cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motivational Representations within a Computational Cognitive Architecture

This paper discusses essential motivational representations necessary for a comprehensive computational cognitive architecture. It hypothesizes the need for implicit drive representations, as well as explicit goal representations. Drive representations consist of primary drives—both low-level primary drives (concerned mostly with basic physiological needs) and high-level primary drives (concerned more with social needs), as well as derived (secondary) drives. On the basis of drives, explicit goals may be generated on the fly during an agent’s interaction with various situations. These motivational representations help to make cognitive architectural models more comprehensive and provide deeper explanations of psychological processes. This work represents a step forward in making computational cognitive architectures better reflections of the human mind and all its motivational complexity and intricacy.
VDAC: old protein with new roles in diabetes

A decrease in capillary density due to an increase in endothelial cell apoptosis in the heart is implicated in cardiac ischemia in diabetes. The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) plays a crucial role in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolic function and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. This study is designed to examine the role of VDAC in coronary endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Endothelial cells (ECs) were more apoptotic in diabetic left ventricle of diabetic mice and mouse coronary ECs (MCECs) isolated from diabetic mice exhibited significantly higher mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration and VDAC protein levels than control MCECs. The expression of VDAC-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) not only decreased the resting mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration but also attenuated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in diabetic MCECs. Furthermore, the downregulation of VDAC in diabetic MCECs significantly decreased mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2−) production and the activity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening (an indirect indicator of cell apoptosis) toward control levels. These data suggest that the increased VDAC level in diabetic MCECs is responsible for increased mitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial O2− production, and mPTP opening activity. Normalizing VDAC protein level may help to decrease endothelial cell apoptosis, increase capillary density in the heart, and subsequently decrease the incidence of cardiac ischemia in diabetes.
Cognitive Evaluation of Human-Robot Systems: A Method for Analyzing Cognitive Change in Human-Robot Systems

To help answer questions about the behavior of participants in human-robot systems, we propose the Cognitive Evaluation of Human-Robot Systems (CEHRS) method based on our work with the Personal Exploration Rover (PER). The CEHRS method consists of six steps: (1) identify all system participants, (2) collect data from all participant groups, including the system?s creators, (3) analyze participant data in light of system-wide goals, (4) answer targeted questions about each participant group to determine the flow of knowledge, information, and influence throughout the system, (5) look for inconsistencies in the knowledge and beliefs of different participant groups, and (6) make recommendations for improvement. We offer this comprehensive, human-centered evaluation method as a starting point for future work in understanding cognitive change in human-robot interactions.
The molecular basis for impaired hypoxia-induced VEGF expression in diabetic tissues

Diabetes is associated with poor outcomes following acute vascular occlusive events. This results in part from a failure to form adequate compensatory microvasculature in response to ischemia. Since vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential mediator of neovascularization, we examined whether hypoxic up-regulation of VEGF was impaired in diabetes. Both fibroblasts isolated from type 2 diabetic patients, and normal fibroblasts exposed chronically to high glucose, were defective in their capacity to up-regulate VEGF in response to hypoxia. In vivo, diabetic animals demonstrated an impaired ability to increase VEGF production in response to soft tissue ischemia. This resulted from a high glucose-induced decrease in transactivation by the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which mediates hypoxia-stimulated VEGF expression. Decreased HIF-1α functional activity was specifically caused by impaired HIF-1α binding to the coactivator p300. We identify covalent modification of p300 by the dicarbonyl metabolite methylglyoxal as being responsible for this decreased association. Administration of deferoxamine abrogated methylglyoxal conjugation, normalizing both HIF-1α/p300 interaction and transactivation by HIF-1α. In diabetic mice, deferoxamine promoted neovascularization and enhanced wound healing. These findings define molecular defects that underlie impaired VEGF production in diabetic tissues and offer a promising direction for therapeutic intervention.
Environmental stress regulates Shigella virulence: interplay between anerobiosis and iron acquisition

Evaluation of: Boulette ML, Payne SM: Anaerobic regulation of Shigella flexneri virulence: ArcA regulates Fur and iron acquisition genes.J. Bacteriol. 6957–6967 (2007).The ability to regulate gene expression in response to environmental changes is required for bacterial survival. This is particularly true for pathogenic microbes that colonize in dynamic host sites. As such, many host environmental cues actually serve as intricate signals that control virulence gene expression. In the paper evaluated here, Boulette and Payne present evidence that anerobiosis regulates Shigella virulence-gene expression via a complex interplay between the regulatory proteins ArcA and ferric-uptake regulator.
Overview of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and the Requirements for a Vaccine

Chlamydia trachomatis is an important human pathogen. The development of vaccines designed to prevent C. trachomatis-associated morbidity would be highly desirable. In the developing world the major goal is the prevention of blindness due to trachoma; in industrialized societies and in some developing countries, the major goal is the prevention of chlamydial salpingitis and its consequences. In early trials of trachoma vaccine composed of a suspension of elementary bodies (the infectious particles), short-lived protective immunity was induced, but deleterious effects, i.e., hyperreactivity to infection, were also noted. Thus it is likely that separation of the protective from the sensitizing antigens and the development of a subunit vaccine will be necessary. Chlamydial virulence factors include the surface structures (presumably antigenic) that are responsible for specific attachment of the organism to a susceptible host cell, induction of phagocytosis by the host cell, or inhibition of phagolysosomal fusion. Serotype-specific neutralizing antigens might also be candidate antigens. Purification of such subunit antigens from chlamydial particles is probably impractical. It is likely that genetic engineering will be required for the production of cloned antigens after such antigens have been identified.
Dual-resonance amplitude for spinning particles

We obtain a nonoperatorial, dual-resonance amplitude for the scattering of an arbitrary number of spinning particles on the mass shell.
Memory in Cerebrovascular Disorders

The brain is about 1/50 of the total body weight in an adult, but it uses 1/5 of the resting cardiac output amounting to 1000 ml of blood per minute, extracting from it 500 to 600 ml of oxygen and 75 to 100 mg of glucose each minute. This basal need of the brain remains the same whether the person is asleep, awake, excited, or happy. During exercise, cardiac output increases to increase the blood flow to the muscles, but the brain blood flow remains the same since the brain adjusts its own blood supply under varying conditions of cardiac output. Thus physical exercise, standing on the head, or ingesting a heavy meal have no effect on the overall flow of blood to the brain.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgery: Malpractice Litigation Outcomes.

Objective: This study examined malpractice claims related to cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to identify common allegations and injuries and reviewed financial outcomes. Design: The WestlawNext legal database was analyzed for all malpractice lawsuits and settlements related to the surgical repair of cleft lip and palate. Main Outcomes Measures: Inclusion criteria included patients undergoing surgical repair of a primary cleft lip or palate or revision for complications of previous surgery. Data evaluated included patient demographics, type of operation performed, plaintiff allegation, nature of injury, and litigation outcomes. Results: A total of 36 cases were identified, with 12 unique cases from 1981 to 2006 meeting the inclusion criteria. Six cases (50%) were decided by a jury and six by settlement. Five cases involved complications related to the specific surgery, and the other seven were associated with any surgery and perioperative care of children and adults. Cleft palate repair (50%) was th...
Risk Premia in Gold Lease Rates

Gold is an important global reserve asset, widely held by the ocial sector and private investors. In this paper, we study a measure of the opportunity costs of holding gold, the gold lease rates { interests paid in gold for borrowing gold. Gold lease rates are economically signicant in magnitude and display substantial variations over time. Using a term structure model with \unspanned" risk factors, we nd that risk premia in gold lease rates are highly time-varying and strongly increasing in the level and slope of gold lease rates, as well as in gold volatility. Expected excess returns of \gold bonds" are mostly positive, suggesting that they are perceived as risky investments.
Learning in an Urban and Regional Planning Practicum: The View from Educational Ethnography

this paper examines how learning happened in an interactive studio setting using the theories and methods of educational ethnography. the study begins with a review of the education literature on the acquisition of professional education and identity, particularly epistemic frame theory. Using a case study approach, we examine students’ learning during a two-week period of a graduate urban planning studio during which the instructor faced resistance from the students about course direction. Using qualitative analyses and a new quantitative technique called epistemic network analysis, we describe the process by which students appropriated a particular community of practice. this paper offers a productive way of tracking how specific interactions within learning environments can lead to significant changes in cognitive development.
Analysis of PEDOT:PSS Films After Sulfuric Acid Treatment on Silicon and Fused Silica using FT-IR and UV-VIS

Thin films of organic semiconductor PEDOT:PSS deposited onto silicon and fused silica substrates. These films were then treated with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for various amounts of time (i.e., 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes). Preliminary results obtained with FT-IR, UV-VIS, and Van DerPauw conductivity methods suggest that the H2SO4 removes the PSS isonomer from the PEDOT:PSS system. This PSS removal also induces a decrease in film thickness.
Use, Misuse, and Role of Multiple-Comparison Procedures in Ecological and Agricultural Entomology

Multiple-comparison procedures for comparing means, medians, or proportions are commonly used by entomologists publishing in ecological and agricultural journals of the Entomological Society of America. Unfortunately, there is confusion among many researchers and reviewers with respect to the type I error rates of the various tests. The calculation of and reasoning behind the error rate and relative conservativeness or liberalness of each test are discussed. Several guidelines concerning use of these tests are proposed, including specification of which test was used and why, and a recommendation encouraging a switch to the use of confidence intervals instead of hypothesis tests. It is felt that adoption of these and other proposals for reporting results will increase the meaningfulness and scientific merit of published entomological research.
Role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the reassembly of occludin and other tight junction proteins.

After the simulation of anoxia by ATP depletion of MDCK cell monolayers with metabolic inhibitors, the tight junction (TJ) is known to become structurally perturbed, leading to loss of the permeabi...
Effective Instructional Approaches in a Large Introductory Biology Classroom: A Research Review and Illustrative Case Study

International students continue to outperform U.S. students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), while U.S. students increasingly leave these high-demand areas. To improve STEM performance and to alleviate STEM fatigue and attrition, researchers from several disciplines have been conducting studies to determine the most effective and efficient instructional and organizational practices in these courses. This thesis identifies best practices in structuring a STEM course to promote transformation to comprehension-based learning, while fostering student success. Best practices fall within three clusters: (a) structuring a course; (b) focusing on how to teach; and (c) assessing student performance. An illustrative case study in a large introductory biology classroom is highlighted as each cluster is described. Further, recommendations are provided related to effective instructional practices to be used in STEM classes. This combined research review and case study aims to provide new or inquiring instructors with the evidence-based strategies they may need to help reduce STEM fatigue and attrition in their classes.
STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FLAME FURNACES

The variables concerning the heat engineering of a flame furnace may be clas- sified into three groups: (1) the design and operation variables; (2) thermopro- cess variables and (3) the performance variables, which have been studied compre- hensively using an analytical method. In several typical cases, the results were drawn on charts and set on tables to make clear on the performance of flame furnace. An empirical method has also been proposed for studying the relationship between the 1st and 3rd groups of variables and many production furnaces have been analysed. The principal ways of saving furnace fuel were pointed out. The empirical method here introduced is entirely based on the production data. simplic- ity itself, and no measuring tool is necessary.
“All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil”: Connections between Person and Place in Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights presents to very different locations: Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange. Within the novel, these two locations are constantly at war, as are their inhabitants, forming two dueling camps. This paper looks at the locative characterizations developed by the Heights and the Grange in their inhabitants and the movements of the various characters of the novel.
ASPERGILLUS | Aspergillus flavus

Contamination of certain crops with the toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins is a serious concern for agriculture and for animal and human health. The predominant species associated with this crop contamination is Aspergillus flavus. The ability of A. flavus to produce other toxins could be an additional concern. Phylogenetic evidence suggests that this species has a history of recombination and has relatively recently adapted to growth on plants from a normally saprophytic terrestrial existence. Efforts to control aflatoxin contamination involve preharvest introduction of nonaflatoxigenic competitors, as well as enhancement of the resistance of affected crops against fungal infection.
Cost of Immediate Surgery Versus Non-operative Treatment for Trigger Finger in Diabetic Patients

Purpose As health care costs continue to rise, providers must increasingly identify and implement cost-effective practice measures without sacrificing quality of care. Corticosteroid injections are an established treatment for trigger finger; however, numerous clinical trials have documented the limited efficacy of these injections in the diabetic population. Furthermore, the most cost-effective treatment strategy for diabetic trigger finger has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to perform a decision analysis to identify the least costly strategy for effective treatment of diabetic trigger finger using existing evidence in the literature. Methods Four treatment strategies for diabetic trigger finger were identified: (1) 1 steroid injection followed by surgical release, (2) 2 steroid injections followed by surgical release, (3) immediate surgical release in the operating room, and (4) immediate surgical release in the clinic. A literature review was conducted to determine success rates of the different treatment strategies. Costing analysis was performed using our institutional reimbursement from Medicare. One-way sensitivity and threshold analysis was utilized to determine the least costly treatment strategy. Results The least costly treatment strategy was immediate surgical release in the clinic. In patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, this strategy results in a 32% and a 39% cost reduction when compared with treatment with 1 or 2 corticosteroid injections, respectively. For 1 or 2 corticosteroid injections to be the most cost-effective strategy, injection failure rates would need to be less than 36% and 34%, respectively. The overall cost of care for immediate surgical release in the clinic was $642. Conclusions Diabetic trigger finger is a common problem faced by hand surgeons, with a variety of acceptable treatment algorithms. Management of diabetic trigger finger with immediate surgical release in the clinic is the most cost-effective treatment strategy, assuming a corticosteroid injection failure rate of at least 34%. Type of study/level of evidence Economic/decision III.
Three-Dimensional Vibration

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the three-dimensional vibration of an offshore platform. First, the equations of motion of the three-dimensional model are derived for two cases: a rigid structure and an elastic structure. Second, the free responses of the rigid and the elastic models are compared. The free response obtained using the rigid model allows us to gain confidence in the formulation and the numerical results obtained using the elastic model. Finally, the forced responses due to deterministic loads are investigated. Two cases are studied in particular. The first case is when a harmonic (in time) load is applied in one direction, and the second case is when steady and harmonic loads are applied in mutually perpendicular directions. The second case can be thought of as the three-dimensional loading arising from a current that also induces vortex shedding. The responses due to these simple fluid force models will prepare us for the study of responses due to more complicated fluid loading models. This subject has also been treated by Han and Benaroya [26].
Comparative pathogenesis of enteric clostridial infections in humans and animals.

Several enteric clostridial diseases can affect humans and animals. Of these, the enteric infections caused by Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile are amongst the most prevalent and they are reviewed here. C. perfringens type A strains encoding alpha toxin (CPA) are frequently associated with enteric disease of many animal mammalian species, but their role in these diseased mammals remains to be clarified. C. perfringens type B encoding CPA, beta (CPB) and epsilon (ETX) toxins causes necro-hemorrhagic enteritis, mostly in sheep, and these strains have been recently suggested to be involved in multiple sclerosis in humans, although evidence of this involvement is lacking. C. perfringens type C strains encode CPA and CPB and cause necrotizing enteritis in humans and animals, while CPA and ETX producing type D strains of C. perfringens produce enterotoxemia in sheep, goats and cattle, but are not known to cause spontaneous disease in humans. The role of C. perfringens type E in animal or human disease remains poorly defined. The newly revised toxinotype F encodes CPA and enterotoxin (CPE), the latter being responsible for food poisoning in humans, and the less prevalent antibiotic associated and sporadic diarrhea. The role of these strains in animal disease has not been fully described and remains controversial. Another newly created toxinotype, G, encodes CPA and necrotic enteritis toxin B-like (NetB), and is responsible for avian necrotic enteritis, but has not been associated with human disease. C. difficile produces colitis and/or enterocolitis in humans and multiple animal species. The main virulence factors of this microorganism are toxins A, B and an ADP-ribosyltransferase (CDT). Other clostridia causing enteric diseases in humans and/or animals are Clostridium spiroforme, Clostridium piliforme, Clostridium colinum, Clostridium sordellii, Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium neonatale. The zoonotic transmission of some, but not all these clostridsial species, has been demonstrated.
Synthesis Methods for Electro-Thermal Actuation

Electro-thermal actuation has a number of advantages in minute mechanical devices such as the ones found in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). In this chapter, we describe synthesis methods for a general class of electro-thermal-compliant (ETC) actuators and mechanisms. The ETC devices are similar to the widely used bimorph actuators, but to achieve differential thermal expansion they rely upon their particular shape of a single-material structure rather than mismatched thermal expansion coefficients of two or more materials. These are smart by design because their functionality does not depend on the “smartness” of materials. Determination of the shape of the elastic structure for a specified behavior constitutes the synthesis problem. The synthesis procedure incorporates accurate thermal modeling including convection, which is important at the micro scale due to the familiar scaling law of surface to volume ratio. Design concepts and algorithms, microfabrication procedures, and prototype devices are described in the chapter.
Towards a geometrically correct 3-D reconstruction of tortuous coronary arteries based on biplane angiography and intravascular ultrasound

At present, 3-D reconstructions of coronary vessels are generated from intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) by stacking up ECG-gated segmented IVUS frames of a pullback sequence. This simplified approach always results in straight vessel reconstructions and, therefore, gives an incorrect representation of tortuous coronary arteries. A more realistic reconstruction of tortuous vessels may be obtained by data fusion with biplane angiography. The 3-D course of the vessel is first derived from the angiograms and then combined with the segmented IVUS images. In this paper, we focus on two problems associated with the data fusion method: The definition of the pullback path and the estimation of the IVUS catheter twist during pullback. A robust algorithm for calculation of tortuosity-induced catheter twist is reported that is based on sequential triangulation of the 3-D pullback path. The method is analyzed with computer simulations and validated in helical vessel phantoms. A largely automated data fusion approach is proposed and applied to tortuous coronary arteries in cadaveric pig hearts.
Thermal and spectral characterization and stability of mixtures of ionic liquids [EMIM]Ac and [BMIM]Ac with ethanol, methanol, and water at ambient conditions and at elevated temperatures and pressures

Abstract The ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM]Ac, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [BMIM]Ac, were characterized using TGA, FTIR, and UV–vis spectroscopy. Their mixtures with the protic solvents ethanol, methanol, and water were characterized with FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy. Absorbance versus concentration calibration curves over the full concentration range from 0 to 100 wt % IL content were generated for the mixtures. The thermal stability of the ionic liquids was evaluated by dynamic TGA runs through the assessment of the onset of decomposition and peak decomposition temperatures. Additionally, isothermal TGA runs were performed at 100, 120, and 150 °C over a period of 24 h. The results show that these ionic liquids are not stable over long time exposures, displaying significant weight loss over time above 100 °C. The thermal stability of mixtures of these ILs with ethanol, methanol, water and an aprotic solvent, DMF, were assessed further with time-lapsed UV–vis spectroscopy using a high-pressure view-cell at temperatures in the range 100–150 °C at 35 and 350 bar over a 24 h exposure time. The UV spectra for the ethanol and methanol mixtures shifted over time at 120 and 150 °C. The mixtures with water did not demonstrate significant changes at any of these temperatures. This was in contrast to mixtures with DMF, in which spectral shifts occurred almost immediately at all studied temperatures. These ionic liquids and their mixtures in these solvents are important in biomass processing and their thermal stability under process conditions must therefore be given due consideration in rational process design.
Realizing the End-of-life Considerations in the Design of Food Packaging

Inefficient collaboration between design and waste management is one of the primary reasons for increasing accumulation of packaging waste. Regarding the food-pack combination, the focus of packaging research is on food preservation as the environmental impact of discarded food is comparatively more than that of its packaging. Despite numerous research and development in the field of food packaging, the resulting designs normally perform as ‘envisioned’ until the product consumption stage, and its performance during actual end-of-life stages differs than the design predictions. The reason being that the regional factors and stakeholders for a waste management setup vary from case to case, that has not been considered yet during the design stage. The food packaging design process has the potential to assist designers in applying the latest research and developments to the practical implementation. However, food packaging design to facilitate material recovery with varying waste management considerations have not been addressed till date. In this work, the food packaging design process and the important factors that influence the design team while generating packaging designs, are studied. Further, the contextual end-of-life issues are categorically analyzed regarding food packaging design process and the emerging opportunities are explored. The necessary design and research strategies to facilitate contextual end-of-life considerations in the food packaging design process, are also proposed.
Nonparametric density estimation based on the scaled Laplace transform inversion

Abstract New nonparametric procedure for estimating the probability density function of a positive random variable is suggested. Asymptotic expressions of the bias term and Mean Squared Error are derived. By means of graphical illustrations and evaluating the Average of L 2 -errors we conducted comparisons of the finite sample performance of proposed estimate with the one based on kernel density method.
A New Model to Determine Installed System Cost and LCOE for ARPA-E's MOSAIC Micro-Concentrator PV Program

The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) started a program called Microscale Optimized Solar-cell Arrays with Integrated Concentration (MOSAIC). The goal of MOSAIC is to leverage attributes of conventional flat-plate photovoltaic (PV) system configuration and concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module technology to produce a new class of modules for residential, commercial, and utility-scale markets. This paper describes a collaborative effort between ARPA-E and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a bottom-up system cost model for MOSAIC research teams. The model is a valuable design tool within the program, helping to validate the various technical approaches and compare future deployed system competitiveness versus incumbent technologies in the PV industry.
Ultrafast photonic micro-systems to manipulate hard X-rays at 300 picoseconds.

Time-resolved and ultrafast hard X-ray imaging, scattering and spectroscopy are powerful tools for elucidating the temporal and spatial evolution of complexity in materials. However, their temporal resolution has been limited by the storage-ring timing patterns and X-ray pulse width at synchrotron sources. Here we demonstrate that dynamic X-ray optics based on micro-electro-mechanical-system resonators can manipulate hard X-ray pulses on time scales down to 300 ps, comparable to the X-ray pulse width from typical synchrotron sources. This is achieved by timing the resonators with the storage ring to diffract X-ray pulses through the narrow Bragg peak of the single-crystalline material. Angular velocities exceeding 107 degrees s−1 are reached while maintaining the maximum linear velocity well below the sonic speed and material breakdown limit. As the time scale of the devices shortens, the devices promise to spatially disperse the temporal width of X-rays, thus generating a temporal resolution below the pulse-width limit. It is desirable to improve spatiotemporal control of light generated by synchrotron user facilities or table-top X-ray sources. Here the authors demonstrate manipulation of hard X-rays using microelectro mechanical systems (MEMS) oscillators on timescales of 300 ps, approaching the synchrotron pulse width.
E-060 Multimodality imaging of carotid agenesis

Introduction/purpose Carotid agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly with various compensatory collateralization pathways and associations. The imaging of two patients with true carotid agenesis, one of which was associated with aneurysm formation, were reviewed. Imaging with multiple modalities including CT, MRI, and conventional angiography was obtained. Materials and methods The electronic medical record and radiologic electronic database were utilized to review patient imaging and obtain relevant de-identified images. Pubmed was utilized to perform a literature review. Results Multimodality imaging of two patients with true carotid agenesis demonstrates two different collateralization pathways of this rare anomaly. Additionally, the previously described associations of aneurysm formation and dolichoectatic vasculature are demonstrated in one case. Aneurysm treatment in variant intracranial vasculature can provide unique challenges for the neurointerventionalist. Conclusion Carotid agenesis is a rare condition with multiple subtypes and associations including predisposition to aneurysm formation. We present angiographic and cross-sectional imaging features of true carotid agenesis. Disclosures C. Green: None. A. Ferrell: None. P. Brown: None. P. Kvamme: None.
Normalized Query Commitment Revisited

We revisit the Normalized Query Commitment (NQC) query performance prediction (QPP) method. To this end, we suggest a scaled extension to a discriminative QPP framework and use it to analyze NQC. Using this analysis allows us to redesign NQC and suggest several options for improvement.
Prosthetic heart valves

Since the 1950s more than 80 models of prosthetic heart valves have been developed and used. More than 60,000 valve replacements are performed annually in the United States. Prosthetic heart valves may be mechanical or bioprosthetic. Mechanical valves, which are composed primarily of metal or carbon alloys, are classified according to their structure as caged-ball, single-tilting-disk, or bileaflet-tilting-disk valves. Bioprostheses may be heterografts, which are composed of porcine or bovine tissue (pericardial or valvular) mounted on a metal support, or homografts, which are preserved human aortic valves. The most commonly used prosthetic valves are listed in Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 1. . . .
Assessing the Accessibility of Library Tools & Services When You Aren’t an Accessibility Expert: Part 2

There are a few studies in library literature that explore accessibility issues from the perspective of students who use assistive technologies for accessibility. As we shared in part one of this t...
Responses of nesting Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) to disturbance by humans

Nesting birds often respond to human disturbance as to a predatory act. In the case of the high Arctic, the disturbance of incubating birds may bring further complications due to egg cooling. In addition, it is assumed that birds in the high Arctic are not shy and do not respond to human presence fearfully. We tested how quickly the Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) nesting in two colonies in Svalbard return to the nest after human disturbance. One colony was situated inside a town where the terns were regularly harassed by human presence. The second colony was on a glacial foreland where breeding terns have limited experience with humans. We found that terns without frequent experience with humans returned to the nest about 5 min after disturbance, while urban terns habituated to human presence returned within a few tens of seconds. The urban terns in this way likely solve the risk of spending too much time off the nest, which could lead under the conditions of the high Arctic to the stopping of embryogenesis. Terns from a remote colony do not show lower hatching success of their eggs than the urban ones, however, incubation and the whole population of terns could be threatened when there is more frequent disturbance by researchers or tourists.
Using the Toilet: Role Play

“Toilet habits apparently divide universally into ‘washers’ and ‘wipers’ – and most ancient people were wipers: ‘These words refer to how people clean themselves after they have excreted. Washers use water, wipers use some solid material like grass, leaves, paper, sticks, corncobs, mudballs, or stones’” (Smith in Clean: A History of Personal Hygiene and Purity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007, 28; with reference to Winblad and Kilama in Sanitation Without Water. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1985). This quote probably made you feel some disgust—toilet habits are a sensitive topic.
Chopinite-sarcopside solid solution, [(Mg,Fe)3□](PO4)2, in GRA95209, a transitional acapulcoite: Implications for phosphate genesis in meteorites

Orthophosphate, (Mg,Fe,Mn) 3 (PO 4 ) 2 with X Mg = Mg/(Mg+Fe) = 0–0.89 and Mn/Fe = 0.05–0.3 and chladniite-johnsomervilleite, MnNa 8 (Ca 4 Na 4 )(Mg,Fe,Mn) 43 (PO 4 ) 36 with X Mg = 0.44–0.81 and Mn/Fe = 0.3–0.8, are minor constituents of meteorite Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95209, a transitional acapulcoite consisting mostly of forsterite (Fa 7 ) and enstatite (Wo 3 Fs 7–8 ) with subordinate clinopyroxene (Wo 41–45 Fs 4–6 ) and plagioclase (Or 1–2 An 10–19 ), and cut by Fe,Ni metal veins. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns and maps, together with chemical analyses and Fe-Mg-Mn distribution among phosphates, confirm identification of the orthophosphate as sarcopside, chopinite, and farringtonite; no graftonite was found. Phosphates are found as (1) narrow rims between metal and forsterite or orthopyroxene; (2) aggregates having the same outline as metal; and (3) inclusions and stringers in metal, including a ring around a graphite rosette. Electron microprobe analyses of sarcopside/chopinite-johnsomervilleite/chladniite pairs give a regular Fe-Mg distribution with K D = (Mg/Fe) Src/Chp /(Mg/Fe) Jhn/Cld = 0.584 consistent with terrestrial sarcopside-johnsomervilleite pairs, whereas analyses of farringtonite-chladniite pairs give K D = 1.51, but the Mg-Fe distribution is less regular. Textural relations suggest that Fe-Mn sarcopside originally formed by oxidation of P in metal and replacement of the metal and, through interaction with silicates, was converted to magnesian sarcopside-chopinite and farringtonite, i.e., the silicate matrix acted as a reservoir of Mg that could be exchanged with Fe and Mn in the sarcopside. Using the farringtonite-chopinite univariant curve determined in hydrothermal experiments by F. Brunet and others, isopleths calculated for the most magnesian chopinite in GRA95209, X Mg = 0.65, give 4–7 kbar at 500–1100°C, pressures far too high for the acapulcoite-lodranite parent body. Two scenarios could explain the discrepancy: (1) chopinite and magnesian sarcopside persisted metastably into the farringtonite stability field as Mg-Fe exchange progressed and the source volume for GRA95209 cooled; (2) a very mild shock event was intense enough to convert Fe-rich farringtonite ( X Fe = 0.4–0.6) to magnesian sarcopside and chopinite, but not enough to deform olivine in the source volume. Whether metastability could have played a role in chopinite formation would best be answered by experiments on the Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 –Fe 3 (PO 4 ) 2 system under anhydrous conditions. If the transformation was found to be as kinetically fast as in the hydrothermal experiments, then shock would become the more plausible explanation for the presence of chopinite in this meteorite.
Ions Slow Water Dynamics at Nonionic Surfactant Interfaces.

Nonionic surfactant interfaces are often considered to be unaffected by aqueous ions. However, ions often localize to interfaces and, as such, can interact with surfactants either via direct contact or by affecting interfacial hydrogen bond structures in water. Characterizing these effects is essential to understanding how ions affect interfacial properties at the oil-water interface in the presence of nonionic surfactants. Here, we use two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy in combination with atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the effects of high-concentration Na+ and Ca2+ ions on interfacial hydrogen bond dynamics in heterogeneous sorbitan stearate reverse micelles. Experiments show only minor changes in interfacial hydrogen bond populations when salts are added but those interfacial water network dynamics are slowed by nearly 300%. Molecular dynamics simulations show the slowdown results from an increased disorder in surfactant headgroup orientation and packing density, which stabilizes hydrogen bonding interactions between surfactants and interfacial water.
The Association of Renal Dysfunction with Gut Dysbiosis in Heart Failure, LVAD and Heart Transplant Patients - A Mediation Analysis

Purpose Cystatin C (CysC), a marker of renal function not affected by muscle mass, is superior to conventional creatinine-based assessment in advanced heart failure (HF). Gut dysbiosis, gut-derived metabolites, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), oxidative stress, inflammation and endotoxemia have been implicated in the progression of renal dysfunction. Herein, we aim to investigate the association of the above listed mediators with CysC-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRCysC) across a broad spectrum of HF categories (HF, LVAD, Heart Transplant (HT)). Methods Concomitant blood and stool samples were prospectively collected in a cohort of advanced HF pts. LVAD and HT pts were longitudinally sampled at serial time points. CysC, TMAO, and biomarkers of inflammation (TNFα), oxidative stress (isoprostane) and endotoxemia (LPS) were measured in serum. Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha diversity (number and distribution of bacterial taxa within samples) was defined using Shannon Index. Adjusted linear mixed models were used to regress eGFRCysC on Shannon Index and other biomarkers. Results Among 200 pts (58±13 y, 82%M), a total of 282 blood and 282 stool samples (HF=90, LVAD=104, HT=88) were collected. Decreased Shannon Index and higher levels of TMAO, TNFα, isoprostane, but not LPS, were correlated with lower eGFRCysC. The association between Shannon Index and eGFRCysC remained significant in models including TMAO and isoprostane, but statistical significance was lost when TNFα was included (Fig.1A). The lowest eGFRCysC was found in pts with the lowest tertile of Shannon index and highest tertile of TMAO (Fig.1B). Conclusion Gut dysbiosis, TMAO, inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with renal dysfunction among advanced HF pts. The association of gut dysbiosis with renal dysfunction is attenuated after adjustment for TNFα, suggesting that inflammation may act as a causal mediator of this relationship.
Degenerative Spine Disease

A number of pathologic changes have been reported in spinal surgery specimens. The frequency of many of these is not well defined. We retrospectively reviewed the histologic features of 985 extradural spinal surgery specimens. Of the cases, 1.6% were identified clinically as synovial cysts. In addition, synovial tissue was seen in another 5.3% of cases, often embedded within disk material. Neovascularization of disk tissue was present in 8.1% of cases, chondrocyte clusters in 18.3%, and calcium pyrophosphate crystals in 2.8%, predominantly within disk material. With the exception of crystal deposits, all of these changes were significantly more common in the lumbar spine. A better understanding of cell-based degenerative changes will become essential with increasing research into cell-based therapies for spinal disk disease. We report data on the frequency of different pathologic changes and describe synovial metaplasia as a reactive change not previously reported.
Suboptimal Uptake of Sphincter Saving Resection for Low Carcinoma Rectum: Applied Anatomy of the Sphincter Shows the Way Forward

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) has been conventionally performed for low and ultra-low rectal carcinoma; but now the oncological long-term successful outcome of sphincter-saving resection (SSR) in these cases have been demonstrated. Despite the possibility of a significantly better quality of life and equivalent, if not better oncological outcome, APRs continue to be performed at a varied rate instead of SSR. Limited understanding of sphincter anatomy and the fear of incontinence among the surgeons are the main reasons for suboptimal uptake of SSR. Knowledge of sphincter preservation during surgery for anorectal malformation in children provides understanding of applied anatomy and can be used for SSR, being presented as point of view.
Chromosomal Studies in Malignant Gliomas

Karyotypic evaluation of lymphomas, leukemias and solid tumors has demonstrated that specific chromosomal abnormalities characterize many of these processes (1). There are now several examples of tumor types in which the chromosomes involved in specific translocations have pointed the way to genes which are important in the evolution of these neoplasms. For example, the 9; 22 translocation of chronic granulocytic leukemia places c-abl in proximity to a breakpoint cluster region on 22q. (2). The protein coded by the rearranged sequence resembles the product of the transforming viral sequence, v-abl. (2). Similary, the 8; 14, 2; 8, and 8; 22 translocations of Burkitt’s lymphoma move the c-myc gene to location near the genes which code for the light and heavy immunoglobulin chains (3).
To Believe or Not to Believe a Call to Action: An Empirical Investigation of Source Credibility

How well can individuals detect deception from information sources? This study examines consumer evaluations of a real CRM product brochure and a fraudulent one that imitates it. The forged brochure contains malicious manipulations designed to decrease trust in the product and oversell the abilities of the CRM system. This study seeks to see how manipulations of the material are perceived by the individuals and how that impacts their willingness to believe the source credibility of a message.
Modelling software processes as human-centered adaptive work systems

The lack of conceptualization and inclusion of human, social, and organizational dynamics in software process simulation models is a critical obstacle in (1) exploring the impact of socio-technical dimensions in software development and (2) measuring the performance of software processes. This paper presents a conceptual multi-resolution modeling and simulation framework that delineates various dimensions of organizational behavior as they relate to software development. The framework conceptualizes software development as a transformation system from the perspective of knowledge acquisition and cognitive systems engineering. Explicit distinctions between the strategy, operational, and technical views are clearly presented. Specifically, the paper formulates a preliminary conceptual model and elaborates on design space of the operational and technical views that focus on organizational, social, and human dynamics in process performance modeling and simulation.
Revival of Bulgarian Folk Music During Socialism and the Post-Socialist Transition: Music and Cultural Identity

This article juxtaposes two periods of Bulgarian folk music revival, which were separated by a period of rejection of Bulgarian traditions and cultural values, and problematizes the success of chalga, a pan-Balkan musical phenomenon from the post-socialist period. By engaging current research of American and Bulgarian scholars and reflecting on the author’s recent fieldwork and personal experiences as a performer of Bulgarian folk music, this study raises questions regarding the relationships between state-imposed nationalism and folk traditions, village culture and modern life, the role of media in the dissemination of musical traditions, and the importance of folk music in the construction of modern Bulgarian cultural identity.
Modified Fluorescent Technique, Using Rhodamine, for Studies of Rhizobium japonicum-Soybean Symbiosis

Rhodamine-conjugated capsular polysaccharides isolated from Rhizobium japonicum 61A76NS were used to examine binding between the labeled polysaccharides and soybean roots. Fluorescein-labeled polysaccharides were not satisfactory because soybean root hairs autofluoresce in the fluorescein region.
Design of a synthetic simulator for pediatric lumbar spine pathologies.

Object Simulation has become an important tool in neurosurgical education as part of the complex process of improving residents' technical expertise while preserving patient safety. Although different simulators have already been designed for a variety of neurosurgical procedures, spine simulators are still in their infancy and, at present, there is no available simulator for lumbar spine pathologies in pediatric neurosurgery. In this paper the authors describe the peculiarities and challenges involved in developing a synthetic simulator for pediatric lumbar spine pathologies, including tethered spinal cord syndrome and open neural tube defects. Methods The Department of Neurosurgery of the University of Illinois at Peoria, in a joint program with the Mechanical Engineering Department of Bradley University, designed and developed a general synthetic model for simulating pediatric neurosurgical interventions on the lumbar spine. The model was designed to be composed of several sequential layers, so that ea...
The Metabolism of Aromatic Compounds in Higher Plants VIII. ON THE REQUIREMENT OF HYDROXYNITRILE LYASE FOR FLAVIN

Abstract The hydroxynitrile lyases of etiolated sorghum seedlings and ground almonds have been purified to homogeneity as seen in the analytical ultracentrifuge. The sorghum enzyme preferentially catalyzed the dissociation of p-hydroxymandelonitrile, whereas the almond enzyme exhibited its maximum rate on mandelonitrile; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and benzaldehyde, respectively, together with HCN, were the products of the reaction. The almond enzyme was found to contain a flavin prosthetic group and the sorghum enzyme did not. Physical and kinetic characteristics of the two hydroxynitrile lyases were compared and were found to be quite different.