cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid detection of mycobacteria in inflammatory, necrotizing granulomas from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue by PCR in clinically high-risk patients with acid-fast stain and culture-negative tissue biopsies

A collection of inflammatory necrotizing granulomas (INGs) negative by acid-fast stain and culture (AFSC) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of mycobacteria. Forty-two paraffin-embedded specimens with INGs were collected from patients at high risk for contracting tuberculosis. Twenty biopsies were positive and 22 were negative for mycobacteria by AFSC. Two universal primers specific for all mycobacteria were used to detected a 414 base pair (bp) fragment of 16S rRNA gene. Twenty of 20 biopsies were positive for mycobacteria by both AFSC and PCR (100%), whereas 19 of 22 biopsies negative by AFSC were positive by PCR (86%). Follow-up of patients who were PCR positive but AFSC negative identified nine patients who had subsequent biopsies. Specimens from eight of these nine patients eventually grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our results demonstrate that the detection of mycobacterial DNA by this method should be used in conjunction with AFSC for the initial diagnosis of mycobacterial infection.
Stochastic Models of Interpurchase Time with Time-Dependent Covariates:

Consumers’ purchase time decisions are important elements of their buying decision process. Stochastic models of interpurchase time, which have been used extensively in the marketing literature, ar...
Comment on "Correlation and relativistic effects in U metal and U-Zr alloy: Validation of ab initio approaches"

In a recent paper, Xie et al. [Phys. Rev. B 88, 235128 (2013)], report that the density-functional theory (DFT) with the so-called DFT plus Hubbard U (DFT+U) modification improves energetics, volumes, and formation enthalpies over the standard form of DFT for uranium metal and U-Zr alloys. Also, spin-orbit coupling (SOC) was argued to advance the aforementioned properties in these systems. We demonstrate, contrarily, that neither the Hubbard U approach nor SOC is necessary for a correct description of uranium metal and U-Zr alloys. We further illustrate that the combination of DFT+U and SOC in the projector augmented-wave calculations by Xie et al. results in unrealistically large volume expansions, particularly for γ-U, in stark contrast to all previous calculations for elemental uranium. This in turn may also explain why the DFT+U with SOC model predicts negative enthalpy of mixing in the U-Zr alloy system contradicting conventional DFT as well as one of the main features of the experimental U-Zr phase diagram. The assertion by Xie et al. that DFT+U is an improvement over DFT for these systems is illustrated to be incorrect.
Logical Deductions from the Hypothesis That the Angle-Sum Is Less Than Two Right Angles

(1895). II. Logical Deductions from the Hypothesis That the Angle Sum Is Less Than Two Right Angles. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 149-151.
At the Crossroads: Indians and Empires on a Mid-Atlantic Frontier, 1700-1763

Examining interactions between Native Americans and whites in eighteenth-century Pennsylvania, Jane Merritt traces the emergence of race as the defining difference between these neighbors on the frontier. Before 1755, Indian and white communities in Pennsylvania shared a certain amount of interdependence. They traded skills and resources and found a common enemy in the colonial authorities, including the powerful Six Nations, who attempted to control them and the land they inhabited. Using innovative research in German Moravian records, among other sources, Merritt explores the cultural practices, social needs, gender dynamics, economic exigencies, and political forces that brought Native Americans and Euramericans together in the first half of the eighteenth century. But as Merritt demonstrates, the tolerance and even cooperation that once marked relations between Indians and whites collapsed during the Seven Years' War. By the 1760s, as the white population increased, a stronger, nationalist identity emerged among both white and Indian populations, each calling for new territorial and political boundaries to separate their communities. Differences between Indians and whites - whether political, economic, social, religious, or ethnic - became increasingly characterized in racial terms, and the resulting animosity left an enduring legacy in Pennsylvania's colonial history.
Surgery, Devices, Transplantation and Other Interventional Options for the Treatment of Advanced Pulmonary Hypertension

Historically, a myriad of surgical options have been available and considered in the management of pulmonary hypertension. In this chapter, we review current surgical techniques used in patients with pulmonary hypertension including lung and heart-lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, thromboendarterectomy, and other interventional options.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside in Radish Red

A high performance liquid chromatographic(HPLC) method was developed for determination of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside in Radish Red samples.The sample was dissolved in methanol,and separated by a Ultimate XB-C18(4.6 mm×250 mm×5 μm) column using acetonitrile-5% formic acid(24∶76,by volume) as a mobile phase with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at column temperature of 25 ℃.The UV detection wavelength was set at 525 nm.A good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.01-0.10 g/L with correlation coefficient of 0.999.The average spiked recoveries of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside was 97%-100%.The limit of detection for the method was 0.002 5 g/L.The results indicated that the method was simple,sensitive and accurate,and could be applied in the determination of pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside in Radish Red.
TH-E-209-03: Development of An In-House CT Dose Monitoring and Management System Based On Open-Source Software Resources -- Pearls and Pitfalls

Radiation dose monitoring solutions have opened up new opportunities for medical physicists to be more involved in modern clinical radiology practices. In particular, with the help of comprehensive radiation dose data, data-driven protocol management and informed case follow up are now feasible. Significant challenges remain however and the problems faced by medical physicists are highly heterogeneous. Imaging systems from multiple vendors and a wide range of vintages co-exist in the same department and employ data communication protocols that are not fully standardized or implemented making harmonization complex. Many different solutions for radiation dose monitoring have been implemented by imaging facilities over the past few years. Such systems are based on commercial software, home-grown IT solutions, manual PACS data dumping, etc., and diverse pathways can be used to bring the data to impact clinical practice. The speakers will share their experiences with creating or tailoring radiation dose monitoring/management systems and procedures over the past few years, which vary significantly in design and scope. Topics to cover: (1) fluoroscopic dose monitoring and high radiation event handling from a large academic hospital; (2) dose monitoring and protocol optimization in pediatric radiology; and (3) development of a home-grown IT solution and dose data analysis framework. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the scope and range of radiation dose monitoring and protocol management in a modern radiology practice 2. Review examples of data available from a variety of systems and how it managed and conveyed. 3. Reflect on the role of the physicist in radiation dose awareness.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the Saving of Food Stamps 1995–2000

During 1995 and 1996, the Food Stamp Program seemed likely to be reformed and reduced in a way similar to the conversion of welfare to a block grant program. However, it received only a few modest reforms and became a program with an increasingly positive image of assisting the working poor. This change was facilitated by three factors: calls by some lawmakers to retain the program as a safety net to prevent starvation and respond to downturns and disasters; the place of Food Stamps in the Farm Bill; and the way the program was reframed as providing incentives to the working poor rather than keeping an undeserving population under the dependency of the government.
A Note on the Influence of Site Conditions on Ground Motion Values Observed for the Southeastern Illinois Earthquake of June 10, 1987

Site conditions (i.e., depth to bedrock and intermediate horizons within the soil column, and the shear wave velocities of-the soils and bedrock) have been investigated using and SH-wave velocity data at eight sites in Illinois and Indiana where the June 10, 1987, southeastern Illinois earthquake was recorded on blast monitors. The site effects have been calculated using the site conditions and the one dimensional response analysis program WAVES (Hart and Wilson, 1989), and it was found that the site conditions caused the peak particle accelerations to be amplified by a factor of 2.7 to 4.8. It is suggested that the records of ground motions obtained at sites not on rock be considered inadequate for usage at other sites unless accompanied by a quantitative description of the site conditions.
Fluorescence-Based Assay for Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Summary Carbonic anhydrases are implicated in a number of diseases, including glaucoma, cancer, epilepsy, and others. Here, we present a fluorescence-based assay that utilizes the indicator-displacement assay concept and can be used to prescreen inhibitor candidates to treat such conditions. We designed and synthesized fluorescent indicators that bind carbonic anhydrase and display fluorescence quenching in the presence of the enzyme. Their fluorescence is, however, recovered when a competitive inhibitor is added. To investigate the utility of this dye-displacement system and its potential for use in high-throughput screening, we designed a fluorescence microarray. This confirmed the potential of the approach for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Using AutoDock Vina and AutoDock4 Zn , we compared the results of the assay with ligand docking calculations. We show that the dye-displacement arrays are more accurate and sensitive than docking calculations and that these two tools can be used together to efficiently screen libraries of potential carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in a high-throughput manner.
Distance-Constrained k Spatial Sub-networks

In this chapter, we introduce a spatial network covering problem, namely Distance-Constrained k Spatial Sub-Networks (DCSSN). The main goal of the spatial network covering problem is to assign potential facilities to a finite set of demands that can maximize the total benefit under spatial constraints (e.g., distance, capacity, etc.). Given a graph and a set of spatial events, the goal of Distance-Constrained k Spatial Sub-Networks (DCSSN) problem is to find k sub-networks that meet a distance constraint and maximize the number of spatial events covered by the sub-networks. The DCSSN problem is important for many societal applications, such as police patrol assignment and emergency response assignment. The problem is NP-hard; it is computationally challenging because of the large size of the transportation network and the distance constraint. This chapter describes an algorithm that can create DCSSN.
Low Transmission to Elimination: Rural Development as a Key Determinant of the End-Game Dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum in China

Rural development has been a critical component of China's economic miracle since the start of economic reform in the early 1980s, both benefiting from and contributing to the nation's rapid economic growth. This development has yielded substantial improvements of public health relevance, including contributing to major reductions in schistosomiasis prevalence. The history of schistosomiasis elimination in Japan suggests that development played a dominant causal role in that nation. We argue that it is highly probable that a similar story is playing out in at least some large regions of China. In particular, we summarize evidence from Sichuan Province which supports the case that economic development has led to improvements in rural irrigation and water supply which, together with changes in crop selection and agricultural mechanization, have all contributed to sustainable reductions in the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum. The two major factors that have experienced major reductions are the area of snail habitat and the degree of human exposure, both through a variety of mechanisms which differ by region and economic circumstance. However, hotspots of transmission remain. Overall, however, economic development in traditionally endemic areas has provided the resources to carry out projects that have had major beneficial impacts on disease transmission that are likely to be sustainable.
Postcessation weight gain concern as a barrier to smoking cessation: Assessment considerations and future directions.

Abstract Purpose Concern about postcessation weight gain may be one potential barrier to quitting smoking. In this ‘mini-review’ of recent literature, we summarize findings on the relationship between postcessation weight gain concern and smoking cessation, and evaluate varied use of postcessation weight gain concern assessments and potential moderators of the postcessation weight gain concern-cessation association. Methods We conducted a search using the terms “smoking” OR “smoking cessation” AND “weight concern” for articles published between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016. We identified 17 studies assessing postcessation weight gain concern, seven of which evaluated the postcessation weight gain concern-cessation association. Results The relationship between postcessation weight gain concern and smoking cessation was mixed. Recent studies varied in their assessments of postcessation weight gain concern, many of which were not validated and assessed correlates of this construct. Studies varied in their adjustment of demographic (e.g., sex), smoking-specific (e.g., smoking level), and weight-specific (e.g., body mass index) variables. Conclusions The use of non-validated assessments and variability in testing covariates/moderators may contribute to conflicting results regarding the postcessation weight gain concern-cessation relationship. We recommend validating an assessment of postcessation weight gain concern, maintaining vigilance in testing and reporting covariates/moderators, and investigating trajectories of this construct over time and by smoking status to inform future assessment and intervention efforts.
Modeling the Effects of Contact Sensor Resolution on Grasp Success

This letter presents a quantitative method for analyzing the effect of sensor resolution on grasp stability prediction. Resolution limits for contact sensors are expressed as a range of contact locations and contact surface normals that cannot be disambiguated by the sensor. Grasp quality is assessed at the limits of this range to determine whether the uncertainties caused by sensor resolution lead to uncertainty in grasp outcome prediction. The analysis also enables calculation of the specific contact locations on an object where the tactile sensors are trustworthy and where the object is reliably graspable. Our approach lays the foundation for quantitative evaluation in design tradeoffs in sensor choices and sensor layout, as well as finger shapes and materials.
A 1-Month Physical Therapy-Based Outpatient Program for Adults Awaiting Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis of Exercise Capacity, Symptoms, and Quality of Life

Purpose Rehabilitation can improve health outcomes in candidates for lung transplantation. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of a one-month physical therapy (PT)-based outpatient program on exercise capacity, symptoms, quality of life and examine predictors of functional outcome changes in adults awaiting lung transplantation. Methods Participants (n=141) completed a 23-session exercise and educational program over one month. Outcomes included 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CESD), and Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index Pulmonary Version III (QOL). Results Participants were older (median age 63) with restrictive (59%) or obstructive (24%) disease. Moderate-to-large improvements in 6MWD were observed (69 m, p < 0.001, d = 0.72), independent of demographics, symptoms, and QOL. Lower initial 6MWD and lower oxygen utilization were associated with greater 6MWD improvements, with largest gains occurring in initial 6MWD < 305 m. Small-to-moderate improvements were observed on CESD (p < 0.001, d = 0.26) and in overall QOL (p < 0.001, d = 0.27), with a non-significant improvement observed on SOBQ (p = 0.248, d = 0.13). Conclusions Completion of a one-month PT-based outpatient rehabilitation program was associated with improved exercise capacity, depressive symptoms and QOL.
Sketch for a History of Constitutive Relations

The preliminary program listed as title for this lecture “History of Rheology”. That title made the job too easy, because there is no task so easy as an impossible one. For example, nobody can dispute the claim that all rigid bodies found in nature direct themselves straight toward Venus, since no rigid bodies are found in nature.
Ethics, Privacy, and Self-Restraint in Social Networking

Privacy is a basic human need. It is anthropologically and psychologically rooted in the sense of shame and the need for bodily integrity, personal space, and intimacy in interpersonal relationships. Especially in modern Western cultures, it is understood as a necessary condition for individual autonomy, identity, and integrity (Altman 1975; Westin 1967; see also Margulis, this volume, Chap. 2). The desire for privacy is historically variable and has increased noticeably throughout the process of modernization. As Jurgen Habermas (1962) has shown in his seminal study The Transformation of the Public Sphere, this process led to the emergence of the private sphere as a corollary to the public sphere: the private sphere offers the protection and freedom necessary for the undisturbed growth and self-fulfillment of the modern subject, who then, as a citizen, can participate in exchanging opinions and forming public discourse in the communicative space of the public sphere.
Why Are U.S. Bond Yields So High

This essay investigates why the 10-year U.S. yield has exceeded those of other developed countries and why it has risen relative to those other yields since 2014.
Surprise-Novelty Information Processing for Gaussian Online Active Learning (SNIP-GOAL)

In this paper, we propose a novel, combined surprise-novelty approach to online active learning for kernel adaptive filters. Surprise and novelty criteria have always been used individually in designing sparse kernel machines. While closely related, they are in fact two distinct concepts. In this paper, we highlight the key differences between surprise and novelty, define quantitative measures, and propose a unifying framework that leverages the complementary properties of the two concepts combined. We test the information theoretic approach of designing sparse kernel adaptive filters using the surprise-novelty information processing for Gaussian online active learning (SNIP-GOAL) on the task of nonlinear chaotic time series prediction. The proposed method outperforms existing algorithms using the measures individually. Results show that combining surprise and novelty can be advantageous in terms of efficiency and performance. Leveraging both measures allows the system to be not only sparse but also generalizes better.
Attitude Analysis of Small Satellites Using Model-Based Simulation

CubeSats, and small satellites in general, being small and relatively light, are sensitive to disturbance torques in the orbital environment. We developed a simulation tool that includes models of the major environmental torques and small satellite experiences in low Earth orbit, which allows users to study the attitude response for a given spacecraft and assist in the design of attitude control systems, such as selecting the magnet strength when using passive magnetic stabilization or designing the shape of the spacecraft when using aerodynamic attitude stabilization. The simulation tool named the Smart Nanosatellite Attitude Propagator (SNAP) has been public in precompiled form and widely used since 2010; this paper accompanies the release of SNAP’s source code with the inclusion of new models for aerodynamic torque and other new features. Details on internal models are described, including the models for orbit propagation, Earth’s magnetic field, gravity gradient torque, spacecraft shape modelling and aerodynamic torque, permanent magnetic dipole torque, and magnetic hysteresis. A discussion is presented on the significance of aerodynamic torque and magnetic hysteresis on a magnetically stabilized 3-unit CubeSat in the orbit of the International Space Station, from which many small satellites are deployed.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Protein Composite Conduit for Neural Regeneration

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes the proliferation of resident microglia and promotes cell migration. Peripheral nerve injury induces the morphological changes and proliferation macrophages. The imp...
Internal Carotid Artery Aplasia in a Patient With Nail-Patella Syndrome

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal development of ectodermal and mesodermal tissues. Classically, NPS presents as a triad of nail dysplasia, dysplastic patellae, and bony exostoses of the ilia known as "iliac horns." Apart from dermatological and skeletal abnormalities, patients may also have involvement of ophthalmologic and renal systems. The underlying molecular etiology in NPS is the mutation of LMX1B homeobox gene which results in loss of function of its protein also called LMX1B, a DNA-binding protein belonging to the larger LIM-homeodomain transcription factor family. Normal LMX1B gene and protein function are essential for dorsalization of the vertebrate limb bud, development of anterior eye structures, skull formation, and differentiation and migration of neurons in the central nervous system. We report a case of confirmed NPS presenting with congenital aplasia of the internal carotid artery and believe this is the first report of cerebrovascular developmental abnormality associated with NPS.
A neuroeconomic framework for investigating gender disparities in moralistic punishment

Moralistic punishment is common in humans and functions to discourage perceived moral transgressions. Research in neuroeconomics suggests that moralistic punishment behavior is associated with activity in neural systems involved in detecting norm violations and in value-based decision-making. Separately, research in philosophy and social psychology highlights different moral expectations for girls/women and boys/men. Here, we synthesize these perspectives to propose a framework for investigating gender disparities in punishment. We propose such disparities may arise through multiple channels, including (1) differences in how the neural salience network responds to perceived norm violations, with stronger responses when women (versus men) violate feminine-coded norms, and when men (versus women) violate masculine-coded norms; and (2) differences in how the neural valuation network tracks the value of punishment decisions, with stronger responses when punishing gender-specific norm violations. We review literature on gendered moral expectations and neural mechanisms underlying moralistic punishment, and suggest hypotheses for future research.
Learning and the "Early Joiner" Effect for Medical Conditions in Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Program: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background Studies of medical conditions in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative did not show reductions in Medicare payments for the majority of conditions, but this could mask heterogeneity. Objective To determine whether earlier enrollment and/or longer participation in BPCI were associated with performance. Design We divided BPCI hospitals into wave 1 (joined 10/1/13, 1/1/14, or 4/1/14), wave 2 (joined 7/1/14, 10/1/14, 1/1/15, or 4/1/15), and wave 3 (joined 7/1/15, 10/1/15, or 1/1/16) and compared changes in Medicare payments for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, pneumonia, sepsis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between BPCI and matched controls in 6-month increments. Subjects US hospitals. Measures Medicare payments. Results There were 120 hospital-condition pairs in wave 1, 264 in wave 2, and 300 in wave 3. Wave 1 hospitals had similar savings to controls early in the program (0-6 mo difference in differences -$10, P=0.976; 6-12 mo +$295, P=0.441; 12-18 mo -$540, P=0.218; 18-24 mo -$485, P=0.259) but had greater savings than controls at 24-30 months (difference in differences -$663, P=0.035). Wave 2 (0-6 mo +$193, P=0.524; 6-12 mo -$183, P=0.489; 12-18 mo -$162, P=0.618) and wave 3 hospitals (0-6 mo +$79, P=0.753; 6-12 mo -$32, P=0.876) did not achieve significant savings at any time interval. There were no differential changes in patient outcomes over time. Conclusions Hospitals that joined BPCI earliest began to achieve savings at roughly 2 years of participation. These findings have implications for this and other alternative payment models.
Universal Features of Non-equilibrium Ionic Currents through Perm-Selective Membranes: Gating by Charged Nanoparticles/Macromolecules for Robust Biosensing Applications

The presence of a small number (∼1000) of charged nanoparticles or macromolecules on the surface of an oppositely charged perm-selective membrane is shown to sensitively gate the ionic current thro...
Simulated efficient growth-stage-based deficit irrigation strategies for maximizing cotton yield, crop water productivity and net returns

Abstract Declining water levels in the southern Ogallala Aquifer and associated reduction in irrigation capacities and increasing pumping costs necessitate adoption of deficit/limited irrigation practices for sustaining cotton production in the Texas High Plains (THP) region. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the response of cotton crop to water stress in different growth stages and suggest efficient growth-stage-based deficit (GSBD) irrigation schedules for maximizing yield, crop water productivity (CWP) and economic returns under contrasting weather conditions using the CROPGRO-Cotton model. Five growth stages including seedling emergence/germination, squaring, early bloom/flower initiation, peak bloom, and boll opening/late bloom were considered. A combination of five irrigation scenarios (S1 through S5 with seasonal irrigation amounts of 240, 300, 360, 420 and 480 mm) and six irrigation treatments (T1 through T5: no irrigation in one of the five growth stages, and T6: irrigation applied in all five growth stages) were then simulated with a center pivot irrigation system. Skipping irrigation during the peak bloom growth stage (T4 treatment) resulted in the lowest yield, CWP and net returns under all weather conditions. The T1 irrigation treatment in which irrigation was skipped during the seedling emergence/germination stage was identified as the most efficient irrigation strategy for maximizing yield, CWP and net returns among all irrigation scenarios. Application of more than 360, 420 and 480 mm of irrigation water in wet, normal and dry years, respectively, did not significantly improve yield or net returns, and resulted in a decrease in CWP. These results imply that cotton responses to water deficit vary by growth stages, and adoption of appropriate GSBD irrigation strategies could optimize the use of limited water resources and extend the life of the southern Ogallala Aquifer.
Technical Modifications That Might Improve Long-term Outcomes of the Ross Procedure in Children.

Abstract Background Failure of the pulmonary valve autograft (PVA) after the Ross procedure (RP) has discouraged its widespread use and has led to modifications or alternatives to the procedure. We sought to analyze whether certain technical modifications could improve results of the RP in children. Methods Sixty-nine patients (median age, 12 years; range, 0.25-17.9) underwent the RP between January 1996 and December 2018. A concomitant Konno procedure was performed on 20 of 69 patients (29%). Prior interventions included balloon valvuloplasty in 30 (44%) and/or surgical valvuloplasty in 39 (57%). Technical modifications included using the native aortic root for external annuloplasty, implanting the autograft using uniplanar horizontal sutures through the aortic wall, normalizing the sinotubular junction, and wrapping the native root remnant around the PVA. Results Operative mortality was 1 of 69 patients (1.5%), with no late deaths. No patient had neoaortic valvar stenosis and 7 of 68 (10%) had mild regurgitation on discharge echocardiogram. At latest follow-up (median, 9.4 years; range, 0.4-21.3) there was no significant change in Z scores of annulus, sinus, or sinotubular junction diameters when compared with those at discharge. Three patients (4.4%) required late autograft replacement, 2 PVA repair, and 2 resection of a pseudoaneurysm. Actuarial freedom from PVA replacement was 87% at 20 years. Freedom from right ventricular outflow tract catheter reintervention or reoperation was 83% and 80%, respectively. Conclusions Technical modifications of the RP used in this cohort might successfully prolong the life of the PVA without compromising its growth, an important advantage in pediatric patients.
Glatiramer acetate enhances tumor retention and innate activation of immunostimulants.

Abstract Cancer immunotherapy aims to stimulate immune cells to recognize and attack tumor tissue. The immunostimulatory polyanions polyI:C and CpG induce potent pro-inflammatory immune responses as TLR3 and TLR9 agonists, respectively. Clinical trials of TLR agonists, however, have been fraught with immune-related adverse events, even when injecting intratumorally in an effort to minimize systemic exposure. We identified Glatiramer Acetate (GA), a positively-charged polypeptide approved for multiple sclerosis, as a delivery agent capable of complexing with polyI:C or CpG and reducing the mobility of these actives. Small nanoparticles termed polyplexes form when mixing positively-charged GA and negatively-charged immunostimulant (polyI:C or CpG). The ratio of GA to immunostimulant directly affected the potency of TLR activation and the mobility of these actives in simulated tumor tissue. Polyplexes of GA and CpG were injected intratumorally in a tumor model of head and neck cancer (HNC) and significantly mitigated tumor growth as compared to the vehicle controls. Intratumoral injections of CpG showed the slowest tumor growth but exhibited dramatically higher systemic proinflammatory cytokine levels compared to polyplexes of GA with CpG. Sequencing of RNA from resected tumors revealed a similar pattern of upregulated proinflammatory cytokines for CpG and polyplexes, a finding supported by histological tumor staining showing similar infiltration of immune cells induced by these treatments. Intratumoral administration of polyplexes of GA with immunostimulant represents a translational approach to enhance local immune responses while mitigating systemic immune-related adverse events.
إتجاه الزراع نحو تطوير الري الحقلي في مرکزي کفر الدوار وأبوحمص بمحافظة البحيرة

يستهدف هذا البحث بصفة أساسية التعرف على درجة إتجاه الزراع المبحوثين نحو تطوير الري الحقلي بمحافظة البحيرة ، وقد وقع الاختيار على مرکزي کفر الدوار وأبو حمص وذلک علي ترعة المحمودية واللذان ينفذ بهما مشروع تطوير الري الحقلي، وجمعت البيانات البحثية عن طريق الإستبيان بالمقابلة الشخصية لعينة عشوائية من الزراع المنتفعين من تطوير الري الحقلي بلغ قوامها (320) مبحوثا وفقا لمعادلة هيربرت أرکن من إجمالي الزراع المنتفعين من تطوير الري الحقلي بالمساحة الممولة فقط من البنک الدولي بکلا المرکزين والبالغ عددهم (50437) مزارعا ، وتمثلت الأساليب الإحصائية المستخدمة في : المتوسط الحسابي ، والجداول التکرارية ، والنسب المئوية ، ومعامل الثبات "ألفا کرونباخ" Cornbach's Alpha"" ، ومربع کاي (( ، ومعامل الإرتباط البسيط ( لبيرسون ) ، ومعامل الإنحدار المتعدد, وقد أوضحت النتائج البحثية ما يلي: أن أغلبية الزراع المبحوثين (52,19%) ذوي درجة الاتجاه الإيجابي نحو تطوير الري الحقلي ، وأشارت النتائج إلى وجود علاقة إرتباطية معنوية طردية بين درجة الاتجاه نحو تطوير الري الحقلي ومتغير الانفتاح علي العالم الخارجي ، وإجمالي الحيازة الأرضية المزرعية عند المستوي الإحتمالي (0,05) ، وکانت العلاقة إرتباطية معنوية طردية بين المتغير التابع والمستوى التعليمي للمبحوث ، والمشارکة الاجتماعية غير الرسمية ، والتعرض لمصادر المعلومات ، و درجة التجديدية ، واجمالي حيازة الألات الزراعية ، ومتغير تطوير قنوات الري ، ونوع التطوير بقنوات الري عند المستوي الإحتمالي (0,01) ، وقد إتضح معنوية تأثير کل من المتغيرات المستقلة التالية : المستوى التعليمي للمبحوث ، و المشارکة الاجتماعية غير الرسمية ، والتعرض لمصادر المعلومات ، ودرجة التجديدية ، وإجمالي حيازة الألات الزراعية ، و تطوير قنوات الري ، و نوع التطوير بقنوات الري وذلک عند مستوي معنوية (0,01) إستنادا إلى قيمة (ت) المحسوبة حيث بلغت قيمتها (4,464 ، 3,596 ، 2,759 ، 2,233 ، 3,120 ، 3,432 ، 4,908) على الترتيب ، هذا بالإضافة إلى أن تلک المتغيرات تساهم في تفسير حوالي (70%) من التغيرات في درجة اتجاه الزراع المبحوثين نحو تطوير الري الحقلي إستنادا إلى قيمة معامل التحديد (ر2) حيث بلغت (0,682) ، وکانت أبرز مبررات مشارکة الزراع في تطوير الري الحقلي من وجهة نظرهم : تقليل الزمن اللازم لاتمام عملية الري ، قلة تکاليف الري نتيجة لتوفير استخدام السولار ، توفير المياه المهدرة في الري نتيجة الرشح والبخر ، تنظيم عمليات الري وکل مزارع يحدد له ميعاده في الري ، توفير تکاليف تطهير المراوي الترابية من الحشائش ، تقليل عدد أماکن الرفع وآلات الري الکثيرة والعمالة اللازمة للري ، وکانت أهم المشکلات التي تحد من مشارکة الزراع في تطوير الري الحقلي من وجهة نظرهم : عدم توفر عمليات الصيانة اللازمة لمحطات الري ، عدم توفر قطع الغيار الأصلية لمحطات الري ، لا توجد عمالة فنية مدربة علي الصيانة ، زيادة تکاليف انشاء المحطات والمراوي ، کثرة الأعطال بسبب سوء الاستخدام ، لجنة المروي لا تعمل علي حل المشاکل بين الزراع ، لا يوجد دور لجهاز الارشاد الزراعي في التوعية بفوائد تطوير الري الحقلي ، اختلاف مناسيب ارتفاع المحابس مما يقلل من کفاءة نقل وتوزيع المياه ، عدم تناسب عدد المحابس مع مساحة الأرض المزروعة.
Kinetic Studies of the Hydrogen Atom Transfer in a Hypoxia-Sensing Enzyme, FIH-1: KIE and O2 Reactivity.

Cellular hypoxia plays a crucial role in tissue development and adaptation to pO2. Central to cellular oxygen sensing is factor-inhibiting HIF-1α (FIH), an α-ketoglutarate (αKG)/non-heme iron(II)-dependent dioxygenase that hydroxylates a specific asparagine residue of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). The high KM(O2) and rate-limiting decarboxylation step upon O2 activation are key features of the enzyme that classify it as an oxygen sensor and set it apart from other αKG/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases. Although the chemical intermediates following decarboxylation are presumed to follow the consensus mechanism of other αKG/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases, experiments have not previously demonstrated these canonical steps in FIH. In this work, a deuterated peptide substrate was used as a mechanistic probe for the canonical hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). Our data show a large kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in steady-state kinetics (Dkcat = 10 ± 1), revealing that the HAT occurs and is partially rate limiting on kcat. Kinetic studies showed that the deuterated peptide led FIH to uncouple O2 activation and provided the opportunity to spectroscopically observe the ferryl intermediate. This enzyme uncoupling was used as an internal competition with respect to the fate of the ferryl intermediate, demonstrating a large observed KIE on the uncoupling (Dk5 = 1.147 ± 0.005) and an intrinsic KIE on the HAT step (Dk > 15). The close energy barrier between αKG decarboxylation and HAT distinguishes FIH as an O2-sensing enzyme and is crucial for ensuring substrate specificity in the regulation of cellular O2 homeostasis.
Mitochondrial iron metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Iron is a key element for mitochondrial function and homeostasis, which is also crucial for maintaining the neuronal system, but too much iron promotes oxidative stress. A large body of evidence has indicated that abnormal iron accumulation in the brain is associated with various neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Friedreich’s ataxia. However, it is still unclear how irregular iron status contributes to the development of neuronal disorders. Hence, the current review provides an update on the causal effects of iron overload in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases and discusses important roles of mitochondrial iron homeostasis in these disease conditions. Furthermore, this review discusses potential therapeutic targets for the treatments of iron overload-linked neurodegenerative diseases.
The Impact of Collectivism and Individualism on Customer Expectations

This conceptual paper examines the impact of culture upon customer expectations. Two specific cultural syndromes - collectivism and individualism - are identified. Propositions are then offered as to the impact of these syndromes upon four sources of expectations: explicit promises, implicit promises, word-of-mouth, and past experience.
Effects of butyltins on mitogen-activated-protein kinase kinase kinase and Ras activity in human natural killer cells.

Butyltins (BTs) contaminate the environment and are found in human blood. BTs, tributyltin (TBT) and dibutyltin (DBT), diminish the cytotoxic function and levels of key proteins of human natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are an initial immune defense against tumors, virally-infected cells and antibody-coated cells and thus critical to human health. The signaling pathways that regulate NK cell functions include mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Studies have shown that exposure to BTs leads to the activation of specific MAPKs and MAPK kinases (MAP2Ks) in human NK cells. MAP2K kinases (MAP3Ks) are upstream activators of MAP2Ks, which then activate MAPKs. The current study examined if BT-induced activation of MAP3Ks was responsible for MAP2K and thus, MAPK activation. This study examines the effects of TBT and DBT on the total levels of two MAP3Ks, c-Raf and ASK1, as well as activating and inhibitory phosphorylation sites on these MAP3Ks. In addition, the immediate upstream activator of c-Raf, Ras, was examined for BT-induced alterations. Our results show significant activation of the MAP3K, c-Raf, in human NK cells within 10 minutes of TBT exposure and the MAP3K, ASK1, after one hour exposures to TBT. In addition, our results suggest that both TBT and DBT are impacting the regulation of c-Raf.
Where have all the young men gone? Using sex ratios to measure fetal death rates

Fetal health is an important consideration in policy formation. Unfortunately, a complete census of fetal deaths, an important measure of overall fetal health, is infeasible, and available data are selectively observed. We consider this issue in the context of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 (CAAA), one of the largest and most influential environmental regulations in the history of the United States. We discuss a model of potential bias in measuring observed fetal deaths, and present the sex ratio of live births as an alternative fetal health endpoint, taking advantage of the finding that males are more vulnerable to side effects of maternal stress in utero. We find the CAAA caused substantial improvements in fetal health, in addition to previously identified reductions in post-natal mortality.
A software defined radar platform for waveform adaptive MIMO radar research

MIMO Radar systems that can adaptively select independent waveforms on transmit antennas can provide spatial and temporal diversity gains for improved detection, classification and tracking capability in challenging propagation environments. In this paper we discuss design, implementation and validation of a Software Defined Radar (SDR) test bed to derive MIMO waveform adaptive radar research. The OSU micro SDR platform features a custom integrated X-Band RF frontend with two independent transmit and a single receive channel multiplexed to four receiver antennas with bandwidth of 250 MHz and a digital back-end with an FPGA and an embedded PC for real-time receive processing and waveform scheduling.
Alumina Composites for Oxide/Oxide Fibrous Monoliths

Most work on ceramic fibrous monoliths (FMs) has focused on the Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/BN system. In an effort to develop oxidation-resistant FMs, several oxide systems have recently been examined. Zirconia-toughened alumina and alumina/mullite appear to be good candidates for the cell phase of FMs. These composites offer higher strength and toughness than pure alumina and good high-temperature stability. By combining these oxides, possibly with a weaker high-temperature oxide as the cell-boundary phase, it should be possible to product a strong, resilient FM that exhibits graceful failure. Several material combinations have been examined. Results on FM fabrication and microstructural development are presented.
Lectin-Based Characterization of Vascular Cell Microparticle Glycocalyx

Microparticles (MPs) are released constitutively and from activated cells. MPs play significant roles in vascular homeostasis, injury, and as biomarkers. The unique glycocalyx on the membrane of cells has frequently been exploited to identify specific cell types, however the glycocalyx of the MPs has yet to be defined. Thus, we sought to determine whether MPs, released both constitutively and during injury, from vascular cells have a glycocalyx matching those of the parental cell type to provide information on MP origin. For these studies we used rat pulmonary microvascular and artery endothelium, pulmonary smooth muscle, and aortic endothelial cells. MPs were collected from healthy or cigarette smoke injured cells and analyzed with a panel of lectins for specific glycocalyx linkages. Intriguingly, we determined that the MPs released either constitutively or stimulated by CSE injury did not express the same glycocalyx of the parent cells. Further, the glycocalyx was not unique to any of the specific cell types studied. These data suggest that MPs from both normal and healthy vascular cells do not share the parental cell glycocalyx makeup.
Individual differences in problem solving via insight

The purpose of the present work was to identify general problem solving skills that underlie the production of insight. One hundred and eighteen participants completed insight problems, analogies, series-completion problems and the Remote Associates Test. Scores on all measures were related to performance on the insight problems (Pearson r's ranged from .31 to .47, p < .008). These findings are consistent with the notion that the abilities to apprehend relations and fluency of thought are involved in insightful problem solving.
Cyclogenesis in Cold Air Masses

Abstract The small-scale and rapid development of polar lows over relatively data-sparse areas results in a special forecast challenge for the operational forecasting community. This paper constitutes a review of recent advances in our understanding of cyclogenesis in polar air masses. The review is primarily comprised of a survey of the observed features of polar lows as documented in a number of case studies presented in the recent literature. The review is organized on the basis of a combination of observational and physical considerations and is aimed at diagnosing common types of developments. Theoretical ideas concerning the origins of polar lows and results of numerical modeling experiments aimed at simulating their development are also summarized. Finally, a discussion of approaches to the operational problem of forecasting polar lows is given.
Magnetic field perturbations as a tool for controlling enzyme-regulated and oscillatory biochemical reactions.

Abstract The feasibility of magnetic field perturbations as a tool for controlling enzyme-regulated and oscillatory biochemical reactions is studied. Our approach is based on recent experimental results that revealed magnetic field effects on the in vitro activity of enzyme systems in accordance with the radical pair mechanism. A minimum model consisting of two coupled enzyme-regulated reactions is discussed that combines, in a self-consistent manner, magnetic field-sensitive enzyme kinetics with non-linear dynamical principles. Furthermore, a simple detector mechanism is described that is capable of responding to an oscillatory input. Results reveal that moderate-strength magnetic fields ( B =1–100 mT) may effectively alter the dynamics of the system. In particular, a response behavior is observed that depends on: (1) the combination of static and time-varying magnetic fields; (2) the field amplitude; and (3) the field frequency in a non-linear fashion. The specific response behavior is critically determined by the biochemical boundary conditions as defined by the kinetic properties of the system. We propose an experimental implementation of the results based on the oscillatory peroxidase–oxidase reaction controlled by the enzyme horseradish peroxidase.
Further developments and applications of the Green’s function method of sensitivity analysis in chemical kinetics

A numerical procedure is presented for implementing the Green’s function method of sensitivity analysis in chemical kinetics. The procedure is applied to three sets of chemical reactions: the Chapman mechanism for ozone kinetics, a mechanism for methane combustion and a model for formaldehyde oxidation in the presence of carbon monoxide. Whenever possible, comparisons with alternative methods of sensitivity analysis are made. It is shown that carefully analyzed sensitivity profiles can be used in conjunction with experiments and/or models to obtain useful information about chemical kinetic behavior. By using methods from multivariable calculus an entire family of sensitivity coefficients may be derived from the elementary sensitivities obtained by solving differential equations. Each elementary or derived sensitivity coefficient has a unique physical interpretation in terms of an experiment or modeling calculation. A simple nonlinear interpolation formula is suggested for easily estimating higher‐order se...
Quasilength, latent regular sequences, and content of local cohomology

Abstract The quasilength of a finitely generated module that is killed by a power of a finitely generated ideal I is introduced: it is the length of a shortest filtration of the module with factors that are cyclic modules killed by I. This notion is then used to define a notion of content for the dth local cohomology module of a ring or module with support in an ideal generated by d elements. In the case of a ring, which is central, this content is a real number between 0 and 1. It is not known whether it is independent of the choice of the d generators nor whether it can change if the generators are replaced by powers. In positive prime characteristic it is shown that the content is always 0 or 1. This is an open question in equal characteristic 0 and in mixed characteristic. It is conjectured that if the elements form a system of parameters in a local ring of dimension d, then the content is 1. This is proved if the ring contains a field. In mixed characteristic it is an open question in dimension 3 or more, and implies the direct summand conjecture. The relationship between the notions of quasilength and content and the property that a sequence of elements can become a regular sequence on a ring or module after base change is explored.