cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Knowledge engineering tools for reasoning with scientific observations and interpretations: a neural connectivity use case

We address the goal of curating observations from published experiments in a generalizable form; reasoning over these observations to generate interpretations and then querying this interpreted knowledge to supply the supporting evidence. We present web-application software as part of the 'BioScholar' project (R01-GM083871) that fully instantiates this process for a well-defined domain: using tract-tracing experiments to study the neural connectivity of the rat brain. The main contribution of this work is to provide the first instantiation of a knowledge representation for experimental observations called 'Knowledge Engineering from Experimental Design' (KEfED) based on experimental variables and their interdependencies. The software has three parts: (a) the KEfED model editor - a design editor for creating KEfED models by drawing a flow diagram of an experimental protocol; (b) the KEfED data interface - a spreadsheet-like tool that permits users to enter experimental data pertaining to a specific model; (c) a 'neural connection matrix' interface that presents neural connectivity as a table of ordinal connection strengths representing the interpretations of tract-tracing data. This tool also allows the user to view experimental evidence pertaining to a specific connection. BioScholar is built in Flex 3.5. It uses Persevere (a noSQL database) as a flexible data store and PowerLoom® (a mature First Order Logic reasoning system) to execute queries using spatial reasoning over the BAMS neuroanatomical ontology. We first introduce the KEfED approach as a general approach and describe its possible role as a way of introducing structured reasoning into models of argumentation within new models of scientific publication. We then describe the design and implementation of our example application: the BioScholar software. This is presented as a possible biocuration interface and supplementary reasoning toolkit for a larger, more specialized bioinformatics system: the Brain Architecture Management System (BAMS).
Open versus endovascular treatment of complex femoropopliteal occlusive disease

METHODS: From 2003 2006, open and endovascular (TASC C and D) cases of femoropopliteal revascularization were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and demographic variables were collected. Hospital cost associated with the index procedure was obtained from an administrative database. Data was analyzed with multivariate techniques. RESULTS: 294 cases were identified (183 open, 111 endovascular: 92 TASC C, 19 TASC D). The mean follow-up was 553 / 20 days. Patency probability for open revascularization was greater than endovascular at 12 months. (73 / 3.5% versus 53 / 5%, P 0.05) Hospital stay was longer in the open group (6.6 / 0.5 days versus 2.7 / 0.4 days, P 0.001). Total hospital cost was higher in the open surgical group compared to the endovascular group ($13,890 / 1364 versus $8,783 / 713, P 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the cost per day of patency between the two groups (Open $125 / 24/day versus Endovascular $339 / 153/day).
Production of engineered IgM-binding single-chain antibodies inEscherichia coli

Two single-chain antibodies were engineered and tested as novel binding proteins with specificity for immunoglobulin M. Genes for the two single-chain Fv proteins were assembled from the variable light chain cDNA and variable heavy chain cDNA of monoclonal antibodies DA4.4 and Bet 2, which specifically bind human IgM and mouse IgM, respectively. Both single-chain Fv proteins were designed with a 14-amino acid linker which bridged the variable light chain and variable heavy chain domains. The two proteins were expressed inEscherichia coli, purified and assayed for IgM-binding activity. Both proteins demonstrate a binding specificity for their corresponding IgM which is similar to the monoclonal antibodies from which they were derived. These small IgM-binding proteins may have applications in the investigation of the immune response and in the detection and purification of monoclonal antibodies, cell-associated antibodies, and IgM from serum.
Congenital Absence of the Right Pericardium: Embryology and Imaging

Though congenital pericardial absence is often asymptomatic, complications can be life threatening. To date, few short case reports, primarily from the pre-CT and MR era, describe congenital absence of the right pericardium. We present a more comprehensive discussion of the embryologic derangements causing such defects and offer an up-to-date review of characteristic radiologic findings. Recognition of characteristic imaging findings of congenital pericardial absence is crucial in guiding diagnosis and management.
Post-column metal complexation of quinolone antibiotics in a quadrupole ion trap.

Post-column addition of a metal salt and an auxiliary chelating ligand via a sheath flow offers an alternative strategy for promoting electrospray ionization of analytes via metal cationization. In the present study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) mass spectrometer interface that incorporates a modified ionspray source that allows either online metal cationization or protonation is reported. The analytical utility of metal complexation is evaluated relative to protonation as a means for efficient ionization and generation of structurally diagnostic ions during HPLC separation. To improve metal cationization, an auxiliary chelating ligand is added to the sheath flow to coordinate the metal and stabilize the resulting complexes. The methodology was verified using a series of quinolone antibiotics as model analytes. Relative reaction efficiencies were compared for the protonation vs. metal complexation modes, and it was found that metal complexation with an auxiliary chelating ligand gave a three to five times better detection limit than protonation for the quinolones. Detector linearity and optimal reaction conditions are also reported.
Isopiestic studies of aqueous solutions at elevated temperatures I. KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2

Abstract Isopiestic studies have been made on aqueous solutions of KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 over the temperature range 382 to 474 K. Sodium chloride served as the reference solution and provided the basis for the calculation of osmotic coefficients. The molality range covered in this study correspond to about 1 to 6 mol kg−1 for NaCl. An equation recently developed by Pitzer was fitted to each set of osmotic coefficients with a standard deviation of fit (in the osmotic coefficient) ranging from 0.0009 to 0.0029. Parameters obtained from the fit were used to calculate activity coefficients. The activity coefficients showed a monotonic decrease with increasing temperature and became much less dependent on molality at the higher molalities. Osmotic coefficients of KCl and CaCl2 solutions are consistent (by extrapolation) with existing low-temperature (
Axoplasmic transport: differential inhibition by cytochalasin-B.

Slow (1 mm/day) and fast (10mm/day) axoplasmic transport of labelled protein, shown by the movement of sharp peaks of radioactivity along the crayfish nerve cord, are blocked by cytochalasin-B. Labelled proteins in the slow peak maintain their sharp distribution; however, those in the fast peak disperse over a broad area after the drug-induced blockage.
Anomalons in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Abstract By reviewing experimental results from many anomalon searches, one can reasonably conclude that anomalons, if they exist, are preferentially produced in peripheral collisions, signified by low values of N h and δ Z . For Z ≥ 3, the experimental picture about the existence of anomalons is not very clear at this moment. In the Z = 2 case, however, there are reasonably convincing indications that anomalons do seem to be present in fragments produced by light projectile nuclei such as 12 C.
Diterpenes from the marine pulmonate trimusculus reticulatus

Abstract The marine pulmonate Trimusculus reticulatus contains 6β-isovaleroxylabda-8,13-dien-7α,15-diol ( 1 ) and 2α,7α-diacetoxy-6β-isovaleroxylabda-8,13-dien-15-ol ( 2 ). The diol 1 is found in the mucus produced by T. reticulatus that repels predatory sea stars.
Kinematics and Dynamics of a Sliding/Bouncing Two Mass System

This paper presents the solution of the impact problem for a sliding/bouncing baton on flat and inclined planes subject to surface friction. The baton is assumed to have unilaterally constrained motion, which means one end slides on the ground while the other end collides with the ground. We use the impulse momentum approach and incorporate the impulse correlation ratio (ICR) hypothesis to solve the ground impact problem when the system has unilaterally constrained dynamics. Parametric investigations were carried out to examine the effect of the baton’s length and the inclined wall slope angle on the impulse correlation ratio. Numerical simulation and experiments were carried out to validate the model.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Minocycline-Induced Fulminant Intracranial Hypertension

Objective To describe the clinical course of an unusually severe case of minocycline-induced intracranial hypertension. Design Case study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient Twelve-year-old girl with a fulminant course of intracranial hypertension. Interventions Magnetic resonance imaging and venography of the brain, lumbar puncture, and optic nerve sheath fenestration. Results Although the patient ceased minocycline treatment, there was ongoing and rapid worsening of symptoms and vision loss. Lumbar puncture, which normally acts as a temporizing measure to preserve vision, failed to prevent, and may even have precipitated, further deterioration in vision, necessitating surgical intervention with optic nerve sheath fenestration. Conclusion Minocycline can cause a fulminant syndrome of elevated intracranial pressure, with severe vision loss, even after the medication has been discontinued.
Do Bank-affiliated Analysts Benefit from Lending Relationships?

This paper investigates whether private information from lending activities improves the forecast accuracy of bank-affiliated analysts. Using a matched sample design, matching by affiliated bank or borrower, we demonstrate that the forecast accuracy of bank-affiliated analysts increases after the followed firm borrows from the affiliated bank. We also find that the increase in forecast accuracy is more pronounced for borrowers with greater information asymmetry, as measured by firm size and the standard deviation of analyst consensus forecasts, and for borrowers with bad news and high credit risk. Overall our evidence suggests that information flows from commercial banking to equity research divisions within financial conglomerates.
Stimulation of vgf gene expression by NGF is mediated through multiple signal transduction pathways involving protein phosphorylation

The vgf gene encodes one of the most rapidly induced neuronal mRNAs identified in NGF-treated PC12 cells. Maximal inhibition of VGF mRNA induction was achieved using K-252a, an inhibitor of the NGF-receptor Trk tyrosine kinase, and by mutating both Y490 (SHC association site) and Y785 (PLC-γ1 association site) of Trk. Inhibitors of the NGF-activated protein kinase N (PKN) were found to partially and in some cases transiently block VGF induction by NGF while in PKA-deficient PC12 cells, VGF induction by NGF was comparable to that observed in parental PC12 cells. The binding of NGF to Trk therefore activates redundant signal transduction pathways which converge to regulate vgf gene expression.
Exploring the Adoption, Utility, and Social Influences of Social Bookmarking in a Corporate Environment

This paper describes an ongoing technology investigation to assess the value and utility of social bookmarking on a corporate intranet. We hypothesize that social bookmarking would be useful in this environment for resource management, information sharing and discovery, expert finding, and social networking. We discuss features of the prototype system deployed and early analysis of findings on adoption, usage, and social influences. We conclude with our challenges and plans for future development and integration into the enterprise
Interpreting Aristotle on mixture: problems about elemental composition from Philoponus to Cooper

Aristotle’s On generation and corruption raises a vital question: how is mixture, or what we would now call chemical combination, possible? It also offers an outline of a solution to the problem and a set of criteria that a successful solution must meet. Understanding Aristotle’s solution and developing a viable peripatetic theory of chemical combination has been a source of controversy over the last two millennia. We describe seven criteria a peripatetic theory of mixture must satisfy: uniformity, recoverability, potentiality, equilibrium, alteration, incompleteness, and the ability to distinguish mixture from generation, corruption, juxtaposition, augmentation, and alteration. After surveying the theories of Philoponus (d. 574), Avicenna(d. 1037), Averroes (d. 1198), a nd John M. Cooper (fl. circa2000), we argue for the merits of Richard Rufus of Cornwall’s theory. Rufus (fl. 1231–1256) was a little known scholastic philosopher who became a Franciscan theologian in 1238, after teaching Aristotelian natural philosophy as a secular master in Paris. Lecturing on Aristotle’s De generatione et corruptione, around the year 1235, he offered his students a solution to the problem of mixture that we believe satisfies Aristotle’s seven criteria. # 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Completion of CCL hot model for SNS-linac R&D program

Los Alamos completed the R&D program for the SNS linac in September 2002 with publication of a comprehensive report on the SNS coupled-cavity linac (CCL) hot model. In this paper we summarize the results of this R&D program, including design of the bridge-coupled CCL, refinement of the design through cold models, and fabrication and testing of a hot model. We describe the RF system used to power the model, the prototype water-cooling and vacuum systems, and the experimental tests of these systems, including low-power, high-power, and radiation measurements. The CCL hot-model experiments answered vital questions about design, manufacturability, and stability for this type of RF structure.
Adrenergic agonists induce heterologous sensitization of adenylate cyclase in NS20Y‐D2L cells

Adenylate cyclase activity in NS20Y cells expressing D2L dopamine receptors was examined following chronic treatment with norepinephrine and epinephrine. Initial acute experiments revealed that both norepinephrine and epinephrine inhibited forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation via D2 receptors. Furthermore, chronic (18 h) activation of D2 dopamine receptors by norepinephrine or epinephrine induced a marked increase (>10-fold) in subsequent forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. This heterologous sensitization of adenylate cyclase activity was blocked by D2 dopamine receptor antagonists and by pertussis toxin pretreatment. In contrast, concurrent activation of Gαs or adenylate cyclase did not appear to alter noradrenergic agonist-induced sensitization.
Pharmacologic Suppression of Hepatic ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter 1 Activity in Mice Reduces High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels but Promotes Reverse Cholesterol Transport

Background—The role of hepatic ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) in maintaining plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels is well established, but its role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is unclear. Probucol is a compound that reduces HDL-C levels but also reduces atherosclerosis in animal models and xanthomas in humans. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that probucol inhibits hepatic ABCA1 activity, thereby reducing HDL-C levels but promoting RCT from macrophages. Methods and Results—Wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) knockout mice were fed a chow diet containing 0.5% probucol or normal chow for 2 weeks. In WT mice, probucol, despite decreasing HDL-C by >80%, effectively maintained macrophage RCT. In SR-BI knockout mice, probucol also substantially reduced HDL-C but significantly increased macrophage RCT. Furthermore, probucol significantly enhanced the excretion of HDL-derived cholesterol into feces in both WT...
Effect of Educational Preparation on the Accuracy of Linear Growth Measurement in Pediatric Primary Care Practices: Results of a Multicenter Nursing Study

Consistently monitoring a child's linear growth is one of the least invasive, most sensitive tools to identify normal physiologic functioning and a healthy lifestyle. However, studies, mostly from the United Kingdom, indicate that children are frequently measured incorrectly. Inaccurate linear measurements may result in some children having undetected growth disorders whereas others with normal growth being referred for costly, unwarranted specialty evaluations. This study presents the secondary analysis of a primary study that used a randomized control study design to demonstrate that a didactic educational intervention resulted in significantly more children being measured accurately within eight pediatric practices. The secondary analysis explored the influence of the measurer's educational level on the outcome of accurate linear measurement. Results indicated that RNs were twice as likely as non-RNs to measure children accurately.
Laboratory Studies of Continuously Stratified Flows Past Obstacles

Owing to the societal importance placed on weather prediction, pollution transport and dispersion, and the commercial and recreational use of our atmospheric and oceanic environment, there continues to be a substantial interest in conducting research in the broad field of environmental fluid mechanics. This area of inquiry encompasses the role of background stratification and rotation on fluid motions and includes the effects of turbulence, complex bathymetry, time-dependent forcing (e.g., tides), phase changes in the fluid media (e.g., precipitation) and a myriad of other complex factors affecting the fluid system. The present communication is concerned with the effects of stratification on the motion of fluids past a variety of topographic shapes. In particular the focus is on a review of selected laboratory studies that have been carried out to better understand the effects of mountain ranges in the ocean or atmosphere on the motion fields in their respective environments and the motion of vehicles (e.g. submarines) through stratified waters. The general conclusion is that, while much has been learned from past laboratory studies, the rapid development of new data acquisition methodologies will allow laboratory studies to play an even greater role in the future in obtaining a deeper understanding of environmental flows. In particular laboratory studies have the potential for being a key factor in the development of improved numerical models of these phenomena, leading eventually to improved prediction. It is also concluded that increased efforts should be made in the laboratory studies to (i) conduct in-depth comparisons between the detailed data sets now available from laboratory studies and appropriate numerical and theoretical models, (ii) investigate flows past complex terrain for which the Rossby number is of order unity or smaller (rotation is important), (iii) consider experiments with more realistic buoyancy frequency and background velocity distributions, and (iv) investigate the vertical motion of obstacles through stratified fluids.
46. The Accuracy of Medical Records and Police Reports in Determining Motor Vehicle Crash Characteristics

Objective : To determine the accuracy of ambulance (AR), emergency department (EDR) and police (PR) records in describing motor vehicle crash (MVC) characteristics when compared to a standard - an in-depth motor vehicle crash investigation record (CIR). Methods : Fifty-six MVC patients transported to a suburban, university hospital emergency department via ambulance and included in a crash investigation were identified. The time period was January 1993 through December 1995. Data sources were the AR, EDR, PR and CIR. The CIR was abstracted to a standard form. The other data sources were abstracted to a standard form using a retrospective, blinded review. Variables included occupant position, restraint use, air bag deployment, type of impact, ejection, and external cause of injury code. Accuracy was measured by determining percent agreement and Kappa for each data source compared to the CIR. Results : Forty-six cases (82%) had one or more episodes of discordance. The mean percent agreement for the sources studied was AR 0.813, EDR 0.893 and PR 0.932. Mean values for Kappa were AR 0.712, EDR 0.831 and PR 0.885. Among variables, restraint use was determined with the least accuracy with means for percent agreement and Kappa of 0.792 and 0.674, respectively. For the AR, discordance was due to missing information almost 50% of the time.
Analysis and Mitigation of NoSQL Injections

NoSQL data storage systems have become very popular due to their scalability and ease of use. Unfortunately, they lack the security measures and awareness that are required for data protection. Although the new data models and query formats of NoSQL data stores make old attacks such as SQL injections irrelevant, they give attackers new opportunities for injecting their malicious code into the statements passed to the database. Analysis of the techniques for injecting malicious code into NoSQL data stores provides examples of new NoSQL injections as well as Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks, allowing attackers to bypass perimeter defenses such as firewalls. Analysis of the source of these vulnerabilities and present methodologies can mitigate such attacks. Because code analysis alone is insufficient to prevent attacks in today's typical large-scale deployment, certain mitigations should be done throughout the entire software life cycle.
Silicon oxycarbide glass-graphene composite paper electrode for long-cycle lithium-ion batteries

Silicon and graphene are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their high theoretical capacity; however, low volumetric energy density, poor efficiency and instability in high loading electrodes limit their practical application. Here we report a large area (approximately 15 cm × 2.5 cm) self-standing anode material consisting of molecular precursor-derived silicon oxycarbide glass particles embedded in a chemically-modified reduced graphene oxide matrix. The porous reduced graphene oxide matrix serves as an effective electron conductor and current collector with a stable mechanical structure, and the amorphous silicon oxycarbide particles cycle lithium-ions with high Coulombic efficiency. The paper electrode (mass loading of 2 mg cm(-2)) delivers a charge capacity of ∼588 mAh g(-1)electrode (∼393 mAh cm(-3)electrode) at 1,020th cycle and shows no evidence of mechanical failure. Elimination of inactive ingredients such as metal current collector and polymeric binder reduces the total electrode weight and may provide the means to produce efficient lightweight batteries.
Advances in the Characterization of Compositionally-Graded Layers in Amorphous Semiconductor Solar Cells by Real Time Spectroellipsometry

The authors have developed a real time spectroellipsometry data analysis procedure that allows us to characterize compositionally-graded amorphous semiconductor alloy thin films prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). As an example, the authors have applied the analysis to obtain the depth-profile of the optical gap and alloy composition with {le} {angstrom} resolution for a hydrogenated amorphous silicon-carbon alloy (a-Si{sub 1{minus}x}C{sub x}:H) film prepared by continuously varying the gas flow ratio z = [CH{sub 4}]/{l_brace}[CH{sub 4}] + [SiH{sub 4}]{r_brace} In the PECVD process. The graded layer has been incorporated at the p/i interface of widegap a-Si{sub 1{minus}x}C{sub x}:H (x {approximately} 0.05) p-i-n solar cells, and consistent improvements in open-circuit voltage have been demonstrated. The importance of the graded-layer characterization is the ability to relate improvements in device performance directly to the physical properties of the interface layer, rather to the deposition parameters with which they were prepared.
Electron-Deficient Triarylborane Block Copolymers: Synthesis by Controlled Free Radical Polymerization and Application in the Detection of Fluoride Ions

Luminescent triarylborane homo and block copolymers with well-defined chain architectures were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of a vinyl-functionalized borane monomer. The Lewis acid properties of the polymers were exploited in the luminescent detection of fluoride ions. A dual-responsive fluoride sensor was developed by taking advantage of the reversible self-assembly of a PNIPAM-based amphiphilic block copolymer. Anion detection in aqueous solution was realized by introducing positively charged pyridinium moieties along the polymer chain.
Personalized in vitro cancer models to predict therapeutic response: Challenges and a framework for improvement

Personalized cancer therapy focuses on characterizing the relevant phenotypes of the patient, as well as the patient's tumor, to predict the most effective cancer therapy. Historically, these methods have not proven predictive in regards to predicting therapeutic response. Emerging culture platforms are designed to better recapitulate the in vivo environment, thus, there is renewed interest in integrating patient samples into in vitro cancer models to assess therapeutic response. Successful examples of translating in vitro response to clinical relevance are limited due to issues with patient sample acquisition, variability and culture. We will review traditional and emerging in vitro models for personalized medicine, focusing on the technologies, microenvironmental components, and readouts utilized. We will then offer our perspective on how to apply a framework derived from toxicology and ecology towards designing improved personalized in vitro models of cancer. The framework serves as a tool for identifying optimal readouts and culture conditions, thus maximizing the information gained from each patient sample.
Planning in organizations: Performance as a multi-level phenomenon

In complex, dynamic environments where people must coordinate their activities, planning represents a key influence on performance. Accordingly, one might expect planning to affect performance in organizational settings. In this article, we define planning as the mental simulation of future actions. The processing operations that make the generation of viable mental simulations possible are then described along with requisite information requirements. The variables that shape the need for, and effectiveness of, planning activities are then considered with respect to the individual, group, and organizational levels of analysis. Based on these observations, we argue that planning represents a cross-level performance phenomenon of critical importance in understanding organizational behavior. Directions for future research are discussed.
Quantum-biological control of energy transfer in hybrid quantum dot-metallic nanoparticle systems

We show theoretically that when a semiconductor quantum dot and metallic nanoparticle system interacts with a laser field, quantum coherence can introduce a new landscape for the dynamics of Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). We predict adsorption of biological molecules to such a hybrid system can trigger dramatic changes in the way energy is transferred, blocking FRET while the distance between the quantum dot and metallic nanoparticle (R) and other structural specifications remain unchanged. We study the impact of variation of R on the FRET rate in the presence of quantum coherence and its ultrafast decay, offering a characteristically different dependency than the standard 1/R 6 . Application of the results for quantum nanosensors is discussed.
Results from One-Variable Calculus

This chapter gives a quick review of the real number system and of the foundational and basic theorems of one-variable calculus, and then it proceeds to a more extensive discussion of Taylor’s theorem.
The impact of level of education on age-related deficits in associative memory: Behavioral and neuropsychological perspectives.

Abstract Older adults have difficulty forming associations and binding distinct item components despite mostly preserved item memory potentially because they rely on more automatic, rather than strategic, processing when attempting to form, store, and retrieve associations from memory. An intriguing possibility is that older adults with greater access to strategic processes (e.g., those with a high level of education) may be less susceptible to age-related associative memory deficits. Two experiments assessed the degree to which a high level of education provides an effective dose of cognitive reserve (CR), potentially preserving associative memory. Standard younger and older adults' item and associative memory performance was compared to older adults who had attained a high level of education (mostly doctoral degrees). In both experiments (Experiment 1: person–action pairs; Experiment 2: unrelated word pairs), consistent evidence was found that older adults, regardless of the level of education, exhibited an age-related associative memory deficit relative to younger adults. Interestingly, neuropsychological assessment of both older adult groups revealed greater frontal lobe, but not enhanced medial temporal lobe, functioning in the highly educated. As such, although the highly educated older adults exhibited greater frontal lobe functioning than the standard older adults, this did not aid in the reduction of the age-related associative memory deficit.
A Brief Overview of Tauopathy: Causes, Consequences, and Therapeutic Strategies

There are currently no disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of tauopathies, a group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders that are pathologically defined by the presence of tau protein aggregates in the brain. Current challenges for the treatment of tauopathies include the inability to diagnose early and to confidently discriminate between distinct tauopathies in patients, alongside an incomplete understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in pathogenic tau-induced neuronal death and dysfunction. In this review, we describe current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, known drivers of pathogenic tau formation, recent contributions to our current mechanistic understanding of how pathogenic tau induces neuronal death, and potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Controlling multimode optomechanical interactions via interference

We demonstrate optomechanical interference in a multimode system, in which an optical mode couples to two mechanical modes. A phase-dependent excitation-coupling approach is developed, which enables the observation of destructive interference in dynamical backactions. The destructive interference prevents the coupling of the mechanical system to the optical mode, suppressing optically induced mechanical damping. These studies establish optomechanical interference as an essential tool for controlling the interactions between light and mechanical oscillators.
Low-Complexity Link Adaptation for Energy Efficiency Maximization in MIMO-OFDM Systems

We present a low-complexity link adaptation algorithm for maximizing the energy efficiency (EE) of MIMO-OFDM systems. We prove that the EE is a single-peaked quasi-concave function of the transmit power and develop an iterative algorithm to find near-optimal transmit power. We further prune the search space by analyzing the singular values of the channel. The resulting link adaptation protocol achieves orders of magnitude reduction in complexity compared with the brute force search method without noticeably sacrificing the performance.
Ultrafiltration Therapy in Decompensated Heart Failure

Ultrafiltration (UF) is a mechanical method used to achieve decongestion in the setting of volume overload. There are multiple physiologic differences between fluid removal via UF and fluid removal by diuretics. Clinical trials comparing UF and diuretics in patients with decompensated heart failure are not uniform in their design or their results. Future investigations of this therapy should focus on specific subgroups of patients with HF and should be adequately powered for clinically meaningful outcomes.
Quality of Life in Palliative Care.

Introduction A main goals of palliative care is to improve the health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced illnesses. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an updated synopsis on the use of QOL questionnaires in the palliative care setting. Areas covers Focusing on the palliative cares setting, we will define QOL, discuss how QOL instruments can be used clinically and in research, review approaches to validate these questionnaires, and how they can be used in utility analyses. Expert opinion/commentary Several QOL questionnaires, such as EORTC-QLQ-C30, McGill QOL questionnaire and EQ-5D have been validated in the palliative care setting. However, significant gaps impede their application, including lack of determination of their responsiveness to change and minimal clinically important differences, the need to conduct more psychometric validation on QOL questionnaires among patients at various stages of disease trajectory, and the paucity of studies examining utility and cost-effectiveness. Further research is needed to address these knowledge gaps so QOL questionnaires can be better used to inform clinical practice and research.
Single-wing resonant multilevel converter featuring reduced number of resonant inductors

This paper presents a multilevel modular step-down DC-DC switched-capacitor converter that utilizes soft switching resonant operation. Previous versions of traditional multilevel modular switched-capacitor dc-dc converters (MMSCC) have a low switching device voltage rating. Moreover, capacitor voltage stress increases proportionally as the voltage conversion ratio increments. Significant advantage of proposed converter in this paper is high voltage conversion ratio with capacitor voltage stress always being only two times of the low side voltage. Additionally, the proposed circuit (SWRMC) shares all of the advantages from the (MMSCC) type converters such as soft switching, low voltage device rating, bidirectional operation, high conversion ratio, extremely high or low environment temperature operation, basic control algorithm and modular structure. In comparison with the magnetic core based converter the converter proposed in this paper is found to be superior due to the simple structure, soft switching, low conduction loss and 97% or higher efficiency.
Anisotropic magnetocrystalline coupling of the skyrmion lattice in MnSi

We investigate the anisotropic nature of magnetocrystalline coupling between the crystallographic and skyrmion crystal (SKX) lattices in the chiral magnet MnSi by magnetic field-angle resolved resonant ultrasound spectroscopy. Abrupt changes are observed in the elastic moduli and attenuation when the magnetic field is parallel to the [011] crystallographic direction. These observations are interpreted in a phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory that identifies switching of the SKX orientation to be the result of an anisotropic magnetocrystalline coupling potential. Our paper sheds new light on the nature of magnetocrystalline coupling potential relevant to future spintronic applications.
Selective Collection of Airborne Particulate Matter

Airborne particulate matter (PM) or aerosol particles or simply aerosol are ubiquitous in the environment. They originate from natural processes such as wind erosion, road dust, forest fire, ocean spray and volcanic eruption, and man-made sources consuming fossil fuels resulting from utility power generation and transportation, and numerous industrial processes. Aerosols affect our daily life in many ways; PM reduces visibility in many polluted metropolitan areas, adversely impact human health and local air quality around the world (Tang et al., 1981; Mage et al., 1996; Molina and Molina, 2004; Davidson et al., 2005; Baklanov et al., 2016). Aerosol alters cloud cycles and change atmospheric radiation balance (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2000; Lohmann and Feichter, 2005; Flossmann and Wobrock, 2010; Rosenfeld et al., 2014; Seinfeld et al., 2016). Changes in daily mortality associated with particulate air pollution were typically estimated at approximately 0.5–1.5% per 10 µg m–3 increase in PM10 concentrations (Pope, 2000). Laden et al. (2006) found “an increase in overall mortality associated with each 10 µg m–3 increase in PM2.5 concentration either as the overall mean (rate ratio [RR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.26) or as exposure in the year of death (RR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.06–1.22). PM2.5 exposure was associated with lung cancer (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.96–1.69) and cardiovascular deaths (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13–1.44). Improved overall mortality was associated with decreased mean PM2.5 (10 µg m–3) between periods (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57–0.95)”. Aerosol particles also play an important role in source identification and apportionment (e.g., Hopke, 2016; Varga et al., 2017). Since the PM problem is associated with many facets of societal issues such as energy production and economic development, making progress on reducing the effects of PM will require integrated strategies that bring together scientists, engineers and decision makers from different disciplines to consider tradeoffs.
Scientific Simplicity and Crucial Experiments

Before trying to get us tied up in new knots, I should like to tidy up some loose ends left by the knots of the last two chapters.
Hydro: Pore Water Movement

Groundwater movement is of great interest in water resources and geotechnical engineering. “Hydro” is used to represent water in the general context and water movement in the context of multiphysics. In this chapter, the background knowledge of the hydrologic cycle will be provided first, which will be followed by the basic laws in groundwater flow, including mass conservation and Darcy’s law. The introduction to these laws and their corresponding mathematical formulations will be conducted for both the saturated flow and unsaturated flow. Next, brief information regarding surface water will also be provided to lay down a complete framework for the water movement related to porous materials. Finally, a practice problem for coupled saturated-unsaturated flow will be presented, which can be solved with FlexPDE and validated against documented testing results.
Reasons for open conversion in robotic liver surgery: A systematic review with pooled analysis of more than 1000 patients.

Background Conversion to open during minimally invasive liver resection has a high rate. To identify the reasons to convert could help in defining a strategy to decrease the event "conversion." Methods A systematic review has been performed. Our large series of robotic hepatic resections were analyzed and included in the review. Results Fifty papers were selected and carefully evaluated in full text. Twenty-nine were ultimately used for analysis, including all published robotic liver resections. Our series included 11 conversions out of 139 patients (7.9%). Adhesions were not a declared reason to convert. The robotic approach still had a high percentage of open conversions because of difficulties in assessing the tumor margin. Conclusions Causes for conversion were carefully analyzed and compared with what previously described for the pure laparoscopic approach. This could be crucial in defining how to improve the performance and minimize the conversion rate.
The rhythm section: An update on spinal interneurons setting the beat for mammalian locomotion.

To initiate and support locomotion, rhythm generating neurons in the spinal central pattern generator convert descending input into a rhythmic signal which is conveyed to downstream neurons, leading to the recruitment of motor neurons and the activation of muscles. Although two genetically-defined neuronal populations have been linked to rhythm generation, a single all-inclusive rhythm generating population has yet to be identified. Here, we consolidate recent work aimed at identifying rhythm generating neurons, summarize the evidence for the involvement of two neuronal populations in rhythm generation, describe the challenges in identifying a marker for rhythm generating neurons, and discuss potential directions to take in integrating spinal rhythm generating neurons into recently identified speed-dependent locomotor circuits.
Current and emerging treatment strategies for hair loss in women of color

Hair loss is common in women of color, and is associated with significant psychosocial complaints. Early clinical recognition and prompt initiation of intervention with medical treatment is critical to halt the disease process. In this article, we review the clinical presentations of nonscarring and scarring alopecias in women of color, use of dermoscopy for early recognition of the disease process, and medical, procedural, and surgical interventions. In conditions that result in scarring alopecia, such as late-stage traction, frontal fibrosing, or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, patients may benefit from procedural interventions, such as hair transplantation, platelet rich plasma injections, low-level laser therapy, or scalp therapy.
Ultralow shear modulus of incommensurate [SnSe ] n [MoSe 2 ]n layers synthesized by the method of modulated elemental reactants

We demonstrate that the shear elastic constant of misfit-layered dichalcogenide films ${[\mathrm{SnSe}]}_{n}{[{\mathrm{MoSe}}_{2}]}_{n}$ with $n=1,2,3$, synthesized by the modulated elemental reactants method, is ${c}_{44}\ensuremath{\approx}1$ GPa, an order of magnitude lower than ${c}_{44}$ of typical layered crystals that have weak interlayer van der Waals bonding. The films are synthesized by alternating deposition of the elements to a total thickness of $\ensuremath{\approx}60$ nm followed by thermal annealing. We determine ${c}_{44}$ through measurements of the velocities of 700 nm wavelength surface acoustic waves propagating along the surface of Al/${[\mathrm{SnSe}]}_{n}{[{\mathrm{MoSe}}_{2}]}_{n}$/Si structures in combination with picosecond acoustics measurements of ${c}_{33}$ and calculations of the ${c}_{11}$, ${c}_{12}$, and ${c}_{13}$ elastic constants by density functional theory. We attribute the low value of ${c}_{44}$ to incommensurate interfaces between SnSe and ${\mathrm{MoSe}}_{2}$ layers and turbostratic disorder within the ${\mathrm{MoSe}}_{2}$ layers. We conclude that the ultralow shear modulus of disordered layered materials contributes significantly to their exceptionally low thermal conductivity.
Fine-Specificity Epitope Analysis Identifies Contact Points on Ricin Toxin Recognized by Protective Monoclonal Antibodies.

Ricin is a fast-acting protein toxin classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a biothreat agent. In this report, we describe five new mouse mAbs directed against an immunodominant region, so-called epitope cluster II, on the surface of ricin's ribosome-inactivating enzymatic subunit A (RTA). The five mAbs were tested alongside four previously described cluster II-specific mAbs for their capacity to passively protect mice against 10× LD50 ricin challenge by injection. Only three of the mAbs (LE4, PH12, and TB12) afforded protection over the 7-d study period. Neither binding affinity nor in vitro toxin-neutralizing activity could fully account for LE4, PH12, and TB12's potent in vivo activity relative to the other six mAbs. However, epitope mapping studies by hydrogen exchange-mass spectrometry revealed that LE4, PH12, and TB12 shared common contact points on RTA corresponding to RTA α-helices D and E and β-strands d and e located on the back side of RTA relative to the active site. The other six mAbs recognized overlapping epitopes on RTA, but none shared the same hydrogen exchange-mass spectrometry profile as LE4, PH12, and TB12. A high-density competition ELISA with a panel of ricin-specific, single-domain camelid Abs indicated that even though LE4, PH12, and TB12 make contact with similar secondary motifs, they likely approach RTA from different angles. These results underscore how subtle differences in epitope specificity can significantly impact Ab functionality in vivo. ImmunoHorizons, 2018, 2: 262-273.
When is sync globally stable in sparse networks of identical Kuramoto oscillators

Abstract Synchronization in systems of coupled Kuramoto oscillators may depend on their natural frequencies, coupling, and underlying networks. In this paper, we reduce the alternatives to only one by considering identical oscillators where the only parameter that is allowed to change is the underlying network. While such a model was analyzed over the past few decades by studying the size of the basin of attraction of the synchronized state on restricted families of graphs, here we address a qualitative question on general graphs. In an analogy to resistive networks with current sources, we describe an algorithm that produces initial conditions that are often outside of the basin of attraction of the synchronized state. In particular, if a graph allows a cyclic graph clustering with a sufficient number of clusters or contains a sufficiently long induced subpath without cut vertices of the graph then there is a non-synchronous stable phase-locked solution. Thus, we provide a partial answer to when the synchronized state is not globally stable.
Shifts in seawater chemistry disrupt trophic links within a simple shoreline food web.

Marine intertidal systems have long served as focal environments for ecological research, yet these environments are changing due to the entry of human-produced carbon dioxide into seawater, which causes ‘ocean acidification’ (OA). One component of OA is a decline in seawater pH, an alteration known to disrupt organism behaviors underlying predator–prey interactions. To date, however, studies examining OA’s effects on feeding relationships consider predominantly simple direct interactions between consumers and their food sources. Here, we extended these established approaches to test how decreased seawater pH might alter cascading effects that span tiered linkages in trophic networks. We employed a model shoreline food web incorporating a sea star predator (Leptasterias hexactis), an herbivorous snail prey (Tegula funebralis), and a common macroalgal resource for the prey (Mazzaella flaccida). Results demonstrate direct negative effects of low pH on anti-predator behavior of snails, but also weakened indirect interactions, driven by increased snail consumption of macroalgae even as sea stars ate more snails. This latter outcome arose because low pH induced ‘foolhardy’ behaviors in snails, whereby their flight responses were supplanted by other activities that allowed for foraging. These findings highlight the potential for human-induced changes in seawater chemistry to perturb prey behaviors and trophic dynamics with accompanying community-level consequences.