cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harvesting of the latissimus dorsi muscle : a small animal model for seroma formation

A common complication of soft tissue dissection and muscle harvesting is seroma formation. In order to manage and understand the formation of seromas, we developed a small animal model for seromas in the Sprague Dawley rat. Skin flaps and subcutaneous tissue were elevated and the latissimus dorsi muscle was harvested in 20 animals. Eighteen of the 20 rats (90%) formed clinically significant seromas. Sixteen animals had associated skin flap necrosis and 12 required serial drainage for recurrent seromas. At necropsy, gross capsular formation occurred in all animals who developed seromas. Microscopically, a fibrous capsule enveloping the seroma was seen associated with a local chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate. We conclude: (1) Elevation of the latissimus dorsi muscle in the rat is a reliable and practical animal model for seroma formation; (2) Sequelae of clinically significant seromas are often as severe as skin flap necrosis; (3) An inflammatory reaction may be associated with seromas.
Evolution of Magnetic Fields in Corotating Interaction Regions from 1 to 95 AU: Order to Chaos

We discuss the large-scale heliospheric magnetic field strength fluctuations as a function of distance from the Sun during the declining phase of a solar cycle, based on a one-dimensional, MHD, three-fluid model with observations made at 1 AU during 1995 as input. We consider daily averages of the magnetic field strength, B, as a function of time for a ≈1 year interval. The model predicts that B(t) is quasi-periodic, and that the amplitudes of fluctuations in B relative to the yearly average of B (B) are relatively large between 5 and 20 AU ("the corotating merged interaction region zone," or CMIR zone). The model predicts that the fluctuations are aperiodic and that their amplitudes are relatively small between 30 and 95 AU (the "wave interaction region zone"). It predicts a transition between these two zones at ≈25 AU. These results are consistent with a conceptual model proposed by Burlaga in 1983 for the declining phase of the solar cycle. In the CMIR zone, neighboring CMIRs merge in a sequence of events that defines a topological tree. The model predicts the following statistical properties of the fluctuations in B/B for the declining phase of a solar cycle in the CMIR zone: (1) the power spectrum of B/B has a prominent peak at 26 days and a secondary peak at 13 days; (2) the distribution of B/B has no simple form; and (3) the standard deviation (SD) of B/B is relatively large and has a maximum of 1.2 at 10 AU. In the wave interaction zone, (1) the spectrum has no significant peak, and the power level at 26 days is an order of magnitude smaller than in the CMIR zone; (2) the distribution of B/B is approximately lognormal; and (3) the SD(B/B) is nearly constant, ≈0.48. The SD(B/B) versus R shows that the transition between the CMIR and the wave interaction zones is at ≈25 ± 5 AU. The results of the model are consistent with the Voyager 1 (V1) observations near 15 and 55 AU during 1983 and 1994, respectively. During the declining phase of solar cycle 23, in ≈2003-2005, Voyager 2 (V2) will move from 69 to 76 AU while V1 moves from 87 to 95 AU. The model makes the following predictions for the properties of B between 65 and 95 AU: (1) B(t) will be aperiodic, with relatively low amplitude fluctuations similar to those observed at 55 AU; (2) the power spectra will resemble those observed near 55 AU, and there will be little radial variation in the power at the solar rotation period, 26 days; (3) the distribution of B will be approximately lognormal; (4) the SD(B) of the daily averages of B will be ≈0.48B; and (5) the tail of the distribution of B will be exponential.
Comparison of the in vitro mutagenicity and metabolism of dimethylnitrosamine and benzo[a]pyrene in tissues from inbred mice treated with phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene or polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract Homogenates of liver, lung, kidney, stomach, small intestine and colon from 8 strains of mice were compared for their ability to metabolize benzo[ a ] rmpyrene (BP) and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to mutagens. Females of strains CF1, AKR/J, AU/SsJ, DBA/2J, SWR/J, A/J, C3H/HeJ, and C57BL/6J were either untreated or received phenobarbital (PB), 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) or polychlorinated biphenyls (AR) to induce drug-metabolizing enzymes. The effects of these drugs on organ weight and on the amounts of DNA, S-10 protein, and microsomal protein per unit weight of tissue are reported. Salmonella typhimurium TA92 and TA98 were used as indicators of the formation of mutagens. For each organ there was an optimal balance between amount of tissue homogenate and concentration of test compound for maximal yield of revertants. A sensitive radiometric assay of DMN demethylase (DMND) is described which permits measurement of the enzyme in liver, lung and kidney. DMN at 1 mM is used as substrate. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) was measured in all tissue using BP as substrate. AR and MC are very good inducers of AHH activity in livers of mice classified as aromatic hydrocarbon responsive, but not in those classified as hydrocarbon nonresponsive. Responsiveness is strain-specific and genetically regulated. Metabolism of BP to mutagens by liver homogenates was correlated with extent of AHH induction. This dimorphism of response of AHH to inducers was present, but less pronounced, in non-hepatic tissues. Basal activities of AHH and DMND were correlated in livers and lungs from untreated mice. DMND activities were increased less than 2-fold by PB, MC or AR treatments. Metabolism of DMN to mutagens was not closely correlated with DMND activities. Strain of mouse, type of tissue and test substance are important variables in assessing the potential effect of microsomal enzyme-inducing agents on the metabolism of mutagenic substances.
Ordered Nanoparticle Arrays Synthesized from Self-Assembled Diblock Copolymer Templates

We present a comprehensive study of using diblock copolymer micelle templates to synthesize ordered nanoparticle arrays. Ionic and coordination bonds have been exploited to incorporate nanoparticle precursors into cores of block copolymer micelles. Polystyrene-b-poly (4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) has been shown to be able to localize anions via electrostatic attraction with protonated pyridine cations while transitional metals can be sequestered through coordination bonds. Polystyrene-b-poly (acrylic acid) (PS-PAA) can localize a variety of cations via ionic bonds with acrylic anions. We have demonstrated that the size of nanoparticles can be tuned by controlling the solution concentration of an ionic precursor. By mixing these two distinct block copolymers which can selectively interact with different precursor species, complex nanoparticle architectures can be generated thus paving a path for new applications.
Demonstration of 3-dimensional wide angle laser beam scanner using liquid crystals

Design and demonstration of a versatile liquid crystal-based scanner is shown for steering a laser beam in three dimensions. The scanner consists of a unique combination of digital and analog control polarization-based beam forming optics resulting in both continuous and random fashion beam steering. The design features a novel device biasing method, large aperture beam-forming optics, low electrical power consumption, and ultrafine as well as wide angle coarse beam steering. Demonstrations include one, two and three dimensional beam steering with a maximum of 40.92 degree continuous scan, all at 1550 nm. The minimum scanner aperture is 1 cm diameter and uses a combination of ferroelectric and nematic liquid crystals in addition to Rutile crystal birefringent prisms.
Regulation of Guanosine Triphosphate Cyclohydrolase and Tetrahydrobiopterin Levels and the Role of the Cofactor in Tyrosine Hydroxylation in Primary Cultures of Adrenomedullary Chromaffin Cells

: Selective modification of the tetrahydrobiopterin levels in cultured chromaffin cells were followed by changes in the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation. Addition of sepiapterin, an intermediate on the salvage pathway for tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis, rapidly increased intracellular levels of tetrahydrobiopterin and elevated the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation in the intact cell. Tyrosine hydroxylation was also enhanced when tetrahydrobiopterin was directly added to the incubation medium of intact cells. When the cultured chromaffin cells were treated for 72 h with N-acetylserotonin, an inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase, tetrahydrobiopterin content and the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation were decreased. Addition of sepiapterin or N-acetylserotonin had no consistent effect on total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity or on catecholamine content in the cultured chromaffin cells. Three-day treatment of chromaffin cell cultures with compounds that increase levels of cyclic AMP (forskolin, cholera toxin, theophylline, dibutyryl- and 8-bromo cyclic AMP) increased total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity and GTP-cyclohydrolase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Tetrahydrobiopterin levels and intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation were markedly increased after 8-bromo cyclic AMP. The increase in GTP-cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin induced by 8-bromo cyclic AMP was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Agents that deplete cellular catecholamines (reserpine, tetrabenazine, and brocresine) increased both total tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP-cyclohydrolase activities, although treating the cultures with reserpine or tetrabenazine resulted in no change in cellular levels of cyclic AMP. Brocresine and tetrabenazine increased tetrahydrobiopterin levels, but the addition of reserpine to the cultures decreased catecholamine and tetrahydrobiopterin content and resulted in a decreased rate of intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation in spite of the increased activity of the total extractable enzyme. These data indicate that in cultured chromaffin cells GTP-cyclohydrolase activity like tyrosine hydroxylase activity is regulated by both cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent mechanisms and that the intracellular level of tetrahydrobiopterin is one of the many factors that control the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation.
Battlefield network applications of the SHAMAN management system

SHAMAN (Spreadsheet-based Hierarchical Architecture for MANagement) is a novel management framework developed at the University of Delaware; it extends the traditional flat SNMP (simple network management protocol) management model to a hierarchical architecture. Effective management of battlefield networks requires such a hierarchical management architecture wherein managers can dynamically delegate management tasks to intermediate managers. The SHAMAN framework includes a spreadsheet-based intermediate manager with a scripting language and MIB (management information base), a polling subsystem and an event model; a prototype implementation of the system is available (see http://www.cis.udel.edu//spl sim/shaman). Our research has explored several applications of the SHAMAN system to tactical battlefield networks for the US Army. Described applications include a location management application, an application to reconfigure the dynamically changing topology of tactical internets, and another application to interface with OPNET simulations of battlefield networks.
Metabolic flux analysis in plants: coping with complexity

Theory and experience in metabolic engineering both show that metabolism operates at the network level. In plants, this complexity is compounded by a high degree of compartmentation and the synthesis of a very wide array of secondary metabolic products. A further challenge to understanding and predicting plant metabolic function is posed by our ignorance about the structure of metabolic networks even in well-studied systems. Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) provides tools to measure and model the functioning of metabolism, and is making significant contributions to coping with their complexity. This review gives an overview of different MFA approaches, the measurements required to implement them and the information they yield. The application of MFA methods to plant systems is then illustrated by several examples from the recent literature. Next, the challenges that plant metabolism poses for MFA are discussed together with ways that these can be addressed. Lastly, new developments in MFA are described that can be expected to improve the range and reliability of plant MFA in the coming years.
Redescription of two live oak-infesting whiteflies in California

Abstract Crown whitefly, Aleuroplatus coronata (Quaintance 1900), and gelatinous whitefly, A. gelatinosus (Cockerell 1898) were re-described from syntype specimens and from material recently collected in southern California. The recently collected material includes all postembryonic life stages which are all described herein. The original descriptions focused on the fourth instar or “pupa” with little or no mention of other life stages. The 16S rDNA of both species was extracted from adults, amplified by PCR, and sequenced. Sequence alignment between the two species indicates a high degree of divergence as they show only an 80% degree of similarity.
Bus interdiction efforts by the police:United States v. Drayton

The Supreme Court recently addressed the constitutionality of police interdiction efforts when conducting bus sweeps. The Court held that law enforcement officers are not required by the Fourth Amendment to “advise bus passengers of their right not to cooperate and to refuse consent to searches” (U.S. v. Drayton, 2002, p. 2107). The decision may have implications for how the judicial branch will balance the needs of law enforcement against citizen freedoms in the post-September 11th era. This article explores the surrounding legal issues, the case opinion, and policy implications of this case.
Production Smoothing in the Linear Quadratic Inventory Model

Contrary to popular belief, the linear quadratic inventory model does not imply that, in response to demand shocks, output is always less variable than sales. When demand shocks are not anticipated, and without this assumption it is hard to see why firms should hold inventories in the first place, it is shown that output can be more variable than sales, even when the only shocks are demand shocks, and the inventory target is not a rising function of sales. The variance of output will typically exceed that of sales when the firm's marginal cost curve is fairly flat. Copyright 1994 by Royal Economic Society.
Pediatric fatality review of the 2013 National Poison Database System (NPDS): focus on intent

While rare, pediatric poisoning fatalities represent a unique group of cases with circumstances and substances that often differ significantly from adult poisonings. For the past several years, a t...
Body–Mind Integration

Mastering of the following basic interviewing skills are necessary in order to be successful with the somatic fixation role plays: maintain a slow pace and listen , obtain the personal story , join, contract , ask open-ended inquiries , obtain theory of illness, and give affirmations.
3,5‐Dinitrobenzoyl Chloride

[99-33-2] C7H3ClN2O5 (MW 230.57) InChI = 1S/C7H3ClN2O5/c8-7(11)4-1-5(9(12)13)3-6(2-4)10(14)15/h1-3H InChIKey = NNOHXABAQAGKRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (activation of hydroxy groups by conversion to the corresponding ester;1 preparation of 3,5-dinitrobenzoates and 3,5-dinitrobenzamides for characterization purposes3) Physical Data: mp 69–71 °C; bp 196 °C/11 mmHg. Solubility: sol ether; reacts with water and protic solvents. Form Supplied in: 98% pure form as yellow solid (2% impurity as carboxylate); widely available. Purification: recrystallization from carbon tetrachloride/petroleum ether (40–60 °C) or from benzene. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: lachrymator; corrosive and moisture sensitive. Avoid inhalation. Store in sealed tube or under petroleum ether.
Incidence of unplanned admissions after sinonasal surgery: a 6-year review.

Background There has been an increasing transition from hospital-based surgeries to ambulatory surgery center (ASC)-based surgeries. A significant portion of ASC cases are otolaryngological procedures, with sinonasal surgery as one of the most common procedures. However, admissions into the hospital from the ASC can be difficult for the patient and the provider. This study evaluates the incidence of unplanned admissions after sinonasal surgery in a 6-year period and identifies the factors for these admissions. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of patients who had ambulatory sinonasal surgeries from January 2007 to December 2012 at Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital performed by the senior author (A.K.). Electronic medical records were reviewed for age, gender, procedure/surgery performed, and admission and/or discharge information. Results A total of 750 patients who underwent sinonasal surgeries from January 2007 to December 2012 were eligible for review. The study sample had a mean age of 46 years and 55.6% were male. There were a total of 24 admissions, of which 6 were unplanned (0.8%). Reasons for unplanned admissions included pain (most common, 50%), followed by epistaxis, nausea, and other. Conclusion The rate for unplanned admissions for sinonasal surgeries was 0.8%, which is lower than the national rate (2.65%), indicating that sinonasal surgeries are appropriate as ambulatory cases. Because the reason for unplanned admission was highest for pain, patients should be further evaluated for more effective methods of pain control postoperatively or preemptively.
Community Resources and Technologies Developed Through the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Program

This chapter describes resources and technologies generated by the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Program that may be useful to epigenomics researchers investigating a variety of diseases including cancer. Highlights include reference epigenome maps for a wide variety of human cells and tissues, the development of new technologies for epigenetic assays and imaging, the identification of novel epigenetic modifications, and an improved understanding of the role of epigenetic processes in a diversity of human diseases. We also discuss future needs in this area including exploration of epigenomic variation between individuals, single-cell epigenomics, environmental epigenomics, exploration of the use of surrogate tissues, and improved technologies for epigenome manipulation.
Predictors of Depression Treatment Response in an Intensive CBT Partial Hospital.

Objective Despite the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression, a significant number of patients do not respond. Data examining predictors of treatment response in settings in which CBT is delivered naturalistically are lacking. Method Treatment outcome data collected at a CBT-based partial hospital (n = 956) were used to examine predictors of two types of treatment response: (a) a reliable and clinically significant change in depressive symptoms and (b) a self-rating of “very much” or “much” improved. In multiple logistic regression models, we examined predictors of response in the total sample and separately for patients with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) versus patients with other primary diagnoses. Results In the total sample, higher treatment outcome expectations and fewer past hospitalizations predicted clinically significant improvement in depression symptoms, and higher treatment expectations and ethnoracial minority background predicted global improvement. In patients with primary MDD, higher treatment outcome expectations and being referred from the community (vs. inpatient hospitalization) predicted better depression response, and higher treatment outcome expectations predicted global improvement. In patients with other primary diagnoses, higher treatment outcome expectations and fewer borderline personality disorder traits predicted depression reduction, and higher treatment outcome expectations, less relationship difficulty, and female gender predicted global improvement. Conclusions Results are generally consistent with data from randomized controlled trials on longer term outpatient CBT. Interventions that increase treatment expectancy and modifications to better target men may enhance treatment outcome. Future research should include objective outcome measures and examine mechanisms underlying treatment response.
Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in India: The All India Ophthalmological Society Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Screening Study 2014

Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic patients across the nation and attempt to establish history-based risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of diabetic patients was conducted as an initiative of the All India Ophthalmological Society from 14th November to 21st November 2014. Known diabetics were evaluated voluntarily by members of the society at 194 centers using a structured protocol provided by the society for examination. The results were evaluated to ascertain the prevalence of DR in the population studied and to establish relation with gender, age, and history-based risk factors such as duration of diabetes, insulin use, and other end-organ disease using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 6218 known diabetics were screened. Totally, 5130 data entry forms were considered suitable for further evaluation. About 61.2% were males, 88.6% were between 40 and 80 years of age, almost two-thirds of the patients were from the west and south zones, and over half had diabetes more than 5 years. The data set was predominantly urban 84.7% and 46.1% had no family history. DR prevalence in the entire data set was 21.7%. Prevalence was more in males (P = 0.007), diabetics more than 5 years (P = 0.001), those above 40 years (P = 0.01), insulin users (P = 0.001), and history of vascular accidents (P = 0.0014). Significantly 22.18% of patients detected with DR had a vision of 6/18 or better in the worse eye. Conclusion: The study reiterated the findings of earlier regional studies on a pan Indian scale and put data in perspective.
Perchlorate in Water Supplies: Sources, Exposures, and Health Effects

Perchlorate exposure occurs from ingestion of natural or man-made perchlorate in food or water. Perchlorate is used in a variety of industrial products including missile fuel, fireworks, and fertilizers, and industrial contamination of drinking water supplies has occurred in a number of areas. Perchlorate blocks iodide uptake into the thyroid and decreases the production of thyroid hormone, a critical hormone for metabolism, neurodevelopment, and other physiologic functions. Occupational and clinical dosing studies have not identified clear adverse effects, but may be limited by small sample sizes, short study durations, and the inclusion of mostly healthy adults. Expanding evidence suggests that young children, pregnant women, fetuses, and people co-exposed to similarly acting agents may be especially susceptible to perchlorate. Given the ubiquitous nature of perchlorate exposure, and the importance of thyroid hormone for brain development, studying the impact of perchlorate on human health could have far-reaching public health implications.
Contractile Responses to Bay K 8644 in Rats with Coarctation-Induced Hypertension

This study examines potential-operated calcium channel function in rats made hypertensive by aortic coarctation. The hypothesis that channel function is influenced by elevated arterial pressure was tested by comparing contractile responses to elevated K+ and to the potential-operated calcium channel agonist, Bay K 8644, in aortic segments above (thoracic) and below (abdominal) the coarctation that are exposed to hypertensive and normotensive pressures, respectively. To control for vessel differences, the effects of Bay K 8644 were also examined in abdominal aortae from two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats. Sensitivity to K+ (EC15) was significantly greater in both thoracic and abdominal aortae from coarctation-hypertensive rats than in those from normotensive sham rats. In the thoracic aorta, maximal contractile response to Bay K 8644 (normalized to contraction produced by 100 mM K+) was significantly greater in coarctation-hypertensive rats (124 +/- 9%) than in sham rats (12 +/- 6%). However, Bay K 8644 did not elicit contraction in abdominal aortae from either group. When [K+]o was increased (19.2 mM), thoracic aortae from coarctation-hypertensive rats were more sensitive to Bay K 8644, but there were no differences in maximal responses among thoracic and abdominal aortae. Bay K 8644 evoked dose-dependent contraction in all abdominal aortic strips from two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats (maximum = 68 +/- 11%). In summary, vascular responsiveness to Bay K 8644 is increased in the thoracic but not abdominal aorta from coarctation-hypertensive rats, whereas sensitivity to elevated K+ is increased in both vessels. Enhanced K+ sensitivity in the abdominal aorta may be related to general effects of the cation on membrane potential. However, augmented responsiveness to Bay K 8644 suggests a specific alteration in the function of potential-operated calcium channels that is dependent upon elevated blood pressure and is not due to differences in responsiveness between the thoracic and abdominal aortae.
Towards a Structurational Model of Green Information Systems

Green information systems is increasingly gaining appeal as a mechanism for firms to balance financial performance and environmental sustainability goals. We argue, however, that, the role of green IS practices has been under conceptualized in the green IS literature. This paper takes a practice theory view, using structurational theory, to re-conceptualize the green IS phenomenon through a practice theory lens. A practice theory perspective enables researchers to form a basis of understanding about green IS in which individual or multiple process-models can be developed to capture aspects of green IS practices that currently evade the literature.
Development and Implementation of a Novel HIV Primary Care Track for Internal Medicine Residents

Declining mortality has led to a rising number of persons living with HIV (PLWH) and concerns about a future shortage of HIV practitioners. To develop an HIV Primary Care Track for internal medicine residents. Academic hospital and community health center with a history of caring for PLWH and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. Internal medicine residents. We enrolled four residents annually in a 3-year track with the goal of having each provide continuity care to at least 20 PLWH. The curriculum included small group learning sessions, outpatient electives, a global health opportunity, and the development of a scholarly project. All residents successfully accrued 20 or more PLWH as continuity patients. Senior residents passed the American Academy of HIV Medicine certification exam, and 75 % of graduates took positions in primary care involving PLWH. Clinical performance of residents in HIV care quality measures was comparable to those reported in published cohorts. We developed and implemented a novel track to train medical residents in the care of PLWH and LGBT patients. Our results suggest that a designated residency track can serve as a model for training the next generation of HIV practitioners.
World Climate Search and Classification Using a Dynamic Time Warping Similarity Function

We present a data-mining approach to climate classification and analysis. Local climates are represented as time series of climatic variables. A similarity between two local climates is calculated using the dynamic time warping (DTW) function that allows for scaling and shifting of the time axis to model the similarity more appropriately than a Euclidean function. A global grid of climatic data is clustered into 5 and 13 climatic classes, and the resultant world-wide map of climate types is compared to the empirical Koppen–Geiger classification. We also present a concept of climate search—an interactive, Internet-based application that allows retrieval and mapping of world-wide locations having climates similar to a user-selected location query.
Managing the Participation of a Young Learner: A Multimodal Teacher Practice.

As it becomes increasingly apparent that nonverbal conduct plays an integral role in pedagogical interactions (McCafferty & Stam, 2008; Zwiers, 2007), researchers who study interaction in situ are shifting focus from solely talk toward a multimodal approach (Lazaraton, 2004; Olsher, 2004; Seo & Koshik, 2010; Taylor, 2014). From this body of research, a finding of particular interest is that teachers use nonverbal resources to manage logistics in the classroom. For example, Kaanta (2010) found that teachers allocate turns to students by obtaining mutual gaze followed by nodding. Furthermore, Cekaite (2015) found that teachers use sustained touch to get students to comply with verbal directives. This paper contributes to the growing body of research on nonverbal conduct in pedagogical interaction by examining the multimodal resources used by an English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor to manage a young student’s participation in a one-on-one interaction.
The Extent and Scope of Prosthodontic Practice in Iowa

Purpose The purpose of this questionnaire was to ask general dentists in private practice in the state of Iowa about the extent and scope of their prosthodontic practice. Materials and Methods A 22-item questionnaire was developed and tested on 5 general dentists. The Iowa Dental Association agreed to electronically distribute the survey to all general practice dentists in their database. After three rounds, a total of 289 responses were received from the 996 general dentists in the database. Results The average age of the respondents was 50.3 ± 13.2 years (range 28 to 78 years), and 56.3% were in solo practice. The respondents stated that 68.1% had made at least one set of complete dentures and 88.9% had made a removable partial denture (RPD) in the last 3 months, while 76.4% had restored a least one implant in the last 3 months and 11.6% had surgically placed one. Nearly 20% of the respondents had a digital impression scanner in their office. There was a statistically significant difference between the dentists who had made complete dentures in the past 3 months and those who had not with regard to age, gender, and years in practice (p < 0.05 for all instances). No significant difference was found between the general dentists who had made an RPD in the past 3 months and those who had not. Compared to their counterparts, general dentists who had an AEGD or GPR training (p = 0.0312), whose primary practices were in cities of 50,000+ (p = 0.0065), or had a digital scanner (p = 0.0062) and a CAD/CAM milling machine (p = 0.0504) in their office were more likely to have restored an implant in the last 3 months. Furthermore, the general dentists who had surgically placed an implant in the last 3 months were more likely to be male (p = 0.0301) or have a digital impression scanner (p < 0.0001) and/or a CAD/CAM milling machine (p = 0.0007) in their office. Conclusions The majority of general dentists in this survey are still making complete and partial removable dentures, and a majority is using implants, while only a minority is surgically placing them. Practical implications Although Iowa general dentists are carrying out sophisticated procedures such as implant placement and restoring implants, as well as using digital technology, there is still a need for removable prosthodontic services in their practices. Therefore, these skills will still need to be taught in dental school.
Future Trends in Diagnostic Ultrasound

Ultrasound has become an essential diagnostic modality in medicine today and will undoubtedly continue to be so. The application of ultrasound has not been a one step process, but has actually evolved in increments over the past 25 to 30 years. The past evolution of diagnostic instruments is a guide for thinking about future trends.
Path Planning for Multiple Agents under Uncertainty.

Multi-agent systems in cluttered environments require path planning that not only prevents collisions with static obstacles, but also safely coordinates the motion of many agents. The challenge of multi-agent path finding becomes even more difficult when the agents experience uncertainty in their pose. In this work, we develop a multi-agent path planner that considers uncertainty, called uncertainty M* (UM*), which is based on a prior multi-agent path approach called M*. UM* plans a path through the belief space for each individual agent and then uses a strategy similar to M* that coordinates only agents that are “likely” to collide. This approach has the same scalability advantages as M*. We then introduce an extension called Permuted UM* (PUM*) that uses randomized restarts to enhance performance. We finish by presenting a belief space representation appropriate for multi-agent path planning with uncertainty and validate the performance of UM* and PUM* in simulation and mixed-reality experiments.
Prenatal Testosterone Programming of Insulin Resistance in the Female Sheep

Insulin resistance, a common feature of metabolic disorders such as obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome, is a risk factor for development of diabetes. Because sex hormones orchestrate the establishment of sex-specific behavioral, reproductive, and metabolic differences, a role for them in the developmental origin of insulin resistance is also to be expected. Female sheep exposed to male levels of testosterone during fetal life serve as an excellent translational model for delineating programming of insulin resistance. This chapter summarizes the ontogeny of insulin resistance, the tissue-specific changes in insulin sensitivity, and the various factors that are involved in the programming and maintenance of the insulin resistance in adult female sheep that were developmentally exposed to fetal male levels of testosterone during the sexual-differentiation window.
Science at Home: Measuring a Thermophysical Property of Water with a Microwave Oven.

An attempt to calibrate a conventional oven led to making a measurement of a thermophysical property of water using items found in the author’s home. Specifically, the ratio of the energy required to heat water from the melting point to boiling to the energy required to completely boil away the water is found to be 5.7. This may be compared to the standard value of 5.5. The close agreement is not representative of the actual uncertainties in this simple experiment (Fig. 1). Heating water in a microwave oven can let a student apply the techniques of quantitative science based on questions generated by his or her scientific curiosity.
Medieval Islamic Maps: An Exploration

In her introduction Karen Pinto gives her analysis of the purpose of the book: “[t]his book aims to guide the reader through the thicket of Islamic maps by presenting three different ways of seeing...
Carbon Dioxide/Limestone/Water Emulsion for Ocean and Geologic Sequestration of CO2

Preliminary laboratory experiments have demonstrated that liquid or supercritical CO 2 forms a stable emulsion in water when stabilized with pulverized CaCO 3 . Tiny globules of CO 2 (200-300 μm) are formed, surrounded by a thin sheath (10-20 μm) of CaCO 3 particles, dispersed in water. The proportion by weight of CO 2 to CaCO 3 in the experiments was about 10:4, but not all the CaCO 3 was used up in the encapsulation. The encapsulated globules are heavier than water as they settle at the bottom of the water column. The stable emulsion has implications for both ocean and geologic sequestration of CO 2 . When released below the flash depth of liquid CO 2 (below 500 m), the encapsulated globules may sink to the ocean bottom, prolonging the sequestration period of CO 2 and minimizing its environmental impact. When released in dry or wet geologic reservoirs, the encapsulated globules may settle at the bottom of the reservoirs, rather than buoying to the top as pure, supercritical CO 2 would. The environmental limitations include dissolution of the surrounding carbonate minerals, leading to increased permeability of the caprock, and re-emergence of CO 2 into the atmosphere, as well as deposits of fines in the reservoir pores, leading to reduced reservoir capacity.
Power, Sexism, and Gender: Factors in Biblical Interpretation

This study assesses individual social attitudes and ideological beliefs regarding systems of power and sexism (i.e., Authoritarianism, Conservatism, Traditionalism, Social Dominance Orientation [SD...
Counter-Critical Theory: An Intervention in Contemporary Critical Thought and Practice

Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht’s short-lived project for a critical theory journal, Krise und Kritik, foundered in 1931 on the shoals of positivism. Since then, a series of anti-foundational challenges to traditional critical theory has fragmented the landscape of critical theory and, especially, critical praxis, leaving us disarmed today, in these unprecedented times. This essay offers a way forward by means of what it calls “counter-critical theory”: a critical method that indexes the original impulse of critical theory, but liberates it from its foundation in order to allow for a more open-ended and permanent re-examination of how power circulates and recirculates throughout society. Counter-critical theory is a pure theory of illusions and calls for a strategic, ecumenical practice of political disobedience, accompanied by an unrelenting and resolute deployment of interpretation and resignification.
LIMITATIONS TO CURRENT MODELS DESCRIBING WATER UPTAKE BY PLANT ROOT SYSTEMS

Summary Most models which describe water movement from soil into the plant xylem at “crown” level are at present limited in their usefulness by their lack of field validation for a variety of crop species over a range of soil conditions. Major limitations include uncertainties about extrapolation of laboratory data on soil physical properties to field situations; lack of understanding of conditions at the root-soil interface; inability to incorporate known effects of root age, time of day, temperature, aeration, and other factors that can affect tissue permeability into quantitative equations; also, inadequate descriptions of root morphology (especially branching patterns) and root anatomy (especially vessel properties) under field conditions. Regardless of these limitations, progress is being made in the elucidation of many of these factors.
Automatic identification of recent high impact clinical articles in PubMed to support clinical decision making using time-agnostic features.

Abstract Objectives Finding recent clinical studies that warrant changes in clinical practice (“high impact” clinical studies) in a timely manner is very challenging. We investigated a machine learning approach to find recent studies with high clinical impact to support clinical decision making and literature surveillance. Methods To identify recent studies, we developed our classification model using time-agnostic features that are available as soon as an article is indexed in PubMed®, such as journal impact factor, author count, and study sample size. Using a gold standard of 541 high impact treatment studies referenced in 11 disease management guidelines, we tested the following null hypotheses: (1) the high impact classifier with time-agnostic features (HI-TA) performs equivalently to PubMed’s Best Match sort and a MeSH-based Naive Bayes classifier; and (2) HI-TA performs equivalently to the high impact classifier with both time-agnostic and time-sensitive features (HI-TS) enabled in a previous study. The primary outcome for both hypotheses was mean top 20 precision. Results The differences in mean top 20 precision between HI-TA and three baselines (PubMed’s Best Match, a MeSH-based Naive Bayes classifier, and HI-TS) were not statistically significant (12% vs. 3%, p = 0.101; 12% vs. 11%, p = 0.720; 12% vs. 25%, p = 0.094, respectively). Recall of HI-TA was low (7%). Conclusion HI-TA had equivalent performance to state-of-the-art approaches that depend on time-sensitive features. With the advantage of relying only on time-agnostic features, the proposed approach can be used as an adjunct to help clinicians identify recent high impact clinical studies to support clinical decision-making. However, low recall limits the use of HI-TA for literature surveillance.
Defuse the dilution effect debate.

Debate surrounding the dilution effect hypothesis in disease ecology has reached such intensity that it is stymying further research. Yet collaborative progress is important for human health and biodiversity conservation.
Efficacy of different dynamic functional connectivity methods to capture cognitively relevant information

Abstract Given the dynamic nature of the human brain, there has been an increasing interest in investigating short-term temporal changes in functional connectivity, also known as dynamic functional connectivity (dFC), i.e., the time-varying inter-regional statistical dependence of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal within the constraints of a single scan. Numerous methodologies have been proposed to characterize dFC during rest and task, but few studies have compared them in terms of their efficacy to capture behavioral and clinically relevant dynamics. This is mostly due to lack of a well-defined ground truth, especially for rest scans. In this study, with a multitask dataset (rest, memory, video, and math) serving as ground truth, we investigated the efficacy of several dFC estimation techniques at capturing cognitively relevant dFC modulation induced by external tasks. We evaluated two framewise methods (dFC estimates for a single time point): dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and jackknife correlation (JC); and five window-based methods: sliding window correlation (SWC), sliding window correlation with L1-regularization (SWC_L1), a combination of DCC and SWC called moving average DCC (DCC_MA), multiplication of temporal derivatives (MTD), and a variant of jackknife correlation called delete-d jackknife correlation (dJC). The efficacy is defined as each dFC metric's ability to successfully subdivide multitask scans into cognitively homogenous segments (even if those segments are not temporally continuous). We found that all window-based dFC methods performed well for commonly used window lengths (WL ≥ 30sec), with sliding window methods (SWC, SWC_L1) as well as the hybrid DCC_MA approach performing slightly better. For shorter window lengths (WL ≤ 15sec), DCC_MA and dJC produced the best results. Neither framewise method (i.e., DCC and JC) led to dFC estimates with high accuracy.
Characteristics of Some Insulations for Liquid Oxygen Transfer Lines

An extremely wide range of heat transfer conditions may exist on a liquid oxygen transfer line. Four major conditions are listed for comparison: 1) An uninsulated 4 inch diameter line with a heat transfer rate upwards of 600 BTU per linear foot per hour. 2) A 4 inch line coated with 1/8 inch frost and having a unit heat transfer rate of approximately 340 BTU per linear foot per hour. 3) A conventionally insulated 4 inch line having unit heat transfer rate ranging from 23 to 186 BTU per hour depending upon thickness and material used. 4) A vacuum or vacuum and powder insulated line with a unit heat transfer rate of 3 to 3–1/2 BTU per hour.
Response of Sorghum Enhanced in Monolignol Biosynthesis to Stalk Rot Pathogens

To increase phenylpropanoid constituents and energy content in the versatile C4 grass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), sorghum genes for proteins related to monolignol biosynthesis were overexpressed: SbMyb60 (transcriptional activator), SbPAL (phenylalanine ammonia lyase), SbCCoAOMT (caffeoyl coenzyme A [CoA] 3-O-methyltransferase), Bmr2 (4-coumarate:CoA ligase), and SbC3H (coumaroyl shikimate 3-hydroxylase). Overexpression lines were evaluated for responses to stalk pathogens under greenhouse and field conditions. Greenhouse-grown plants were inoculated with Fusarium thapsinum (Fusarium stalk rot) and Macrophomina phaseolina (charcoal rot), which cause yield-reducing diseases. F. thapsinum-inoculated overexpression plants had mean lesion lengths not significantly different than wild-type, except for significantly smaller lesions on two of three SbMyb60 and one of two SbCCoAOMT lines. M. phaseolina-inoculated overexpression lines had lesions not significantly different from wild-type except one SbPAL line (of two lines studied) with mean lesion lengths significantly larger. Field-grown SbMyb60 and SbCCoAOMT overexpression plants were inoculated with F. thapsinum. Mean lesions of SbMyb60 lines were similar to wild-type, but one SbCCoAOMT had larger lesions, whereas the other line was not significantly different than wild-type. Because overexpression of SbMyb60, Bmr2, or SbC3H may not render sorghum more susceptible to stalk rots, these lines may provide sources for development of sorghum with increased phenylpropanoid concentrations.
Stochastic Structural Optimization of Powertrain Mounting Systems with Dynamic Constraints

NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) is one of the main attributes in a passenger car. One of the key systems responsible for the overall NVH behaviour is the powertrain mounting system. The optimal layout of this system leads to the definition of a stochastic optimization problem. In this paper the background of the complexity of the powertrain mounting system is highlighted. In a first approach the optimization problem is solved with Design of Experiments (DOE) methods.
The Sovereignty of Truth: Memory and Morality in “Crocodile”

Black Mirror (2011–) has devoted much of its critique to technology’s elimination of ambiguity, suggesting that humans might experience an omniscience that has previously only been a quality of the divine. This has led many to argue that the series represents a post-religious dystopia; however, I argue that the series includes embedded religious symbols which make very profound statements about the role of faith in a technological world. The fourth season’s “Crocodile” echoes Platonic and Neoplatonic moral philosophies and a corroborative theory of “truth,” which suggest that a truth can only be encountered through reason, self-sacrifice, and devotion to a sovereign “good.” In this study, I analyze “Crocodile” through the lens of moral philosophy in order to demonstrate that the series does not represent a technological usurping of faith; rather, it argues that omniscience-via-technology becomes a threat only when devotion to a sovereign “good” is abandoned in favor of self-preservation.
Endowment heterogeneity, incomplete information & institutional choice in public good experiments

Abstract We study centralized and decentralized enforcement in social dilemmas with income inequality and incomplete information. Subjects are randomly assigned different endowments and, across treatments, these endowments can either be observed or not. After gaining experience with peer punishment and a simple central authority, groups voted on their preferred enforcement institution. Under complete information (endowments observed), most groups voted for peer punishment. Under incomplete information (endowments unobserved), most groups voted for central authority, and results suggest this preference was largely driven by subjects with lower incomes. Since free-riding could not be targeted when incomes were not observed, subjects with larger incomes tended to under-contribute, encouraging groups to self-impose central authority.