cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of an animal-borne “sonar tag” for quantifying prey availability: test deployments on northern elephant seals

Developments in electronic tagging technologies have provided unprecedented insight into the movements and behavior of marine predators. Concurrent information on the prey of these tracked animals, however, is mostly lacking. We developed and tested a prototype autonomous echosounder (aka the sonar tag) for deployment on large marine animals intended to provide quantification of their prey fields. The resulting fully autonomous, internally recording prototype sonar tag operated at a power of 1 W and a frequency of 200 kHz. A series of test deployments were successfully conducted on four juvenile female elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) captured at the Ano Nuevo State Reserve, California, and released short distances away. Translocated seals were instrumented with a sonar tag and a Fastloc GPS tag with an integrated time-depth recorder (TDR). All four animals returned to land after 3–18 days, making dives to depths of up to 778 m. Strong backscattering from the bottom was observed during many dives, indicating an often close association with the seafloor. Numerous observations of strongly scattering targets, potentially indicative of prey, were also made in the water column, often associated with particular dive and movement behaviors. During dives identified as foraging-type and also travel-type, one animal with the acoustic transducer on its head showed successive targets getting increasingly closer to the animal, possibly consistent with prey pursuit. These results demonstrate the value of active acoustic backscattering measurements made from free-ranging animals, complementing the ecological insight afforded by traditional depth- and position-logging tags. Future refinements will include further miniaturization, performance optimization, and extensions in the deployment duration.
Pharmacological Concentrations of Ascorbic Acid Are Required for the Beneficial Effect on Endothelial Vasomotor Function in Hypertension

Abstract —Increased production of superoxide anion may contribute to impaired bioactivity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide in hypertension. Ascorbic acid is capable of scavenging superoxide anion; however, experimental studies have shown that high physiological concentrations (>1 mmol/L) of ascorbic acid are required to prevent superoxide-mediated vascular dysfunction. To seek kinetic evidence that superoxide anion contributes to endothelial vasomotor dysfunction in human hypertension, we examined the effects of 2.4 or 24 mg/min ascorbic acid intra-arterial infusions on forearm blood flow responses to methacholine or sodium nitroprusside in 30 patients with hypertension and 22 age-matched controls. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to methacholine was significantly impaired in the hypertensive patients, with a response to the highest dose of methacholine (10 μg/min) of 12.3±6.7 compared with 16.1±5.8 mL · min −1 · dL tissue −1 in the controls ( P −1 · dL tissue −1 ( P =0.001). This dose produced a cephalic vein ascorbic acid concentration of 3.2±1.4 mmol/L. In contrast, ascorbic acid at 2.4 mg/min had no effect on the methacholine response. Ascorbic acid at both doses had no effect on the vasodilator response to sodium nitroprusside in hypertensive patients or the methacholine response in the controls. These results agree with the predicted kinetics for superoxide anion–mediated impairment of endothelium-derived nitric oxide action. Thus, superoxide anion may contribute to impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients with hypertension.
DNA: Beyond the Double Helix

Reciprocal exchange can be used to produce DNA motifs based on branching at the level of secondary structure. These motifs can be combined by sticky-ended cohesion to produce a variety of structures. Stick polyhedra and nanomechanical devices have been produced by self-assembly from motifs based on branched DNA. Periodic arrays with tunable surface features has also been produced; aperiodic arrangements have been used for DNA-based computation.
Changes in health-related quality of life 1 year following strabismus surgery.

Purpose To report changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 1 year following strabismus surgery. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Seventy-three adults undergoing strabismus surgery in a single clinical practice completed the Adult Strabismus-20 (AS-20) HRQOL questionnaire preoperatively and at 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. All included adults were successfully aligned at 6 weeks postoperatively. Success was defined based on clinical criteria. Change in AS-20 psychosocial and function scores was evaluated as: 1) difference in scores between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively and 2) proportions exceeding previously published limits of agreement at 6 weeks and 1 year. Results For patients successfully aligned at both 6 weeks and 1 year (n = 51), further improvement in median scores was seen from 6 weeks to 1 year for both the psychosocial scale (83.8 vs 93.8; P P = .007). Also, a greater proportion exceeded limits of agreement at 1 year than at 6 weeks (psychosocial: 48% vs 30%; P = .007, function: 67% vs 51%; P = .01). For patients who became partial success (n = 18) or failure (n = 4) at 1 year there was a numerical decrease in scores at 1 year. Conclusions Adult strabismus patients who remain successfully aligned show continued improvement in both psychosocial and function scores from 6 weeks to 1 year postoperatively, indicating that improvement in HRQOL is long-lasting. Evaluation of HRQOL should be considered when reporting strabismus surgery outcomes in clinical trials, and may prove helpful in assessing outcomes in clinical practice.
Unsupervised hyperspectral band selection using parallel processing

Band selection is a common technique to reducing the data dimensionality of hyperspectral imagery. When the desired object information is unknown, the objective of an unsupervised band selection approach is to select the most distinctive and informative bands. Although band selection can significantly alleviate the computational burden in the following data processing and analysis, the process itself may induce additional computation complexity. In this paper, we propose parallel processing techniques for an unsupervised band selection method without changing band selection result.
Cancer Prevention Studies in p53-Deficient Mice:

Future progress in mechanism-based cancer prevention research may be facilitated by animal models displaying specific genetic susceptibilities for cancer, such as mice deficient in I (+/-) or both (-/-) alleles of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. We observed in p53-/- mice that calorie restriction (CR) increased the latency of spontaneous tumor development (mostly lymphomas) by approximately 75%, decreased serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and leptin levels, slowed thymocyte cell cycle traverse, and induced apoptosis in immature thymocytes. In p53+/- mice, CR and a 1 d/wk fast each delayed spontaneous tumor development (a mix of lymphomas, sarcomas, and epithelial tumors) and decreased serum IGF-1 and leptin levels, even when begun late in life. In p53+/-Wnt-1 transgenic mice, a mammary tumor model, the same interventions increased mammary tumor latency and reduced mean serum IGF-1 and leptin levels to <50% of those of control mice. We capitalized on the susceptibility of p53+/- mice to chronic, low-dose aromatic amine-induced bladder carcinogenesis to develop a useful model for evaluating bladder cancer prevention approaches. These examples clearly indicate that mice with specific (and humanlike) genetic susceptibilities for cancer are powerful models for testing interventions that may inhibit carcinogenesis in humans.
Melioidosis: recrudescence with a strain resistant to multiple antimicrobials.

We describe a recent case of melioidosis presenting classically in a young Vietnam veteran. The case demonstrates extensive antibiotic resistance in this isolate and failure of ceftriaxone, despite its in vitro efficacy. Other multiple antimicrobial regimens also failed. Melioidosis remains a concern in patients who have previously lived in endemic areas. A high level of diagnostic suspicion is required, especially in patients with a febrile illness or tuberculosislike presentations. Early detection of Pseudomonas pseudomallei and rational treatment of adequate duration are critical in successful management.
Journalism and new technology: an uneasy alliance

Este artigo examina o papel da tecnologia no desenvolvimento e na funcao do jornalismo. Em um contexto historico, focaliza a discussao na natureza e no impacto de tecnologias digitais, em como os jornalistas fazem o seu trabalho, em como contam historias, em como as organizacoes jornalisticas podem ser controladas, e em como as relacoes entre as organizacoes e os seus muitos publicos estao mudando nas condicoes de possibilidade da internet e de outros meios.
Pancreas transplantation in older patients is safe, but patient selection is paramount

Pancreas transplant outcomes have progressively improved. Despite this, some centers have continued to employ historical age limits for pancreas transplant candidates. We sought to determine the importance of chronological age in determining patient and graft survival rates after pancreas transplantation. A single-center, retrospective study of adult, deceased donor simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) and solitary pancreas transplants (SP, including pancreas transplant alone and pancreas after kidney transplants) in recipients ≥ 55 years (55 + ), occurring between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2012, was performed. Seven-hundred and forty patients underwent pancreas transplantation, of which 28 patients were 55 + . Patient survival was comparable for younger and older pancreas transplant recipients. Both non-death-censored and death-censored pancreatic graft survival rates were similar in younger and in older patients. Patients aged 45-54 and those aged 55 + had more frequent cardiovascular events than younger pancreas transplant recipients. There was no difference in renal graft survival for SPK patients when compared with diabetic kidney transplant alone recipients aged 55 years and older. Older pancreas transplant recipients had acceptable long-term patient and graft survival rates, although complications may occur. Chronological age alone should not exclude a patient for pancreas transplant candidacy.
Introducing Aliphatic Substitution with a Discovery Experiment Using Competing Electrophiles.

A facile, discovery-based experiment is described that introduces aliphatic substitution in an introductory undergraduate organic chemistry curriculum. Unlike other discovery-based experiments that examine substitution using two competing nucleophiles with a single electrophile, this experiment compares two isomeric, competing electrophiles (primary and secondary halides) with a single nucleophile (phenoxide ion). The question posed to students at the start of the experiment is what mechanism explains formation of the observed ether product from reaction of the phenoxide with an alkyl halide. If the reaction proceeds via an SN1 mechanism, then the major product will come from reaction of the secondary halide. If the reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism, the major product will come from reaction of the primary halide. In this experiment, students are able to discover that the primary halide reacts faster than the secondary halide by a roughly 4:1 margin. This discovery allows students to conclude that th...
The stressors of being young and Black: Cardiovascular health and Black young adults

Objective: To examine the impact of stressors relevant to the lives of Black young adults including racial, financial, occupational, and general stress and psychological distress on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between multiple psychosocial stressors and two CVD risk indicators (i.e. obesity and blood pressure).Design: This study used a quantitative design which included surveys, the collection of anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measures. Participants were 124 Black college students aged 18 to 27 years old. Main Outcome Measures: Participants completed measures to assess psychological distress, general, occupational, financial and racial stress. Measures of body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and BP were collected to assess CVD risk.Results: Findings indicated a significant effect of internalised racism on BMI and a significant effect of individual racial stress on diastolic BP. Also, depression was significantly associated with s...
On Trematosphaeria circinans and reinstatement of the genus Byssothecium

Observations on laboratory-grown isolates and herbarium specimens of Trematosphaeria circinans support reinstatement of Byssothecium with B. circinans as its type. The development of the ascoma appears to be consistent with the Pleospora centrum type. The anamorph, in culture, is nonostiolate pycnidial; single-celled, hyaline conidia are produced by lageniform phialides.
THE RESPONSE OF VIOLA BLANDA WILLD. (VIOLACEAE) TO PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZATION AND SHADING

GRIFFITH, C. (School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506). The response of Viola blanda Willd. (Violaceae) to phosphorus fertilization and shading. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 125:194-198. 1998.-Abiotic resources may limit growth and reproduction of forest understory herbs or cause changes in allocation between sexual and vegetative reproduction. In a field experiment, 104 ramets of Viola blanda were randomly assigned to four treatments: shading (by 55% shade cloth) only, fertilization (using superphosphate fertilizer) only, or shading and fertilization. After harvesting and drying to constant weight, the mass of the entire ramet, the mass of ramet after any stolons, pedicels, or fruits had been removed, the mass of the pedicels and fruits, and the mass of the stolons were measured. Analyses of variance and covariance indicated that shading significantly reduced the mass of the entire ramet, the mass of the sum of leaves, roots, and rhizomes, and the mass of stolons. Phosphorus increased the combined mass of the pedicel and fruit. Unshaded plants were more likely to have fruit and stolons. The proportion of total biomass allocated to seeds, stolons, or pedicels and fruit was not changed by the treatments. A surprising result was that shading increased average seed mass. Chemical analysis showed that fertilized plants had higher levels of tissue phosphorus. The results generally suggest that light levels limit growth and reproduction in V. blanda, but do not change patterns of allocation to reproduction via seeds and stolons.
Circadian rhythms of alcohol dehydrogenase and MEOS in the rat.

The circadian peak in a1 coho1 dehydrogenase (ADH) activity fell near the time of maximal blood ethanol clearance rates both in groups of rats injected with a single ethanol dose (acute group) and in rats continuously exposed to ethanol for 22 weeks (chronic group). However, at all timepoints investigated ADti activity levels were lower and fluctuated less in the chronic group than in either the acute or control (ethanol naive) groups. In contrast, activity levels of the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS) revealed a prominent rhythm that was 180" out of phase with the ADH rhythm in the chronic group, while MEOS activ- ity showed very low levels in the a cute and control groups and did not. vary over the circadian span.
Self-reported occupational injuries among industrial beef slaughterhouse workers in the Midwestern United States

ABSTRACTAlthough workers in meatpacking facilities in the U.S. experience high rates of occupational injury, their injury experiences have received limited research attention. Prior research indicates underreporting in injury rates in this industry as well significant variation in injury rates among facilities. To add detail to the rates and circumstances surrounding occupational injury among meatpacking workers, we conducted a cross-sectional study of workers employed at an industrial beefpacking plant in Nebraska (n = 137) and interviewed workers about recent injury experiences. We assessed frequency, cause and nature of self-reported injury. We estimated annual incidence rates of self-reported injuries using the OSHA formula and compared these rates to industry-wide data. We also evaluated psychological distress in this workforce as measured by the Kessler-6 scale to assess whether distress was associated with recent occupational injury. In this study, 15.1% of workers experienced occupational injuries...
A model for oxygen conservation associated with titration during pediatric oxygen therapy

Background Continuous oxygen treatment is essential for managing children with hypoxemia, but access to oxygen in low-resource countries remains problematic. Given the high burden of pneumonia in these countries and the fact that flow can be gradually reduced as therapy progresses, oxygen conservation through routine titration warrants exploration. Aim To determine the amount of oxygen saved via titration during oxygen therapy for children with hypoxemic pneumonia. Methods Based on published clinical data, we developed a model of oxygen flow rates needed to manage hypoxemia, assuming recommended flow rate at start of therapy, and comparing total oxygen used with routine titration every 3 minutes or once every 24 hours versus no titration. Results Titration every 3 minutes or every 24 hours provided oxygen savings estimated at 11.7% ± 5.1% and 8.1% ± 5.1% (average ± standard error of the mean, n = 3), respectively. For every 100 patients, 44 or 30 kiloliters would be saved—equivalent to 733 or 500 hours at 1 liter per minute. Conclusions Ongoing titration can conserve oxygen, even performed once-daily. While clinical validation is necessary, these findings could provide incentive for the routine use of pulse oximeters for patient management, as well as further development of automated systems.
Risk Management through Employees: Testing Employees’ Voluntary Scouting and Corporate Readiness for Cyber Risks

While such efforts should ideally be managed by a systematic procedure through a formal public relations function, the potential value of employees’ voluntary efforts cannot be ignored, considering especially that specialized employees may have access to forums and groups that public relations practitioners may not. Kim and Rhee (2011) define such voluntary behaviors as scouting-“employees’ voluntary communication efforts to bring relevant information to the organization” (p. 247). The role and value of employee scouting to strategic risk management is becoming increasingly crucial for all organizationsin the era of a networked society. The magnitude of scouting has been shown to depend on the quality of organization-employee relationship (OER) perceived by employees (Kim & Rhee, 2011). Effective management of OER may also increase the likelihood of online scouting.
Radiation Dose Reduction during Uterine Fibroid Embolization Using an Optimized Imaging Platform.

Abstract Purpose To assess radiation dose reduction during uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) using an optimized angiographic processing and acquisition platform. Materials and Methods Radiation dose data for 70 women (mean age, 46 y; range, 34–67 y) who underwent UFE were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-one patients underwent UFE using the baseline fluoroscopic and angiographic image acquisition platform, and 49 underwent UFE after implementing an optimized imaging platform in otherwise identical angiography suites. Cumulative kerma-area product (CKAP), cumulative air kerma (CAK), total fluoroscopy time, and image exposure number were collected for each procedure. Image quality was assessed by 3 interventional radiologists blinded to the platform used for image acquisition and processing. Results Patients undergoing UFE using the new x-ray fluoroscopy platform had significantly lower CKAP and CAK indicators than patients for whom baseline settings were used. Mean CKAP decreased by 60% from 438.5 Gy · cm 2 (range, 180.3–1,081.1 Gy · cm 2 ) to 175.2 Gy · cm 2 (range, 47.1–757.0 Gy · cm 2 ; P P = .001). No degradation of image quality was identified through qualitative evaluation. Conclusions Significant reduction in patient radiation dose indicators can be achieved with use of an optimized image acquisition and processing platform.
Cellular Origins of Malignant Glioma: The Cancer Stem Cell Polemic

Cellular heterogeneity is a distinctive feature of high-grade gliomas [1]. What are the cellular mechanisms that give rise to the collection of cell types that comprise glioblastoma multiforme? According to the clonal evolution model of tumor heterogeneity (also known as the stochastic model), tumor initiation occurs by an induced change in a single previously normal cell (Fig. 3.1a) [2]. This neoplastic cell has a selective growth advantage compared with the surrounding normal cells.
Simultaneous radar and communications emissions from a common aperture, Part I: Theory

Multi-function RF systems address the growing need to provide greater functionality with fewer hardware and spectral resources. In this vein, a two-stage iterative optimization approach denoted as far-field radiated emission design (FFRED) is developed that is used here to design a set of physical multi-function waveforms that realize far-field radar and communication signals simultaneously from a common antenna array and with the same spectral support. Particular attention is paid to the efficiency of power radiated into the radar and communication spatial directions, peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR), and the bit error rate (BER) for the communication mode. Experimental demonstration of this joint emission scheme is presented in the companion paper
Sex Differences in Mortality Based on United Network for Organ Sharing Status While Awaiting Heart Transplantation

Background—There are sex differences in mortality while awaiting heart transplantation, and the reason remains unclear. Methods and Results—We included all adults in the Scientific Registry of Tran...
FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY: STATE OF THE ART

Fluorescence microscopy allows the dynamic acquisition of information about the spectroscopic properties of fluorescent reporter molecules at levels of resolution to small to be seen with the naked eye. The overall goal of research and applications of fluorescence microscopy are to: 1) observe in greater detail, (i. e. improve spatial resolution); 2) measure more specifically, sensitively and accurately (i. e. improve spectroscopic information); and 3) manipulate more precisely (i. e. improve control) a single sample—all at the same time. Towards this end, a number of different types of fluorescence microscopes have been developed. The goal of the present communication is to review the status of the field in terms of the fundamentals of fluorescence microscopy, some of the types of fluorescence microscopes that currently exist, their applications and future developments.
All things to all people: trade-offs in pursuit of an ideal modeling tool for maternal and child health

Modeling tools have potential to aid decision making for program planning and evaluation at all levels, but are still largely the domain of technical experts, consultants, and global-level staff. One model that can improve decision making for maternal and child health is the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). We examined respondents’ perceptions of LiST’s strengths and weaknesses, to identify ways in which LiST – and similar modeling tools – can adapt to be more accessible and helpful to policy makers. We interviewed 21 purposefully sampled LiST users. First, we identified the characteristics that respondents explicitly stated, or implicitly implied, were important in a modeling tool, and then used these results to create a framework for reviewing a modeling tool. Second, we used this framework to categorize the strengths and weaknesses of LiST that respondents articulated. Two overarching qualities were important to respondents: usability and accuracy. For some users, LiST already meets these criteria: it allows for customized input parameters to increase specificity; the interface is intuitive; the assumptions and calculations are scientifically sound; and the standard metric of “additional lives saved” is understood and comparable across settings. Other respondents had different views, although their complaints were typically not that the tool is unusable or inaccurate, but that aspects of the tool could be better explained or easier to understand. Government and agency staff at all levels should be empowered to use the data available to them, including the use of models to make full use of these data. For this, we need tools that meet a threshold of both accuracy, so results clarify rather than mislead, and usability, so tools can be used readily and widely, not just by select experts. With these ideals in mind, there are ways in which LiST might continue to be improved or adapted to further advance its uptake and impact.
Aging Reactions in Precipitation Hardenable Stainless Steel

The physical metallurgy of a precipitation hardenable stainless steel—17-4 PH—is reviewed. Electron micrographs are presented describing the microstructure of 17-4 PH as a function of aging time and temperature. Phase composition and X-ray diffraction data quantitatively relate lattice parameter, nonuniform microstrain, and austenite-ferrite ratio with heat treatment.
Dehydrated Dairy Products | Dairy Ingredients in Non-Dairy Foods

In 2008, the global production of milk was about 700 million metric tonnes. It has been estimated that nearly half of this amount is converted to forms for use as food ingredients. Prior to 1950, the major products for ingredient use were dried whole milk, dried skim milk, and dried churned buttermilk. The major uses of these ingredients were for bakery products and confections.
THE ANODIC BEHAVIOR OF Mg, AZ31 AND AZ91 ALLOYS IN BORATE BUFFER SOLUTION

The anodic behavior of Mg was investigated in pH 10.0 and 10.8 borate buffer solutions over the temperature range 5 to 65°C. The anodic reactivity, based on the charge passed in a potential step experiment, increased with decreasing solution pH and decreasing temperature. Alloying additions of Al and Zn to Mg were studied by employing AZ31 and AZ91 alloys. The anodic reactivity decreased in the order Mg>AZ31>AZ91; however, the beneficial influence of Al and Zn tended to diminish as the solution aggressiveness decreased. Surface analysis by AES gave information about the thickness of the oxide films.
Acute right ventricular failure is caused by inadequate right ventricular hypothermia

The hypothesis of this study was that inadequate right ventricular hypothermia contributes to the right ventricular dysfunction occasionally observed after cardiac operations. Dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, and 60 minute periods of hypothermic myocardial ischemia were imposed. Left ventricular temperature was always maintained at 15 degrees C and right ventricular temperatures were maintained at 15 degrees C (Group I, n = 8), 25 degrees C (Group II, n = 8), and 35 degrees C (Group III, n = 8). These temperatures were produced by infusion of hypothermic crystalloid cardioplegic solution and appropriate topical cooling and heating of the left and right ventricles, respectively. Multiple indices of ventricular function were obtained 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after bypass and compared to prebypass control values. In all Group I animals (left ventricular temperature = 15 degrees C, right ventricular temperature = 15 degrees C), postischemic indices of right ventricular function were not different from control values (p = NS). In Group II (left ventricular temperature = 15 degrees C, right ventricular temperature = 25 degrees C), two animals died 30 and 45 minutes after bypass, respectively, of right ventricular failure. In the other six animals in Group II, all indices of right ventricular function were significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) except for right ventricular systolic pressure. In Group III (left ventricular temperature = 15 degrees C, right ventricular temperature = 35 degrees C), two animals could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass because of right ventricular akinesia. Six animals were weaned from bypass, but two died 15 minutes, one died 30 minutes, and one 45 minutes after bypass. Two animals lived 60 minutes, but all indices of right ventricular function were decreased. Failure to maintain right ventricular temperatures below 25 degrees C during 1 hour of cardiac ischemia in the dog can result in fatal right ventricular failure.
Toward an Archaeology of Non-Elite Consumption in Late Ottoman Anatolia

Over the past two decades, a growing number of studies have focused on the social histories of workers, peasants, and other popular classes in the Ottoman Empire (e.g., Berktay and Faroqhi 1992; Faroqhi 1986, 1987; Quataert 1983; Quataert and Zurcher 1995). However, it is still relatively rare for these people to be included in historical dialogues focusing on the Ottoman Empire. After all, of the vast documents available to scholars on the Ottoman period, relatively few sources describe and document the lives of non-elite groups, especially working classes and rural populations. As a result, these groups remain virtually invisible, and their lives are left unrecorded. If dialogues centering around the lives of the peasants, workers, nomads, and other non-elite groups living within the Ottoman Empire are going to be written, new approaches must be explored. Archaeology is one form of ‘documentation’ which can be used to examine non-elite economic behaviors of the Ottoman past. Much more than the study of sherds, or the history of minutiae, archaeology provides a window into the lives of workers and peasants by examining the types of material goods they consumed and then disposed of Equally important, archaeology allows us to reevaluate the relationships between non-elite groups and larger-scale political economies by examining the use of material culture within local, imperial, or global contexts. By focusing on non-elite consumption patterns,
The Near Infrared

The near infrared (NIR) comprises low frequency radiation adjacent to red hues in the visible. The brightness we see in the NIR is due to reflected sunlight; not to temperature as many people, including some professionals, mistakenly believe. In the NIR photographic products are available, rock brightness is higher, and the longer wavelengths are affected less by atmospheric scattering. But the major advantage of using the NIR its sensitivity to vegetation type, density, water content, and general plant health. Watch out, though, colors on color NIR photographs do not mean the same as colors on photographs in the visible region.
Path advisory for slide drilling using a nonlinear wellbore propagation model and genetic algorithm

Abstract Directional drilling is a complex operation that is difficult to execute with precision and repeatability. It is challenging to accurately model and predict the results of drilling actions, which leaves much to directional driller's experience. To reduce the impact of uncertainties on the drilling actions and to improve drilling efficiency, an automatic computational framework is proposed for directional drilling to optimize the drilling path and associated actions to drill this path. The proposed framework has low computational overhead and is suitable for real-time application. The framework consists of a nonlinear wellbore propagation model coupled with a genetic algorithm (GA). Using this framework, optimal drilling actions are found automatically with the intent of maximizing the value of the well. A new well path propagation model is developed that maintains an optimal trade off between modeling accuracy and computational overhead. For orientation, a quaternion formulation is used instead of the industry standard Euler angles to avoid singularity problems. The well path optimization problem is formulated by defining suitable cost functions including functions representing production loss, wellbore quality, drilling time, completion cost, and state and input constraints that represent the physical limitations of the directional drilling system. Using this approach, the solution space has trillions of candidate well paths, which makes an exhaustive search impractical for real-time directional drilling advisory and control. In order to address this issue, a GA methodology is applied. Solving the optimization problem generates sets of drilling instructions (e.g slide and rotate instructions for downhole motor drilling) that can be applied to drill practically optimal wells that maximize the value of the well. For most cases, a solution is found in under a minute. Even though the solution could be a local optimal since the optimization problem is non-convex, the optimization framework shows excellent practical results when applied to actual field cases.
Sensorimotor training for injury prevention in collegiate soccer players: An experimental study.

Abstract Objectives Deliver a sensorimotor training intervention; quantify the change in clinical measurements of sensorimotor control; and compare injury rate to a historical control. Design One-arm experimental pilot; Level 3. Setting NCAA Division II university athletic facilities. Participants 75 collegiate soccer players (38 males; 37 females) were enrolled, including 30 (40%) with history of concussion, and participated in eight training sessions. Outcomes Change in pre-to post-intervention for: static balance on the Sway app, near-point convergence, self-reported symptoms on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, cervical flexor neuromotor control/endurance, measured by the Cranial-Cervical Flexion Test and Joint Position Error test, and gaze stability on the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test. Injury incidence rate in 2018 was calculated using the number of traumatic injuries across the season and athlete exposure counts, as compared to a historical control. Results Significant improvements were obtained in static balance, cervical flexor neuromotor control/endurance, and near-point convergence (p-values Conclusion This intervention holds promise as a preventive strategy for sports-injury as a comprehensive population-based intervention.
Percutaneous microwave ablation therapy in management of hepatic tumors. A single- center experience

Purpose Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) therapy is a minimally invasive ablative technique in the loco regional management of unresectable primary and secondary liver tumors. This study presents retrospective preliminary data with short term follow up for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and compares it to the current standard of care, radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods Between Dec 2011-Sep 2012, 19 patients (M-14, F-5, mean age 60.3±6.1 years) with 26 lesions and 11 patients (M-7, F-4, mean age 57.7±15.4 years) with 18 lesions underwent MWA and RFA respectively. Malignant diagnosis varied, HCC was most common pathology. MWA anticipated zone size was compared with actual size in 3 different machines (two 2.45GHz and one 915MHz). Complete ablation was defined as lack of enhancement at 1 month follow up. Results Mean lesion size was MWA 3.0±1.5x2.9±1.3x2.9±1.5 cm (n=26) RFA. 7±1.0X1.5±0.8X1.4±0.7 cm (n=18). RFA lesions were significantly smaller (p=0.002). A single MWA probe was used in 23 lesions, 2 probes in 3 lesions. Actual zone size was 4.1±1.6x3.1±1.1x3.0±1.1 cm compared to anticipated zone size of 5.2±1.6x4.0±1.0x4.0±1.0 cm. An average of 49.3±30.6% of the anticpated volume, there was no significant difference between machines. MWA achieved complete ablation at 1month f/u in 17/20 (85%) lesions, RFA in 5/5 lesions (100%). There was a slight decrease in actual MWA zone size at 1 month, 3.7±1.8x2.6±1.2x2.5±1.2 cm, compared to post procedure, this was not significant (p=0.24). 30 day mortality was 0. There were no major complications. Conclusion MWA has returned to the market place with potential to treat larger hepatic lesions. This preliminary study demonstrates it can treat a variety of hepatic lesions successfully and safely. The success of the treatment was not impacted by the type of MW technology used (2.45 Ghz vs 915MHz). This study suggests that RFA has a more predictable ablation zone than MWA. Information for anticipated MWA zones provided by the companies are in ex vivo organs, and this data suggests that there is a significant difference in vivo and we recommend at least a 10-20% adjustment of the predicted zone dimensions.
Antifungal activity and fire resistantance properties of nano-chitosan treated wood

Fungal decay and fire resistance properties of wood treated with nano-chitosan-TPP particles were investigated. Quaternized and non-quaternized nano-chitosan particles crosslinked with a commercial fire-retardant, tripolyphosphate, were prepared from low molecular weight chitosan (with a molecular weight of 50 to 190 kDa). Different treatments were performed on southern yellow pine wood samples via a vacuum impregnation process for both quaternized and non-quaternized nano-chitosan-TPP particles with a concentration ratio of 12% to 4.8% (nano-chitosan to TPP). Both the leached and unleached treated wood samples were exposed to brown rot (Gloeophyllum trabeum) and white rot (Trametes versicolor) fungi according to AWPA standard E10-16. The flammability test was performed with a cone calorimeter according to ASTM standard E1354-15. The heat release rate and the mass loss rate were measured. The results of the fungal tests indicated that the quaternization of the nano-chitosan particles resulted in a reduced mass loss in the pine samples when exposed to Trametes versicolor under leached conditions. Additionally, without the quaternization of the nano-chitosan particles, the mass loss in the pine samples was reduced when exposed to Gloeophyllum trabeum under unleached conditions. The production of nano-chitosan-TPP particles had a significant effect on the fire-retardant activity of the treated wood samples.
Stranger in My Body

From the Patient's Desk provides an opportunity for patients to share their personal experiences with renal replacement therapy, comment on health care delivery, and relate stories of how the success or failure of their treatment has affected their lives. The topics and presentations should be of interest to professionals involved in the delivery of renal replacement care, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, technicians, and social workers. Please
Syntactic Control of Timing in Speech Production: A Study of Complement Clauses.

Abstract: A sentence-reading procedure was used to study the influence of syntactic structure on the timing of syllables in speech production. In each sentence, easily segmentable key words were placed in the environment of a putative syntactic boundary. The immediate phonetic environments of the key words were held fixed or independently assessed for their effect on syllable timing. In the main experiment, the effects of complement clause boundaries were tested in sentences containing the verbs expected and persuaded. These verbs were used because they trigger structurally distinct complement types. Each of a group of 15 speakers read aloud a set of five sentences six times each. The waveforms of the first five occurrences of each sentence were digitized at a sampling rate of 10 kHz and measured for the duration of the last two syllables of the verb and for the duration of the immediately following noun. The results showed that the last two syllables of the verb expected but not of persuaded were significantly shorter, by a small amount averaging about 12 ms, when the verb was followed by a complement clause appearing in the surface structure of the sentence as compared with when the verb was followed by a non-surface complement. The results support the notion that a level of syntactic computation controls timing relations in speech production and that this level computes a clausal representation similar to a variant of linguistic surface structure. Other experiments showed that (1) a phonetic effect on syllable timing, conditioned by the presence of a following voiced vs. voiceless segment, extends across a verb-noun phrase boundary and (2) the difference noted for the verbs expected and persuaded generalizes at least in part to other verbs in sentences having the same structural distinction.
Multivariable L ∞ sensitivity optimization and hankel approximation

The problem of designing a feedback compensator to minimize a weighted L∞ norm of the sensitivity function of a MIMO linear time invariant system is considered. The problem is solved by establishing its equivalence to the different but related problem of multivariable zeroeth order optimal Hankel approximation solved recently by Kung and Lin.
Characterization of MOCVD-grown InP on InGaP/GaAs(001)

Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used to investigate the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of InP on nominally flat InGaPGaAs(001) substrates. From a detailed structural analysis of the deposited InP, we observe coherent Stranski-Krastanov growth, i.e., after the initial formation of a two-dimensional layer, two types of coherently strained islands appear above a defined thickness. At higher coverages a third type of larger, incoherent and defected island is observed. The two types of coherently strained islands can be characterized by their distinct sizes. For low coverages the coherently strained islands possess irregular dimensions in the plane of the substrate and have a maximum height of 6 nm. At higher coverages the second type of coherently strained islands appears. These are cap-shaped and have a rather narrow distribution of base diameter (120 ± 10 nm) and height (22.5 ± 2.5 nm). An appreciable density of incoherent and defected relaxed islands also becomes evident at increased coverages. These have a hexagonal shape exposing clear facets and are elongated along the [110] crystallographic direction of the substrate.
Synthesis of Substituted 2,2,4,4‐Tetramethylcyclobutanones

Some of the alkyl substituted 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutanones were synthesized by conventional methods.
Syntheses of the eastern halves of ritterazines B, F, G, and H, leading to reassignment of the 5,5-spiroketal stereochemistry of ritterazines B and F.

The ritterazine class of natural products comprises 26 compoundsall of which are spiroketal-containing steroidal heterodimersthat inhibit the proliferation of cultured human cancer cell lines with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range. Little is known about their chemistry, cellular target(s), or mechanism(s) of growth inhibition, due primarily to the small amount of material available from natural sources. In this paper we report syntheses of the eastern halves of ritterazines B, F, G, and H and address the energetic and mechanistic aspects of spiroketal equilibration for each. These studies have led to reassignment of the 5,5-spiroketal stereochemistry of ritterazines B and F, and they have enabled us to propose a quantitative description of the natural distribution of these ritterazine compounds.
Teacher Distance and Student Disengagement: School Lives on the Margin.

The school lives of 31 culturally diverse students who were identified by the school as potential dropouts were studied using ethnographic methods. Data were collected across 2 years and revealed t...
Optical and X-ray properties of the newly discovered BL Lacertae object PKS 2155-304 (=H2155-304)

The soft X-ray source H 2155-304 has been precisely located with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator, and identified with an object of bolometric magnitude approximately 14. The linear polarization, variability, spectrum, and diffuse image of the optical flux, together with the positional coincidence of the radio source PKS 2155-304, indicate that this object is a new member of the BL Lacertae class. Its characteristics are compared with those of other X-ray-emitting BL Lacertae objects, particularly Mrk 421.
Detection of coronary artery disease by vasodilator thallium imaging of the heart with amyl nitrite inhalation: A pilot study

Thallium imaging of the heart using dipyridamole-induced coronary arteriolar vasodilation has proven to be an effective means of detecting significant coronary stenosis. However, intravenous dipyridamole has not yet been made available for general use. We therefore examined the feasibility of substituting amyl nitrite inhalation as an arteriolar vasodilator prior to thallium imaging. Seventeen patients, all of whom had catheterization-proven coronary stenosis, inhaled amyl nitrite for 2-5 min. Thallium was injected after 45-60 s of inhalation. Completion of inhalation was followed immediately by planar imaging. Of 6 patients who inhaled amyl nitrite for at least 4 min, 5 had moderate or severe image defects on immediate scans which completely resolved on delayed scans. Only 3 of 11 who inhaled amyl nitrite for 2 min or less prior to scanning had similarly positive tests. Overall sensitivity for significant stenosis was 8 of 17 (47%). Inhalation was well tolerated with only one episode of angina and hypotension. We conclude that amyl nitrite inhalation for at least 4 min may offer an effective and readily available alternative to intravenous dipyridamole for vasodilator imaging of the heart.
Frzb-1 is a secreted antagonist of Wnt signaling expressed in the Spemann Organizer.

Frzb-1 is a secreted protein containing a domain similar to the putative Wnt-binding region of the frizzled family of transmembrane receptors. Frzb-1 is widely expressed in adult mammalian tissues. In the Xenopus gastrula, it is expressed and regulated as a typical Spemann organizer component. Injection of frzb-1 mRNA blocks expression of XMyoD mRNA and leads to embryos with enlarged heads and shortened trunks. Frzb-1 antagonizes the effects of Xwnt-8 ectopic expression in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Cultured cells transfected with a membrane-tethered form of Wnt-1 bind epitope-tagged Frzb-1 in the 10−10 M range. The results strengthen the view that the Spemann organizer is a source of secreted inhibitory factors.