cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing women's decisions to self-treat vaginal symptoms.

Purpose To review the research on women's self-treatment of vaginal symptoms, describe factors influencing this phenomenon, identify evidence-based interventions, and suggest strategies for nurse practitioners (NPs) to promote safe and effective self-treatment decisions by women. Data sources Research articles identified through Medline and CINAHL databases. Conclusions The primary factors influencing women's decisions to self-treat vaginal symptoms were personal (attitudes, beliefs, values, knowledge and experience, and emotions) and environmental (culture, social networks and norms, media, and life context). Implications for practice Women's self-diagnostic skills and decision making for self-treatment can be improved through education and support from NPs. The traditional office visit may not provide an opportunity to teach women appropriate self-care because many women do not access providers for advice or information. Different methods of providing information to large numbers of women through consumer publications need to be developed and evaluated.
CHRONIC ST. LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS INFECTION IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER (MESOCRICETUS AURATUS)

To further study the phenomenon of flavivirus persistent infection, golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were inoculated intraperitoneally with a low pathogenicity strain of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV). After inoculation, the animals remained asymptomatic and developed high levels of specific neutralizing antibodies in their sera. However, about one half of the hamsters continued to shed infectious SLEV in their urine for prolonged periods of time. By co-cultivation, SLEV was recovered from selected tissues (kidney, lung, and brain) of some of the animals for up to 185 days after initial infection. Although no specific histopathologic changes were observed in these tissues, SLEV antigen was shown by immunohistochemistry in the interstitium and tubular epithelium of the renal cortex and in a few large neurons of the cerebral cortex. Seventeen SLEV isolates from urine and tissues of the chronically infected hamsters were sequenced. In comparison with the infecting parent SLEV strain, two common mutations and amino acid substitutions were observed in all of the hamster isolates. The findings of this study were very similar to previous descriptions of chronic West Nile, Modoc, and tick-borne encephalitis virus infections in mammals, and they re-emphasize the potential importance of persistent flavivirus infection in vertebrates.
HMG Box Proteins Interact With Multiple Tandemly Repeated (GCC)n•(GGC)m DNA Sequences

A number of tandemly repeated DNA sequences have the ability to form hairpin structures by forming non-standard base pairs. When (GCC)15 and (GGC)15 strands are annealed together, the expected duplex is the only product. However, when (GCC)15 is annealed with (GCC)10, depending on the relative concentrations, up to five complexes can be detected in native gels. Three of these species are susceptible to limited digestion by Exo VII, suggesting they are duplexes containing single stranded tails. The remaining two bands are resistant to the enzyme, and have low mobility on native gels, consistent with branched structures. The latter complexes bind HMG box proteins, members of a highly abundant class of non-histone proteins of the nucleus. These proteins, modeled in this study by the second box fragment from rat HMG1, HMGb, interact strongly with branched or chemically modified DNA, relative to normal duplexes. The expansion of triplet repeats in genomic DNA is associated with tumor formation as well with a variety of heritable neurologiocal disorders. It is our thesis that the stability of branched intermediate structures that arise in replication of these sequences and promote expansion can be influenced directly by the presence of two highly abundant proteins in the cell nucleus: the HMG box proteins, HMG1/2, and the histone H1, which associates with HMG1/2.
MediaWorm: a QoS capable router architecture for clusters

With the increasing use of clusters in real-time applications, it has become essential to design high-performance networks with quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees. We explore the feasibility of providing QoS in wormhole switched routers, which are widely used in designing scalable, high-performance cluster interconnects. In particular, we are interested in supporting multimedia video streams with CBR and VBR traffic, in addition to the conventional best-effort traffic. The proposed MediaWorm router uses a rate-based bandwidth allocation mechanism, called Fine-Grained VirtualClock (FGVC), to schedule network resources for different traffic classes. Our simulation results on an 8-port router indicate that it is possible to provide jitter-free delivery to VBR/CBR traffic up to an input load of 70-80 percent of link bandwidth and the presence of best-effort traffic has no adverse effect on real-time traffic. Although the MediaWorm router shows a slightly lower performance than a pipelined circuit switched (PCS) router, commercial success of wormhole switching, coupled with simpler and cheaper design, makes it an attractive alternative. Simulation of a (2/spl times/2) fat-mesh using this router shows performance comparable to that of a single switch and suggests that clusters designed with appropriate bandwidth balance between links can provide required performance for different types of traffic.
Driving Force for Sintering of Particles with Anisotropic Surface Energies

Crystalline aggregates at constant temperature and pressure are unstable toward shape changes for which deltaG=( (sigma /SUB i/ A /SUB i/ +el /SUB i/ h /SUB i/ ))<0, wheredeltaG is a differential change in the Gibbs free energy, sigma /SUB i/ A /SUB i/ is the free energy of surface or interface i, and el /SUB i/ h /SUB i/ is the free energy of edge, ledge, or dislocation defect i. The expression reduces to the familiar expression for the driving force for early-stage sintering. Line defects play central roles in driving the sintering of crystalline solids.
Tri­methyl­sulfonium methane­sulfonate

In the title compound, C3H9S+.CH3O3S−, a thermal decomposition product of di­methyl sulfoxide, both cation and anion lie on mirror planes. In the cation, the S atom lies 0.792 (2) A out of the plane defined by the three C atoms, with S—C distances of 1.781 (2) and 1.786 (3) A. In the anion, the S—O distances are 1.4556 (14) and 1.4646 (19) A, and the S—C distance is 1.759 (3) A.
Moxalactam kinetics in hemodiaiysis

In eight patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic hemodialysis moxalactam kinetics were examined. Volume of distribution (Vd), dialysance (Cd), and serum half-life (t1/2) were determined during dialysis with a 1.3 or 1.6 m2 dialyzer. The t1/2 was also determined during the interdialytic period. Vd was 0.25 +/- 0.04 l/kg and Cd was 32.6 +/- 11.7 ml/min and 67 +/- 25.5 ml/min with the 1.3 and 1.6 m2 dialyzers. The t1/2 was 4.8 +/- 0.9 hr using the 1.3 m2 dialyzer and 2.8 +/- 0.6 hr using the 1.6 m2 dialyzer. Moxalactam t1/2 during the interdialytic period was 23.4 +/- 9.6 hr.
Usability testing with total-effort metrics

Usability testing activities have numerous benefits in theory, yet they are often overlooked or disregarded in practice. A testing paradigm which yields objective, quantitative results would likely lead to more widespread adoption of usability evaluation activities. Total-Effort Metrics is such a novel framework. This paper describes a usability study conducted using a total-effort metrics approach. In this study, subjects interact with three interfaces which have varying element layout proximities. The time and effort measures of time-on-task, total keystrokes, correctional keystrokes, saccade amplitude (point-to-point eye movement) and gaze-path traversal are recorded and analyzed. The findings of the study demonstrate a correlation between the intrinsic effort of an interface and its usability as predicted by extant interface layout guidelines.
Social Dominance and the Cultural Politics of Immigration

We argue that conflict over immigration largely concerns who bears the burden of cultural transaction costs, which we define as the costs associated with overcoming cultural barriers (e.g., language) to social exchange. Our framework suggests that the ability of native-born citizens to push cultural transaction costs onto immigrant out-groups serves as an important expression of social dominance. In two novel studies, we demonstrate that social dominance motives condition emotional responses to encountering cultural transaction costs, shape engagement in cultural accommodation behavior toward immigrants, and affect immigration attitudes and policy preferences.
The emerging paradigm shift in storage system architectures

It is argued that currently dominant, large-scale storage architectures, built around central, shared storage systems with CPU-connected devices, are reaching economic and technological limitations and no longer meet performance, capacity, and transparency requirements. Models of historical scientific and technological paradigm shifts are reviewed, and the reasons why the authors believe such a paradigm shift is underway in storage system architectures are discussed. The requirements to be met, important technical problems being investigated, such as network-connected devices, use of storage hierarchies, and system management, and the characteristics of the emerging large-scale, distributed, storage-architecture paradigm are described and illustrated by actual implementations and by standardization work under way in the IEEE Storage System Standards Working Group. >
Vancomycin continuous infusion versus intermittent infusion during continuous venovenous hemofiltration: slow and steady may win the race.

Vancomycin during continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is either administered by intermittent infusion (II) or continuous infusion (CI). In this patient population, the best method to rapidly achieve target serum concentrations of 15 mcg/ml to 25 mcg/ml remains to be elucidated. We hypothesized that CI would achieve a target serum level of 15 mcg/ml to 25 mcg/ml within 24 h of the initiation of therapy more consistently than II. A retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between 2011 and 2014 receiving intravenous vancomycin with 24-hour serum level while on CVVH was included. Patients were excluded from this review if they had residual renal function during CVVH, were concomitantly on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or if the first dose of vancomycin was received six or more hours prior to the initiation of CVVH. The primary outcome was the achievement of a therapeutic level of 15mcg/ml to 25 mcg/ml by 24 hours. Fifty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria and 14 received CI and 45 in II. Therapeutic 24-hour levels were achieved in 14/14 versus 2/45 in CI and II, respectively (p 20 mg/kg, mean 24-hour levels were 20.35 ± 2.78 mcg/ml for CI versus 11.8 ± 2.7 mcg/ml for II (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between patients in the two groups with respect to CVVH rate and length of CVVH prior to vancomycin administration. The results of our study suggest that critically ill patients on CVVH treated with CI achieved the target level faster than II and consistently keep the vancomycin level within target range.
Influence of Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor, L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, and Caffeine Supplementation on Calf Muscle Re-Oxygenation During and after Acute Resistance Exercise

Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor is a ‘cocktail’ supplement proposed to improve skeletal muscle blood flow via arginine’s effect on nitric oxide synthesis and vasodilation. Two other major ingredients, caffeine and creatine, cause vasoconstriction, which could potentially counteract the proposed hemodynamic effects of arginine. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor on muscle re-oxygenation after resistance exercise compared to supplementation with constituent ingredients L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate and caffeine. Nine recreationally active men (21±1y) performed 3 sets of 20 repetitions of seated single-leg calf raise at 60% 1-RM with 3 min rests. The same calf raise exercise was performed following 4 separate supplementation conditions: L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), caffeine (CAFF), Xpand Nitric Oxide Reactor (XPAND), and placebo (PLAC). Soleus muscle re-oxygenation time was measured before, during, and immediately after exercise using near infrared spectroscopy. Supplementation with XPAND (0.43±0.03), AAKG (0.34±0.02), and CAFF (0.45±0.05) did not significantly affect muscle re-oxygenation halftime (minutes) compared to placebo (0.35±0.04). An arginine containing ‘cocktail’ supplement did not affect skeletal muscle re-oxygenation after resistance exercise, possibly due to a wash-out effect caused by the multiple ingredients.
Creatine Use Among a Select Population of High School Athletes

Objective To determine the prevalence, frequency, and patterns of creatine use among a local population of high school athletes. Subjects and Methods Male and female high school athletes completed an anonymous questionnaire on creatine use during the August 1999 preparticipation examinations at a single institutional sports medicine center. Results A total of 328 students (182 males and 146 females) aged 14 to 18 years (mean ± SD 15.2±1.3 years) completed the survey (100% response rate), although not all athletes answered each question. Twenty-seven athletes (8.2% of total group), 1 of whom was female, reported creatine use. Of these 27 athletes, 14 (52%) were taking creatine at the time of the survey. The frequency of creatine use among past and current users was equally distributed among rarely (30%), weekly (35%), and daily (35%). Creatine users were older than nonusers (mean 16.5±1.2 vs 15.0±1.3 years; P P Conclusions High school male and female athletes as young as 14 years use creatine. Of high school athletes participating in our study, 8.2% reported creatine use. Relatively minor side effects, diarrhea, cramps, and loss of appetite, were reported. Creatine users seem to believe that creatine improves their performance, but they may lack sufficient information to make informed decisions regarding creatine use. Further larger scale study is warranted.
Teaching processor architecture with a VLSI perspective

This paper proposes a new approach to teaching computer architecture by placing an explicit emphasis on circuit and VLSI aspects. This approach has the potential to enhance the teaching of both architecture and VLSI classes, to improve collaboration between CS and ECE departments and to lead to a better understanding of the current difficulties faced by microprocessor designers in industry.
Effect of Oligosaccharide Additions on Nitrogen-Corrected True Metabolizable Energy of Soy Protein Concentrate

In order to determine TMEn response to individual saccharide moieties, five different sugar additions were made to a soy protein concentrate control that contained low levels of oligosaccharides. The sugar additions to the control were made to approximate the amounts of raffinose, stachyose, and sucrose found in soybean meal (SBM). All samples were precision-fed to adult Leghorn roosters to determine TMEn values. The control had a dry matter gross energy (GE) of 4,873 kcal/kg, CP of 73.1%, and TMEn value of 3,757 kcal/kg. Raffinose and stachyose significantly reduced TMEn values for the control. Sucrose did not exhibit this effect. In a second experiment, different levels of stachyose and raffinose were added separately to the control to develop a TMEn dose response curve for these alpha-galactosides of SBM. The TMEn of soy protein concentrate was found to be significantly decreased by stachyose and raffinose inclusion and to be dose dependent.
Mining gene expression data by interpreting principal components.

There are many methods for analyzing microarray data that group together genes having similar patterns of expression over all conditions tested. However, in many instances the biologically important goal is to identify relatively small sets of genes that share coherent expression across only some conditions, rather than all or most conditions as required in traditional clustering; e.g. genes that are highly up-regulated and/or down-regulated similarly across only a subset of conditions. Equally important is the need to learn which conditions are the decisive ones in forming such gene sets of interest, and how they relate to diverse conditional covariates, such as disease diagnosis or prognosis. We present a method for automatically identifying such candidate sets of biologically relevant genes using a combination of principal components analysis and information theoretic metrics. To enable easy use of our methods, we have developed a data analysis package that facilitates visualization and subsequent data mining of the independent sources of significant variation present in gene microarray expression datasets (or in any other similarly structured high-dimensional dataset). We applied these tools to two public datasets, and highlight sets of genes most affected by specific subsets of conditions (e.g. tissues, treatments, samples, etc.). Statistically significant associations for highlighted gene sets were shown via global analysis for Gene Ontology term enrichment. Together with covariate associations, the tool provides a basis for building testable hypotheses about the biological or experimental causes of observed variation. We provide an unsupervised data mining technique for diverse microarray expression datasets that is distinct from major methods now in routine use. In test uses, this method, based on publicly available gene annotations, appears to identify numerous sets of biologically relevant genes. It has proven especially valuable in instances where there are many diverse conditions (10's to hundreds of different tissues or cell types), a situation in which many clustering and ordering algorithms become problematic. This approach also shows promise in other topic domains such as multi-spectral imaging datasets.
The Kidneys in the Bible: What Happened?

The kidneys, always used in the plural (kelayot), are mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible. In the Pentateuch, the kidneys are cited 11 times in the detailed instructions given for the sacrificial offering of animals at the altar. Whereas those instructions were for purification ceremonies at the Temple, sacrificial offerings were made subsequently in seeking divine intervention for the relief of medical problems. In the books of the Bible that follow the Pentateuch, mostly in Jeremiah and Psalms, the human kidneys are cited figuratively as the site of temperament, emotions, prudence, vigor, and wisdom. In five instances, they are mentioned as the organs examined by God to judge an individual. They are cited either before or after but always in conjunction with the heart as mirrors of the psyche of the person examined. There is also reference to the kidneys as the site of divine punishment for misdemeanors, committed or perceived, particularly in the book of Job, whose suffering and ailments are legendary. In the first vernacular versions of the Bible in English, the translators elected to use the term "reins" instead of kidneys in differentiating the metaphoric uses of human kidneys from that of their mention as anatomic organs of sacrificial animals burned at the altar. This initial effort at linguistic purity or gentility has progressed further in recent versions of the Bible, in which the reins are now replaced by the soul or the mind. The erosion may have begun in the centuries that followed the writing of the Bible, when recognition of the kidneys as excretory organs deprived them of the ancient aura of mysterious organs hidden deep in the body but accessible to the look of God. At approximately the same time, Greek analytical philosophy argued that the brain, which is never mentioned in the Bible, was the most divine and sacred part of the body. This argument gained ground in the past century, when the functions of the brain were elucidated, and ultimately established in the 1960s, when salvaging the kidneys for transplantation necessitated a change in the definition of death as irreversible brain function. It is ironic that advances in understanding kidney function and in nephrology that made kidney transplantation feasible may have contributed, albeit indirectly, to the gradual elimination of the metaphoric mention of human kidneys in the Bible.
Estimation of uncertainty in respiratory-gated PET images

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful tool for patient diagnosis and assessment of therapy response, which is carried out through comparison of PET measurements from longitudinal scans. However, as with any measurement tool, an estimate of error or uncertainty is required for meaningful comparison of such measurements.
Ochronotic cardiovascular disease

Ochronosis is a disease of tyrosine metabolism. Although most commonly associated with alcaptonuria and spondyloarthropathy, cardiovascular abnormalities have been associated. We describe a case which exemplifies the cardiovascular findings in this entity.
Ly-6 Superfamily Members Ly-6A/E, Ly-6C, and Ly-6I Recognize Two Potential Ligands Expressed by B Lymphocytes

Most hemopoietic cells express one or more members of the Ly-6 supergene family of small glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins. Although levels of Ly-6 proteins vary with stages of differentiation and activation, their function largely remains unknown. To ascertain whether ligands for Ly-6 proteins exist, chimeric proteins were constructed in which Ly-6E, Ly-6C, and Ly-6I were fused to the murine IgM heavy chain. These chimeras specifically stained both developing and mature B lymphocytes, as assessed by flow cytometry. Analysis of variants of the CH27 B cell lymphoma revealed that Ly-6A/E and Ly-6I recognized different molecules. CH27 cells with low levels of Ly-6A/E ligand activity also lost expression of CD22, and cells transfected with CD22 gained the ability to bind the Ly-6A/E chimera and, to a lesser extent, the Ly-6C and Ly-6I chimeric proteins. As many mature B cells coexpress Ly-6A/E and CD22, the function of Ly-6 molecules may be to associate with other membrane proteins, possibly concentrating these ligands in lipid rafts, rather than acting directly as cell:cell adhesion molecules.
Review of carbon nanotube nanoelectronics and macroelectronics

Carbon nanotubes have the potential to spur future development in electronics due to their unequalled electrical properties. In this article, we present a review on carbon nanotube-based circuits in terms of their electrical performance in two major directions: nanoelectronics and macroelectronics. In the nanoelectronics direction, we direct our discussion to the performance of aligned carbon nanotubes for digital circuits and circuits designed for radio-frequency applications. In the macroelectronics direction, we focus our attention on the performance of thin films of carbon nanotube random networks in digital circuits, display applications, and printed electronics. In the last part, we discuss the existing challenges and future directions of nanotube-based nano- and microelectronics.
The Role of Climatic Autocorrelation in Probabilistic Forecasting

Abstract A sequence of meteorological predictands of one kind (e.g., temperature) forms a discrete-time, continuous-state stochastic process, which typically is nonstationary and periodic (because of seasonality). Three contributions to the field of probabilistic forecasting of such processes are reported. First, a meta-Gaussian Markov model of the stochastic process is formulated, which provides a climatic probabilistic forecast with the lead time of l days in the form of a (prior) l-step transition distribution function. A measure of the temporal dependence of the process is the autocorrelation coefficient (which is nonstationary). Second, a Bayesian processor of forecast (BPF) is formulated, which fuses the climatic probabilistic forecast with an operational deterministic forecast produced by any system (e.g., a numerical weather prediction model, a human forecaster, a statistical postprocessor). A measure of the predictive performance of the system is the informativeness score (which may be nonstation...
DAL: A Distributed Localization in Sensor Networks Using Local Angle Measurement

We study the localization problem in sensor net- works by using local angle measurement. Localization using local angle information was recently proposed as an effective localization technique, which can be used for geographical rout- ing with guaranteed delivery. However, the existing approach is based on linear programming (LP) and can not be implemented distributedly. We propose, design, and evaluate DAL: a purely distributed localization protocol in sensor networks using local angle measurement. Localization with local angle poses unique challenge in sensor networks due to information uncertain- ties identified in this paper. DAL specifically addresses these challenges. Via extensive simulations using ns2 and our own simulator, we show that the performance of DAL is comparable with that of the centralized LP approach in most cases. Our preliminary results with noisy angle measurement show that DAL keeps the global geometry of the sensor network fairly well. its neighbors, thus the localization problem could be made easier. Local angles between adjacent edges can be measured by using multiple ultrasound receivers (17) or by using directional antennas (9, 20). In our work, we assume that each node is equipped with such antenna array so that it can measure the local angle between two edges of itself and two neighbor nodes. Localization using local angle information was recently proposed as an effective localization technique, which can be used for geographical routing with guaranteed delivery (5). However, the existing approach is based on linear pro- gramming and can not be easily implemented in a distributed manner. In this paper, we propose, design and evaluate DAL: aD istributed, local Angle-based Localization protocol in sensor networks. Since the nodes only measure local angles, our approach does not rely on any pre-defined orientation. Anchor-free local angle-based localization does not yield ground truth coordinates. It is subject to not only scaling, but also global translation and rotation. We show that with only one anchor node, DAL can overcome these limitations and give absolute coordinates for the sensor nodes. Besides, in DAL, we identify some other information uncertainties, which pose unique challenge to localization in sensor net- works, and show how DAL addresses these issues. DAL consists of several stages and thus some synchro- nization is needed. In each stage, however, all the nodes communicate with each other simultaneously (using node IDs and other simple information), therefore preventing the error estimation from accumulating and propagating into a global scope. For the noisy angle measurement, we propose modified mass string optimization technique in DAL. Via extensive simulations using both ns2 simulator and our own simulator, we show DAL performance is comparable with the existing linear programming approach in most cases.
Marginal nonparametric kernel regression accounting for within‐subject correlation

There has been substantial recent interest in non- and semiparametric methods for longitudinal or clustered data with dependence within clusters. It has been shown rather inexplicably that, when standard kernel smoothing methods are used in a natural way, higher efficiency is obtained by assuming independence than by using the true correlation structure. It is shown here that this result is a natural consequence of how standard kernel methods incorporate the within-subject correlation in the asymptotic setting considered, where the cluster sizes are fixed and the cluster number increases. In this paper, an alternative kernel smoothing method is proposed. Unlike the standard methods, the smallest variance of the new estimator is achieved when the true correlation is assumed. Asymptotically, the variance of the proposed method is uniformly smaller than that of the most efficient working independence approach. A small simulation study shows that significant improvement is obtained for finite samples.
Path planning for dexterous mobility

In order to overcome a large variety of run-time constraints, robots are being designed to be more resourceful by incorporating more sensory and motor options for any given task. The added flexibility provides a basis for dexterous problem solving, but challenges planners by increasing the complexity of search. Moreover, the cost of functionally equivalent options can vary dramatically. In the worst case, naive approaches to planning avoid expensive actions until inexpensive options are explored exhaustively leading to poor overall search performance. We present a dexterous robot that introduces multiple types of locomotor actions with significant differences in cost and situational value and apply standard search techniques to demonstrate the additional challenges that arise in the context of dexterous mobility. Results highlight incentives, opportunities, and impact for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, we present a prototype for a path planner that uses environmental features to define an efficient set of subgoals for dexterous motion planning.
Evidence of biotic resistance to invasions in forests of the Eastern USA

Detecting biotic resistance to biological invasions across large geographic areas may require acknowledging multiple metrics of niche usage and potential spatial heterogeneity in associations between invasive and native species diversity and dominance. Determine (1) if native communities are resistant to biological invasions at macroscales; (2) the metrics that best quantify biotic resistance at these scales; and (3) the degree to which the direction and magnitude of invader-native associations vary with scale and/or location. Using a mixed-effects modeling framework to account for potential sub-regional and cross-scale variability in invader-native associations, we modeled the species richness and cover of invasive plants in 42,626 plots located throughout Eastern USA forests in relationship to plot-level estimates of native tree biomass, species richness, and evolutionary diversity. We found (1) native tree biomass and evolutionary diversity, but not species richness, to be negatively associated with invader establishment and dominance, and thus indicative of biotic resistance; (2) evidence that evolutionary diversity limits invader dominance more than it does invader establishment; (3) evidence of greater invasion resistance in parts of the agriculturally-dominated Midwest and in and around the more-contiguous forests of the Appalachian Mountains; and (4) the magnitude to which native tree biomass and evolutionary diversity limit invasion varies across the ranges of these metrics. These findings illustrate the improved understanding of biotic resistance to invasions that is gained by accounting for sub-regional variability in ecological processes, and underscores the need to determine the factors leading to spatial heterogeneity in biotic resistance.
Goethe Against Newton: Towards Saving the Phenomenon

In all the scientific work of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe nothing is more notorious than his polemic against Isaac Newton’s theory of white light and colors. This “great error” has been a constant source of embarrassment to reverers of Goethe that seemingly can be explained only by analyzing his psyche or his poetic metaphysics. Not a few, including Hermann von Helmholtz, thought that precisely Goethe’s poetic talent prevented him from understanding modern natural science. His advocacy of direct and immediate experience, it is said, made possible his contributions to descriptive sciences like plant and animal morphology but also kept him from real insight into the abstract techniques and power of mathematico-physical science (1971, pp. 21–44). His polemics against Newton are taken to be the clearest testimony of Goethe’s one-sidedness; the most one can say in his defense, it seems, is that in the struggle to assert the rights of the world of appearances he sinned against a truth that can only be uncovered by methods that go behind and beyond the phenomena. Of course in the twentieth century there has been a partial rehabilitation of the Farbenlehre, especially in its treatment of physiological and psychological aspects of color, and a greater readiness to acknowledge its virtues (e.g. concreteness) vis-a-vis modern theoretical physics. Yet we still tend by and large to construe Goethe’s undertaking as directed against modern physics, not least because of the polemic against Newton.
Clinical Significance Of Abnormal Electrode Impedance Readings In Deep Brain Stimulation For Treatment Of Movement Disorders (P6.077)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical correlates of deep brain stimulation (DBS) hardware malfunction presenting as abnormal impedance readings in patients with movement disorders. BACKGROUND: Open circuit (OC) and short circuit (SC) are types of DBS hardware malfunction that present as abnormal electrode and therapy impedance and often require surgical intervention. The clinical significance of abnormal impedance readings is not well characterized, and most reports identify sudden loss of clinical effect as the predominant presentation. DESIGN/METHODS: Patients with abnormal impedance readings since 2010 were identified from active clinical practice or from a database of those referred for surgical intervention. Retrospective chart review was performed beginning with the last DBS-related surgery to April 2013. Clinical presentation, type and evolution of the abnormal circuit, and eventual resolution (e.g., whether or not the patient required surgery) or other disposition were recorded. RESULTS: 9 patients met criteria for abnormal DBS circuitry (8 OC, and 3 SC). One patient had OC and SC at different times; another patient had OC twice on different sides and different times. Clinical manifestations of abnormal circuits included asymptomatic presentation (n=4), gradual loss of previously good clinical effect of DBS (n=4, mean time to onset = 15.9 months), sudden loss of clinical effect (n=1), lack of any effect since implantation (n=1), new side effects (n=1), or rapid battery depletion (n=1, time to depletion 12 months). Resolution of abnormal impedance and clinical symptoms of abnormal circuit resolved after surgical correction (n=5), spontaneously (n=2) or after IPG exchange (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal impedance readings can herald either OC or SC in DBS therapy, and can have varied manifestations and evolution. Electrode and therapy impedances should be routinely monitored to identify asymptomatic patients at risk for loss of DBS effect or rapid DBS battery depletion, or identify abnormal DBS circuits as a potential cause of poor DBS effect. Study Supported by: N/A Disclosure: Dr. Waln has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jimenez-Shahed has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience, Allergan Inc., Merz Pharma, Medtronic Inc. and Lundbeck Research USA, Inc.
Infinite Ammo: Exploring Issues of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Popular Video Games

Abstract This chapter critically examines the role of trauma depicted in popular video games and focuses on how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is portrayed in digital narratives. The authors investigate the following question: How are issues of PTSD commonly portrayed in digital narratives that young adults play? In order to limit the scope, the chapter focuses on two gaming series: Max Payne by Rockstar Games and Metal Gear Solid by Konami. Through analysis, the authors were able to identify six prevalent themes: how characters use trauma to manufacture identity; how issues of PTSD interfere with personal relationships; how trauma is represented through nightmares; how self-medication is used as a coping mechanism; how PTSD is personified through villains; and how issues of trauma serve as catalysts for gunplay. The intended aim of this chapter is to spark a dialog that begins to address the effects of exploring digital representations of trauma in playable spaces.
Comparison of CFD and quasi-steady analysis of hovering aerodynamics for a Ruby-throated hummingbird

A high-fidelity CFD model was developed previously by us to simulate aerodynamics of a hovering Ruby-throated hummingbird. In this work we utilize a quasi-steady model to represent the aerodynamics based on the same realistic wing kinematics as used in the CFD study, and the goals are: 1) to investigate to what extent the complex flow physics might be described by the greatly simplified model; 2) to separately quantify the forces from the translational, rotational and acceleration effects using the quasi-steady model. The comparison shows that after calibration against the CFD results of a revolving wing, the quasi-steady model is able to predict fairly well lift production but fails to capture oscillations of drag. The downstroke-upstroke asymmetry and the drag-based effects are generally consistent with those observed in the CFD study. Further analysis shows that that translational force dominates the force production. However, the rotational force is also significant and interestingly, it peaks during mid-stroke rather than toward end of stroke when the wing starts to pronate or supinate.
The Social Bases of Support for Workplace Democracy

After analyzing attitudes toward the distribution of political power, Form and Rytina (1969) called for increased investigation of the relationship between social stratification and political ideol...
A Sensible Speciesism

In his essay “The Human Prejudice” Bernard Williams presented a sophisticated defense of the moral relevance of the concept “human being”. Here I offer both an analysis of his essay and a defense of his conclusions against criticisms made by Julian Savulescu and Peter Singer. After a discussion of the structure of Williams’s argument, I focus on several complaints from Savulescu: that Williams underestimates the similarities between speciesism and racism or sexism, that Williams relies on a disputable internalism about reasons to make his case, that Williams ignores the arbitrariness of species membership, and (a complaint also made by Singer) that Williams attacks a straw man in considering only negative utilitarianism when criticizing the idea of an Impartial Observer. I defend Williams against these charges and end with a brief discussion of how his alien invasion example illustrates the fundamentally different philosophical sensibility of Bernard Williams in comparison to critics like Savulescu and Singer.
ELASTIC WAVES IN AN UNBOUNDED MEDIUM

There are two types of plane waves: transverse and longitudinal waves. This chapter discusses these two types of waves. In transverse waves, the motion is normal to the direction of wave propagation. If the direction of motion coincides with the direction of wave propagation, it is longitudinal waves. The chapter analyzes propagating discontinuities within the context of the linear theory of elasticity. There are several mathematical methods that are suitable for certain problems but not for others. The chapter shows that if a problem displays dynamic similarity, convenient and simple mathematical methods are employed to obtain a solution. Also under certain conditions, the numerical schemes based on the method of characteristics offer an efficient means of obtaining information on the field variables. The chapter also discusses some applications of the method of characteristics.
Conrad’s later novels

In recent years, Conrad’s later novels—Chance (1912), Victory (1915), The Shadow-Line (1916), The Arrow of Gold (1919), The Rescue (1919) and The Rover (1923)—have been discussed as symbolic tales and allegories, as if they belonged to a different genre from his previous work. Thematically, they have been seen as symptoms of Conrad’s inability to deal with love and sexuality on a mature level. While not ignoring differences between these novels and his prior work, I shall stress the biographical, thematic and formal continuities with Conrad’s previous work.
A comparison between endoscopic ultrasound-guided rendezvous and percutaneous biliary drainage after failed ERCP for malignant distal biliary obstruction

Background and study Aims: Selective biliary cannulation is unsuccessful in 5 % to 10 % of patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) has been the gold standard, but endoscopic ultrasound guided rendezvous (EUSr) have been increasingly used for biliary decompression in this patient population. Our aim was to compare the initial success rate, long-term efficacy, and safety of PBD and EUSr in relieving MDBO after failed ERC Patients and methods: A retrospective study involving 50 consecutive patients who had an initial failed ERCP for MDBO. Twenty-five patients undergoing EUSr between 2008 – 2014 were compared to 25 patients who underwent PBD immediately prior to the introduction of EUSr at our center (2002 – 2008). Comparisons were made between the two groups with regard to technical success, duration of hospital stay and adverse event rates after biliary decompression. Results: The mean age at presentation was 66.5 (± 12.6 years), 28 patients (54.9 %) were female. The etiology of MDBO was pancreaticobiliary malignancy in 44 (88 %) and metastatic disease in 6 (12 %) cases. Biliary drainage was technically successful by EUSr in 19 (76 %) cases and by PBD in 25 (100 %) (P = 0.002). Median length of hospital stay after initial drainage was 1 day in the EUSr group vs 5 days in PBD group (P = 0.02). Repeat biliary intervention was required for 4 patients in the EUSr group and 15 in the PBD group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Initial technical success with EUSr was significantly lower than with PBD, however when EUSr was successful, patients had a significantly shorter post-procedure hospital stay and required fewer follow-up biliary interventions. Meeting presentations: Annual Digestive Diseases Week 2015
The value of cystoscopically-directed biopsy in human pancreaticoduodenal transplantation

Between December 1987 and January 1989, 16 patients received a pancreaticoduodenal allograft with a duodenocystostomy at the Mayo Clinic. Cystoscopically-directed needle biopsy specimens of the pancreas were obtained at the time of graft dysfunction (hypoamylasuria) and at 10 days after transplantation
Reduced temporal processing in older, normal-hearing listeners evident from electrophysiological responses to shifts in interaural time difference.

We measured cortical responses to abrupt shifts in interaural time difference, changes typically associated with change in lateral position, and identified distinct age effects for listeners with c...
Multidimensional Mass Spectrometry of Synthetic Polymers and Advanced Materials

Multidimensional mass spectrometry interfaces a suitable ionization technique and mass analysis (MS) with fragmentation by tandem mass spectrometry (MS2 ) and an orthogonal online separation method. Separation choices include liquid chromatography (LC) and ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS), in which separation takes place pre-ionization in the solution state or post-ionization in the gas phase, respectively. The MS step provides elemental composition information, while MS2 exploits differences in the bond stabilities of a polymer, yielding connectivity and sequence information. LC conditions can be tuned to separate by polarity, end-group functionality, or hydrodynamic volume, whereas IMS adds selectivity by macromolecular shape and architecture. This Minireview discusses how selected combinations of the MS, MS2 , LC, and IMS dimensions can be applied, together with the appropriate ionization method, to determine the constituents, structures, end groups, sequences, and architectures of a wide variety of homo- and copolymeric materials, including multicomponent blends, supramolecular assemblies, novel hybrid materials, and large cross-linked or nonionizable polymers.
Data processing logic for stacked wafer-scale CMOS radiation sensor network

This paper presents a data processing and control logic design for a new radiation detection sensor system that can process data at or above peta-bits-per-second level. We propose a novel data compression method and operation strategy for a radiation sensor array including low power and network-on-wafer solutions. The design goal is to achieve a subtle data compression before the information is ferried to the network, minimizing the loss of information. The result is a radiation detection system that can operate at scan-rate of billion frames per second. The implementation result of the data processing system shows that the intended clock rate is achieved within the power target of less than 200mW.
Cardiac MR elastography for quantitative assessment of elevated myocardial stiffness in cardiac amyloidosis

Purpose To evaluate if cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can measure increased stiffness in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Myocardial tissue stiffness plays an important role in cardiac function. A noninvasive quantitative imaging technique capable of measuring myocardial stiffness could aid in disease diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and disease prognostic strategies. We recently developed a high-frequency cardiac MRE technique capable of making noninvasive stiffness measurements. Materials and Methods In all, 16 volunteers and 22 patients with cardiac amyloidosis were enrolled in this study after Institutional Review Board approval and obtaining formal written consent. All subjects were imaged head-first in the supine position in a 1.5T closed-bore MR imager. 3D MRE was performed using 5 mm isotropic resolution oblique short-axis slices and a vibration frequency of 140 Hz to obtain global quantitative in vivo left ventricular stiffness measurements. The median stiffness was compared between the two cohorts. An octahedral shear strain signal-to-noise ratio (OSS-SNR) threshold of 1.17 was used to exclude exams with insufficient motion amplitude. Results Five volunteers and six patients had to be excluded from the study because they fell below the 1.17 OSS-SNR threshold. The myocardial stiffness of cardiac amyloid patients (median: 11.4 kPa, min: 9.2, max: 15.7) was significantly higher (P = 0.0008) than normal controls (median: 8.2 kPa, min: 7.2, max: 11.8). Conclusion This study demonstrates the feasibility of 3D high-frequency cardiac MRE as a contrast-agent-free diagnostic imaging technique for cardiac amyloidosis. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1361–1367.