cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug Delivery Technologies: The Way Forward in the New Decade

The design and development of drug delivery systems involves many different sciences that underpin the research. It is clear that significant advances will only be made through multidisciplinary teams that utilize the latest advances in the biological, chemical, physical, and engineering sciences. The underpinning sciences are also vital to the process of developing successful products. There are three key and interrelated areas of research. (i) Achieve a greater understanding of the biological fate and the targeting of drugs, particularly biopharmaceuticals, macromolecules and macromolecular delivery systems, at the molecular, membrane, and cellular level. (ii) Provide a greater understanding of the physicochemical properties of biopharmaceuticals, macromolecules, and macromolecular delivery systems and how these are modified within a biological environment affecting their activity. (iii) Promote the development of novel materials and delivery systems that will overcome these biological barriers. This ar...
Proinflammatory cytokines, nutritional support, and the cachexia syndrome : Interactions and therapeutic options

BACKGROUND Protein calorie malnutrition remains endemic in hospitalized patients with both acute and chronic inflammation secondary to either cancer, chronic infectious processes, surgical injury, trauma, or burns. For the patients who cannot support themselves by enteral feeding, total parenteral nutrition remains an essential tool to minimize nitrogen losses and replete the depleted patient. However, in patients with active inflammation, nitrogen retention and lean tissue accretion are often impaired during total parenteral nutrition. Production of humoral factors, including proinflammatory cytokines, regulates many of the anabolic and catabolic processes that accompany inflammation. METHODS The investigators' experience with total parenteral nutrition and proinflammatory cytokines is reviewed. RESULTS Cytokines such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and, in particular, interleukin-6 appear to play central roles in both the loss of skeletal muscle protein and the initiation of the acute phase response to inflammation, as well as in modulating the utilization of exogenously administered nutrients. CONCLUSIONS Although innovative second- and third-generation nutritional formulations for the acutely ill patient may represent one approach for improving the effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition, understanding the humoral response to inflammation and modifying cytokine actions pharmacologically may prove equally effective in improving the utility of exogenously administered nutrients. Future studies need to determine whether the effectiveness of exogenously administered nutrients in the patient with inflammation can be improved by efforts to modulate the proinflammatory cytokine response through cytokine inhibitors or antagonists. Cancer 1997; 79:1828-39. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
The availability of e‐books: examples of nursing and business

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether aggregator packages might be appropriate to replace or supplement print collections in business and nursing, it aims to identify e‐book equivalents for print books acquired for an academic library's collections.Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a list of the library's acquisitions in two disciplines checked against e‐book aggregators' holdings. The comparison is analyzed and discussed.Findings – The results confirm findings of a previous study showing that less than one‐third of print books acquired for this library's nursing and business collections have e‐book equivalents available from aggregators, so the aggregators' holdings do not strongly match the library's collecting profile.Research limitations/implications – The present study applies previous research to a different type of collection, and tests previous conclusions.Originality/value – This paper contributes to assessment of the value of e‐book collections for academic ...
Classification of unit types in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of laboratory mice

This report introduces a system for the objective physiological classification of single-unit activity in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) of anesthetized CBA/129 and CBA/CaJ mice. As in previous studies, the decision criteria are based on the temporal properties of responses to short tone bursts that are visualized in the form of peri-stimulus time histograms (PSTHs). Individual unit types are defined by the statistical distribution of quantifiable metrics that relate to the onset latency, regularity, and adaptation of sound-driven discharge rates. Variations of these properties reflect the unique synaptic organizations and intrinsic membrane properties that dictate the selective tuning of sound coding in the AVCN. When these metrics are applied to the mouse AVCN, responses to best frequency (BF) tones reproduce the major PSTH patterns that have been previously demonstrated in other mammalian species. The consistency of response types in two genetically diverse strains of laboratory mice suggests that the present classification system is appropriate for additional strains with normal peripheral function. The general agreement of present findings to established classifications validates laboratory mice as an adequate model for general principles of mammalian sound coding. Nevertheless, important differences are noted for the reliability of specialized endbulb transmission within the AVCN, suggesting less secure temporal coding in this high-frequency species.
Cancer patients: special considerations

Abstract Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of pain associated with cancer and the implementation of aggressive therapies with oral/transdermal medications, many patients do not achieve adequate analgesia. Intraspinal drug-delivery techniques have been successful in providing adequate pain control for these patients. However, there are several caveats in attaining this goal. The site of the tip of the catheter is of paramount importance. It must be placed close to the spinal segment corresponding to the site of nociception. Moreover, the use of bupivacaine and/or clonidine will not only enhance the quality of analgesia but will also decrease the incidence of opiate-induced side effects. Implementing protocols for the management of these patients with intraspinal techniques will not only yield better analgesia in patients unresponsive to oral pharmacologic therapy, but may also be associated with improved survival. This study examines the implementation of intraspinal therapy in patients with oncologic pain unresponsive to oral pharmacologic therapy.
Superelastic NiTi honeycombs: fabrication and experiments

In this paper we demonstrate a new class of superelastic NiTi honeycomb structures. We have developed a novel brazing technique that has allowed us to fabricate Nitinol-based cellular structures with relative densities near 5%. Commercially available nickel-rich Nitinol strips were shape-set into corrugated form, stacked, and bonded at high temperature by exploiting a contact eutectic melting reaction involving pure niobium. After heat treatment to restore transformational superelastic response, prototype honeycomb structures were subjected to severe in-plane compression loading at room temperature. The specimens exhibited good specific strength, high specific stiffness, and enhanced shape recovery compared to monolithic shape memory alloys (SMAs). Compressive strains of over 50% could be recovered upon unloading. The demonstrated architectures are simple examples of a wide variety of possible built-up topologies, enabled by the bonding method, that can be engineered for customizable net section properties, arbitrary shape, and kinematically enhanced thermomechanical shape-memory and superelastic response.
On the block upper-triangularity of undiscounted multi-chain markov decision problems

We show that the LP formulation for an undiscounted multi-chain Markov decision problem can be put in a block upper-triangular form by a polynomial time procedure. Each minimal block (after an appropriate dynamic revision) gives rise to a single-chain Markov decision problem which can be treated independently. An optimal solution to each single-chain problem can be connected by auxiliary dual programs to obtain an optimal solution to a multi-chain problem.
Utility of a Full Life-Cycle Copepod Bioassay Approach for Assessment of Sediment-Associated Contaminant Mixtures

Abstract We compared a 21 day full life-cycle bioassay with an existing 14 day partial life-cycle bioassay for two species of meiobenthic copepods, Microarthridion littorale and Amphiascus tenuiremis. We hypothesized that full life-cycle tests would better simulate chronic exposures to copepods and provide more sensitive and realistic information about contaminant effects on growth of copepod populations. Copepods were exposed to sediments from two sites, non-contaminated North Inlet Estuary (NIE), SC (USA), and highly contaminated Shipyard Creek (SYC), SC, and measured for lethal and sublethal test points. Fourteen and 21 day bioassays showed similar negative effects in SYC sediments for both species. Survival and reproductive success were higher in the 14 day than in the 21 day bioassay for both species, in both sediment types. The lower 21 day overall response was not indicative of enhanced bioassay sensitivity. The 14 day bioassay provides sufficient f 1 generation information to detect negative population level responses to contaminant mixtures.
A dual-frequency slow wave amplifier

Motivated by the recent invention of the recirculating planar magnetron (RPM) [1], we exploit the possible technique of developing a dual-frequency high power microwave (HPM) amplifier. We first study the multi-spectral output characteristics of a novel slow wave structure (SWS) which consists of both upper and lower periodic vane arrays. The SWS is designed such that the operating frequency of the upper cavities is half of that of lower cavities. We analytically derive the dispersion relation for such a dual-frequency SWS. We compare the analytic solution of the cold-tube dispersion diagram with that obtained from the ANSYS HFSS code. Excellent agreement is obtained. The beam-circuit interaction of an injected electron beam is analyzed.
FEMALE‐HEADED FAMILIES: Social and Economic Context of Racial Differences

ABSTRACT:Three explanations of the high and rising incidence of female-headed families and of racial differences in family structure are compared empirically. These are the cultural thesis, the female autonomy thesis, and the marriage market thesis. The analysis is contextual and draws upon data from the 1990 Public Use Microdata sample, as well as other census materials. The authors found that black and white women are influenced by different sets of contextual factors and that the probability that black women with children will be heads of family is significantly related to the economic marginality and relative number of black males in the community within which they reside.
A model-based testing technique for component-based real-time embedded systems

The growing complexity of modern real-time embedded systems is leading to increased use of component-based software engineering (CBSE) technology. Although many ideas have been proposed for building component-based real-time embedded software, techniques for testing component-based realtime systems are scarce. The challenges not only come from the integration of different types of components through their interfaces but also include the composition of extra-functional properties. In an embedded system, extra-functional requirements are as important as functional requirements. A real-time embedded system needs to achieve its functionality under the constraints caused by its extra-functional properties. Correct functional behavior with regard to timing properties is essential to real-time embedded system. This paper focuses on real-time requirements instead of all extra-functional requirements. Therefore, they should be considered while testing embedded software behavior. This paper addresses problems that emerge during the integration of component-based real-time embedded software. It presents a test model that depicts both inter-component and intra-component relationships in component-based real-time embedded software and identifies key test elements. The test model is realized using a family of graph-based test models in which that describe functional interactions and their dependence relationships, as well as the time-dependent interaction among components. By using a graph-based test model, this paper presents a novel family of test adequacy criteria that help generate effective test cases and new algorithms to facilitate automate generation of the test cases.
Evidence of Employment Inequality among Females with Disabilities

Women consistently earn less than men. This holds true for individuals with and without disabilities. Women with disabilities, however, have more negative employment experiences than do men with disabilities. The purpose of this article is to explore the less than desirable conditions that women with disabilities face in employment. Studies dealing primarily with the employment outcomes of females and males with disabilities are reviewed, followed by recommendations for the field of special education. We suggest that women with disabilities are dually disadvantaged in employment when gender interacts with disability.
Intermediate variable encodings that enable multiplexor-based implementations of two operand addition

In two operand addition, bit-wise intermediate variables such as the "propagate" and "generate" terms are defined/evaluated first. Basic carry propagation recursion is then expressed in terms of these variables and is "unrolled" to obtain a tree structure for fast execution. In CMOS VLSI technology, multiplexors are fast and efficient to implement. Hence, we investigate in this paper all possible two-bit encodings for the intermediate variables and identify the ones that enable multiplexor-based implementations. Some of these encodings enable further simplification of the multiplexor-based realizations. Our analysis also shows that adopting an intermediate signed-digit representation simply amounts to selecting one of the possible encodings. Thus, there is no inherent advantage to the use of intermediate signed-digit representations in a two operand addition. Finally, we extend our analysis to the generalized look-ahead-recursions proposed by R.W. Doran (1988).
A comparative study of the response of Taxodium distichum and Nyssa aquatica seedlings to soil anaerobiosis and salinity

Abstract Taxodium distichum L. and Nyssa aquatica L. seedlings were subjected to anaerobiosis at soil redox potentials of - 160 mV, and salinity concentration of 51 mol m−3, under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. The subsequent carbon assimilation and growth responses to anaerobiosis, salinity, and combined stresses were evaluated. Anaerobiosis alone resulted in a greater reduction in carbon assimilation rates in T. distichum than in N. aquatica. Under combined stresses, carbon assimilation rates decreased 46% in T. distichum and 24% in N. aquatica. Based on height growth, both species appear to have same level of sensitivity (height growth was reduced by 56% in T. distichum and by 54% in N. aquatica). Results also indicated that, in general, both species are salt-sensitive. Thus, seedling survival and regeneration will be adversely affected in those coastal forests where saltwater intrusion occurs frequently.
Deformable Registration of Glioma Images Using EM Algorithm and Diffusion Reaction Modeling

This paper investigates the problem of atlas registration of brain images with gliomas. Multiparametric imaging modalities (T1, T1-CE, T2, and FLAIR) are first utilized for segmentations of different tissues, and to compute the posterior probability map (PBM) of membership to each tissue class, using supervised learning. Similar maps are generated in the initially normal atlas, by modeling the tumor growth, using reaction-diffusion equation. Deformable registration using a demons-like algorithm is used to register the patient images with the tumor bearing atlas. Joint estimation of the simulated tumor parameters (e.g., location, mass effect and degree of infiltration), and the spatial transformation is achieved by maximization of the log-likelihood of observation. An expectation-maximization algorithm is used in registration process to estimate the spatial transformation and other parameters related to tumor simulation are optimized through asynchronous parallel pattern search (APPSPACK). The proposed method has been evaluated on five simulated data sets created by statistically simulated deformations (SSD), and fifteen real multichannel glioma data sets. The performance has been evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively, and the results have been compared to ORBIT, an alternative method solving a similar problem. The results show that our method outperforms ORBIT, and the warped templates have better similarity to patient images.
Close Encounters of the Deadly Kind: Gender, Migration, and Border (In)Security

In this paper, I discuss several findings of my study of migrant women, temporarily suspended in the “intersection” of diametrically opposed processes: those posed by border enforcement measures and those posed by transnational mobility. A pressing issue that emerged from this research was how close women come to encountering death as they side-step the border wall to cross without authorization into the US. Their testimonies shed light on how the intersection of contradictory processes contributes to a humanitarian crisis on the US-Mexico border in which the likelihood of death is increasingly present.
FEMALE-BIASED SEX RATIO ARISES AFTER PARENTAL CARE IN THE SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC WAVED ALBATROSS (PHOEBASTRIA IRRORATA)

Abstract In response to evidence of sexual segregation at foraging grounds as well as male-biased band recoveries, we investigated the ontogeny of the female- biased adult sex ratio in the Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata), an IUCN “critically endangered species” essentially endemic to Isla Espanola, Galapagos, Ecuador. Using a molecular technique to determine the sex of chicks and adults and known fate analysis of chicks during rearing, we found no evidence of a sex-ratio bias at hatching or fledging in three consecutive years with variable reproductive success. Although male chicks were significantly larger than females at fledging, survival to fledging of a large sample of male and female chicks did not differ. The sex ratio among a cohort of young adults at approximately the age of first breeding (eight years) also did not differ significantly from parity. Differential adult mortality, including male-biased mortality in fisheries, is the most probable cause of a female- biased population sex rati...
The Role of Classification Structures in Reflecting and Building Theory

In general, we can say that the role of a classification scheme is to provide a descriptive and explanatory framework for ideas and a structure for the relationships among the ideas. We create classificatory schemes to organize our knowledge of the world in such a way as to be useful in communicating and using this knowledge. It follows then, that a felicitous classification scheme has embedded within its content and structure a great deal of information - not only about the entities themselves (representing individual phenomena and concepts) but also about the relationships among these phenomena and concepts, that is, how these things go with respect to each other. As such, classifications are really very much like theories. Like theories, classification schemes can provide an explanatory shell for looking at the world from a contextually determined perspective. Classification schemes not only reflect knowledge by being based on theory and displaying it in a useful way (as, for example, in the phylogenetic tree based on Darwinian theory), but also classifications in themselves function as theories do and serve a similar role in inquiry: that is, the role of explanation, parsimonious and elegant description, and the generation of new knowledge. In this paper I examine the strong relationship of theories and 'classification schemes. Two classification schemes: The DSM Classification (for mental disorders) and the Periodic Table of Elements are offered as two examples of this relationship. Next, I examine three classification structures and their properties: hierarchies, trees, and faceted classifications as examples of how classificatory structure and theory interact.
New results on finite-state Markov models for Nakagami fading channels

We present a method for selecting the parameters of a finite-state Markov chain to match slow fading channels that are characterized by the Nakagami-m family of probability distributions. Markov chain models are very valuable tools in the analysis and simulation of protocols, systems, and networks. The Nakagami fading parameter m and the correlation parameter for the fade levels experienced by consecutive symbols or packets can be adjusted to match anticipated propagation conditions or experimental data. These parameters can also be varied to test the sensitivity of a protocol or system to changes in the characteristics of the fading on a tactical communications link. Applications to the evaluation of adaptive transmission protocols are described.
A measure of mutual information on the time-frequency plane

Information-theoretic characterization of time-frequency distributions have been successful at quantifying the complexity of nonstationary signals. Information measures such as entropy and divergence have been adapted to the time-frequency domain for counting the number of signal components, evaluating the performance of different kernels and discriminating between signals based on their information content. Inspired by the success of these measures and in order to develop a more comprehensive information processing theory on the time-frequency plane, we introduce a mutual information measure for time-frequency distributions. The properties of this measure are derived and its application to signal classification problems is illustrated with examples.
Measurement of metal/carbon nanotube contact resistance by adjusting contact length using laser ablation

A technique of measuring contact resistance between an individual nanotube and a deposited metallic film is described. Using laser ablation to sequentially shorten the contact length between a nanotube and the evaporated metallic film, the linear resistivity of the nanotube as well as the specific contact resistivity between the nanotube and metallic film can be determined. This technique can be generally used to measure the specific contact resistance that develops between a metallic film and a variety of different nanowires and nanotubes.
Silicon nitride ceramic matrix for CMCs from silane derived Si powders and preceramic polymers

Si powders synthesized by the laser pyrolysis of silane can be nitrided at 1200–1250°C, producing an improved reaction bonded silicon nitride. This RBSN is a potential matrix for composites since it can be formed at temperatures which do not degrade the strengths of commercially available amorphous ceramic fibers. However, the density of the RBSN matrix has been limited to about 75% using the silane-derived Si powder. Combining Si powders and preceramic polymers offers an approach for increasing the density and mechanical properties of the reaction-formed Si3N4 matrix. The incorporation of polysilazanes inhibited the nitridation at 1250°C, but samples could be effectively nitrided at 1400°C. These higher nitriding temperatures are compatible with SCS-6 and other lowoxygen, crystalline SiC fibers which can be used as reinforcements for ceramic composites.
A Novel Embedded Accelerator for Online Detection of Shrew DDoS Attacks

As one type of stealthy and hard-to-detect attack, low-rate TCP-targeted DDoS attack can seriously throttle the throughput of normal TCP flows for a long time without being noticed. The Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis in frequency domain can detect this type of attack accurately. However, computational complexity of PSD analysis makes it impossible for software implementation at high speed network. Taking advantages of powerful computing capability and software-like flexibility, an embedded accelerator using FPGA for PSD analysis has been proposed. Optimized design in autocorrelation calculation algorithm and DFT processing distinguishes our scheme more meaningful for high speed real-time processing with limited resources. Simulation verifies that even working at very low system clock frequency, our design can still provide quality-service for malicious detection in multi-gigabyte rate network.
Adaptive tracking control of rigid-link electrically-driven manipulators

This paper presents a new trajectory tracking control scheme for uncertain rigid-link electrically-driven manipulators. The proposed controller is an adaptive strategy which is computationally efficient, requires virtually no information concerning either the manipulator or actuator models, and is very general and readily implementable. It is shown that the controller ensures semiglobal uniform boundedness of all signals in the presence of bounded disturbances, and that the ultimate size of the tracking errors can be made arbitrarily small.
Comparison of intraoperative frozen section analysis for sentinel lymph node biopsy during breast cancer surgery for invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard of care for the surgical assessment of the axilla during breast cancer surgery. However, the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section analysis for confirming metastatic involvement of SLNs in cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) versus that of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) has generated controversy secondary to a frequently low-grade cytologic appearance and an often discohesive pattern displayed by metastatic lymph nodes in ILC. In the current report, we present a comparison of intraoperative frozen section analysis for confirming the presence of metastatic disease within SLNs during breast cancer surgery for ILC and IDC. We evaluated the results of 131 consecutive cases of ILC from 1997 to 2008 and 133 cases of IDC (selected by a random sequence generator program) from amongst 1163 consecutive cases of IDC from the same time period. All cases had at least one SLN that had both intraoperative frozen section analysis and confirmatory permanent section analysis performed. No statistically significant difference was found in the sensitivity (67% vs. 75%, P = 0.385), specificity (100% vs. 100%), accuracy (86% vs. 92%, P = 0.172), false negative rate (33% vs. 25%, P = 0.385), negative predictive value (81% vs. 89%, P = 0.158), and positive predictive value (100% vs. 100%) for frozen section analysis for confirming the presence of metastatic disease within SLNs during breast cancer surgery for ILC and IDC. Since there was no statistically significant difference in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, false negative rate, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value between frozen section analysis of SLNs for patients with ILC and IDC, the clinical accuracy of confirming metastatic involvement of SLNs on frozen section analysis for ILC should not be considered inferior to the clinical accuracy for IDC. Therefore, frozen section analysis of all SLNs during breast cancer surgery in patients with ILC should remain the standard of care in order to reduce the risk of the need of a later, separate axillary lymph node dissection.
SpyA, a C3-Like ADP-Ribosyltransferase, Contributes to Virulence in a Mouse Subcutaneous Model of Streptococcus pyogenes Infection

Streptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen with an expansive repertoire of verified and putative virulence factors. Here we demonstrate that a mutant deficient in the production of the streptococcal ADP-ribosyltransferase SpyA generates lesions of reduced size in a subcutaneous mouse infection model. At early stages of infection, when the difference in lesion size is first established, inflamed tissue isolated from lesions of mice infected with spyA mutant bacteria has higher levels of mRNA encoding the chemokines CXCL1 and CCL2 than does tissue isolated from mice infected with wild-type bacteria. In addition, at these early times, the mRNA levels for the gene encoding the intermediate filament vimentin are higher in the mutant-infected tissue. As wound resolution progresses, mRNA levels of the gene encoding matrix metallopeptidase 2 are lower in mutant-infected tissue. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the spyA mutant is internalized more efficiently than wild-type bacteria by HeLa cells. We conclude that SpyA contributes to streptococcal pathogenesis in the mouse subcutaneous infection model. Our observations suggest that the presence of SpyA delays wound healing in this model.
Radiotherapy followed by aurora kinase inhibition targets tumor-propagating cells in human glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Radiotherapy fails to eliminate subpopulations of stem-like tumor-propagating cells (TPCs), resulting in tumor regrowth. To identify kinases that promote TPC self-renewal rather than increasing proliferation in human GBM cultures, we screened a library of 54 non-selective tool compounds and determined their kinase inhibitor profiles in vitro. Most compounds inhibited aurora kinase (AURK) activity and blocked TPC self-renewal, while inducing GBM cell polynucleation and apoptosis. To prevent regrowth by TPCs, we used a priming dose of radiation followed by incubation with the pan-AURK inhibitor VX680 to block self-renewal and induce apoptosis in GBM cultures. In mice xenografted with human GBM cells, radiotherapy followed by VX680 treatment resulted in reduced tumor growth and increased survival relative to either monotherapy alone or VX680 treatment prior to radiation. Our results indicate that AURK inhibition, subsequent to radiation, may enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy by targeting radioresistant TPCs in human GBMs.
An Improved Procedure for the Determination of Milk Proteins by Dye Binding

Summary The precision of the Orange G dye binding method has been increased by a new method for measuring the concentration of dye not bound by the milk proteins. The results of 345 comparisons of protein determined by the new method with that determined by the macro-Kjeldahl showed a correlation coefficient of .98, with a standard deviation from regression of 0.078% protein. When the protein contents of the milk from individual cows of six different breeds were determined by the two methods, covariance analysis showed no significant breed difference. From 224 duplicate determinations it was observed that 19 out of every 20 single determinations fell within 0.06% protein of the average for duplicate readings. Large variations in the amounts of butterfat and lactose were found to be without effect on the protein values determined by dye binding. The only preservative found suitable for use in raw milk at room temperature was mercuric chloride. The mixture of 1.5 ml. of milk with 25 ml. of dye solution was stable for 2 wk. at room temperature.
The in vitro efficacy of a quaternary ammonia disinfectant and/or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-tris against commercial broiler hatchery isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SUMMARY. Studies have indicated variations in the degree of efficacy of certain commercial disinfectants used in poultry production facilities. We used an adequate method of in vitro testing to compare the efficacy of disinfectants while testing them in conditions similar to those of the poultry facilities. BioSentry 904, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA)-Tris, and a combination of the two were tested by this method against five field isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 103, 106, and 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. At the 109 CFU/ml concentration, most compounds failed to achieve a total kill with a contact time of 15 min. When tested at bacterial concentrations of 103 CFU/ml, the combination of EDTA-Tris mixed at a 1:1 ratio with BioSentry 904 killed the bacteria upon initial contact (≤0.05 min). This disinfectant mixture exhibited antagonistic, indifferent, or synergetic effects when exposed to different bacterial isolates at a concentration of 106 CFU/ml.
Methods for Solving Viscous Incompressible Flow Problems

In this chapter, numerical solution approaches for viscous incompressible flow are briefly compared. Detailed discussions of each approach follow in separate chapters. All discussions are from an engineering perspective and mathematical formalities are not emphasized, in keeping with our perspective for this monograph that CFD is an engineering tool for supporting mission tasks, and thus one can implement well-founded numerical algorithms and physical models to resolve engineering issues at hand. To make significant impacts on missions such as aerospace vehicle design and operation, the CFD applications procedure is just as important as tool development. Here, we present a quick summary of numerical approaches most suitable for application to tasks for supporting missions, especially space exploration missions.
The Relationship between an Independent Audit and Financial Reporting Conservatism: Evidence from Small Private Commercial Banks

The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between an independent audit and financial reporting conservatism in the small private commercial bank setting. We use the timely recognition of probable losses and the minimal use of discretionary accruals as proxies for conservatism. Intuition and prior literature leads us to hypothesize that banks that are audited should exhibit greater conservatism in financial reporting than those banks that are not audited. However, we find evidence that persistently audited banks are on average less conservative. In contrast, we find evidence that banks are on average more conservative in the period in which they switched from not being audited to audited. Collectively, the evidence suggests there is an initial positive relationship between an independent audit and financial reporting conservatism. However, there is a negative relationship between an independent audit and financial reporting conservatism when an independent audit is a persistent occurrence.
An Eight Months' Extrauterine Pregnancy Calcified and Retained for Forty Years

Summary The outstanding points of this case briefly summarized are (1) that an abdominal pregnancy of approximately eight months' development became calcified and was carried as a tumor for forty years, (2) that an accurate diagnosis of the condition itself was made in advance of operation by x-ray which showed fetal bones within a calcifiecl shell, (3) that, by injection of the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes with iodized oil the location of the fetal mass was determined by x-ray as bring outside the uterus and tubes, a diagnosis of extrauterine pregnancy thus being established in advance. Visualization of uterus and tubes by x-ray after injection is a relatively new procedure supplementing Rubin's tubal insufflation test, ancl we believe from a brief search of the literature that this may be the first time that there has been an opportunity for the same procedure to be used for the diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy.
The Anti-Federalist Legacy in Modern Conservative Politics

In this paper, I argue that modern conservatism in all its strains (paleoconservatism, fiscal and social conservativism, and even neoconservativism) inherited and artfully repackaged central tenets of the political philosophy of Anti-Federalism to launch their latter-day anti-statist critique of the liberal bureaucratic regime that was created in the middle four decades of the 20th century. The Anti-Federalist template modern conservatives used consisted of a suspicion of a consolidated government in the federal city, a theory of representation that emphasized closeness and sameness, direct democracy and a suspicion of the power of the courts, civic virtue, and religion.
Soft-x-ray spectroscopy measurements of the p-like density of states of B in MgB 2 and evidence for surface boron oxides on exposed surfaces

Soft-x-ray absorption and fluorescence measurements are reported for the K edge of B in ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}.$ The measurements confirm a high density of B ${p}_{\mathrm{xy}}(\ensuremath{\sigma})$ states at the Fermi edge and extending to approximately 0.9 eV above the edge. A strong resonance is observed in elastic scattering through a core exciton derived from out-of-plane ${p}_{z}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{*})$ states. Another strong resonance, observed in both elastic and inelastic spectra, is identified as a product of surface boron oxides.
PET Imaging Study of S1PR1 Expression in a Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Upregulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) expression in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions is associated with neuroinflammatory response. This study investigated the correlation between neuroinflammation and S1PR1 expression in the spinal cord of an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model of MS, using the S1PR1 positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer [11C]TZ3321. MicroPET imaging studies of [11C]TZ3321 were performed to measure uptake of [11C]TZ3321 in the spinal cord of EAE rats. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to confirm the overexpression of S1PR1 and other inflammatory biomarkers. MicroPET imaging demonstrated a 20–30 % increase in [11C]TZ3321 uptake in the lumbar spinal cord of EAE rats versus sham controls at 35–60 min post injection. The increased uptake of [11C]TZ3321 was correlated with the overexpression of S1PR1 in the lumbar spinal cord of EAE rats that was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Upregulated S1PR1 expression was associated with glial cell activation and immune cell infiltration. MicroPET imaging modality with a specific radioligand [11C]TZ3321 is able to assess the expression of S1PR1 in EAE rat lumbar spinal cord. This may provide a new approach to the assessment of neuroinflammatory response in MS and other inflammatory diseases.
Who Cares About International Human Rights? The Supply and Demand of International Human Rights Law

Especially in circumstances of great asymmetry, international law can usefully be understood in terms of supply and demand, which highlights the costs and benefits to both the demanding state and the responding state. Human rights protection will often have this asymmetric character as between liberal democratic states and authoritarian states. It is not immediately obvious why liberal democratic states care about human rights in authoritarian states, but this article provides a taxonomy of bases for concern. It is also not immediately obvious why authoritarian states would enter into human rights treaties that constrain their actions. While they may have domestic reasons to use international law to “lock-in” certain behaviors, assuming that international law serves this purpose, or to signal to either external audiences or internal audiences what type they are, these types of reasons seem less plausible and general than a simpler exchange-based model under which other states provide some valuable consideration or refrain from taking harmful action in exchange for human rights protection. International law can serve as a tool for exchange of consideration - for reciprocal and linked exchange - that disrupts existing political equilibria, allowing a superior political outcome for each state under asymmetry. International law may also address the collective action problem that may arise among liberal democratic states as they determine how to share the costs of inducing authoritarian states to protect human rights.
Dynamic Monitoring and Genetic Analysis of Air Quality in Wuzhong District, Suzhou in the Latest 3 Years

To explore air pollution characteristics and air quality conditions of Wuzhong District, Suzhou, combining mathematical statistics with the latest "Ambient Air Quality Standards", promulgated in February 2012, the air condition in Wuzhong District,Suzhou from 2011 — 2013 was studied. The air pollution index of monthly average, three-year average and frequency analysis were processed and analyzed. The results showed that O2, NOX, NO2, PM10 shared similar changing trend at monthly level, which was higher in December and January, but lower in August. The primary pollutant in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was NO2(266 d), PM10(214 d) and PM2.5(94 d), respectively. According to the national ambient air quality standard(GB3095 — 2012), NOx, NO2 and PM10 all exceeded standards in the past 3 years, in which the NOx exceeded the most, with 1.71, 1.34 and 1.44 times of the standard, respectively.Overall, the air quality in Wuzhong District was in a fine condition during the past 3 years. The AQI results showed that the air condition in summer was the best, but the worst in winter. The AQI in first and second level reached 76.1%, 79.3% and 53.5% in 2011 —2013, days with the fine air condition were 277, 290 and 195 in 2011, 2012 and 2013,respectively.
Connections with PDEs and Potential Theory

Backward equation and Feynman-Kac formula; uniqueness for SDEs from existence for PDEs; harmonic functions and DirichleVs problem; Green functions as occupation densities; sweeping and equilibrium problems; dependence on conductor and domain; time reversal; capacities and random sets
Finite Element Stress Analysis of the Human Knee: With applications to osteoarthritic joint modelling and total knee design evaluations

Publisher Summary Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory disorder of human joints characterized by a gradual deterioration of the joint surfaces and by alterations in the joint contours. This condition is the most common of the musculo-skeletal disorders. The disease is progressive, and although changes occur slowly and without symptoms, a significant number of patients become disabled. The process of arthritic degeneration is severe in large joints, such as the hip and knee, which are subject to high compressive forces. Mechanical factors are assumed to play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. By clarifying the role of these mechanical factors, it is expected that analytical studies of load transmission in normal and osteoarthritic joints would contribute to an understanding of the degenerative process and to improved therapeutic management of the disease. Analytical studies of the response of human joints to the forces imposed on them require information on the magnitude and direction of joint forces, data on constitutive relations for the synovial structures, and descriptions of joint geometry.
Calcined Clay Improves Germination of Arid Plant Species

Water conservation efforts in urban landscapes have increased the need for water-wise-plants. A potential source includes multiple native, drought-adapted species. A lack of researched propagation ...
Conduction mechanisms in dielectric solids

In 1977 there were a number of important developments in the understanding of conduction mechanisms in dielectrics. Probably the most important was the extensive discussion of dispersive transport which is showing up in more and more amorphous solids. There was extensive mathematical treatment introduced which is bringing us closer to an understanding of the microscopic mechanisms. In addition, there is a lively controversy concerning whether hopping motion of carriers can really lead to dispersive transport or whether only trap controlled drift in extended states is effective.
Change in hemoglobin A1c one year following the 2014 American Diabetes Association guideline update.

Aims In June 2014, the American Diabetes Association lowered recommended hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets from <8.5% (69 mmol/mol) for children <6 years of age and from <8.0% (64 mmol/mol) for children 6–12 years of age to <7.5% (58 mmol/mol). Lower target HbA1c may lead to better glycemic control but could increase the risk of severe hypoglycemia.
Director Field Analysis (DFA): Exploring Local White Matter Geometric Structure in Diffusion MRI.

In diffusion MRI, a tensor field or a spherical function field, e.g., an Orientation Distribution Function (ODF) field, are estimated from measured diffusion weighted images. In this paper, inspired by microscopic theoretical treatment of phases in liquid crystals, we introduce a novel mathematical framework, called Director Field Analysis (DFA), to study local geometric structural information of white matter from the estimated tensor field or spherical function field. (1) We propose Orientational Order (OO) and Orientational Dispersion (OD) indices to describe the degree of alignment and dispersion of a spherical function in each voxel; (2) We estimate a local orthogonal coordinate frame in each voxel with anisotropic diffusion; (3) Finally, we define three indices to describe three types of orientational distortion (splay, bend, and twist) in a local spatial neighborhood, and a total distortion index to describe distortions of all three types. To our knowledge, this is the first work to quantitatively describe orientational distortion (splay, bend, and twist) in diffusion MRI. The proposed scalar indices are useful to detect local geometric changes of white matter for voxel-based or tract-based analysis in both DTI and HARDI acquisitions.