cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute pericardial distension in pigs: effect of fluid conductance on body surface electrocardiogram QRS size.

Objectives: Pericardial effusion has long been associated with low voltage of the surface electrocardiogram and its clinical utility is well known. The cause of this reduced QRS voltage has usually been attributed to short circuiting of the impulses by the pericardial fluid, but its precise mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. Therefore, we investigated this phenomenon by instilling various fluids with different resistances in increasing volumes into the pericardial space to finally produce acute cardiac tamponade. Methods: Acute cardiac tamponade was produced 65 times in 25 closed chest pigs with a mean weight of 57(SEM 1.2) kg. A sufficient quantity (mean=200 ml) of plasma, saline, blood, and blood with varying packed cell volume was introduced into the pericardial space in 60 ml increments to decrease systemic and pulmonary pressures to 50% of control to produce cardiac tamponade. At that point intrapericardial pressure had increased to 15-20 mm Hg. Resistivity values for the instilled fluids are 150 Ω-cm for blood, 60 Ω-cm for plasma, and 50 Ω-cm for saline. Results: Mean limb and precordial lead QRS voltage fell significantly, with no significant differences among these fluids. Electrocardiograph recordings from a unipolar electrode catheter in the right ventricle showed an increase in R wave voltage, but body surface recordings of stimuli introduced into the right atrium via a bipolar electrode catheter showed no amplitude change. Conclusions: In considering possibilities such as internal shunting of cardiac currents by intrapericardial fluid, distance of the heart from body surface electrodes, and change in cardiac position, the results are best explained by a reduction of cardiac volume and size during cardiac tamponade.This conclusion confirms Brody's hypothesis. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :1033-1038
Non-linear loop invariant generation using Gröbner bases

We present a new technique for the generation of non-linear (algebraic) invariants of a program. Our technique uses the theory of ideals over polynomial rings to reduce the non-linear invariant generation problem to a numerical constraint solving problem. So far, the literature on invariant generation has been focussed on the construction of linear invariants for linear programs. Consequently, there has been little progress toward non-linear invariant generation. In this paper, we demonstrate a technique that encodes the conditions for a given template assertion being an invariant into a set of constraints, such that all the solutions to these constraints correspond to non-linear (algebraic) loop invariants of the program. We discuss some trade-offs between the completeness of the technique and the tractability of the constraint-solving problem generated. The application of the technique is demonstrated on a few examples.
A Probabilistic Analysis Technique Applied to a Radiation-Hardened-by-Design Voltage-Controlled Oscillator for Mixed-Signal Phase-Locked Loops

A voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO) circuit has been designed for radiation-hardened-by-design (RHBD) single-event transient (SET) mitigation. The RHBD technique, which can be readily implemented in mixed-signal phase-locked loops and delay-locked loops, is shown to substantially improve the single-event performance of the VCO while decreasing the RMS phase jitter due to power supply noise. Additionally, using the probabilistic analysis technique presented, the RHBD VCO shows a maximally improved SET response over that of the conventional VCO, decreasing the output phase displacement to below the nominal phase jitter.
What energy functions can be minimized via graph cuts

In the last few years, several new algorithms based on graph cuts have been developed to solve energy minimization problems in computer vision. Each of these techniques constructs a graph such that the minimum cut on the graph also minimizes the energy. Yet, because these graph constructions are complex and highly specific to a particular energy function, graph cuts have seen limited application to date. In this paper, we give a characterization of the energy functions that can be minimized by graph cuts. Our results are restricted to functions of binary variables. However, our work generalizes many previous constructions and is easily applicable to vision problems that involve large numbers of labels, such as stereo, motion, image restoration, and scene reconstruction. We give a precise characterization of what energy functions can be minimized using graph cuts, among the energy functions that can be written as a sum of terms containing three or fewer binary variables. We also provide a general-purpose construction to minimize such an energy function. Finally, we give a necessary condition for any energy function of binary variables to be minimized by graph cuts. Researchers who are considering the use of graph cuts to optimize a particular energy function can use our results to determine if this is possible and then follow our construction to create the appropriate graph. A software implementation is freely available.
Deleting the 14-3-3 protein Bmh1 extends life span in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by increasing stress response.

Enhanced stress response has been suggested to promote longevity in many species. Calorie restriction (CR) and conserved nutrient-sensing target of rapamycin (TOR) and protein kinase A (PKA) pathways have also been suggested to extend life span by increasing stress response, which protects cells from age-dependent accumulation of oxidative damages. Here we show that deleting the yeast 14-3-3 protein, Bmh1, extends chronological life span (CLS) by activating the stress response. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved chaperone-like proteins that play important roles in many cellular processes. bmh1Δ-induced heat resistance and CLS extension require the general stress-response transcription factors Msn2, Msn4, and Rim15. The bmh1Δ mutant also displays a decreased reactive oxygen species level and increased heat-shock-element-driven transcription activity. We also show that BMH1 genetically interacts with CR and conserved nutrient-sensing TOR- and PKA-signaling pathways to regulate life span. Interestingly, the level of phosphorylated Ser238 on Bmh1 increases during chronological aging, which is delayed by CR or by reduced TOR activities. In addition, we demonstrate that PKA can directly phosphorylate Ser238 on Bmh1. The status of Bmh1 phosphorylation is therefore likely to play important roles in life-span regulation. Together, our studies suggest that phosphorylated Bmh1 may cause inhibitory effects on downstream longevity factors, including stress-response proteins. Deleting Bmh1 may eliminate the inhibitory effects of Bmh1 on these longevity factors and therefore extends life span.
Constraints methods for flexible models

Simulating flexible models can create aesthetic motion for computer animation. Animators can control these motions through the use of constraints on the physical behavior of the models. This paper shows how to use mathematical constraint methods based on physics and on optimization theory to create controlled, realistic animation of physically-based flexible models. Two types of constraints are presented in this paper: reaction constraints (RCs) and augrmented Lagrangian constraints (ALCs). RCs allow the fast computation of collisions of flexible models with polygonal models. In addition, RCs allow flexible models to be pushed and pulled under the control of an animator. ALCs create animation effects such as volume-preserving squashing and the molding of taffy-like substances. ALCs are compatible with RCs. In this paper, we describe how to apply these constraint methods to a flexible model that uses finite elements.
An approach to identification for robust control

Given measured data generated by a discrete-time linear system, we propose a model consisting of a linear time-invariant system affected by norm-bounded perturbation. Under mild assumptions, the plants belonging to the resulting uncertain family form a convex set. The approach depends on two key parameters: an a priori given bound of the perturbation and the input used to generate the data. It turns out that the size of the uncertain family can be reduced by intersecting the model families obtained by making use of different inputs. The model validation problem in this identification scheme is analyzed. For a given energy level, the invalidation problem yields the family of those models which can never be invalidated for any possible input of fixed energy and any possible perturbation; this leads to the intersection of all uncertain families. A consequence of the invalidation problem is that for finite length measurements not all models can be invalidated, using fixed-energy inputs.
Revising Quorum Systems for Energy Conservation in Sensor Networks

Quorum systems are well-known techniques designed to enhance the performance of distributed systems, such as to reduce the access cost per operation, to balance the load, and to improve the system scalability. All of these properties make quorum systems particularly attractive for large- scale sensor applications involving coordinated tasks, such as rescue applications. In this paper we analyze quorum techniques in the specific context of sensor networks and energy conservation, and show why quorum systems designed for wired networks and their metrics fail to address the challenges introduced by sensor networks. We then redefine quorum metrics such as access cost, load balance, and capacity in a way that takes into account the limitations and the characteristics of sensor networks, and discuss some energy-efficient design strategies. In addition, we propose a family of energy-efficient quorum systems and a particular construction, called Regional quorum system (RQ), which reduces the quorum access cost. Finally, we propose a data diffusion protocol built on top of the RQ system, which improves energy consumption by reducing message transmissions and collisions, and increases the available bandwidth. We apply our diffusion protocol to analyze the RQ system using our novel metrics.
Impulsive Youthful Offenders: A Multimodal Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Program

The results of a cognitive-behavioral treatment program employing relaxation training, cognitive training in problem solving, self-statement modification, and behavior rehearsal techniques were compared to results for an attention-placebo control group in a test of the effectiveness of the treatment program in modifying impulsive behavior in adolescent youthful offenders. The program successfully modified overt antisocial behavior over a two-month follow-up period and treatment group subjects made fewer errors than the control group on the Matching Familiar Figures Test from pre-to posttesting. Other data obtained suggest that the program was effective in teaching subjects to reflect more and not respond precipitously, but did not influence abstract reasoning or generalized perception of the importance personal effort (versus chance) plays in everyday experience. The program is presented as a practical means of modifying some elements of impulsivity in a population that has traditionally been resistant to...
Low levels of tissue factor lead to alveolar haemorrhage, potentiating murine acute lung injury and oxidative stress

Background Systemic blockade of tissue factor (TF) attenuates acute lung injury (ALI) in animal models of sepsis but the effects of global TF deficiency are unknown. We used mice with complete knockout of mouse TF and low levels (∼1%) of human TF (LTF mice) to test the hypothesis that global TF deficiency attenuates lung inflammation in direct lung injury. Methods LTF mice were treated with 10 μg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle administered by direct intratracheal injection and studied at 24 h. Results Contrary to our hypothesis, LTF mice had increased lung inflammation and injury as measured by bronchoalveolar lavage cell count (3.4×10 5 wild-type (WT) LPS vs 3.3×10 5 LTF LPS, p=0.947) and protein (493 μg/ml WT LPS vs 1014 μg/ml LTF LPS, p=0.006), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12, p 2 isoprostanes and isofurans). Conclusions These findings indicate that global TF deficiency does not confer protection in a direct lung injury model. Rather, TF deficiency causes increased intra-alveolar haemorrhage following LPS leading to increased lipid peroxidation. Strategies to globally inhibit TF may be deleterious in patients with ALI.
The Nature of Talk about Three Types of Text during Peer Group Discussions

This study investigated first-, third-, and fifth-grade children's talk about three types of text during peer group discussions. The researcher read aloud, and children discussed, a storybook, an information book, and an informational storybook to 54 children in groups of 6 students each (18 at each grade level). Children's utterances were then coded for five categories: the source of information used, manner of topic maintenance, acknowledgement given to the preceding utterance, thinking form used, and textual element in focus during the utterance. Results indicated significant grade level and/or text type differences for each category investigated and revealed that older students were more collaborative, drawing more often on peer information, participating in longer group discussions, and making more confirming and challenging responses. When discussing the informational storybook children stayed on topic longer, used speculation twice as often, relied on peer information more often, and were more likely to discuss related extra-textual topics. How do children construct meaning from text? How is this meaning construction influenced by the child, the text, and peers during group discussions? Reading, in the interactive model, is both a constructive and problem-solving process between reader and text. When peers involved in literary discussions are added to the model, the text becomes the focus of a social transaction in which group members interact to build knowledge and solve problems. This collaborative model of literacy is causing scholars to examine more carefully children's talk about literature during classroom interactions (e.g., Eeds & Wells, 1989; Galda, 1983, 1988, 1990; Golden, 1986; Morrow, 1989; Pappas, 1988; Samway, Whang, Cade, Gamil, Lubandina, & Phommachanh, 1991). Children's talk provides a rich source of information about how they negotiate meaning in the process of learning. Text, one stimulus to the learning process, has the power to engender student discussion.
Biochemical approaches for discovering protein-protein interactions

Protein-protein interactions or protein complexes are integral in nearly all cellular processes, ranging from metabolism to structure. Elucidating both individual protein associations and complex protein interaction networks, while challenging, is an essential goal of functional genomics. For example, discovering interacting partners for a 'protein of unknown function' can provide insight into actual function far beyond what is possible with sequence-based predictions, and provide a platform for future research. Synthetic genetic approaches such as two-hybrid screening often reveal a perplexing array of potential interacting partners for any given target protein. It is now known, however, that this type of anonymous screening approach can yield high levels of false-positive results, and therefore putative interactors must be confirmed by independent methods. In vitro biochemical strategies for identifying interacting proteins are varied and time-honored, some being as old as the field of protein chemistry itself. Herein we discuss five biochemical approaches for isolating and characterizing protein-protein interactions in vitro: co-immunoprecipitation, blue native gel electrophoresis, in vitro binding assays, protein cross-linking, and rate-zonal centrifugation. A perspective is provided for each method, and where appropriate specific, trial-tested methods are included.
Higher Order Uncertainty and Information: Static and Dynamic Games

Weinstein and Yildiz (2007) have shown that in static games, only very weak predictions are robust to perturbations of higher order beliefs. These predictions are precisely those provided by interim correlated rationalizability (ICR). This negative result is obtained under the assumption that agents have no information on payoffs. This assumption is unnatural in many settings. It is therefore natural to ask whether Weinstein and Yildiz's results remain true under more general information structures. This paper characterizes the “robust predictions” in static and dynamic games, under arbitrary information structures. This characterization is provided by an extensive form solution concept: interim sequential rationalizability (ISR). In static games, ISR coincides with ICR and does not depend on the assumptions on agents' information. Hence the “no information” assumption entails no loss of generality in these settings. This is not the case in dynamic games, where ISR refines ICR and depends on the details of the information structure. In these settings, the robust predictions depend on the assumptions on agents' information. This reveals a hitherto neglected interaction between information and higher order uncertainty, raising novel questions of robustness.
Intra-operative analysis of lumpectomy margins: How effective and at what cost?

Abstract Introduction: Breast conservation therapy (BCT) for Stage I-II breast cancer and DCIS requires obtaining tumor-free margins to prevent recurrence. Although assessing margins intra-operatively has not been widely accepted, the University of Florida (UF) has been performing frozen sections (FS) on margins of all patients undergoing BCT in an attempt to reduce the number of additional operation. This study reviews the effectiveness of this method and calculates the additional cost required. Methods: Operative and pathology reports and financial statements were retrospectively reviewed on 75 patients who had BCT between January 2001 and February 2003 at UF in Gainesville. Results: Of the 75 patients studied, 19 (25%) required an additional operation. Thirty-three had positive margins on paraffin embedded histological analysis. False-negatives occurred in 5% of all FS margins analyzed, affecting the operative pathway in 25% of the patients. False-positives occurred in 1% of all FS, affecting the pathway in one patient. The additional operative time was 13 minutes per case. The additional cost was $876.00 per case. Sixty-three (84%) patients had BCT and 12 patients (16%) required a modified radical mastectomy. Conclusions: Intra-operative analysis of margins using FS is effective at minimizing the number of additional operations. Of those patients who had positive margins on paraffin embedded histological analysis (33), 14 (42%) were successfully diagnosed by FS, ultimately preventing a second operation. The reduction in second operations combined with the minimal additional cost justifies our use of FS in assessing lumpectomy margins.
Impact of improved depression treatment in primary care on daily functioning and disability.

Background. Few data are available regarding the impact of improved depression treatment on daily functioning and disability.Methods. In two studies of more intensive depression treatment in primary care, patients initiating antidepressant treatment were randomly assigned to either usual care or to a collaborative management programme including patient education, on-site mental health treatment, adjustment of antidepressant medication, behavioural activation and monitoring of medication adherence. Assessments at baseline as well as 4 and 7 months included several measures of impairment, daily functioning and disability[ratio ]self-rated overall health, number of bodily pains, number of somatization symptoms, changes in work due to health, reduction in leisure activities due to health, number of disability days and number of restricted activity days.Results. Average data from the 4- and 7-month assessments in both studies, intervention patients reported fewer somatic symptoms (OR 0·68, 95% CI 0·46, 0·99) and more favourable overall health (OR 0·50, 95% CI 0·28, 0·91). While intervention patients fared better on other measures of functional impairment and disability, none of these differences reached statistical significance.Conclusions. More effective acute-phase depression treatment reduced somatic distress and improved self-rated overall health. The absence of a significant intervention effect on other disability measures may reflect the brief treatment and follow-up period and the influence of other individual and environmental factors on disability.
Does quarterly earnings guidance increase or reduce earnings management

This study adds to the earnings guidance debate by investigating whether quarterly guidance is related to two forms of earnings management: (1) benchmark beating and (2) accounting irregularities. Using a post-Regulation Fair Disclosure sample, I find that firms regularly issuing earnings guidance display a discontinuity in their distribution of management forecast errors and a larger discontinuity in their distribution of analyst forecast errors compared to non-guiding firms. Multivariate tests reveal that guiding firms recognize large abnormal accruals to beat their own guidance, but not to beat analyst forecasts, whereas non-guiding firms do recognize large abnormal accruals to beat analyst forecasts. Overall, guiding firms and non-guiding firms use similar levels of abnormal accruals to beat benchmarks. I also find no statistical relation between quarterly guidance and the likelihood of accounting irregularities. In sum, the evidence shows that while guiding firms and non-guiding firms manage earnings to different benchmarks, they are similar in terms of their aggregate earnings management.
A microarray analysis of the effects of moderate hypothermia and rewarming on gene expression by human hepatocytes (HepG2)

The gene expression changes produced by moderate hypothermia are not fully known, but appear to differ in important ways from those produced by heat shock. We examined the gene expression changes produced by moderate hypothermia and tested the hypothesis that rewarming after hypothermia approximates a heat-shock response. Six sets of human HepG2 hepatocytes were subjected to moderate hypothermia (31°C for 16 h), a conventional in vitro heat shock (43°C for 30 min) or control conditions (37°C), then harvested immediately or allowed to recover for 3 h at 37°C. Expression analysis was performed with Affymetrix U133A gene chips, using analysis of variance-based techniques. Moderate hypothermia led to distinct time-dependent expression changes, as did heat shock. Hypothermia initially caused statistically significant, greater than or equal to twofold changes in expression (relative to controls) of 409 sequences (143 increased and 266 decreased), whereas heat shock affected 71 (35 increased and 36 decreased). After 3 h of recovery, 192 sequences (83 increased, 109 decreased) were affected by hypothermia and 231 (146 increased, 85 decreased) by heat shock. Expression of many heat shock proteins was decreased by hypothermia but significantly increased after rewarming. A comparison of sequences affected by thermal stress without regard to the magnitude of change revealed that the overlap between heat and cold stress was greater after 3 h of recovery than immediately following thermal stress. Thus, while some overlap occurs (particularly after rewarming), moderate hypothermia produces extensive, time-dependent gene expression changes in HepG2 cells that differ in important ways from those induced by heat shock.
Prognostic value of the Duke treadmill score for emergency department patients with chest pain.

Abstract Background: The potential clinical utility of the Duke Treadmill Score (DTS) in the Emergency Department (ED) to risk-stratify patients with chest pain but negative cardiac biomarkers and non-diagnostic electrocardiograms is unclear. Objective: We evaluated whether DTS was associated with 30-day adverse cardiac outcomes for low-risk ED patients with chest pain. Methods: For this prospective, observational cohort study, the primary outcome was any of the following at 30 days: cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. DTS risk categories (low, intermediate, high) were compared with 30-day cardiac outcomes. Results: We enrolled 191 patients, of whom 20 (10%) were lost to follow-up, leaving 171 patients (mean age 53.3 ± 12.4 years, 54% female, 3.5% adverse event rate) for evaluation. Sensitivity and specificity of DTS for 30-day events were 83.3% and 71.5%, respectively, with a 99.2% negative predictive value (confidence interval 95.4–99.9) for 30-day event-free survival. Conclusions: In this cohort of low-risk ED patients with chest pain, DTS demonstrated excellent negative predictive value for 30-day event-free survival and facilitated safe disposition of a large subset of patients.
SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICES OF ADULT FEMALE WHITE-TAILED DEER IN TEXAS

Seasonal variations in blood chemistry, urine chemistry, fat reserves, and crude protein levels of rumen contents were determined for free-ranging adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) in central Texas. Seasonal variations (P < 0.05) existed for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratios, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, phosphorus, and sodium; and urinary urea/creatinine (U/C) ratios, rumen crude protein, the kidney fat index (KFI), femur marrow fat (FMF), and dressed weights. Variations in BUN, urinary U/C ratios, dressed weights, KFI, and FMF were attributed partially to the nutritional demands of late gestation and lactation.
Surviving the heavy bombardment: Ancient material at the surface of South Pole-Aitken Basin

[1] The oldest, deepest, and largest basin recognized on the lunar surface is the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin. In the time since its formation, several processes have modified the original interior of the basin, including the introduction of foreign material by impact basins during the period of heavy bombardment. These later basins redistributed material ballistically across the lunar surface forming a mixed and crushed zone on the scale of about one-kilometer deep. Models of crater excavation, ejected material transport, and mixing during emplacement are used to estimate the amount of foreign material from each basin event introduced into SPA and the degree to which that material mixes with the surface of the interior of SPA. We varied the size of the transient craters for all basins, the degree of mixing between foreign and local material, and the number of basins considered in our evaluation. Our modeling results indicate that materials derived from the original SPA melt breccia comprise at least 15% of the present regolith. The most realistic combinations of model parameters predict a SPA melt breccia component that ranges from 50–80% of the current surface regolith. The compositional character of the SPA interior has apparently not been obliterated by aeons of subsequent basin-forming events.
Electrokinetic Delivery and Activation of Persulfate for Oxidation of PCBs in Clayey Soils

Contamination of soils by polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) is of environmental concern because of their toxicity, persistence, hydro- phobic nature, and slow biodegradation potential. Among the PCB remedial technologies, direct oxidation by persulfate is considered to have great potential to be both simple and rapid. However, to produce faster reaction rates, persulfate is often activated using heat, metal chelates, hydrogen peroxide, or high pH. Furthermore, delivery of persulfate in low permeability clayey soils is difficult. Integrating electrokinetic re- mediation with persulfate has the potential to overcome such difficulties because the applied electric potential can facilitate the delivery of per- sulfate in low permeability soils as well as activate oxidizing radicals and simultaneously induce oxidative/reductive reactions directly in the soil.ThisstudyinvestigatesthepotentialforinsituoxidationofPCBsinlowpermeabilitysoilsusingpersulfateasanoxidantandalsoevaluates the benefits of integrating oxidation with electrokinetic remediation. Several series of laboratory batch and bench-scale electrokinetic experi- ments were conducted using kaolin, a representative clayey soil, spiked with 50 mg/kg of 2,2 0 ,3,5 0 tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 44), a represen- tative PCB. Persulfate oxidation activators (elevated temperature (45� C) and high pH (at the cathode)) were investigated to maximize the PCB degradation. In addition, the effect of oxidant dosage on PCB degradation was investigated. The electrokinetically enhanced temperature-only activated persulfate oxidation test resulted in better PCB 44 remediation (77.9%) than the temperature and high-pH activated persulfate oxidation(76.2%)ina7-dayperiod.Theoptimaldosageforeffectiveremediationwas30%Na-persulfate(76.2%)becausea20%concentration of the oxidant yielded a lower rate of degradation (55.2%) of PCB 44. The results are encouraging for the use of electrokinetically enhanced persulfate oxidation for the effective remediation of PCBs in soils.DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000744. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Remediation; Soil treatment; Oxidation; Clays; PCB. Author keywords: Electrokinetic remediation; Soil remediation; Persulfate oxidation; Advanced oxidation process; Polychlorobiphenyls.
Surface aerosol radiative forcing at Gosan during the ACE‐Asia campaign

4.8 W m � 2 /t500 for the total solar, near-infrared, and visible spectral regions. We also introduce a new radiative forcing parameter, the fractional forcing efficiency, defined to express the radiative forcing relative to the total energy incident at the top of the atmosphere. The fractional diurnal forcing efficiency at Gosan during ACE-Asia was � 18.0 ± 2.3, � 16.2 ± 2.4, and � 26.7 ± 3.3%/t500 for the same band passes, indicating that a larger percentage of the flux at visible wavelengths is radiatively forced compared to the total and near-infrared portions of the solar spectrum. INDEX TERMS: 0305 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801); 0360 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Transmission and scattering of radiation; 0394 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Instruments and techniques; KEYWORDS: radiative fluxes, radiative forcing, aerosols
Degradation of aflatoxin by lactoperoxidase.

Three concentrations of lactoperoxidase, 5, 50, and 500 units/ml of reaction mixture, degraded aflatoxin in the presence of 225 μM NaCl and 50 μM H202 at 28° C. Increasing the amount of lactoperoxidase from 50 to 500 units/ml of reaction mixture resulted in increasing the rate of degradation of aflatoxin B1 from 3.6 to 5.1%/24 h. When comparable amounts of lactoperoxidase were present, aflatoxin G1 was degraded approximately 1.5 times faster than was aflatoxin 131. At a given concentration of lactoperoxidase, aflatoxin degradation was independent of initial aflatoxin concentration. Derivatives that cochromatographed with aflatoxin B2a and derivatives that were water soluble were the major degradation products of aflatoxin B1. Similar derivatives, but in greater proportions, were noted as degradation products that resulted from activity of a blendure of mycelia ofAspergillus parasiticus.
The Great Depression and the 2007-2009 Recession: The First Two Years Compared

The 2007-2009 recession was the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. However, most research regarding the Great Depression focuses on the entire decade of the 1930s. This paper compares the first two years of the Great Depression and 2007-2009 recession, including the: (1) causes; (2) severity; and (3) policy reactions. When viewed in this manner, it appears that the more recent financial downturn is not “another Great Depression.” While in some respects it was more severe than the Great Depression in year one, the two year data indicates that direct comparisons are not warranted.
Winged Fruits of Deviacer in the Oligocene from the Ningming Basin in Guangxi, South China

Deviacer guangxiensis Chen & Manchester sp. nov. is described based on asymmetric samaras from the Oligocene Ningming Formation in Guangxi, South China, representing the first documentation of Deviacer fossils in Asia. The Oligocene species, with relatively large fruits, represents the youngest record of the genus so far known; all other records are from the Paleocene and Eocene, or late Eocene—early Oligocene in western North America and Europe. It indicates that the extinct genus, Deviacer, was widely distributed in the northern hemisphere during the Paleogene.
Revisioning: Positioning of a parent, student, and researcher in response to classroom context

Abstract This reflection on a study is grounded in a revisioning of one set of data from a longitudinal study of children who were prenatally exposed to crack/cocaine. For this revisioning, positioning theory was used as a lens to reinterpret the original data. As a result of this reanalysis, the varying positions of a foster mother (the child's biological grandmother), student (her male foster child), and researcher are described. The classroom contexts that the child, experienced in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade are used as benchmarks for analysis. The results show that the foster mother most often positioned herself as a leader or expert, the child positioned himself as a successful student, and the researcher was positioned by these two as a recipient of information.
PETS-D (parents education through simulation-diabetes): Parents' qualitative results.

Abstract Objective Parents who have a child newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) must quickly learn daily diabetes self-management. An RCT was conducted using human patient simulation (HPS) to enhance parents learning diabetes self-management with children with new-onset T1D. The purpose of this study was to describe parents’ perspectives of using HPS to augment diabetes education. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used with open-ended in-depth interviews of parents (n = 49) post-intervention. Qualitative directed content analysis was used. Results The majority of parents were positive about learning with HPS. Although a few parents said the HPS was “hokey” or “creepy,” most reported the visual and hands-on learning was realistic and very beneficial. Seeing a seizure increased their fear although they would have panicked if they had not had that learning experience, and it helped build their diabetes self-management confidence. Recommendations included teaching others with the HPS (grandparents, siblings, babysitters, and school nurses). Conclusion HPS-enhanced education is an acceptable and viable option that was generally well-received by parents of children with new-onset T1D. Practice implications The technique should be studied with parents of children with other chronic illnesses to see if the benefits found in this study are applicable to other settings.
Co/HfO2 Core-Shell Nanocrystal Memory

Metal/high-k dielectric core shell nanocrystal memory capacitor was demonstrated. This kind of MOS memory shows good performance in charge storage capacity, programming and erasing speed. By using a self-assembled Block Co-Polymer, Co/HfO2 core shell nanocrystals were well arrayed and showed uniform dot size and inter distance between dots. Compared with traditional metal nanocrystal fabrication process with E-Beam Evaporation followed by RTA (Rapid Thermal Annealing), core shell nanocrystal memory prepared by Block Co-Polymer produces a wide memory window of 8.4V at the ±12 V voltage sweep. Co/HfO2 core shell nanocrystals prepared by low-temperature Block Co-polymer process ensure high reliability of the devices.
Benzidine as a Substrate for Measuring Phenoloxidase Activity in Crude Cell-Free Extracts of Schizophyllum commune

Benzidine, p-diaminodiphenyl, has been used as an in situ test for fungal phenoloxidase and peroxidases (Lyr, 1958). The application of the colorless benzidine solution directly to fungal colonies, or to the underside of the agar bearing the colony, produces bright blue coloration within minutes in the presence of phenoloxidases. This simple test has a number of advantages over the more tedious, although more popular, Bavendamm reaction (Lyr, 1958). The present study examines the use of benzidine as a measure of phenoloxidase activity in crude cell-free extracts of Schizophyllum commune Fr. and characterizes, to some extent, optimal conditions for in vitro studies.
Reactions of dextrans with antiserums of rabbits immunized with S. typhi.

SummarySolutions of dextran, both in the unhydrolyzed or native form and in the partially hydrolyzed or clinical form, gave precipitation reactions with antiserums of rabbits immunized with S. typhi, including vaccines prepared for human typhoid prophylaxis. Reactions also occurred with antiserums of some other Salmonella, particularly S. oranienburg. Among 5 samples of clinical dextran that had previously been used in studies on humans, 4 that had given fairly frequent untoward reactions had greater capacities to fix complement with S. typhi antiserums than did the one that had given no untoward reactions.
The role of bronchoplastic procedures in the surgical management of benign and malignant pulmonary lesions.

Conservative pulmonary resection is appropriate for the majority of patients with endobronchial neoplasms of low-grade malignant potential in the proximal airways and for a small but significant number of patients with carcinoma. A portion of the bronchus is removed, with or without lobectomy, as a sleeve resection and a primary bronchial reanastomosis is performed to preserve ventilatory function. Bronchoplastic techniques can also be used to repair traumatic airway injuries and benign strictures. The present series of bronchoplastic procedures consists of 28 patients undergoing operation with pathological diagnoses of carcinoma in 20, adenoma in six, hamartoma in one, and a post-traumatic laceration in one. There were minimal morbidity and no deaths. From 1947 to 1981 a total of 565 bronchoplastic procedures have been reported in the literature. Of these, 504 were sleeve resections for carcinoma. The remaining 61 bronchoplastic procedures were for either excision of endobronchial adenomas or repair of airway injuries or strictures. It appears that bronchoplastic procedures are the ideal surgical therapy for benign endobronchial lesions, tumors of low-grade malignant potential, such as adenomas, and for repair of airway injuries. This approach is also applicable to a select group of patients with carcinoma of the lung, and long-term survival periods comparable to those achieved by pneumonectomy can be demonstrated.
Preventing pulmonary embolism with heparin in low doses

Wide use of heparin as prophylaxis in selected persons at high risk of thrombosis promises to reduce the incidence of pulmonary embolism dramatically. Administered in low doses, heparin prevents deep-vein thrombosis yet avoids bleeding complications and the need for laboratory monitoring.
ASPEN Plus in the Chemical Engineering Curriculum: Suitable Course Content and Teaching Methodology.

An established methodology involving the sequential presentation of five skills on ASPEN Plus to undergraduate seniors majoring in ChE is presented in this document: (1) specifying unit operations; (2) manipulating physical properties; (3) accessing variables; (4) specifying nonstandard components; and (5) applying advanced features. This manuscript does not attempt to teach the software, nor does it contain teaching materials for use by instructors. Lecture resources drawn from numerous sources are available online on the homepage of the author on the Chemical Engineering Department's web server at New Mexico State University (www.chemeng.nmsu.edu). Demonstration files can be obtained from the author, as well as the Knowledge Base of the ASPENTech website (www.aspentech.com).
Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,1′-di(ethylpropionato)-2,2′-biimidazole, a macromolecular precursor

1,1,′-Di(ethylpropionato)-2,2′-biimidazole, C16H22N4O4, crystallizes from ice-cold ethanol in the space group P\(\bar 1\), with a = 4.6742(9), b = 9.1119(13), c = 10.175(2) A, α = 96.22(1), β = 96.29(2), γ = 97.53(1)°, and Z = 1. The molecule crystallizes with coplanar rings and the substituents assume a trans conformation with a center of inversion between the bridging carbon atoms.
Cascade classifiers for audio classification

We present a set of features derived from a model of the early auditory system and the primary auditory cortex. We show that a classification scheme based on AdaBoost works better than a GMM-based method, especially when the feature dimensions are large. Different variations of the AdaBoost-based approach are compared, and it is shown that a cascade of classifiers approach gives high accuracy while reducing the computation time and power by allocating resources proportional to the classification difficulty of the example being considered. For all classifiers considered, both training and testing are performed on one second segments.
Growth of EuO single crystals at reduced temperatures

Single crystals of $(\mathrm{E}{\mathrm{u}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{a}}_{x})\mathrm{O}$ have been grown in a molten barium-magnesium metal flux at temperatures up to 1000 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, producing single crystals of $(\mathrm{E}{\mathrm{u}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{a}}_{x})\mathrm{O}$ with barium doping levels ranging from $x=0.03$ to $x=0.25$. Magnetic measurements show that the ferromagnetic Curie temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}$ correlates with the Ba doping levels, and a modified Heisenberg model was used to describe the stoichiometry dependence of ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}$. Extrapolation of the results indicates that a sample with Ba concentration of $x=0.72$ should have a ${T}_{\mathrm{C}}$ of 0 K, potentially producing a quantum phase transition in this material.
Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance

Abstract The growing disconnect between humans and nature has implications for human well-being. Research has linked exposure to nature with various benefits including improved focus, vitality, productivity, and reduced stress, factors that may enhance the academic performance of individual students. In intensively-urbanized landscapes with few natural elements this effect could, via aggregated population-level impacts, influence the academic performance of entire populations, negatively affecting educational attainment and propagating urban poverty. Designing urban environments to provide increased interaction with natural landscape elements such as vegetation could mitigate this effect, benefiting the academic growth and future success of urban students. Recent studies support this idea; however, this effect is poorly understood, hindering the management of urban environments to improve educational outcomes. This study explores relationships between urban nature and the academic performance of urban schools using the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area of Minnesota, USA as a case study area. We used regression analysis to identify relationships among environmental variables on and around school campuses (i.e., tree cover, vegetated land covers, water) and four measures of population-level third-grade reading and mathematics success, accounting for school socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Contrary to expectations, we found a positive relationship between impervious surfaces and reading performance, while relationships between two vegetated land covers (grass, shrub) and water bodies and both mathematics and reading academic success were non-significant. We found a significant, positive relationship between tree cover and reading performance, suggesting that initiatives aimed at increasing tree cover in student environments could support academic success.
Simulation of shear thickening in attractive colloidal suspensions

The influence of attractive forces between particles under conditions of large particle volume fraction, ϕ, is addressed using numerical simulations which account for hydrodynamic, Brownian, conservative and frictional contact forces. The focus is on conditions for which a significant increase in the apparent viscosity at small shear rates, and possibly the development of a yield stress, is observed. The high shear rate behavior for Brownian suspensions has been shown in recent work [R. Mari, R. Seto, J. F. Morris and M. M. Denn PNAS, 2015, 112, 15326–15330] to be captured by the inclusion of pairwise forces of two forms, one a contact frictional interaction and the second a repulsive force often found in stabilized colloidal dispersions. Under such conditions, shear thickening is observed when shear stress is comparable to the sum of the Brownian stress, kT/a3, and a characteristic stress based on the combination of interparticle force, i.e. σ ∼ F0/a2 with kT the thermal energy, F0 the repulsive force scale and a the particle radius. At sufficiently large ϕ, this shear thickening can be very abrupt. Here it is shown that when attractive interactions are present with the noted forces, the shear thickening is obscured, as the viscosity shear thins with increasing shear rate, eventually descending from an infinite value (yield stress conditions) to a plateau at large stress; this plateau is at the same level as the large-shear rate viscosity found in the shear thickened state without attractive forces. It is shown that this behavior is consistent with prior observations in shear thickening suspensions modified to be attractive through depletion flocculation [V. Gopalakrishnan and C. F. Zukoski J. Rheol., 2004, 48, 1321–1344]. The contributions of the contact, attractive, and hydrodynamics forces to the bulk stress are presented, as are the contact networks found at different attractive strengths.
Psychiatric Symptoms in Survivors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Effects of Age, Sex, and Immune Modulation.

Rationale: Psychiatric morbidity after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is common, and our current ability to predict psychiatric symptoms based on patient- and illness-specific factors is limited.Objectives: We assessed symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in long-term survivors of ARDS, as well as the associated changes in cortisol levels.Methods: The participants were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or placebo conducted at three academic medical centers. There were 132 patients enrolled, and 44 patients completed 6-month follow-up questionnaires (45% of survivors).Results: Six months after enrollment, survivors completed the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome 10 Questions Inventory, Impact of Event Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess psychiatric symptoms. Plasma cortisol levels during treatment were measured by immunoassay. Thirty-six percent of...