cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autonomic innervation of the urogenital system: adrenergic and cholinergic elements

The major organs of the male urogenital (UG) system have been examined in various mammals, including man, using light and electron microscopic (EM) histochemical methods. For the light microscopic study, the urinary bladder, the vas deferens and the penis (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) were studied in the rat, cat, dog, monkey and man using a glyoxylic acid (GA) method modified for peripheral adrenergic nerve fibers, and a thiocholine method for acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Fine structural analysis was done on the vasa of rat, cat, monkey and man, and on the bladder and penis of cat, dog, monkey and man. Tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde (GMO) as a control or in glutaraldehyde-dichromate (GDC) for the specific localization of norepinephrine (NE). All organs studied demonstrated numerous adrenergic nerve fibers throughout the muscular layers, in the connective tissue, and in the adventitia of most blood vessels. These fibers had a brilliant fluorescence when visualized with the GA method, and demonstrated many varicosities with small (400-600 A) and/or large (800-1200 A) granular vesicles in both control and GDC-fixed tissue examined with the EM. Evaluation of the vesicles with the analytical electron microscope (AEM) verified that those in the GDC-fixed tissue were chrome-positive, and, therefore, NE-containing. In the vas and penis, acetylcholinesterase(AChE)-positive nerve fibers were encountered less frequently at the light microscopic level than adrenergic fibers, and few typical cholinergic varicosities were seen in these organs with the EM. In the bladder, cholinergic nerves were seen with about the same frequency as adrenergic fibers in both light microscopic and EM preparations. Also observed frequently in each of the viscera were varicosities with large to very large (800-2000 A) granular vesicles of the kind presently hypothesized to be peptidergic or purinergic. Few varicosities of the type considered sensory, with large (800-1200 A) clear vesicles and numerous mitochondria, were observed in this tissue. Evidence from this study suggests that mammalian UG organs are innervated extensively by adrenergic nerves, and, excepting the bladder, have a limited cholinergic innervation; in the bladder, numerous fibers of each type can be found. In addition, another type of nerve fiber, perhaps peptidergic or purinergic, is found in large numbers in each of the organs studied and thus may represent a significant effector of autonomic regulation.
Vein harvesting technique for infrainguinal arterial bypass with great saphenous vein and its association with surgical site infection and graft patency.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the association of vein harvesting technique (VHT) with surgical site infection (SSI) and graft patency after infrainguinal arterial bypass. Methods The Vascular Quality Initiative database was used to review VHT of all patients undergoing single-segment great saphenous vein graft infrainguinal arterial bypass from 2003 to 2013. Patients were divided into three groups according to the VHT used (continuous incision, skip incision, and endoscopic). Multinomial logistic regression was performed to estimate propensity scores for each treatment group. Propensity score adjustment was included in multivariable analysis of the primary outcomes: SSI and graft primary patency. Results From 2003 to 2013, 5066 patients underwent single-segment great saphenous vein graft infrainguinal bypass. The VHT was continuous incision in 48.6%, skip incision in 39.7%, and endoscopic in 12.7%. SSI rates did not differ significantly among the groups (continuous, 4.7%; skip, 4.0%; endoscopic, 3.4%; P = . 278). On multivariable analysis, there was no difference in discharge primary patency between the three groups. At 1 year, primary patency rates were 69.5% for continuous, 73.0% for skip, and 58.6% for endoscopic ( P 001). After multivariable analysis, endoscopic vein harvest was independently associated with higher 1-year primary patency loss compared with both continuous (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.74; P = . 020) and skip (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.18-2.00; P = . 002). There was no significant difference in 1-year primary patency loss between continuous and skip techniques (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.73-1.05; P = . 170). Conclusions No association between the choice of VHT and the development of SSI after infrainguinal arterial bypass was identified in the Vascular Quality Initiative population. Endoscopic VHT was associated with significantly reduced 1-year primary patency rate compared with both continuous and skip techniques.
A Staggered Mesh Algorithm Using High Order Godunov Fluxes to Ensure Solenoidal Magnetic Fields in Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations

The equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) have been formulated as a hyperbolic system of conservation laws. In that form it becomes possible to use higher order Godunov schemes for their solution. This results in a robust and accurate solution strategy. However, the magnetic field also satisfies a constraint that requires its divergence to be zero at all times. This is a property that cannot be guaranteed in the zone centered discretizations that are favored in Godunov schemes without involving a divergence cleaning step. In this paper we present a staggered mesh strategy which directly uses the properly upwinded fluxes that are provided by a Godunov scheme. The process of directly using the upwinded fluxes relies on a duality that exists between the fluxes obtained from a higher order Godunov scheme and the electric fields in a plasma. By exploiting this duality we have been able to construct a higher order Godunov scheme that ensures that the magnetic field remains divergence-free up to the computer's round-off error. We have even presented a variant of the basic algorithm that uses multidimensional features in the flow to design an upwinded strategy that aligns itself with the predominant upwinded direction in the flow. We have devised several stringent test problems to show that the scheme works robustly and accurately in all situations. In doing so we have shown that a scheme that involves a collocation of magnetic field variables that is different from the one traditionally favored in the design of higher order Godunov schemes can nevertheless offer the same robust and accurate performance of higher order Godunov schemes provided the properly upwinded fluxes from the Godunov methodology are used in the scheme's construction.
Rychard Bostok of Tandridge, Surrey (C. 1530–1605), M.P., Paracelsian Propagandist and Friend of John Dee

L'A. decrit les origines de l'interet de R. Bostok pour l'alchimie medicale et de son association avec J. Dee, un propagandiste de Paracelse
Persuading Natural Killer Cells to Eliminate Bad B Cells

Clinical trials are underway infusing T cells genetically modified to be specific for B-cell malignancies using a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to redirect specificity for CD19. However, issues remain about whether the CAR can provide a fully competent application signal and whether other lymphocytes with lytic capacity can target CD19 + tumors.
RF receiver front-end with +3dBm out-of-band IIP3 and 3.4dB NF in 45nm CMOS for 3G and beyond

A receiver front-end in standard 45 nm CMOS technology is presented. The receiver achieves WCDMA system performance without requirement for an inter-stage SAW filter. High out-of-band linearity performance is achieved by reducing the RF circuitry and filtering the out-of-band blockers after direct conversion. For the receiver at 1.9 GHz, a +3.1 dBm IIP3 is achieved for blockers at 40 MHz and 80 MHz away from the RF carrier. NF is 3.4 dB, out-of-band IIP2 is +51 dBm and current is 19.5 mA for both I, Q channels with VDD of 1.4 V. LO is provided using an on-chip VCO followed by a quadrature divider.
Inelastic Deformation Mechanisms and Damage in Structural Ceramics Subjected to High‐Velocity Impact

The inelastic deformation mechanisms and damage features observed in structural ceramics subjected to nonpenetrating, high-velocity impacts are similar to those seen in quasistatic Hertzian indentation, albeit more severe. For impacts on large ceramic bodies (relative to impactor diameter), cone cracking is the primary mechanism in regions of high tensile stresses. In regions of nonhydrostatic compressive stresses, depending on the material characteristics, elasticity, grain-boundary microcracking, or plasticity are the primary mechanisms, and depending on their associated energetics, may be able to compete with the initiation and growth of cone cracks. In this regard, a new model is presented that examines the effect of grain-boundary microcracking on cone cracking through shear-induced dilatancy (i.e., bulking) within the quasiplastic zone that forms just underneath the impact site. Depending on the size of the quasiplastic zone and bulking pressure, it is shown that the bulking phenomenon has the potential to suppress cone cracking. Lastly, examples of other shear-driven inelastic deformation mechanisms are presented.
Influence of chemical composition and sequence length on the transport properties of proton exchange membranes

One of the integral parts of the fuel cell is the proton exchange membrane. Our research group has been engaged in the past few years in the synthesis of several sulfonated poly(arylene ether) random copolymers. The copolymers were varied in both the bisphenol structure as well as in the functional groups in the backbone such as sulfone and ketones. To compare the effect of sequence length, multiblock copolymers based on poly(arylene ether sulfone)s were synthesized. This paper aims to describe our investigation of the effect of chemical composition, morphology, and ion exchange capacity (IEC) on the transport properties of proton conducting membranes. The key properties examined were proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and water self diffusion coefficient in the membranes. It was observed that under fully hydrated conditions, proton conductivity for both random and block copolymers was a function of IEC and water uptake. However, under partially hydrated conditions, the block copolymers showed improved proton conductivity over the random copolymers. The proton conductivity for the block copolymer series was found to increase with increasing block lengths under partially hydrated conditions.
MMSE Estimation of Distributely Coded Correlated Gaussian Sources Using Random Projections

Recent developments in compressed sensing have shown that if a signal has a low Kolmogorov complexity, then it can be reconstructed from a certain number of random projections. We study the distributed coding of correlated Gaussian sources. Both intra- and inter-correlation models are considered in the source models. Decoding schemes in which it is possible to exploit the existing correlation between the signals of interest to significantly improve reconstruction performance are presented. This is done in a fashion resembling distributed coding of digital sources.
Immunochemical analysis of protein expression in breast epithelial cells transformed by estrogens and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation

Breast cancer is a complex disease involving numerous genetic aberrations. Immunochemical analysis of protein expression is presented in a human breast epithelial cell line neoplastically transformed by high linear energy transfer (LET) α particle radiation in the presence of 17β estradiol (E) and in the parental human breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10F) which served as a non-tumorigenic control. The aim of this work was to determine the levels of mRNA and protein expression in control and transformed cells at various stages of the neoplastic process. The levels of mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, c-fos, JNK2 and Fra-1 were increased in the transformed cell line compared to the levels in non-tumorigenic control cells. The transforming factor Rho A was significantly increased only in the tumor cell line. Furthermore, the levels of mRNA and protein expression of ErbB2 were significantly increased in the transformed cell line and in tumor cells derived from the transformed cells after injecting them into nude mice. A decrease in RbA/p48 protein expression and mRNA levels was observed in cells treated with double doses of α particle radiation in the presence of estrogen, regardless of tumorigenicity. Such expression was lower than that in the control untreated MCF-10F cells. In summary, these studies show that estrogen and high LET-radiation induce changes in oncoprotein expression and mRNA levels of human breast cell lines. These changes are indicative of a cascade of events that characterize the process of cell transformation in breast cancer. These results provide evidence that multiple steps with consecutive changes are involved when normal cells become tumorigenic cells as a result of α particle irradiation and estrogen treatments.
Increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and acrolein, neurotoxic markers of lipid peroxidation, in the brain in Mild Cognitive Impairment and early Alzheimer's disease

Previous studies show increased levels of lipid peroxidation and neurotoxic by-products of lipid peroxidation including 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and acrolein in vulnerable regions of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. To determine if lipid peroxidation occurs early in progression of AD, we analyzed levels of HNE and acrolein in the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (HPG), superior and middle temporal gyrus (SMTG) and cerebellum (CER) of 7 subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), six subjects with early AD (EAD) and sevem age-matched control subjects using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS/MS). Our data show that there is a statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in HNE in HPG, SMTG and CER in MCI compared to age-matched control subjects. Specimens of SMTG also showed a significant increase in levels of acrolein in MCI. Comparison of EAD and control subjects showed a statistically significant increase in HNE in HPG and SMTG and a significant increase in acrolein in all three brain regions studied. We did not observe any statistically significant differences between MCI and EAD specimens. These results suggest that lipid peroxidation occurs early in the pathogenesis of AD.
Shopping Model of the Time-Sensitive Consumer

The shopping behavior of time-sensitive consumers has been modeled as an economic model of choice. Consumers are said to balance the costs of time spent commuting to the store and in the store with storage costs and other nontime costs of shopping. In so doing, these consumers tend to minimize their overall costs. Propositions are developed and tested using this economic model of shopping. The model is extended beyond time sensitivity to include deal proneness; further propositions are developed and tested using the extended model. The empirical results support the derived models.
Seeing Shades Ecological and Socially Just Labeling

Although appropriate product labeling allows global justice groups, environmental groups, and health-concerned consumers to support and participate in the development of markets for more sustainabl...
Mechanical properties and fibrin characteristics of endovascular coil–clot complexes: relevance to endovascular cerebral aneurysm repair paradigms

Background Although coil embolization is known to prevent rebleeding from acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysms, the underlying biological and mechanical mechanisms have not been characterized. We sought to determine if microcoil-dependent interactions with thrombus induce structural and mechanical changes in the adjacent fibrin network. Such changes could play an important role in the prevention of aneurysm rebleeding. Methods The stiffness of in vitro human blood clots and coil–clot complexes implanted into aneurysm phantoms were measured immediately after formation and after retraction for 3 days using unconfined uniaxial compression assays. Scanning electron microscopy of the coil–clot complexes showed the effect of coiling on clot structure. Results The coil packing densities achieved were in the range of clinical practice. Bare platinum coils increased clot stiffness relative to clot alone (Young9s modulus 6.9 kPa and 0.83 kPa, respectively) but did not affect fibrin structure. Hydrogel-coated coils prevented formation of a clot and had no significant effect on clot stiffness (Young9s modulus 2 kPa) relative to clot alone. Clot age decreased fiber density by 0.2 fibers/µm 2 but not the stiffness of the bare platinum coil–clot complex. Conclusions The stiffness of coil–clot complexes is related to the summative stiffness of the fibrin network and associated microcoils. Hydrogel-coated coils exhibit significantly less stiffness due to the mechanical properties of the hydrogel and the inhibition of fibrin network formation by the hydrogel. These findings have important implications for the design and engineering of aneurysm occlusion devices.
Ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion in silicon waveguides

We show that ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion can be realized in silicon waveguides in the wavelength region near 1550 nm by tailoring their zero-dispersion wavelength and launching pump wave close to this wavelength. We quantify the impact of two-photon absorption, free-carrier generation, and linear losses on the process of parametric generation and show that it is difficult to realize a net signal gain and transparent wavelength conversion with a continuous-wave pump. By investigating the transient dynamics of the four-wave mixing process initiated with a pulsed pump, we show that the instantaneous nature of electronic response enables highly efficient parametric amplification and wavelength conversion for pump pulses as wide as 1 ns. We also discuss the dual-pump configuration and show that its use permits multiband operation with uniform efficiency over a broad spectral region extending over 300 nm.
Role of casein kinase 1 in the glucose sensor-mediated signaling pathway in yeast

In yeast, glucose-dependent degradation of the Mth1 protein, a corepressor of the glucose transporter gene (HXT) repressor Rgt1, is a crucial event enabling expression of several HXT. This event occurs through a signaling pathway that involves the Rgt2 and Snf3 glucose sensors and yeast casein kinase 1 and 2 (Yck1/2). In this study, we examined whether the glucose sensors directly couple with Yck1/2 to convert glucose binding into an intracellular signal that leads to the degradation of Mth1. High levels of glucose induce degradation of Mth1 through the Rgt2/Snf3 glucose signaling pathway. Fluorescence microscopy analysis indicates that, under glucose-limited conditions, GFP-Mth1 is localized in the nucleus and does not shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. If glucose-induced degradation is prevented due to disruption of the Rgt2/Snf3 pathway, GFP-Mth1 accumulates in the nucleus. When engineered to be localized to the cytoplasm, GFP-Mth1 is degraded regardless of the presence of glucose or the glucose sensors. In addition, removal of Grr1 from the nucleus prevents degradation of GFP-Mth1. These results suggest that glucose-induced, glucose sensor-dependent Mth1 degradation occurs in the nucleus. We also show that, like Yck2, Yck1 is localized to the plasma membrane via C-terminal palmitoylation mediated by the palmitoyl transferase Akr1. However, glucose-dependent degradation of Mth1 is not impaired in the absence of Akr1, suggesting that a direct interaction between the glucose sensors and Yck1/2 is not required for Mth1 degradation. Glucose-induced, glucose sensor-regulated degradation of Mth1 occurs in the nucleus and does not require direct interaction of the glucose sensors with Yck1/2.
Reduced Field of View and Undersampled PR Combined for Interventional Imaging of a Fully Dynamic Field of View

Active catheter imaging was investigated using real-time undersampled projection reconstruction (PR) combined with the temporal filtering technique of reduced field of view (rFOV). Real-time rFOV processing was interactively enabled during highly undersampled catheter imaging, resulting in improved artifact suppression with better temporal resolution than that obtained by view-sharing. Imaging with 64 to 32 projections provided a resolution of 2 x 2 x 8 mm, and four to eight true frames per second. Image artifacts were reduced when rFOV processing was applied to the undersampled images. A comparison with Cartesian rFOV showed that PR image quality is less susceptible to aliasing that results from rFOV imaging with a wholly dynamic outer FOV. Simulations and MRI experiments demonstrated that PR rFOV provides significant artifact suppression, even for a fully dynamic FOV. The near doubling of temporal resolution that is possible with PR rFOV permits accurate monitoring of highly dynamic events, such as catheter movements, and arrhythmias, such as ventricular ectopy.
Eradication Efforts, the State, Displacement and Poverty: Explaining Coca Cultivation in Colombia during Plan Colombia

This study models the sub-national pattern of coca cultivation in Colombia following the implementation of Plan Colombia (2001–2005). The results suggest that aerial eradication reduces coca cultivation primarily through creation of significant displacement and that coca cultivation is less intense in areas with a significant state presence. Further, coca cultivation appears to be more common in less developed, agricultural regions where access to legal markets precludes other forms of agriculture. Poverty has a significant, non-linear effect on coca cultivation; cultivation is most intense in regions of moderate poverty. Based on the findings, efforts to reduce coca cultivation should emphasise developing local public infrastructure and market access in conjunction with poverty reduction efforts and investment in alternative development.
Improvement in physician's office laboratory practices, 1989-1994.

Abstract Background.—In 1986 and 1989, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sponsored institutes on Critical Issues in Health Laboratory Practice. It was noted during the institutes that physician's office laboratories were a rapidly emerging site for clinical laboratory testing, yet no comprehensive data were available regarding the practice of clinical laboratory medicine in physician's office laboratories. As a mechanism to begin addressing this void, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added questions on clinical laboratory practice to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a national probability sample of ambulatory care provided by office-based physicians. Data were collected for survey years 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1994. Methods.—Each survey was conducted among a nationally representative, random sample of office-based physicians who provide ambulatory patient care. Sample physicians were enlisted using both mail and telephone contacts. Clinical laboratory data were obtaine...
Quantum well vertical light modulator

A waveguide modulator is proposed whose operation is based on the dissipative coupling of light from a waveguide into an appropriate quantum-well structure. This approach uses the electric-field-induced change of the refractive index for light modulation. A particular geometrical configuration is numerically evaluated. The advantages of this configuration are that the combination of high switching speed ( approximately=1 ps), high on/off ratios (e.g. 1/16 dB or 2/25 dB), and low-driving voltage (4 V) could be combined in one device. The proposed modulator exhibits negligible phase shifts when the attenuation is smaller than about 10 dB. >
The role of stress cardiac MRI imaging in patients with complete left bundle branch block

Background Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a condition associated with increased mortality and poor prognosis, depending on the underlying etiology. Identification of the etiology and appropriate risk stratification of patients with LBBB is a challenge, despite the availability of various testing modalities. Nuclear exercise stress testing can show artificial perfusion defects in the interventricular septum. The artifacts are reduced but not completely excluded by use of vasodilator stress agents. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in patients with LBBB. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 49 consecutive patients with complete LBBB who underwent stress CMR. Of these 49 patients, 23 also underwent concurrent coronary angiography, 20 underwent nuclear stress test and 8 underwent all the three tests. The reference standard for flow limiting coronary artery disease (CAD) was coronary artery stenosis greater than 50% on coronary angiogram. Results Stress CMR correctly identified all patients (n=13) with more than 50% coronary artery stenosis and all patients (n=7) without significant coronary artery stenosis. Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CMR in diagnosing flow limiting CAD were 100%, 70%, 81% and 100% respectively. In patients who underwent both stress CMR and nuclear stress test (n=20), stress CMR showed late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the coronary artery distribution in thirteen patients (n=13 of 20), consistent with fibrosis due to myocardial infarction. Where as nuclear stress test showed fixed defect in a coronary artery distribution in only six patients (n=6 of 20). Stress CMR also demonstrated other etiologies like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac iron overload and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusions Stress CMR imaging has high sensitivity and negative predictive value in the identification of CAD, in patients with complete LBBB. It can also assess infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Stress CMR appears to provide a better comprehensive assessment than nuclear scintigraphy in patients with LBBB. Funding None.
Combined Immunodeficiency Associated with DOCK8 Mutations

Background Recurrent sinopulmonary and cutaneous viral infections with elevated serum levels of IgE are features of some variants of combined immunodeficiency. The genetic causes of these variants are unknown. Methods We collected longitudinal clinical data on 11 patients from eight families who had recurrent sinopulmonary and cutaneous viral infections. We performed comparative genomic hybridization arrays and targeted gene sequencing. Variants with predicted loss-of-expression mutations were confirmed by means of a quantitative reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction assay and immunoblotting. We evaluated the number and function of lymphocytes with the use of in vitro assays and flow cytometry. Results Patients had recurrent otitis media, sinusitis, and pneumonias; recurrent Staphylococcus aureus skin infections with otitis externa; recurrent, severe herpes simplex virus or herpes zoster infections; extensive and persistent infections with molluscum contagiosum; and human papillomavirus infectio...
Dual-Band Bandpass and Bandstop Filters Using Composite Right/Left-Handed Metamaterial Transmission Lines

In this paper, dual-band bandpass and bandstop filters using composite right/left-handed (CRLH) metamaterial transmission lines (TLs) are developed. The conventional bandpass and bandstop filters are first designed using quarter-wave short-circuited and open-circuited stubs, respectively. Then the dual-band filters with arbitrary dual operating bands can then be easily implemented by replacing the microstrip lines with the CRLH TLs. The dual-band bandpass and bandstop filters using the CRLH TLs are experimentally demonstrated at dual operating frequencies 1 GHz and 1.9 GHz. The measured results are in a good agreement with the simulated results. From the measured performances, the dual-band bandpass filter has 29.8% and 17.3% pass bandwidths, while the dual-band bandstop filter has 12.2% and 6.9% stop bandwidths with 30dB attenuation
Iterative Algorithms for Finding the Stationary Points of the Dirty Tape Problem

Two distinct iterative algorithms are proposed for obtaining locally optimal strategies for the dirty tape problem. Although the resulting strategies show only a slight performance improvement over the scalar Costa solutions, we have enough evidence to conjecture that these strategies are the optimal lattice strategies. Further, our techniques are applicable in a wider scenario, since these algorithms do not assume the additive noise to be Gaussian.
Crafting the illusion of meaning: template-based specification of embodied conversational behavior

Templates are a widespread natural language technology that achieves believability within a narrow range of interaction and coverage. We consider templates for embodied conversational behavior. Such templates combine a specific pattern of marked-up text, specifying prosody and conversational signals as well as words, with similarly annotated gaps that can be filled in by rule to yield a coherent contribution to a dialogue with a user. In this paper we argue that templates can give a designer substantial freedom to realize specific combinations of behaviors in interactions with users and thereby to explore the relationships among such factors as emotion, personality, individuality and social role.
Finite element method implementation of a nonlocal viscoplastic model with consideration of temperature dependence

This article presents development of a damage-coupled viscoplastic constitutive model with temperature consideration. The model is subjected to an explicit nonlocal treatment within the characteristic length that is not limited to one local element as conventional ones. Temperature dependence of material behavior is incorporated into the model to account for the material property degradation at elevated temperature. A test program to determine the correlation between material parameters and temperature is also presented. The nonlocal damage-coupled viscoplastic material model is implemented in a commercial finite element program ABAQUS through its user-defined material subroutine UMAT using a semi-implicit time integration scheme. The model is applied to predict the behavior of 63Sn37Pb soldered structure. The mesh sensitivity of the model is discussed, as well as the efficiency of deduced consistent tangent modulus.
The effects of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) invasion and removal on a dry bluff prairie ecosystem

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) establishment increased dramatically in the tallgrass prairie biome of North America during the last 30 years. Since many of the remaining remnant prairies occur on steep, dry, and nutrient poor sites, threatened by the invasion of native and non-native woody species, it is important to understand how an invasive species such as eastern red cedar influences key environmental factors that may determine the future trajectory of these systems and whether abiotic and biotic components of the system are resilient following cedar removal. To address these issues we: (1) investigated the influence of eastern red cedar on micro-environmental factors; (2) evaluated how these micro-environmental factors responded to eastern red cedar removal; and (3) assessed the effect of eastern red cedar on herbaceous species germination and distribution. The invasion of eastern red cedar was associated with lower surface light availability and soil temperature, as seen in prior studies, but otherwise had effects distinct from those observed in prior studies. There was no effect of cedar on soil pH, and unlike prior studies, cedar patches had higher soil moisture compared to native C4 prairie grass plots. Moreover, these effects had strong spatial signatures, with impacts of invasion on micro-envi- ronment and native vegetation differing dramatically with slope position and aspect. Three years after eastern red cedar was removed, micro-environmental factors and species composition became similar to the tree-free grass-dominated plots, indicating a signifi- cant capacity for recovery following possible cedar control. In a broader context, this study sheds light on the pathways and mechanisms driving the impacts of this biological invasion on dry, steep, nutrient poor systems and illustrates the capability of these systems to recover once the invading species is removed.
Explaining Temporary and Permanent Motor Vehicle Theft Rates in the United States: A Crime-Specific Approach

Objectives:To apply crime-specific models based on differing potential offender pools and opportunity structures to temporary and permanent motor vehicle theft (MVT).Method:Using 310 U.S. cities with 50,000 or more residents, the current study developed and examined crime-specific multivariate models for temporary and permanent MVT rates. To evaluate the distinctiveness of crime-specific variables’ associations with each MVT type, the study also predicted each MVT rate via measures theoretically specific to the other.Results:Among temporary-specific variables, young male population and the percentage of households without a vehicle were positively associated with temporary MVT. Permanent-specific measures of adult male property offender pool size, percentage of households with high disposable income, unemployment, U.S.-Mexico border proximity, and auto-related businesses were associated with permanent MVT (though in an unexpected direction for disposable income). Some variables were associated with both t...
Constraint grammars–a new model for specifying graphical applications

User Interface Management Systems often attempt to separate the graphical and nongraphical aspects of an application, but rarely succeed. Constraint grammars provide a new model for specifying interfaces that achieves this goal by encapsulating the data structures in a single package, and providing a powerful transformation-based editing model for manipulating them. Constraint grammars incorporate a number of important tools, such as the part-whole hierarchy, almost hierarchical structures, and multidirectional constraints, that permit designers to specify a wide variety of graphical applications, including simulation systems, program visualization systems, and visual programming environments.
Competing Discourses in the Classroom : Turkish Instruction in Berlin

Turkish instruction has entered the school system in Berlin in the 1980s as a response to the increase in the school-age children within the Turkish community. In neighborhoods with a high population of Turkish residents, schools at various levels have come to offer Turkish as an elective foreign language. Moreover, Turkish is offered as one of the subjects on the secondary school finishing exams (MSA) and beyond that, the university prep programs (Abitur) in some high schools. My focus in this paper is one such school in the district of Kreuzberg, with an overwhelming majority of its student body Turkish in descent. Reporting on classroom ethnography in a 9th grade Turkish class, I focus on two major discourses in circulation: the standard Turkish discourse and the Ottoman Turkish discourse. Through microethnographic analysis, I demonstrate how these discourses are constructed, enacted, and received in the Turkish classroom.
Investigation and analysis of groundwater quality in Meixian in 2011-2012

Objective To investigate the groundwater quality in Meixian,and provide the basis for scientific development and utilization of groundwater.Methods The well water and mountain spring water samples from water entrusted inspection center in2011 2012 were taken as the research objects.According to "standard examination methods for drinking water"(GB/T5750-2006),water quality was analyzed and evaluated.Results The qualified rate of groundwater in Meixian in 2011-2012 was63.47%,the qualified rates of well water,spring water were 60.10% and 67.59%,respectively.The qualified rates of total bacteria,total coliforms,thermotolerant coliforms and pH were low,with 62.22%,55.00%,55.00% and 75.28%,respectively.The qualified rates of ohter indexes were between 90%~100%.Conclusion The groundwater quality was good in Meixian in general.The microbial indexes exceeding the standard was caused by biological pollution,which should be paid attention.
Excision of ROOF During Upper Blepharoplasty

During upper blepharoplasty, it may be necessary to excise the retroorbicularis oculi fat (ROOF). This is usually helpful in patients with thick redundant tissues obscuring the lateral half of the orbital rim.
Regulation of the Activation of Pyruvate, Pi Dikinase and NADP-malate Dehydrogenase in Maize

In C4 plants two enzymes of the C4 cycle, pyruvate, Pi dikinase (PPDK) and NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH) are active in the light and inactive in the dark. Both enzymes are located in the mesophyll chloroplast and surprisingly, are activated by different mechanisms. NADP-MDH is activated via reduction of disulfide groups on the protein by thioredoxin or protein modulase mediated electron transfer through the noncyclic electron flow in the light (Buchanan 1980, Anderson et al. 1981). In the dark, the enzyme may be reoxidized by donating electrons to O2 via thioredoxin (Kagawa, Hatch 1977, see also Anderson et al. 1981).
Nonhuman Primate Models of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction continues to be a widespread public health problem associated with debilitating medical, social, psychological, and economic consequences. Research geared toward understanding the behavioral and neurobiological processes associated with abuse and addiction as well as toward developing effective treatment strategies remains a high priority. Nonhuman primates have been used extensively in addiction research for many decades, generating valid and reliable data relevant to human drug and alcohol abuse. This chapter focuses on particular characteristics of nonhuman primates, including neurobiological, metabolic, behavioral, and genetic similarities to humans, which make them ideal subjects in studies geared toward translating findings to humans. We restrict our discussion primarily to studies which utilize the self-administration model. Self-administration models in laboratory animals are especially useful for determining the biological basis of drug and alcohol addiction, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of potential candidate medications.
Smartphone-based construction workers' activity recognition and classification

Abstract Understanding the state, behavior, and surrounding context of construction workers is essential to effective project management and control. Exploiting the integrated sensors of ubiquitous mobile phones offers an unprecedented opportunity for an automated approach to workers' activity recognition. In addition, machine learning (ML) methodologies provide the complementary computational part of the process. In this paper, smartphones are used in an unobtrusive way to capture body movements by collecting data using embedded accelerometer and gyroscope sensors. Construction activities of various types have been simulated and collected data are used to train five different types of ML algorithms. Activity recognition accuracy analysis has been performed for all the different categories of activities and ML classifiers in user-dependent and -independent ways. Results indicate that neural networks outperform other classifiers by offering an accuracy ranging from 87% to 97% for user-dependent and 62% to 96% for user-independent categories.
Shorter Duration of Post-Operative Antibiotics for Cecal Ligation and Puncture Does Not Increase Inflammation or Mortality.

Antimicrobial therapy for sepsis has beneficial effects, but prolonged use fosters emergence of resistant microorganisms, increases cost, and secondary infections. We tested whether 3 days versus 5 days of antibiotics in the murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) negatively influences outcomes. Following CLP mice were randomized to receive the antibiotic imipenem-cilastatin (25mg/kg) in dextrose 5% in Lactated Ringer’s solution every 12 hours for either three or five days. Serial monitoring over 28 days included body weight, temperature, pulse oximetry, and facial vein sampling for hematological analysis and glucose. A separate group of mice were euthanized on post-CLP day 5 to measure cytokines and peritoneal bacterial counts. The first study examined no antimicrobial therapy and demonstrated that antibiotics significantly improved survival compared to fluids only (p = 0.004). We next tested imipenem-cilastatin therapy for 3 days versus 5 days. Body weight, temperature, glucose, and pulse oximetry measurements remained generally consistent between both groups as did the hematological profile. Pro-inflammatory plasma cytokines were comparable between both groups for IL-6, IL-1β, MIP-2 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, and TNF SRI. At 5 days post-CLP, i.e. 2 days after the termination of antibiotics in the 3 day group, there were no differences in the number of peritoneal bacteria. Importantly, shortening the course of antibiotics by 40% (from 5 days to 3 days) did not decrease survival. Our results indicate that reducing the duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics in murine sepsis did not increase inflammation or mortality.
Ischemic Myelopathy Due to Marfan’s Syndrome

Marfan’s syndrome (MFS) is an inherited disorder that affects the connective tissue as an autosomal dominant disorder with muscoskeletal, ocular, and cardiovascular manifestations. Patients usually have unusual height, large hands and feet and involvement of the lungs.
New interpretive criteria for danofloxacin antibacterial susceptibility testing against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida associated with bovine respiratory disease.

Danofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent approved for use in veterinary medicine to treat and control bovine respiratory disease caused by Mannheimia haemolytica or Pasteurella multoci...
A real-time closed-loop control system for modulating gait characteristics via electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves

We have developed a real-time closed-loop control system for modulating gait characteristics via electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves in the cat. The system monitors gait metrics and applies appropriate electrical stimulus to peripheral sensory nerves to change the gait metrics in the desired direction. Stimulation parameters are determined by the stimulation controller in real-time based on the measured gait metric, the target gait metric, and the relationship between the stimulus parameters and gait metric found in experiments in the walking cat. As a proof of concept, we controlled the spatial step symmetry as a gait metric by modulating stimulation amplitude during cat walking on a split-belt treadmill. The results demonstrated that the developed system could reliably maintain the spatial step symmetry of the cat in the vicinity of a set target value in real-time.
Gastric Bleeding and Perforation

There is a high variety of causes and complications leading to gastric bleeding and perforation in any age group. For the newborn group, some typical clinical situations might occur, while in the elder group, gastric perforation is very rare. For all groups and situations, some rules concerning diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be established. The present chapter will deal with the most typical entities in detail.
Organics vs Cuprates: Why is Tc Still So Low in the Organics

Based on our previous evaluation of the major parameters of the cuprate superconductors, the analysis - organic superconductors vs cuprate superconductors is carried out. The organics are found to have a short coherence length and, as a result, display two-gap structure. Many of the normal and superconducting parameters of the two classes of compounds are quite similar. However, the presence of nesting states in the organic conductors is an important factor; this is a major difference between the two classes of materials and may be partly responsible for the differences in the transition temperatures.
Insect Populations on Bacillus thuringiensis Transgenic Sweet Corn

Insect populations and damage in three plantings (early, mid-, and late-season) of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic sweet corn were compared to a non-transgenic isoline at Charleston, SC, dur...
Comparison of posterior retroperitoneal and transabdominal lateral approaches in robotic adrenalectomy: an analysis of 200 cases

Although numerous studies have been published on robotic adrenalectomy (RA) in the literature, none has done a comparison of posterior retroperitoneal (PR) and transabdominal lateral (TL) approaches. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic PR and TL adrenalectomy. This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Between September 2008 and January 2017, perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing RA through PR and TL approaches were recorded into an IRB-approved database. Clinical and perioperative parameters were compared using Student’s t test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and χ 2 test. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with total operative time. 188 patients underwent 200 RAs. 110 patients were operated through TL and 78 patients through PR approach. Overall, conversion rate to open was 2.5% and 90-day morbidity 4.8%. The perioperative outcomes of TL and PR approaches were similar regarding estimated blood loss, rate of conversion to open, length of hospital stay, and 90-day morbidity. PR approach resulted in a shorter mean ± SD total operative time (136.3 ± 38.7 vs. 154.6 ± 48.4 min; p = 0.005) and lower visual analog scale pain score on postoperative day #1 (4.3 ± 2.5 vs. 5.4 ± 2.4; p = 0.001). After excluding tumors larger than 6 cm operated through TL approach, the difference in operative times persisted (136.3 ± 38.7 vs. 153.7 ± 45.7 min; p = 0.009). On multivariate regression analysis, increasing BMI and TL approaches were associated with longer total operative time. This study shows that robotic PR and TL approaches are equally safe and efficacious. With experience, shorter operative time and less postoperative pain can be achieved with PR technique. This supports the preferential utilization of PR approach in high-volume centers with enough experience.
The Reaction of Glutathione with Amino Acids and Related Compounds as Catalyzed by γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

In a previous publication (1) methods were described which permit the quantitative estimation of the action of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase upon glutathione. In the present report these methods are employed to study the influence of amino acids. peptides, and other compounds upon the reaction. In addition, we present the results of attempts to account for all the main products formed in the reaction in both the presence and absence of the amino acid, arginine. Data on the distribution of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in a variety of organs and animal species are also given.
Flanders hapavirus in western North America

Flanders virus (FLAV; family Rhabdoviridae) is a mosquito-borne hapavirus with no known pathology that is frequently isolated during arbovirus surveillance programs. Here, we document the presence of FLAV in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and a Canada goose (Branta canadensis) collected in western North America, outside of the currently recognized range of FLAV. Until now, FLAV-like viruses detected in the western United States were assumed to be Hart Park virus (HPV, family Rhabdoviridae), a closely related congener. A re-examination of archived viral isolates revealed that FLAV was circulating in California as early as 1963. FLAV also was isolated in Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan, Canada. Phylogenetic analysis of the U1 pseudogene for 117 taxa and eight nuclear genes for 15 taxa demonstrated no distinct clustering between western FLAV isolates. Assuming the range of FLAV has been expanding west, these results indicate that FLAV likely spread west following multiple invasion events. However, it remains to be determined if the detection of FLAV in western North America is due to expansion or is a result of enhanced arbovirus surveillance or diagnostic techniques. Currently, the impact of FLAV infection remains unknown.