cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial Influences in Hybrid Cells

The analysis of genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic expression in somatic cells depends on techniques which can demonstrate the presence of particular heritable components. For genetic elements located in the nucleus of the cell, numerous chromosomal, drug resistance, and biochemical markers are now available which allow study of specific loci. Similarly, for the analysis of mitochondrial inheritance in somatic cells there has been increased availability of drug resistance markers which can be transmitted by cytoplasmic transfer (Bunn et al., 1974; Lictor and Getz, 1978; Harris, 1978). Specific differences in buoyant density and restriction endonuclease digest patterns of mitochondrial DNA also have served as markers for the identification of cytoplasmic genetic determinants (Dawid et al., 1974; Case and Wallace, 1981).
Polar catastrophe, electron leakage, and magnetic ordering at the LaMnO 3 / SrMnO 3 interface

Electronic reconstruction at the polar interface ${\text{LaMnO}}_{3}/{\text{SrMnO}}_{3}$ (LMO/SMO) (100) resulting from the polar catastrophe is studied from a model Hamiltonian that includes the double and superexchange interactions, the Madelung potential, and the Jahn-Teller coupling terms relevant for the manganites. We show that the polar catastrophe, originating from the alternately charged LMO layers and neutral SMO layers, is quenched by the accumulation of an extra half electron per cell in the interface region as in the case of the ${\text{LaAlO}}_{3}/{\text{SrTiO}}_{3}$ interface. In addition, the $\text{Mn}\text{ }{e}_{g}$ electrons leak out from the LMO side to the SMO side, the extent of the leakage being controlled by the interfacial potential barrier and the substrate induced epitaxial strain. The leaked electrons mediate a Zener double exchange, making the layers adjacent to the interface ferromagnetic, while the two bulk materials away from the interface retain their original type A or G antiferromagnetic structures. A half-metallic conduction band results at the interface, sandwiched by the two insulating bulks. We have also studied how the electron leakage and consequently the magnetic ordering are affected by the substrate-induced epitaxial strain. Comparisons are made with the results of the density-functional calculations for the ${(\text{LMO})}_{6}/{(\text{SMO})}_{4}$ superlattice.
PACTS: A Service Oriented Architecture for Real-Time Peer-Assisted Content Delivery Service

Compared with the traditional client/server streaming model, peer-assisted video streaming has been shown to provide better scalability with lower infrastructure cost. In this paper, we describe how peer-assisted video streaming can be implemented through real-time service oriented architecture. Our architecture, dubbed PACTS, is composed of 5 distinct service components: directory service, content service, peer download service, peer upload service and rate composition service. PACTS is designed to meet the specific QoS requirements of different users, entered through a simple Web interface. It also provides a distributed implementation of the content and peer directory services for effectively handling flash crowd situations, when a large number of users join during a very short period of time. We discuss the functionalities of the main PACTS services and specify the workflow of how these services work together to deliver real-time streaming services leveraging the benefits of peer to peer technology. By organizing elements of traditional video streaming and peer to peer computing into loosely-coupled composable middleware services and distributing them among participating entities, PACTS enables high-quality low- cost video streaming at a large scale and in real time.
Preventive malaria treatment for contacts of patients with Ebola virus disease in the context of the west Africa 2014–15 Ebola virus disease response: an economic analysis

Summary Background After the detection of an Ebola virus disease outbreak in west Africa in 2014, one of the elements of the response was to contact trace and isolate patients in specialised Ebola treatment units (ETUs) at onset of fever. We aimed to assess the economic feasibility of administering preventive malaria treatment to all contacts of patients with Ebola virus disease, to prevent the onset of febrile malaria and subsequent admission to ETUs. Methods We used a decision tree model to analyse the costs of preventive malaria treatment (artemisinin-based combination treatment [ACT]) for all contacts of patients with Ebola virus disease (in terms of administration and averted ETU-stay costs) and benefits (in terms of averted ETU admissions) in west Africa, from a health-care provider perspective. The period of analyses was 1 year, which is roughly similar to the duration of the 2014–15 west Africa Ebola outbreak response. We calculated the intervention's cost per ETU admission averted (average cost-effectiveness ratio) by season (wet and dry), country (Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea), and age of contact ( Findings Administration of ACTs to contacts of patients with Ebola virus disease was cost saving for contacts of all ages in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, in both seasons, from a health-care provider perspective. In the wet season, preventive malaria treatment was estimated to reduce the probability of a contact being admitted to an ETU by a maximum of 36% (in Guinea, for contacts aged Interpretation Administration of preventive malaria treatment to contacts of patients with Ebola virus disease should be considered by public health officials when addressing Ebola virus disease outbreaks in countries and seasons where malaria reaches high levels of transmission. Funding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lean mass predicts conditioned pain modulation in adolescents across weight status.

BACKGROUND There is a wide continuum of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in adults with older adults experiencing an attenuated CPM response compared with younger adults. Less is known for adolescents and the role of anthropometrics. METHODS Fifty-six adolescents (15.1 ± 1.8 years; 32 normal weight and 24 overweight/obese; 27 boys) completed in a CPM session that included anthropometric testing. Pressure pain thresholds were measured at the nailbed and deltoid muscle (test stimuli) with the foot submerged in a cool or ice water bath (conditioning stimulus). Weight status, body composition (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan), physical activity levels and clinical pain were also evaluated. RESULTS The CPM response in adolescents was similar across sites (nailbed vs. deltoid), weight status (normal vs. overweight/obese) and sex. CPM measured at the deltoid muscle was positively associated with left arm lean mass but not fat mass; lean mass of the arm uniquely predicted 10% of the CPM magnitude. CPM measured at the nailbed was positively correlated with physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that lean mass and physical activity levels may contribute to endogenous pain inhibition in adolescents across weight status.
A longitudinally extensive myelopathy associated with multiple spinal arteriovenous fistulas in a patient with Cowden syndrome: a case report.

Abstract Background Context Cowden syndrome is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple hamartomas and an increased cancer risk. It is associated with mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) gene that encodes a tumor suppressant phosphatase. Purpose The study aimed to report an unusual case of multiple spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas in a patient diagnosed with Cowden syndrome. Study Design This is a case report. Patient Sample The patient is a 57-year-old woman. Methods We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with a history of multiple cancers, with acute exacerbation of lower extremity weakness and numbness that had progressed over a month. Results Magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal signal in the thoracolumbar spinal cord, with enhancement after contrast administration. A spinal angiogram confirmed the presence of multiple spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of Cowden syndrome with a mutation in intron 3 of the PTEN gene. Conclusions Spinal vascular malformations occur in patients with Cowden syndrome, and they can be multifocal and locally aggressive. It is important to raise the suspicion of Cowden syndrome in patients with spinal cord vascular anomalies and a history of multiple cancers, as the correct genetic diagnosis may have implications for management and cancer screening.
Validated coastal flood modeling at Imperial Beach, California: Comparing total water level, empirical and numerical overtopping methodologies

Abstract Flood extent field observations collected during a winter storm (Hs∼1.8 m, Tp∼14 s) coinciding with a spring high tide are used to evaluate the accuracy of static (‘bathtub’) and hydrodynamic coastal flood modeling methodologies. Static models rely on empirically calculated wave setup or runup and simply compare total water level (TWL) to land elevation. The dynamic model resolves temporally variable overtopping rates, overland flow, urban features and storm system drainage. SWAN, a numerical wave model, transformed deep water buoy spectra to the nearshore. Static TWLs were calculated using SWAN output and an empirical runup model. Numerical (XBeach) and Empirical (EurOtop) overtopping models parameterized with survey data and SWAN bulk wave statistics estimated temporally variable overflow rates along representative transects for overland flow model input. XBeach model mode (hydrostatic, nonhydrostatic), boundary depth and random realizations significantly affected overtopping rates. Nonhydrostatic mode estimated order of magnitude larger overflow volumes suggesting the importance of incident waves, particularly in near threshold conditions. Boundary depth and random realizations varied overflow rates approximately fourfold. Field observations showed static TWL models performed poorly, maximum runup substantially overestimated flood extent and setup predicted no flooding. All dynamic models reasonably predicted flood extent despite significant overflow volume differences. Backshore topography and flow dynamics are important flood extent controls. Accurate near threshold coastal flood predictions require dynamic overland flow modeling parameterized with temporally variable overtopping estimates and site specific beach and backshore topography.
A descriptive investigation of the impact of student research projects arising from elective research courses

Pharmacy academicians have noted the need to develop research skills in student pharmacists. At the Gatton College of Pharmacy, significant focus has been placed on the development of research skills through offering elective research courses. In order to evaluate the impact of participation in the research elective(s), we analyzed college records and surveyed faculty members with regard to the number of poster/podium presentations, published peer-reviewed manuscripts, and funded projects. Student enrollment in the research elective sequence has increased over time and has resulted in 81 poster presentations, 14 podium presentations, and 15 peer-reviewed publications. Implementation of a research elective sequence and fostering of a research culture amongst the faculty and students has resulted in increased student engagement in research and related scholarly activities.
Chain Store Taxes

have clamored for more efficient marketing. To promote orderly marketing, American governments have given considerable aid to farmers' and consumers' cooperative associations. However inconsistent it may be, these same governments, under the pressure of organized interests, have placed various restrictions upon the chain stores, mail order houses, and department *stores which have been instrumental in introducing important marketing economies. The recent outpouring of legislative limitations upon chain stores and other large retailers, by taxation and otherwise, is reminiscent of the efforts shortly before 1900 to restrain the mail order houses and department stores and of the opposition at various times to technological advances in industry by workers and other groups. The anti-chain store taxes, which will be discussed in this paper, are only one phase of the campaign against chain store organizations, which are charged with instituting dangerous monopolies, unfair price cutting, coercing producers into giving excessive discounts on purcha es, evading taxes, practicing short weights, sending profits out of the community to absentee owners, unfair treatment of labor, not co6perating in community undertakings, and other abuses. The feeling against the chain stores originat s, in part, in the mistrust of large corporations in a period when the critics of corporation practices have besieged legislatures to adopt many reforms. The depression of the 1930's, with its hardships for numerous small retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and other groups, has embittered many of these elements against 1A paper read at the joint round-table of the American Economic Association and the National Association of Marketing Teachers, Dec. 29, 1936.
Regional Organizations in the United Nations: Is There Externalization?

After 25 years of cohabitation on the same planet, we still know very little about the conjugal patterns of the United Nations and the large number of regional organizations which have come into existence since 1945. One part of the literature is concerned with ascertaining whether the aims and activities of the UN are being debased and deflected by the activities of the regional organizations.1 While few authors are still worried about the UN's being shut out of the global pattern of international cooperation, many are fearful that
A Case Study on Maximizing Aqua Feed Pellet Properties Using Response Surface Methodology and Genetic Algorithm

Aims: The present case study is on maximizing the aqua feed properties using response surface methodology and genetic algorithm. Study Design: Effect of extrusion process variables like screw speed, L/D ratio, barrel temperature, and feed moisture content were analyzed to maximize the aqua feed properties like water stability, true density, and expansion ratio. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. Methodology: A variable length single screw extruder was used in the study. The process variables selected were screw speed (rpm), length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio, barrel temperature (degrees C), and feed moisture content (%). The pelletized aqua feed was analyzed for physical properties like water stability (WS), true density (TD), and expansion ratio (ER). Extrusion experimental data was collected by based on central composite design. The experimental data was further analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithm (GA) for maximizing feed properties. Results: Regression equations developed for the experimental data has adequately described the effect of process variables on the physical properties with coefficient of determination values (R2) of > 0.95. RSM analysis indicated WS, ER, and TD were maximized at L/D ratiomore » of 12-13, screw speed of 60-80 rpm, feed moisture content of 30-40%, and barrel temperature of = 80 degrees C for ER and TD and > 90 degrees C for WS. Based on GA analysis, a maxium WS of 98.10% was predicted at a screw speed of 96.71 rpm, L/D radio of 13.67, barrel temperature of 96.26 degrees C, and feed moisture content of 33.55%. Maximum ER and TD of 0.99 and 1346.9 kg/m3 was also predicted at screw speed of 60.37 and 90.24 rpm, L/D ratio of 12.18 and 13.52, barrel temperature of 68.50 and 64.88 degrees C, and medium feed moisture content of 33.61 and 38.36%. Conclusion: The present data analysis indicated that WS is mainly governed by barrel temperature and feed moisture content, which might have resulted in formation of starch-protein complexes due to denaturation of protein and gelatinization of starch. Screw speed coupled with temperature and feed moisture content controlled the ER and TD values. Higher screw speeds might have reduced the viscosity of the feed dough resulting in higher TD and lower ER values. Based on RSM and GA analysis screw speed, barrel temperature and feed moisture content were the interacting process variables influencing maximum WS followed by ER and TD.« less
Greater Hip Extension but Not Hip Abduction Explosive Strength Is Associated With Lesser Hip Adduction and Knee Valgus Motion During a Single-Leg Jump-Cut

Background:The relationships between hip abductor and extensor strength and frontal plane hip and knee motions that are associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury risk are equivocal. However, previous research on these relationships has evaluated relatively low-level movement tasks and peak torque rather than a time-critical strength measure such as the rate of torque development (RTD).Hypothesis:Females with greater hip abduction and extension RTD would exhibit lesser frontal plane hip and knee motion during a single-leg jump-cutting task.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Forty recreationally active females performed maximal isometric contractions and single-leg jump-cuts. From recorded torque data, hip extension and abduction RTD was calculated from torque onset to 200 ms after onset. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to quantify frontal plane hip and knee kinematics during the movement task. For each RTD measure, jump-cut biomechanics were compared between participants i...
Factors Controlling Stratocumulus Cloud Lifetime over Coastal Land

AbstractThe breakup of stratocumulus clouds over coastal land areas is studied using a combination of large-eddy simulations (LESs) and mixed-layer models (MLMs) with a focus on mechanisms regulating the timing of the breakup. In contrast with stratocumulus over ocean, strong sensible heat flux over land prevents the cloud layer from decoupling during day. As the cloud thins during day, turbulence generated by surface flux becomes larger than turbulence generated by longwave cooling across the cloud layer. To capture this shift in turbulence generation in the MLM, an existing entrainment parameterization is extended. The MLM is able to mimic cloud evolution for a variety of Bowen ratios, but only after this modification of the entrainment parameterization. Cloud lifetime depends on a combination of the cloud-top entrainment flux, the Bowen ratio of the surface, and the strength of advection of cool ocean air by the sea breeze. For dry land surface conditions, the authors’ MLM suggests a breakup time a few...
The Effect of High Dietary Cation Concentration on Methanogenesis by Steers Fed Diets with and without Ionophores

Nine steers (300 to 350 kg body weight) were divided into three groups and received either no ionophore, monensin or lasalocid in a 70% cracked corn basal diet for the entire experiment. Within each group, a 3 X 3 Latin-square design was used to evaluate the effect of a high cation concentration added to the diets on in vivo methanogenesis. The three cation treatments consisted of NaCl or KCl addition (Na or K increased to 2.5% of diet dry matter) or no cation addition. Sodium addition decreased methane production in the monensin group 19% when compared with control (P less than .05). Sodium also tended to decrease methane in the lasalocid group (P less than .1) but had no effect on the no-ionophore group. There was no significant effect of K addition on methane production when compared to no added cation. However, K tended to increase methane in both the lasalocid and no-ionophore groups and decrease methane in the monensin group. Results of this experiment support in vitro evidence that cation levels may modulate ionophore effects on methane production.
Water interception by two arid land shrubs

Water is a critical commodity in short supply in arid environments. Therefore, its judicious use and disposition is critical for improving the environment both economically and esthetically. Two desert shrubs, creosotebush and tarbush, have invaded former productive grasslands and intercept rainfall that would normally enter the soil and be available for the growth of useful plants. A creosotebush community with 30 per cent crown cover would intercept 12 per cent of the summer rainfall. Native communities of tarbush with approximately 15 per cent crown cover would intercept 6 per cent of the average summer rainfall. The objective of this study was to examine the interception of artificially applied rainfall by creosotebush and tarbush plants for improved understanding of this phenomenon in hydrologic processes. A range of shrub-size classes of both species was treated with simulated rainfall applied at the rate of 6 cm/h for 30 min. Canopy cover was determined from 10 line intercept transects 30·5 m long in both a creosotebush and tarbush dominated community. Least squares analysis was used to determine which of 10 measured canopy attributes result in the best relationship to the interception of rainfall. Tarbush shrub green weight accounted for 75% of the variability of the intercepted rainfall. Creosotebush leaf area was highly correlated (R2 = 0·52) with intercepted rainfall. Crown cover was used in developing a generalized equation to describe rainfall interception by both shrub species. Native stands of creosotebush had 30% crown cover and rainfall loss by interception would equal approximately 12%. Tarbush, with 15% crown cover, intercepted 6% of the average rainfall from May through October. Because a high percentage of precipitation from small storms is intercepted by the shrub canopy and subsequently evaporated back into the atmosphere, interception by desert shrubs is of significant importance.
The Conquest of Syria

About the same time that Heraclius, newly hailed deliverer of Christendom and restorer of the unity of the Eastern Empire, was in Jerusalem reinstalling the true Cross,1 which had just been recovered from the Persians, his troops beyond the Jordan reported an attack by an Arabian band which was repelled with little difficulty. Mu’tah, on the frontier of al-Balgā’ to the east of the southern extremity of the Dead Sea, was the scene of the encounter. Zayd ibn-Ḥarithāh, the adopted son of Muhammad, was the leader; under him were 3000 men.2 Zayd lost his life in the raid and the newly converted Khālid ibn-al-Walīd succeeded in leading the remnant of the shattered army back to al-Madīnah. The ostensible object of the raid was to avenge the martyrdom of the Prophet’s emissary sent to the Ghassānid prince of Busra; the real one was to secure the coveted Mashrafīyah3 swords manufactured at Mu’tah and neighbouring towns with a view to using them in the impending attack on Makkah. The event was naturally interpreted as one of the ordinary raids to which the settled peoples of the borderland had long been accustomed; but actually it was the first gun in a struggle that was not to cease until the proud Byzantine capital had fallen (1453) to the latest champions of Islam and the name of Muḥammad substituted for that of Christ on the walls of the most magnificent cathedral of Christendom, St. Sophia.
An asynchronous ADC with reconfigurable analog pre-processing

Many energy constrained devices such as cell-phones and wearable medical devices utilize sparse or bursty signals — signals characterized by relatively short periods of high activity. Traditional Nyquist-Rate converters are an inefficient tool for converting sparse signals, as a great deal of energy is wasted converting portions of the signal with relatively-low information content. Asynchronous sampling methods attempt to circumvent this inefficiency by sampling based upon the characteristics of the signal itself. However, many asynchronous sampling solutions struggle with a robustness/resolution trade-off. In this paper, we present a new paradigm in which a flexible analog frontend is paired with an asynchronous successive approximation data converter and an asynchronous time-to-digital converter. The result of this paradigm is that the system can be adapted to individual applications, allowing specific data points to be targeted and avoiding data conversion inefficiency. The system will be demonstrated along with the example application of measuring the QRS-complex within an ECG waveform. The demonstrated system, fabricated in standard 0.5μm and 0.35μm processes, produces a minimal number of voltage/time pairs required for studying the QRS complex while consuming 5.96μW of static power.
Melodrama’s Happily Ever After? Girls, Rereading, and Resistance

The final chapter examines closure as a melodramatic device. Facilitated by supernatural coincidence and romantic, heterosexual couplings, the similar endings of Jane Eyre and the Twilight Saga reinforce the relationship between the nineteenth century and contemporary girl culture. The promise of a happy ending is a major point of appeal among girl readers, who resist the ending, promising to reread the series. In fact, through musical and visual flashbacks, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Parts 1 and 2 indulge the same impulses, offering closure but “rereading” previous installments of the saga at the same time. In fact, these films render the conventional ending dull, an outcome that critiques the heteronormative message of the novels. Such resistant stances, encouraged by melodrama’s extremes, defy scholarly interpretations that focus too much on the ideological implications of melodrama’s outwardly conventional endings.
Designing Stem Cell Niche for Liver Development and Regeneration

The liver is known for its robust regenerative capacity. It is thought that liver stem/progenitor cells (LPCs) play an important role during liver regeneration after injury by giving rise to two types of liver epithelial cells: hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells (cholangiocytes). There is considerable debate in the liver biology community about phenotypic plasticity of liver epithelial cells. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the local microenvironment or niche predisposes LPCs and liver epithelial cells toward certain phenotypes. In this chapter we focus on the mechanisms and “strategies” by which various niche components support LPCs in liver tissue regeneration, including administration of biomaterials or small molecules that target specific aspects of the niche, to stimulate expansion and differentiation of LPCs, or to cause transdifferentiation of adult liver cells. We also illustrate how these mechanisms can be translated into design criteria for liver cell engineers to create biomimetic microenvironments that emulate the native liver niche.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are energy converters and have key features such as high energy density, simple construction, low operating temperature, and easy storage of methanol fuel and hence these are considered as potential candidates for portable applications. This chapter provides an overview on recent developments in the DMFC technology. Developments on DMFC components including membrane, catalyst layer, diffusion layer, bipolar plate, and current collector are summarized. This chapter also addresses the various technological issues hindering the DMFC commercialization viz. methanol crossover, water crossover, cathode water flooding, carbon dioxide evacuation, poor anode kinetics, and degradation.
Gregariousness does not vary with geography, developmental stage, or group relatedness in feeding redheaded pine sawfly larvae.

Aggregations are widespread across the animal kingdom, yet the underlying proximate and ultimate causes are still largely unknown. An ideal system to investigate this simple, social behavior is the pine sawfly genus Neodiprion, which is experimentally tractable and exhibits interspecific variation in larval gregariousness. To assess intraspecific variation in this trait, we characterized aggregative tendency within a single widespread species, the redheaded pine sawfly (N. lecontei). To do so, we developed a quantitative assay in which we measured interindividual distances over a 90-min video. This assay revealed minimal behavioral differences: (1) between early-feeding and late-feeding larval instars, (2) among larvae derived from different latitudes, and (3) between groups composed of kin and those composed of nonkin. Together, these results suggest that, during the larval feeding period, the benefits individuals derive from aggregating outweigh the costs and that this cost-to-benefit ratio does not vary dramatically across space (geography) or ontogeny (developmental stage). In contrast to the feeding larvae, our assay revealed a striking reduction in gregariousness following the final larval molt in N. lecontei. We also found some intriguing interspecific variation: While N. lecontei and N. maurus feeding larvae exhibit significant aggregative tendencies, feeding N. compar larvae do not aggregate at all. These results set the stage for future work investigating the proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying developmental and interspecific variation in larval gregariousness across Neodiprion.
What can we learn from ineffective erythropoiesis in thalassemia

Erythropoiesis is a dynamic process regulated at multiple levels to balance proliferation, differentiation and survival of erythroid progenitors. Ineffective erythropoiesis is a key feature of various diseases, including β-thalassemia. The pathogenic mechanisms leading to ineffective erythropoiesis are complex and still not fully understood. Altered survival and decreased differentiation of erythroid progenitors are both critical processes contributing to reduced production of mature red blood cells. Recent studies have identified novel important players and provided major advances in the development of targeted therapeutic approaches. In this review, β-thalassemia is used as a paradigmatic example to describe our current knowledge on the mechanisms leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and novel treatments that may have the potential to improve the clinical phenotype of associated diseases in the future.
Multilevel Models and Small-Area Estimation

Household surveys can provide a great deal of information about incomes, spending, crops grown, and other household and individual characteristics. This detail comes at a cost: given the expense of surveying each household, the number of households sampled is typically fairly modest, rarely exceeding 10,000. Samples of this size are adequate for estimating the magnitudes of interest at a national level, or at the level of broad regions, with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
Resonant Transfer Excitation (RTE) Associated with Single X-ray Emission

In an ion-atom collision the electron-electron interaction between a target electron and a projectile electron can give rise to simultaneous charge transfer and excitation1 in a manner completely analogous to that which occurs in dielectronic recombination (DR).2 This process, referred to as resonant transfer excitation (RTE)3, is illustrated schematically in Fig. 1. Formation of the intermediate excited state proceeds via the inverse of an Auger transition, and is resonant for relative velocities corresponding to ejected electron energies in the Auger process. Subsequent deexcitation occurs either by photon emission or Auger emission as shown in Fig. 2a.
Imaging-guided Percutaneous Large-Bore Suprapubic Cystostomy, a Safe Bladder Diversion Alternative

Suprapubic catheter placement is a common method of bladder diversion. To date, there are limited reports describing safe placement of large-bore (18–28 F) catheters as smaller catheters often clog and require upsizing procedures. We retrospectively evaluate the image-guided percutaneous placement of large-bore catheters by interventional radiologists in our institution, totaling 51 catheters in 51 patients over 5 years. We successfully placed a large-bore catheter in 96% (49/51) of first attempts with no post-procedural complications. This data demonstrates that percutaneous placement of large-bore suprapubic catheters by interventional radiologists is a safe and less-invasive bladder diversion alternative to traditional blind or open surgical techniques.
Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Central Arterial Stiffness in Habitually Exercising Healthy Adults.

Reduced cerebrovascular reactivity to a vasoactive stimulus is associated with age-related diseases such as stroke and cognitive decline. Habitual exercise is protective against cognitive decline and is associated with reduced stiffness of the large central arteries that perfuse the brain. In this context, we evaluated the age-related differences in cerebrovascular reactivity in healthy adults who habitually exercise. In addition, we sought to determine the association between central arterial stiffness and cerebrovascular reactivity. We recruited 22 young (YA: age = 27 ± 5 y, range 18–35 y) and 21 older (OA: age = 60 ± 4 y, range 56–68 y) habitual exercisers who partake in at least 150 minutes of structured aerobic exercise each week. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was recorded using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. In order to assess cerebrovascular reactivity, MCAv, end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously recorded at rest and during stepwise elevations of 2%, 4%, and 6% inhaled CO2. Cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi) was calculated as MCAv/MAP. Central arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Older adults had higher PWV (YA: 6.2 ± 1.2 m/s; OA: 7.5 ± 1.3 m/s; p<0.05) compared with young adults. MCAv and CVCi reactivity to hypercapnia were not different between young and older adults (MCAv reactivity, YA: 2.0 ± 0.2 cm/s/mmHg; OA: 2.0 ± 0.2 cm/s/mmHg; p=0.77, CVCi reactivity, YA: 0.018 ± 0.002 cm/s/mmHg2; OA: 0.015 ± 0.001 cm/s/mmHg2; p=0.27); however, older adults demonstrated higher MAP reactivity to hypercapnia (YA: 0.4 ± 0.1 mmHg/mmHg; OA: 0.7 ± 0.1 mmHg/mmHg; p<0.05). There were no associations between PWV and cerebrovascular reactivity (r = 0.00-0.39; p = 0.07–0.99). Our results demonstrate that cerebrovascular reactivity was not different between young and older adults who habitually exercise; however, MAP reactivity was augmented in older adults. This suggests an age-associated difference in the reliance on MAP to increase cerebral blood flow.
Hemodynamic Evaluation of Avalon Elite Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Cannulas and Femoral Arterial Cannulas.

Translational research is a useful tool to provide scientific evidence for cannula selection during extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The objective of this study was to evaluate four Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen cannulas and nine femoral arterial cannulas in terms of flow range, circuit pressure, pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy transmission in a simulated adult ECLS model. A veno-venous ECLS circuit was used to evaluate four Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen cannulas (20, 23, 27, and 31 Fr), and a veno-arterial ECLS circuit was used to evaluate nine femoral arterial cannulas (15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 Fr). The two circuits included a Rotaflow centrifugal pump, a Quadrox-D adult oxygenator, and 3/8 in ID tubing for arterial and venous lines. The circuits were primed with lactated Ringer's solution and packed human red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). Trials were conducted at rotational speeds from 1000 to 5000 RPM (250 rpm increments) for each Avalon cannula, and at different flow rates (0.5-7 L/min) for each femoral arterial cannula. Real-time pressure and flow data were recorded for analysis. Small caliber cannulas created higher circuit pressures, higher pressure drops and higher M-numbers compared with large ones. The inflow side of Avalon dual lumen cannula had a significantly higher pressure drop than the outflow side (inflow vs. outflow: 20 Fr-100.2 vs. 49.2 mm Hg at 1.1 L/min, 23 Fr-93.7 vs. 41.4 mm Hg at 1.6 L/min, 27 Fr-102.3 vs. 42.8 mm Hg at 2.6 L/min, 31 Fr-98.1 vs. 44.7 mm Hg at 3.8 L/min). There was more hemodynamic energy lost in the veno-arterial ECLS circuit using small cannulas compared to larger ones (17 Fr vs. 19 Fr vs. 21 Fr at 4 L/min-Medtronic: 71.0 vs. 64.8 vs. 60.9%; Maquet: 71.4 vs. 65.6 vs. 62.0%). Medtronic femoral arterial cannulas had lower pressure drops (Medtronic vs. Maquet at 4 L/min: 17 Fr-121.7 vs. 125.0 mm Hg, 19 Fr-71.2 vs. 73.7 mm Hg, 21 Fr-42.9 vs. 47.4 mm Hg) and hemodynamic energy losses (Medtronic vs. Maquet at 4 L/min: 17 Fr-43.6 vs. 44.4%, 19 Fr-31.0 vs. 31.4%, 21 Fr-20.8 vs. 22.4%) at high flow rates when compared with the Maquet cannulae. The results for this study provided valuable hemodynamic characteristics of all evaluated adult cannulas with human blood in order to guide ECLS cannula selection in clinical practice. Use of larger cannulas are suggested for VV- and VA-ECLS.
Verb production by individuals with Down syndrome during narration.

Abstract Background Despite research identifying verb knowledge as a strong predictor of later syntactic skills in typical development, virtually no research has examined verb development in Down syndrome. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine verb production (density, diversity, and type-token ratios) by individuals with Down syndrome in the context of story generation relative to two comparison groups – nonverbal cognitive ability level matches with typical development and chronological age matches with mixed-etiology intellectual disability. Methods and Procedures Thirty-five participants with Down syndrome (11–21 years), 27 participants with intellectual disability (13–20 years), and 29 participants with typical development (4–6 years) completed a narrative story generation task. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for verb production. Outcomes and Results Examining overall verb production, participants with Down syndrome produced narratives with less verb density than participants with typical development and had smaller verb type-token ratios than participants with intellectual disability. Upon examining lexical verb production, participants with Down syndrome produced narratives with less lexical verb density than participants with typical development. Conclusions and Implications The results indicate that individuals with Down syndrome have a developmentally appropriate diversity of verbs in their lexicon but are not using verbs as frequently as comparison groups.
A Cross-linguistic Study of Person Agreement in Imposter Constructions

This paper provides an analysis of person agreement in the imposter phenomenon studied by Collins & Postal (2012). In the constructions, full DPs are used to refer to speech-act participants like personal pronouns. Nonetheless, person agreement caused by imposters morphsyntactically varies in a subject-verb relation and subject-object relation cross-linguistically. Moreover, members of the classes of imposters are also not identical among languages. These patterns differ from those of personal pronouns. The paper argues that dual properties of the person feature (semantic and morphological) do not always coincide, leading to agreement alternations in PF. Furthermore, the D head does not always involve the person feature value, which induces dialectal and cross-linguistic variation. The analysis shows that regardless of the cross-linguistic variations, the syntactic operation for agreement is uniform in imposter constructions.
Is Magnetic Resonance Imaging Detection of Kidney Iron Deposition Increased in Haptoglobin 2-2 Genotype Carriers with Type 1 Diabetes?

Abstract Haptoglobin's (Hp) main role is to bind free hemoglobin (Hb), reducing its oxidative potential. The Hp–Hb complex formed is cleared from the circulation by macrophage receptor CD163. In diabetes, impaired Hp 2-2–Hb CD163 clearance and abnormal glomerular permeability allow the large Hp 2-2–Hb complex to cross the barrier, where its redox active iron leads to cellular toxicity. Although Hp 2-2 predicts renal function decline, whether renal iron deposition differs by Hp is unknown. We used renal quantitative T2* magnetic resonance imaging to estimate iron level in the cortex and medullar of type 1 diabetes (T1D) adults [15 Hp 1-1 and 15 Hp 2-2 carriers of similar age (53 years), duration (45 years), and gender]. Total kidney iron level was estimated as the sum of the cortex and medullar iron. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin to creatinine ratio >30 mg/g in two of three samples. Total kidney iron did not differ by gender or Hp but was higher in those with albuminuria (p = 0.05), an associa...
When a Veterans’ Treatment Court Fails: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Evaluation

ABSTRACTMore than 500 veterans treatment courts (VTCs) provide thousands of eligible veterans across the nation alternative means of resolving criminal charges through a therapeutic, judicially supervised programs. The majority of those VTCs mandate that veteran participants work with a volunteer veteran mentor throughout their tenure in VTC programs. Mentoring has been heralded as a critical and valuable component of VTCs, and it is believed that mentoring discourages substance abuse and promotes adherence to substance abuse interventions. But very little is known about how mentoring actually works. Scant research documents how mentors interact with mentees, what their responsibilities are, or what impact they have on veterans’ progress through rigorous VTC protocols. Through interview data collected following the death of a veteran mentee in a northeastern Study VTC, this research provides in-depth analysis of how mentors and mentees understand their responsibilities with respect to illicit substance us...
Practical course on computing derivatives in code

Derivatives occur frequently in computer graphics and arise in many different contexts. Gradients and often Hessians of objective functions are required for efficient optimization. Gradients of potential energy are used to compute forces. Constitutive models are frequently formulated from an energy density, which must be differentiated to compute stress. Hessians of potential energy or energy density are needed for implicit integration. As the methods used in computer graphics become more accurate and sophisticated, the complexity of the functions that must be differentiated also increases. The purpose of this course is to show that it is practical to compute derivatives even for functions that may seem impossibly complex. This course provides practical strategies and techniques for planning, computing, testing, debugging, and optimizing routines for computing first and second derivatives of real-world routines. This course will also introduce and explore auto differentiation, which encompasses a variety of techniques for obtaining derivatives automatically. The goal of this course is not to introduce the concept of derivatives, how to use them, or even how to calculate them per se. This is not intended to be a calculus course; we will assume that our audience is familiar with multivariable calculus. Instead, the emphasis is on implementing derivatives of complicated computational procedures in computer programs and actually getting them to work.
3D pedestrian tracking and frontal face image capture based on head point detection

This paper proposes a method to track pedestrians in crowded scenes and capture the close-up frontal face images of a person of interest (POI) for recognition. Pedestrians are tracked via 3D positions of the head points (the highest point of a person) using 2 static overhead cameras. Head points are located and tracked based on the geometric and color cues in the scene. Possible head areas in a frame acquired from one of the overhead cameras are determined based on projective geometry. Head areas belonging to a person are clustered. Without creating a full disparity map of the scene, the 3D position of a pedestrian is obtained by utilizing the disparity along the line segment that passes through his/her head top. The 3D head position is then tracked using common assumptions on motion velocity. If the tracking is not accurate enough, the color distribution of a head top is integrated as a complementary method. With the 3D head point information, a set of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are scheduled to capture the frontal face images of POI. A most suitable PTZ camera is selected by evaluating the capture quality of each PTZ camera and its current state. The approach is tested using a publicly available visual surveillance simulation test bed. The experiments show that the 3D tracking errors are around 4 cm and high quality frontal face images are captured.
Multimodal Management of Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas.

Abstract Background Techniques for endovascular management of carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) have evolved over the years. Current strategies include transarterial or transvenous approaches, and direct puncture or exposure of the cavernous sinus (CS). Rarely, complex fistulas may require multiple approaches or procedures. We describe our experience managing these lesions, reporting on outcomes and technical nuances. Methods A retrospective review of our institutional records was conducted to identify consecutive cases of CCF treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital between July 2005 and July 2016. Pertinent technical details and outcomes were recorded. Results Fifty-one procedures were performed in 44 patients. Thirteen fistulas were direct and 31 were indirect: 30% (n=13) Type A, 7% (n=3) Type B, 11% (n=5) Type C, 52% (n=23) Type D. A transarterial approach was selected in 39% of cases (n=20), resulting in a long-term successful embolization rate of 60% (n=12). Transvenous methods via the inferior petrosal sinus or superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) were utilized in 49% of cases (n=25), resulting in a long-term obliteration rate of 88% (n=22). Multimodal management was required in 5 patients including one in whom a craniotomy was performed to facilitate coil embolization of the CS under direct vision. A 7% complication rate (n=3) was observed resulting in significant morbidity in one patient. Conclusions CCFs are complex vascular lesions that require facility with various endovascular and surgical approaches. High flow, direct-type fistulas may harbor a significant risk of recurrence after transarterial embolization. Partial or unsuccessful embolization may necessitate an open surgical approach to the SOV or CS.
Pediatric Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) has long been considered one of the gold standards for assessment of swallowing in both pediatric and adult populations (Hartnick et al. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 109(11):996–999, 2000; Langmore. Dysphagia 32(1):27–38, 2017; Rao et al. J Appl Res 18:53–57, 2003). In both children and adults, FEES is used to evaluate the structure and function of the upper airway, secretion management, pharyngeal swallowing function, and effectiveness of strategies to improve the safety and efficiency of swallowing. In pediatric FEES, one must consider development, growth, and relative positions of the pharynx and larynx (Delaney and Arvedson. Dev Disabil Res Rev 14(2):105–117, 2008; Lieberman et al. Arch Oral Biol 46(2):117–128, 2001; Pohunek. Paediatr Respir Rev 5(1):2–8, 2004; Prakash and Johnny. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 7(Suppl 1):S55–S58, 2015). In addition, neurophysiologic maturation including primitive reflex integration, coordination of central pattern generator-mediated feeding/swallowing behaviors, and maturation of respiratory/swallow coordination must be well understood (Barlow. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 17(3):187–193, 2009). The purpose of this chapter is to describe the procedures and strategies unique to FEES in the pediatric population. Prioritization of exam goals, roles of team members, and strategies for obtaining an optimal exam are discussed. The parameters of the FEES exam are discussed from a pediatric perspective. Practical considerations for the pediatric FEES clinic and case studies highlighting FEES in various pediatric populations are presented.