cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Canine and feline abortion diagnostics

Knowledge of the causes of canine or feline pregnancy loss is limited and the success rate for making a definitive diagnosis is disappointingly low. Although these facts are discouraging, there are some things that can be done to improve success rates. This paper will address limitations and explore ways for improvement. For abortions caused by microbial infections, there are many reasons why it may not possible to identify the agents. "Non-infectious" causes are much more difficult to diagnose, and their relative importance is unknown. These include endocrine failure, underlying endometrial disease, genetic abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, and toxicosis from drugs or environmental sources. Genetic abnormalities are a major cause of human pregnancy loss, yet we have little specific information about genetic diseases leading to abortion in animals. This paper addresses ways clinicians and diagnosticians can work together to improve diagnostic success. Necropsy techniques for fetal and placental examination and sampling are briefly reviewed. It is hoped that this series of papers will stimulate discussion on the causes and pathogenesis of pregnancy failure, and focus attention on areas where abortion diagnostics can be improved.
Nuclear structure issues determining neutrino-nucleus cross sections

Abstract We investigate the nuclear structure issues that determine the neutrino-nucleus cross sections of interest in nuclear, particle, and astrophysics. We discuss the uncertainties involved in calculating these cross sections, and the expected accuracy of model predictions.
Synthesis and analysis of distributed ensemble control strategies for allocation to multiple tasks

We present the synthesis and analysis of distributed ensemble control policies to enable a team of robots to control their distribution across a collection of tasks. We assume that individual robot controllers are modeled as a sequential composition of individual task controllers. A macroscopic description of the team dynamics is then used to synthesize ensemble feedback control strategies that maintain the desired distribution of robots across the tasks. We present a distributed implementation of the ensemble feedback strategy that can be implemented with minimal communication requirements. Different from existing strategies, the approach results in individual robot control policies that maintain the desired mean and the variance of the robot populations at each task. We present the stability properties of the ensemble feedback strategy, verify the feasibility of the distributed ensemble controller through high-fidelity simulations, and examine the robustness of the strategy to sensing and/or actuation failures. Specifically, we consider the case when robots are subject to estimation and navigation errors resulting from lossy inter-agent wireless communication links and localization errors.
Corneal sensitivity after small-incision lenticule extraction and laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose To longitudinally evaluate corneal sensitivity after small-incision lenticule extraction and compare the results with those in previous studies. Setting London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Consecutive myopic eyes treated with small-incision lenticule extraction using the Visumax femtosecond laser were studied. Corneal sensitivity was measured centrally and at 4 paracentral locations using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results were compared with averaged results from previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction studies. Results The mean spherical equivalent was −6.85 diopters (D) ± 2.57 (SD). The mean age was 36 ± 11 years. After small-incision lenticule extraction, the preoperative mean central corneal sensitivity dropped from 54 mm preoperatively to 33 mm 1 day postoperatively, rising to 40 mm, 45 mm, 48 mm, 54 mm, and 55 mm over 12 months; it reached baseline at 6 months ( P > .05). For 21 LASIK studies, the mean central corneal sensitivity dropped from 56 mm preoperatively to 6 mm at 1 day, rising to 14 mm, 23 mm, 34 mm, 45 mm, and 51 mm over 12 months. For 8 small-incision lenticule extraction studies, central corneal sensitivity dropped from 57 mm preoperatively to 39 mm at 1 week, then rose to 39 mm, 42 mm, 49 mm, 52 mm, and 54 mm over 12 months; it was higher than after LASIK at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months ( P Conclusion Recovery of central corneal sensitivity to baseline was reached by 6 months after small-incision lenticule extraction and was higher than after LASIK for the first 6 months after surgery. Financial Disclosure Dr. Reinstein is a consultant to Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, has a proprietary interest in the Artemis technology (Arcscan, Inc.), and is an author of patents related to very high-frequency digital ultrasound administered by the Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
POLYMORPHISM OF THE DIATOM PINNULARIA BREBISSONII IN CULTURE AND A FIELD COLLECTION1,2

SUMMARY Two clones of Pinnularia brebissonii (Kutz.) Rabh. var. brebissonii were established and maintained in logarithmic phase of growth. Initial length of the cells was 37 μm. As cell division occurred, the mean length of cells in each population decreased as predicted by the MacDonald-Pfitzer hypothesis; however, the decrease in mean length was not uniform throughout the growth period. This nonuniformity is probably caused by nonrandom division of cells in the population or by a changing increment of size reduction due to division. The initial increment of size reduction was calculated as 0.7 μm/division. The smallest, cells observed were 8 μm long. As cells decrease in length, cell volume decreases and the proportion of cells with aberrant valve structure increases. More than 90% of the valves were abnormal in a population with mean length of 14 μm. The abnormalities of structure involved the raphe, the central area and the striae.
Mechanism of parallel electric fields inferred from observations

Data from various experiments of the Atmosphere Explorer satellites are analyzed to test their consistency with the model of single-particle linear acceleration through a static parallel potential drop. Theoretical current/voltage and energy flux/voltage relations are applied to the data to predict the densities of source current carriers above the acceleration region for upward Birkeland currents. Comparison of these model predictions with simultaneous electron data indicates that the observed field-aligned potential drops are consistent with direct acceleration in the absence of anomalous resistivity.
A Web-based computer architecture course database

A Web-based database of course materials in computer architecture is being developed. Its goal is to allow instructors at different institutions to share independently developed materials and to develop new materials jointly. This database comprises problems and lectures downloaded (with permission) from the Websites of courses in computer architecture at universities around the world. The site is searchable by classification or fulltext string for problems on particular topics. Instructors can obtain accounts that will allow them to browse the database content and loan their questions directly. A Java application is being developed to further automate the process. This project has been developed in conjunction with the WebAssign project for on-line homework submission and grading. Where the format permits, homework and test problems can be automatically graded. Although this prototype is specific to the field of computer architecture, the software for building the database is usable for constructing databases in almost any academic field.
Relationship of mineral metabolism and long-term calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation to blood pressure in normotensive men.

To better understand the effects of calcium and cholecalciferol supplementation on blood pressure, we cx- amined systolic and diastolic blood pressures in 65 men treated with 1000 mg Ca/d and 1000 IU cholecalciferol/d or placebo for 3 y. Subjects were normotensive and had no medical condi- tion and took no medication known to affect mineral metabo- lism or blood pressure. At baseline, systolic blood pressure was positively related to fasting calcium excretion and negatively to ionized calcium concentrations. Phosphorus concentrations (negatively) and fasting calcium excretion (positively) were cor- related with diastolic pressures. Nevertheless, calcium and cho- lecalciferol supplementation did not influence blood pressure at any time during the study. These results suggest that whereas calcium metabolism may be related to the control of blood pressure, dietary calcium and cholecalciferol intakes do not play a major role in its regulation in normotensive individuals. Calcium and cholecalciferol supplements should not be cx- pected to have an effect on blood pressure in normotensive populations. Am J C/in Nutr l990;52:7 17-21.
Evidence of Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Reserve During Whole Body Exercise in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

When freed from central cardiorespiratory limitations, healthy human skeletal muscle has exhibited a significant metabolic reserve. We studied the existence of this reserve in 10 severely compromised (FEV1 = 0.97 +/- SE 0.01) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To manipulate O2 supply and O2 demand in locomotor and respiratory muscles, subjects performed both maximal conventional two-legged cycle ergometry (large muscle mass) and single-leg knee extensor exercise (KE, small muscle mass) while breathing room air (RA), 100% O2, and 79% helium + 21% O2 (HeO2). With each gas mixture, peak ventilation, peak heart rate, and perceived breathlessness were lower in KE than cycle exercise (p < 0. 05). Arterial O2 saturation and maximal work capacity increased in both exercise modalities while subjects breathed 100% O2 (work: +10% bike, +25% KE, p < 0.05). HeO2 increased maximal work capacity on the cycle (+14%, p < 0.05) but had no effect on KE. HeO2 resulted in the greatest maximum minute ventilation in both bike and KE (p < 0. 05) but had no effect on arterial O2 saturation. Thus, a skeletal muscle metabolic reserve in these patients with COPD is evidenced by: (1) greater muscle mass specific work in KE; (2) greater work rates with higher fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2); (3) an even greater effect of FIO2 during KE (i.e., when the lungs are less challenged); and (4) the positive effect of HeO2 on bicycle work rate. This skeletal muscle metabolic reserve suggests that reduced whole body exercise capacity in COPD is the result of central restraints rather than peripheral skeletal muscle dysfunction, while the beneficial effect of 100% O2 (with no change in maximum ventilation) suggests that the respiratory system is not the sole constraint to oxygen consumption.
The usability of lists versus graphs for representing the relationships between frames

An experiment was conducted to compare user's performance using a list or graph in tasks which required users to verify statements about relationships between frames. The results showed a response time advantage for the graph that depended on the type of task performed. For tasks which involved simply verifying that a given frame existed or verifying a direct relationship between two frames, use of the list and graph resulted in about equal response time. For tasks which involved verifying indirect relationships between frames, or verifying that a particular frame occurred in a navigational pathway between two other frames, the graph was much faster than the list. The magnitude of the advantage depended on the number of direct relationships that had to be navigated to perform the task; the more the direct relationships that had to be navigated, the greater was the advantage for the graph. These results suggest that the relationships between frames should be presented to users as a graph. >
Genetic selection by high altitude: Beware of experiments at ambient conditions.

The study of evolutionarily determined changes of the human genome and, in particular, the impact of extreme environments, has provided valuable information on human pathophysiology. The report by Stobdan et al. (1) is a nice demonstration of an evolutionary adaptation that would have escaped the prediction of its impact by studies of a mouse model under standard laboratory conditions.
Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Refractory Overactive Bladder in the Elderly Population

Purpose: We determined the long-term outcome of sacral nerve stimulation for refractory overactive bladder in the elderly population.Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal study to better characterize the outcome of sacral nerve stimulation in female patients 70 years old or older with refractory overactive bladder. Demographic and perioperative data were recorded. Patients were followed postoperatively for evidence of successful stage conversion, device durability and efficacy, and postoperative complications. Patients were retrospectively compared to a cohort of female patients younger than 70 years with refractory overactive bladder. Statistical analysis was performed.Results: Between July 2001 and February 2008, 19 elderly female patients with refractory overactive bladder underwent stage 1 lead placement. Of the patients 17 (90%) who reported greater than 50% improvement in symptoms based on a 1-week followup voiding log underwent implantable pulse generator placement. No intr...
Trainee Multicultural Case Conceptualization Ability and Couples Therapy

Previous literature on the assessment of multicultural counseling competence has been concerned only with counselors' abilities when working with individual clients. We expanded this line of research by investigating trainees' multicultural case conceptualization ability in the context of working with couples. Despite the fact that trainees self-reported a high level of multicultural competency, trainees were largely inattentive to racial factors in their case conceptualization responses to vignettes involving both African American and European American clients presenting for couples therapy. On the whole, despite didactic, clinical, and extracurricular training in multiculturalism, marriage and family therapy trainees did not sufficiently incorporate cultural factors into their clinical case conceptualizations. We discuss implications for teaching, practice, and future research.
Rain pulse response of soil CO2 exchange by biological soil crusts and grasslands of the semiarid Colorado Plateau, United States

[1] Biological activity in arid grasslands is strongly dependent on moisture. We examined gas exchange of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), the underlying soil biotic community, and the belowground respiratory activity of C3 and C4 grasses over 2 years in southeast Utah, USA. We used soil surface CO2 flux and the amount and carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of soil CO2 as indicators of belowground and soil surface activity. Soil respiration was always below 2 μmol m−2 s−1 and highly responsive to soil moisture. When moisture was available, warm spring and summer temperature was associated with higher fluxes. Moisture pulses led to enhanced soil respiration lasting for a week or more. Biological response to rain was not simply dependent on the amount of rain, but also depended on antecedent conditions (prior moisture pulses). The short-term temperature sensitivity of respiration was very dynamic, showing enhancement within 1–2 days of rain, and diminishing each day afterward. Carbon uptake occurred by cyanobacterially dominated biocrusts following moisture pulses in fall and winter, with a maximal net carbon uptake of 0.5 μmol m−2 s−1, although typically the biocrusts were a net carbon source. No difference was detected in the seasonal activity of C3 and C4 grasses, contrasting with studies from other arid regions (where warm- versus cool-season activity is important), and highlighting the unique biophysical environment of this cold desert. Contrary to other studies, the δ13C of belowground respiration in the rooting zone of each photosynthetic type did not reflect the δ13C of C3 and C4 physiology.
Brief Communication: Linear enamel hypoplasia and the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in Cayo Santiago rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

This study investigates changes in the prevalence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) before and after the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in the Cayo Santiago rhesus monkey population. Prior to 1956, monkeys on this island colony did not receive consistent provisions, and were reported to be in poor health (Rawlins and Kessler [1986] The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). A regular provisioning program, instituted in August 1956, resulted in the improved health of individuals and the growth of the population (Rawlins and Kessler [1986] The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). LEH, a developmental defect of enamel, is a sensitive indicator of systemic physiological stress (Goodman and Rose [1990] Yrbk. Phys. Anthropol. 33:59-110). It was therefore hypothesized that the prevalence of LEH would be higher in monkeys who were irregularly provisioned than in monkeys who experienced regular provisioning. To test this hypothesis, teeth were examined for LEH in a sample of 181 female rhesus monkeys. The results support the hypothesis: the mean number of defects was statistically significantly higher in the preprovisioned group than it was in the postprovisioned one. When LEH prevalence was assessed using only defects occurring on antimeric pairs, the preprovisioned group again had a higher prevalence than the postprovisioned one, although the difference was not statistically significant, most likely because of the reduced sample size. The results of this study indicate that changes in LEH prevalence, at least in this population of rhesus monkeys, are associated with changes in nutritional status.
Characterization of a novel origin recognition complex-like complex: implications for DNA recognition, cell cycle control, and locus-specific gene amplification

The origin recognition complex (ORC) plays a central role in eukaryotic DNA replication. Here we describe a unique ORC-like complex in Tetrahymena thermophila, TIF4, which bound in an ATP-dependent manner to sequences required for cell cycle-controlled replication and gene amplification (ribosomal DNA [rDNA] type I elements). TIF4's mode of DNA recognition was distinct from that of other characterized ORCs, as it bound exclusively to single-stranded DNA. In contrast to yeast ORCs, TIF4 DNA binding activity was cell cycle regulated and peaked during S phase, coincident with the redistribution of the Orc2-related subunit, p69, from the cytoplasm to the macronucleus. Origin-binding activity and nuclear p69 immunoreactivity were further regulated during development, where they distinguished replicating from nonreplicating nuclei. Both activities were lost from germ line micronuclei following the programmed arrest of micronuclear replication. Replicating macronuclei stained with Orc2 antibodies throughout development in wild-type cells but failed to do so in the amplification-defective rmm11 mutant. Collectively, these findings indicate that the regulation of TIF4 is intimately tied to the cell cycle and developmentally programmed replication cycles. They further implicate TIF4 in rDNA gene amplification. As type I elements interact with other sequence-specific single-strand breaks (in vitro and in vivo), the dynamic interplay of Orc-like (TIF4) and non-ORC-like proteins with this replication determinant may provide a novel mechanism for regulation.
Cefsulodin Therapy for Osteomyelitis Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The results of treating chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa osteomyelitis with cefsulodin at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center (RPSLMC) and eight other institutions are summarized. Eleven patients whose infections were proven by bone-biopsy culture were treated with cefsulodin at RPSLMC; one received two courses of treatment. Efficacy of therapy was evaluated for eight patients, all of whom had a polymicrobial infection. The average age of the patients was 52.3 years (range, 28-85). All had serious underlying illnesses or associated conditions. The mean inhibitory concentration of cefsulodin for the isolates of P. aeruginosa was 3.125 micrograms/ml (range, 0.78-6.25 micrograms/ml). Two patients received concomitant therapy with antibiotics not active against P. aeruginosa. Surgical debridement was performed in six of the eight patients. A favorable response was demonstrated in six of the eight patients. Follow-up for seven patients ranged from one week to 12 months, and in the eighth patient follow-up was 32 months. One patient relapsed twice. Seven possible complications of therapy were observed in five of the 11 patients who received cefsulodin; in three of these patients cefsulodin had to be discontinued. In studies of osteomyelitis conducted at other institutions, 10 of 14 patients for whom therapy could be evaluated had a favorable response to cefsulodin. Cefsulodin is a useful agent for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis associated with P. aeruginosa.
Estrogenic activity in the environment: municipal wastewater effluent, river, ponds, and wetlands.

Estrogenic activity of regional water samples was evaluated. Samples obtained from wetlands and ponds involved in various agricultural land uses, from three river sites over four seasons, and from municipal wastewater effluent held in storage lagoons were evaluated. The estrogen-responsive cell line MCF-7 BOS was used in the E-screen assay to determine 17b-estradiol equivalents (E2 Eq) of water samples extracted by solid-phase extraction. Estrogenic activity in surrounding wetlands and ponds from different land uses was not different, with 10 212 M E2 Eq (0.3 ppt). Estrogenic activity of Red River samples was within the same range as wetland–pond samples. The highest activity was found downstream from municipal wastewater treatment effluent discharge sites, in winter when river flow was lowest (approximately 6 3 10 213 M E2 Eq). Results showed that 7 of 20 wetland–pond samples and 5 of 12 river samples were below the limits of quantitation (approximately 3 3 10 214 M E2 Eq). Toxicity was found in fall and summer river samples upstream from municipal wastewater release sites. The timing of toxicity did not coincide to the presence of elevated fecal coliforms. Estrogenic activity in wastewater effluent from lagoons decreased over time (approximately 25 to 5 3 10 213 M E2 Eq) with an apparent half-life of 8 d for one lagoon. The median concentration of detectable estrogenic activity in regional water samples was approximately 50-fold less than the median 17b-estradiol concentration of estradiol detected in some U.S. streams in previous studies.
Interaction between Purified Ovine Inhibin and Steroids on the Release of Gonadotropins from Cultured Rat Pituitary Cells

Primary pituitary cell cultures derived from adult male rats were used to explore the interaction between purified 32K ovine inhibin and gonadal steroids on the modulation of basal and GnRH-stimulated secretion of FSH and LH. Purified o-inhibin was a potent inhibitor of basal FSH secretion (IC50 = 3.4 pM) and 10 nM GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH secretion (IC50 = 8.8 and 18.4 pM, respectively). Purified oinhibin had no effect on basal LH secretion. In this system, the androgens testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione slightly stimulated basal FSH secretion, and o-inhibin could reverse this stimulatory effect. By contrast, androgens suppress GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH secretion. In combination, androgens and o-inhibin provided greater inhibition of GnRH-mediated gonadotropin secretion than either did alone. (Endocrinology 123: 1320–1328,1988)
Endotoxin-induced uveitis causes long-term changes in trigeminal subnucleus caudalis neurons.

Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) is commonly used in animals to mimic ocular inflammation in humans. Although the peripheral aspects of EIU have been well studied, little is known of the central neu...
Spatial distribution of an uranium-respiring betaproteobacterium at the Rifle, CO field research site

The Department of Energy’s Integrated Field-Scale Subsurface Research Challenge Site (IFRC) at Rifle, Colorado was created to address the gaps in knowledge on the mechanisms and rates of U(VI) bioreduction in alluvial sediments. Previous studies at the Rifle IFRC have linked microbial processes to uranium immobilization during acetate amendment. Several key bacteria believed to be involved in radionuclide containment have been described; however, most of the evidence implicating uranium reduction with specific microbiota has been indirect. Here, we report on the cultivation of a microorganism from the Rifle IFRC that reduces uranium and appears to utilize it as a terminal electron acceptor for respiration with acetate as electron donor. Furthermore, this bacterium constitutes a significant proportion of the subsurface sediment community prior to biostimulation based on TRFLP profiling of 16S rRNA genes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that the microorganism is a betaproteobacterium with a high similarity to Burkholderia fungorum. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of a betaproteobacterium capable of uranium respiration. Our results indicate that this microorganism occurs commonly in alluvial sediments located between 3-6 m below ground surface at Rifle and may play a role in the initial reduction of uranium at the site.
A Temporal and Distance Gait Studies of Clients with Different Types of Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare selected temporal-distance gait measures, i.e., the velocity, cadence, stride length to lower-extremity length ratio, and stride length differential, among clients with spastic hemiplegia, spastic diplegia and athetoid quadriplegia. Fifteen subjects in each of the aforementioned three types of cerebral palsy were recruited in this study. All subjects were able to walk independently for at least 10m with or without assistive device prior to participating in this study. A clinically approachable, reliable and objective footprint method was employed. The results of this study revealed significant differences (p＜.05) in three of the four selected TD gait measures, including velocity, cadence and stride length to lower- extremity length ratio, among subjects with three different types of cerebral palsy. But, all subjects showed similar stride length differential. The findings indicated the importance of the influence of the distribution of the disability with the types of abnormal posture tone on the performance during ambulation, except for the effect on the symmetry of gait patterns. Most cerebral palsied subjects in this study had fairly symmetrical stride lengths (＜3 cm). Due to the limitation of the footprint method, further studies using other instruments to clarify the effects of specific types of disability on symmetry' of temporal factors during a gait cycle are recommended. The results of this study corresponds to most qualitative description of gait deviation which pointed out differences among the aforementioned three types of cerebral palsy.
A peptide encoded by a transcript annotated as long noncoding RNA enhances SERCA activity in muscle

Muscle contraction depends on release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and reuptake by the Ca2+adenosine triphosphatase SERCA. We discovered a putative muscle-specific long noncoding RNA that encodes a peptide of 34 amino acids and that we named dwarf open reading frame (DWORF). DWORF localizes to the SR membrane, where it enhances SERCA activity by displacing the SERCA inhibitors, phospholamban, sarcolipin, and myoregulin. In mice, overexpression of DWORF in cardiomyocytes increases peak Ca2+ transient amplitude and SR Ca2+ load while reducing the time constant of cytosolic Ca2+ decay during each cycle of contraction-relaxation. Conversely, slow skeletal muscle lacking DWORF exhibits delayed Ca2+ clearance and relaxation and reduced SERCA activity. DWORF is the only endogenous peptide known to activate the SERCA pump by physical interaction and provides a means for enhancing muscle contractility.
Different in vivo metabolic activities of suprachiasmatic nuclei of Turkish and golden hamsters

The 14C-labeled 2-deoxy-D-glucose technique was used to measure in vivo glucose utilization of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of Turkish and golden hamsters during the middle hours of the light phase of the 12:12 h light-dark cycle. The nuclei were clearly visible on autoradiographs made from the brains of Turkish hamsters, and their rate of glucose utilization (69 +/- 6 mumol.100 g-1.min-1) was similar to that previously measured in other rodents, whereas the nuclei were hardly visible on autoradiographs from golden hamsters, and their rate (33 +/- 2 mumol.100 g-1.min-1) was less than half this value. Thus the high energy metabolism characteristic of the SCN of most species is not required for the circadian pacemaker in the nuclei to generate its oscillation.
Existing at the Center, Watching from the Edges: Mandalas

For the last fifteen years I have been writing down notes, sketches of some of the wars I have lived through and yes, often with a survivor's guilt. Notes on the back of receipts, scraps of papers, note cards, letters, books, bookmarks—whatever is at hand. I find it difficult to put these together in any formal, traditional format as I attempt to make sense of the unending wars I have watched and lived through. Wars that have taken the shape of an adult's slap on a child's face, of the red, orange, green, blue and yellow flames engulfing the body of a monk or the body of a woman, of the stooped shoulders and the traumatized eyes of a man or woman whose dignity has been broken through conquest and poverty and of the corpses, the obscene slaughter of human beings and the earth in the name of God, truth, revenge and justice. Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching war, sometimes from the very center and sometimes from the sidelines that has led me to a pattern of war existence that seems terrifyingly...
Hypoxylon Multiforme: Cytology of the Ascus

Hypoxylon multiforme Fr. is a common inhabitant of Betula and other woody genera throughout the cooler parts of the North Temperate Zone. It is the type species of Section Papillata and of Subsection Papillata of Hypoxylon, as delineated in Miller's monograph (6). The only other undoubted Hypoxylon species to have been studied cytologically heretofore are H. pruinatum (Klotzsch) Cke. \? H. mammatum (Wahlenb.) J. H. Miller ] (8) and H. fuscum Pers. ex Fr. (10), members of Section Papillata, Subsection Primo-cinerea and Section Hypoxylon, respectively. The cytological study of H. multiforme, re? ported here, is part of a continuing investigation by the author on the biology, cytology, and development of Hypoxylon species.
The Effect of Light on Performance and Behavior in Diethylstilbestrol-Treated Male Turkey Broilers

Abstract It has been a common observation of commercial turkey growers that meat flocks vary in body weight, feathering and fat finish depending on the time of year in which they are grown. This has usually been explained on the basis of the effects of environmental temperature on feed consumption. Such a relationship does exist (author's unpublished data). However, light stimulation may also be involved either indirectly through an effect on sexual development (Margolf et al., 1947) or through some more direct neurophysiological path. There is little literature on the effects of light on growing turkeys. McCartney (1956) has concluded that turkeys require at least 13, and possibly 15, hours of light per day for maximum growth and feed efficiency. In addition he observed the degree of stagginess in males at 24 and 28 weeks of age to be associated with longer daily periods of light. Rate of feather development has …
Local Bonding in A—Sige Alloy Films

This paper discusses the bonding of hydrogen in a-Si,Ge:H alloy films prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS). We compare our results for H atom bonding with films produced by: (a) the glow discharge decomposition (GDD) of silane and germane mixtures, and (b) reactive diode sputtering (RDS). We discuss the energy states associated with Si and Ge atom neutral dangling bonds in the context of an empirical tight-binding model. The model places the Ge atom dangling bond state deeper in the gap than the corresponding Si atom defect state. The differences between the electronic properties of GDD and RDS films, and RMS films are explained in terms of the degree of H compensation of Si and Ge atom dangling bonds.
Cambio climático y tortugas marinas

Climate changed has become one of the main threats to biodiversity and biological processes. High temperatures negatively affect several aspects of the life history of marine turtles both on nesting beaches and in the ocean. Increasing temperatures, caused by climate change, can be highly detrimental to sea turtle populations. There are possible mitigation strategies that can be used to avoid local extinctions such as irrigation, shading and clutch relocation. However, it is important to use them correctly and specifically for each population once these become negatively affected by climate change.
The Implications of Anti-Terrorism Legislations on Protection of Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa

After the horrific attack on 11 September 2001, counter terrorism has got a global attention that brought about a significant international policy changes. In a bid to control terrorist attacks, a number of governments around the world adopted anti-terrorism laws that aimed at preventing and curbing acts of terrorism. Prompted by the global counter terrorism campaign and some terrorist attacks that affected some of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a number of African countries have introduced anti-terrorism legislations. The application of such highly restrictive and ambiguous legislations have greatly threatened the rights and freedoms of fellow Africans. Particularly, the application of a draconian anti-terrorism law in some of the African countries has seriously undermined freedom of association and expression rights recognized under international and domestic human rights instruments. The paper provides an overview of the implications of anti-terrorism legislative measures on human rights and the factors that contributed for the application of repressive laws in African countries. Further more,the paper forwards mechanism on how the fight for terrorism need not affect the protection of fundamental human rights in Africa.
Neurological complications of vaccination with outer surface protein A (OspA)

A wide range of neurological complications have been reported via the medical literature and the VAERS system after vaccination with recombinant outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia. To explore this issue, 24 patients reporting neurological adverse events (AE) after vaccination with Lymerix, out of a group of 94 patients reporting adverse events after Lymerix vaccination, were examined for causation. Five reports of cerebral ischemia, two transient Ischemic attacks, five demyelinating events, two optic neuritis, two reports of transverse myelitis, and one non-specific demyelinating condition are evaluated in this paper. Caution is raised on not actively looking for neurologic AE, and for not considering causation when the incidence rate is too low to raise a calculable difference to natural occurence.
Sensitivity of particle loss to the Kelvin effect in LES of youngcontrails

Abstract. Different treatments of the Kelvin effect in LES modeling of early contrails are shown to cause variations in the survival rate of ice particles by up to a factor of 4 and in optical depth and mean particle size by up to 50 %. The Kelvin effect which varies exponentially with particle size, can reduce or even suppress the impact of other important ambient parameters, such as ice supersaturation, on particle survival rate. Lowering or neglecting the Kelvin effect is shown to substantially alter the evolution of the ice particle size distribution and delay the onset of particle loss. A strongly Kelvin effect dependent exponential relation between particle survival rate and particle size is shown for high EIsoot (O(1015)).
Monitoring the fate of fluorescing substances recycled in ultrafiltration process backwash water

The fate of fluorescing substances during the recycling of membrane backwash water (MBWW) ahead of coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation (CFS) with ultrafiltration (UF) membranes has been investigated. Bench-scale UF membranes were used to generate MBWW from a CFS-treated surface water containing 21 mg/L dissolved organic carbon (DOC) registering a 0.95 cm –1 UV 254 absorbance that had been coagulated with 100 mg/L with polyaluminum chloride. CFS settled water, when processed with UF, produced MBWW containing 9 mg/L DOC registering a 0.25 cm –1 UV 254 absorbance. High performance size-exclusion chromatography using UV 254 detection demonstrated an analogous UV 254 reduction as measured by detector response. However, fluorescence excitation emission spectroscopy revealed that protein-like substances, known to be associated with irreversible fouling, had been concentrated in the MBWW. In order to evaluate recycling operations on overall DOC removal in a CFS-UF process, a blend of 30% MBWW with 70% of raw water was treated, resulting in an overall DOC removal of 73%. However, without MBWW recycle, the CFS-UF process removed less of the influent DOC (63%). This work suggests that MBWW recycle operations should consider possible downstream impacts of concentrated protein-like substances not previously detected, as these substances are suspected to contribute to long-term irreversible UF fouling.
On the Invariant Solutions of Some Five-Dimensional D’alembert Equations

By using the invariants of nonconjugate subgroups of the Poincare group P(1,4) [conjugation is considered with respect to the group P(1,4)], we propose ansatzes that reduce some linear and nonlinear five-dimensional d’Alembert equations to ordinary differential equations. On the basis of the solutions of the reduced equations, we construct the invariant solutions of these five-dimensional d’Alembert equations.
Community stability within the St. Marys River fish community: Evidence from trawl surveys

Abstract A trawl survey was conducted in the Saint Marys River during 2010–2011 and we compared our results to a prior trawl survey conducted during 1979–1983 to look for long-term changes in the fish community, especially in terms of changes induced by invasive species. We found no substantive temporal differences in fish density, fish biomass, or fish diversity; lower trawl biomass during 2010–2011 was likely a result of day versus night trawling. The Saint Marys River remains a center of high fish diversity, invasive species remain rare, and the system continues to exhibit overall long-term stability. Trawling captured a wide range of fish species, but was likely not an effective stock assessment tool for managed game fish because catch rates were low or variable for all game species except yellow perch. Trawling appeared to be an effective tool for sampling connecting channel diversity, especially when large numbers of individuals are needed for directed studies, but annual sampling would be needed to use data to assess recruitment.
Gesture-based augmented reality annotation

Drawing annotations with 3D hand gestures in augmented reality is useful for creating visual and spatial references in the real world, especially when these gestures can be issued from a distance. Different techniques exist for highlighting physical objects with hand-drawn annotations from a distance, assuming an approximate 3D scene model (e.g., as provided by the Microsoft HoloLens). However, little is known about user preference and performance of such methods for annotating real-world 3D environments. To explore and evaluate different 3D hand-gesture-based annotation drawing methods, we have developed an annotation drawing application using the HoloLens augmented reality development platform. The application can be used for highlighting objects at a distance and multi-user collaboration by annotating in the real world.
The relationship between language proficiency and language attitudes: Evidence from young Spanish-English bilinguals

To determine how attitudes toward the minority language change with age, sixty-five Spanish/English bilingual children completed an attitude questionnaire. Results show that first graders have roughly equal attitudes to Spanish and English, while second, third, and fourth graders increasingly state a preference for English. However, among fifth graders, a decrease in this preference for English is found. Results from a matched guise task show that the Spanish and English versions are not rated significantly differently, suggesting that, while children prefer speaking English, they may not project negative attitudes onto Spanish-speakers themselves. Finally, a shift in language preference is found before a shift in language dominance, which may suggest that negative attitudes toward the heritage language lead to a dominance shift.
Myth 2: A Great Wall Separates Politics and the Economy

Myth: There are clearly delineated boundaries between the economic and political sectors. The two sectors restrain each other’s power and political freedom is complemented with economic freedom.
Is it All About the Money? Not All Surgical Subspecialization Leads to Higher Lifetime Revenue when Compared to General Surgery.

Objective It is believed that spending additional years gaining expertise in surgical subspecialization leads to higher lifetime revenue. Literature shows that more surgeons are pursuing fellowship training and dedicated research years; however, there are no data looking at the aggregate economic impact when training time is accounted for. It is hypothesized that there will be a discrepancy in lifetime income when delay to practice is considered. Design Data were collected from the Medical Group Management Association’s 2015 report of average annual salaries. Fixed time of practice was set at 30 years, and total adjusted revenue was calculated based on variable years spent in research and fellowship. All total revenue outcomes were compared to general surgery and calculated in US dollars. Participants The financial data on general surgeons and 9 surgical specialties (vascular, pediatric, plastic, breast, surgical oncology, cardiothoracic, thoracic primary, transplant, and trauma) were examined. Results With fellowship and no research, breast and surgical oncology made significantly less than general surgery (−$1,561,441, −$1,704,958), with a difference in opportunity cost equivalent to approximately 4 years of work. Pediatric and cardiothoracic surgeons made significantly more than general surgeons, with an increase of opportunity cost equivalent to $5,301,985 and $3,718,632, respectively. With 1 research year, trauma surgeons ended up netting less than a general surgeon by $325,665. With 2 research years, plastic and transplant surgeons had total lifetime revenues approximately equivalent to that of a general surgeon. Conclusions Significant disparities exist in lifetime total revenue between surgical subspecialties and in comparison, to general surgery. Although most specialists do gross more than general surgeons, breast and surgical oncologists end up netting significantly less over their lifetime as well as trauma surgeons if they do 1 year of research. Thus, the economic advantage of completing additional training is dependent on surgical field and duration of research.
INSECTICIDE RESIDUES ON PINE BARK: INFLUENCE OF TREES, SAMPLE VOLUME AND SIZE ON VARIABILITY

Residues of carbaryl (Sevimol®) in ponderosa pine bark were quantified by gas chromatography and the major sources of experimental error were determined. Quantification of carbaryl residues was sig...
Near-Channel Versus Watershed Controls on Sediment Rating Curves

Predicting riverine suspended sediment flux is a fundamental problem in geomorphology, with important implications for water quality, land and water resource management, and aquatic ecosystem health. To advance understanding, we evaluated environmental and landscape factors that influence sediment rating curves (SRCs). We generated SRCs with recent total suspended solids (TSSs) and discharge data from 45 gages on 36 rivers throughout the state of Minnesota, USA. Watersheds range from 32 to 14,600 km2 and represent distinct settings regarding topography, land cover, and geologic history. Rivers exhibited three distinct SRC shapes: simple power functions, threshold power functions, and peaked or negative-slope functions. We computed SRC exponents and coefficients (describing the steepness of the relation and the TSS concentration at median flows, respectively). In addition to quantifying watershed topography, climate/hydrology, geology, soil type, and land cover, we used lidar topography to characterize the near-channel environment upstream of gages. We used random forest models to analyze relations between SRC parameters and attributes of the watershed and the near-channel environment. The models correctly classify 78% of SRC shapes and explain 37%–60% of variance in SRC parameters. We find that SRC steepness (exponent) is strongly related to near-channel morphological characteristics including near-channel relief, channel gradient, and presence of lakes along the local channel network, but not to land use. In contrast, land use influences TSS concentrations at moderate and low flow. These findings suggest that the near-channel environment controls changes in TSS as flows increase, whereas land use drives median and low flow TSS conditions.
Association of time-to-surgery with outcomes in clinical stage I-II pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with upfront surgery

Abstract Background Time-to-surgery from cancer diagnosis has increased in the United States. We aimed to determine the association between time-to-surgery and oncologic outcomes in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing upfront surgery. Methods The 2004–2012 National Cancer Database was reviewed for patients undergoing curative-intent surgery without neoadjuvant therapy for clinical stage I–II pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A multivariable Cox model with restricted cubic splines was used to define time-to-surgery as short (1–14 days), medium (15–42), and long (43–120). Overall survival was examined using Cox shared frailty models. Secondary outcomes were examined using mixed-effects logistic regression models. Results Of 16,763 patients, time-to-surgery was short in 34.4%, medium in 51.6%, and long in 14.0%. More short time-to-surgery patients were young, privately insured, healthy, and treated at low-volume hospitals. Adjusted hazards of mortality were lower for medium (hazard ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval, .90, 0.97) and long time-to-surgery (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval, 0.86, 0.96) than short. There were no differences in adjusted odds of node positivity, clinical to pathologic upstaging, being unresectable or stage IV at exploration, and positive margins. Medium time-to-surgery patients had higher adjusted odds (odds ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval, 1.03, 1.20) of receiving an adequate lymphadenectomy than short. Ninety-day mortality was lower in medium (odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval, 0.65, 0.85) and long time-to-surgery (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval, 0.60, 0.88) than short. Conclusion In this observational analysis, short time-to-surgery was associated with slightly shorter OS and higher perioperative mortality. These results may suggest that delays for medical optimization and referral to high volume surgeons are safe.