cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the public understanding of science: New initiatives

The United States may be on the brink of losing its global edge in science. Many American students are underprepared for and uninterested in the scientifi c and technical careers they may be asked to take on. Furthermore, these students, their teachers, and the broader public lack basic understandings of what science is and how it works, which may negatively impact their ability to make reasoned and informed decisions about science-related issues. We describe two unique and recently developed projects designed to help tackle these problems by improving public understanding of and interest in science. The Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science is a grassroots effort to lower the barriers between the scientifi c community and the public. It aims to inspire broad appreciation of science, inform the public about the nature and process of science, and make science accessible to everyone. Understanding Science is a web-based project that aims to improve teacher understanding of the nature of the scientifi c enterprise, to provide resources that encourage and enable kindergarten through undergraduate (K – 16) teachers to reinforce the nature of science throughout their teaching, and to serve as a clear and accessible reference that accurately portrays the scientifi c endeavor. The botanical and broader scientifi c communities are invited to participate in these efforts.
Diagnostic Application of H3N8-Specific Equine Influenza Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for the Detection of Canine Influenza Virus in Clinical Specimens

The objective of the current study was to determine the capability of 3 recently described one-step TaqMan real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assays targeting the nucleoprotein (NP), matrix (M), and hemagglutinin (HA) genes of H3N8 Equine influenza virus (EIV NP, EIV M, and EIV HA3 assays, respectively) to detect Canine influenza virus (CIV). The assays were initially evaluated with nucleic acid extracted from tissue culture fluid (TCF) containing the A/canine/FL/43/04 strain of Influenza A virus associated with the 2004 canine influenza outbreak in Florida. The EIV NP, EIV M, and EIV HA3 assays could detect CIV nucleic acid at threshold cycle (Ct) values of 16.31, 23.71, and 15.28, respectively. Three assays using TCF or allantoic fluid (AF) samples containing CIV (n = 13) and archived canine nasal swab samples (n = 20) originally submitted for laboratory diagnosis of CIV were further evaluated. All TCF and AF samples, together with 10 nasal swab samples that previously tested positive for virus by attempted isolation in embryonated hens' eggs or Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, were positive in all 3 real-time RT-PCR assays. None of the 3 assays detected the H1N1 Swine influenza virus strain in current circulation. These findings demonstrate that previously described real-time RT-PCR assays targeting NP, M, and H3 HA gene segments of H3N8 EIV are also valuable for the diagnosis of CIV infection in dogs. The assays could expedite the detection and identification of CIV.
Effects of flowering plant density on pollinator visitation, pollen receipt, and seed production in Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae)

Variation in flplant density can have confl icting effects on pollination and seed production. Dense fl ower patches may attract more pollinators, but fl owers in those patches may also compete for pollinator visits and abiotic resources. We examined how natural and experimental conspecifi c fl plant density affected pollen receipt and seed production in a protandrous, bumble bee-pollinated wildfl ower, Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae). We also compared fl oral sex ratios, pollinator visitation rates, and pollen limitation of seed set from early to late in the season to determine whether these factors mirrored seasonal changes in pollen receipt and seed production. Pollen receipt increased with natural fl owering plant density, while seed production increased across lower densities and decreased across higher fl ower densities. Experimental manipulation of flplant density did not affect pollinator visitation rate, pollen receipt, or seed production. Although pollinator visitation rate increased 10-fold from early to late in the season, pollen receipt and seed set decreased over the season. Seed set was never pollen-limited. Thus, despite widespread effects of flplant density on plant reproduction in other species, the effects of conspecifi c fl plant density on D. barbeyi pollination and seed production are minor.
A pK determination method for proteins from titration curves using principle component analysis

Principal component analysis (PCA) technique is used for the precise determination of pK values from titration curves of amphoteric molecules, such as proteins and amino acids. A regression model is developed based on the effective charge of amphoteric molecules. Partial domain method, a new algorithm, is introduced to minimize or remove errors in extracted pK values from experimental (titration curve) data with hidden errors, such as sampling errors or experimental uncertainties. For the validation of our algorithm, 3 pK values are determined from the titration curves of glutamic acid and lysine. The extracted pKs are in exact agreement with the original pKs if partial domain method is used to obtain pKs from an exact (uncertainty free) titration curve. In addition, the effects of various uncertainty levels (1%, 2% and 3% noise) in the experimental titration curves are tested using both partial and full domain methods. Analytic results show that partial domain method is very effective in reducing the errors in extracted pKs especially at larger value of redundant number. Next, partial domain based PCA method is applied to extract 5 pKs from the experimental titration curve of hen egg-white lysozyme protein. These pK values are then used to simulate the isoelectric focusing of lysozyme protein in the presence of 25 biprotic ampholytes in a 2-D (two-dimensional) straight microchannel. The transient, as well as focused state behaviors of lysozyme protein are compared between original titration curve (20 pKs) and approximated titration curve (5 pKs) cases. Although there are minor differences at the early stages of focusing, the focusing time, position, and shapes of protein and ampholytes are identical at focused state. 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 54: 2238–2249, 2008
A dynamic model of household decision-making and parcel level landcover change in the eastern Amazon

The region around Altamira, Brazil, located in the Eastern Amazon, has experienced rapid landcover change since the initiation of government sponsored colonization projects associated with the construction of the Trans-Amazon Highway. The 30 years since colonization (1971) have been marked by a net loss of forest cover and an increase in the amount of cultivated/productive land, particularly for pasture and annual/perennial crop production. This research presents a parcel-level model of landcover change for smallholders in the Altamira study area. The utility of specific land-use activities is calculated to identify those land-uses that are most optimal at each time point, and labor is allocated to these activities based on the availability of household and wage labor. The model reports the proportion of the parcel in the following landcover classes at each time point using a 1-year interval: mature forest, secondary successional forest, perennial crops, annual crops and pasture. A graphical user interface is used for scenario testing, such as the impact of high/low (population) fertility, the increase of out-migration to urban areas, or changes in cattle and crop prices. The model shows a rapid reduction in the amount of mature forest in the 30 years following initial settlement, after which the parcel is composed of a mosaic of secondary succession, pasture and crops. The nature and rapidity of this landcover change is the function of a variety of household and external variables incorporated in the model. In particular, the model produces different landcover compositions as a function of demographic rates (fertility, mortality) and agricultural prices.
Cancer and the threat of death : The cognitive dynamics of death-thought suppression and its impact on behavioral health intentions

Five studies examined the cognitive association between thoughts of cancer and thoughts of death and their implication for screening intentions. Study 1 found that explicit contemplation of cancer did not increase death-thought accessibility. In support of the hypothesis that this reflects suppression of death-related thoughts, Study 2 found that individuals who thought about cancer exhibited elevated death-thought accessibility under high cognitive load, and Study 3 demonstrated that subliminal primes of the word cancer led to increased death-thought accessibility. Study 4 revealed lower levels of death-thought accessibility when perceived vulnerability to cancer was high, once again suggesting suppression of death-related thoughts in response to conscious threats associated with cancer. Study 5 extended the analysis by finding that after cancer salience, high cognitive load, which presumably disrupts suppression of the association between cancer and death, decreased cancer-related self-exam intentions. Theoretical and practical implications for understanding terror management, priming and suppression, and responses to cancer are discussed.
Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposite Thin Films Using Quartz Resonator Sensor

Thin films, especially polymer materials, as sensitive coating materials are wildly used in acoustic wave sensors for chemical and biological applications, and the responses of sensors commonly are regarded to the result of mass change. However, the mechanical properties of coating materials such as shear modulus also affect sensors in a more complicated way. It is therefore necessary to know the mechanical properties of films for design and analysis of sensors or other devices using the thin films. It is also expected that the measurement of responses of acoustic wave resonators coated with thin film materials would enable the characterization of thin film materials' properties that are otherwise difficult to probe. In this paper, the input electric impedance of four-layer thickness shear mode (TSM) quartz resonators (electrode/quartz/electrode/thin film coating) was derived using transfer matrix of transmission-line model (TLM). To characterize the shear modulus of carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer nanocomposites, thin nanocomposite films of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in copolymers of Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF-TrFE) were fabricated on TSM Quartz resonators with spin coating. The resonator's parameters were extracted by fitting the theoretical curve to experimental admittance spectrum of the uncoated resonator. Shear moduli of PVDF-TrFE/MWCNTs nanocomposite thin films with MWCNTs 0.5wt%, 1wt% and 2wt% were extracted by fitting the theoretical curve to experimental admittance spectrum of the coated resonator. Both the storage modulus and the loss modulus were found to increase with the content of MWCNTs.
Speech visualization based on wavelet transform for the hearing impaired

This paper describes a new speech visualization system that creates readable patterns by integrating combined feature into a single image. The system makes use of time-frequency analysis based on wavelet transform to simulate the band-pass filter property of basilar membrane. The method remedies the defect that Short Fourier Transform(SFT) has the same time-resolution and frequency resolution to different frequency ranges. The auditory feature is displayed on the CRT by plot patterns and the deaf can utilize their own brain to identify different speech for training their oral ability effectively. Firstly, speech signal undergoes a series of preprocessing course. Secondly, we make use of wavelet transform to process time-frequency analysis for speech signal and extract the feature value for speech visualization. Thirdly, we calculate that the feature value lies in which place in full array and obtain the combined feature value. Finally, we utilize plot display algorithm to generate a speech plot. The algorithm consists of three parts: coordinates partition, area computation and coordinates calculation of combined feature value.
New roots for agriculture: exploiting the root phenome

Recent advances in root biology are making it possible to genetically design root systems with enhanced soil exploration and resource capture. These cultivars would have substantial value for improving food security in developing nations, where yields are limited by drought and low soil fertility, and would enhance the sustainability of intensive agriculture. Many of the phenes controlling soil resource capture are related to root architecture. We propose that a better understanding of the root phenome is needed to effectively translate genetic advances into improved crop cultivars. Elementary, unique root phenes need to be identified. We need to understand the ‘fitness landscape’ for these phenes: how they affect crop performance in an array of environments and phenotypes. Finally, we need to develop methods to measure phene expression rapidly and economically without artefacts. These challenges, especially mapping the fitness landscape, are non-trivial, and may warrant new research and training modalities.
Interstitial lung diseases in the hospitalized patient

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are disorders of the lung parenchyma. The pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and prognosis of ILDs vary depending on the underlying disease. The onset of most ILDs is insidious, but they may also present subacutely or require hospitalization for management. ILDs that may present subacutely include acute interstitial pneumonia, connective tissue disease-associated ILDs, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, drug-induced ILDs, and acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Prognosis and response to therapy depend on the type of underlying ILD being managed. This opinion piece discusses approaches to differentiating ILDs in the hospitalized patient, emphasizing the role of bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy. We then consider pharmacologic treatments and the use of mechanical ventilation in hospitalized patients with ILD. Finally, lung transplantation and palliative care as treatment modalities are considered. The diagnosis of ILD in hospitalized patients requires input from multiple disciplines. The prognosis of ILDs presenting acutely vary depending on the underlying ILD. Patients with advanced ILD or acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have poor outcomes. The mainstay treatment in these patients is supportive care, and mechanical ventilation should only be used in these patients as a bridge to lung transplantation.
Trypsin mediates nociception via the proteinase-activated receptor 2: A potentially novel role in pancreatic pain

Background & Aims: The pathogenesis of pain in pancreatitis remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that trypsin, a key inflammatory mediator in this condition, can also activate nociceptive neurons via the proteinase-activated receptor 2. Methods: Double immunohistochemical staining of T8 to T12 dorsal root ganglia sections was performed with antibodies against proteinase-activated receptor 2 and vanilloid receptor 1, a marker for primary nociceptive neurons. In vivo nociceptive activity was measured by FOS immunoreactivity in thoracic spinal dorsal horn segments after intrapancreatic administration of proteinase-activated receptor 2 agonists. Pain behavior was assessed by visceromotor reflex activity in response to noxious stimulation of the pancreas with proteinase-activated receptor 2 agonists. Results: Proteinase-activated receptor 2 was expressed by virtually all nociceptive neurons in thoracic dorsal root ganglia. Intraductal trypsin, in subinflammatory concentrations, activated spinal dorsal horn neurons in a dose-dependent manner, as measured by FOS expression. Both trypsin and a proteinase-activated receptor 2–specific peptide agonist induced a behavioral pain response when infused into the pancreatic duct of awake rats. Preinfusion of the pancreatic duct with proteinase-activated receptor 2–specific activating peptide desensitized the response to trypsin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a novel proteinase-activated receptor 2–mediated role for trypsin in the pathogenesis of pancreatic pain and one that is independent of its inflammatory effect.
A Model for Multisystem Evaluation, Interpretation, and Treatment of Individuals with Neurologic Dysfunction

In this article, we present a model for systematically analyzing dysfunction in patients who have sustained a neurologic insult. This model was motivated by the related model of orthopedic dysfunction developed by Dyrek et al.1 Our model is intended to guide the clinician in identifying underlying causes of a patient's disability. The model facilitates a problem-solving approach based on literature that interprets the interrelationship between pathology, impairments, and disabilities associated with neurologic insults. Many of the problems or disorders associated with neurologic insults, such as faulty balance, have multiple possible causes. The purpose of this model is to guide the clinician in a problem-solving approach to identify the underlying causes of observed deficits in neurologic dysfunction. The intent of this article is to demonstrate the conceptual use of this model so that clinicians can more effectively evaluate and treat these patients.
Chart links solar, geophysical events with impacts on space technologies

While developing a Space Weather Training Program for Air Force Space Command and the 50th Weather Squadron, both based in Colorado, ARINC Incorporated produced a flowchart that correlates solar and geophysical events with their impacts on Air Force systems. Personnel from both organizations collaborated in the development of the flowchart and provided many comments and suggestions. The model became the centerpiece of the Space Environment Impacts Reference Pamphlet, as well as the formal Space Weather Training Program. Although it is not a numerical or computer model, the flowchart became known as the “Space Environmental Impacts Model.”
Towards an Understanding of Risk Behavior: An AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM)

This report presents a three-stage model (ARRM) that characterize people's efforts to change sexual behaviors related to HIV transmission. ARRM focuses on social and psychological factors hypothesized to influence (1) labeling of high risk behaviors as problematic, (2) making a commitment to changing high risk behaviors, and (3) seeking and enacting solutions directed at reducing high risk activities. The proposed model integrates important concepts from prior behavioral medicine and human sexuality studies, specifies their differential import to achieving the goals associated with each stage of the model, and denotes factors hypothesized to influence people's motivation to continue the change process over time. Current findings are discussed within this three-stage model and directions for further research are suggested. Recent findings from our ongoing studies of gays and heterosexuals in San Francisco are presented.
Homeless Women's Experiences of Service Provider Encounters

Service providers are gatekeepers to health-sustaining services and resources, although little is known about service encounters from the perspective of homeless women. We conducted in-depth semistructured interviews with 15 homeless women to better understand their experiences of service encounters. Using a phenomenological method, 160 significant statements were extracted from participant transcripts; more positive than negative interactions were reported. The 10 themes that emerged fall along a dehumanizing/humanizing continuum primarily separated by the power participants experienced in the interaction and the trust they felt in the service provider. Implications for nursing practice and research are offered.
Myostatin, the cardiac chalone of insulin-like growth factor-1

See article by Shyu et al. [2] (pages 405–414) in this issue. In the 1960s, Bullough introduced the concept of chalones, inhibitors of cell growth that provide a negative feedback mechanism to control the size of a specific tissue [1]. In a very elegant study in this issue, Shu et al. [2] demonstrate that myostatin represents a chalone of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway in the heart. The IGF-1 signaling pathway, as summarized in Fig. 1A, represents an important physiological mechanism of cardiac cell growth that is initiated upon binding of IGF-1 to a tyrosine–kinase receptor (IGFR) very similar to the insulin receptor. When activated, the IGFR phosphorylates the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Tyrosine phosphorylated IRS-1 is a docking protein for the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which in turn activates the protein kinase Akt. IGFR can also bind adapter proteins such as Sos-2, which activates the proto-oncogene Ras and thereby the MAP kinases ERK1 and ERK2 (or p42/p44 MAP kinases). As illustrated in Fig. 1A, these two signaling pathways mediate most of the effects of IGF-1 in the heart, which are very reminiscent of the effects of insulin. ERK1/2 stimulates cell growth through activation of specific transcription factors (such as Elk-1 or GATA), whereas Akt stimulates glucose metabolism and cell growth [3] and prevents apoptosis [4]. Fig. 1 Summary of the IGF-1 signaling pathway (panel A) and … *Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 973 972 3926; fax: +1 973 972 7489. Email address: deprech{at}umdnj.edu
Transmission properties of nonlinear multimode waveguide arrays

Multimode capillary waveguide arrays containing reverse-saturable absorbers exhibit an enhancement of the nonlinear response. Experimental data are modeled by the effect of partial mode filling, influenced by fill fraction and capillary diameter.
The fourth workshop on end-user software engineering

1. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION A recent survey has shown that the number of end-user programmers in the United States is 11 million, as compared to only 2.75 million professional programmers [5]. Unlike professional programmers who typically work with generalpurpose programming languages like Java, C, and C, most end-user programmers work with languages and environments such as spreadsheets, web authoring tools, MatLab, and macro languages. The software developed by end users include spreadsheets, dynamic web applications, resource coalitions, scientific simulations, educational simulations, and many others. End users have very different training and background when compared with professional programmers, and few have backgrounds in software engineering practices. End users are unlikely to invest time and effort in learning software engineering techniques and approaches. This is because end users have very different motivations and work constraints than professional programmers. End users are not, in most cases, striving to deliver software. Instead, their focus is on the results of the software. This difference may seem subtle, but the result is that, since the software itself is not viewed as an important asset, there is little perceived need to learn software engineering techniques. Numerous studies have reported that a bulk of the software developed by end users has faults in them (e.g., [3, 4]), and quite a few of these errors result in substantial financial losses to companies and other institutions [1]. The primary challenge for software engineering researchers working in this domain is to find ways to help support end users in their work while respecting these differences. We need to develop approaches that assist end users within the contexts they are familiar with, rather than attempt to train end users to become software engineers [2]. For example, most end-user programming environments are geared towards supporting
Effects of process and environmental variations on timing characteristics of clocked registers

Violations of the timing constraints in a clocked register can cause a synchronous system to malfunction. The effects of parameter variations on the timing characteristics of registers that determine the timing constraints are investigated in this paper. The sensitivity of the setup time and data propagation delay to variations in power supply voltage, temperature, and gate oxide thickness is demonstrated for four different register designs. Furthermore, design modifications are proposed that enhance the robustness of each register to variation effects.
Video Views and Reviews

Most of us who teach undergraduates are constantly searching for better ways of making complex cellular phenomena more accessible and understandable, especially at the introductory level. Our instructional efforts are especially taxed when trying to convey with static diagrams or cartoons such dynamic events as membrane ruffling, endocytosis and exocytosis, and vesicular and protein targeting. Since 1998, when they first began appearing in electronically archived issues, I have used research videos from Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBC) as teaching aids, and I have agreed to write a column periodically reviewing the videos published in current issues of this journal and in other sources for the readership of Cell Biology Education. The majority of such records present the behavior of chimeric proteins that have been expressed linked with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), and examples of how such videos can be used in cell biology problem sets may be viewed at http://cr.middlebury.edu/biology/scb/or ... //scb2/. Several caveats, however! These essays primarily reflect my judgment about the suitability of particular videos as teaching aids and not about their scientific merit or that of the parent article; the latter quality presumably has already been established by their publication. In this regard, my students and I have found it especially important to remember that many published videos are research records; that is, they often seem
Oxidant Stress and Reduced Antioxidant Enzyme Protection in Polycystic Kidney Disease

ABSTRACT. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both acquired and hereditary polycystic kidney disease. Mechanisms of oxidant injury in C57BL/6J-cpk mice and Han:SPRD-Cy rats with rapidly or slowly progressive polycystic kidney disease were explored. Expression of heme oxygenase-1 mRNA, an inducible marker of oxidative stress, was shown to be increased in cystic kidneys of mice and rats in a pattern that reflected disease severity. By contrast, there was a decrease in mRNA expression of the antioxidant enzymes extracellular glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S -transferase during disease progression. Renal mRNA levels of these enzymes were strikingly reduced in rapidly progressive disease in homozygous cystic mice and rats. In slowly progressive disease in heterozygous rats, renal antioxidant mRNA levels were decreased to a greater extent in cystic males than in the less severely affected females. Protein levels for extracellular glutathione peroxidase were also reduced in plasma and in cystic kidneys of mice and rats. Plasma extracellular glutathione peroxidase enzymatic activity was also decreased, whereas the lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal were increased in kidneys and blood plasma of cystic mice. Reduced antioxidant enzyme protection and increased oxidative damage represent general mechanisms in the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease.
Treatment of Overweight: I. Relationship between Initial Weight and Weight Change during Behavior Therapy of Overweight Individuals: Analysis of Data from Previous Studies:

Data from studies of the use of behavior therapy in the treatment of overweight are used to compute correlations between initial weight and weight change. There is a tendency for those with the highest initial weight to lose the most weight. The relationship appears higher when both men and women are included than if data are only from women and when treatment is longer. It is suggested that these results may tentatively be seen as implying a similar relationship between initial disturbance and outcome of treatment in psychotherapy generally.
Expression characteristics of the transfer-related kilB gene product of Streptomyces plasmid pIJ101: implications for the plasmid spread function.

Intermycelial transfer of Streptomyces plasmid pIJ101 occurs prior to cellular differentiation and is mediated by plasmid functions that are also required for production of zones of growth-inhibited recipient cells (i.e., pocks) that develop around individual donors during mating on agar medium. Several other pIJ101 functions, including that of the kilB gene, whose unregulated expression on pIJ101 is lethal, are required for normal pock size and so have been postulated to mediate intramycelial spread of the plasmid throughout recipient cells. Using antibodies raised against a KilB fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli, native KilB protein was detected throughout development of pIJ101-containing Streptomyces lividans cells, with the concentration of KilB increasing dramatically and reaching a maximum during the final stages (i.e., sporulation and secondary metabolism) of cellular differentiation. Insertion of the kilB gene of pIJ101 into the S. lividans chromosome in cells lacking the pIJ101 KorB protein, which normally represses kilB gene transcription, resulted in elevated but still temporally increasing amounts of KilB. The increased expression or accumulation of the KilB spread protein throughout cellular differentiation of S. lividans, which leads to maximum KilB concentrations during developmental stages that occur far later than when intermycelial transfer of pIJ101 is mediated, supports the existence of a subsequent intramycelial component to the pIJ101 spread function. The results also suggest that intramycelial spread of pIJ101 molecules within the recipient extends beyond intercompartmental movements within the substrate mycelia and includes undetermined steps within the spore-yielding aerial hyphae as well.
Shear Wave Velocity Imaging Using Transient Electrode Perturbation: Phantom and ex vivo Validation

This paper presents a new shear wave velocity imaging technique to monitor radio-frequency and microwave ablation procedures, coined electrode vibration elastography. A piezoelectric actuator attached to an ablation needle is transiently vibrated to generate shear waves that are tracked at high frame rates. The time-to-peak algorithm is used to reconstruct the shear wave velocity and thereby the shear modulus variations. The feasibility of electrode vibration elastography is demonstrated using finite element models and ultrasound simulations, tissue-mimicking phantoms simulating fully (phantom 1) and partially ablated (phantom 2) regions, and an ex vivo bovine liver ablation experiment. In phantom experiments, good boundary delineation was observed. Shear wave velocity estimates were within 7% of mechanical measurements in phantom 1 and within 17% in phantom 2. Good boundary delineation was also demonstrated in the ex vivo experiment. The shear wave velocity estimates inside the ablated region were higher than mechanical testing estimates, but estimates in the untreated tissue were within 20% of mechanical measurements. A comparison of electrode vibration elastography and electrode displacement elastography showed the complementary information that they can provide. Electrode vibration elastography shows promise as an imaging modality that provides ablation boundary delineation and quantitative information during ablation procedures.
Effects of Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius) Disturbances on Tallgrass-prairie Plant Community Structure

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of soil disturbances created by the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) on the structure of a tallgrass-prairie plant community. We predicted that soil mounds and burrows would provide sites for the establishment of subordinate plant species, thereby increasing regional plant community richness in this ecosystem that is highly dominated by perennial C4 tallgrasses. Our results, however, revealed that plant species richness and biomass were temporarily decreased or unaffected in areas disturbed by gophers. Moreover, the species found locally on mounds and burrows were a subset of the dominant plants present in the undisturbed plant community and graminoids were more frequent on disturbances than forbs. Our results indicate that perennial graminoids predominate in the rapid recovery of vegetation on pocket gopher mounds and burrows. This preempts the establishment of less frequent forbs and, contrary to our predictions, decreases plant community richness.
Urinary Retention is Rare After Total Joint Arthroplasty When Using Opioid-Free Regional Anesthesia.

Abstract Background Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a relatively common complication after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Based on the findings of a randomized, prospective study from our institution, we abandoned the routine use of indwelling urinary catheters in patients undergoing elective TJA using opioid-free spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of and the risk factors for POUR in this patient population. Patients and Methods A total of 842 consecutive patients underwent TJA between January 2012 and September 2014 using opioid-free spinal anesthesia in whom indwelling urinary catheters were not used. Postoperative urinary retention was defined as the inability of a patient to void that necessitated the placement of either an indwelling urinary catheter or straight catheterization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for developing POUR. Results In this cohort, 79 patients (79/842; 9.3%) developed POUR. Independent risk factors for POUR were history of a benign prostatic hyperplasia ( P = .02), renal disease ( P = .001), longer operative time ( P = .003), and age older than 67 years ( P = .02). No patients in this cohort developed neurogenic bladder. Conclusion This study confirms that the routine use of indwelling urinary catheters for patients undergoing TJA using an opioid-free spinal anesthesia may not be warranted. Urinary catheters may be used selectively in patients at risk for subsequent urinary retention.
Be Careful with the Use of Mover-Stayer Model at the Disaggregate Level

Identifying and targeting the right types of consumers has always been an important task to marketing practitioners. To this end, Columbo and Morrison (1989) introduce the hard-core loyal/potential switcher (HCL/PS) approach to account for consumer heterogeneity and investigate purchasing patterns of two types of consumers, given an assumption that there are hard-core loyals and potential switchers in the market. A key feature of this framework is that consumers in the loyal segment are assigned the probability of making repeat purchase equal to one due to the following characteristic: the hard-core loyals automatically repurchase the same brand. However, this practice is highly likely to mislead practitioners with a set of parameter estimates. To resolve this problem, this paper proposes a revised version of the Mover-Stayer model, which allows the possibility of loyal consumers to consider other brands and includes the HCL/PS approach as a special case. This study provides two important findings: 1) HCL/PS-based brand choice models provide biased parameter estimates and 2) our proposed model is able to recover true values of parameter estimates for consumers' sensitivity to marketing activities and provide important managerial insights to marketing practitioners who design and implement two targeting programs for acquisition and retention strategy.
Regulators and Pathway Enzymes That Contribute to Chemical Diversity in Phenylpropanoid and Aromatic Alkaloid Metabolism in Plant Immunity

Plant secondary or “specialized” metabolites play an important role in plant survival, often as defense chemicals, and are the predominant natural sources of drugs for human health because of their chemical diversity and biosynthetic complexity. As a consequence, the biosynthesis and regulation of plant specialized metabolism have been intensively studied in a number of model and non-model plant species. Here, we review what is currently known about the transcriptional regulators and pathway enzymes that contribute to the chemical diversity and biosynthetic complexity of two of the three major groups of plant specialized metabolites, the phenylpropanoids and the nitrogen-containing alkaloids. For the latter, we will focus on aromatic amino acid-derived alkaloids that have been extensively studied for their regulation and biosynthesis. They include the amine-derived terpenoid indole alkaloids, the free indole-derived benzoxazinoids, and the oxime-derived aromatic compounds, such as the tyrosine-derived cyanogenic glycosides, indole glucosinolates, and sulfur-containing indole alkaloids. In addition, we will discuss the possible phylogenetic conservation of the transcriptional regulators of phenylpropanoid metabolism in defense.
Geomorphic Effect of the Arctic Ground Squirrel in an Alpine Environment

The Arctic Ground Squirrel (Citellus undulatus) is an important geomorphological agent in the Ruby Range, Yukon Territory, particularly since its distribution and concentration is highly variable, ...
A Unified Model-Based Analysis and Optimization of Specific Energy Consumption in BWRO and SWRO

A unified mathematical model is developed to describe both brackish water (BW) and seawater (SW) reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes. The model contains two dimensionless parameters: κ, quantifying the effect of retentate pressure drop, and γ, reflecting the membrane capacity demand ratio. A γ vs. κ map derived from data obtained from RO desalination plants worldwide is used to show that BWRO and SWRO are in completely different regions. The minimization of specific energy consumption (SEC) is formulated and solved as a nonlinear optimization problem using representative values of γ and κ in both BWRO and SWRO. Several computational case studies are carried out to demonstrate the differences in operating BWRO and SWRO. Discussions are made on the effect of fractional recovery, RO configurations (single-stage, two-stage, and two-stage with booster pump) as well as brine recirculation on SEC.
An Exploration of Using the Empirical Implied Distribution to Predict the Distribution of Future Returns

This paper presents a new approach to applying information from forward-looking options data to better predict the distribution of realized returns. First, pricing data in options chains for five exchange traded funds across various time periods are modeled as distributions. All four moments are then calculated from these distributions and used as parameters in a linear regression that predicts all four moments of the realized distribution. This methodology yields promising results as the model generated a statistically significant correlation coefficient for all moments of every ETF at a 95% confidence level. These improved estimates are valuable to investors as they can be leveraged to better match risk preferences and hedge against predicted uncertainties.
Protein Relaxation Following Quinone Reduction in Rhodobacter Capsulatus: Detection of Likely Protonation-Linked Optical Absorbance Changes of the Chromophores

The formation of quinone anions in bacterial reaction centers produces distinctive optical absorption shifts of the bacteriopheophytin and bacteriochlorophyll chromophores1,2. The absence of a direct molecular contact between the quinones and these chromophores3-5 suggests that the electrochromic shifts may be due to an electrostatic interaction betw een the optical transition dipoles of the chromophores and the electric field associated with the quinone anions. In this case, the eiectrochromism induced by the quinone anions potentially provides an opportunity to examine the propagation of electric fields, and hence the local dielectric, within the reaction center protein.
Iron requirement for cellular DNA damage and growth inhibition by hydrogen peroxide and bleomycin

Studies with Euglena gracilis and HL-60 cells have assessed the need for intracellular iron in the mechanisms of inhibition of cell growth and DNA damage by H2O2 and bleomycin. Cell culture media were directly depleted of iron in order to deprive cells of nutrient iron. Major pools of cellular iron were reduced in both cell types. Nevertheless, iron bound in e.s.r.-observable haem protein and ribonucleotide diphosphate reductase in HL-60 cells was not decreased. In both control cell populations, there was a concentration-dependent reduction in proliferation and cell survival caused by H2O2. In comparison, the proliferation rates of both iron-deficient cell types were significantly less sensitive to H2O2. H2O2 caused concentration-dependent single-strand breakage in DNA in control HL-60 and Euglena gracilis cells. Iron deficiency reduced the amount of strand breaks in HL-60 cells at each concentration of H2O2 used. Single-strand breakage caused by H2O2 in Euglena gracilis was a direct function of the concentration of iron in which the cells had been grown. Growth inhibition and both single- and double-strand DNA damage caused by bleomycin were substantially reduced or eliminated in iron-deficient cells. Copper bleomycin behaved like metal-free bleomycin when assayed for the capacity to cause DNA damage in iron-normal and iron-deficient HL-60 cells. In contrast, iron bleomycin was equally active under the two conditions in these cells.
Can Tarmac Delays Be Minimized? An Application of Multiple-Stage Stochastic Linear Programming with Recourse

Airline and airport analysts must make operational decisions in a series of stages. They are challenged to minimize the impact of uncertainty to optimize constrained resources in a dynamic environment. Whereas sensitivity analysis may be appropriate for deterministic decision problems, such analysis may not be suitable for making decisions under uncertainty. This paper explains how aviation practitioners can improve ground movements based on some key operational variables (departure capacity and departure counts), as well as some random variables (taxi-out delays and departure demand). This paper also demonstrates how a multiple-stage stochastic program with recourse can help airline and airport operators generate a set of scenarios related to some initial conditions illustrated by the case of New York’s JFK airport.
Assessment of catheter tip contact force resulting in cardiac perforation in swine atria using force sensing technology.

Background— Force sensing is a recently developed technology that allows the determination of the contact force (CF) at the tip of the catheter during electrophysiology procedures. Previous studies suggested that the optimal CF for adequate catheter contact ranges between 10 and 40 g. The aim of this study was to determine the CF needed to cause perforation in the swine atria. Methods and Results— Pericardial access was obtained at the beginning of the study in a swine model to drain pericardial effusions. Electroanatomic maps of the right atrium (RA) and left atrium (LA) were constructed. Ablation was performed using an irrigated-tip radiofrequency catheter equipped with force-sensing technology (30 W, 30 mL/min, for 30 seconds). Perforations of the LA and RA wall were intentionally performed in different locations with and without radiofrequency ablation. CF values preceding each perforation were recorded. A total of 111 cardiac perforations were achieved in 7 pigs. The overall average CF resulting in perforation was 175.8±60.4 g (range, 77 to 376 g). This was significantly lower after 30 seconds of radiofrequency delivery: 151.8±49.9 g versus 197±61.3 g ( P =0.00005). The average value of CF resulting in perforation was not statistically different between the RA and the LA (169.6±61.6 g versus 181.7±59.3 g) ( P =0.29). Conclusions— Perforation of the atrial wall in a swine model can occur over a wide range of CF values. Perforation can occur with a CF as low as 77 g. Ablation reduces the perforating force by 23%.
Incommensurate Graphene Foam as a High Capacity Lithium Intercalation Anode.

Graphite’s capacity of intercalating lithium in rechargeable batteries is limited (theoretically, 372 mAh g−1) due to low diffusion within commensurately-stacked graphene layers. Graphene foam with highly enriched incommensurately-stacked layers was grown and applied as an active electrode in rechargeable batteries. A 93% incommensurate graphene foam demonstrated a reversible specific capacity of 1,540 mAh g−1 with a 75% coulombic efficiency, and an 86% incommensurate sample achieves above 99% coulombic efficiency exhibiting 930 mAh g−1 specific capacity. The structural and binding analysis of graphene show that lithium atoms highly intercalate within weakly interacting incommensurately-stacked graphene network, followed by a further flexible rearrangement of layers for a long-term stable cycling. We consider lithium intercalation model for multilayer graphene where capacity varies with N number of layers resulting LiN+1C2N stoichiometry. The effective capacity of commonly used carbon-based rechargeable batteries can be significantly improved using incommensurate graphene as an anode material.
Longitudinal comparison of body mass index (BMI) in breast cancer survivors to cancer-free women: A prospective study in high-risk women.

1601 Background: Postdiagnosis weight gain in non-familial breast cancer (BC) survivors has been observed in a number of studies, with the reported prevalence and amount of weight gain being highly...
Transcatheter closure of hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus in 32 premature infants by amplatzer ductal occluder additional size‐ADOIIAS

Objectives The advent of Amplatzer Duct Occluder II additional Size (ADOIIAS) provided the potential to close hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSPDA) and to analyze the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the device. Background Treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in very premature neonates is still a dilemma for the neonatalogist who has to consider its significance and has to choose among different treatment options. Because surgical ligation and medical therapy both have their drawbacks, interventional catheterization might provide an alternative means of closing HSPDA. Material and Methods Between September 2013 and June 2015, 32 premature infants with complications related to HSPDA defined by ultrasound (US) underwent transcatheter closure. The procedure was performed in the catheterization laboratory by venous cannulation without angiography. The position of the occluder was directed by X-ray and US. In particular we looked at procedural details, device size selection, complications, and short and mid-term outcomes. Results Thirty two premature infants, all of whom had clinical complications related to HSPDA, born at gestational ages ranging between 23.6 and 36 weeks (mean ± standard deviation 28 ± 3 weeks) underwent attempted transcatheter PDA closure using the ADOIIAS. Their mean age and weight at the time of procedure was 25 days (range 8–70 days) and 1373 g (range 680–2480 g), respectively. Ten infants weighed ≤1,000g. All ducts were tubular. The mean PDA and device waist diameters were 3.2 ± 0.6mm (range 2.2–4) and 4.4 ± 0.6 mm, respectively, and the mean PDA and device lengths 5.2 ± 2.0 mm (range 2–10) and 3.4 ± 1.3 mm. Median fluoroscopy and procedural times were 11 min (range 3–24) and 28 min (range 10–90), respectively. Complete closure was achieved in all but one patient. There was no device migration. A left pulmonary artery (LPA) obstruction developed in one patient. Five infants died. Four deaths were related to complications of prematurity and one death in a 680 g infant was related to the procedure. Conclusions It is feasible to close HSPDA in relative safety in premature infants who have severe and complex disease. Success requires perfect selection of the occluder and exact positioning by US. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.