the TonB protein, which is part of a multiprotein complex in the plasma (inner) membrane. Five crystal structures of TBDTs illustrate clearly the architecture of the protein in energy-independent substrate-free and substrate-bound states. In each of the TBDT structures, an N-terminal hatch (or plug or cork) domain occludes the lumen of a 22-stranded β barrel. The manner by which substrate passes through the transporter (the ‘hatch-barrel problem’) is currently unknown. Solution NMR and X-ray crystallographic structures of various TonB domains indicate a striking structural plasticity of this protein. Thermodynamic, biochemical and bacteriological studies of TonB and TBDTs indicate further that existing structures do not yet capture critical energy-dependent and in vivo conformations of the transport cycle. The reconciliation of structural and non-structural experimental data, and the unambiguous experimental elucidation of a detailed molecular mechanism of transport are current challenges for this field.