cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuroglobin protection in retinal ischemia.

Purpose. Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a vertebrate globin that is predominantly expressed in the retina and brain. To explore the role of Ngb in retinal neuroprotection during ischemia reperfusion (IR), the authors examined the effect of Ngb overexpression in the retina in vivo by using Ngb-transgenic (Ngb-Tg) mice.
NTO DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS TRACKED WITH 15N LABELS

Isotopically labeled 5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (NTO) was used to determine the origins of nitrogen atoms in its decomposition gases. NTO samples with 15N labels at 1 and 2 positions, the 4 position, and the 6 position of NTO were synthesized.1 The thermolysis of NTO yields a brown insoluble residue and the nitrogen-containing gases dinitrogen, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen cyanide. The analysis of these nitrogen-containing gases is reported, and the mechanistic implications are considered.
Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Hydrophilic Fenretinide Nanoparticles

Fenretinide is an effective anti-cancer drug with high in vitro cytotoxicity and low in vivo systemic toxicity. In clinical trials, fenretinide has shown poor therapeutic efficacy following oral administration - attributed to its low bioavailability and solubility. The long term goal of this project is to develop a formulation for the oral delivery of fenretinide. The purpose of this part of the study was to prepare and characterize hydrophilic nanoparticle formulations of fenretinide. Three different ratios of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) to fenretinide were used, namely, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1. Both drug and polymer were dissolved in a mixture of methanol and dichloromethane (2:23 v/v). Rotary evaporation was used to remove the solvents, and, following reconstitution with water, a high pressure homogenizer was used to form nanoparticles. The particle size and polydispersity index were measured before and after lyophilization. The formulations were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The effectiveness of the formulations was assessed by release studies and Caco-2 cell permeability assays. As the PVP content increased, the recovered particle size following lyophilization became more consistent with the pre-lyophilization particle size, especially for those formulations with less lactose. The DSC scans of the formulations did not show any fenretinide melting endotherms, indicating that the drug was either present in an amorphous form in the formulation or that a solid solution of the drug in PVP had formed. For the release studies, the highest drug release among the formulations was 249.2±35.5ng/mL for the formulation with 4:1 polymer-to-drug. When the permeability of the formulations was evaluated in a Caco-2 cell model, the mean normalized flux for each treatment group was significantly higher (p<0.05) from the fenretinide control. The formulation containing 4:1 polymer-to-drug ratio and 6:5 lactose-to-formulation ratio emerged as the optimal choice for further evaluation as a potential oral delivery formulation for fenretinide.
Scattering function for semiflexible polymers: Dirac versus Kratky-Porod

Abstract Based on our earlier discovered analogy between Dirac's fermions and semiflexible polymers [Ann. Phys. (NY) 202 (1990) 186] the static scattering function is calculated analytically for polymer chains of arbitrary stiffness and length. The obtained results are in excellent agreement with the available Monte Carlo data for semiflexible chains. Based on this agreement, a new method of measuring the persistence lengths is proposed. Some implications of the obtained results for conformational properties of semiflexible surfaces are also briefly discussed.
Immunoeffector and immunoregulatory activities of vasoactive intestinal peptide

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its two G protein-coupled receptors, VPAC1R and VPAC2R, are prominent in the immune system and potently affect T cells and macrophages. VPAC1Rs are expressed constitutively by blood and tissue T cells, with an order of prevalence of Th2>Th1>>Ts, and transmit signals suppressive for migration, proliferation and cytokine production. Immune activation of T cells downregulates VPAC1Rs and upregulates VPAC2Rs. VPAC2Rs mediate T cell chemotaxis, stimulation of some Th2-type cytokines, and inhibition of some Th1-type cytokines. A tentative hypothesis that the VIP-VPAC2R axis is the major neuroregulator of Th2/Th1 balance has been confirmed by finding an increased ratio in CD4 T cells of transgenic (TG) mice, expressing high levels of VPAC2Rs, and a decreased ratio in CD4 T cells of VPAC2R-null (K/O) mice. VPAC2R TG mice exhibit an allergic phenotype, whereas the K/O mice are hypoallergic and have heightened delayed-type hypersensitivity. The mechanisms of VIP-VPAC2R effects include decreased Th2 apoptosis, increased Th2-type cytokine production, and greater generation of Th2 memory cells. VPAC2R antagonists are being developed to alleviate allergic diseases and strengthen effector Th1 cell-mediated immunoprotection.
Epidemiology of silicone-related disease

Abstract The epidemiology of silicone-related disease (SRD) is complicated by the variety of disease endpoints that have been associated with silicone exposure and the atypical nature of these diseases in silicone-exposed women. Current research reviewed here suggests that SRD may constitute a new disease entity, thus complicating disease definition and rendering studies of classic disease unlikely to detect risks of silicone exposure. This report addresses the most important study design issues (disease and exposure definitions, bias, confounding, and power) in the context of studies of SRD. The variety of silicones used complicates the definition of exposure for all studies, and for some populations simply determining who was implanted will be difficult. For any of these studies, inadequate patient follow-up is likely to underestimate disease risk. Studies of SRD are also complicated by confounding. That is, whether or not a woman chooses to receive an implant is related to her age, race, and other variables also related to rheumatoid and autoimmune disease. The absence of an appropriate control group also plagues published studies of silicone-related disease. Finally, inadequate sample size, resulting in studies of low statistical power, is a critical problem for rare diseases such as SRD. These points are illustrated using two published studies and five studies in progress.
Highly asymmetrical vertical coupler wavelength filter in InGaAlAs/InP

For the first time a narrowband wavelength filter in InGaAlAs/InP is reported. A highly asymmetrical, vertically-coupled directional coupler operating near the band edge is formed by a narrow ridge and a wide strip-loaded waveguide. Operation at a centre wavelength of approximately 1.5 mu m with a bandwidth of 18 AA and transfer efficiency approximately 50-70% has been achieved.
Alkaloids of Delphinium barbeyi

Abstract Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Delphinium barbeyi resulted in the isolation of three new alkaloids, 14-acetyldictyocarpine, barbinine and barbinidine, as well as 13 known alkaloids. Structures and stereochemistry were deduced by spectroscopic methods. The structures of 14-acetyldictyocarpine and barbinidine were confirmed by chemical correlation with dictyocarpine.
Modeling the Species Transport and Reactions in an SOFC Cathode Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics

A computer model for species mass transport within the cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is being developed based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics is a grid-free modeling technique which uses a Lagrangian framework to model fluid dynamics systems as a discrete system of particles using a smoothing approximation. The method is able to handle complex geometries and complex physical and chemical phenomena with relative ease compared to grid based methods. The model is being developed to investigate chromium poisoning in the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells by examining the transport and reactions of chromium species in the cathode. The model includes ordinary and Knudsen diffusion within the cathode, which have both been shown to be significant mass transport processes in solid oxide fuel cells, and the adsorption reactions on the surface of the cathode. Chromium is thought to adsorb to the surface of the cathode reducing the number of adsorption sites for oxygen. The pore scale nature of smoothed particle hydrodynamics eliminates the need for effective properties of the porous structure to be used in the diffusion model. Previous solid oxide fuel cell electrode models based on effective diffusion models such as the dusty gas model rely on the bulk properties of the porous medium such as porosity and tortuosity to describe the complex microstructure of the electrodes. Bulk properties add unwanted uncertainty and error into the model, by using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method some of these uncertainties can be removed from the model. The paper reviews past work on chromium poisoning, discusses the applicability of smoothed particle hydrodynamics for modeling the solid oxide fuel cell cathode and describes the model in detail.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Integrative Complexity of 41 U.S. Presidents

The purpose of this study was to assess the integrative complexity of virtually all presidents of the United States. Using 41 presidents' State of the Union addresses, integrative complexity was assessed by independent raters, creating developmental and aggregate integrative complexity scores for each president. The resulting rich dataset allowed us to explore time-series developments of integrative complexity among the presidents and the relationship of integrative complexity to situational and personality variables.
A quantitative genotype algorithm reflecting H5N1 Avian influenza niches

Motivation: Computational genotyping analyses are critical for characterizing molecular evolutionary footprints, thus providing important information for designing the strategies of influenza prevention and control. Most of the current methods that are available are based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction, which are time consuming and limited by the number of taxa. Arbitrarily defining genotypes further complicates the interpretation of genotyping results. Methods: In this study, we describe a quantitative influenza genotyping algorithm based on the theory of quasispecies. First, the complete composition vector (CCV) was utilized to calculate the pairwise evolutionary distance between genotypes. Next, Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling using the Gibbs Sampling algorithm was applied to identify the segment genotype threshold, which is used to identify influenza segment genotype through a modularity calculation. The viral genotype was defined by combining eight segment genotypes based on the genetic reassortment feature of influenza A viruses. Results: We applied this method for H5N1 avian influenza viruses and identified 107 niches among 283 viruses with a complete genome set. The diversity of viral genotypes, and their correlation with geographic locations suggests that these viruses form local niches after being introduced to a new ecological environment through poultry trade or bird migration. This novel method allows us to define genotypes in a robust, quantitative as well as hierarchical manner. Contact:wanhenry@yahoo.com or fvq7@cdc.gov Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Detection of implausible phylogenetic inferences using posterior predictive assessment of model fit.

Systematic phylogenetic error caused by the simplifying assumptions made in models of molecular evolution may be impossible to avoid entirely when attempting to model evolution across massive, diverse data sets. However, not all deficiencies of inference models result in unreliable phylogenetic estimates. The field of phylogenetics lacks a direct method to identify cases where model specification adversely affects inferences. Posterior predictive simulation is a flexible and intuitive approach for assessing goodness-of-fit of the assumed model and priors in a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. Here, I propose new test statistics for use in posterior predictive assessment of model fit. These test statistics compare phylogenetic inferences from posterior predictive data sets to inferences from the original data. A simulation study demonstrates the utility of these new statistics. The new tests reject the plausibility of inferred tree lengths or topologies more often when data/model combinations produce biased inferences. I also apply this approach to exemplar empirical data sets, highlighting the value of the novel assessments. (Bayesian; Markov chain Monte Carlo; model fit; phylogenetic; posterior predictive distribution; sequence evolution; simulation.)
Protein-carbohydrate interaction. V. Further inhibition studies directed toward defining the stereochemical requirements of the reactive sites of concanavalin A.

Abstract Inhibition studies on the concanavalin A-dextran interaction have been extended using as inhibitors the members of the maltose-, isomaltose-, and methyl α-isomaltoside series, amino and N-acetyl amino sugars, and a number of oligosaccharides containing more than one linkage type. The interaction of the plant protein at the terminal chain ends of the α-linked glucans and mannans has been essentially confirmed, and the different characteristic inhibition activities of the linkage types is discussed in terms of steric effects. A possible application of the inhibition technique towards structural analysis of carbohydrate molecules is suggested by the authors.
Development of ZnTe contacts for Cd1-xMgxTe thin-film solar cells for tandem applications

Polycrystalline Cd1-xMgxTe (CMT) thin films are a potential absorber material for two-junction thin-film tandem solar cell applications because the desired top cell bandgap range of 1.6 to 1.8 eV is readily obtained using CMT with only small resultant changes in the lattice constant from that of CdTe. Tandem devices require the top cell to have a transparent back contact to transmit the sub-bandgap spectrum to the bottom cell. Sputtered Cu-doped ZnTe (ZnTe:Cu) thin films, which offer potential as a transparent back contact interface layer, have been used successfully in CdTe devices. We apply ZnTe:Cu back contacts to CMT devices to continue development toward a transparent top cell. We describe the effects of depositing ZnTe:Cu at different temperatures and with different Cu contents on the net acceptor concentration, minority carrier lifetime, and device performance. We present here the highest reported CMT device efficiency of 9.6% at a bandgap of 1.57 eV.
Spatial pattern, patch dynamics and successional change: chironomid assemblages in a Lake Erie coastal wetland

1. Distribution patterns in 1994 and 1995 of chironomid larvae in the sediments of wetlands on Presque Isle, Pennsylvania were used to determine whether relationships exist among species composition and wetland age, position or environmental characteristics. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to relate wetland age, degree of isolation, vegetation abundance and water chemistry to species composition. 2. Of forty-two chironomid taxa collected, Tanytarsus lugens group, Paratanytarsus sp. and Cladotanytarsus mancus group were the most widespread, but Lauterborniella agrayloides, Stictochironomus sp. and Cryptochironomus sp. were locally abundant in several sampling sites. 3. The canonical ordination based on all site characteristics was statistically significant and accounted for 54.9% of the variance in the species data and 69.5% of the variance in the species–environment relationship. The variables that contributed significantly to the ordination model were macrophyte abundance, conductivity and wetland area. 4. Partial canonical ordination based on environmental conditions with wetland age and position effects as covariables showed that environmental conditions explain a significant proportion of the variance in species composition among sites. Neither wetland age nor position variables explain a significant proportion of the variance in species composition.
Mitral valve surgery for functional mitral regurgitation: Should moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation be treated? A propensity score analysis

Any study designed to examine tricuspid valve intervention in patients with functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (FTR) associated with functional mitral valve regurgitation (FMR) begins with the understanding that FMR in this setting is different from FMR associated with structural mitral valve disease. Operations for structural mitral valve disease are anticipated to correct most of the abnormal physiologic characteristics associated with the volume overload of mitral regurgitation and to promote progressive and durable reverse remodeling. It is thus reasonable to intuit that mild degrees of FTR in this setting are likely to regress or remain the same as pulmonary artery pressures, right ventricular dimensions and function, and left ventricular properties improve with time. Such is not the case for FMR associated with abnormal left ventricular systolic function. FMR can be surgically corrected with low operative mortality. However, there remains a high recurrence rate, particularly when severe FMR is treated by isolated valve repair rather than replacement. The early changes of reverse left ventricular remodeling are not necessarily sustained, and the progressive nature of the intrinsic cardiomyopathy (ischemic or dilated) commonly resumes after an initial period of improvement. A study from the Mayo Clinic found a clear correlation between the extent of functional mitral regurgitation and late mortality. Wu and colleagues, however, reported no benefit in longevity for patients undergoing operation for FMR in association with either ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. Pending further understanding through additional studies, correction of FMR may be thought of as setting back the adverse physiologic clock for a while but not stopping it from running. Calafiore and colleagues used propensity matching to study a group of patients with FTR secondary to FMR. Almost all patients who had severe FTR underwent repair with a DeVega annuloplasty. Patients with mild to moderate FMR who did not have repair had decreased longevity and poorer survival in a low New York Heart Association functional class (ie, closer to class I). It was particularly interesting that patients with uncorrected mild to moderate FTR in
Experimental reproduction of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in pigs by dual infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and porcine circovirus type 2.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the interactions between Mycoplasma hyopneu- moniae and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and to establish a model for studying the pathogenesis of and testing intervention strategies for the control of PCV2-associated porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). Sixty-seven pigs were randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 (n 17) pigs served as controls, group 2 (n 17) pigs were inoculated with M. hyopneumoniae, group 3 (n 17) pigs were dual infected with M. hyopneumoniae and PCV2, and group 4 (n 16) pigs were inoculated with PCV2. Pigs were inoculated intratracheally with M. hyopneumoniae at 4 weeks of age followed by intranasal inoculation with PCV2 at 6 weeks of age. Dual-infected pigs had moderate dyspnea, lethargy, and reduced weight gain. The overall severity of macroscopic lung lesions, PCV2-associated microscopic lesions in lung and lymphoid tissues, and the amount of PCV2-antigen associated with these lesions were significantly (P 0.05) higher in dual-infected pigs com- pared with all other groups. Four of 17 (23.5%) dual-infected pigs had decreased growth rate and severe lymphoid depletion and granulomatous lymphadenitis associated with high amounts of PCV2-antigen consistent with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). PCV2-antigen in lung tissue was most often associated with M. hyopneumoniae-induced peribronchial lymphoid hyperplasia, suggesting that this is an im- portant site for PCV2 replication in the lung. This study indicates that M. hyopneumoniae potentiates the severity of PCV2-associated lung and lymphoid lesions, increases the amount and prolongs the presence of PCV2- antigen, and increases the incidence of PMWS in pigs.
Fluoride inhibits the glucan-binding lectin of Streptococcus sobrinus

The glucan-binding lectins of Streptococcus cricetus AHT and Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 were reversibly inhibited by sodium fluoride. Fluoride was superior to chloride, bromide, iodide and thiocyanate in preventing glucan-mediated aggregation of the bacteria. Fluoride was also an effective inhibitor of the sucrose-dependent adhesion of S. sobrinus to glass surfaces. The inhibition of glucan-binding lectin activities may be one of the mechanisms of action of fluoride in preventing dental disease.
Ecologically Based, Culturally Concordant Responding Following Disasters The Counseling Psychologist’s Role

This article reviews the existing theory, research, policy, and practice of disaster mental health and the role of counseling psychology in post-disaster and catastrophic situations, all from a social justice perspective. Specifically, we discuss the phases and stages, social ecology, and individual reactions to disasters. A case study is presented, followed by mental health interventions and counseling psychology’s role in these interventions at both the individual and systemic levels. We conclude with an overview of professional issues that often emerge when working in disaster areas, cultural issues that arise, and ways for counseling psychologists to become involved in this work.
Cardiac reoperations in octogenarians: analysis of outcomes

Abstract Background . With the rapid growth of the elderly segment of the population, more octogenarians are referred for complex cardiac interventions, including reoperations. Data regarding the outcomes, quality of life, and long-term results after reoperative open-heart surgical procedures in octogenarians are scarce. Methods . We retrospectively studied 113 consecutive octogenarians (mean age, 83 ± 2.6 years) who underwent reoperative cardiac procedures within a 13-year period. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed in 49 patients (CABG group), valvular procedures (aortic, mitral, or tricuspid valve, alone or in combination) in 35 (valve group), and combined CABG and valve intervention in 29 (combined CABG and valve group). Results . The 30-day mortality rate was 8% (4 of 49) for the CABG group, 9% (3 of 35) for the valve group, and 17% (5 of 29) for the combined CABG and valve group. One- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were, respectively, 85% ± 5% and 58% ± 10% for the CABG group, 78% ± 7% and 53% ± 12% for the valve group, and 69% ± 9% and 63% ± 10% for the combined CABG and valve group. Sixty-one percent of patients in the CABG group, 40% in the valve group, and 38% in the combined CABG and valve group were in New York Heart Association class I or II postoperatively at a mean follow-up time of 2.1 ± 2.4 years. Similarly, 91%, 85%, and 80%, respectively, thought that they had an improved quality of life and were satisfied with their functional status. Conclusions . Cardiac reoperations can be performed successfully in most octogenarians, although with an increased risk, particularly in the combined CABG and valve group. Long-term survival is acceptable with improved quality of life and functional status. However, it is possible that these results could be improved in this high-risk group of patients with earlier referral and surgical intervention, for the effective use of health care resources.
Bureaucratic versus Non-bureaucratic Organization: Explaining Form, Function, and Change in New Forms of Organizing

This paper reviews recent empirical accounts on the emergence of post-bureaucratic patterns of organizing and examines these contributions against established theory on organizations. The paper reports that while the distinctive features of Weber’s bureaucratic type remain unaffected, two trends in contemporary organizing warrant examining convergence in motivation. First, large multidivisional organizations have adopted mutation practices in which the functional structure is overlaid at the level of semi-autonomous project and network organizations. Second, project-based organizations and variants of network forms of organization offer alternatives to the Weberian type by attracting executives to new organizational motivations. The paper defines three conditions for evaluating future novelty claims on post-bureaucratic organizations depending on the variations in two types of motivations for change – knowledge transfer and learning. These conditions are related to 1) identifying the exact organizational configurations through which the multidivisional enterprise is mutating; 2) linking change to motivations different from Weberian intentionality and transaction costs economizing logic; and, 3) theorizing new organizational transformations as impermanent organizational entities in which instability is a defining characteristic of adaptation though learning.
Max-Product for Maximum Weight Matching: Convergence, Correctness, and LP Duality

Max-product "belief propagation" (BP) is an iterative, message-passing algorithm for finding the maximum a posteriori (MAP) assignment of a discrete probability distribution specified by a graphical model. Despite the spectacular success of the algorithm in many application areas such as iterative decoding and combinatorial optimization, which involve graphs with many cycles, theoretical results about both the correctness and convergence of the algorithm are known in only a few cases (see section I for references). In this paper, we prove the correctness and convergence of max-product for finding the maximum weight matching (MWM) in bipartite graphs. Even though the underlying graph of the MWM problem has many cycles, somewhat surprisingly we show that the max-product algorithm converges to the correct MWM as long as the MWM is unique. We provide a bound on the number of iterations required and show that for a graph of size n, the computational cost of the algorithm scales as O(n3), which is the same as the computational cost of the best known algorithms for finding the MWM. We also provide an interesting relation between the dynamics of the max-product algorithm and the auction algorithm, which is a well-known distributed algorithm for solving the MWM problem.
Layer-by-Layer Nanoparticles with a pH-Sheddable Layer for in Vivo Targeting of Tumor Hypoxia

Inspired by the simplicity and versatility of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, we applied multilayered polyelectrolyte assemblies on nanoparticles to create viable systemic delivery systems. Focusing on tumor-specific delivery, LbL nanoparticles that exhibit a pH-sensitive outer stealth layer are demonstrated to target and be retained in hypoxic tumor regions. The neutral layers shed in response to acidity to reveal a charged nanoparticle surface that is readily taken up by tumor cells. The first in vivo demonstration of this mechanism of targeting is presented, as well as an initial examination of the mechanism of uptake of the nanoparticles. We further demonstrate that this concept for tumor targeting is potentially valid for a broad range of cancers, with applicability for therapies that target hypoxic tumor tissue.
How Remote Response Devices Enable Student Learning: A Four-Year Analysis.

The use of Personal Response Systems (PRS) / Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) has expanded considerably since introduction in the early 2000s. Much of the exploration of the technology has focused on methodology, student participation, and student perception. This paper examines actual testing results over nine semesters to provide some insights to the impact of the technology on student grades.
Efficacy of Steinernema carpocapsae plus fire gel applied as a single spray for control of the lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes

The efficacy of aboveground applications of entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis spp. and Steinernema spp.) can be severely limited by the nematode’s susceptibility to UV radiation and desiccation. The lesser peachtree borer, Synanthedon pictipes, is a major pest of stone fruit; larvae attack trees aboveground by tunneling into the trunk and scaffold limbs. In previous research, Steinernema carpocapsae, caused high levels of S. pictipes mortality when a sprayable fire gel (Barricade®) was applied on top of the nematode application as a protectant. One drawback to the approach is that two applications must be made (first nematodes are applied followed by the fire gel); furthermore, the previous experiments did not compare nematode application to the existing standard chemical insecticide. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) determine if a diluted rate of fire gel can protect nematodes when applied as a single spray, and (2) compare the efficacy of nematode applications with the chemical insecticide, chlorpyrifos. The experiment was conducted in a peach orchard in Quincy, Florida in 2013 and 2014. Treatments included: (1) chlorpyrifos, (2) S. carpocapsae applied in aqueous suspension only or (3) with a full rate (approximately 4% applied separately) or (4) 2% Barricade® (applied with nematodes in a single spray), and (5) a non-treated control. The treatments were applied post-harvest (in the fall) to S. pictipes-infested bark wounds; S. pictipes survival was assessed 8 (2013) or 14 (2014) d post-application. In 2013, chlorpyrifos and nematodes with Barricade® at 2% or the full rate reduced S. pictipes survival relative to the non-treated control and nematodes without Barricade®. In 2014, nematodes applied with 2% Barricade® was the only treatment that reduced S. pictipes survival. We conclude that S. carpocapsae and Barricade® can be applied as a single spray, and in our experiments the treatment was at least as effective as the chemical standard.
Design, Development and Evaluation of a Two Way Actuated Steerable Needle

Over the last two decades, researchers have been interested to provide actuation and control for surgical needles. It has been recently suggested to utilize shape memory alloy (SMA) wires to provide bending forces to activate the conventional straight needles. In this paper a design of an active needling system has been proposed where actuation forces of SMAs as well as shape memory polymers (SMPs) were incorporated. SMP elements provide two major additional advantages to the design: (i) recovery of the SMP’s plastic deformation by heating the element above its glass transition temperature, and (ii) achieving a higher needle deflection by having a softer stage of SMP at higher temperatures with less amount of actuation force. The feasibility of providing actuation forces using both SMAs and SMPs for the surgical needle was demonstrated in this study.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Relief Drills and Scholastic Achievement

(1925). Relief Drills and Scholastic Achievement. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 30, No. 9, pp. 488-490.
Synthesis Approaches For Improving the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Pbz Polymers

The synthesis of three types of functionalized benzazole structures is described. A centrosymmetric dihydroxy-benzobisthiazole has been synthesized for incorporation in flexible polymers having rigid, conjugated, third order nlo active units in the main chain. Benzazole structures terminated with an N,N-dimethylamino group and a carboxyl group have been synthesized for use as second order nlo pendants with flexible polymers. Benzazole structures terminated with an N,N-dimethylamino group and an amino group have been synthesized as precursors to second order nlo guest molecules.
Further Studies of Damage to Safflower Plants by Thrips and Lygus Bugs

Trials with western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), confined on growing safflower buds for 34 days, demonstrated that the buds are able to tolerate fairly large numbers of nymphal thrips before the seed yield is reduced significantly. Adult thrips were introduced into small cages covering selected buds (¼ inch in diameter or less) on plants growing in the field. An indirect sampling method was used to estimate the subsequent buildup of the population of nymphs. The tests were set up with initial thrips densities adjusted to average 5, 10, 20, and 40 adults per head. The density of nymphs averaged as high as 75 per bud when 10 adults per bud were introduced into the cages, and there was no consequent drop in seed production. Approximately twice as many nymphs per bud developed when initial introductions averaged 20 adults per bud. Infestations started with 20 or 40 adults per bud decreased significantly the number of good seed heads produced, the number of seeds per head, and the total yield. Analogous trials with lygus bugs, Lygus hesperus Knight, indicated that the threshold of economic damage to the safflower crop was exceeded when the ratio of bugs to buds exceeded 1:8. Significant decreases in yield criteria were obtained when the bug to bud ratios were adjusted to 1:4 or higher. A new stripe, or thin-hulled, variety of safflower appeared to be more susceptible to injury by Iygus bugs than the variety U. S. 10. Seed yield of the variety U. S. 10 was not materially decreased when the plants were completely disbudded 13 days before the start of the blooming period. This operation reduced the number of seed heads which finally matured, but these bore larger and more numerous seeds than the seed heads of check plants. Complete disbudding or defoliation done at the onset of the blooming period caused very significant reductions in yield values. Attempts to improve seed yield with pesticides applied to control thrips and lygus bugs were unsuccessful, because the insect infestations and the plant damage incurred were not great enough to affect the yield.
Assembly of carbon nanotube devices by tip-induced optical trapping

Fabrication of nanoscale devices by assembling individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) remains challenging despite enormous effort made in this field. Fulfilling the promise of CNTs requires more efficient assembly techniques. In this study, we have developed an in-situ assembly method for precise and cost-effective integration of CNTs using a laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) process. Results show that CNTs can be trapped between sharp tip-shaped electrodes due to the optical gradient forces around the tip apexes generated by a CO2 laser irradiation. This method enables the precise assembly of CNT-based field-effect transistors (FETs) and paves the way for the successful implementation of the CNT-based nanoelectronics.
The infanrance of the parents' emotion to the children who are vomitting related to the tumor

Objective:To observe the psychologic movement of both the parents and the children who are suffering with vomitting again and again which is related to the chemotherapy.Methods:Distribute questionaires designed by ourselves to them of totally 84 samples and other 80 samples at the mean time.Results:It is 46.43% of the children with vomitting have the problem of anxiety,47.62% have the depression feeling . Insomnia has presented in 17.85% children,50.12% have nevers problem,The percentage of the anorexia approaches to 63%,Even them 23.8% reject any foods,Fear is also provoked in these 30.09%,and anger 49.98%,At the meanwhile,anxiety has come to 60.71% parents,42.99% have the pecentage of the parents who have given their children specital sympathy and sufficient protection has come to 66.54%.Conclusion:Bad emotion are all existed in both the parents and the children . It is effectire to the children's therapy with the help of psychologic gwide.
Moving from Words to Action: Reflections of a First Year Counselor Educator for Social Justice

This article provides a personal narrative of my experience as a first year counselor educator organizing and facilitating a public panel discussion held at George Mason University in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin. The panel discussion provided an opportunity for open, honest, and constructive dialogue among students, faculty, staff, and community members on such topics as individual and institutional racism, stereotypes of Black masculinity, gun control laws, hate crimes against young Black men, the myth of a post-racial United States, and what we can do as citizens to prevent such tragedies in the future. I will also discuss the lessons learned, not only about organizing a public forum, but about taking the initiative.
Alkali carbonation of autoclaved polymer-cement composites in Na2CO3-laden water at 300°C

Well cements resistive to high-temperature (∼300 °C) brines containing carbon dioxide (CO2) are needed for use in the completion of geothermal wells. Recent attempts to complete wells through aquifers containing ∼1000 p.p.m. concentrations of CO2 at ∼130 °C have shown severe deterioration of all conventional cement systems, with resulting cement and casing failures after only 90 days in service. As part of an ongoing research programme to develop hydrothermally and CO2-resistant cement formulations, studies were performed to determine the rate of alkali carbonation of autoclave-treated polymer-calcium aluminate cement composites upon exposure to Na2CO3-laden water at 300 °C. The results indicated that the formation of a calcium-complexed carboxylate polymer structure, resulting from the addition of an acrylic polymer in the cement, improved the compressive strength of the composite after a 1 day autoclave exposure, and minimized the carbonation rate over 30 days. However, biccholite→wairakite and triclinic→hexagonal anorthite transformations resulted in strength degradation after exposure for times up to 30 days. The polymer system found to be most effective for minimizing strength degradation and carbonation reactions was a carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer.
Epilogue: Conclusions and Implications for Research and Practice

The primary purpose of the epilogue article is to synthesize the key findings from the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss (OCHL) study by presenting a set of 10 major conclusions. The conclusion statements provide a concise summary of the main results related to children's auditory and language outcomes and factors identified as moderators of these outcomes. The second section of this article summarizes the primary clinical implications that follow from the OCHL study in relation to three questions: (1) Can we afford to be complacent about the current outcomes of children who are hard of hearing? (2) Which malleable factors can be addressed to promote success through implementation of best practices? and (3) Which nonmalleable factors are consequential and what are their implications for practice? The authors end with some future research directions for the OCHL project.
[Effect of central obesity on the events of new-onset cerebral infarction among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients].

Objective To analyze the effect of central obesity on new-onset cerebral infarction events among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the Kailuan Group.Methods This was a prospective cohort study.In a total of 101 510 employees who had been carried out a healthy examination in Kailuan Group from Jul.2006 to Oct.2007.8 306 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were selected.According to the baseline waist measurement,the observed population was divided into two groups—with central obesity or without.The total period of follow-up was 38-53 (48.05 ±3.09)months.Results 1) Mean age,BMI,the levels of SBP,DBP,pulse pressure,FPG,TC,LDL-C,uric acid significant increased in the central obesity group were higher than in the non-obese group (P＜0.01).2)The incidence of new onset cerebral infarction in obese group was higher than that in the non-obese group (3.1％ vs.1.6％,6.8％,P＜0.01 ; 3.3％ vs.1.7％,P＜0.01 in male respectively.3) Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that,compared with the non-obese group,the obese group had an increase of relative risk (RR) on new onset cerebral infarction events after adjustment on age,gender and other risk factors,with RR value as 2.07 (95％CI:1.39-3.09,P＜0.01).Conclusion Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with central obesity seemed to have increased the risk of new-onset cerebral infarction events. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Central obesity; Cerebral infarction; Risk
Meningeal meningiomatosis in a child: Case report

We report a child with multifocal meningeal lesions demonstrating mixed meningiomatous histologic features. This lesion appears to have evolved over seven years, starting with a brief episode of garbled speech, nausea, and headache at 4.5 years of age. The child was then asymptomatic until 9 when she presented with bilateral leg weakness, in addition to her prior presenting symptoms and communicating hydrocephalus. Meningeal biopsies of two lesions were performed 18 months later. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy were needed to substantiate the histologic diagnosis. Radiation therapy to the craniospinal axis and corticosteroids were of some benefit, but more aggressive therapeutic modalities became necessary. The nosology of this lesion is discussed.
The Influence of Involvement on the Perceived Image of Financial Institutions

A considerable number of researchers have focused on the role of involvement in consumer behavior. In an effort to continue this trend, this paper identifies how the level of involvement influences the perceived image of financial institutions. An empirical study is presented that identifies which image variables are influenced by varying levels of consumer involvement.
Intercultural Communication Competence: A Synthesis

As we encounter ever greater cultural and co-cultural diversity, the careful study of intercultural communication competence becomes increasingly important. Only through competent intercultural communication can persons from different cultures communicate effectively and appropriately in the upcoming global society. Following a recounting of themes of research on intercultural communication, this chapter presents arguments concerning individuals’ need to negotiate multiple identities in terms of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and religion in the interdependent and interconnected network of global society. This requires a functional and theoretical transformation of the study of intercultural communication competence.
In Vitro Reconstruction of Nonribosomal Peptide Biosynthesis Directly from DNA Using Cell-Free Protein Synthesis

Genome sequencing has revealed that a far greater number of natural product biosynthetic pathways exist than there are known natural products. To access these molecules directly and deterministically, a new generation of heterologous expression methods is needed. Cell-free protein synthesis has not previously been used to study nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis, and provides a tunable platform with advantages over conventional methods for protein expression. Here, we demonstrate the use of cell-free protein synthesis to biosynthesize a cyclic dipeptide with correct absolute stereochemistry. From a single-pot reaction, we measured the expression of two nonribosomal peptide synthetases larger than 100 kDa, and detected high-level production of a diketopiperazine. Using quantitative LC–MS and synthetically prepared standard, we observed production of this metabolite at levels higher than previously reported from cell-based recombinant expression, approximately 12 mg/L. Overall, this work represents a first s...
Cholinesterases and Agriculture

The widespread use of organophosphate (OPs) and carbamate esters (CAs) in agriculture and their stockpiling as chemical warfare agents has stimulated research into the detection of their residues and recognition of their effects. One popular biomarker has been cholinesterase (ChE) activity of blood and other tissues of humans, research animals and wildlife as a means to assess exposures, effect and risks of these powerful agents.1,2 This report briefly reviews work from our laboratory and colleagues that demonstrate the importance of blood ChE measurements for understanding the impact of pesticides on agriculture and society. Examples presented include: monitoring blood ChE levels of mixer loaders, applicators, farm workers and their families; setting safe levels of pesticides in foods; assessing the risk of agricultural chemicals to wildlife and to humans outside the agricultural workplace.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease : An outpatient presentation

ABSTRACT.Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases that cause degeneration of the central nervous system. The absence of a reliable pre-mortem test and the delayed appearance of periodic sharp complexes that are associated with CJD on the EEG tracing until late in the course of the disease make early diagnosis difficult. This report discusses the case of a 65-year-old woman who presented to the outpatient EEG laboratory with symptoms of episodic jerking, new onset of confusion, and progressive loss of coordination that continued over three weeks. Serial EEG studies documenting the progressive appearance of periodic sharp waves along with a positive test for the 14-3-3 protein in her cerebrospinal fluid resulted in a final diagnosis of CJD.
Scalable Symbolic Model Order Reduction

Symbolic model order reduction (SMOR) is to reduce the complexity of a model with symbolic parameters. It is an important problem in analog circuit synthesis and digital circuit modeling with process variations. However, existing symbolic model order reduction (SMOR) methods do not scale well with the number of symbols or with the model order. This paper presents a scalable SMOR algorithm, namely S2 MOR. We first separate the original multz-port multz-symbol system into a set of single-port systems by superposition theorem, and then integrate them together to form a lower-bordered block diagonal (LBBD) structured system. Each block is reduced independently, with a stochastic programming to distribute the given overall model order between blocks for best accuracy. The entire system is efficiently solved by low-rank update. Compared with existing SMOR algorithms, given the same memory space, S2MOR improves accuracy by up to 78% at a similar reduction time. In addition, the factorization and simulation of the reduced model by S2MOR is up to 17 times faster.
Stem cell bioprinting for applications in regenerative medicine

Many regenerative medicine applications seek to harness the biologic power of stem cells in architecturally complex scaffolds or microenvironments. Traditional tissue engineering methods cannot create such intricate structures, nor can they precisely control cellular position or spatial distribution. These limitations have spurred advances in the field of bioprinting, aimed to satisfy these structural and compositional demands. Bioprinting can be defined as the programmed deposition of cells or other biologics, often with accompanying biomaterials. In this concise review, we focus on recent advances in stem cell bioprinting, including performance, utility, and applications in regenerative medicine. More specifically, this review explores the capability of bioprinting to direct stem cell fate, engineer tissue(s), and create functional vascular networks. Furthermore, the unique challenges and concerns related to bioprinting living stem cells, such as viability and maintaining multi- or pluripotency, are discussed. The regenerative capacity of stem cells, when combined with the structural/compositional control afforded by bioprinting, provides a unique and powerful tool to address the complex demands of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.