cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Strategies for the Management of Pulmonary Parenchymal, Chest Wall, and Pleural Metastases

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this article are to review the indications for and technical aspects of various percutaneous strategies available for the treatment of intrathoracic metastases involving the parenchyma, pleura, and chest wall and to describe the relative merits of one of these strategies over another to determine the best approach to use. CONCLUSION. The thorax is a common site of metastatic disease with frequent involvement of the lungs, pleura, and osseous structures. A variety of interventional procedures and techniques are available for treatment and for palliative care of patients with this disease. Imaging-guided interventions include thermal ablation of metastatic disease of the lungs and pleura, catheter placement and sclerosis of malignant pleural effusions, and palliative pain management for osseous and soft-tissue metastases.
Inhibition of axoplasmic transport in the optic system by kainic acid.

— Axoplasmic transport along the optic axons was studied after intraocular injections of kainic acid (KA). Transport of labeled material did not initiate from the eye when KA was injected simultaneously with the protein precursor [3H]proline. When KA was injected after axoplasmic transport of labeled proteins had begun, no additional radioactive material moved out of the retinal ganglion cells. However, the labeled material already present in the optic nerve at the time of KA injection continued to move, and accumulated at the nerve endings. Although KA reduces the incorporation of precursor, this effect of KA on axoplasmic transport appears to be more than a consequence of inhibition on precursor uptake or protein synthesis. Recovery from this KA action began 6 h after exposure to KA and was about 50% recovered by 36 h. The extent of the recovery remained at this level for as long as a week, which suggested a partial recovery of the ganglion cells. A second exposure to KA after the inner plexiform layer had virtually disappeared was as effective as the first exposure in preventing the appearance of transported protein in the optic nerve, suggesting a direct action of KA on the ganglion cells. We interpreted the results to indicate that KA interferes with the initiation phase of axoplasmic transport in ganglion cells and this effect is partially reversible.
On the formulation of boundary conditions for rigid nonspherical Brownian particles near solid walls: Applications to orientation-specific reactions with immobilized enzymes

Abstract Transport processes involving the motion of rigid nonspherical Brownian particles within porous media and, more generally, proximate to solid surfaces, arise in a multitude of natural and engineered contexts. Detailed modeling proceeds via solution of the microscale convective-diffusion equation in the six-dimensional configuration space composed of particle positions and orientations, subject to boundary conditions accounting for either impenetrability (inertness) or catalytic activity of the bounding surfaces. Owing to the geometrical complexity associated with even simple particle-wall combinations, the construction of such conditions has long been the source of ambiguities in the literature. We present a rigorous, general analysis of issues arising from particle-wall contact within the context of Brownian transport. Abstract configuration-space flux conditions are shown to possess a physically transparent interpretation in terms of rigid-body kinematics. As a specific application of our general theory, explicit asymptotic results are derived for a model problem pertaining to orientation-specific reactions of macromolecular substrates with immobilized enzymes. In the course of the analysis, a robust numerical technique is developed for the solution of configuration-space diffusion problems, the general utility of which transcends its application to the specific physical system considered here.
Ethanol fermentation of whey using polyacrylamide and kappa-carrageenan entrapped yeasts.

Viable Kluyveromyces fragi yeasts cells were successfully entrapped in polyacrylamide and kappa-carrageenan gel beads. Small amounts of precultured yeast cells were mixed with specific concentrations of gel solutions and gel beads of uniform size were manufactured by a gelation process. For both batch and continuous fermentation systems, the cells grew well in the gel. In batch fermentation trials, there was no significant shift in the pH profile for either the polyacrylamide or the kappa-carrageenan immobilized cell systems. Continuous fermentations were carried out in a column with an initial packed gel height of 13cm but with different dilution rates using 10% lactose solutions reconstituted from sweet whey powder as the medium. The immobilized growing cell systems exhibited high and stable activity for ethanol production under steady-state conditions. A maximum productivity of 7.8g/l-hr at a dilution rate of 0.800hr-l for polyacrylamide immobilized cell and 13.3g/l-hr at 0.679hr-l for kappa-carrageenan immobilized cell was obtained. Of the two methods tested, the use of kappa-carrageenan for immobilizing yeasts for ethanol production from whey was better.
Subcellular neuropharmacology: the importance of intracellular targeting

Few cell types are more adapted for cell–cell signaling than neurons. Their responsiveness lies in the formation of highly specialized compartments composed of unique repertoires of selectively distributed protein complexes generated, in part, by the local translation of mRNAs and regulated by their RNA-binding proteins. Utilizing the selective distribution of these neuronal proteins and the underlying mechanisms that generate the differential patterns of expression as central facets of drug design promises to enhance the therapeutic ratio of a drug. It is in this context that we discuss the unique arrangement of mRNAs, RNA-binding proteins and the protein macromolecular complexes at the dendrite, which is the postsynaptic site of synaptic transmission. Recent advances in identifying the function of dendritic components of the mechanisms of protein and RNA transport, non-nuclear RNA splicing and localized translation underscore their importance as targets of neuropharmacology.
Testing subjective bias in the analysis of the customer needs

Collecting and grouping customer needs and constraints by similarity are essential steps in market-driven product development. This paper introduces an overall procedure to collect and structure customer needs and constraints with the emphasis on grouping customer needs by similarity. In particular, this paper applies a statistical methodology (Subjective Clustering) to test for an indication that a few participants’ opinions (information) dominate the others’ when grouping customer needs using the consensus-based method (Affinity Diagram). Biased use of participants’ information may lead to clusters inaccurately representing customer needs, which this paper defines as “subjective bias.” Using both Affinity Diagram and Subjective Clustering, one can test and correct the subjective bias while maintaining strong buy-in of the clusters by the participants.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Neural stem cells induce bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to generate neural stem-like cells via juxtacrine and paracrine interactions

Several recent reports suggest that there is far more plasticity that previously believed in the developmental potential of bone-marrow-derived cells (BMCs) that can be induced by extracellular developmental signals of other lineages whose nature is still largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) co-cultured with mouse proliferating or fixed (by paraformaldehyde or methanol) neural stem cells (NSCs) generate neural stem cell-like cells with a higher expression of Sox-2 and nestin when grown in NS-A medium supplemented with N2, NSC conditioned medium (NSCcm) and bFGF. These neurally induced MSCs eventually differentiate into β-III-tubulin and GFAP expressing cells with neuronal and glial morphology when grown an additional week in Neurobasal/B27 without bFGF. We conclude that juxtacrine interaction between NSCs and MSCs combined with soluble factors released from NSCs are important for generation of neural-like cells from bone-marrow-derived adherent MSCs.
The electrolytic preparation of bioactive radioiodinated parathyroid hormone of high specific activity.

Abstract A technique for the preparation of microgram quantities of bovine parathyroid hormone (bPTH) labeled with carrier-free 125I to a specific activity of 1300 Ci/mmol is described. A restructured and simplified apparatus was used for electrolytic iodination, making it feasible to use reaction volumes of 100 to 200 ml. The miniaturized setup requires only a small platinum crucible connected via an agar-KCl salt bridge to a saturated KCl solution, a battery to drive the reaction, and a voltmeter to monitor the potential difference between the reference-saturated KCl solution (via a calomel electrode) and the platinum crucible. The [125I]-labeled bPTH elutes as a single species when chromatographed on a Biogel P-10 column equilibrated in 3 m guanidine HCl-2.3 m formic acid, and it retains full biologic activity when bioassayed in vivo. It is evident that bPTH labeled to a high specific activity with 125I does not suffer in regard to its biological potency.
NASCENT ENTREPRENEURS AND THE TRANSITION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP: WHY DO PEOPLE START NEW BUSINESSES?

What makes nascent entrepreneurs get their businesses up and running? We answer this by examining in a broad and unifying way: motivation and cognition, knowledge and experience and social support. We apply extensive multivariate analyses to a sample of 338 nascent entrepreneurs from the PSED database. Interestingly, most of our long-term (4½-year) model predictions of startup transition based on early antecedents are more accurate than the short-term ones — a practical strength of these models. Findings indicate that experienced, persistent, confident individuals, motivated mostly by non-financial outcomes, perceiving support from their social contacts and institutional environment, are likely to make the transition to a successful business.
Efficacy, Mistrust, and Political Mobilization: A Cross-National Analysis

Using data from the eight-nation Political Action opinion survey undertaken during the mid-1970s, this article tests the mistrustful-efficacious hypothesis outlined by William Gamson—the idea that a combination of high political efficacy and low political trust is the optimum combination for political mobilization. Several different versions of the hypothesis are tested and several different combinations of control variables are included in the analysis, but no matter how the hypothesis is tested, the results are consistently weak. The concluding discussion centers on the reasons for this poor performance and its implications.
Multi-objective optimization of microprocessor package vertical interconnects

The parameterization and optimization of multi-layered vertical interconnect structures can enable the successful electrical design of high-performance microprocessor packages as signaling rates and density are scaled aggressively. Improved bandwidth can also translate into lower cost through layer count reduction, smaller package size and use of standard materials. A framework built around rapid full-wave electromagnetic solution to enable parametrics and optimization is critical in order to achieve this objective. In this work, a full-wave solver based trade-off generation methodology is developed. This trade-off technique permits the exploration of return loss and crosstalk of realistic complex vertical interconnect structures. The parameterization routine includes arbitrarily placed non-uniform vertical vias, voids, and differential high-speed lines. Overall computation time is made tractable by the use of an accelerated full-wave solver engine. The hierarchical response surface based optimization approach [1] is built upon and expanded for simultaneous return loss and crosstalk optimization, respectively. Weighted sum and adaptive weighted sum methods are used to conduct multi-objective optimization and find the Pareto front. Optimized designs are found to have both significantly improved differential return loss and crosstalk characteristics over high-speed channel frequency bands of interest.
You Paid for the Skills, Now Keep Them: Tuition Reimbursement and Voluntary Turnover

Does investing in employees' marketable skills reduce turnover? This study uses insights from human capital theory to explain how general skill development and promotion relate to voluntary turnover. Data from 9,439 salaried employees of a large manufacturer show that participation in tuition reimbursement reduces turnover while employees are in school. Voluntary turnover increases when individuals earn graduate degrees but is significantly reduced if they are subsequently promoted.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Neurobiological Features and an Updated Model

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects approximately 2 % of the population and involves misperceived defects of appearance along with obsessive preoccupation and compulsive behaviors. There is evidence of neurobiological abnormalities associated with symptoms in BDD, although research to date is still limited. This review covers the latest neuropsychological, genetic, neurochemical, psychophysical, and neuroimaging studies, and synthesizes these findings into an updated (yet still preliminary) neurobiological model of the pathophysiology of BDD. We propose a model in which visual perceptual abnormalities, along with frontostriatal and limbic system dysfunction, may combine to contribute to the symptoms of impaired insight, obsessive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors expressed in BDD. Further research is necessary to gain a greater understanding of the etiology of BDD symptoms and their evolution over time.
Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in southwestern Lake Ontario following invasion of Dreissena and Echinogammarus: 1983 to 2000

AbstractBenthic macroinvertebrate communities were quantified at natural cobble and artificial reef sites in Lake Ontario in 1983 (7 y pre-Dreissena invasion) and in 1991 to 1992 and 1999 to 2000 (1–2 and 9–10 y post-Dreissena invasion, respectively). Overall, the cobble community had higher diversity and abundance than the reef community. In both communities, diversity and abundance of non-Dreissena taxa rose sharply between 1983 and 1991 to 1992 and declined to 1983 levels by 1999 to 2000. However, taxonomic composition (excluding Dreissena and the recent invader Echinogammarus ischnus) was consistent across study years. Between 1983 and 1999 to 2000, Stagnicola catascopium and Physella spp. increased in abundance, several taxa (Musculium partumeium, Bithynia tentaculata, Elimia livescens, Trichoptera, and Chironomidae) decreased in abundance, and changes in the abundance of many taxa were correlated with Dreissena abundance. Dreissena continued to make up >40% of total macroinvertebrate abundance at th...
Innovative approaches to student retention in the technologies

It is noted that the dropping out of a large percentage of entering freshmen in the technologies is an undesirable effect of the clashing between academic requirements and individual habits. Many students have habits and limitations that do not comport themselves to academia. The Electrical Technology Department of the College of Staten Island has devised a pilot retention program to improve retention through course work design aimed at correcting student deficiencies and improving their academic maturity by changing some of their habits, while retaining program quality. >
Robust speech recognition in Noisy Environments: The 2001 IBM spine evaluation system

We report on the system IBM fielded in the second SPeech In Noisy Environments (SPINE-2) evaluation, conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory in October 2001. The key components of the system include an HMM-based automatic segmentation module using a novel set of LDA-transformed voicing and energy features, a multiple-pass decoding strategy that uses several speaker-and environment-normalization operations to deal with the highly variable acoustics of the evaluation, the combination of hypotheses from decoders operating on three distinct acoustic feature sets, and a class-based language model that uses both the SPINE-1 and SPINE-2 training data to estimate reliable probabilities for the new SPINE-2 vocabulary.
Theory of Mosfet Operation in Small-Grain Polysilicon

The operation of a MOSFET transistor fabricated in undoped, small-grain polysilicon is considered, and a model is developed which can predict threshold and drain current as a function of gate voltage. A two-dimensional calculation is described for the band-bending under the influence of a gate potential with the assumption that the grain boundaries are repetitive and oriented at right angles to the gate-oxide/polysilicon interface. Both hole and electron traps are assumed present at the grain boundaries and are coincident in energy with the intrinsic Fermi level at room temperature. An energy barrier to the flow of carriers is present in the undoped polysilicon, and the magnitude of this energy barrier is dependent on the gate voltage. The band-bending occurs over much shorter distances than the intrinsic Debye length, and the trapped charge at the grain boundaries behaves very similarly to the charged impurities in a depletion model. The two-dimensional model can be approximated by a one-dimensional calculation for the band-bending by making the assumption that the trapped charge is uniformly distributed throughout the grain. The results of this calculation can be used to calculate the magnitude of the free carriers in the channel region. Using this information, the dependence of the potential barrier on gate voltage, and the gradual channel approximation for an FET, one can compute the drain current vs. gate voltage, and the results of these calculations are given for parameters used in fabricating actual devices. Finally, experimental results are compared with the model for typical transistors fabricated in undoped, small-grain polysilicon.
Image processing for a scanning acoustic microscope that measures amplitude and phase

Several image-processing techniques for a low-frequency (3 to 10 MHz) scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) that measures amplitude and phase are described. This microscope is capable of measuring both the amplitude and phase of the reflected and transmitted signals, in contrast with most earlier implementations that only measure the amplitude. By measuring phase, the authors can carry out quantitative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and image processing that cannot be done with amplitude or phase alone. The effective 2-D point spread function of the microscope is modified by spatial filtering of the digitized complex images. In various images, the transverse resolution is improved by about 20%, aberration of images of subsurface features is corrected, and surface features are numerically defocused. The last process is used to remove the obscuring effect of surface roughness from images of subsurface features. >
On the meaning of words and dinosaur bones: Lexical knowledge without a lexicon.

Although for many years a sharp distinction has been made in language research between rules and words—with primary interest on rules—this distinction is now blurred in many theories. If anything, the focus of attention has shifted in recent years in favor of words. Results from many different areas of language research suggest that the lexicon is representationally rich, that it is the source of much productive behavior, and that lexically specific information plays a critical and early role in the interpretation of grammatical structure. But how much information can or should be placed in the lexicon? This is the question I address here. I review a set of studies whose results indicate that event knowledge plays a significant role in early stages of sentence processing and structural analysis. This poses a conundrum for traditional views of the lexicon. Either the lexicon must be expanded to include factors that do not plausibly seem to belong there; or else virtually all information about word meaning is removed, leaving the lexicon impoverished. I suggest a third alternative, which provides a way to account for lexical knowledge without a mental lexicon.
Physicalism and sparse ontology

A major stumbling block for non-reductive physicalism is Kim’s disjunctive property objection. In this paper I bring certain issues in sparse ontology to bear on the objection, in particular the theses of priority monism and priority pluralism. Priority pluralism (or something close to it, anyway) is a common ontological background assumption, so in the first part of the paper I consider whether the disjunctive property objection applies with equal force to non-reductive physicalism on the assumption that priority monism is instead true. I ultimately conclude that non-reductive physicalism still faces a comparable problem. In the second part, I argue, surprisingly enough, that what I call ‘fine-grained reductionism’, a particular version of which Kim proposes as an alternative to non-reductive physicalism, may work better in the monist framework than the pluralist one. I conclude that issues in sparse ontology, therefore, are more relevant to the debate about physicalism than one may have thought.
Rotor end losses in multi-phase fractional-slot concentrated-winding permanent magnet synchronous machines

Fractional-slot concentrated-windings (FSCW) have been gaining a lot of interest in Permanent Magnet (PM) synchronous machines. This is due to the advantages they provide including shorter non-overlapping end turns, higher efficiency, higher power density, higher slot fill factor, lower manufacturing cost, better flux-weakening capability resulting in wider constant power vs. speed range, and fault-tolerance. This paper focuses on eddy current losses in the rotor clamping rings. Losses in the non-magnetic shaft with the option of i) metallic, ii) nonmetallic, and iii) metallic with shielding laminations clamping rings are analyzed. The study is based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Desirable slot/pole combinations for different number of phases with both single- and double-layer windings are investigated. Experimental results for a 3-phase 12slot/10pole design will be presented to confirm that the losses in the rotor clamping rings can be very significant in case of FSCW and should not be overlooked during the design phase.
The stability of localized solutions of Landau‐Lifshitz equations

We study the Landau-Lifshitz equation of ferromagnetism on R 2 , with an easy-axis anisotropy. We establish the existence of topologically nontrivial, periodic solutions, and show they are stable against equivariant perturbations. Along the way, we establish the global well-posedness of the Cauchy problem for a class of data with no size restriction.
Design of optimal zero-forcing precoders for MIMO channels via optimal full information control

This paper investigates, under the zero-forcing (ZF) condition, the design of optimal precoders which minimize the bit error rate (BER) for the multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) downlink communication channels. It is shown that the optimal full information control can be employed to design the optimal ZF precoder. The closed-form solutions are derived, and an efficient design algorithm is proposed. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the proposed design technique and to demonstrate the performance of the optimal precoders.
Peripheral CD103+ dendritic cells form a unified subset developmentally related to CD8α+ conventional dendritic cells

Although CD103-expressing dendritic cells (DCs) are widely present in nonlymphoid tissues, the transcription factors controlling their development and their relationship to other DC subsets remain unclear. Mice lacking the transcription factor Batf3 have a defect in the development of CD8α+ conventional DCs (cDCs) within lymphoid tissues. We demonstrate that Batf3−/− mice also lack CD103+CD11b− DCs in the lung, intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), dermis, and skin-draining lymph nodes. Notably, Batf3−/− mice displayed reduced priming of CD8 T cells after pulmonary Sendai virus infection, with increased pulmonary inflammation. In the MLNs and intestine, Batf3 deficiency resulted in the specific lack of CD103+CD11b− DCs, with the population of CD103+CD11b+ DCs remaining intact. Batf3−/− mice showed no evidence of spontaneous gastrointestinal inflammation and had a normal contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response, despite previous suggestions that CD103+ DCs were required for immune homeostasis in the gut and CHS. The relationship between CD8α+ cDCs and nonlymphoid CD103+ DCs implied by their shared dependence on Batf3 was further supported by similar patterns of gene expression and their shared developmental dependence on the transcription factor Irf8. These data provide evidence for a developmental relationship between lymphoid organ–resident CD8α+ cDCs and nonlymphoid CD103+ DCs.
Note---One-Dimensional Facility Location-Allocation using Dynamic Programming

A dynamic programming algorithm is presented to locate m variable facilities in relation to n existing facilities situated on one route. Each of the n existing facilities has a requirement flow which must be supplied by the variable facilities. The algorithm does the allocation simultaneously with the location. Computational experience indicates that relatively large problems may be solved optimally.
Reversible inactivation of pSTS suppresses social gaze following in the macaque (Macaca mulatta)

Humans and other primates shift their attention to follow the gaze of others [gaze following (GF)]. This behavior is a foundational component of joint attention, which is severely disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Both cortical and subcortical pathways have been implicated in GF, but their contributions remain largely untested. While the proposed subcortical pathway hinges crucially on the amygdala, the cortical pathway is thought to require perceptual processing by a region in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). To determine whether pSTS is necessary for typical GF behavior, we engaged rhesus macaques in a reward discrimination task confounded by leftward- and rightward-facing social distractors following saline or muscimol injections into left pSTS. We found that reversible inactivation of left pSTS with muscimol strongly suppressed GF, as assessed by reduced influence of observed gaze on target choices and saccadic reaction times. These findings demonstrate that activity in pSTS is required for normal GF by primates.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, disabling disorder that is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Previous or current cigarette smoking along with the age-related decline in lung function contribute to respiratory symptoms, especially breathlessness, which elderly patients may attribute to "old age" or "being out of shape." The diagnosis of COPD is established by pulmonary function testing. Any patient regardless of age should be encouraged to stop smoking cigarettes. The goals of bronchodilator therapy are to reduce respiratory symptoms and to improve functional capacity without causing adverse effects.
Quantized FIR filter design using compensating zeros

This article presents a design method for translating a finite impulse response (FIR) floating-point multiplierless filter design. Conventional wisdom dictates that finite word-length (i.e., quantization) effects can be minimized by dividing a filter into smaller, cascaded sections. In this design method, it is shown how to quantize the cascaded sections so that the finite word-length effects in one section are guaranteed to compensate for the finite word-length effects in the other section. This simple method called, "compensating zeros," ensures that: (1) the quantized filter's frequency response closely matches the unquantized filter's frequency response (in both magnitude and phase); and (2) the required hardware remains small and fast.
Factors Affecting Physicians Early Retirement Intentions: Implications For Healthcare Delivery

Several authors have postulated that changes in the healthcare system, such as the growth in managed care, decreasing reimbursement, and the movement toward more integrated healthcare systems, perceived negatively by mature physicians, may contribute to their early retirement. This, in turn, may produce adverse effects on the availability of medical care. This study explores this and other related issues through analysis of data obtained from a survey of nearly four thousand physicians regarding factors potentially relevant to their early retirement decision. While managed care is perceived to be an important factor in the early retirement decision of physicians, it does not necessarily lead to earlier retirement. Physicians rank financial and personal factors as more important in their retirement decision. Several of these factors significantly impact their expected early retirement age. The results have several important implications for healthcare delivery relating to the retention or early retirement of effective practicing physicians, succession planning, and seamless generation of income.
Distributed Adaptive Output Feedback Control Design and Application to a Formation Flight Experiment

An approach for augmenting existing distributed controller designs for large-scale interconnected systems with neural network based adaptive elements is proposed. It is assumed that the controllers are interconnected in the same way as the plant and based on the available measurements, a single hidden layer neural network is introduced for each subsystem to partially cancel the effects of the sub-system interconnections and modeling errors on tracking performance. Boundedness of error signals is shown through Lyapunov’s direct method. Effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on a wind tunnel experiment representing aerial vehicles flying in a highly aerodynamically coupled formation.
The Pre-Industrial Revolution in America: A Field for Local Research

It was the topography of a trout stream which first set my thoughts in the direction of local business history, and then led to broader fields of research. Mill ponds and crumbling masonry are more or less traditional parts of the New England landscape. I should be willing to pass them over with the customary casual notice, were it not that increasing familiarity with some of Massachusetts' “backwoods” country began to reveal what looked like a remarkable pattern of local development. There was a positively idyllic stage of research when, with fly rod in hand, I examined the dams and sluiceways on half a dozen local streams, and pondered the archeological evidences of antique industry. Many questions came to mind. Too early for a place in the Industrial Revolution, too numerous to fit neatly into the colonial-agrarian pattern — what system of economy did these ruins represent ? Might they not stand apart, a system of their own, drawing from the earlier and nourishing the later? The phase of inquiry succeeding superficial curiosity led to local libraries and county records. It seemed wise to concentrate initial research efforts in one area, and on one representative watercourse.
Soil Loss and Silage Yield for Three Tillage Management Systems

Corn (Zea mays L.) for silage is commonly grown in the southeastern USA in fields with rolling topography where rows often run up and down slope, promoting surface water runoff and soil erosion. The objective of this study was to assess one conventional and two nonconventional tillage-management systems on silage yield, water runoff, and soil loss on sloping fields in the Piedmont of the southern USA. The study was conducted on an Appling sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludults) on a 4% slope with 12% clay and 66% sand in the Ap horizon (...)
Case 3: Bilateral Facial Edema with Gingival Swelling in a 6-year-old Boy

1. Shawn Rowles, MD* 2. Rani Kharrubi, MD* 3. Alan Ikeda, MD* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV. A previously healthy 6-year-old boy presents to the emergency department (ED) with new swelling of the left side of his face and left eyelids as well as increasing pain around the right upper molars for 7 days. He has no history of fever, loss of appetite, or change in weight. He was hospitalized for similar complaints 3 days ago, when he developed right-sided jaw pain and facial swelling. Laboratory evaluation during hospitalization revealed a normal complete blood cell (CBC) count, basic metabolic panel (BMP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the face showed inflammatory sinus disease and a fluid collection around the right upper molar concerning for odontogenic infection. He was treated with intravenous clindamycin and experienced mild improvement of the facial swelling. He was discharged home after 48 hours with follow-up scheduled with ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and dentistry. While at home, the swelling worsened, progressing to both sides of his face and accompanied by increasing pain, which prompted his return to the ED. Physical examination documents a temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F), heart rate of 89 beats/min, respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min, and blood pressure of 114/60 mm Hg. His weight is 19.9 kg (25th percentile) and height is 119 cm (50th percentile). His facial swelling now involves both sides of the jaw. A 2-cm purple gingival mass with some erythema protrudes over the right upper molar. The mass is soft, friable, and bleeds easily with manipulation. He …
The impact of expanding flooded land area on the annual evaporation of rice

Abstract The amount of published data on annual evaporation on rice remains extremely limited despite the role of rice as a key food source. We report on six years of rice evaporation measurements, based on the eddy covariance method. This rice was cultivated in the hot dry climate of California, where water is a scarce and precious resource. During the first year, we found that rice evaporation exceeded potential evaporation rates and summed to 1155 mm y−1. In following years, we found that annual evaporation decreased yearly, yielding a 15% reduction (to 982 mm y−1) by the sixth year. The remainder of the paper examined the how and why of this unexpected decreasing trend in annual evaporation occurred. We inspected trends in variations in biophysical variables (net radiation, temperature, leaf area index) associated with evaporation and potential biases in the flux measurements using energy balance closure and co-spectral analysis. None of the biophysical variables varied enough to explain this observation. What did change was the area of rice, and nearby flooded wetlands. During the first year, the flooded rice field was less than 1 km2 in area and was relatively isolated. This situation promoted an ‘oasis effect’ that enabled warm dry air to be entrained from across the top of the planetary boundary layer; this contention was supported by the co-spectral analysis and analysis with a coupled surface energy balance-planetary boundary layer model. By the sixth year of this project, the area of flooded rice and wetlands approached 6 km2, a horizontal scale that seemed to inhibit the ‘oasis effect’. We conclude that the amount of water used, on an area basis, by wetland restoration projects will depend upon the spatial extent of these projects.
Comparison of different regimens of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog during ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization.

Three treatment protocols were used in 156 in vitro fertilization cycles. Leuprolide acetate was begun on day 1 of the cycle in one group (n=20), on day 3 in another (n=48), and the third control group (n=88) did not receive the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog. Human menopausal gonadotropin was initiated on day 3 in all groups. Peak estradiol (E 2 ) levels and the mean numbers of mature oocytes and embryos transferred per cycle were significantly greater in the day 3 group than in either the day 1 or control groups. Patients who received the day 3 protocol had significantly fewer cancelled cycles. A decline in E 2 was observed on the third day of analog administration in certain patients, particularly those on the day 1 protocol. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increased two- to fivefold 24hours after initiation of the analog. Thereafter the gonadotropin levels fell, but nevertheless remained above those of controls for most of the cycle. Hence, it appears that enhanced follicular growth attributed to the early transient rises in gonadotropins can be coupled to a suppression of endogenous LH surges in leuprolide-treated women. These beneficial effects seem to be more likely to occur if leuprolide is initiated on cycle day 3 rather than day 1.
Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Bacterial Clearance and Preserve Bioprosthetic Integrity in a Model of Mesh Infection

Background: The reported incidence of mesh infection in contaminated operative fields is as high as 30% regardless of the material used. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to possess favorable immunomodulatory properties and improve tissue incorporation when seeded onto bioprosthetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether seeding noncrosslinked bovine pericardium (Veritas Collagen Matrix) with allogeneic bone marrow–derived MSCs improves infection resistance in vivo after inoculation with Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Coronary artery stenoses: Relationship between angiographic severity and impact on mean diastolic pressure gradient

Coronary angiography provides important anatomic information about coronary artery stenoses. However, it is unclear whether specific assumptions about hemodynamic impact can be made from the angiogram. We therefore studied the relationship between angiographic severity of coronary stenoses and the mean diastolic pressure gradient measured directly at coronary bypass operation. We studied 29 stenoses selected because they were the only lesions in a given vessel, they were well seen in two angiographic views, and there was no change in clinical status of the patient between angiographic and surgical procedures. Fourteen stenoses were in the left anterior descending artery, nine were in the right coronary artery, and six were in the left circumflex artery. Correlation between mean diastolic gradient and percent stenosis was good (r = 0.78, p = 0.001) and especially so for lesions in the left anterior descending artery (r = 0.84, p = 0.001). Lesions over 90% had a wide range of gradients, while lesions less than 90% tended to have more predictable gradients. Collaterals invariably identified vessels with stenoses causing major pressure gradients. History of myocardial infarction was associated with major gradients in supplying vessels. Length of stenosis was not an important influence on gradient over a stenosis. We conclude that in some defined instances, generalizations about hemodynamic (and presumed functional) impact of stenoses can be made from the angiographic assessment, but precise assumptions are not possible.
Bank Runs, Fire Sales, and Equity Injections

I present a general equilibrium model of banking crises. During a crisis, depositors fly to liquidity and away from deposits in anticipation of future runs on some banks in the economy. A crisis is also associated with fire sales at an endogenously determined asset price. Crises can arise from either panics or fundamentals.I use the model to study bailouts ― in the form of equity injections into banks ― during financial crises. Large equity injections that fully recapitalize banks eliminate crises. However, smaller equity injections amplify the flight to liquidity and reduce welfare.
Properties of atmospheric pressure plasmas in packed bed reactors

Atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) sustained in packed bed reactors (PBRs) are being investigated for remediation of toxic gases, CO2 removal and conversion of waste gases into higher value compounds. Though investigated extensively in experiments, few computational studies of PBRs have been performed to date [1]. For applications involving chemical reprocessing which require a high degree of reactant selectivity, the ability to control plasma properties is particularly important. In this paper, we report on the results of a computational investigation of PBR-DBD properties using the multi-fluid plasma hydrodynamics simulator nonPDPSIM [2].
The Power of Authenticity

Occupational therapy practitioners can embrace the distinct value of occupational therapy by harnessing the power of authenticity in our daily practice. Practitioners, educators, students, and researchers being true to our core values, as well as the historical roots of the profession, will demonstrate how occupational therapy enhances clients' quality of life and positively affects their everyday lives. By harnessing the power of authenticity, we can drive the profession of occupational therapy into the future as practitioners with influence to meet the dynamic needs of health care and education systems.
Pricing-based service and network selection in overlaid access networks

Nowadays, wireless service providers are using a mix of access technologies to cater to the wide variety of services having varied QoS requirements. Users, on the other hand, use multi-mode terminals to connect to the networks that are operated by competing service providers. In near-future, users will select the providers on a session-by-session basis based on the price offered and the QoS assurance. In such a market-based scenario, pricing will become an effective tool that regulates the demands of the users and controls the revenue of the providers. In this paper, we study how service providers use their overlaid heterogeneous networks to provide services to the end users. We propose a decision making process for network selection from the service provider's point of view. We conduct a case study where a wireless service provider provides coverage through two different access technologies - CDMA/HDR and Wi-Fi. We focus on performance issues from both providers' and users' perspective. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed network selection policy maximizes the net utilities for both users and service providers.
Loss of Fractalkine Signaling Exacerbates Axon Transport Dysfunction in a Chronic Model of Glaucoma

Neurodegeneration in glaucoma results in decline and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and is associated with activation of myeloid cells such as microglia and macrophages. The chemokine fractalkine (FKN or Cx3cl1) mediates communication from neurons to myeloid cells. Signaling through its receptor Cx3cr1 has been implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, but the effects on neuronal pathology are variable. Since it is unknown how FKN-mediated crosstalk influences RGC degeneration in glaucoma, we assessed this in a chronic mouse model, DBA/2J. We analyzed a DBA/2J substrain deficient in Cx3cr1, and compared compartmentalized RGC degeneration and myeloid cell responses to those in standard DBA/2J mice. We found that loss of FKN signaling exacerbates axon transport dysfunction, an early event in neurodegeneration, with a significant increase in RGCs with somal accumulation of the axonal protein phosphorylated neurofilament, and reduced retinal expression of genes involved in axon transport, Kif1b and Atp8a2. There was no change in the loss of Brn3-positive RGCs, and no difference in the extent of damage to the proximal optic nerve, suggesting that the loss of fractalkine signaling primarily affects axon transport. Since Cx3cr1 is specifically expressed in myeloid cells, we assessed changes in retinal microglial number and activation, changes in gene expression, and the extent of macrophage infiltration. We found that loss of fractalkine signaling led to innate immune changes within the retina, including increased infiltration of peripheral macrophages and upregulated nitric oxide synthase-2 (Nos-2) expression in myeloid cells, which contributes to the production of NO and can promote axon transport deficits. In contrast, resident retinal microglia appeared unchanged either in number, morphology, or expression of the myeloid activation marker ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1). There was also no significant increase in the proinflammatory gene interleukin 1 beta (Il1β). We conclude that loss of fractalkine signaling causes a selective worsening of axon transport dysfunction in RGCs, which is linked to enhanced Nos-2 expression in myeloid cells. Our findings suggest that distinct mechanisms may contribute to different aspects of RGC decline in glaucoma, with axonal transport selectively altered after loss of Cx3cr1 in microglia and/or macrophages.
50-P : THE FREQUENCY OF DE NOVO DONOR HLA SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES (DSA) AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH HISTOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND C4d IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN TRANSPLANT LIVER BIOPSIES

Aim In this study we aimed to estimate the frequency of post-liver transplant development of de novo HLA donor specific antibodies (dDSA) and to compare the incidence of histological findings commonly evaluated and C4d immunoreactivity in transplant liver biopsies with and without dDSA. Methods We retrospectively investigated liver allograft recipients transplanted at our institute between 2008-2012. HLA antibody testing was performed using Luminex single antigen beads. Separate liver core tissue biopsies were processed for C4d immunofluorescent staining. The incidence of C4d immunoreactivity, acute cellular rejection (ACR), recurrent chronic HCV hepatitis (Chr Hep) and central fibrosis (Cent Fib) were recorded for each biopsy for these cases. T & B cell flow crossmatch and pre-transplant DSA (pDSA) results were also compared between the 2 groups. Findings from multiple biopsies and DSA results from multiple post-transplant time points from the same patient were considered cumulatively. Results 35 liver transplant recipients had stored pre and post-transplant serum samples available for HLA antibody testing. Five patients developed dDSA (14%). The distribution of histological findings, C4d immunoreactivity, positive T & /or B cell flow crossmacth and pDSA in patients with (n=5) and without (n=30) dDSA is shown in the following:[ Table 1 ] Conclusions With limited number of study subjects, possible selection bias and the retrospective nature of the study, our results suggest that development of dDSA post-liver transplant is not uncommon. However, there is no evidence of increased incidence of ACR, Chr Hep, Cent Fib, or C4d immunoreactivity in patients who developed dDSA.
Development of Support Systems for Capturing and Reducing the Hand-Arm-Stress

The human is permanently confronted with different stress factors, for example during an assembly process. In this case an extreme body postures with a high force transmission can be injurious the health. Additionally a high stress on the hand can cause pain and lead to the so-called rhizarthrose. The stress factors can be captured and reduced by using support systems. This work concentrates on the development of support systems for capturing and reducing the stress on the hand-arm-joints. The developing starts with a research on sensors and support systems which have already been applied for the upper body and for manual work. Subsequently first systems are being developed systematically and demonstrated on a process example. The results show the objective capture and reduction of the hand-arm-stress.
Experiment 1: Assessing Weight Loss—Reality Versus Fiction

Assessing weight loss of dieters is a good place to start to demonstrate both the utility of and need for personal computing tools in managing personal health.