cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban, Residential, and Rural Climate Comparisons from Mobile Transects and Fixed Stations: Phoenix, Arizona

Abstract Fixed stations versus automobile transects were compared for a 27-day period between July and November 2001 to investigate urban, residential, and rural temperatures and dew points post-sundown for a sub-region in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, Arizona. Temperature and dew point differences were determined among urban (urb), residential (res), and rural (rur) from the fixed sites (fix) and the mobile transect route (tran). On average, transects revealed a mean ΔT(urb-rur)tran of 7.3°C (standard deviation, σ, of 2.02°C) and ΔT(res-rur)tran of 3°C (σ = 1.09°C); whereas the fixed site results were ΔT(urb-rur)fix of 4.8°C (σ = 2.78°C) and ΔT(res-rur)fix of 2.3°C (σ = 1.81°C). Comparisons of dew points for ΔTd(urb-rur)tran and ΔTd(res-rur)tran were −3.21°C (σ = 4.56°C) and −1.0°C (σ = 1.44°C), respectively; whereas the ΔTd(urb-rur)fix and ΔTd(res-rur)fix values averaged +1.27°C (σ = 2.85°C) and −0.10°C (σ = 2.75°C), respectively. The use of a Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) assists in interpr...
A Component of Maize Pollen That Stimulates Larval Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to Feed and Increases Toxicity of Microbial Larvicides

To explain how larval Anopheles arabiensis Patton feed effectively in the turbid water in which they frequently develop, we determined whether an extractable component of maize, Zea mays L., pollen enhances feeding by these mosquitoes. Maturing maize produces a copious amount of wind-borne pollen that is nutritious enough and produced over a sufficient period to support the development of at least one generation of anopheline mosquitoes. Larval An. arabiensis readily ingest the contents of maize pollen or the intact pollen grains themselves. An aqueous extract of maize pollen markedly accelerates the rate at which larval An. arabiensis ingest inert particles and strongly enhances the effectiveness of Bti against larval An. arabiensis. We conclude that the ability of larval anopheline mosquitoes to feed on maize pollen in turbid water is enhanced by the release from these pollen grains of a water-soluble phagostimulatory component (or components), which may be used to increase ingestion of microbial entomotoxins.
High Resolution Computed Tomography in the Staging of Carcinoma of the Larynx: Overview

The normal anatomy of the larynx as displayed on computed tomography is illustrated. Pathologic alterations in patients with carcinoma of the larynx are depicted and discussed.
Discharge Equations for HS, H, and HL Flumes

Generalized discharge equations for HS and H flumes were developed from the original data. Discharge equations for the HL flume were developed from a published rating table for a 4-ft (1.2-m) flume. The equations are expressed in the basic dimensions of the control section. A direct solution for the effect of submergence on H flumes is presented in equation form.
Backscatter suppression via blind signal separation for a 532 nm underwater chaotic lidar rangefinder

Blind signal separation is applied to suppress backscatter for a 532 nm chaotic lidar underwater rangefinder. When operating in turbid waters, chaotic lidar returns contain information for both submerged objects and an optical backscatter “clutter” component. The statistical digital signal processing technique of blind signal separation (BSS) is applied to dynamically measure and cancel out the backscatter component before computing range to the desired object. Results from simulations and laboratory experiments are presented to demonstrate the combined chaotic/BSS approach. The chaotic/BSS approach extends operating range by almost 40% and achieves centimeter-order range accuracy. Receiver operating curves are simulated for the chaotic/BSS approach, which show convergence towards the ideal classifier in several conditions of interest.
Flexoelectricity and thermal fluctuations of lipid bilayer membranes: Renormalization of flexoelectric, dielectric, and elastic properties

Thermal fluctuations renormalize the bending elasticity of lipid bilayers. This well-studied effect is a cornerstone in the study of several membrane biophysical phenomena. Analogously, nearly all membranes are endowed with an electromechanical coupling called flexoelectricity that admits membrane polarization due to curvature changes. Flexoelectricity is found to be important in a number of biological functions, including hearing, ion transport, and in some situations where mechanotransduction is necessary. Very little is known about the interplay between thermal fluctuations and flexoelectricity. In this work, we explore how the apparent flexoelectricity is altered due to thermal fluctuations and, further, how the elastic and dielectric properties are renormalized due to flexoelectricity. We find that the apparent bending rigidity is softened by flexoelectricity and discuss the ramifications for interpreting existing experimental work.
Random-Beam Full-Wavefield Inversion

Full-wavefield inversion (FWI) of seismic data is computationally expensive due to the large number of shots that need to be simulated during the inversion process. Recently, a technique has been developed that reduces the computational cost of FWI significantly by encoding and simulating all shots recorded in a seismic survey simultaneously [Krebs et al., 2009]. This technique, however, is only directly applicable to surveys in which all receivers record signals from every shot. For the majority of current and legacy survey geometries this requirement is not met. Here we present a new method of FWI that can be applied to any survey geometry. When applied to marine streamer data a reduction to <5% of the computational cost of sequential-shot FWI is realizable. This method groups the data recorded during a seismic survey into several encoded multi-shot gathers each of which can be modeled using a single numerical simulation. These groups can either be constant or vary between inversion iterations. This grouping process also allows us to use an L2-norm for calculating data misfit. The computational speedup gained by using this method is constrained to be less than that provided by simulating all the shots in a survey simultaneously, which requires a seldom-used acquisition geometry.
Perioperative Complications in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is growing in prevalence though it still remains significantly underdiagnosed. Preoperative screening for OSA is taking place in many institutions, with a substantial number of patients being identified as having a high probability for OSA just prior to undergoing surgery. Emerging data increasingly demonstrates that patients with a high probability of having OSA as well as those with a known diagnosis of OSA may be at increased risk for developing complications in the perioperative setting. Postoperative cardiac and pulmonary adverse events appear to occur more frequently in these patients though the impact OSA has on postoperative mortality is controversial. In addition, determining which patients are at greatest risk remains an area of uncertainty. This chapter will review the current state of the knowledge regarding OSA as a risk factor for perioperative complications.
Guaranteed Cost Control for Uncertain Nonlinear Discrete Time-delay 2D Systems

The guaranteed cost control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear discrete time-delay 2D systems is investigated. The uncertainty is assumed norm-bounded. The attention is focus on presenting the sufficient conditions for the existence of the memoryless state feedback guaranteed cost controller by linear matrix inequality technology, and the design of the guaranteed cost control law such that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable and has a specified upper bound of the closed-loop cost function value for all admissible uncertainties. This approach overcomes the difficulties which the uncertain matrix nonlinear term in the Lyapunov function is not easy to handle. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained method.
A "mindful rational living" approach for addressing HIV in the school setting.

This paper describes a “mindful rational living” approach, which incorporates mindfulness techniques with rational emotive behavioral therapy strategies for addressing HIV in the school setting. The utility of this approach for attending to the physical, mental, and psychosocial aspects of school-based HIV prevention and treatment will be provided within existing multitier models of intervention.
Exploiting Fully Integrated Inductive Voltage Regulators to Improve Side Channel Resistance of Encryption Engines

This paper explores fully integrated inductive voltage regulators (FIVR) as a technique to improve the side channel resistance of encryption engines. We propose security aware design modes for low passive FIVR to improve robustness of an encryption-engine against statistical power attacks in time and frequency domain. A Correlation Power Analysis is used to attack a 128-bit AES engine synthesized in 130nm CMOS. The original design requires ~250 Measurements to Disclose (MTD) the 1st byte of key; but with security-aware FIVR, the CPA was unsuccessful even after 20,000 traces. We present a reversibility based threat model for the FIVR-based protection improvement and show the robustness of security aware FIVR against such threat.
Prenatal Immunization Education: The Pediatric Prenatal Visit and Routine Obstetric Care

Background Vaccine safety concerns and lack of knowledge regarding vaccines contribute to delays in infant immunization. Prenatal vaccine education could improve risk communication and timely vaccination. This study sought to determine the proportion of obstetric practices and hospital-based prenatal education classes that provide pregnant women with infant immunization information, the willingness of obstetric practices to provide infant immunization information, and the proportion of first-time mothers who receive a pediatric prenatal visit. Methods A telephone survey was conducted of 100 pediatric practices and 100 obstetric practices randomly selected from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile between January and March 2005, with analysis performed April 2005. Results Seventy-one of 100 (71%) selected obstetric practices and 85 of 100 (85%) selected pediatric practices participated. Sixteen obstetric practices (23%) reported providing pregnant women with information on routine childhood immunizations. Thirty-four of the 52 practices (65%) that did not provide such information reported willingness to do so. Ten of 51 hospitals (20%) did not provide information about routine childhood immunizations to prenatal class participants. Sixty-six of the 85 pediatric practices (78%) provided a pediatric prenatal visit. Among these, the median percentage of first-time mothers who received a visit was 30%. Conclusions Prenatal visits are a missed opportunity for providing education about infant immunizations. Incorporating immunization education into routine obstetric prenatal care may increase maternal knowledge of infant vaccines and reduce delayed immunization.
Structural Analysis of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Ligand-Binding Domain in Complex with Triamcinolone Acetonide and a Fragment of the Atypical Coregulator, Small Heterodimer Partner

The synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) dexamethasone, mometasone furoate, and triamcinolone acetonide are pharmaceutical mainstays to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. These drugs bind to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a ligand-activated transcription factor and member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. The GR is widely recognized as a therapeutic target for its ability to counter proinflammatory signaling. Despite the popularity of GCs in the clinic, long-term use leads to numerous side effects, driving the need for new and improved drugs with less off-target pharmacology. X-ray crystal structures have played an important role in the drug-design process, permitting the characterization of robust structure-function relationships. However, steroid receptor ligand-binding domains (LBDs) are inherently unstable, and their crystallization requires extensive mutagenesis to enhance expression and crystallization. Here, we use an ancestral variant of GR as a tool to generate a high-resolution crystal structure of GR in complex with the potent glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and a fragment of the small heterodimer partner (SHP). Using structural analysis, molecular dynamics, and biochemistry, we show that TA increases intramolecular contacts within the LBD to drive affinity and enhance stability of the receptor-ligand complex. These data support the emerging theme that ligand-induced receptor conformational dynamics at the mouth of the pocket play a major role in steroid receptor activation. This work also represents the first GR structure in complex with SHP, which has been suggested to play a role in modulating hepatic GR function.
Leptin-receptor-expressing bone marrow stromal cells are myofibroblasts in primary myelofibrosis

Bone marrow fibrosis is a critical component of primary myelofibrosis (PMF). However, the origin of the myofibroblasts that drive fibrosis is unknown. Using genetic fate mapping we found that bone marrow leptin receptor (Lepr)-expressing mesenchymal stromal lineage cells expanded extensively and were the fibrogenic cells in PMF. These stromal cells downregulated the expression of key haematopoietic-stem-cell-supporting factors and upregulated genes associated with fibrosis and osteogenesis, indicating fibrogenic conversion. Administration of imatinib or conditional deletion of platelet-derived growth factor receptor a (Pdgfra) from Lepr+ stromal cells suppressed their expansion and ameliorated bone marrow fibrosis. Conversely, activation of the PDGFRA pathway in bone marrow Lepr+ cells led to expansion of these cells and extramedullary haematopoiesis, features of PMF. Our data identify Lepr+ stromal lineage cells as the origin of myofibroblasts in PMF and suggest that targeting PDGFRA signalling could be an effective way to treat bone marrow fibrosis.
Improving the Reliability and Energy-Efficiency of High-Bandwidth Photonic NoC Architectures with Multilevel Signaling

Photonic network-on-chip (PNoC) architectures employ photonic waveguides with dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) for signal traversal and microring resonators (MRs) for on-off-keying (OOK) based signal modulation, to enable high bandwidth on-chip transfers. Unfortunately, the use of larger number of DWDM wavelengths to achieve higher bandwidth requires sophisticated and costly laser sources along with extra photonic hardware, which adds extra noise and increases the power and area consumption of PNoCs. This paper presents a novel method (called 4-PAM-P) of generating four-amplitude-level optical signals in PNoCs, which doubles the aggregate bandwidth without increasing utilized wavelengths, photonic hardware, and incurred noise, thereby reducing the bit-error-rate (BER), area, and energy consumption of PNoCs. Our experimental analysis shows that our 4-PAM-P signaling method achieves equal bandwidth with 4.2× better BER, 19.5% lower power, 16.3% lower energy-per-bit, and 5.6% less photonic area compared to the best known 4-amplitude-level optical signaling method from prior work.
Postgenital carpel fusion in Catharanthus roseus

During the postgenital fusion process between the distal carpel tips inCatharanthus roseus, the convex external cell walls of the opposing epidermal layers contact randomly with no interlocking of the cells occurring. The convex cell walls become appressed in places, but intercellular spaces are formed in regions where contact is not complete. In the regions where the walls are appressed, extensive cytoplasmic activity indicates that modification of the walls occurs to effect the adherence of the opposing epidermal walls. Both the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus appear to be involved in a process of wall modification through the deposition of wall materials and/or partial enzymatic degradation followed by repolymerization of wall constituents. Periclinal divisions occur in the epidermal layers soon after contact and simultaneously with the secretory activity that modifies the fusion walls. Following the completion of the fusion response, the fused cell walls in the compound ovary region can be distinguished by their double thickness, the trapped cuticle, the so-called pectin layer, and a lack of plasmodesmata. In closely appressed regions of the fusion wall, the cuticle is difficult to detect because newly deposited wall materials have infiltrated this layer. New wall materials are added during fusion by intussusception and are probably composed of matrix wall components and not of fibrillar cellulose. The deposition of these matrix materials apparently effects adhesion of the contacting cell walls. Ultrastructural observations of the cells in the stigmatic region verify findings made by light microscopy that cell differentiation and expansion modify the cell walls sufficiently to make the line of fusion difficult to identify. The major conclusions on postgenital union inC. roseus are summarized.
Pulmonary Hypertension secondary to Left Heart Disease

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) related to Left Heart Disease (LHD) is the most common form of PH, accounting for more than two third of all PH cases. The hemodynamic abnormalities seen in PHLHD are complex, and there are currently minimal evidence-based recommendations for the management of PH-LHD. While it is accepted that PH in the context of left heart disease is a marker of worse prognosis, it remains unclear whether its primary treatment is beneficial or harmful. In this article, we discuss the prevalence and significance of PH in patients with Heart Failure (HF) with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) as well as HF with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), and those with valvular heart disease and provide insights into the complex pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary interrelationship in individuals with PH due to left heart disease. Furthermore, we provide a framework for diagnostic testing and an approach to optimal management of these complex patients based on current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines.
Risks Related to Lean Six Sigma Deployment and Sustainment Risks: How Project Management Can Help

Lean Six Sigma is a set of tools utilized by organizations to reduce cost and waste. There are risks associated with deploying and sustaining Six Sigma. The risks are different at each stage of the...
Conservation of biodiversity in the genomics era

“Conservation genomics” encompasses the idea that genome-scale data will improve the capacity of resource managers to protect species. Although genetic approaches have long been used in conservation research, it has only recently become tractable to generate genome-wide data at a scale that is useful for conservation. In this Review, we discuss how genome-scale data can inform species delineation in the face of admixture, facilitate evolution through the identification of adaptive alleles, and enhance evolutionary rescue based on genomic patterns of inbreeding. As genomic approaches become more widely adopted in conservation, we expect that they will have a positive impact on management and policy decisions.
Agrarian questions of labor in urban India: middle migrants, translocal householding and the intersectional politics of social reproduction

Our paper re-considers the agrarian question in urban India by focusing on the social reproduction of labor in informal economy households. Based on life histories of working-class women of rural o...
A Simulation Based Approach to Estimating the Three Dimensional Structure of the Harvard Forest with Multi-Modal Remote Sensing

Tracking carbon as it enters and exists each stage of the carbon cycle is necessary to help build understanding of the cycle's mechanics and its effect on climate. Satellite and airplane based remote sensing technologies have shown promising results in aiding in human understanding of our planet, including vegetative areas. The Harvard Forest has been studied in various ways over the course of the last century. In particular, synthetic aperture radar, LiDAR, and passive optical sensors have each been used to study the Harvard Forest. Employing a form of data fusion, we present an approach to estimate a forest stand's mean canopy height and biomass for each component tree species while employing minimal ground measurements. We present an approach where a database of simulated forest stands is generated containing both homogeneous stands and heterogeneous stands with up to four tree species present in a given stand. Each simulated stand is compared to an input stand on a number of criteria and a figure of similarity is calculated. In the case that a simulated stand isn't found with a figure of similarity below a set threshold, an iterative process is employed to modify the most similar stand to improve the factor of similarity by modifying the stand's species composition, tree densities, heights, and biomasses. A simulated stand, either pre-existing or developed dynamically will be considered a reasonable representation of the physical forest stand and the 3-D structure of the simulated stand will be reported as an estimate for that of the physical forest stand. This method relies heavily on our sensor simulators, including our fractal-based tree geometry generator, as well as SAR, IfSAR, LiDAR, and Optical simulators. We have previously investigated the ability of our method to differentiate between coniferous and deciduous trees in the same forest stand. We propose to extend this to a maximum of four different tree species, and to validate our approach in the Harvard Forest, a heavily studied region in central Massachusetts.
Earth–world–planet: Rural ecologies of horror and dark green criminology:

This article responds to green criminology. Drawing on an ethnographic case study of the coal-producing region of Appalachia and the processes of mountaintop removal mining, the article engages con...
Executive function, dispositional resilience, and cognitive engagement in Latinx children of migrant farmworkers

Abstract Children from Latinx migrant farmworker (LMFW) families are one of the most educationally disenfranchised and marginalized student populations in the United States. They experience significant contextual risks and stressors which are linked to poor adjustment as well as lower academic engagement and success. Given that LMFW children are understudied, especially likely to experience substantial adversity, and are a vulnerable student population, it is imperative for researchers to examine factors that contribute to their well-being and school success. In the present study, we assessed whether behavioral tasks of executive function contributed to resilience and academic mastery/efficacy in LMFW children (N = 66, mean age = 12.79, 55% male). Results found associations between executive function tasks and dispositional resilience; however, executive function was not directly associated with academic mastery/efficacy. Dispositional resilience was significantly positively associated with academic mastery/efficacy. These findings suggest that it may be critically important for organizations working with LMFW children to foster and boost children's executive function skills. Additional research mitigating adversity and promoting the academic success and engagement of LMFW children is needed.
Prevalence of functional limitations among foreign and US-born Black older adults: 2010-2016 National Health Interview Surveys.

Objective To determine whether the prevalence of functional limitations in United States (US) born differs from that of foreign-born Black older adults.Design We performed a cross-sectional analysi...
Factors influencing transfusion-associated HLA sensitization in patients bridged to heart transplantation using ventricular assist device.

Author(s): Elkind, Jae; Sobczyk, Juliana; Ostberg-Braun, Oscar; Silva Enciso, Jorge; Adler, Eric; Morris, Gerald P | Abstract: BackgroundBridging heart failure patients with mechanical ventricular assist devices (VAD) enables access to transplantation. However, VAD is associated with increased risk for anti-HLA antibodies associated with rejection of subsequent allografts. Factors determining alloantibody formation in these patients remain undefined.MethodsWe performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of 164 patients undergoing heart transplantation from 2014 to 2017. Medical records including use of VAD, transfused blood products, anti-HLA antibody testing, crossmatch, and time to transplant were evaluated.ResultsPatients received an average of 13.8 red blood cell and 1.9 single-donor platelet units associated with VAD. There was a 28.7% increase in the incidence of anti-HLA antibodies after VAD. Development of anti-HLA antibodies did not correlate with volume or type of blood products, but with pre-VAD HLA sensitization status; relative risk of new alloantibodies in patients with pre-VAD antibodies was 3.5-fold higher than those without prior antibodies (P = .008). Development of new anti-HLA antibodies was associated with an increased time to transplant (169 vs 330 days, P = .013).ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the presence of anti-HLA antibodies pre-VAD was the most significant risk factor for developing additional antibodies post-VAD, suggesting that a subset of patients may be predisposed to alloantibody formation.
Best Practice Guidelines for Male Infertility Diagnosis and Management

Infertility is commonly defined as the inability to conceive a natural pregnancy within 1 year in a sexually active couple. Estimates suggest that between 8 and 15% of couples will have problems with fertility and nearly half of those involve male factor infertility. Three predominant organizations have provided routinely updated, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of men with male factor infertility. Guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Urological Association (AUA), and the European Association of Urology (EAU) are presented, compared, and appraised. While many similarities exist between the three guidelines, several significant discrepancies exist. Of note, the AUA and ASRM recommend comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and presence of a single abnormal semen analysis prior to andrological evaluation. Conversely, the EAU recommends two sequential abnormal semen analyses prior to proceeding with further evaluation. Despite these differences, all three provide a reasonable framework for the diagnosis and management of the infertile male.
Patient Perceptions of Video Visits Using Veterans Affairs Telehealth Tablets: Survey Study

Background: Video-based health care can help address access gaps for patients and is rapidly being offered by health care organizations. However, patients who lack access to technology may be left behind in these initiatives. In 2016, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began distributing video-enabled tablets to provide video visits to veterans with health care access barriers. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate veterans’ experiences with VA-issued tablets and identify patient characteristics associated with preferences for video visits vs in-person care. Methods: A baseline survey was sent to the tablet recipients, and a follow-up survey was sent to the respondents 3 to 6 months later. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify patient characteristics associated with preferences for care, and we examined qualitative themes around care preferences using standard content analysis methods for coding the data collected in the open-ended questions. Results: Patient-reported access barriers centered around transportation and health-related challenges, outside commitments, and feeling uncomfortable or uneasy at the VA. Satisfaction with the tablet program was high, and in the follow-up survey, approximately two-thirds of tablet recipients preferred care via a tablet (194/604, 32.1%) or expressed that video-based and in-person care were “about the same” (216/604, 35.7%), whereas one-third (192/604, 31.7%) indicated a preference for in-person care. Patients were significantly more likely to report a preference for video visits (vs a preference for in-person visits or rating them “about the same”) if they felt uncomfortable in a VA setting, reported a collaborative communication style with their doctor, had a substance use disorder diagnosis, or lived in a place with better broadband coverage. Patients were less likely to report a preference for video visits if they had more chronic conditions. Qualitative analyses identified four themes related to preferences for video-based care: perceived improvements in access to care, perceived differential quality of care, feasibility of obtaining necessary care, and technology-related challenges. Conclusions: Many recipients of VA-issued tablets report that video care is equivalent to or preferred to in-person care. Results may inform efforts to identify good candidates for virtual care and interventions to support individuals who experience technical challenges.
Motor Skill in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Subcortical View

The earliest observable symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) involve motor behavior. There is a growing awareness of the developmental importance of impaired motor function in ASD and its association with social skill. Compromised motor function requires increased attention, leaving fewer resources available for processing environmental stimuli and learning. This knowledge suggests that the motor system-which we know to be trainable-may be a gateway to improving outcomes of individuals living with ASD. In this review, we suggest a framework borrowed from machine learning to examine where, why, and how motor skills are different in individuals with ASD.
Informed Consent and the Role of the Treating Physician

In the century since Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo famously declared that “[e]very human being of adult years and sound mind has a right to determine what shall be done with his own body,” informed consent has become a central feature of American medical practice. In an increasingly team-based and technology-driven system, however, who is — or ought to be — responsible for obtaining a patient’s consent? Must the treating physician personally provide all the necessary disclosures, or can the consent process, like other aspects of modern medicine, take advantage of specialization and division of labor? Analysis of Shinal v. Toms, a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court case, demonstrates the dangers of a narrow, rigid approach to consent.
Prevalence and characteristics of radiographically confirmed juvenile tarsal osteochondrosis in purebred Angus bulls

Hindlimb lameness in breeding bulls is a source of significant financial loss, with a proportion of bulls having osteochondrosis (OC). The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics, change over time, and sire association of radiographically identified tarsal OC lesions in a purebred Angus breeding herd.
Preface: Population Aging and the Evolution of Dementia Care

By 2025, at least one-fifth of the population of 15 countries in the Americas will be 60 or older (Pan American Health Organization, 2017). The populations of older adults in Mexico and older Latinos in the United States continue to grow dramatically (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015). Population aging is the most important, inevitable feature of the health and prosperity of both nations in the near future. In the short term, serious consequences exist for families, communities, and governmental agencies at all levels as they struggle to adapt to the needs of rapidly growing older populations while devoting adequate resources to foster economic development and full employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the vulnerability of the older population and the role of the economic and social determinants of health in its outcomes (Bello-Chavolla et al., 2020).
Electrical polarity-dependent gating and a unique subconductance of RyR2 induced by S-adenosyl methionine via the ATP binding site.

S-Adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) was used to probe the functional effects exerted via the RyR2 adenine nucleotide binding site. Single channel experiments revealed that SAM applied to the cytoplasmic face of RyR2 had complex voltage dependent effects on channel gating and conductance. At positive transmembrane holding potentials, SAM caused a striking reduction in channel openings and a reduced channel conductance. In contrast, at negative potentials SAM promoted a clearly resolved subconductance state. At membrane potentials between -75 and -25 mV the open probability of the subconductance state was independent of voltage. ATP, but not the non-adenosine based RyR activator 4-chloro-m-cresol interfered with the effects of SAM at both negative and positive potentials. This suggests that ATP and SAM interact with a common binding site. Molecular docking showed SAM bound to the adenine nucleotide-binding site and formed a hydrogen bond to Glu4886 in the C-terminal end of the S6 alpha helix. In this configuration SAM may alter the conformation of the RyR2 ion conduction pathway. This work provides novel insight into potential functional outcomes of ligand binding to the RyR adenine nucleotide binding site.
The Deferral Effects of Passing Through Foreign Subsidiaries’ Passive Income

The immediate U.S. taxation of foreign subsidiaries’ passive, but not active income is a scenario of increasing practical importance. This paper builds on Alvin Warren’s recent analysis of this partially deferral-tempering case. It clarifies some of the legal and economic mechanics behind Warren’s formula. It also makes several points de novo. It highlights the conceptual relationship between passive-income pass-through and delayed realization of accrued gains. It points out that delayed realization inside the subsidiary effectively deactivates passive-income pass-through. And it describes when it does and does not matter that the parent takes interim distributions from the subsidiary, as when it uses such distributions to pay its interim pass-through tax liability.
1 – ICE PARTICLES IN THE ATMOSPHERE

This chapter gives a brief history of the observation of ice crystals and related meteorological phenomena, such as frost and snowflakes, in China. The Chinese ideograms representing ice and snow have been in existence for at least 3,000 years. The earliest existing records are those engraved on the oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty dating 1,000 B.C. The most impressive aspect of an ice crystal is its extremely elegant geometric design. In 135 B.C., Han Ying, a Chinese scholar of the Western Han Dynasty, wrote in his book Han Shih Wai Chuan about the hexagonal shape of snow crystals—at least 1,600 years before any Western counterpart. Ever since Han's work was published, the six-sided nature of snowflakes has been a household name for Chinese scholars, and numerous writings—especially poems—allude to this fact. One concern about ice particles, such as frosts, is the possibility that they may cause damage to fruit or other crops. Since China has mainly been an agricultural country through most of its history and can be cold, it is only natural to expect that the Chinese have paid some attention to the protection of crops from cold damage. The chapter gives some examples of historical texts, which give instructions on prevention from frost. These techniques predate their Western counterparts by more than 1,500 years. In the end, the chapter summarizes the major topics that are discussed in the subsequent chapters.
Counting the Drug War's Female Casualties

This article examines national drug policies through the lens of gender. One of the consequences of current drug policies, which focus almost exclusively on punishment, is that women's incarceration rates have risen astronomically and at even higher rates than those of men. A closer look at the underlying factual scenarios of many of these cases reveals that a high percentage of incarcerated women are non-violent first-time offenders who were peripherally involved in drug activity, frequently through a relationship with a principally involved man. Yet most sentencing schemes, including the federal system, enacted during the height of the war on drugs provide limited discretion to adjust for this reality. Women in a relationship with a person engaged in drug activity may suffer penalties not only through accomplice liability but also through the implementation of constructive possession doctrines. Even in the absence of criminal activity, a woman involved with a drug offender may suffer eviction, forfeiture, and the imposition of a greater disproportion of family responsibilities under increasingly harsh conditions. Women incarcerated for drug offenses are disproportionately the primary caretakers, and often the sole caretakers, of children. Many sentencing schemes, including the federal sentencing guidelines, limit consideration of family circumstances. In light of these realities, incarcerated women experience considerable psychological trauma around issues of bonding, separation, and parenting, yet they receive few services directed to these issues. Consequently, incarceration may carry different meanings for inmates who are primary caretakers of children - a disproportionately female category - than for those who are not primary caretakers. By elaborating many contexts in which drug war policies have affected women's lives, this article provides an illustration of the mechanisms by which ostensibly gender neutral policies can become instruments of gender bias. Underlying this project is the hope that by counting the particular hardships that the drug war has visited on women, their suffering will begin to count in the minds of policymakers positioned to ameliorate it.
Matriz tridimensional para la aproximación al aseguramiento de la calidad en la educación a distancia

The assurance of quality in Distance Education is a key factor for success in this educational strategy. This article covers quality assurance according to a tri-dimensional matrix view. The proposed matrix combines the managerial activities of planning, organizing, directing and controlling with the quality domains proposed by Frydenberg (2002) for quality assurance. A third dimension, time, is introduced in the proposed model or guide for the evaluation of quality. Short, middle and long term, are established as the operational, tactical and strategic activities of an educational institution. The educational evaluation domain is highlighted as a fundamental activity, outside the proposed matrix, responsible of the feedback process and the results of the quality level obtained.
The Lambda-Point Experiment: Helium Cryostat, Cryo-Servicing, Functions, and Performance

The Lambda-Point Experiment (LPE) flew on the USMP-1 (U.S. Microgravity Payload) mission on Space Shuttle Columbia. The launch occurred on October 22, 1992. The goal of the experiment was to measure the singularity in the specific heat of helium around the lambda transition at 2.177 K, with nano-Kelvin resolution. The instrument was developed by Professor J. Lipa and his team at Stanford University. The flight instrument was built under a contract to Ball Aerospace in Colorado. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) provided the cryostat facility and overall management of the experiment. The cryogenic system, functions, and performance are described in detail below. Before flight, over 100 cryo-servicing operations, covering a 20-month period from the first cool-down, were performed. The cryostat’s performance in space exceeded expectations, primarily because of the low outside-shell temperature. The temperature stability of the cryostat was maintained by passive control with a liquid/vapor phase separator.
Evaluation of reflectivity level of anechoic chambers using isotropic, 3-dimensional probing

This paper describes an experimental technique for evaluating anechoic chamber reflectivity utilizing a new NBS isotropic probe mounted on a polyfoam track and support structure designed for probing the chamber's quiet zone in all three orthogonal planes. The probe is omnidirectional within \pm 1 dB and has sufficient sensitivity to permit evaluation of reflectivity levels as low as 59 dB. It can be used from 150 MHz to 10.0 GHz. Complete scattering information is obtained without applying a receiving antenna pattern correction with only 3 orthogonal scans per frequency required. The paper presents a brief treatment of the theory involved, a description of the system and measurement technique employed, and a discussion of typical measurement results.
Dexmedetomidine Reduces Shivering during Mild Hypothermia in Waking Subjects.

Background and Purpose Reducing body temperature can prolong tolerance to ischemic injury such as stroke or myocardial infarction, but is difficult and uncomfortable in awake patients because of shivering. We tested the efficacy and safety of the alpha-2-adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine for suppressing shivering induced by a rapid infusion of cold intravenous fluids. Methods Ten subjects received a rapid intravenous infusion of two liters of cold (4°C) isotonic saline on two separate test days, and we measured their core body temperature, shivering, hemodynamics and sedation for two hours. On one test day, fluid infusion was preceded by placebo infusion. On the other test day, fluid infusion was preceded by 1.0 μg/kg bolus of dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes. Results All ten subjects experienced shivering on placebo days, with shivering beginning at a mean (SD) temperature of 36.6 (0.3)°C. The mean lowest temperature after placebo was 36.0 (0.3)°C (range 35.7-36.5°C). Only 3/10 subjects shivered on dexmedetomidine days, and the mean lowest temperature was 35.7 (0.4)°C (range 35.0-36.3°C). Temperature remained below 36°C for the full two hours in 6/10 subjects. After dexmedetomidine, subjects had moderate sedation and a mean 26 (13) mmHg reduction in blood pressure that resolved within 90 minutes. Heart rate declined a mean 23 (11) bpm after both placebo and dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine produced no respiratory depression. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine decreases shivering in normal volunteers. This effect is associated with decreased systolic blood pressure and sedation, but no respiratory depression.
Band Structure and Electrical Conductivity of NiO

It is proposed that the dominant mechanism for electrical conduction in NiO and similar materials is by means of holes in the oxygen $2p$ band. A band-structure diagram which takes into account the primarily localized $3d$ states is suggested.
Quasi-interpolation on the body centered cubic lattice

This paper introduces a quasi-interpolation method for reconstruction of data sampled on the Body Centered Cubic (BCC) lattice. The reconstructions based on this quasi-interpolation achieve the optimal approximation order offered by the shifts of the quintic box spline on the BCC lattice. We also present a local FIR filter that is used to filter the data for quasi-interpolation. We document the improved quality and fidelity of reconstructions after employing the introduced quasi-interpolation method. Finally the resulting quasi-interpolation on the BCC sampled data are compared to the corresponding quasi-interpolation method on the Cartesian sampled data.
Role of Tet1 in erasure of genomic imprinting

Genomic imprinting is an allele-specific gene expression system that is important for mammalian development and function. The molecular basis of genomic imprinting is allele-specific DNA methylation. Although it is well known that the de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b are responsible for the establishment of genomic imprinting, how the methylation mark is erased during primordial germ cell (PGC) reprogramming remains unclear. Tet1 is one of the ten-eleven translocation family proteins, which have the capacity to oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC), specifically expressed in reprogramming PGCs. Here we report that Tet1 has a critical role in the erasure of genomic imprinting. We show that despite their identical genotype, progenies derived from mating between Tet1 knockout males and wild-Peg10 and Peg3, which exhibit aberrant hypermethylation in the paternal allele of differential methylated regions (DMRs). RNA-seq reveals extensive dysregulation of imprinted genes in the next generation due to paternal loss of Tet1 function. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of embryonic day 13.5 PGCs and sperm of Tet1 knockout mice revealed hypermethylation of DMRs of imprinted genes in sperm, which can be traced back to PGCs. Analysis of the DNA methylation dynamics in reprogramming PGCs indicates that Tet1 functions to wipe out remaining methylation, including imprinted genes, at the late reprogramming stage. Furthermore, we provide evidence supporting the role of Tet1 in the erasure of paternal imprints in the female germ line. Thus, our study establishes a critical function of Tet1 in the erasure of genomic imprinting.
Evaluation and Management of Critically Ill Children with Acute Kidney Injury

Purpose of review This review will highlight recent studies on the diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI), review the differential diagnosis, highlight the importance of cumulative fluid overload and provide key management strategies for the pediatric patient with AKI. Recent findings Over the last decade, serum creatinine-based categorical definitions of AKI have been accepted, which allow detection earlier in the disease process. Evidence-based modifications of these definitions have occurred. Fluid overload portends poor outcomes in critically ill patients. Significant improvements in our understanding of the pathophysiology of glomerular/vascular causes of AKI have occurred. Summary Categorical definitions of AKI have shown that higher AKI portends poor outcomes even with adjustment for severity of illness and other confounders. Cumulative fluid overload independently predicts poor outcomes. Strategies to prevent and/or treat fluid overload are likely to improve outcomes.
Fiscal Policy and Income Determination

Scope of the paper, 575. — Negative multipliers, 576. — Level and growth of income in relation to level and growth of investment, 577. — Reaction of expenditure on revenue, 581. — Financial implications of deficits, 587.— Tertiary effects upon private investment, 595. — Public works vs. other expenditures, 599. — The multiplier and velocity approaches, 601. — Conclusion, 605.
A new technique for the quantitative analysis of cranial suture biology

Abstract Objective: Our objective was to assess the ability of the microcomputed tomography scanner to correctly image normal and synostosed cranial sutures at the ultrastructural level. Design and methods: Two specimens of coronal sutures were collected from operative specimens. After appropriate preparation, histological sections were obtained and stained with toluene blue for evaluation. Representative histological sections were compared to microcomputed tomography slices. Results and conclusions: With microcomputed tomography, we successfully imaged one normal and one synostosed human coronal suture and performed a quantitative analysis of these specimens. Microcomputed tomography scanning was found to be a highly accurate imaging device for the evaluation of cranial suture development. Microcomputed tomography offers three-dimensional imaging at the microscopic level and allows for rapid quantitative analysis of bone architecture, including several measurements unavailable through histologic analysis...
Formation of dispersed nanostructures from poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane-b-dimethylsiloxane) nanotubes upon exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide.

While incompatible block copolymers commonly assemble into several established classical or complex morphologies, highly asymmetric poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane-b-dimethylsiloxane) (PFS-b-PDMS) di...