cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
metabolisHMM: Phylogenomic analysis for exploration of microbial phylogenies and metabolic pathways

Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatic pipelines have exponentially increased the amount of data that can be obtained from uncultivated microbial lineages inhabiting diverse ecosystems. Various annotation tools and databases currently exist for predicting the functional potential of sequenced genomes or microbial communities based upon sequence identity. However, intuitive, reproducible, and user-friendly tools for further exploring and visualizing functional guilds of microbial community metagenomic sequencing datasets remains lacking. Here, we present metabolisHMM, a series of workflows for visualizing the distribution of curated and user-provided Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to understand metabolic characteristics and evolutionary histories of microbial lineages. metabolisHMM performs functional annotations with a set of curated or user-defined HMMs to 1) construct ribosomal protein and single marker gene phylogenies, 2) summarize the presence/absence of metabolic pathway markers, and 3) create heatmap visualizations of presence/absence summaries. Availability and Implementation: metabolisHMM is freely available on Github at https://github.com/elizabethmcd/metabolisHMM and on PyPi at https://pypi.org/project/metabolisHMM/ under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
Magnetic fields in Planetary Nebulae: paradigms and related MHD frontiers

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USAemail: blackman@pas.rochester.eduAbstract. Many, if not all, post AGB stellar systems swiftly transition from a spherical toa powerful aspherical pre-planetary nebula (pPNE) outﬂow phase before waning into a PNe.The pPNe outﬂows require engine rotational energy and a mechanism to extract this energyinto collimated outﬂows. Just radiation and rotation are insuﬃcient but a symbiosis betweenrotation, diﬀerential rotation and large scale magnetic ﬁelds remains promising. Present obser-vational evidence for magnetic ﬁelds in evolved stars is suggestive of dynamically importantmagnetic ﬁelds, but both theory and observation are rife with research opportunity. I discusshow magnetohydrodynamic outﬂows might arise in pPNe and PNe and distinguish diﬀerentbetween approaches that address shaping vs. those that address both launch and shaping. Sce-narios involving dynamos in single stars, binary driven dynamos, or accretion engines cannot beruled out. One appealing paradigm involves accretion onto the primary post-AGB white dwarfcore from a low mass companion whose decaying accretion supply rate owers ﬁrst the pPNe andthen the lower luminosity PNe. Determining observational signatures of diﬀerent MHD enginesis a work in progress. Accretion disk theory and large scale dynamos pose many of their ownfundamental challenges, some of which I discuss in a broader context.Keywords. Planetary Nebulae, Magnetic Fields, Accretion, Dynamos, AGB Stars, Binaries
Improving fluid retention properties of 316L stainless steel using nanosecond pulsed laser surface texturing

Stainless steel has been used as a successful biomaterial for decades. In this study, a pulsed nanosecond laser was used to create patterned surfaces of stainless steel coupons to study the effect of patterning on fluid retention and biocompatibility studies of laser patterned and control surfaces. An AVIA 355 nanosecond pulsed laser was used with different laser parameters to create unique “peak and valley” structures (uniform textured surface) on stainless steel coupons of size of 1 × 1 × 0.1 cm3. The surface structural changes can be attributed to the Gaussian beam profile of the laser. The coupons were observed under a scanning electron microscope to understand the change of the material surface profile. An optical profilometer was used to measure the surface roughness and compare it with a nontextured or control surface. The contact angle measurement showed a decrease in the contact angle, reduced to 71.6° from 82.2° making the patterned surface more hydrophilic. A biocompatibility study of the stainless steel was performed to evaluate the effect of surface modification on its impact on biocompatibility. The cell viability of the patterned sample was 94% as compared to 84% for the unpatterned surface. A simulation of the process was run using flow3d® to understand the behavior of the material during the texturing process. The results obtained from the simulation process were compared with the experimental data and found to be in good agreement. The effects of Gaussian beam, vapor pressure, and overlapping of the beam were also analyzed in the simulation process.
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons' views of a single payer health care system: Implications for patients and practice.

Summary Background Rising health care costs and the high number of uninsured Americans has led to the increasing popularity of a single payer alternative. While opinions of physicians at large have been studied, we present the first data examining the views of United States (U.S.) board-certified plastic surgeons on a single payer health care system and its implications for patients and practice. Methods A total of 3,431 US plastic and reconstructive surgeons were sent a 25-item Qualtrics survey and responses collected from September 1 to November 1, 2019. Independent variables included surgeon sociodemographic characteristics. The association between these and a preference for a single payer was evaluated using the logistic regression. Results There was a 11% response rate (n = 383). The majority of respondents were in private practice (64.5%). Forty-four percent believed that it is the government's responsibility to ensure care is provided for all; 34% were willing to give up income in exchange for reduced paperwork and administrative burden. Sixty-three percent would not work the same number of hours under single payer. Private practice plastic surgeons were significantly less likely to favor single payer (95% CI: 0.19 and 0.76). Among academic plastic surgeons, 24% would consider leaving if single payer were enacted and 60% would decrease the reconstructive portion of their practice. Conclusions Most U.S. plastic and reconstructive surgeons do not support a single payer health care system. Its enactment could have sweeping implications for plastic surgeons nationwide, among the most significant being a shift from academic to private practice with a potential reduction in patient access to complex reconstructive procedures.
Pulmonary vein and left atrial posterior wall isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: Comparable outcomes for adults with congenital heart disease.

INTRODUCTION Optimal treatment strategies for ACHD with AF are unknown. This study sought to assess outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) ± left atrial (LA), posterior wall isolation (PWI) for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD), and atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS A retrospective review of all cryoballoon (CB) PVI ± PWI procedures at a single center over a 3-year period were performed. Clinical characteristics and outcomes for patients with and without ACHD were compared. The primary outcome was the occurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia at 12-months postablation after a 90-day blanking period. RESULTS Three-hundred and sixteen patients (mean: 63 ± 12 years, [63% male]) underwent CB PVI ± PWI during the study, including 31 (10%) ACHD (simple 35%, moderate 39% complex 26%; nonparoxysmal AF in 52%). ACHD was younger (51 vs. 64 years; p < .001) with a lower CHADS2 DS2 -VASc score (1.2 vs. 2.1; p = .001) but had a greater LA diameter (4.9 vs. 4.0 cm; p < .001) and a number of prior cardioversions (0.9 vs. 0.4; p < .001) versus controls. 12-month freedom from recurrent AF was similar for ACHD and controls (76% vs. 80%; p = .6) and remained nonsignificant in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 0.7-5.1; p = .22). At 12-months postablation, 75% of ACHD versus 93% of control patients were off antiarrhythmic drug therapy (p = .07). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates younger age and lower conventional stroke risk, yet clinically advanced AF for ACHD relative to controls. CB PVI ± PWI was an effective strategy for the treatment of AF among all forms of ACHD with similar 12-month outcomes as compared to controls.
653 Are Daily Variations in Sleep Quality and Quantity Related to General Stress and COVID-19-Related Anxiety?

Introduction: Sleep modulates a number of psychological and cognitive processes, such as emotion regulation, executive control, and coping with stress. It is therefore not surprising that insufficient sleep quality or quantity are associated with greater self-reported stress levels. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a particularly stressful and unprecedented time in history. While stress has been undoubtedly high during the past year, it's less clear to what extent sleep has affected people's perceived stress on a daily basis. The aim of this research was to estimate whether daily variations in sleep quality and duration were associated with general stress and/or stress related to COVID-19. Methods: The study used a nationally representative sample to assess daily variations in sleep and stress for a period of two weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Morning assessments were conducted using online sleep diaries. These diaries were used to estimate sleep duration (in minutes) and sleep quality (subjective rating on a 5-point Likert scale). Evening assessments were also completed online and prompted participants to rate (0 to 100) their current “general” stress level, as well as their current anxiety in relation to COVID-19. Separate mixed effects models were conducted with days (Level 1) nested within participants (Level 2). Stress variables were lagged by a day to estimate the association between sleep (AM assessment) and stress (PM assessment). TST and SQ were entered as fixed effects and intercepts were allowed to vary randomly. Results: 4,048 participants (Mage = 46.3 years;78% women) were included as part of the analyses. The results supported that lower selfreported sleep quality predicted greater general stress levels (b = -1.43, p < 0.001). Lower self-reported sleep quality also predicted greater COVID-19 related anxiety (b = -0.543, p < 0.001). In contrast, sleep duration was not significantly related to general stress or COVID-19 anxiety after controlling for sleep quality. Conclusion: The present data supports that daily variations in sleep quality are related to a person's overall stress levels and COVID-19 anxiety. These findings may have implications for the role of good sleep in mitigating the increases in stress that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indicator-species and coarse-filter approaches in conservation appear insufficient alone

Abstract Because resources are finite, conservation practices can be based on shortcuts (i.e., a quicker way to a desired outcome). For example, indicator species are often used as a shortcut to justify conservation at greater organizational levels (i.e., communities, ecosystems, landscapes). Conversely, "coarse-filter" approaches to protect landscapes are often assumed to conserve organizational levels nested within that landscape. But is conservation biology fundamentally different from other applied sciences, in which shortcuts appear rare or absent? To evaluate this question requires a rarity; much data across organizational levels in numerous well-defined systems. We used data collected in vernal pools (N = 61) in greater San Diego, California and seasonal wetlands (N = 70) in Florida. Data for plant species of concern, plant community diversity, ecosystem function, and landscape integrity were evaluated using partial least-squares structural equation models. Three a priori alternative models for each of the indicator species and coarse-filter approaches were tested, where models varied in complexity and included shortcuts between organizational levels. We found little support for shortcuts connecting distant levels, but species of concern and community diversity were always significantly and strongly interrelated. We conclude that species of concern often predict community diversity (and vice versa) but shortcuts between more distant organizational levels are hard to find. Given that study systems here were numerous, discrete and relatively small (i.e., well-described), we expect that effective shortcuts will be difficult to demonstrate for many other systems that do not share all those attributes. Thus we suggest that regional ensemble conservation goals and approaches will be more often effective than relying on assumed conservation shortcuts with little evidence.
Resilience and economics of microgrids with PV, battery storage, and networked diesel generators

Abstract Current designs and assessments of microgrids have ignored component reliability, leading to significant errors in predicting a microgrid’s performance while islanded. Existing life cycle cost studies on hybrid microgrids—which combine photovoltaics (PV), battery storage and networked emergency diesel generators—also have not identified all the potential economic opportunities. Reducing the number of emergency diesel generators through reliance on PV and battery, retail bill savings, and demand response and wholesale market revenue streams are all important. This paper provides a new statistical methodology that calculates the impact of distributed energy reliability and variability on a microgrid’s performance and a novel use of the optimization platform REopt to explore multiple cost savings and revenue streams. We examine the impacts for microgrids in California, Maryland, and New Mexico and show that a hybrid microgrid is a more resilient and cost-effective solution than a diesel-only system. Under realistic conditions, a hybrid microgrid can provide higher system reliability when islanded and have a lower life cycle cost under multiple market conditions than a traditional diesel generator-based system. The improved performance of the hybrid system is resilient to conditions experienced over the last 20 years in solar irradiance and sees little degradation in performance immediately after a hurricane. The cost savings to provide this more resilient backup power system as compared to a diesel-only microgrid are significant. The net present cost for a hybrid microgrid is 19% lower in New Mexico and 35% lower in Maryland than a diesel-only microgrid. In California, the net present cost of the hybrid microgrid is negative because, unlike a diesel-only microgrid, a hybrid microgrid has lower life cycle costs than the power costs without a microgrid.
Changes over Time in Patient Stated Values and Treatment Preferences Regarding Aggressive Therapies: Insights from the DECIDE-LVAD Trial.

BackgroundPatient-centered care includes matching treatments to patient values and preferences. This assumes clarity and consistency of values and preferences relevant to major medical decisions. W...
Grassmannian sparse representations

We present Grassmannian sparse representations (GSR), a sparse representation Grassmann learning framework for efficient classification. Sparse representation classification offers a powerful approach for recognition in a variety of contexts. However, a major drawback of sparse representation methods is their computational performance and memory utilization for high-dimensional data. A Grassmann manifold is a space that promotes smooth surfaces where points represent subspaces and the relationship between points is defined by the mapping of an orthogonal matrix. Grassmann manifolds are well suited for computer vision problems because they promote high between-class discrimination and within-class clustering, while offering computational advantages by mapping each subspace onto a single point. The GSR framework combines Grassmannian kernels and sparse representations, including regularized least squares and least angle regression, to improve high accuracy recognition while overcoming the drawbacks of performance and dependencies on high dimensional data distributions. The effectiveness of GSR is demonstrated on computationally intensive multiview action sequences, three-dimensional action sequences, and face recognition datasets.
A Survey of Test Techniques for MCM Substrates

This paper provides a survey of MCM substrate test techniques. Test techniques that are based on capacitance, resistance, electron beam, latent opens, time domain network analysis (TDNA) and RF resonator are discussed. In this paper, test techniques are applied to interconnect testing.
Note on a Cohomological Theory of Contact-Instanton and Invariants of Contact Structures

In the localization of 5-dimensional N = 1 super-Yang-Mills, contact-instantons arise as non-perturbative contributions. In this note, we revisit such configurations and discuss their generalizations. We propose for contact-instantons a cohomological theory whose BRST observables are invariants of the background contact geometry. To make the formalism more concrete, we study the moduli problem of contact- instanton, and we find that it is closely related to the eqiuivariant index of a canonical Dirac-Kohn operator associated to the geometry. An integral formula is given when the geometry is K-contact. We also discuss the relation to 5d N = 1 super-Yang- Mills, and by studying a contact-instanton solution canonical to the background geometry, we discuss a possible connection between N = 1 theory and contact homology. We also uplift the 5d theory a 6d cohomological theory which localizes to Donaldson-Uhlenbeck-Yau instantons when placed on special geometry.
Vaginal hysterectomy after previous pelvic surgery.

Abstract 1. 1. The wide diversity of opinion on previous pelvic surgery as a contraindication to vaginal hysterectomy is summarized from the literature. 2. 2. Seventy-one additional cases are reported in which vaginal hysterectomy was undertaken following previous pelvic surgery. Failure to accomplish vaginal hysterectomy occurred in 2 of these patients. 3. 3. This series of cases confirms the existing evidence that vaginal hysterectomy after almost any type or extent of previous pelvic surgery is a practical and safe procedure. 4. 4. The concept is presented that previous pelvic surgery itself frequently provides an indication for rather than a contraindication to vaginal hysterectomy.
On the Biosynthesis of Insulin in Anglerfish Islets

Abstract An intermediate in the biosynthesis of insulin has been isolated from anglerfish islets and shown to have the structure of insulin with the additional amino acid residues Gly-Thr-Lys attached to the NH2 terminus of the A chain. This intermediate can be produced in vitro by a rapid tryptic enzymic cleavage of anglerfish proinsulin; more extensive trypsin treatment converts this intermediate to insulin. We propose that the biosynthesis of insulin in anglerfish islets in vivo proceeds via two sequential steps: a rapid enzymic hydrolysis of proinsulin to yield the insulin intermediate, followed by a slow hydrolysis of this intermediate to produce insulin. It is possible that one tryptic-like enzyme is operative in both steps.
Authority, Interoperability, and Digital Medieval Scholarship

The offline relationships between scholars and institutions have shaped the gateways to publishing, and the nature of the work published. The trust and credibility relationships that are part of those offline academic networks are an essential component of the authenticating strategies that frame both publication and citation, something made increasingly visible through online social networking tools. Although crowd-sourced projects such as Wikipedia and Project Gutenberg attest to the incredible dynamism of online work, the digital humanities have been less successful at bringing together the energy of online discussions and the quality scholarship of print publications. By considering how data is trapped in the silos of digital medieval projects, and using RegEx searches to generate philological data from the Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, I suggest that it is the democratization of interoperable digital tools, along with updated frameworks for trust and authority, that are essential for progress in the digital humanities.
Early gene expression during natural spinal cord regeneration in the salamander Ambystoma mexicanum

In contrast to mammals, salamanders have a remarkable ability to regenerate their spinal cord and recover full movement and function after tail amputation. To identify genes that may be associated with this greater regenerative ability, we designed an oligonucleotide microarray and profiled early gene expression during natural spinal cord regeneration in Ambystoma mexicanum. We sampled tissue at five early time points after tail amputation and identified genes that registered significant changes in mRNA abundance during the first 7 days of regeneration. A list of 1036 statistically significant genes was identified. Additional statistical and fold change criteria were applied to identify a smaller list of 360 genes that were used to describe predominant expression patterns and gene functions. Our results show that a diverse injury response is activated in concert with extracellular matrix remodeling mechanisms during the early acute phase of natural spinal cord regeneration. We also report gene expression similarities and differences between our study and studies that have profiled gene expression after spinal cord injury in rat. Our study illustrates the utility of a salamander model for identifying genes and gene functions that may enhance regenerative ability in mammals.
Large-Field High-Brightness Focusing Schlieren System

The analysis and performance of a large-field high-brightness focusing schlieren system is described. Techniques are described that allow the system to be used even through slightly distorting optical elements. The system can be used to examine complex two- and three-dimensional flows
Brasil especular y el tiempo salvaje de la canibalia americana

Este trabajo examina algunos procesos de representacion y resemantizacion del canibalismo en el contexto de la batalla por las rutas del comercio Atlantico en la costa de Brasil, y analiza la dimension especular del tropo canibal en algunos relatos (proto)etnograficos en los cuales, el canibal fue un dispositivo generador de alteridad y un tropo cultural de reconocimiento. En otras palabras, se examinara el canibal como artefacto etno-cartografico para Imaginar el tiempo y el espacio del salvajismo, y como artefacto utopico-melancolico compensatorio de las "perdidas" de la Modernidad.
Cost-Effectiveness of Intra-Arterial Treatment as an Adjunct to Intravenous Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose—The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of intra-arterial treatment within the 0- to 6-hour window after intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator within 0- to 4.5-hour compared with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator alone, in the US setting and from a social perspective. Methods—A decision analytic model estimated the lifetime costs and outcomes associated with the additional benefit of intra-arterial therapy compared with standard treatment with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator alone. Model inputs were obtained from published literature, the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands (MR CLEAN) study, and claims databases in the United States. Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Treatment benefit was assessed by calculating the cost per QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate the ov...
Addressing Water Quality Issues in Rural Cameroon with Household Biosand Filters

This paper describes an ongoing collaboration between the Hope College student chapter of Engineers Without Borders – USA and the rural community of Nkuv in the Northwest Province of Cameroon related to improving drinking water quality using Manz Biosand filters. The collaboration began in 2006 and focused on developing a community-based construction and distribution model for household water treatment units. Results from microbiology testing of the constructed filters indicate that this water treatment method is effective for improving water quality in rural areas. The results also highlight the need for ongoing assessment and adapting community education programs to provide necessary training for filter construction and maintenance. The critical finding from this study is that transferring this technology in rural settings in developing countries may require years of iterative intervention and site specific adjustments to the construction and distribution model.
Retrospective chart review of obesity and episodic and chronic illness among rural Mexican-American adolescents accessing rural health clinic services.

Obesity impacts the physical and psychological health of children and adolescents, and is a risk factor for development of episodic and chronic illness. Rural Mexican-American adolescents are at risk for obesity and associated chronic illnesses.The study used a retrospective chart review of data collected routinely in a rural health clinic setting from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2010 to assess incidence of overweight/obesity status and episodic or chronic illness among Mexican-American adolescents aged 12–18 years. Analyses included body mass index, age, gender, and episodic or chronic illness diagnoses. Two hundred twelve charts were audited; women (n = 114, 53.8%), men (n = 98 46.2%); normal (n = 105, 49.5%), overweight/obese (n = 107, 50.5%). There were more female normal (n = 61, 53.5%) vs. overweight/obese (n = 53, 46.5%). More male overweight/obese (n = 54, 55.1%) than normal weight (n = 44, 44.9%). Age at first documented overweight/obesity status occurred in early adolescence (median = 13 years, mode = 12 years). Chronic illness incidence was higher among men than women, and overweight/obese vs. normal weight adolescents and in sub-categorizations by weight and specific illness. Incidence of episodic illness was higher among women than men, with variation by weight and specific illness. Disproportionately high incidence of episodic or chronic illness and overweight/obesity identified among rural Mexican-American adolescents compels intervention modification to improve effectiveness.
Mechanism of Fatigue Crack Initiation in Austenitic Stainless Steels in LWR Environments

This paper examines the mechanism of fatigue crack initiation in austenitic stainless steels (SSs) in light water reactor (LWR) coolant environments. The effects of key material and loading variables, such as strain amplitude, strain rate, temperature, level of dissolved oxygen in water, and material heat treatment on the fatigue lives of wrought and cast austenitic SSs in air and LWR environments have been evaluated. The influence of reactor coolant environments on the formation and growth of fatigue cracks in polished smooth SS specimens is discussed. Crack length as a function of fatigue cycles was determined in air and LWR environments. The results indicate that decreased fatigue lives of these steels are caused primarily by the effects of the environment on the growth of cracks <200 {micro}m and, to a lesser extent, on enhanced growth rates of longer cracks. A detailed metallographic examination of fatigue test specimens was performed to characterize the fracture morphology. Exploratory fatigue tests were conducted to enhance our understanding of the effects of surface micropits or minor differences in the surface oxide on fatigue crack initiation.
Effect of Age on Pulse Wave Velocity and "Aortic Ejection Time" in Healthy Men and in Men with Coronary Artery Disease

Impedance plethysmograms were taken in 51 healthy men and 42 normotensive men with coronary heart disease from the aorta near the place of auscultation of the aortic valve and from the femoral artery in the femoral triangle recorded simultaneously with the 3 electrocardiographic standard leads. The aortic pulse wave velocity was determined from the time interval between the foot points of the aortic and femoral volume pulse, and the anatomic distance between the electrodes. It increases with age in normal subjects as well as in patients, but the values are significantly higher in the patients. These results are suggestive of accelerated degenerative changes in the aorta, probably due to atherosclerosis. The interval from the earliest detectable QRS deflection to the foot point of the aortic volume pulse ("aortic ejection time") becomes longer with age in the normal group. In patients with coronary artery disease, the prolongation is significantly larger for each of 3 age subgroups. The results suggest tha...
Effects of endorphin and enkephalin analogs on fear habituation in goldfish

Abstract The effects of two opiate peptides administered by two routes were tested in an auditory habituation paradigm presenting goldfish with a 108 db buzzer and using the fish's ascending latency as a measure of fear. Twelve groups of goldfish (N = 10) received a 5 μl (8 μg/kg) IP or ICV injection of either D-Ala2-β-endorphin, D-Ala2-Met-enkephalin, or the diluent control-solution. Half of each group experienced the buzzer during testing and the other half (non-buzzer) served as controls. Fish injected with the endorphin analog appeared to be immobilized since they had much longer latencies than the other groups. Latencies were shorter after presentation of the buzzer which appeared to disinhibit the swimming response of the fish receiving D-Ala2-β-endorphin. Effects occurred more rapidly after ICV than IP injections with the larger D-Ala2-β-endorphin where the effects were similar after ICV and IP injections of the smaller but less potent D-Ala2-Met-enkephalin, which was not significantly different from diluent. In all cases, effects were reliable only in the absence of the buzzer. Analyses of activity measures and total testing time yielded data comparable to those obtained for latencies. The results indicate a profound behavioral effect of D-Ala2-β-endorphin in fish for both central and peripheral administration.
Harnessing the Transparent Face Orthosis for facial scar management: A comparison of methods

The Transparent Face Orthosis (TFO) is widely used in the treatment of facial burns to minimize hypertrophic scarring and maintain the contours of the face against deforming scars. Compression of the TFO is achieved with forces provided by the harness system (straps and anchors) used to secure the TFO on the face. A variety of harness system designs are used clinically yet none have been described or compared in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare seven common methods of TFO harnessing including cost, time, and ease of fabrication. Results showed that harness systems vary in cost from $0.22 to 96.45 and take 2-49 min to fabricate. The 4-point harness was the least expensive and the easiest harness to fabricate. The Beanie Cap harness was the most complex system to make, while the Open Mask Stabilizer was the most expensive. The systems resulted in varying distributions of compression when depicted with three-dimensional laser scanned images. This description and comparison of fabrication materials and methods for TFO harnessing can guide clinicians within the burn community worldwide who have varying skills and resources for facial scar management.
The Effects of Relative Performance Information and Framed Information Systems Feedback on Performance in a Production Task

ABSTRACT: Information systems’ reports typically contain quantitative feedback such as monetary values or the number of units sold or produced. We investigate if providing relative performance information (RPI) feedback and framing the feedback in a positive (good job) or negative (poor job) manner induces performance improvements in a repetitive task. We also investigate if feedback framing interacts with performer level, such that framed feedback has a differential effect for low performers, compared to average and high performers. An experiment was conducted using a 3 × 4 × 2 factorial design, crossing feedback framing (positive, negative, or control), relative performance information (no RPI, rank-ordered RPI, percent RPI in first session, percent RPI in second session), and contract type (fixed or variable), using 289 student participants assuming the role of production workers. Results revealed a significant positive effect of providing relative performance feedback and positively framed feedback. T...
A preparation for studying electrical stimulation of the retina in vivo in rat

A remaining challenge to the development of electronic prostheses for vision is improving the effectiveness of retinal stimulation. Electrode design and stimulus parameters need to be optimized such that the neural output from the retina conveys information to the mind's eye that aids the patient in interpreting his or her environment. This optimization will require a detailed understanding of the response of the retina to electrical stimulation. The identity and response characteristics of the cellular targets of stimulation need to be defined and evaluated. Described here is an in vivo preparation for studying electrical stimulation of the retina in rat at the cellular level. The use of rat makes available a number of well-described models of retinal disease that motivate prosthesis development. Artificial stimulation can be investigated by adapting techniques traditionally employed to study the response of the retina to photic stimuli, such as recording at the cornea, single-cell recording, and pharmacological dissection of the response. Pilot studies include amplitude-intensity response data for subretinal and transretinal stimulation paradigms recorded in wild-type rats and a transgenic rat model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The ability to record single-unit ganglion cell activity in vivo is also demonstrated.
Voyager 2 navigation to Uranus and Neptune

Key navigation issues and capabilities relating to the Voyager 2 Uranus/Neptune mission are presented. Predicted navigation performance at each encounter body (Uranus, Neptune, and Triton) is examined relative to mission navigation requirements and science return capabilities. Orbit determination accuracies are presented for several radio data types and for combinations of radio data with two optical data types. Maneuver strategies designed to accommodate the orbit determination results and satisfy mission navigation requirements are examined. Possible alternate aimpoints and contingency strategies are developed for situations of unexpected loss of propellant or optical navigation capability.
Solid-State NMR Studies of Fossil Fuels using One- and Two-Dimensional Methods at High Magnetic Field

We examine the opportunities offered by advancements in solid-state NMR (SSNMR) methods, which increasingly rely on the use of high magnetic fields and fast magic angle spinning (MAS), in the studies of coals and other carbonaceous materials. The sensitivity of one- and two-dimensional experiments tested on several Argonne Premium coal samples is only slightly lower than that of traditional experiments performed at low magnetic fields in large MAS rotors, since higher receptivity per spin and the use of 1H detection of low-gamma nuclei can make up for most of the signal loss due to the small rotor size. The advantages of modern SSNMR methodology in these studies include improved resolution, simplicity of pulse sequences, and the possibility of using J-coupling during mixing.
The Use of Osmium-Thiocarbohydrazide for Structural Stabilization and Enhancement of Secondary Electron Images in Scanning Electron Microscopy of Pollen

Abstract Pollen grains stained in a sequence of osmium (O) and thiocarbohydrazide (T) solutions (collectively known as OTOTO) appear structurally stable and undistorted in the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and usually do not require special drying. In fact, OTOTO can be regarded as another special drying method in palynology. This sequential incubation also strikingly increases the electrical conductivity of pollen grains in the SEM. Compared to standard sputter-coating or vacuum evaporative procedures, OTOTO reduces charging and yields secondary electron images with significantly higher resolution.
Stimulation of an exocytotic event, the hamster sperm acrosome reaction, by cis-unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract This cis -unsaturated fatty acids oleic, arachidonic and cis -vaccenic stimulated the hamster sperm acrosome reaction in vitro (an exocytotic event which occurs in the sperm head and which is essential for fertilization). The trans -isomers of oleic and vaccenic acids did not stimulate the acrosome reaction, nor did the cis -unsaturated fatty acids petroselenic and docosahexaenoic or the saturated fatty acids lauric, myristic or stearic. This is the first report of a stimulatory effect of cis -unsaturated fatty acids on an exocytic event in an intact viable cell.
Molecular Determinants of Nef Function.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), in addition to encoding for thegag, pol andenv structural genes common to all retroviruses also encodes six accessory genes:tat, rev, nef, vpr, vpu andvif. These accessory genes are responsible for the regulation of HIV replication. Recent advances in our understanding of the function(s) of these genes have illustrated the complex interplay between HIV, the infected cell and the host. In addition, identification of cellular proteins interacting with accessory gene products have provided new tools to study cellular processes. The topic of this review,nef, has been shown in vitro to induce the cell surface downregulation of CD4, the receptor for HIV, to enhance the infectivity of HIV particles and to associate with at least one cellular serine/threonine kinase. In vivo, Nef is essential for the efficient virus replication responsible for disease progression. In this review, several prominent aspects of Nef function are discussed including its effect on CD4 trafficking, on signaling pathways and on virus infectivity enhancement.
DESCRIPTION AND PHYLOGENY OF A NEW SPECIES OF EIMERIA FROM DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (PHALACROCORAX AURITUS) NEAR FORT GAINES, GEORGIA

The renal parasite Eimeria auritusi has caused several mortality events in double-crested cormorants (DCC; Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Midwest and southeastern United States. This parasite has only been detected during large-scale outbreaks, and its presence and prevalence in healthy populations of cormorants is unknown. In this study, 80 DCC were collected from the Chattahoochee River near Fort Gaines, Georgia, and examined for kidney and intestinal coccidia. Eighteen (22.5%) and 56 (70%) of the DCC were positive for E. auritusi and a new species of intestinal Eimeria, respectively. Oocysts of the new intestinal Eimeria species had a thin colorless wall, were ovoid with rare bumps on the outer surface, and measured 17.1 μm ± 1.5 × 14.7 μm ± 1.0 (16–18.5 × 13–17), with an average length:width ratio of 1.17 μm (1.03–1.29). A prominent micropyle (4–4.5 μm) was present, and a large oval-to-round polar body (2.5 μm) was located beneath the micropyle. Sporocysts were ovoid and measured 9.6 μm ± 0.6 × 5.9 μm ...
Monitoring of cycling hypoxia and angiogenesis in FaDu head and neck tumors using a side-firing sensor

Many studies have found that hypoxia, particularly cycling hypoxia (CH), can lead to enhanced tumor metastasis and resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. It was also reported that tumor total hemoglobin content (THb), which is directly related to tumor angiogenesis, can have significant impact on tumor’s response to radiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. There is a growing demand for technologies to measure tumor hypoxia and angiogenesis temporally in vivo. In this paper, a side-firing fiber optic sensor based on a multi-wavelength frequency-domain near infrared spectroscopy (FD-NIRS) instrument was used to quantify tumor oxygenation and hemoglobin concentrations in nude rats bearing human FaDu head and neck (H and N) tumors during normoxia and forced hyperoxia and cyclic hypoxia. Significant increase (with carbogen gas inhalation) or decrease (with reduced O2 supply) in tumor oxygenation was observed. The studies demonstrated the feasibility of the technology for longitudinal monitoring of H and N tumor’s response to therapy.
Evaluating On-Line Environments: Tools for Observing Users and Gathering Feedback

The authors focus on using technological support to observe user behaviors and gather feedback in the evaluation of software and virtual environments such as websites.
Seasonal Effects on Play Behavior in Immature Saimiri sciureus in Eastern Amazonia

Play behavior is prevalent among most mammalian young, particularly primates. Though several hypotheses address the function of play, researchers have documented information on the potential costs of play and of environmental effects on the occurrence of primate play less well during long-term field studies. I examine seasonal changes in play behavior of immature squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) across 4 age classes: infants, young juveniles, mid-juveniles, and late juveniles. I observed individuals during 12 mo in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia, an area characterized by highly seasonal rainfall. Play was strongly tied to seasonality, food availability, and changes in diet. The percentage of time spent playing was reduced in the dry season, a period characterized by low fruit availability and an increase in time spent foraging for prey. I suggest that the decrease in play behavior in the dry season is related both to a higher need for energy conservation and to increased time expended in foraging activities.
Parkinson's disease: depletion of substantia nigra neurotensin receptors

Abstract Neurotensin receptor autoradiography reveals dense binding in normal human substantia nigra. In nigra from patients with Parkinson's disease, nigral receptor binding is only about one-third of control values. ‘Saturation’ analysis suggests that these changes result from receptor loss. These results support a neurotensin-domapine interaction in human nigro-striatal circuits.
Acculturation and Depression Among Hispanics: The Moderating Effect of Intercultural Competence

In the present study the authors examined the relative contributions of typical acculturation indicators, general coping, and intercultural competence in predicting depression among 96 Hispanic adults. The results indicated that intercultural competence served to moderate the relationship between acculturation and depression. The combination of high acculturation and high intercultural competence was associated with fewer symptoms. General coping accounted for significant amounts of variance in predicting depression, over and above traditional acculturation variables alone, suggesting that an active problem-solving style was associated with a healthier outcome. The findings are discussed within the context of integrating competence-based variables into psychological conceptualizations of cultural adaptation and the importance of group-specific abilities as potential buffers against negative mental health consequences.
Behavioral responses of weakly electric fish to complex impedances

Members of the family of African electric fish, Mormyridae, exhibit a novelty response, consisting of an acceleration in the rate of electric organ discharges (EODs), when faced with changes in feedback arising from their EODs. In this study, the novelty responses of three different species of mormyrids to shunts with different electrical characteristics were noted. The three species differed in the frequency contents of their EODs: two species had relatively high spectral frequencies in their EODs (>10 kHz), while the third species had only lower spectral frequencies (< 10 kHz). Primarily resistive shunts elicited novelty response accelerations in all three species, and the magnitudes of these responses, when normalized to the responses obtained for a shunt with no introduced resistance, were comparable for all three species. For primarily capacitive shunts, however, the magnitudes of the normalized responses were different for the three species: the two species with high spectral frequencies in their EODs showed larger normalized responses than the third species which had only low EOD spectral frequencies. The differences in species responses for capacitive shunts, and the similarities in species responses for resistive shunts, suggest that electric fish detect the complex impedance of objects in their near field environment: a circuit model consisting of a fish emitting discharges into the surrounding water, which can be shunted by a variable complex impedance, conforms well to the data. Thus, electrolocation is a frequency dependent sensory process, and this frequency dependency should be considered in any speculation about the adaptive value of different EOD waveforms.
How the mobile communication markets differ in China, the U.S., and Europe

Despite the 2001 downturn in the global telecommunications market, the mobile penetration rate in China is increasing due to the elimination or reduction of mobile connection fees. The mobile market worldwide is dynamic in terms of technology development, and competition is aggressive. The potential size and growth rate of the Chinese, U.S., and European mobile markets warrant examination of the state of their wireless development. Here, we explore that growth by examining the differences among the three regions, especially those in mobile consumer demographics, Short Message Service (SMS) usage, and 3G technology.
Nearly periodic dynamical systems

The notion of near periodicity is shown to be somewhere between periodicity and almost periodicity. The relationship between near periodicity and various dynamical properties is established. It is shown that the set of non near periodic points cannot be totally disconnected. Nearly periodic semidynamical systems are studied via the associated inverse limit dynamical systems
An Examination of the Persistence of the Residual Child Welfare System in the United States: Addressing Charges of Radical Theoretical Myopia with Implications for Social Work Practice

The United States follows what has been termed a “residual” approach to its public child welfare system. This article describes the residual model and contrasts it with the policies of other industrialized nations. It also explores the causes and persistence of the residual model in the United States through the lens of structural-functionalist theory. By doing so, this article attempts to respond to critics of structural social work who maintain that it is overly reliant on conflict theory and has nothing to offer in terms of distinct practice methods. Suggestions for a structurally informed social work practice are made.
The next generation of integrated air quality modeling: EPA's models-3

Abstract The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing a third-generation modeling system, termed Models-3. This paper provides an overview of the concepts behind this effort. The modeling challenge is large and is addressed at two main user groups, regulatory analysts and scientists. New technology and tools from the federal High Performance Computing and Communications Program present an opportunity to effectively address computational constraints and the modeling challenge, simultaneously. Two goals of the Advanced Air Quality Modeling Project are (1) provide an effective decision support system and (2) provide a framework to support the evolvement of models and modeling systems. The information needed for a decision support system is described and its elements are defined. The need to be able to significantly evolve the air quality models is discussed next, followed by the presentation of a general software approach for avoiding modeling system obsolescence. In the final section, key modeling considerations and target capabilities are outlined to show the directions being undertaken to initiate Models-3.