cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HYPERSPECTRAL AND LIDAR REMOTE SENSING OF FIRE FUELS IN HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Alien invasive grasses threaten to transform Hawaiian ecosystems through the alteration of ecosystem dynamics, especially the creation or intensification of a fire cycle. Across sub-montane ecosystems of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii Island, we quantified fine fuels and fire spread potential of invasive grasses using a combination of airborne hyperspectral and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) measurements. Across a gradient from forest to savanna to shrubland, automated mixture analysis of hyperspectral data provided spatially explicit fractional cover estimates of photosynthetic vegetation, non-photosynthetic vegetation, and bare substrate and shade. Small-footprint LiDAR provided measurements of vegetation height along this gradient of ecosystems. Through the fusion of hyperspectral and LiDAR data, a new fire fuel index (FFI) was developed to model the three-dimensional volume of grass fuels. Regionally, savanna ecosystems had the highest volumes of fire fuels, averaging 20% across the ecosystem and frequently filling all of the three-dimensional space represented by each image pixel. The forest and shrubland ecosystems had lower FFI values, averaging 4.4% and 8.4%, respectively. The results indicate that the fusion of hyperspectral and LiDAR remote sensing can provide unique information on the three-dimensional properties of ecosystems, their flammability, and the potential for fire spread.
Health beliefs and practices related to breast cancer screening in Filipino, Chinese and Asian-Indian women

Abstract Background: Cultural-appropriate strategies can be designed to promote cancer screening if the unique needs and characteristics of ethnic groups are identified. Most of the data available for Asian immigrants living in the U.S. has been aggregated under the Asian-American/Pacific Islanders (AAPI) ethnic category. Methods: A total of 125 women completed self-administered questionnaires that assessed screening practices (i.e. breast self-exam, clinical breast exam, and mammography), related beliefs and knowledge. This paper reports examined cancer-related practices and beliefs among three subgroups of Asian-American women (47 Filipinos, 40 Chinese, and 38 Asian-Indians). Results: The sample mean age was 50.2 years and majority of women (76%) were married. Their length of residence in the United States ranged from less than one year to 37 years, with an average length of residence of 18 years. Results from two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) showed the strong influence of ethnicity on perceptions of susceptibility [ F (2, 95)=5.11, p =0.01] and seriousness [ F (2, 99)=4.85, p =0.01] related to breast cancer, in addition to an interaction detected between ethnicity and income in terms of perceived barriers [ F (5, 107)=3.04, p =0.01]. The results also indicated that three common barriers were reported in all three ethnic groups, and three unique barriers were more frequently identified by Chinese (i.e. do not need mammogram if I feel ok [OR=5.450, 95%; CI=(1.643, 18.081)] and waiting time is too long [OR=5.070, 95%; CI=(1.674, 15.351)]) and Asian-Indian women (i.e. do not know where to get a mammogram [OR=9.237, 95%; CI=(3.153, 27.059)]). Conclusions: These findings can be used to develop interventions that are tailored to the special characteristics of immigrant women from different Asian groups.
Antigen presentation by CD1 and MHC-encoded class I-like molecules

Abstract Three known lineages of antigen-presenting molecules restrict T-cell responses to microbial antigens: MHC class I and MHC encoded class I like molecules present peptides derived from the proteolysis of intracellular pathogens, MHC class II molecules present peptides derived from the proteolysis of extracellular pathogens and CD1 molecules present unique microbial lipids and glycolipids. Recent studies have indicated that CD1 molecules mediate a novel system of antigen presentation and that MHC-encoded class I-like molecules can present unique subsets of intracellularly derived peptides.
The evolution of sex pheromone communication in the Arthropoda

Abstract The inception of pheromone communication implies the simultaneous appearance of two new capabilities, that for biosynthesis of the pheromone and for the organization of the appropriate receptor site on a chemosensory membrane. Evolutionary biologists have long recognized the improbability of the occurrence of two de novo events. The finding that crustecdysone, the molting hormone, is also the sex pheromone of some Brachuryan crabs suggests a solution to this problem. We propose that the primordal Crustacea, having evolved the genetic capability for the synthesis of the steroid hormone and for structuring receptor sites on the target organs, through two rather minor evolutionary events involving externalization of the receptor site and release of the hormone were then capable of pheromone communication. These two events, together with sexual dimorphism under the control of the sex hormones and the associated evolution of the reproductive behavior of the male, because of their reproductive advantage, became fixed in the genome. Duplication of these two polygenic capacities provided the foundation of sex pheromone communication in the Arthropoda which through genetic mutation evolved into its sophisticated expression in modern insects.
The Clinical Doctorate: A Framework for Analysis in Physical Therapist Education

This article explores major considerations for analysis and discussion of the role of the clinical doctorate as the first professional degree in physical therapist education (DPT). A process for this analysis is posed based on a conceptual framework developed by Stark, Lowther, Hagerty, and Orczyk through grounded theory research on professional education. External influences from society and the profession, institutional and programmatic influences, and articulation of critical dimensions of professional competence and professional attitudes as major categories are discussed in relation to the DPT. A series of questions generated from the application of the model are put forth for continued discussion and deliberation concerning the DPT. We conclude that the DPT provides the best pathway to serve society, the patient, and the profession.
Ultrafast-laser-radiation transfer in heterogeneous tissues with the discrete-ordinates method

Here light propagation and radiation transfer of ultrafast laser pulses in heterogeneous biological tissues are simulated by use of the discrete-ordinates method (DOM). Formulations for solving the time-dependent radiation-transfer equation are deduced for three-dimensional geometries incorporating the Fresnel specularly reflecting boundary condition and characteristics of ultrafast laser pulses. The present method can treat both the incident laser intensity and the scattered radiation intensity from the walls of the targeted tissue as two components, i.e., a diffuse part and a specular part. Reflectivity at the tissue-air interface is calculated by use of Snell’s law and the Fresnel equation. The high-order S10 DOM method is found to be adequate for describing the propagation and transfer of ultrafast laser radiation in heterogeneous tissues. The time-dependent radiation field in the tissue as well as the temporal radiation intensity profiles at the boundaries can be obtained simultaneously. The absolute values of the logarithmic slope of the temporal reflectance and transmittance at various detector positions are found to converge to a constant value in a homogeneous tissue model. With the inclusion of a small inhomogeneity, such a value will change in line with the property of the embedded inhomogeneity. The orientation of heterogeneity of the tissues also substantially affects the radiation intensity at the boundaries. The effect of the Fresnel boundary in the modeling is pronounced. The simulated transmitted signals are broadened and amplified under specularly reflecting boundary condition as compared with those under diffusely reflecting boundary conditions.
AMMP-EXTN: Managing User Privacy and Cooperation Demand in a Collaborative Molecule Modeling Virtual System

We present a novel design for managing competing user interests and privacy protection cooperation in a collaborative virtual environment for molecular modeling. Based on the user feedback, this design includes four levels of access control for collaborative sessions and provides dynamic action priority specification for manipulations on shared molecular models. Furthermore, we implement a messaging system that includes a text chatting tool and system broadcasting functions. Our design supports flexible user group formation and interaction. We have implemented our design on a set of Microsoft Windows PCs connected to a Linux molecule simulation server. A GUI interface developed in Python is also illustrated
A decomposition algorithm for network reliability analysis

Consider a directed, source-sink network whose arcs either function or fail with known probabilities. This paper presents a decomposition algorithm for the exact computation of the reliability of such a network; that is, the probability that there exists a path from the network's source to its sink, consisting only of functioning arcs. The decomposition algorithm, which can be used even after the network can undergo no further modular decomposition, is based on a partitioning of the nodes of the network into subsets that can be sequentially analyzed. The algorithm permits arbitrary dependence among arcs that terminate at nodes belonging to the same subset of the partition but requires two arcs terminating at nodes belonging to different subsets to be independent. Computational experience from a computer implementation of the algorithm is also reported.
Differences in bone microarchitecture between postmenopausal Chinese-American and white women†

Chinese-American women have lower rates of hip and forearm fracture than white women despite lower areal bone density (aBMD) by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). We recently reported higher trabecular (D(trab) ) and cortical (D(comp) ) bone density as well as greater trabecular (Tb.Th) and cortical thickness (C.Th) but smaller bone area (CSA), as measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), in premenopausal Chinese-American compared with white women. These findings may help to account for the lower fracture rate among Chinese-American women but were limited to measurements in premenopausal women. This study was designed to extend these investigations to postmenopausal Chinese-American (n = 29) and white (n = 68) women. Radius CSA was 10% smaller in the Chinese-American versus the white group (p = .008), whereas their C.Th and D(comp) values were 18% and 6% greater (p < .001 for both). Tibial HR-pQCT results for cortical bone were similar to the radius, but Tb.Th was 11% greater in Chinese-American versus white women (p = .007). Tibial trabecular number and spacing were 17% lower and 20% greater, respectively, in Chinese-American women (p < .0001 for both). There were no differences in trabecular or whole-bone stiffness estimated by microstructural finite-element analysis, but Chinese-American women had a greater percentage of load carried by the cortical bone compartment at the distal radius and tibia. There was no difference in load distribution at the proximal radius or tibia. Whole-bone finite-element analysis may indicate that the thicker, more dense cortical bone and thicker trabeculae in postmenopausal Chinese-American women compensate for fewer trabeculae and smaller bone size.
Low Vitamin A Intake Affects Milk Iron Level and Iron Transporters in Rat Mammary Gland and Liver

Marginal vitamin A deficiency is common and can result in a secondary iron (Fe) deficiency. A positive correlation between maternal Fe status and milk Fe was observed in lactating women supplemented with both vitamin A and Fe but not with Fe alone, suggesting effects of vitamin A on mammary gland Fe transport. We hypothesized that low vitamin A intake during lactation elicits differential effects on mammary gland and liver Fe transport and storage proteins, thus affecting milk Fe concentration but not maternal Fe status. We fed rats a control (CON, 4 RE/g) or a marginal vitamin A diet (AD, 0.4 RE/g) through midlactation. Effects on plasma, milk, liver and mammary gland Fe and vitamin A concentrations, and divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1), ferroportin (FPN), ferritin (Ft), and transferrin receptor (TfR) expression were determined. Dams fed AD were not vitamin A or Fe deficient. Milk and liver vitamin A and Fe and mammary gland Fe concentrations were lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver TfR expression was higher, whereas mammary gland TfR expression was lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver Ft was unaffected, whereas mammary gland Ft was lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Liver and mammary gland DMT1 and FPN protein levels were lower in rats fed AD compared with rats fed CON. Our results indicate that the mammary gland and liver respond differently to marginal vitamin A intake during lactation and that milk Fe is significantly decreased due to effects on mammary gland Fe transporters, putting the nursing offspring at risk for Fe deficiency.
Genetic analysis of staphylococcal nuclease: identification of three intragenic "global" suppressors of nuclease-minus mutations.

A collection of 77 unique missense mutations distributed across the gene encoding staphylococcal nuclease (nuc) has been assembled. These mutations were induced by random gap misrepair mutagenesis of the cloned gene and were identified in E. coli transformants expressing reduced levels of nuclease activity. Four nuc- mutations which alter amino acid residues at positions outside of the active site region of the enzyme were submitted to a second round of mutagenesis, and characterization of several independent NUC+ isolates lead to the identification of three second-site suppressor mutations within the protein-coding sequence of the nuc gene. On separation from the mutation originally suppressed and recombination with a number of other nuc- mutations, all three suppressors displayed the property of "global" suppression, i.e., phenotypic suppression of the nuclease-minus character of multiple different alleles. A simple and generally applicable strategy was used to obtain efficient homologous recombination between plasmids for purposes of mapping nuc- mutations, mapping second-site suppressors and constructing double mutant combinations from pairs of single mutations.
Approximate comparative analysis of interference suppression performance between antenna and beam selection techniques

Multiple antenna systems can greatly improve the performance of wireless systems by providing better link quality, capacity and immunity to interference. A very simple structure for smart antennas is a fixed beamforming network (FBN) with beam selection. In Y.S. Choi and S.M. Alamouti (2004) the performance of antenna and beam selection/combining techniques are compared. The channel model in that paper is a statistical, clustered propagation model in a correlated Rayleigh fading channel. In this paper we derive the approximate density function of the signal-to-interference-and-noise power-ratio (SINR) of beam selection with eigen-beamforming. We also analyze the outage probability and capacity of beam selection with a fixed beamforming network (FBN) with correlated fading between the antennas. We compare the performance of this system with antenna selection avid independent fading between the antennas. We also investigate the impact of erroneous beam or antenna selection. We show that beam selection outperforms antenna selection in the presence of interference
Human nonmuscle myosin heavy chain mRNA: generation of diversity through alternative polyadenylylation.

Abstract Myosin is a ubiquitous eukaryotic contractile protein that generates the force responsible for such diverse cellular movements as muscle contraction and cytokinesis. Although there have been numerous studies of sarcomeric myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes, no molecular clones have been reported that encode mammalian nonmuscle MHC. This study presents the molecular genetic characterization of a human nonmuscle MHC that is expressed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Human nonmuscle MHC amino acids are weakly homologous (33%) to sarcomeric MHC but are approximately 72% identical to smooth muscle MHC. In contrast to vertebrate sarcomeric MHCs, which generate diversity through the expression of members of a multigene family, an alternative polyadenylylation site is used in the nonmuscle MHC gene to generate multiple transcripts that encode the same protein. We have mapped this gene to chromosome 22. It is thus unlinked to either of the sarcomeric MHC gene clusters on human chromosomes 14 and 17.
Culture and the Development of Conflict Resolution Style

Previous descriptive studies of development of cooperation and competition among United States and Mexican children have sampled a limited age range and relied predominantly on behavioral experimental game measures with a very limited number of response alternatives. In this experiment, open-ended verbal conflict resolution questions were asked of Anglo American, Mexican American, and Mexican children. Content analysis of children's responses indicated that previous conclusions regarding Mexican-United States differences were supported at early childhood age ranges. However, with increasing age, all children responded more to imaginary conflict situations with conflict, so cultural differences diminished with age. Further, on the verbal conflict resolution questions, Mexican American and Anglo American children did not differ, possibly indicating differences in what is assessed by the verbal conflict resolution questions and experimental games.
Modeling a nanosecond quasi-Fourier-transform limited Ti:Sa laser source

We recently setup a high energy, tunable, injection seeded Ti:Sapphire laser source whose implementation was reported in [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 033102 (2007)]. The analysis of the spectral linewidth has demonstrated that the pulses were time Fourier-transform limited. The present paper reports on the modeling of this source with the aim of understanding the energy conversion in the injected as well as in the free run regimes. The experimental lasing threshold, output energy, slope efficiencies, buildup time, and pulse duration are compared to the analytical solution obtained by solving the laser rate equations. The developed model deals with the spatial dependence of the photon and population inversion densities, the physical properties of the Ti:Sa medium, and the unstable resonator (based on a super-Gaussian output coupler). The energy-related as well as the temporal features are discussed. The use of a squared asymmetrical hyperbolic secant function to describe the temporal pulse shapes is justified. The pulse durations exhibit a simple analytical shape when they are plotted versus the output pulse energy. The model is applied to experimental data obtained at different wavelengths by tuning the laser amplifier previously described. It can readily be applied to other pulsed Ti:Sapphire sources.
Data flow schemas

A data flow schema is a representation of the logical scheme of a program in a form in which the sequencing of function and predicate applications and the flow of values between applications are specified together. In a data flow schema, application of a function or predicate is free to proceed as soon as the values required for its application are available and the need for application of the function or predicate is determined. Since the availability of one computed value may simultaneously enable the application of several functions or predicates, concurrency of action is an inherent aspect of a data flow schema. We present here some basic properties of a class of data flow schemas which model the logical schemes of programs that compute with unstructured values. These schemas are a variation and extension of the program graphs studied by Rodriguez [12]. A related data flow model for computations on structured data has been described informally by Dennis [ 3 ]. The material of the present paper is based largely on a recent thesis by Fosseen [ 5]. We introduce the reader to data flow schemas by means of an example. Consider the following program expressed in an Algol-like notation:
Intelligent Job Aids For Professionals: Lessons Learned From Medicine

With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, computer science, and information management seen today, it is becoming increasingly feasible to improve the performance of professional white collar workers with intelligent job aids (i.e., expert systems). Already, performance technologists are advocating and predicting their wide spread adoption. Nevertheless, while such high tech performance interventions are relatively new to business, they have existed in medical research labs and clinics for nearly 20 years. Because of the almost ideal match between medical decision making and the emergent capabilities of knowledge engineering, artificial intelligence researchers made medicine one of their major testing grounds. In this article, I summarize the use of intelligent job aids in medicine as a source of insights for anticipating how they can and should be used by professionals in other areas. These insights include three generalizations which form the conclusion of the paper: (a) intelligent job aids must address a real need, (b) they must be compatible with professionals' larger “performance systems,” and (c) the adoption of intelligent job aids will depend as much on future trends as on the professionals' needs or performance systems.
Working With a Student Model in a Creative Non-Fiction Workshop: Charging Joint Creativity

In this arts-based inquiry, I examine how a student model creative non-fiction essay develops students in a third-year creative writing workshop as critical readers, editors, and writers. Over the course of two semesters, student writers reciprocally acquire strategic knowledge and enhance their creativity. Plural voices emerge in the dialogue between the model student/writer, her peers, and my curriculum as evidenced in the narrative excerpts composed and revised by the student; in her peers’ critical feedback; and in students’ reflections. Exploring this collaboration, I envision affording more opportunity for student model writers to share their evolving knowledge in both traditional and online classrooms.
Orthonormalization Applied to Ground-Water Flows

The Gram-Schmidt orthonormalization procedure is presented as a numerical method easily adaptable to digital computation for the solution to steady-state ground-water flow problems. The advantages of this method are: (1) a series solution is attained and (2) arbitrary shaped aquifers with arbitrary boundary conditions can be handled. The method is illustrated by application to a well flow problem in a confined aquifer.
Effect of nitrogen concentration on carrier lifetime in GaAs based long wavelength (λ=1.2 -1.3µm) lasers

We show for the first time that the differential carrier lifetime (τd) of identical In0.4Ga0.6As/GaAs0.85P0.15/GaAs single QW broad area lasers with and without the addition of nitrogen (λ=1.2-1.3µm) significantly reduces with the incorporation of nitrogen.
Effect of Flaxseed and Wheat Bran on Serum Hormones and Lignan Excretion in Premenopausal Women

Objective: To examine the effects of flaxseed consumption (a lignan-rich plant food) alone and in combination with wheat bran on serum hormones and urinary lignan excretion in premenopausal women.Methods: Sixteen subjects were studied for four feeding treatments lasting two menstrual cycles each in a randomized, crossover design. During each treatment, subjects consumed their habitual diets supplemented with baked goods containing no flaxseed or wheat bran, 10 g of flaxseed, 28 g of wheat bran, or 10 g of flaxseed plus 28 g of wheat bran/day. Serum samples collected during the mid-luteal phase of the second menstrual cycle of each diet treatment were analyzed for serum hormones and sex hormone binding globulin. Urine samples collected during the same time period were analyzed for urinary lignan excretion.Results: There were no changes in serum hormone concentrations or sex hormone binding globulin on any of the treatments. Urinary lignan excretion significantly increased on diet treatments that included f...
Effects of Exercise on Doxorubicin-Induced Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction.

ABSTRACTIntroductionChemotherapy treatment with doxorubicin (DOX) can have a negative effect on normal skeletal muscle function. Recent research demonstrates the potential value of exercise in alleviating DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Yet up to now, little research has been done to examine whether exe
Experimental Eosinophilia with Keratin from Ascaris Suum and other Sources

ceiving repeated injections of antigen or from animals recovering from anaphylactic shock or showing allergies, will usually show an increase in the number of circulating eosinophils. Most reports dealing with eosinophilia have failed to take this phenomenon into account so that the significance of many socalled eosinophilotactic substances is doubtful. It seems to the author that to justify such a characterization it should be possible to induce a significant reaction with relatively small amounts of material and, if the substance is anti-
Successful Treatment of Paecilomyces lilacinus Onychomycosis with Efinaconazole and Tavaborole

Paecilomyces lilacinus, also known as Purpureocillium lilacinum, is a non-dermatophyte mold found in the soil and used as nematocide for crops. P. lilacinus can cause rare opportunistic infections in humans ranging from endocarditis, keratitis, to onychomycosis with significant resistance to conventional antifungals. There are only two cases of onychomycosis caused by P. lilacinus reported in the literature and none that were successfully treated. Here we present a case of successfully treated onychomycosis caused by P. lilacinus with efinaconazole and tavaborole in a patient who had failed treatment with oral fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and topical ciclopirox and naftifine.
Design and Analysis of a Bio-Inspired Warping Tail for MAV Applications

This paper examines a unique method of flight control for flapping wing micro air vehicles. Instead of employing rigid body joints and flaps for torsional agility, the technique implemented a compliant tail mechanism. The bio-inspired technique utilizes a flexible carbon fiber (CF) tail to mimic body posture changes of insects, specifically lateral abdomen deflections. This method of flight control was examined using Flytech’s WowWee Dragonfly as an experimental platform. Trajectory analysis was done to generate a three dimensional flight path of the vehicle for examining flight characteristics. ANSYS FLUENT fluid dynamics software with GAMBIT and Solidworks CAD software were utilized to investigate aerodynamic torques and gravitational torques corresponding to active tail warping. The results provided evidences suggesting that the warping tail administered adequate control authority for basic maneuvering.
Ground and Space Testing of Multiple Spacecraft Control During Close-Proximity Operations

A multiple spacecraft close-proximity control algorithm was implemented and tested with the Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) facility onboard the International Space Station (ISS). During flight testing, a chaser satellite successfully approached a virtual target satellite, while avoiding collision with a virtual obstacle satellite. This research contributes to the control of multiple spacecraft for emerging missions, which may require simultaneous gathering, rendezvous, and docking. The unique control algorithm was developed at NPS and integrated onto the MIT SPHERES facility. The control algorithm implemented combines the efficiency of the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), and the robust collision avoidance capability of the Artificial Potential Function method (APF). The LQR control effort serves as the attractive force toward goal positions, while the APF-based repulsive functions provide collision avoidance for both fixed and moving obstacles. The amalgamation of these two control methods into a multiple spacecraft close-proximity control algorithm yielded promising results as demonstrated by simulations performed at NPS. Comprehensive simulation evaluation enabled implementation and testing of the spacecraft control algorithm on the SPHERES facility at MIT. Finally, successful ground testing enabled execution of flight testing onboard the ISS. The NPS’s Spacecraft Robotics Laboratory (SRL) and MIT’s Space Systems Laboratory (SSL) simulations, the MIT’s SSL SPHERES ground testing, and the SPHERES flight testing results are all presented in this paper.
The Mathematics of Double Entry Bookkeeping

(1985). The Mathematics of Double Entry Bookkeeping. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 226-233.
Heritability in retrospect

The origin of the word heritability remains unknown. Its usage has evolved through three stages, becoming more restrictive in its meaning along the way. In the initial stage, 1832 and possibly earlier, heritability was used to denote the hereditary transmission of characteristics or material things, simply having the capability (legally or biologically) of being inherited. The second stage, beginning around the turn of this century, followed Johannsen's classical definition of nongenetic or environmental fluctuations distinct from genotypic differences, and usage closely approximated "broad sense heritability" and Johannsen's Erblichkeit. Finally, in 1936, we come to the modern day usage of narrow sense heritability, the ratio of additive genetic variance to the total phenotypic variance within a population, and credit Dr. J.L. Lush with its origin.
Enhancing the Reduction Potential of Quinones via Complex Formation.

Quantum calculations are used to study the manner in which quinones interact with proton-donating molecules. For neutral donors, a stacked geometry is favored over a H-bond structure. The former is stabilized by charge transfers from the N or O lone pairs to the quinone’s π* orbitals. Following the addition of an electron to the quinone, the radical anion forms strong H-bonded complexes with the various donors. The presence of the donor enhances the electron affinity of the quinone. This enhancement is on the order of 15 kcal/mol for neutral donors, but up to as much as 85 kcal/mol for a cationic donor. The increase in electron affinity is larger for electron-rich quinones than for their electron-deficient counterparts, containing halogen substituents. Similar trends are in evidence when the systems are immersed in aqueous solvent.
102 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF REACTIVE THROMBOCYTOSIS AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND SUBSEQUENT STENT PLACEMENT: A RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW.

Background During a recent month on hematology consults, 1 of 18 nonmalignant heme consults consisted of a patient with reactive thrombocytosis s/p acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and subsequent percutaneous coronary artery stent placement. The patient was noted to have a platelet count that rose to 1.3 million. At that time, a literature search was performed for reactive thrombocytosis after AMI and stent placement. Multiple articles were identified for essential thrombocythemia, but none for reactive thrombocytosis. The patient was treated with supportive care with normalization of platelet count and no adverse sequela during his hospitalization. The concern was for failure of coronary stent secondary to clotting from thrombocytosis and whether acute treatment for the thrombocytosis would be beneficial. This question would only be clinically relevant if the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis in this setting were of significant numbers to elicit a statistical comparison in outcome comparing normal to thrombocytosis patients. This article will review results from a retrospective chart review from patients with AMI and subsequent percutaneous coronary artery stent placement and the clinical significance of reactive thrombocytosis, if any. Methods This is a retrospective chart review. Patients were selected from the University of Mississippi Medical Center hospital database based on diagnostic coding for AMI and percutaneous coronary artery stent placement. Patients were obtained from calendar year 2004. A platelet count of 600,000 was arbitrarily chosen as a significant level. Results 120 patients were identified with AMI and subsequent stent placement for calendar year 2004. Of those identified only one patient had a platelet count above the arbitrarily chosen significant level of 600,000. That patient had a platelet count of 625,000. This patient9s outcome was not adversely impacted by the reactive thrombocytosis. It is felt by this review that reactive thrombocytosis after AMI/stent placement is rare and there is no apparent clinical significance of reactive thrombocytosis in the setting of AMI and subsequent percutaneous coronary artery stent placement regarding patient outcome or management.
Repair of traumatic plasmalemmal damage to neurons and other eukaryotic cells.

The repair (sealing) of plasmalemmal damage, consisting of small holes to complete transections, is critical for cell survival, especially for neurons that rarely regenerate cell bodies. We first describe and evaluate different measures of cell sealing. Some measures, including morphological/ultra-structural observations, membrane potential, and input resistance, provide very ambiguous assessments of plasmalemmal sealing. In contrast, measures of ionic current flow and dye barriers can, if appropriately used, provide more accurate assessments. We describe the effects of various substances (calcium, calpains, cytoskeletal proteins, ESCRT proteins, mUNC-13, NSF, PEG) and biochemical pathways (PKA, PKC, PLC, Epac, cytosolic oxidation) on plasmalemmal sealing probability, and suggest that substances, pathways, and cellular events associated with plasmalemmal sealing have undergone a very conservative evolution. During sealing, calcium ion influx mobilizes vesicles and other membranous structures (lysosomes, mitochondria, etc.) in a continuous fashion to form a vesicular plug that gradually restricts diffusion of increasingly smaller molecules and ions over a period of seconds to minutes. Furthermore, we find no direct evidence that sealing occurs through the collapse and fusion of severed plasmalemmal leaflets, or in a single step involving the fusion of one large wound vesicle with the nearby, undamaged plasmalemma. We describe how increases in perikaryal calcium levels following axonal transection account for observations that cell body survival decreases the closer an axon is transected to the perikaryon. Finally, we speculate on relationships between plasmalemmal sealing, Wallerian degeneration, and the ability of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to seal cell membranes and rejoin severed axonal ends – an important consideration for the future treatment of trauma to peripheral nerves. A better knowledge of biochemical pathways and cytoplasmic structures involved in plasmalemmal sealing might provide insights to develop treatments for traumatic nerve injuries, stroke, muscular dystrophy, and other pathologies.
Coupling of the Water Cycle with Patterns of Urban Growth in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region, United States†

Regional municipal water plans typically do not recognize complex coupling patterns or that increased withdrawals in one location can result in changes in water availability in others. We investigated the interaction between urban growth and water availability in the Baltimore metropolitan region where urban growth has occurred beyond the reaches of municipal water systems into areas that rely on wells in low-productivity Piedmont aquifers. We used the urban growth model SLEUTH and the hydrologic model ParFlow.CLM to evaluate this interaction with urban growth scenarios in 2007 and 2030. We found decreasing groundwater availability outside of the municipal water service area. Within the municipal service area we found zones of increasing storage resulting from increased urban growth, where reduced vegetation cover dominated the effect of urbanization on the hydrologic cycle. We also found areas of decreasing storage, where expanding impervious surfaces played a larger role. Although the magnitude of urban growth and change in water availability for the simulation period were generally small, there was considerable spatial heterogeneity of changes in subsurface storage. This suggests that there are locally concentrated areas of groundwater sensitivity to urban growth where water shortages could occur or where drying up of headwater streams would be more likely. The simulation approach presented here could be used to identify early warning indicators of future risk.
Newborn Who Has a Small Mouth

A newborn presents with a small mouth. ### Prenatal History: A 39-year-old gravida 7 para 5 Caucasian mother had prenatal care initiated at 26 weeks. Ultrasonography at 26 weeks’ gestation showed no overt fetal abnormality, but the pregnancy was complicated by polyhydramnios. The infant was born at an estimated gestational age of 38 0/7 weeks following induced vaginal delivery. Prenatal laboratory evaluation documented blood type B+, antibody screen-negative, rapid plasmin reagin-nonreactive, rubella nonimmune, group B Streptococcus -unknown, hepatitis B surface antigen- negative, patient-deferred human immunodeficiency virus testing, and Chlamydia -negative. The mother reported no drug ingestion throughout the pregnancy. ### Birth History and Presentation: The infant was delivered at another hospital by vaginal delivery induced by oxytocin because of failure to progress. The delivery was complicated by “terminal meconium.” According to the hospital report, baby required positive pressure ventilation by infant ventilator for 1 minute, followed by continuous positive airway pressure for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. The baby’s small mouth was noted on delivery. Both nares were bulb-suctioned, and an attempt at bulb-suctioning the mouth was unsuccessful. A catheter was placed temporarily through each individual naris, which allowed successful suctioning of the oronasopharynx. Apgar scores were 7 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The infant was transferred to a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit for further evaluation of the mouth and other potential anomalies. ### Vital Signs: ### Physical Examination:
Hypoaeration of activated sludge to reduce energy requirements at distributed reclaimed water plants: studies at bench and pilot scales

As stresses on water infrastructure mount, reuse of wastewater for non-potable applications becomes increasingly important. One strategy for providing water to areas geographically distant from existing centralized wastewater treatment plants is distributed water reclamation plants (WRPs)—small WRPs located close to customers produce water that meets specific requirements of the end-users. Economic benefits include minimizing infrastructure for delivery and avoiding over-treatment of the water. However, small WRPs require more energy and staff time per volume of water reclaimed, thus energy use needs to be reduced within existing, proven, robust WRP technologies. To date, energy reduction has focused on mechanical optimization at large plants, reporting 10–38% savings, but treatment strategies for small WRPs are needed to promote distributed water reclamation. In this research, hypoaeration (biological treatment under 0.5–0.8 mg L−1 dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration) was investigated to reduce aeration requirements of treatment in sequencing batch reactors at bench (54 L d−1) and demonstration (29 500 L d−1) scales. Domestic wastewater was successfully treated for 43 and 93 days (respectively), and at both scales the hypoaerobic conditions provided treatment equal to standard treatment conditions (DO = 2.0 mg L−1). At the demonstration-scale, the hypoaerobic treatment reduced blower energy requirements by 27% and solids production by 10–12%, which reflects a potential energy saving of 21% in a small WRP.
Prediction of Chemical Multi-target Profiles and Adverse Outcomes with Systems Toxicology

The field of systems biology, termed systems toxicology when applied to the characterization of adverse outcomes following chemical exposure, seeks to develop biological networks to explain phenotypic responses. Ideally, these are qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the actual network of biological entities that have functional consequences in living organisms. In this review, computational tools for predicting chemicalprotein interactions of multi-target compounds are outlined. Then, we discuss how the methods of systems toxicology currently draw on those interactions to predict resulting adverse outcomes which include diseases, adverse drug reactions, and toxic endpoints. These methods are useful for predicting the safety of drugs in drug development and the toxicity of environmental chemicals (ECs) in environmental toxicology.
Mesh Network for RFID and Electric Vehicle Monitoring in Smart Charging Infrastructure

With an increased number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) on the roads, PEV charging infrastructure is gaining an ever-more important role in simultaneously meeting the needs of drivers and those of the local distribution grid. However, the current approach to charging is not well suited to scaling with the PEV market. If PEV adoption continues, charging infrastructure will have to overcome its current shortcomings such as unresponsiveness to grid constraints, low degree of autonomy, and high cost, in order to provide a seamless and configurable interface from the vehicle to the power grid. Among the tasks a charging station will have to accomplish will be PEV identification, charging authorization, dynamic monitoring, and charge control. These will have to be done with a minimum of involvement at a maximum of convenience for a user. The system proposed in this work allows charging stations to become more responsive to grid constraints and gain a degree of networked autonomy by automatically identifying and authorizing vehicles, along with monitoring and controlling all charging activities via an RFID mesh network consisting of charging stations and in-vehicle devices. The proposed system uses a ZigBee mesh network of in-vehicle monitoring devices which simultaneously serve as active RFID tags and remote sensors. The system outlined lays the groundwork for intelligent charge-scheduling by providing access to vehicle’s State of Charge (SOC) data as well as vehicle/driver IDs, allowing a custom charging schedule to be generated for a particular driver and PEV. The approach presented would allow PEV charging to be conducted effectively while observing grid constraints and meeting the needs of PEV drivers.
Knowledge is Prudence: How Entrepreneurs Benefit from Business Training in a Field Experiment

Can entrepreneurship be learned, and if so, what is most useful for entrepreneurs to learn? These issues have been difficult to address because of the endogeneity of learning and the lack of an empirical strategy to unpack how it affects entrepreneurs. Using data from a field experiment where free entrepreneurship training was randomly distributed, I show that entrepreneurs effectively improved their financial performance by participating in training. To identify the primary mechanism for this effect, I exploit the different predictions of how training affects capital investment. Interestingly, the improvement did not seem to be driven by increased production efficiency, but rather by entrepreneurs learning to refine their business ideas and thus reducing excessive investment. As a result of learning, they invested less in business, hired fewer employees and grew their businesses more slowly, but achieved better performance. This paper contributes a novel strategy for unpacking the benefits of learning, a...
Stochastic analysis of linear time-invariant systems with renewal transitions

Stochastic hybrid systems contain both continuous dynamics and discrete random events. Here we consider a subclass of these systems in which the continuous dynamics is governed via linear time-invariant ordinary differential equations. The discrete events are assumed to occur at random times, wherein the time intervals between events are independent and identically distributed random variables. Moreover, whenever the event occurs, the state is reset to a random value, whose statistics is dependent on its value just before the event. For this class of stochastic hybrid systems we give the necessary and sufficient conditions for having finite moments. Further we derive exact analytical expressions for the steady-state moments. Finally, we use our results to study the effect of noise in timing of the events on a linear scalar system. Surprisingly our derivation shows that high level of randomness in timing of events can be beneficial to a system, in the sense that it reduces the fluctuations in the state of the system.
Gendered discourses of control in global journalism: women’s bodies in CNN’s Zika reporting

Drawing on feminist, globalization, and journalism studies this article examines discourses about the recent Zika virus outbreak on CNN online from December 2015 through February 2016. Findings sho...
The painful total knee arthroplasty: Keys to diagnosis

Abstract As the prevalance of patients living with total knee replacements continues to rise we continue to see a significant portion of patients living with pain following their primary total knee arthroplasty. For some patients, the etiology of their pain following knee replacement is obvious, yet in many cases the cause of pain remains elusive and thus creates a significant burden for the patient and treating physician. In this review article we focus on common sources of pain following knee replacement and discuss keys to diagnosis. We also propose a unique clinical pathway algorithm to guide diagnostic work up and treatment options.