cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhance plasma torch control using arc image visualization and features extraction

Scientific visualization techniques are applied to the plasma torch arc images collected with an Imaging System. These monochromatic arc images are the arc emission intensity recorded as grey scale images. The visualization techniques applied to these grey scale images enhance the usefulness of the images as a reference for torch control and for better understanding of the plasma arc. Each visualization technique provides a different view of the arc image and highlights different features of the image. Techniques investigated include continuous coloring, band coloring, intensity contouring, and temperature contouring. Issues regarding feature highlights and computation time are discussed. While visualization highlights image features on the surface, image feature extraction is based on pixel intensity statistics, which in turn represents the underlining phenomenon of the torch operating conditions. Some preliminary results regarding arc image features extraction and correlation with torch operation conditions are presented. Thermal surface temperature measurement is another application of the Imaging System. Melt surface average temperature measurements are included to illustrate this application. Further developments, including building a multi-wavelength Imaging System, are mentioned.
Prevention and management of acute renal failure.

Vigilance for signs of decreasing renal function—especially rising creatinine and dwindling urine output—will permit prompt preventive action. When renal shutdown does occur, the physician first mu...
Modulation features for noise robust speaker identification.

Current state-of-the-art speaker identification (SID) systems perform exceptionally well under clean conditions, but their performance deteriorates when noise and channel degradations are introduced. Literature has mostly focused on robust modeling techniques to combat degradations due to background noise and/or channel effects, and have demonstrated significant improvement in SID performance in noise. In this paper, we present a robust acoustic feature on top of robust modeling techniques to further improve speakeridentification performance. We propose Modulation features of Medium Duration sub-band Speech Amplitudes (MMeDuSA); an acoustic feature motivated by human auditory processing, which is robust to noise corruption and captures speaker stylistic differences. We analyze the performance of MMeDuSA using SRI International’s robust SID system using a channel and noise degraded multilingual corpus distributed through the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robust Automatic Transcription of Speech (RATS) program. When benchmarked against standard cepstral features (MFCC) and other noise robust acoustic features, MMeDuSA provided lower SID error rates compared to the others.
Linkages between Dissolved Organic Matter Composition and Bacterial Community Structure

Publisher Summary There has been an interest in the generation, transport, and fate of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) within aquatic ecosystems. The focus of this chapter is to examine studies in both marine and freshwater ecosystems that attempt to link specific members of the bacterial community with specific aspects of DOM processing. To address the seemingly inherent unculturability of bacteria from natural environments, researchers turned to molecular biological techniques to identify bacteria. There are several different methods based on 16S rRNA sequences that can be used to study bacterial community structure. Functional processes are essentially the same in both freshwater and marine systems, the differences become apparent when the emphasis is placed on the source of the Organic Matter (OM). The source of this OM affects the rate at which it is used, not the overall process of use. The availability of organic and inorganic resources and removal of cells by grazing or viral loss are major mechanisms involved in bacterial production and mortality, and thus it is conceivable that these may also regulate microbial population dynamics and diversity.
PerSE: visual analytics for calendar related spatiotemporal periodicity detection and analysis

Periodicity is embedded in all societies. As most of us organize our lives based on temporal structures, it is hard to imagine what life would be like without it. We experience periodicity through naturally occurring rhythms that exist in nature, such as sunrise/sunset, seasonal changes in the weather, and the tides. We also experience it through abstract means via cultural, political, religious ties, such as the weekend, Independence Day, and Ramadan. Forms of periodicity, like the examples above, are foundational to making sense of human activity because they provide contextual rationale and frame normaility. However, disparate calendars (e.g. Islamic vs. Gregorian), localized idiosyncrasies, and other variables greatly complicate the analytical ability to uncover and understand human activity at a given time within a specified region. We have developed PerSE (Periodicity in Spatiotemporal Events): a web application designed to aid users in the detection and analysis of calendar related periodicity in spatiotemporal event data sets via exploratory user interaction. PerSE is composed of several crossfiltering views: the Map, Attribute View, Time-Wheel, Timeline, and Table. Users interactively set and release filters on one or more of the views to detect and analyze calendar related periodicity. This paper illustrates the utility of PerSE through an in-depth description of the tool and proof of concept usage example.
Not without My Mommy: The New Woman's Mother Figure in Irmgard Keun's Novels Gilgi—eine von uns (1931) and Das kunstseidene Mädchen (1932)

This study puts forward the theory that the most significant influence on the New Woman’s success and the direction she chooses in life is her relationship with her mother. While scholars typically consider political and socioeconomic factors, and especially the media phenomenon of the era, when setting out to explain the emergence of the New Woman, this essay will demonstrate—via an analysis of Irmgard Keun’s novels Gilgi – eine von uns (1931) and Das kunstseidene Madchen (1932)—that the New Woman seeks to understand her mother’s position and the decisions she has made in life to better guide her own.
Significant and Sustained Reduction in Chemotherapy Errors Through Improvement Science

Purpose:A majority of children with cancer are now cured with highly complex chemotherapy regimens incorporating multiple drugs and demanding monitoring schedules. The risk for error is high, and errors can occur at any stage in the process, from order generation to pharmacy formulation to bedside drug administration. Our objective was to describe a program to eliminate errors in chemotherapy use among children.Methods:To increase reporting of chemotherapy errors, we supplemented the hospital reporting system with a new chemotherapy near-miss reporting system. After the model for improvement, we then implemented several interventions, including a daily chemotherapy huddle, improvements to the preparation and delivery of intravenous therapy, headphones for clinicians ordering chemotherapy, and standards for chemotherapy administration throughout the hospital.Results:Twenty-two months into the project, we saw a centerline shift in our U chart of chemotherapy errors that reached the patient from a baseline r...
A novel three‑way Philadelphia Variant t(9;22;17)(q34;q11.2;q12) in chronic myeloid leukemia: A case report

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematologic malignancy associated with increased circulating myeloid cells and platelets in the peripheral blood, with accompanying bone marrow hyperplasia. The Philadelphia chromosome, t(9;22)(q34;q11), is present in 95% of CML patients, resulting in constitutive tyrosine kinase activity; however, ~5% of CML patients possess a Philadelphia variant. A novel three-way Philadelphia translocation variant, t(9;22;17)(q34;q11.2;q11.2), was identified in a 54-year old man who presented with leukocytosis, anemia and thrombocytosis that was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic phase. Cytogenetic analysis by G-banding revealed the presence of a three-way translocation involving the long arms of chromosomes 9, 22 and 17. Fluorescence is situ hybridization utilizing a dual-color fusion probe confirmed the presence of the Bcr-Abl fusion gene.
Parental Sacrifice and Acceptance as Distinct Dimensions of Parental Support Among Chinese and Filipino American Adolescents

Parental support is a central construct in research on parenting and parent-adolescent relationships, yet there is little research that examines youths’ interpretation and understanding of parental support. This study examines the construct of parental support, arguing that for Asian immigrant families in the United States it consists of two facets: parental acceptance and parental sacrifice. The study included 941 ninth graders from eight different high schools in the greater Los Angeles area: 598 Chinese Americans and 343 Filipino Americans. Results showed that parental acceptance and sacrifice were similar but distinct factors and that both are part of a larger construct of parental support. In tests of the equivalence of the measures between the two ethnic groups, the larger picture to emerge is that Chinese and Filipino American youth have similar cultural understandings or perspectives of parental acceptance and sacrifice: these constructs work equally well between Chinese and Filipinos. These findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive measures for Asian immigrant families and adolescents. In understanding the parental support of Asian immigrants, this study demonstrates that it is important to incorporate culturally distinctive features of parenting.
G2S: a web-service for annotating genomic variants on 3D protein structures.

Motivation Accurately mapping and annotating genomic locations on 3D protein structures is a key step in structure-based analysis of genomic variants detected by recent large-scale sequencing efforts. There are several mapping resources currently available, but none of them provides a web API (Application Programming Interface) that supports programmatic access. Results We present G2S, a real-time web API that provides automated mapping of genomic variants on 3D protein structures. G2S can align genomic locations of variants, protein locations, or protein sequences to protein structures and retrieve the mapped residues from structures. G2S API uses REST-inspired design and it can be used by various clients such as web browsers, command terminals, programming languages and other bioinformatics tools for bringing 3D structures into genomic variant analysis. Availability and implementation The webserver and source codes are freely available at https://g2s.genomenexus.org. Contact g2s@genomenexus.org. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Interaction Enthalpy of Side Chain and Backbone Amides in Polyglutamine Solution Monomers and Fibrils

We determined an empirical correlation that relates the amide I vibrational band frequencies of the glutamine (Q) side chain to the strength of hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, and Lewis acid–base interactions of its primary amide carbonyl. We used this correlation to determine the Q side chain carbonyl interaction enthalpy (ΔHint) in monomeric and amyloid-like fibril conformations of D2Q10K2 (Q10). We independently verified these ΔHint values through molecular dynamics simulations that showed excellent agreement with experiments. We found that side chain–side chain and side chain–peptide backbone interactions in fibrils and monomers are more enthalpically favorable than are Q side chain–water interactions. Q10 fibrils also showed a more favorable ΔHint for side chain–side chain interactions compared to backbone–backbone interactions. This work experimentally demonstrates that interamide side chain interactions are important in the formation and stabilization of polyQ fibrils.
Predicted effects of landscape change, sea level rise, and habitat management on the extirpation risk of the Hawaiian common gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) on the island of O‘ahu

We conducted a spatially explicit, stochastic, individually based population viability analysis for the Hawaiian common gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), an endangered subspecies of waterbird endemic to fragmented coastal wetlands in Hawai'i. This subspecies persists on two islands, with no apparent movement between them. We assessed extirpation risk for birds on O'ahu, where the resident gallinule population is made up of several fragmented subpopulations. Data on genetic differentiation were used to delineate subpopulations and estimate dispersal rates between them. We used sensitivity analyses to gauge the impact of current uncertainty of vital rate parameters on population projections, to ascertain the relative importance of gallinule vital rates to population persistence, and to compare the efficacy of potential management strategies. We used available sea level rise projections to examine the relative vulnerability of O'ahu's gallinule population to habitat loss arising from this threat. Our model predicted persistence of the island's gallinule population at 160 years (∼40 generations), but with high probabilities of extirpation for small subpopulations. Sensitivity analyses highlighted the importance of juvenile and adult mortality to population persistence in Hawaiian gallinules, justifying current predator control efforts and suggesting the need for additional research on chick and fledgling survival. Subpopulation connectivity from dispersal had little effect on the persistence of the island-wide population, but strong effects on the persistence of smaller subpopulations. Our model also predicted island-wide population persistence under predicted sea level rise scenarios, but with O'ahu's largest gallinule populations losing >40% of current carrying capacity.
Treatment and prevention of pertussis by antimicrobial agents (Part II).

Suitable antimicrobials given during the catarrhal stage of whooping cough can attenuate the course of the disease. The efficacy of antibiotics administered prophylactically during the incubation period remains controversial but appears to be beneficial. Currently, erythromycin given for two weeks is the antibiotic of choice for pertussis. No treatment failures were observed with erythromycin estolate. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and stearate must be given at high dosages (50–60 mg/kg/day) in order to achieve sufficient concentrations in the respiratory secretions. With ampicillin and amoxicillin treatment failures have been observed. The role of josamycin and co-trimoxazole in pertussis remains open.
Tuberculosis in Older Adults

Despite comprising only 15% of the total population, older adults (age 65 years and over) account for the majority of active tuberculosis (TB) and residents of long-term care are at particularly high risk.
Realtime generation of customized 3D animated explanations for knowledge-based learning environments

Rich 3D animated explanations can have a powerful impact on students interacting with immersive knowledge-based learning environments. By generating 3D animated explanations in realtime, a learning environment can create engaging explanations that are tailored to individual students. This paper presents the immersive explanation planning framework for generating pedagogically-customized 3D animated explanations in realtime. In this framework, an explanation system selects 3D models and their relevant behaviors, creates camera shots that most clearly depict complex phenomena, constructs a tern poral organization that synchronizes narrative utterances with visual elements, plans the movement of the virtual camera that "films" the explanation, and incorporates specialized visual effects to focus students' attention on the most salient concepts. The framework has been implemented in RAPID, an explanation system that plans and renders customized 3D animated explanations of dynamic phenomena in realtime. Results of a focus group evaluation of RAPID are encouraging.
Recall the Ends—While Pondering Means

As a result of a variety of studies, conducted mainly in the United States, there is a sub-stantial body of literature on arms control. The general impression one receives from a study of the available literature can be summarized in a short sentence: the problem is very difficult. This applies particularly to the physical methods of inspection, and one cannot escape the impression that a good deal of wishful thinking has entered the articles on this subject. The nonphysical inspection techniques discussed by fay Orear (see page 107) appear more promising, but even these show, on closer inspection, very serious gaps. In order to obtain a fair estimate of the difficulties of physical inspection, one has only to read the papers of the proponents of nonphysical inspection; the difficulties of the latter method are aptly analyzed in the papers on physical inspection. Also, present efforts are directed solely toward the elimination of weapons which are now known—they will not prevent the discovery of new, possibly even more dangerous weapons. Every such discovery will necessitate a new effort—probably just as difficult as the present one—toward new measures of control.
Can Farmers Adapt to Higher Temperatures? Evidence from India

Abstract Projections suggest that the damages from climate change will be substantial for developing countries. Understanding the ability of households in these countries to adapt to climate change is critical in order to determine the magnitude of the potential damages. In this paper, I investigate the ability of farmers in India to adapt to higher temperatures. I use a methodology that exploits short-term weather fluctuations as well as spatial variation in long-run climate. Specifically, I estimate how damaging high temperatures are for districts that experience high temperatures more or less frequently. I find that the losses from high temperatures are lower in heat-prone districts, a result that is consistent with adaptation. However, while adaptation appears to be modestly effective for moderate levels of heat, my results suggest that adaptation to extreme heat is much more difficult. Extremely high temperatures do grave damage to crops, even in places that experience these temperature extremes regularly. The persistence of negative impacts of high temperatures, even in areas that experience high temperatures frequently, underscores the need for development policies that emphasize risk mitigation and explicitly account for climate-change-related risks.
Electrical Analysis of EMIB Packages

Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge (EMIB) is an advanced packaging solution that provides ultra-high density interconnects between dies by embedding a passive bridge die in the organic substrate. This paper outlines the signal and power integrity simulation flows for this new packaging solution along with the corresponding validation data.
Resonance Natural Bond Orbitals: Efficient Semilocalized Orbitals for Computing and Visualizing Reactive Chemical Processes

We describe a practical algorithm for calculating NBO-based "resonance natural bond orbitals" (RNBOs) that can accurately describe the localized bond shifts of a reactive chemical process. Unlike conventional NBOs, the RNBOs bear no fixed relationship to a particular Lewis-structural bonding pattern but derive instead from the natural resonance theory (NRT)-based manifold of all bonding patterns that contribute significantly to resonance mixing (and associated multichannel reactivity) at a chosen point of the potential energy surface. The RNBOs typically retain familiar localized Lewis-structural character for stable near-equilibrium species, yet they freely adopt multicenter character as required to satisfy Pople's prerequisite that no allowed computational basis set should be inherently biased toward a particular nuclear arrangement or bonding pattern. A simple numerical application to intramolecular Claisen rearrangement demonstrates the computational and conceptual advantages of describing reactive bond-shifts with RNBOs rather than other conventional NBO- or MO-based expansion sets.
‘Le goût du jeu (a taste for the game):’ pedagogical play, competition, and resistance to neoliberal capitalism in Nathalie Kuperman’s Nous étions des êtres vivants

ABSTRACTThis paper proposes to contribute to existing scholarship examining the contemporary French workplace novel by offering a critical reading of Nathalie Kuperman’s 2010 novel Nous etions des ...
EVALUATION OF SURFACE RHEOLOGICAL MODELS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the evaluation of surface rheological models. The interface between two fluid phases can exhibit rheological behavior, which is different from that of the adjacent phases. The interface between two Newtonian fluids can be viscoelastic. The parameters that appear in comprehensive constitutive equations that are capable of representing complex viscoelastic behavior of interfaces must be determined experimentally. Deep channel surface viscometer can be used to determine the values of these parameters, provided that the viscometer is properly designed, the floor of the viscometer is programmed to rotate continuously, and in oscillating motion. Continuous rotation is needed to permit the measurement of the surface shear viscosity. The investigator is cautioned to control secondary flow so that reliable measurements are obtained. The oscillatory experiments have been found to be best analyzed using a method that uses measurements of the amplitude ratio as a function of the frequency.
Comparison of Host-Searching and Ovipositional Behavior of Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a Parasitoid of Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Tobacco and Cotton

To compare host-searching and ovipositional behavior of Cardiochiles nigriceps Viereck (CN) in tobacco and cotton, behavior of CN females was observed on Hellothis virescens (Febricius)-infested plants and recorded using a Psion Organizer II with Observer software. Hover, search, oviposit, preen, rest, walk, agony-search, drop-search, and miss-search were the nine behaviors observed for each plant species. Agony-search was a searching behavior exhibited when CN females were prevented from ovipositing in a host because they were unable to reach the host. Drop-search and miss-search were the searching behaviors that occurred by CN females after a host dropped from the plant and when CN females missed ovipositing in a host, respectively. Hovering, searching, oviposition, miss-search, resting, and walking were equally common for CN on tobacco and cotton. Agony-search was exhibited more on tobacco than cotton, while drop-search and preening occurred more on cotton than tobacco. Female CN spent more time hovering in tobacco than in cotton, indicating that these females preferred tobacco to cotton. Female parasitoids also spent more time in the main ovipositional sequence, hover–search–oviposit, in tobacco than in cotton, mainly because females hovered more in tobacco than in cotton. Frequency and time of behavioral sequences associated with experiencing frustration in ovipositing due to difficulty in reaching or finding a host and subsequent level of success in ovipositing in a new host were determined. Overall, the rate of successful oviposition by CN females was significantly higher in tobacco (87.7%) than in cotton (79.5%). For cotton and tobacco, the rate of successful oviposition by CN females was significantly reduced (ca. 40.0%) when they experienced frustration in ovipositing compared to the rate of ovipositional success (100%) for CN females when hosts were present and easily accessible. Encountering ovipositional frustration also increased the duration of time for successful oviposition in comparison to the time spent for problem-free oviposition in cotton and tobacco. Interestingly, with successful oviposition, the amount of time spent in a behavioral sequence was not significantly different for tobacco and cotton regardless of whether females experienced ovipositional frustration or not. However, female CN invested more time in tobacco than in cotton when they were unsuccessful in ovipositing due to the inaccessibility or disappearance of hosts. CN females' preference for tobacco over cotton probably gave them more motivation to continue searching for hosts, especially those not easily attained, on tobacco than on cotton. Nevertheless, CN females readily searched in cotton for HV even in the presence of host-infested tabacco. CN females possibly could be successful in maintaining levels of HV below an economic threshold when using a tobacco trap crop to protect cotton as the main crop.
Regional Anesthesia Considerations for Cardiac Surgery

Pain is a significant consequence of cardiac surgery and newer techniques in cardiac anesthesia have provided an impetus for the development of multimodal techniques to manage acute pain in this setting. In this regard, regional anesthesia techniques have been increasingly used in many cardiac surgical procedures, for the purposes of reducing perioperative consumption of opioid agents and enhanced recovery after surgery. The present investigation focuses on most currently used regional techniques in cardiac surgical procedures. These regional techniques include chest wall blocks (e.g., PECS I and II, SAP, ESB, PVB), sternal blocks (e.g., TTMPB, PSINB), and neuraxial blocks (e.g., TEA, high spinal anesthesia). The present investigation also summarizes indications, technique, complications, and potential clinical benefits of these evolving regional techniques. Cardiac surgery patients may benefit from application of these regional techniques with well controlled indications and careful patient selections.
Instability of nonlinear Trivelpiece-Gould waves. II. Weakly trapped particles

This paper discusses a novel parametric instability mechanism caused by particles that are weakly trapped in the potential wells of a nonlinear “pump” wave. The pump wave is unstable to the growth of daughter waves with longer wavelength and nearly the same phase velocity as the pump. This induces adjacent potential peaks in the wave to slowly approach one-another, receding from other pairs of peaks. Particles that are weakly trapped between approaching peaks, with kinetic energies just below the potential maxima, are heated by compression and escape the well, and then become retrapped on the other side of the approaching peaks, where they amplify the compression by pushing the peaks together. The mechanism applies to low-collisionality plasmas supporting waves with near-acoustic dispersion relations such as ion sound waves, magnetized Langmuir waves, or Alfven waves. The theory is compared to particle in cell simulations of Trivelpiece-Gould (TG) traveling waves, as well as to experiments on pure ion plasmas that observe parametric instability in TG standing waves.
Themes and gaps in research for opioid use and misuse pertinent to orthopaedic injury patients.

Introduction Prescription opioid use and misuse has accelerated rapidly in the United States over the past 2 decades. Orthopaedic surgeons are the third highest prescribers of opioids, and thus are contributing to this problem at a significant rate. Despite a surge in the number of publications on this issue, there has been little emphasis in the literature on disentangling the various factors contributing to opioid use and misuse among fracture patients. The goal of this study was to describe areas of focus and identify knowledge gaps present in the current literature on this important issue. Methods We employed a scoping review technique due to its ability to successfully address a broad research question. In order to better understand the type of information deemed relevant by opioid researchers, we further analyzed our search results by sorting the publications into the following categories: consumer-focused, provider-focused, focus on substitutes, industry-focused, and focus on regulations (at the institution, profession, and government level). Results The search strategies generated 8760 citations; of these, 1166 publications satisfied our inclusion criteria. Around 607 of these final abstracts were marked as "extremely relevant" (52%) and the other 559 (48%) were marked "relevant." About 36.4% of the total included articles applied to the providers and 19.6% provided information on the consumer. A total of 25.2% of the included papers concerned substitutes for opioids, 15.7% focused on regulatory power in the opioid industry, and 14% considered opioids as an industry, including power of both current stakeholders and potential new entrants. Discussion The present study provides a thorough summary of existing literature on opioid use and misuse relevant to musculoskeletal trauma patients. Furthermore, the categorical division of the literature provides a unique perspective into the drivers contributing to the opioid epidemic, and may assist in development of effective interventions to reduce excessive opioid use following traumatic injuries. Our review allowed us to identify important aspects of the opioid industry and various drivers of abuse that were absent from the literature including involvement of the pharmaceutical industry on the opioid epidemic, the involvement of insurance companies in opioid distribution, and the use of nonopioid alternative medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Intra-articular depletion of macrophages increases acute synovitis and alters macrophage polarity in the injured mouse knee

Summary Objective Acute synovial inflammation following joint trauma is associated with posttraumatic arthritis. Synovial macrophages have been implicated in degenerative changes. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role of intra-articular macrophages in the acute inflammatory response to fracture in the mouse knee. Method A closed articular fracture was induced in two models of synovial macrophage depletion: genetically-modified MaFIA mice administered AP20187 to induce programmed macrophage apoptosis, and wild-type C57BL/6 mice administered clodronate liposomes, both via intra-articular injection. Synovial inflammation, bone morphology, and levels of F4/80+ macrophages, NOS2+ M1 macrophages, and CD206+ M2 macrophages were quantified 7 days after fracture using histology and micro-computed tomography. Results Intra-articular macrophage depletion with joint injury did not reduce acute synovitis or the number of synovial macrophages 7 days after fracture in either macrophage-depleted MaFIA mice or in clodronate-treated C57BL/6 mice. In macrophage-depleted MaFIA mice, macrophage polarity shifted to a dominance of M1 macrophages and a reduction of M2 macrophages in the synovial stroma, indicating a shift in M1/M2 macrophage ratio in the joint following injury. Interestingly, MaFIA mice depleted 2 days prior to fracture demonstrated increased synovitis (P = 0.003), reduced bone mineral density (P = 0.0004), higher levels of M1 macrophages (P = 0.013), and lower levels of M2 macrophages (not statistically significant, P=0.084) compared to control-treated MaFIA mice. Conclusion Our findings indicate that macrophages play a critical immunomodulatory role in the acute inflammatory response surrounding joint injury and suggest that inhibition of macrophage function can have prominent effects on joint inflammation and bone homeostasis after joint trauma.
The complete blood count and white blood cell differential

Abstract The complete blood count and white blood cell (WBC) differential provide valuable information regarding the main cellular components of the peripheral blood: red blood cells (RBCs), WBCs, and platelets. Typical parameters reported include the RBC and platelet counts and indices, the WBC count, and absolute counts and/or proportions of each WBC subtype, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Laboratory techniques utilized include impedance, conductivity measurements, light scatter, and fluorescence. Abnormal results can lead to alerts, also known as flags, and such results often warrant examination of a peripheral blood smear.
Access to resources and entrepreneurial well-being: A self-efficacy approach

Abstract In this study, we examine an important predictor and outcome associated with well-being for entrepreneurs: access to resources and persistence. Drawing on social-cognitive theory, we contend that access to resources helps people feel confidence in abilities to be successful entrepreneurs, resulting in greater well-being during venture development. We push the model further by hypothesizing that well-being is positively related to persistence in venture creation activities. Employing an experimental, vignette-based approach, we test the model by asking 258 subjects to consider how prospective entrepreneurs respond to varying contexts of resource accessibility (low vs. high) in terms of their self-efficacy, well-being, and persistence. Results of serial mediator regression analysis support the hypothesized model such that greater access to resources is associated with higher levels of multiple indicators of well-being such as happiness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being through a self-efficacy mechanism. We also find that entrepreneurial persistence increases through this mechanism.
The BRCT Domain of PARP1 Binds Intact DNA and Mediates Intrastrand Transfer

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a key player in the response to DNA damage and is the target of four different clinical inhibitors used for the treatment of cancers. Binding of PARP1 to damaged DNA leads to activation via destabilization of a subdomain of the catalytic domain, and activated PARP1 utilizes NAD+ to add chains of poly(ADP-ribose) onto itself and other nuclear proteins. PARP1 also binds abundantly to intact DNA and chromatin, where it remains enzymatically inactive. Here we show that intact DNA makes contacts with the BRCT domain, which was not previously recognized as a DNA-binding domain. This binding mode does not result in the concomitant reorganization and activation of the catalytic domain. We visualize the BRCT domain bound to nucleosomal DNA by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) and identify a key motif conserved from ancestral BRCT domains for binding phosphates on DNA and phospho-peptides. Finally, we demonstrate that the DNA-binding properties of the BRCT domain contribute to the ‘monkey-bar mechanism’ that mediates transfer of PARP1 from one DNA segment to another.
Coupling thermal stripping and acid absorption for ammonia recovery from dairy manure: Ammonia volatilization kinetics and effects of temperature, pH and dissolved solids content

Abstract Both liquid dairy manure and manure digestate have high concentrations of ammonia. This study coupled thermal stripping with acid absorption to recover ammonia from dairy manure as ammonium sulfate. Ammonia volatilization kinetics and effects of temperature, pH, and dissolved solids content on thermal stripping were investigated in batch experiments. Statistically insignificant differences were found in ammonium sulfate formation and liquid mass transfer of ammonia between the experiments with initial feed pH values of 11 and 9 and between the experiments with filtrate of undigested and digested manure, which have different dissolved solids contents. Temperature had significant effects on thermal stripping of ammonia. When temperature was set at the boiling points (101–102 °C) of manure filtrate, ammonia was completely stripped in 3–4 h. It took 5 h to strip 50% of ammonia at 97 °C. Little ammonia was stripped at 86 and 76 °C. The saturation concentrations of ammonia in manure filtrate was zero at temperatures 76–102 °C. Ammonia mass transfer coefficient upon boiling was 30.3–31.4 mm/h in manure filtrate. Ammonia mass transfer coefficient increased exponentially with temperature, indicating a temperature coefficient of 1.164. High-purity ammonium sulfate crystals (⩾98%) were produced when sulfuric acid solutions were pre-saturated with ammonium sulfate. When ammonia was completely stripped, ammonium sulfate was formed at 3.70–3.87 g/L filtrate. A preliminary economic analysis shows that this novel technology is economically promising for practical application, especially when it is applied to a side-stream of anaerobic digesters.
Underwater communications testing of the multi-mode pipe projector

The functionalities of the multi-mode pipe projector (MMPP) as an underwater communications source, was investigated. The three transducer-equipped GPS buoys with its center frequency set for barrel-stave projector at 1500 Hz, MMPP at 1950 Hz and MMPP at 3850 Hz were deployed at testsite off the west coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. Source levels were kept low so that acoustic emission did not exceed the maxima stated in the cruise plan and GPS NMEA data was encoded on hyperbolic frequency modulated (HFM) sweeps at a rate of 8 symbols per second. A group of type SSQ-53F (GPS) sonobuoys were laid to receive the GPS encoded acoustic signal and subsequently retransmit the data via RF link to CFAV Quest. It was observed that signals were received with high signal to noise ratio including 70 % clear and 26 % highly usable transmissions. Results shows that MMPP can be used in underwater communications as its performance is minimally impacted by multi-path distortion at range of 2km.
VLSI/ULSI research methodology in the US and Japan

When one looks at the US-Japan science and technology relationship in general, there are a number of possible viewpoints from which to approach the issue of mutual concerns. It has been said that interactions between the US and Japan have not been bilateral with respect to basic research and product development/manufacturing. The former area has had a strong unilateral flow of knowledge from the US to Japan, while the latter area has been characterized by a significant trade imbalance in industrial products. Japanese efficiency in product manufacturing versus US superiority in basic research is a topic often discussed. However, once one takes a much closer look at the mechanism and methodology of research and development, one may reach a deeper understanding of what has led to today's situation, and, at the same time, get some hint as to how one could improve it in the future. >
Interactions between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and biological membranes-III. Effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on bound mitochondrial bromothymol blue and possible intramitochondrial pH variations induced by these drugs.

Abstract Ten nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), which are known to affect mitochondrial membrane properties, were examined for their ability to induce variations of absorbance in isolated mitochondria preloaded with bromothymol blue (BTB). By studying optical density curves at 618 nm and at the isosbestic point of BTB, an index, ICC BTB , was defined, which reflects BTB color changes. The NSAID, and some alcohols related to them, increase this index. This change is related to the drug concentration as well as to the ionic composition of the incubation medium. Such BTB color variations in mitochondria could be due to alkalinization of the matrix space which occurs simultaneously with reorientation of the BTB molecules at their mitochondrial location. At concentrations which affect many other functions in various biological membranes, NSAID may alter the mitochondrial membrane permeability and promote the penetration of alkali cations into the mitochondria. The ionic movements cause the interior of the mitochondria to become alkaline, through a parallel excretion of protons or a concomitant uptake of hydroxyl ions, or both, while a simultaneous water influx causes mitochondrial swelling.
Challenges and Opportunities in Business Higher Education

Lawrence P. Shao, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA Dale H. Shao, Marshall University, WV, USA Ralph E. McKinney, Jr. Aston University, Birmingham , UK The catchphrase "Today's Challenges Lead to Tomorrow's Opportunities" succinctly describes the environment currently relevant to the area of business higher education. The future of business higher education in the 21st Centwy will involve dramatic changes that will lead to a vastly different ousiness education environment than we have today. By recognizing opportun ities and preparing strategies to em{Jrace these changes, business sclwols wfll be better able to prepare for what lies ahead. There will be new opportunities to try strategic initiatives that could not have been previously been attempted. Business schools must look for new alternatives and utilize a proactive approach for the "new non-normal" environment that is the future of business education. This paper will examine the major challenges and opportunities in business education. A discussion will also be provided on possible solutions to the problems facing business schools. It is important to realize that, the challenges and opportunities facing business higher education include technical as well as nontechnical influences. Recent technological advancements also offer both tremendous challenges and significant opportunities for business school administrators as they guide their institutions into the future.
Classification of Fixtures for Assessment

JUDGES have toiled for centuries to fit round bits of human property into two square holes labeled "land" and "goods." Much practice has lent them a certain facility in this odd task, yet two recent decisions of the Supreme Court of California demonstrate anew that the ancient puzzle of what constitutes a "fixture" continues to bedevil the law.' Both cases involved disputes between taxpayer and assessor over the question: When does property, originally chattel in character and still retaining its movability, become so identified with the real estate to which it has been annexed as to become assessable for taxa-
Norfloxacin-induced DNA gyrase cleavage complexes block Escherichia coli replication forks, causing double-stranded breaks in vivo

Antibacterial quinolones inhibit type II DNA topoisomerases by stabilizing covalent topoisomerase-DNA cleavage complexes, which are apparently transformed into double-stranded breaks by cellular processes such as replication. We used plasmid pBR322 and two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis to examine the collision of replication forks with quinolone-induced gyrase-DNA cleavage complexes in Escherichia coli. Restriction endonuclease-digested DNA exhibited a bubble arc with discrete spots, indicating that replication forks had been stalled. The most prominent spot depended upon the strong gyrase binding site of pBR322, providing direct evidence that quinolone-induced cleavage complexes block bacterial replication forks in vivo. We differentiated between stalled forks that do or do not contain bound cleavage complex by extracting DNA under different conditions. Resealing conditions allow gyrase to efficiently reseal the transient breaks within cleavage complexes, while cleavage conditions cause the latent breaks to be revealed. These experiments showed that some stalled forks did not contain a cleavage complex, implying that gyrase had dissociated in vivo and yet the fork had not restarted at the time of DNA isolation. Additionally, some branched plasmid DNA isolated under resealing conditions nonetheless contained broken DNA ends. We discuss a model for the creation of double-stranded breaks by an indirect mechanism after quinolone treatment.
Traduire ou imiter les Psaumes : la version de Desfontaines (1717)

En 1717, paraissent sous la plume de Pierre-Francois Guyot, abbe Desfontaines (1685-1745), les Poesies sacrees traduites ou imitees des Pseaumes. L’analyse des instances liminaires de la traduction des Psaumes permet de cerner, a travers les justifications du traducteur et la finalite attribuee au texte, les conceptions esthetiques de Desfontaines quant aux activites auctoriale et traduisante. Ainsi, pour Desfontaines, la traduction des Psaumes, ouvrage a la fois agreable et pedagogique, doit se presenter sous une forme versifiee et ne pas faire l’objet d’une docile traduction litterale. Desfontaines prend donc position a la frontiere entre l’auteur et le traducteur, en choisissant l’imitation plutot que la paraphrase, pour rechercher la « fidelite » a la fois au texte de depart et a la langue et a la culture d’arrivee.
Genetic variation in resistance and fecundity tolerance in a natural host-pathogen interaction.

Individuals vary in their ability to defend against pathogens. Determining how natural selection maintains this variation is often difficult, in part because there are multiple ways that organisms defend themselves against pathogens. One important distinction is between mechanisms of resistance that fight off infection, and mechanisms of tolerance that limit the impact of infection on host fitness without influencing pathogen growth. Theory predicts variation among genotypes in resistance, but not necessarily in tolerance. Here, we study variation among pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) genotypes in defense against the fungal pathogen Pandora neoaphidis. It has been well established that pea aphids can harbor symbiotic bacteria that protect them from fungal pathogens. However, it is unclear whether aphid genotypes vary in defense against Pandora in the absence of protective symbionts. We therefore measured resistance and tolerance to fungal infection in aphid lines collected without symbionts, and found variation among lines in survival and in the percent of individuals that formed a sporulating cadaver. We also found evidence of variation in tolerance to the effects of pathogen infection on host fecundity, but no variation in tolerance of pathogen-induced mortality. We discuss these findings in light of theoretical predictions about host-pathogen coevolution.
The Importance of Research-A Student Perspective.

As students, we will focus on the importance of an objective ranking system, research, and mentorship to an applicant. We will address points raised in the (Behavior Analysis In Practice 8(1):7–15, 2015) article as well as debate the usefulness of proposed standards of objective ranking.
Progesterone protects endothelial cells after cerebrovascular occlusion by decreasing MCP-1- and CXCL1-mediated macrophage infiltration ☆

Abstract The neuroprotective effects of progesterone after ischemic stroke have been established, but the role of progesterone in promoting cerebrovascular repair remains under-explored. Male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 90 min followed by reperfusion for 3 days. Progesterone (8 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally at 1 h after initial occlusion followed by subcutaneous injections at 6, 24 and 48 h post-occlusion. Rats were euthanized after 72 h and brain endothelial cell density and macrophage infiltration were evaluated within the cerebral cortex. We also assessed progesterone's ability to induce macrophage migration toward hypoxic/reoxygenated cultured endothelial cells. We found that progesterone treatment post-tMCAO protects ischemic endothelial cells from macrophage infiltration. We further demonstrate that infiltration of monocytes/macrophages can be induced by potent chemotactic factors such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), secreted by hypoxic/reoxygenated endothelial cells. Progesterone blunts secretion of MCP-1 and CXCL1 from endothelial cells after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and decreases leukocyte infiltration. The treatment protects ischemic endothelial cells from macrophage infiltration and thus preserves vascularization after ischemic injury.