cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental infection of domestic cats with passaged genotype I Bartonella henselae.

The influence of in vitro passage on Bartonella henselae pathogenesis in cats has not been thoroughly evaluated. Our objective was to examine the bacterial kinetics and humoral immune responses in cats experimentally infected with three different in vitro passages of B. henselae F1, a genotype I strain of feline origin. The F1 strain was in vitro passaged 20 and 40 times, and each was inoculated into a group of 5 cats. The kinetics of bacteremia and the feline humoral immune response to bacterial antigens were compared to a previous study involving a group of six cats inoculated with the original F1 strain. Among the three groups of cats, the kinetics of bacteremia profiles and the humoral immune responses to B. henselae lysates were similar. The influence of passage on bacterial membrane proteins was examined. In vitro passage altered the expression of 4/17 (23.5%) bacterial membrane proteins and 6/15 (40%) bacterial membrane antigens. An association between poor seroreactivity to three lysate antigens (15-, 18- and 45 kDa), prolonged bacteremia and decreased serum bactericidal activity was noted. Our data show that in vitro passage of B. henselae did not alter the kinetics of bacteremia, including the occurrence of relapsing bacteremia, in experimentally infected cats. This suggests that highly passaged strains may not be suitable for future vaccination studies. Furthermore, in vitro passage results in phenotypic and antigenic changes in the bacterial membrane protein profile, which warrants caution in the interpretation of studies involving passaged B. henselae strains.
Characterization of keratinocyte growth factor binding to heparin and dextran sulfate.

Abstract Binding of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) with heparin (molecular weight of 5000) and dextran sulfate (molecular weight of 8000) was studied using an on-line monitoring of size-exclusion chromatography with light scattering, refractive index, and uv absorbance detectors. This technique allows the determination of the molecular weight of KGF eluting as complexes with the above polymers. When mixtures of KGF with heparin were injected into the column, two peaks of heparin/KGF complexes were observed. The first peak corresponded to, on average, 3.4 KGF per complex and the second peak to an average of about 2 KGF per complex. These results suggest that the heparin/KGF complex is heterogeneous, consisting of 1, 2, 3, and 4 KGF molecules per complex. To calculate the number of heparin molecules in these complexes, the rate of disappearance of free KGF was determined as heparin was added. The average number of KGF bound to 1 mol of heparin was calculated to be about 2 mol, suggesting that only one heparin molecule is present in these complexes. The heparin binding of two KGF mutants, i.e., (C1,15S)KGF (with substitutions of serine for cysteines 1 and 15) and d28KGF (lacking 28 N-terminal amino acid residues), was essentially identical to that of the native sequence KGF. A similar experiment was carried out for KGF binding to dextran sulfate. The molecular weight of the complex corresponded to 2 to 2.6 KGF molecules per complex. The rate of disappearance of free KGF as the dextran sulfate added showed 2–3 mol of KGF bound to 1 mol of dextran sulfate, consistent with the idea that the complex contains only 1 dextran sulfate molecule.
Proximal Tubular Angiotensin II Levels and Renal Functional Responses to AT1 Receptor Blockade in Nonclipped Kidneys of Goldblatt Hypertensive Rats

-Previous studies have shown that whereas the nonclipped kidney in two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) rats undergoes marked depletion of renin content and renin mRNA, intrarenal angiotensin II (Ang II) levels are not suppressed; however, the distribution and functional consequences of intrarenal Ang II remain unclear. The present study was performed to assess the plasma, kidney, and proximal tubular fluid levels of Ang II and the renal responses to intrarenal Ang II blockade in the nonclipped kidneys of rats clipped for 3 weeks. The Ang II concentrations in proximal tubular fluid averaged 9.19+/-1.06 pmol/mL, whereas plasma Ang II levels averaged 483+/-55 fmol/mL and kidney Ang II content averaged 650+/-66 fmol/g. Thus, as found in kidneys from normal rats with normal renin levels, proximal tubular fluid concentrations of Ang II are in the nanomolar range. To avoid the confounding effects of decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), we administered the nonsurmountable AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan directly into the renal artery of nonclipped kidneys (n=10). The dose of candesartan (0.5 microg) did not significantly decrease MAP in 2K1C rats (152+/-3 versus 148+/-3 mm Hg), but effectively prevented the renal vasoconstriction elicited by an intra-arterial bolus of Ang II (2 ng). Candesartan elicited significant increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (0.65+/-0. 06 to 0.83+/-0.11 mL. min-1. g-1) and renal blood flow (6.3+/-0.7 to 7.3+/-0.9 mL. min-1. g-1), and proportionately greater increases in absolute sodium excretion (0.23+/-0.07 to 1.13+/-0.34 micromol. min-1. g-1) and fractional sodium excretion (0.38+/-0.1% to 1.22+/-0. 35%) in 2K1C hypertensive rats. These results show that proximal tubular fluid concentrations of Ang II are in the nanomolar range and are much higher than can be explained on the basis of plasma levels. Further, the data show that the intratubular levels of Ang II in the nonclipped kidneys of 2K1C rats remain at levels found in kidneys with normal renin content and could be exerting effects to suppress renal hemodynamic and glomerular function and to enhance tubular reabsorption rate.
Access of dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulas via outflow vein side branches.

Editor: The patterns of stenosis in dysfunctional arteriovenous (AV) fistulas (AVFs) are not as predictable as in synthetic AV grafts. Accessing of AV fistula venous side branches has the potential to provide bidirectional access to the fistula and may reduce the need for multiple fistula puncture sites via the use of the technique described here. Institutional review board approval was not required for the present report. A 58-year-old man with stage 5 chronic kidney disease who underwent creation of a left radiocephalic AVF 4 months earlier was referred to the interventional radiology unit for evaluation of delayed maturation. The AVF was pulsatile, but no thrill was detected on palpation. There was no arm swelling or edema. Initial ultrasound (US) examination revealed moderate narrowing of the juxta-anastomotic fistula. A prominent venous side branch was identified in the mid-forearm, joining the cephalic vein at an approximately 901 angle (Fig 1). The branch was accessed by micropuncture technique under US guidance. The favorable angle with the outflow cephalic vein allowed treatment of the
Brain manganese accumulation is inversely related to γ-amino butyric acid uptake in male and female rats

Iron (Fe) is an essential trace metal involved in numerous cellular processes. Iron deficiency (ID) is reported as the most prevalent nutritional problem worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that ID is associated with altered neurotransmitter metabolism and a risk factor for manganese (Mn) neurotoxicity. Though recent studies have established differences in which the female brain responds to ID-related neurochemical alterations versus the male brain, little is known about the interactions of dietary ID, Mn exposure, and sex on ?-amino butyric acid (GABA). Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four dietary treatment groups: control (CN), control/ Mn supplemented, ID, and ID/Mn supplemented. After 6 weeks of treatment, both ID diets caused a highly significant decrease in Fe concentrations across all brain regions compared to CN in both sexes. Both ID and Mn supplementation led to significant accumulation of Mn across all brain regions in both sexes. There was no main effect of sex on Fe or Mn accumulation. Striatal synaptosomes were utilized to examine the effect of dietary intervention on 3H-GABA uptake. At 4 weeks, there was a significant correlation between Fe concentration and 3H-GABA uptake in male rats (p < 0.05). At 6 weeks, there was a significant inverse correlation between Mn concentration and 3H-GABA uptake in male and female rats and a positive correlation between Fe concentration and 3H-GABA uptake in female rats (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ID-associated Mn accumulation is similar in both sexes, with Mn levels affecting GABA uptake in both sexes in a comparable fashion.
Specialized knee joints in some extinct, endemic, South American herbivores

Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 46,2, 277-288. -.- Distal femora of some extinct, endemic, South American herbivores are shown to have modifications related to knee extension. Toxodon (Order Notoungulata) had an enlarged medial trochlear ridge (MTR) similar to those seen in horses. The MTR of horses serves to 'lock' the patella and ligaments in the proximal position and it likely function the same for Toxodon. The patella of Toxodon has a medial process that would have locked by wrapping around the MTR. Macraucheniid and proterotheriid litopterns may also have had knee locks, but with a different mechanism. The femora of these litopterns have deep suprapatellar fossae in which the patellae could have become lodged. Indeed, the distal end of the patella of cf. Eoauchenia (Proterotheriidae) conforms to and is supported within the suprapatellar fossa. Several glyptodontids (Order Xenarthra) have conical MTRs that would have impeded the medial patellar ligaments during the initiation of ex- tension. This would have caused patellar rotation and resulted in a complex knee exten- sion. These glyptodonts also had suprapatellar fossae, suggesting that the ligaments slid over the MTR and 'locked' during hyperextension. Locking knees in these diverse ani- mals implies that they stood for long periods of time and did not engage in intermittent, 'bout feeding' as seen in modern ruminants. Key words
Breastfeeding and Problematic Integration: Results of a Focus-Group Study

This article reports on a subset of data from nine focus groups. Participants included new and expectant mothers and their partners, friends, and relatives. The larger goal of the focus groups was to understand local infant-feeding practices of mothers in our region. The subset of data reported in this article pertains to breastfeeding failure. The experience of breastfeeding failure, as described by participants in this study, is analyzed through the lens of Babrow's (1992) concept of problematic integration.
A Regulated Differential Fluorometer for the Assay of Oxidative Metabolism in Intact Tissues

A fluorometer is described which records the difference in intensity of the light emitted by a fluorescing sample (the biological specimen) and by a reference material. Stabilization of the instrument was achieved by feedback to maintain constant signal level from the reference source in the presence of severe changes in the intensity of the excitation light. Illumination and comparison of the two fluorescent intensities occurs at half the frequency of the ac driving the mercury arc lamp. The necessity for this feature strongly implies that mutually independent fluctuations occur between the intensities of the two arc-lamp flashes for each ac cycle.
Broadcasting in hypercubes with link/node failures

The authors propose simple and optimal fault-tolerant broadcasting algorithms in the presence of at most n-1 link or node faults in an n-dimensional hypercube. Further results for up to 2n-3 faulty links or nodes are also considered. These algorithms are optimal or close to optimal in terms of the number of communication steps. The algorithm takes n+1 time steps even in the presence of n-1 faulty links or nodes; this can be achieved even with a single port for up to 2n-3 link or node faults, even with a single port, the algorithms take at most n+3 steps. >
Continuous time modeling of nonlinear systems: a neural network-based approach

A neural network-based approach for continuous-time modeling of nonlinear systems is presented. The approach is based on an implicit integrator and recurrent networks. The resulting continuous-time model (a set of ordinary differential equations) is capable of correctly capturing the long term attractors of the system. >
Personal Review and Justice Analysis of Nursing Experiences in Haiti

Health care providers frequently struggle to develop wise applications of theoreti- cal knowledge. As a nurse studying traditional approaches in ethics while simultaneously volunteering in Haiti, I wrestled with the notion of justice in the midst of radical material inequities. Paul Farmer, physician and anthropologist, provides an analytic perspective for health care providers who work in poor and underserved countries by expanding the lib- eration theology of the 1970s to include social applications. Analyzing my past experiences in Haiti using Farmer's methodology provided insight into my successes and failures and prompted me to search for personal and professional reasons to provide care for the poor in the future. This type of reflection is essential for health care providers who work with the underserved, regardless of their religion or the country in which they work.
FDMA capacity of Gaussian multiple-access channels with ISI

This paper proposes a numerical method for characterizing the rate region achievable with frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) for a Gaussian multiple-access channel with intersymbol interference. The frequency spectrum is divided into discrete frequency bins and the discrete bin-assignment problem is shown to have a convex relaxation, making it tractable to numerical optimization algorithms. A practical low-complexity algorithm for the two-user case is also proposed. The algorithm is based on the observation that the optimal frequency partition has a two-band structure when the two channels are identical or when the signal-to-noise ratio is high. The simulation result shows that the algorithm performs well in other cases as well. The FDMA-capacity algorithm is used to devise the optimal frequency-division duplex plan for very-high-speed digital subscriber lines.
The Search for National Identity and Japanese Industrial Policy, 1950–1969

. Economic nationalism reflected in Japanese industrial policy experienced two distinctive stages during 1950–69. It was fragmented in the 1950s as political actors held competing perceptions of national interest and consequently asserted contesting strategies for industrial policy. The tensions between the conservative and the progressive eventually led to a clash in 1960 on the issue of the renewal of the Japan–US security treaty. Economic nationalism began to unify the country in the 1960s as political actors were able to build a consensus on national interest based on economic growth and united around a grand strategy of high growth and liberalisation of trade. During this transition, the perceived external threat to the nation was a major force in generating the momentum for economic nationalism in policy-making, while a fair distribution of economic welfare among social classes through industrial policy was indispensable for economic nationalism to obtain public support.
Using Speech to Reply to SMS Messages While Driving: An In-Car Simulator User Study

Speech recognition affords automobile drivers a hands-free, eyes-free method of replying to Short Message Service (SMS) text messages. Although a voice search approach based on template matching has been shown to be more robust to the challenging acoustic environment of automobiles than using dictation, users may have difficulties verifying whether SMS response templates match their intended meaning, especially while driving. Using a high-fidelity driving simulator, we compared dictation for SMS replies versus voice search in increasingly difficult driving conditions. Although the two approaches did not differ in terms of driving performance measures, users made about six times more errors on average using dictation than voice search.
John Marshall's Law: Interpretation, Ideology, and Interest

Introduction Law and Language in Anglo-Saxon Jurisprudence John Marshall and the Interpretive Enterprise John Marshall as Republican Property, Contracts, and the Politics of Interest Dilemmas of Liberal Constitutionalism: Joseph Story and John Marshall Marshall's Law on Circuit Cases Cited Bibliography Index
Toward quantitatively fluorescent carbon-based "quantum" dots.

Carbon-based “quantum” dots (or “carbon dots”) are generally defined as surface-passivated small carbon nanoparticles that are brightly fluorescent. Apparently, the carbon particle surface passivation in carbon dots is critical to their fluorescence performance. An effective way to improve the surface passivation is to dope the surface of the precursor carbon nanoparticles with an inorganic salt, followed by the typical functionalization with organic molecules. In this work we passivated small carbon nanoparticles by a combination of the surface-doping with nanoscale semiconductors and the organic functionalization, coupled with gel column fractionation to harvest the most fluorescent carbon dots, which exhibited fluorescence emission quantum yields of up to 78%. Experimental and mechanistic issues relevant to potentially further improve the performance of carbon dots toward their being quantitatively fluorescent are discussed.
Cell growth as a sheet on three‐dimensional sharp‐tip nanostructures

Cells in vivo encounter with and react to the extracellular matrix materials on a nanometer scale. Recent advances in nanofabrication technologies allowing the precise control of a nanostructure's pattern, periodicity, shape, and height have enabled a systematic study of cell interactions with three-dimensional nanotopographies. In this report, we examined the behavior of human foreskin fibroblasts on well-ordered dense arrays (post and grate patterns with a 230-nm pitch) of sharp-tip nanostructures with varying three-dimensionalities (from 50 to 600 nm in structural height) over time—until a cell sheet was formed. Although cells started out smaller and proliferated slower on tall nanostructures (both posts and grates) than on smooth surfaces, they became confluent to form a sheet in 3 weeks. On grate patterns, significant cell elongation in alignment with the underlying pattern was observed and maintained over time. On tall nanostructures, cells grew while raised on sharp tips, resulting in a weak total adherence to the solid surface. A sheet of cells was easily peeled off from such surfaces, suggesting that nanoscale topographies can be used as the basis for cell-sheet tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Diagnosing ventilator-associated pneumonia: the role of bronchoscopy.

Objective To discuss the two diagnostic procedures used most frequently to obtain uncontaminated lower airway secretions during bronchoscopy. Design This article reviews the contributing risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the recent studies that have assessed the usefulness of the protected specimen brush (PSB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the nonimmunocompromised host. Results A prompt, accurate diagnosis of VAP, including specific identification of the bacterial pathogen, remains a common challenge in the intensive-care unit. Standard clinical criteria are of suboptimal specificity for making decisions, including selecting antibiotic therapy. Bronchoscopic techniques of lung secretion sampling can be used in the intensive-care unit in an effort to overcome the effects of oropharyngeal contamination. The PSB and BAL, used appropriately, can help intensive-care clinicians formulate specific antimicrobial therapy. Evaluation of intracellular bacteria obtained by BAL has been reported to be useful in guiding empiric antibiotic therapy while the final results of cultures obtained with the PSB are pending. Prior antibiotic therapy, however, may confound the interpretation and clinical utility of results. Conclusion Currently, for a patient taking antibiotic therapy, no reliable technique nor quantitative culture threshold exists to help in diagnosing suspected VAP or in guiding antibiotic therapy. If the clinical situation allows, antibiotic therapy should be discontinued for 48 hours; then, the PSB, BAL, protected BAL, or endobronchial aspiration should be used. These contemporary modalities, however, necessitate further clinical trials before widespread use is warranted.
Development and comparative assessment of Raman spectroscopic classification algorithms for lesion discrimination in stereotactic breast biopsies with microcalcifications

Microcalcifications are an early mammographic sign of breast cancer and a target for stereotactic breast needle biopsy. Here, we develop and compare different approaches for developing Raman classification algorithms to diagnose invasive and in situ breast cancer, fibrocystic change and fibroadenoma that can be associated with microcalcifications. In this study, Raman spectra were acquired from tissue cores obtained from fresh breast biopsies and analyzed using a constituent-based breast model. Diagnostic algorithms based on the breast model fit coefficients were devised using logistic regression, C4.5 decision tree classification, k-nearest neighbor (k -NN) and support vector machine (SVM) analysis, and subjected to leave-one-out cross validation. The best performing algorithm was based on SVM analysis (with radial basis function), which yielded a positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 96% for cancer diagnosis. Importantly, these results demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy provides adequate diagnostic information for lesion discrimination even in the presence of microcalcifications, which to the best of our knowledge has not been previously reported.
Chromosome engineering: power tools for plant genetics

The term "chromosome engineering" describes technologies in which chromosomes are manipulated to change their mode of genetic inheritance. This review examines recent innovations in chromosome engineering that promise to greatly increase the efficiency of plant breeding. Haploid Arabidopsis thaliana have been produced by altering the kinetochore protein CENH3, yielding instant homozygous lines. Haploid production will facilitate reverse breeding, a method that downregulates recombination to ensure progeny contain intact parental chromosomes. Another chromosome engineering success is the conversion of meiosis into mitosis, which produces diploid gametes that are clones of the parent plant. This is a key step in apomixis (asexual reproduction through seeds) and could help to preserve hybrid vigor in the future. New homologous recombination methods in plants will potentiate many chromosome engineering applications.
Design of electrically small ground planes for HF ground wave transmission

Electrically small spiral ground planes for a monopole and an electrically small anienna have been designed for HF ground wave transmission. Prototype ground planes have been built and tested. For the monopole, the transmission loss of the designed ground plane is 6 dB better than that of the same size ground radials. For the electrically small antenna, the transmission loss of the designed ground plane is 7 dB better than that of the same size solid ground plane at the antenna's operating frequency.
Do Dandelion Flowers Influence Seed Set of a Native Plant (Delphinium nuttallianum) in Subalpine Meadows

Experimental removal of flower heads of Taraxacum officinale (Common Dandelion) tested whether the presence of these showy yellow flowers affected seed production of Delphinium nuttallianum in natural populations where both species are visited by native bumble bees. Seed production per flower and per plant was independent of dandelion flower presence in the experimental plots. There was no indication of competition for pollination between the two plant species.
Modulation of Fictive Feeding by Dopamine and Serotonin inAplysia

The buccal ganglia ofAplysia contain a central pattern generator (CPG) that mediates rhythmic movements of the buccal apparatus during feeding. Activity in this CPG is believed to be regulated, in ...
The Work of Goddesses in the Age of Mass Reproduction

On October 25, 2006, in a country already thronging with all manner of divinities and sacred personages, a new goddess put in a spectacular appearance at a gathering of academics, intellectuals, and other celebrities in New Delhi, India. Her formal name is “English the Dalit Goddess,”3 and she is the product of a collaboration between the New Delhi-based Dalit intellectual, activist, and journalist Chandrabhan Prasad4 and artist Shanti Swaroop Baudh, also the proprietor of a Delhi-based Dalit publishing house called Samyak Prakashan.
The Costs of Photorespiration to Food Production Now and in the Future

Photorespiration is essential for C3 plants but operates at the massive expense of fixed carbon dioxide and energy. Photorespiration is initiated when the initial enzyme of photosynthesis, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), reacts with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide and produces a toxic compound that is then recycled by photorespiration. Photorespiration can be modeled at the canopy and regional scales to determine its cost under current and future atmospheres. A regional-scale model reveals that photorespiration currently decreases US soybean and wheat yields by 36% and 20%, respectively, and a 5% decrease in the losses due to photorespiration would be worth approximately $500 million annually in the United States. Furthermore, photorespiration will continue to impact yield under future climates despite increases in carbon dioxide, with models suggesting a 12-55% improvement in gross photosynthesis in the absence of photorespiration, even under climate change scenarios predicting the largest increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Although photorespiration is tied to other important metabolic functions, the benefit of improving its efficiency appears to outweigh any potential secondary disadvantages.
Abstract 334: Intracoronary Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Cardiosphere-Derived Cells Exert Comparable Effects on Myocyte and Capillary Proliferation Without Promoting Functional Arteriogenesis in Swine With Chronic Myocardial Ischemia

Objective: Allogeneic icMSCs and icCDCs each improve function of hibernating myocardium but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We performed the present study to assess the effects of icMSCs and icCDCs on myocardial perfusion and remodeling of the coronary microcirculation in a large animal model of chronic regional ischemia. Methods: Cyclosporine-treated swine (200 mg/day) with hibernating myocardium from a chronic LAD stenosis received ~35 x 106 icMSCs, ~35 x 106 icCDCs, or vehicle. Regional function (echocardiography), adenosine-vasodilated perfusion (microspheres) and vascular remodeling were assessed 1-month after treatment. Results: Baseline LAD wall thickening (%WT) was reduced in all animals ( LAD 38 ± 2% vs. 83 ± 5% in remote, p<0.01) but not different between treatment groups. Coronary flow during vasodilation was also critically reduced at baseline (LAD 2.4 ± 0.3 ml/min/g vs. 4.6 ± 0.3 ml/min/g in remote, p<0.01). Intracoronary stem cell infusion improved LAD %WT but did not alter vasodilated perfusion (Table). Although capillary density increased in relative proportion to the increase in myocyte number, there were no significant changes in arteriolar density following cell therapy. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that the functional improvement afforded by allogeneic icMSCs and icCDCs is accompanied by concomitant capillary angiogenesis and myocyte regeneration in hibernating myocardium. However, myocardial perfusion deficits persist due to an inability of either cell type to promote functional arteriogenesis, indicating that cell therapy-mediated functional benefits occur independently of changes in coronary blood flow. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
All the labor problems fit to print: the New York Times and the cultural production of the U.S ‘labor problem’, 1870–1932

AbstractThe period that spanned the Gilded Age to the onset of the Great Depression saw the rise and relative decline of the US labor movement. The salient events of labor movements over these years undoubtedly shaped public perception about labor issues, and some scholars have been attempting to unpack the mechanisms through which depictions and characterizations of the ‘labor problem’ were produced in authoritative venues that could have shaped the future of the movement. This study goes beyond the standard practice of explaining news report volume to feature the political valance of the reports on the labor problem over a 63-year time period. The aforementioned period also saw significant changes in news reporting practices, with the rise of objective informational writing and the embrace of journalism as a profession. The change within journalism itself could potentially shape the depiction of the labor problem, yet such change has been overlooked by existing literature pertaining to the topic. This r...
Effect of Calcaneal Osteotomy and Plantar Fasciotomy on Arch Configuration in a Flatfoot Model

Seven fresh-frozen cadaver specimens had a calcaneal osteotomy performed obliquely through the posterior portion of the calcaneus. Angular relationships between the first metatarsal and talus were recorded with the use of a motion-analysis system in the transverse, sagittal, and coronal planes. The specimen was mounted in a testing machine and loaded via an intramedullary rod to 150, 350, and 550 N. A flatfoot model was created, and repeat measurements were obtained. The calcaneal osteotomy was then displaced 1 cm medially, and repeat measurements were made at each of the three load levels. The calcaneal osteotomy was then returned to its original position, the plantar fascia was divided, and the new angular measurements were obtained. The calcaneal osteotomy was again displaced 1 cm, and repeat angular measurements were obtained. A mild consistent flatfoot deformity was created in all three axes before the plantar fascia was cut. A statistically significant increase in deformity was noted after cutting the plantar fascia. A correction of the flatfoot deformity in all three planes occurred with the medial displacement of the calcaneal osteotomy, which was greater at the lower load levels. We noted that a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy partially corrected a flatfoot deformity in all three planes. The correction occurred with or without an intact plantar fascia and, therefore, is independent of the structure. We also noted an increased deformity after dividing the plantar fascia. This study provides some biomechanical insight as to the corrective effect of a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in correcting a flatfoot deformity.
Urban Blueways: John Ormsbee Simonds and Riverfront Planning

The convergence of urban renewal, the emerging environmental movement, and historic preservation in the 1960s spawned great interest in redeveloping the central waterfronts of American cities. The ...
Impacts of center frequency offset of Tuoketuo power plant blocking filters on SSR mitigation

Applying blocking filters is one of the main measures to mitigate sub-synchronous resonance(SSR) at present.Based on the principle of blocking filters,impacts of center frequency offset of blocking filters(CFOBF)on SSR mitigation were studied.The simulation model of mitigating SSR using blocking filters for Tuoketuo power plant was established in PSCAD/EMTDC software and center frequency offset of blocking filters was analyzed.Simulation result shows that it has little influence on SSR mitigation if CFOBF appears on single unit.However,if center frequency offset of blocking filters appears on multi-units it will slower the convergence rate and even lead to divergence,influencing the SSR mitigation effectiveness significantly.Finally,the center frequency offset region of blocking filters was determined through many simulation comparisons.Result in this paper will be of practical engineering value for the application and operation of blocking filters in Tuoketuo power plant.
Czars in the White House: The Rise of Policy Czars as Presidential Management Tools. By Justin S. Vaughn and Jose D. Villalobos. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2015. 236 pp.

Czars in the White House: The Rise of Policy Czars as Presidential Management Tools. By Justin S. Vaughn and Jose D. Villalobos. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2015. 236 pp. Just what are presidential "czars," and how do presidents make use of such positions? Previous answers to this question have ranged from the suggestion that "czar" is merely a media moniker for a handful of innocuous coordinating staff to the more dramatic claim that czars are nothing less than an executive branch assault on the Constitution. Despite all of the attention that czars have received in the past decade, there has been little consensus on key points. In Czars in the White House, authors Vaughn and Villalobos offer some much-needed perspective to this debate, using strong theoretical reasoning coupled with rich and engaging case studies spanning the past several administrations. The most significant contribution of this text is the discussion and production of an actionable measure of what constitutes a czar. As presidents have pointed out in the past, no White House official actually operates under the job title of czar, and the lack of an easy operationalization has made reliable lists of these executive posts elusive. For example, the lack of Senate confirmation has been a key element of definitions in studies linking czars to a strategy of bypassing Congress and, yet, Vaughn and Villalobos inform us that common usage of the czar title includes many officials who are actually confirmed. Ultimately, the authors define czars as "members of an administration tasked with coordination responsibilities over a particular policy problem that an administration is intent on either solving or at least addressing symbolically" (p. 2). So why do presidents use czars? The authors point out that practical presidential politics requires executives to increasingly rely on czars. In particular, public expectations of what a president can and should do have far outstripped the constitutional authority granted to chief executives. Over time, this pressure has led to a dramatic increase in the size and range of tasks to which executive staff must respond on a daily basis. In short, presidents have more to manage, and czars may be a useful tool in doing so. Intuitively, bureaucratic agencies are not nearly as likely to "neglect programs and policies if a central czar figure is charged with overseeing their development and implementation" (p. 34). Furthermore, even if a czar cannot fix a problem, he or she may be able to provide the impression to the public that a president is doing everything possible. …
Ti3C2Tx (MXene)–polyacrylamide nanocomposite films

Herein we report on the synthesis and characterization of MXene–polyacrylamide (PAM) nanocomposite films. Dimethylsulfoxide intercalation in-between the Ti3C2-based MXene layers led to full delamination of the MXene layers and hence a uniform dispersion of hydrophilic MXene nanosheets in aqueous PAM solutions was achieved. Polymer composite solutions of up to 75 wt% were synthesised. The as-prepared composite samples are flexible and the conductivity was increased significantly to 3.3 × 10−2 S m−1 with only 6 wt% (1.7 vol%) MXene loading.
Combined Topological and Algebraic Structure

The concept of a continuous mapping was introduced in Chapter 3 (Section 5). This is a topological concept. A linear mapping was defined in Chapter 4 (Section 3). This is an algebraic concept. Our purpose in this chapter is to introduce a new class of spaces which, among other things, allows one to combine the two concepts of continuity and linearity. That is, we shall introduce the important concept of a continuous linear transformation.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities

This entry provides a historical and contemporary overview of historically black colleges and universities, noting important leaders, events, challenges, and successes. Keywords: African American; Du Bois, W. E. B; education
NIH Policy on Single-IRB Review - A New Era in Multicenter Studies.

The new National Institutes of Health policy on review of multicenter studies by a single institutional review board ushers in new responsibilities for investigators. Public comments have highlighted several challenges to streamlining ethics review in this way.
Enabling resilient distributed power sharing in networked microgrids through software defined networking

Abstract Networked Microgrids (NMGs) offer a new, more resilient alternative to traditional individual Microgrids (MGs). Even though networking existing microgrids presents clear advantages, the scalable and resilient communication and control infrastructure necessary for supporting this innovation does not yet exist. This paper addresses this challenge by developing a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) enabled architecture that can achieve fast power support among microgrids, transforming isolated local microgrids into integrated NMGs capable of achieving the desired resiliency, elasticity and efficiency. Equipped with a novel event-triggered communication scheme, the SDN-based architecture enables distributed power sharing among microgrids in both the transient period and the steady state, a capability that is unattainable using existing technologies. Extensive experiments on a cyber-physical Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) NMGs testbed have validated the effectiveness and efficiency of the SDN-enabled distributed power sharing method.
Neural stem cells for disease modeling of Wolman disease and evaluation of therapeutics

Wolman disease (WD) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that is caused by mutations in the LIPA gene encoding lysosomal acid lipase (LAL). Deficiency in LAL function causes accumulation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in lysosomes. Fatality usually occurs within the first year of life. While an enzyme replacement therapy has recently become available, there is currently no small-molecule drug treatment for WD. We have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two WD patient dermal fibroblast lines and subsequently differentiated them into neural stem cells (NSCs). The WD NSCs exhibited the hallmark disease phenotypes of neutral lipid accumulation, severely deficient LAL activity, and increased LysoTracker dye staining. Enzyme replacement treatment dramatically reduced the WD phenotype in these cells. In addition, δ-tocopherol (DT) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) significantly reduced lysosomal size in WD NSCs, and an enhanced effect was observed in DT/HPBCD combination therapy. The results demonstrate that these WD NSCs are valid cell-based disease models with characteristic disease phenotypes that can be used to evaluate drug efficacy and screen compounds. DT and HPBCD both reduce LysoTracker dye staining in WD cells. The cells may be used to further dissect the pathology of WD, evaluate compound efficacy, and serve as a platform for high-throughput drug screening to identify new compounds for therapeutic development.
Computational Study of Methane C–H Activation by Earth-Abundant Metal Amide/Aminyl Complexes

Density functional theory, augmented by multiconfiguration SCF (MCSCF) simulations, was used to understand the factors that control methane C–H activation by Earth-abundant, 3d metal (Cr - Ni) [(κ3-CNC)M(NH2)] complexes via hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) and [2 + 2] pathways. Calculations suggest a significant amide/aminyl, i.e., [(κ3-CNC)2–M3+(NH2)−] ⇔ [(κ3-CNC)2–M2+(NH2)•], admixture in the electronic ground states of these complexes and thus significant unpaired electron density (radical character) on the NH2 ligand. The spin coupling between the aminyl radical and spin density on the central metal ion is interesting, particularly for the cobalt aminyl complex, in which both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic triplet states are found to be close in energy via both DFT and MCSCF methods. Modeled complexes are computed to have reasonable barriers to methane activation, with ΔG⧧ values being in approximately the upper 20s to mid 30s kcal/mol, generally decreasing toward the right in the 3d series, which...
Kapok: An open source python library for polinsar forest height estimation using uavsar data

Kapok is a Python library created to estimate forest height using repeat-pass polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR). The library can import data collected by NASA's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) sensor. The library includes functions for data visualization, coherence region plotting, coherence optimization, and inversion of the random volume over ground forest model. The estimated forest height maps or other output products can be exported in various GIS-ready raster formats for validation and analysis. The software is released in the hopes of growing the UAVSAR user community, as well as in the interests of education and outreach. Kapok has been released under the GNU GPL software license, and the full source code is available for download at: github.com/mdenbina/kapok.
Dental care demand: insurance effects and plan design.

Abstract This study concentrates on an important health policy question: the impact of dental insurance on the demand of adults for dental services. Demand equations for individuals are estimated from a systematic random sample of 4,173 families with complete information on their dental claims (insured through Pennsylvania Blue Shield) and survey data. The principal contributions of the research are twofold: (1) to provide rigorous, large-sample estimates of the demand for dental services of insured individuals--providing a complementary set of "natural" experiment results to the randomized experiment results of the RAND Health Insurance Experiment--and (2) to estimate the incremental effects on dental care demand of certain factors related to adverse selection. The study is a companion to a previously published study of children by the same authors. Generally, the analysis shows relatively small money price elasticities of dental care demand among this insured adult population (ranging from -.01 to -.266 across specific types of service). Given a finding that total expenditures for Basic services are 37 percent and 90 percent higher, respectively, for community-rated (versus experience-rated) primary subscribers and insureds, we conclude that differential adverse selection between community- and experience-rated groups accounts for significant differences in dental demand.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Throughout the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This chapter summarizes the etiology and pathogenesis of HCC. There are various risk factors associated with HCC including viral hepatitis, cirrhosis (with any underlying etiology including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)), and toxin-mediated disease. The two main hepatitis viruses associated with the development of HCC are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Virtually all cirrhosis-inducing conditions can increase the risk of HCC. There are other etiological factors that have been proposed to develop into HCC but at a much lower frequency. As we continue to further our understanding of human HCC and the mechanisms involved, the field will gain a solid foundation that can help to refine animal models and truly comprehend the entire range of human disease.
Volume 2 Solutions

English systematically differentiates classes of nouns between whether they’re Count—that is, are treated grammatically as if they can be counted, like five cows—or whether they’re considered Mass, which can’t themselves be counted. (This is a grammatical property of the words, not the items in question—even though rice comes in individual pieces, you can’t refer to five of them as “five rices”—you have to specify some measure word like “five grains of rice”.)
Black Leaf Spot of Elm

The most prevalent leaf-spotting disease of the elms is that caused by Gnomonia ulmea. Although it appears early in the spring, it is most noticeable in the autumn when the fallen brown leaves on the ground exhibit a plethora of little black spots (Fig. 29-1). Usually no harm is done but, on occasion, severe attacks in early spring bring about considerable defoliation.
Virtual World Feudalism

Second Life is a feudal society. No, not metaphorically. Literally.Two problems have preoccupied scholars of virtual world law: "What is the political relationship between developers and users?" And: "Should we treat in-world objects as property?" We can make progress on both questions by recognizing that virtual politics and property are inextricably linked, in the same way that feudal politics and property were. It is the tenant/user's relationship with his lord/developer that both creates the property interest and enforces it. The similarity between ownership of land in feudal England and in Second Life suggests that offline courts should protect user interests in virtual items, gradually, without treating them as full-blown modern "property."
Experience implementing an IP address closure

Most autonomic systems require large amounts of human labor and configuration before they become autonomous. We study the management problem for autonomic systems, and consider the actions needed before a system becomes self-managing, as well as the tasks a system administrator must still perform to keep so-called "self-managing systems" operating properly. To understand the problem, we implemented a prototype self-managing "IP address closure" that implements integrated DNS and DHCP. We conclude that the system administrator is far from obsolete, but that the administrator of the future will have a different skill set than those of the present, focused around effective interaction with closures rather than management of individual machines.
Critical Events, Emotional Episodes, and Teacher Attributions in the Development of Teacher Identities

In this chapter, we explicate a framework for describing a process of teacher identity development. Informed by recent theory and research, we propose that teachers’ reflections on transactions among their critical events, emotional episodes, and attributions influence emergent teacher identities. We propose that how teachers talk about critical events and the emotions associated with those events offer an identity-generating pathway for teachers as they reflect upon their role and place in the classroom. We describe four key features of this pathway that emerged from teachers’ reflections of critical events in their first year of teaching: (1) goals, standards, and beliefs; (2) identity emotional episodes; (3) attributions, and (4) and identity adjustment. We use these key processes to talk about changes and development in teachers’ identities and to offer implications for teacher education and policy.