cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scanning surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of chemical agent simulants on templated Au-Ag nanowire substrates

We report the results of scanning micro-Raman spectroscopy obtained on Au-Ag nanowires for a variety of chemical warfare agent simulants. Rough silver segments embedded in gold nanowires showed enhancement of 105 - 107 and allowed unique identification of 3 of 4 chemical agent simulants tested. These results suggest a promising method for detection of compounds significant for security applications, leading to sensors that are compact and selective.
Essential boundary condition enforcement in meshless methods: boundary flux collocation method

Element-free Galerkin (EFG) methods are based on a moving least-squares (MLS) approximation, which has the property that shape functions do not satisfy the Kronecker delta function at nodal locations, and for this reason imposition of essential boundary conditions is difficult. In this paper, the relationship between corrected collocation and Lagrange multiplier method is revealed, and a new strategy that is accurate and very simple for enforcement of essential boundary conditions is presented. The accuracy and implementation of this new technique is illustrated for one-dimensional elasticity and two-dimensional potential field problems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current densities in an illuminated perfectly-conducting sheet

When electromagnetic radiation illuminates a perfectly-conducting metal, it induces a current density on its surface. We consider a thin perfectly-conducting sheet, possibly finite in extent and possibly with apertures in it, so that incident radiation will induce a current density at both sides of the material. The sheet current density is the sum of the current densities at both sides, and this effective current density generates the scattered field. We show that when this sheet current density is known, its splitting in surface current densities at both sides of the sheet is unique, and determined by the incident field in a simple way. A set of two coupled equations for this sheet current density is derived, which holds for any spatial structure of the incident field. This approach to scattering by a sheet is illustrated by considering a plane wave incident on a mirror and on the Sommerfeld half-plane.
Trastuzumab Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to EGFR-targeted Therapeutics

Early studies have demonstrated comparable levels of HER2/ErbB2 expression in both breast and ovarian cancer. Trastuzumab (Herceptin), a therapeutic monoclonal antibody directed against HER2, is FDA-approved for the treatment of both early and late stage breast cancer. However, clinical studies of trastuzumab in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients have not met the same level of success. Surprisingly, however, no reports have examined either the basis for primary trastuzumab resistance in ovarian cancer or potential ways of salvaging trastuzumab as a potential ovarian cancer therapeutic. An in vitro model of primary trastuzumab-resistant ovarian cancer was created by long-term culture of HER2-positive ovarian carcinoma-derived cell lines with trastuzumab. Trastuzumab treated vs. untreated parental cells were compared for HER receptor expression, trastuzumab sensitivity, and sensitivity to other HER-targeted therapeutics. In contrast to widely held assumptions, here we show that ovarian cancer cells that are not growth inhibited by trastuzumab are still responsive to trastuzumab. Specifically, we show that responsiveness to alternative HER-targeted inhibitors, such as gefitinib and cetuximab, is dramatically potentiated by long-term trastuzumab treatment of ovarian cancer cells. HER2-positive ovarian carcinoma-derived cells are, therefore, not "unresponsive" to trastuzumab as previously assumed, even when they not growth inhibited by this drug. Given the recent success of EGFR-targeted therapeutics for the treatment of other solid tumors, and the well-established safety profile of trastuzumab, results presented here provide a rationale for re-evaluation of trastuzumab as an experimental ovarian cancer therapeutic, either in concert with, or perhaps as a "primer" for EGFR-targeted therapeutics.
Export by red blood cells of nitric oxide bioactivity.

Previous studies support a model in which the physiological O2 gradient is transduced by haemoglobin into the coordinate release from red blood cells of O2 and nitric oxide (NO)-derived vasoactivity to optimize oxygen delivery in the arterial periphery1,2. But whereas both O2 and NO diffuse into red blood cells, only O2 can diffuse out3,4,5. Thus, for the dilation of blood vessels by red blood cells, there must be a mechanism to export NO-related vasoactivity, and current models of NO-mediated intercellular communication should be revised. Here we show that in human erythrocytes haemoglobin-derived S-nitrosothiol (SNO), generated from imported NO, is associated predominantly with the red blood cell membrane, and principally with cysteine residues in the haemoglobin-binding cytoplasmic domain of the anion exchanger AE1. Interaction with AE1 promotes the deoxygenated structure in SNO–haemoglobin, which subserves NO group transfer to the membrane. Furthermore, we show that vasodilatory activity is released from this membrane precinct by deoxygenation. Thus, the oxygen-regulated cellular mechanism that couples the synthesis and export of haemoglobin-derived NO bioactivity operates, at least in part, through formation of AE1–SNO at the membrane–cytosol interface.
Comparative study of Li(Ni0.5-xMn0.5-xM2x')O2 (M' = Mg, Al, Co, Ni, Ti; x = 0, 0.025) cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries

Abstract We have investigated the effect of dopants on the electrochemical and thermal properties of layered Li(Ni0.5−xMn0.5−xM2x′) materials (M′=Mg, Al, Co, Ni, Ti; x=0, 0.025 ) that were prepared using a manganese–nickel hydroxide precursor. Li(Ni0.5Mn0.5)O2 exhibited discharge capacities of ca. 120 and 150 mAh/g at 2.8–4.3 and 2.8–4.6 V, respectively, with slight capacity fades; the addition of 5 mol% Al, Co, Ni, and Ti increased discharge capacity by 10–30% and improved capacity retention. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data suggested that Ni and Mn exist as Ni2+ and Mn4+ so that only Ni is electrochemically active in the layered structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data showed that exothermic reactions of Liy(Ni0.5−xMn0.5−xM2x′)O2 charged to 4.3 V versus Li started at higher temperatures (270–290 °C) than LiNiO2-based cathode materials (e.g. 200 °C for LiNi0.8Co0.2O2), which indicates that the thermal stability of Li(Ni0.5−xMn0.5−xM2x′) is superior to that of LiNiO2-based cathode materials.
Paraphrase Identification with Lexico-Syntactic Graph Subsumption.

The paper presents a new approach to the problem of paraphrase identification. The new approach extends a previously proposed method for the task of textual entailment. The relationship between paraphrases and entailment is discussed to theoretically justify the new approach. The proposed approach is useful because it uses relatively few resources compared to similar systems yet it produces results similar or better than other approaches to paraphrase identification. The approach also offers significantly better results than two baselines. We report results on a standard data set as well as on a new, balanced data set.
Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Thick Copper-304 Stainless Steel Multilayers

Thick (10 to 25 µm), free-standing, equal layer thickness, Copper(Cu)-304 Stainless Steel(SS) multilayer foils, having periods of 1nm to 100 nm, synthesized by magnetron sputter deposition, have been examined by plan view and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Multilayer growth morphology, individual layer structure and crystallographic phase orientation relationships were characterized in this study. Electron Energy Loss filtered imaging of a 20 nm period multilayer cross-section was also performed and showed that nickel had diffused into the Cu layers from the SS during synthesis. X-ray powder diffraction scans were performed and analyzed. A pure deposit of 304SS was synthesized and had a metastable BCC structure. Multilayer samples having periods of 20 nm were found to have a coherent layered Cu(FCC)- SS(FCC) structure. At larger periods (50 & 100 nm) a bimodal Cu(FCC)-SS(FCC & BCC) structure was formed. These observations show that the 304SS will grow with a metastable BCC structure when sputter deposited. When layered with Cu(FCC) the 304SS has its equilibrium FCC structure at layer thicknesses up to 10nm as a result of epitaxy with the copper. At larger SS layer thicknesses the SS appears to locally transform to the metastable BCC structure during synthesis, refining the grain structure of the depositing SS layer and the subsequent Cu layer. This transformation significantly increases the strength of the larger period multilayer.
Fluorescent detection techniques for real-time multiplex strand specific detection of Bacillus anthracis using rapid PCR

Speed is a key area in our development of PCR assays for Bacillus anthracis. We believe that the strand specific detection of amplicons within 10 min is a realistic goal and that this will be achieved through fluorescent in-tube assays. We have used the Idaho LightCycler to study and develop candidate assays for B. anthracis. New strand specific fluorescent methods have been developed and a number of formats have been studied for speed and sensitivity. Internal controls have been developed as a method of improving our assay confidence. In this communication we will introduce the field of rapid PCR whilst discussing previous work in the areas described above, the development of our own rapid assay and a novel internal control system for B. anthracis. This work used PCR assays and hardware that are either commercially available, or have been previously described in open literature publications.
The Great Migration Gets Underway: A Comparison of Black Southern Migrants and Nonmigrants in the North, 1920

Objective. This article examines the characteristics of black southern migrants in the North near the beginning of the Great Migration and compares them with northern-born African Americans. Methods. Data from the newly available 1920 Integrated Public Use Microdata Series file are used to conduct ordinary least squares regression and binary logistic regression analyses that compare migrants and native northerners on: residential characteristics, economic activity, and family patterns. Results. On the one hand, southern migrants, males and females alike, were more likely to report gainful occupations than native northerners. On the other hand, migrants experienced denser housing conditions and held lower-status jobs than indigenous northerners. No significant differences in home ownership or family patterns were found. Even the statistically significant differences between migrants and northern-born blacks were quite modest. A supplemental “generational analysis” suggests that the relatively minor disadvantages experienced by migrants in 1920 were probably due to a temporary period of adaptation and dislocation resulting from their geographic mobility. Conclusions. When combined with evidence from later stages in the Great Migration, these findings indicate that black southern migrants fared quite well in the North, relative to native northerners. Thus, the generally negative descriptions of migrants by contemporary observers, and some later researchers, should be viewed skeptically.
Validation of land-surface temperature retrieval from space

The authors developed an integrated field TIR (thermal infrared) measurement system and methodology for validating land-surface temperature (LST) algorithms prepared for generating the EOS (Earth Observing System) MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) LST product. The system has been used for measurements of spectral TIR BRDF (bidirectional reflectance distribution function)/emissivity and surface temperature of terrestrial materials in laboratory and field campaigns. The authors' validation results indicate that it is possible to validate LST within 1/spl deg/K in favorable atmospheric and surface conditions.
Promoting parent use of empirically supported reading interventions: Two experimental investigations of child outcomes

Two experimental investigations of the effects of parent delivered reading interventions were conducted. Tutoring packages consisting of empirically supported intervention components were delivered by parents for at least several weeks after initial parent training. Both experiments used single-case experimental designs and measured participants’ oral reading fluency in passages. Experiment 1 used a multiple-probe design across tasks (passages) to evaluate tutoring effects for two students with learning disabilities. Results indicate that both students increased their reading fluency and maintained those increases over time. Experiment 2 used a brief experimental analysis that included both experimenter and parent delivered instructional trials to validate the treatment package. Next, the treatment package was evaluated using an alternating treatments design. Results were uniformly positive. An interesting but not surprising correlation was also found between treatment integrity and student outcomes. Results are discussed in terms of the framework and skills that behavior analysts have for working with parents and schools to improve their children’s academic responding.
PLANT ACIDS MODULATE CHEMOSENSORY RESPONSES IN MANDUCA SEXTA LARVAE

.The effects of three plant acids on the gustatory response of Manduca sexta larvae were examined. Two different categories of response were recorded in the styloconic sensilla of different individuals in the presence of salt: the gustatory response to salt was reduced especially at the lower pHs; the deterrent cell fired particularly at the lower pHs. In some individuals neither response was seen except at the lowest pHs. Additional experiments indicated that the effect was due to pH and not to specific effects of any of the acids. Ascorbic acid was tested with the nutrient carbohydrates glucose and inositol, and was found consistently to reduce the gustatory responses to these compounds. The data indicate that plant acids at natural concentrations could influence food acceptability.
Mechanical Characteristics of Rat Vibrissae: Resonant Frequencies and Damping in Isolated Whiskers and in the Awake Behaving Animal

We investigated the natural resonance properties and damping characteristics of rat macrovibrissae (whiskers). Isolated whiskers rigidly fixed at the base showed first-mode resonance peaks between 27 and 260 Hz, principally depending on whisker length. These experimentally measured resonant frequencies were matched using a theoretical model of the whisker as a conical cantilever beam, with Young's modulus as the only free parameter. The best estimate for Young's modulus was approximately 3-4 GPa. Results of both vibration and impulse experiments showed that the whiskers are strongly damped, with damping ratios between 0.11 and 0.17. In the behaving animal, whiskers that deflected past an object were observed to resonate but were damped significantly more than isolated whiskers. The time course of damping varied depending on the individual whisker and the phase of the whisking cycle, which suggests that the rat may modulate biomechanical parameters that affect damping. No resonances were observed for whiskers that did not contact the object or during free whisking in air. Finally, whiskers on the same side of the face were sometimes observed to move in opposite directions over the full duration of a whisk. We discuss the potential roles of resonance during natural exploratory behavior and specifically suggest that resonant oscillations may be important in the rat's tactile detection of object boundaries.
Quality Quandaries: Studying Input-Output Relationships, Part II∗

In this column we demonstrate with a simulated example the problem of spurious regression for autocorrelated data. This is another problem quality engineers may encounter when investigating possible input-output relationships. For example, suppose the process is an industrial furnace and we want to see if there is a possible relationship between an input variable xt, such as fuel rate at a given time t, and the temperature yt in the furnace.
A Revised Force–Restore Model for Land Surface Modeling

Abstract To clarify the definition of the equation for the temperature toward which the soil skin temperature is restored, the prediction equations in the commonly used force–restore model for soil temperature are rederived from the heat conduction equation. The derivation led to a deep-layer temperature, commonly denoted T2, that is defined as the soil temperature at depth πd plus a transient term, where d is the e-folding damping depth of soil temperature diurnal oscillations. The corresponding prediction equation for T2 has the same form as the commonly used one except for an additional term involving the lapse rate of the “seasonal mean” soil temperature and the damping depth d. A term involving the same also appears in the skin temperature prediction equation, which also includes a transient term. In the literature, T2 was initially defined as the short-term (over several days) mean of the skin temperature, but in practice it is often used as the deep-layer temperature. Such inconsistent use can lead...
Brief instrumental school-based mentoring for middle school students: theory and impact

AbstractThis study evaluated the efficacy of an intentionally brief school-based mentoring program. This academic goal-focused mentoring program was developed through a series of iterative randomized controlled trials, and is informed by research in social cognitive theory, cognitive dissonance theory, motivational interviewing, and research in academic enablers. In previous research, the program was found to produce effects on students’ math grades, life satisfaction, and disruptive behavior. In the current study, a revised version of the program was tested in a randomized controlled trial, wherein 72 middle school students were randomly assigned to receive an eight-week mentoring curriculum, or to a no-treatment control. Following the treatment, middle school students who participated in the mentoring curriculum had statistically significantly higher math grades (d = .42), English grades (d = .59), life satisfaction (d = .49), and .82 fewer absences. Small, but not statistically significant effects were...
Relation of Kinesthetic Perception to a Selected Motor Skill for Elementary School Children

Abstract The purposes of this study were (a) to determine whether or not selected measures of kinesthesis, involving arm positioning, were related to measures of accuracy in ball rolling, and (b) to discover whether or not there were any differences between elementary school boys and girls in kinesthetic measures and in ball rolling ability measures. Forty-seven first and second grade boys and girls were tested on four arm positioning measures and two ball rolling measures. The results of the study indicated that: (a) there is no significant relationship between ball rolling and positional measures of kinesthesis; (b) there are no real differences between boys and girls in their ability to accurately repeat positional measures of kinesthesis; and (c) boys are significantly superior to girls in their ability to manipulate accurately large and small balls, as measured by the tests used in this study.
Intravenous Beta-Blockers for Cardioprotection in STEMI: The Saga Continues.

The quest to identify therapeutic strategies for cardioprotection in the setting of reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been long and arduous. Despite solid mechanistic hypotheses and favorable results on infarct size in animal models, translation to humans has been
MYOPIA FOR THE FUTURE OR HYPERSENSITIVITY TO REWARD? AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN DECISION-MAKING ON THE IOWA GAMBLING TASK

It has been shown that older adults perform less well than younger adults on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a real-world type decision-making task that factors together reward, punishment, and uncertainty. To explore the reasons behind this age-related decrement, we administered to an adult life span sample of 265 healthy participants (Mdn age = 62.00 +/- 16.17 years; range [23-88]) 2 versions of the IGT, which have different contingencies for successful performance: A'B'C'D' requires choosing lower immediate reward (paired with lower delayed punishment); E'F'G'H' requires choosing higher immediate punishment (paired with higher delayed reward). There was a significant negative correlation between age and performance on the A'B'C'D' version of the IGT (r = -.16, p = .01), while there was essentially no correlation between age and performance on the E'F'G'H' version (r = -.07, p = .24). In addition, the rate of impaired performance in older participants was significantly higher for the A'B'C'D' version (23%) compared with the E'F'G'H' version (13%). A parsimonious account of these findings is an age-related increase in hypersensitivity to reward, whereby the decisions of older adults are disproportionately influenced by prospects of receiving reward, irrespective of the presence or degree of punishment.
Dengue Virus-1 Infection Did Not Alter the Behavioral Response of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) to DEET

No licensed vaccine or antiviral drug against dengue virus (DENV) is available; therefore, most of the effort to prevent this disease is focused on reducing vector-host interactions. One of the most widely accepted methods of blocking vector-human contact is to use insect repellents to interfere with mosquito host-seeking behavior. Some arboviruses can replicate in the nervous system of the vector, raising the concern that arboviral infection may alter the insect behavioral response toward chemical stimuli. Three different Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquito cohorts: DENV-1-injected, diluent-injected, and uninjected were subjected to behavioral tests using a high-throughput screening system with 2.5% DEET and 0.14% DEET on 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, and 17 d postinjection. All test cohorts exhibited significant contact irritant or escape responses when they were exposed to 2.5% or 0.14% DEET. However, we found no biologically relevant irritancy response change in DENV-1-infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes when they were exposed to DEET. Further studies evaluating the effects of other arboviral infections on insect repellents activity are necessary in order to provide better recommendation on the prevention of vector-borne disease transmission.
Weather's Effect on the Sales of a Department Store:

ARECENT study1 was made of the effect of daily weather on the daily total store sales and the daily sales of three departments of Younker Bros., Inc., Des Moines, Iowa. The period covered in the study was the seven weeks before Easter, I940-48 inclusive. In this article only the relationship between the weather and the total sales of the store will be discussed. Many studies have been made of the effects of weather on various kinds of business activity in recent years. Studies have been made of weather's effect on gas consumption, electrical consumption, agricultural production, electrical power failures, etc. But little has been done on the subject of weather's effects on the retail sale of merchandise. Weather affects gas consumption mainly through the effect of temperature on people. In cities in which gas is used for household heating the relation between temperature and gas consumption is rather obvious. The relation between gas consumption and humidity and wind velocity is not so apparent but there probably is one. With respect to electrical consumption, cloudiness as well as other weather elements affect consumption. When the sky is overcast and the clouds are thick people will turn on their lights. Agricultural production is affected by many weather elements, but the time and amount of precipitation are probably the most important to most crops.
A Note on Sadomasochism in the Review Process: I hate when that Happens:

This article describes an apparent sadomasochism in the review process for journals of marketing and consumer research. It provides vignettes representing both the author's and the reviewer's persp...
Towards an Epoch of Great Changes of Science Studies

The visualization of international Science Studies and Scientometrics shows that the changing Nano Science and Technology, Bioscience and Technology, theories of interdisciplinary science and discovery are becoming the focus and hot-topics of Science Studies in the new century, which indicates that Science Studies are entering into a greatly changing epoch. The visualization of the quickly growing up e-science shows that the e-science and scientific workflow, based on web technology, are arousing the deep change of current scientific research, which is also the requirement of the greatly changing epoch of Science Studies. The project of CDI of NSF created a new concept which is called Cyber-Enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI) and created pattern of discovery and innovation based on computational thinking. Under this background and leading by a Changjiang Scholar, a group of Science Studies investigated on the multidisciplinary and cross-national studies of changing features of CDI and acquired elementary results on investigating on interpretative and computational theories of scientific discovery.
AIDS surveillance and analysis among drug users in Gansu province of China from 2009to 2012

Objective To analyze the AIDS surveillance data collected from drug users in Gansu province of China from 2009to 2012and evaluate the effects of multiple preventive measures.Methods Continuous AIDS surveillance data among drug users were collected from 2009to 2012and analyzed using SPSS 13.0soft- ware.Results The awareness rate to AIDS-related knowledge improved from 76.3%to 85.9%from 2009to 2012.Consistent condom use during sexual intercourse in the most recent months increased from 39.0% in 2009to 53.6%in 2012.Needle sharing among drug users in the most recent months decreased from 91.7%in 2009to 49.3%in 2012.The rate of receiving free distributed condoms increased from 55.0%to 65.1%during the 3-year period.Logistic regression analysis showed that drug users of minority population,low education level,lack of behavior intervention were more liable to sharing needles for drug intake.Conclusions The mul- tiple HIV/AIDS prevention programs for drug users is effective in Gansu province of China.However,health education and behavior intervention should be further strengthened in the population of drug users of minority population and people with low education levels in compulsory rehabilitation centers.
Thomas Aquinas and the Dominant Tradition

There can be little doubt that Saint Thomas Aquinas has left a profound and lasting impact on the landscape of Christian philosophy and theology. His appropriation of Aristotelian philosophy and his engagement with the thinking of such figures as Augustine, John Damascene, the Jewish philosopher Maimonides, and the Islamic philosopher Averroes are nothing short of brilliant. Contemporary scholars, however, have raised questions regarding Aquinas’s legacy in relation to creation care. These questions warrant investigation into his eco-theological position.
Rydberg Constant Measurement Using cw Dye Laser and H* Atomic Beam

We would like to describe a new experiment which we have in progress for obtaining a greatly improved value for the Rydberg. The accuracy of measureryents using classical techniques1 have been limited to about 2 × 107 by Doppler broadening and discharg effects. A recent improvement of accuracy to about 1 × 10−8 was obtained2 by using a pulsed dye laser to obtain laser saturated-absorption of the Balmer α line in a hydrogen discharge, thereby eliminating Doppler broadenir. We hope to achieve an accuracy between 1 × 10−9 and 1 × 10−10 though use of a recently developed extremely stable cw dye laser3 to produce saturated absorption of the Balmer α line in an atomic eam of 2 s hydrogen atoms. Simultaneous excitation with RF4 should yield a double-resonance linewidth of about 1 MHz. Use of an atomic beam should eliminate systematic errors due to collisional effects and extraneous electromagnetic fields such as are encountered in discharges. For measuring the Balmer α wavelength to obtain the Rydberg, we shall use the frequency-controlled Fabry-Perot interferometer whig was used for the wavelength measurement of the 3.39 μ CH4 line5. This 3.39 μ CH4 line will be used as the length standard for the measurement. We expect the accI5acy of our wavelength measurement to be limited to a few × 10−10 by already investigated systematic errors inherant in our interferometer, mainly diffraction effects.
Population-Based Outcomes Data for Counseling at the Margin of Gestational Viability.

Objective To survey neonatologists as to how many use population-based outcomes data to counsel families before and after the birth of 22- to 25-week preterm infants. Study design An anonymous online survey was distributed to 1022 neonatologists in the US. Questions addressed the use of population-based outcome data in prenatal and postnatal counseling. Results Ninety-one percent of neonatologists reported using population-based outcomes data for counseling. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Outcomes Data is most commonly used (65%) with institutional databases (14.5%) the second choice. Most participants (89%) reported that these data influence their counseling, but it was less clear whether specific estimates of mortality and morbidity influenced families; 36% of neonatologist felt that these data have little or no impact on families. Seventy-one percent reported that outcomes data estimates confirmed their own predictions, but among those who reported having their assumptions challenged, most had previously been overly pessimistic. Participants place a high value on gestational age and family preference in counseling; however, among neonatologists in high-volume centers, the presence of fetal complications was also reported to be an important factor. A large portion of respondents reported using prenatal population-based outcomes data in the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion Despite uncertainty about their value and impact, neonatologists use population-based outcomes data and provide specific estimates of survival and morbidity in consultation before and after extremely preterm birth. How best to integrate these data into comprehensive, family-centered counseling of infants at the margin of viability is an important area of further study.
Femtosecond near-infrared opto-injection of single living cells: pore size in dependence of laser intensity

We investigate the size of transient artificial pores as a function of the incident laser intensity in femtosecond nearinfrared laser opto-injection into single living Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). Molecules ranging in size from 457 dalton to 500kD were used in size exclusion experiments. We found that the threshold laser intensity for pore creation was in dependence of the size of the molecule.
Abstract A24: Early-stage pancreatic cancer patient derived xenograft (PDX) models established from endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies

Background: We developed and characterized PDX models generated from FNA endoscopic biopsies at the time of diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Our goal was to determine if an FNA-PDX model could be established within a clinically relevant time frame to inform treatment decisions prior to disease recurrence in patients with early stage, localized disease. Methods: Patients presenting with a localized mass in the pancreas and no metastatic disease were considered for EUS/FNA biopsy. Under sonographic guidance FNA biopsies were obtained. On-site cytopathology confirmed a histologic diagnosis of PDAC. The diagnostic FNA specimen was sent to pathology for formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue block analysis per standard institutional pathologic protocols. Additional endoscopic FNA passes from the primary tumor were obtained during the index procedure by EUS guidance. The cell specimen was washed in cold DMEM and centrifuged. The cell pellet was rapidly transplanted into a subcutaneous pocket within the flank of a single NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NOD scid gamma, NSG) mouse. Tumor growth was monitored with calipers and engrafted tumors were passaged to subsequent mice when they reached a diameter of 10mm2. Growth kinetics and immunohistochemical staining for human cells with antibody against the human HLA Class 1 ABC antigen were obtained. Treatment groups were established from the F3 passage and randomized for in vivo chemosensitivity testing using FDA-approved chemotherapeutics: gemcitabine, cisplatin, docetaxel, irinotecan and fluorouracil. Results: The warm ischemia time was negligible. The average cold ischemia time, defined as the time from the endoscope to transplantation in the mouse, was 39 minutes. Engraftment was successful in 9 of 24 (37.5%) individual FNA patient specimens. Engraftment however increased with the number of FNA biopsy passes: 3/12 (25%) engraftment from one pass and 6/12 (50%) from two passes. Tumor size and surgical resectability status by CT imaging did not correlate with engraftment success. Procedural variables such as needle gauge and cytopathologic features such as degree of differentiation and percent tumor cellularity also did not correlate with rate of engraftment. PDX tumor morphology was maintained between F0 and F4 mice by HE Feb 11-14, 2016; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(16_Suppl):Abstract nr A24.
Impact of Tile Drainage on Evapotranspiration in South Dakota, USA, Based on High Spatiotemporal Resolution Evapotranspiration Time Series From a Multisatellite Data Fusion System

Soil drainage is a widely used agricultural practice in the midwest USA to remove excess soil water to potentially improve the crop yield. Research shows an increasing trend in baseflow and streamflow in the midwest over the last 60 years, which may be related to artificial drainage. Subsurface drainage (i.e., tile) in particular may have strongly contributed to the increase in these flows, because of its extensive use and recent gain in the popularity as a yield-enhancement practice. However, how evapotranspiration (ET) is impacted by tile drainage on a regional level is not well-documented. To explore spatial and temporal ET patterns and their relationship to tile drainage, we applied an energy balance-based multisensor data fusion method to estimate daily 30-m ET over an intensively tile-drained area in South Dakota, USA, from 2005 to 2013. Results suggest that tile drainage slightly decreases the annual cumulative ET, particularly during the early growing season. However, higher mid-season crop water use suppresses the extent of the decrease of the annual cumulative ET that might be anticipated from widespread drainage. The regional water balance analysis during the growing season demonstrates good closure, with the average residual from 2005 to 2012 as low as -3 mm. As an independent check of the simulated ET at the regional scale, the water balance analysis lends additional confidence to the study. The results of this study improve our understanding of the influence of agricultural drainage practices on regional ET, and can affect future decision making regarding tile drainage systems.
Ultrastructure and localization of Neorickettsia in adult digenean trematodes provides novel insights into helminth-endobacteria interaction

Neorickettsia are a group of intracellular α proteobacteria transmitted by digeneans (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda). These endobacteria can also infect vertebrate hosts of the helminths and cause serious diseases in animals and humans. Neorickettsia have been isolated from infected animals and maintained in cell cultures, and their morphology in mammalian cells has been described. However, limited information is available on the morphology and localization of Neorickettsia in the trematode host. We used a Neorickettsia-infected strain of the model trematode Plagiorchis elegans to infect Syrian Golden hamsters to produce adult worms. Ultrastructure of Neorickettsia was assessed by transmission electron microscopy of high pressure freezing/freeze substitution fixed specimens. A Neorickettsia surface protein from P. elegans (PeNsp-3) was cloned and antibodies against the recombinant protein were used to localize Neorickettsia by immunohistochemistry. Ultrastructural analysis revealed moderate numbers of pleomorphic endobacteria with a median size of 600 × 400 nm and characteristic double membranes in various tissue types. Endobacteria showed tubular membrane invaginations and secretion of polymorphic vesicles. Endobacteria were unevenly localized as single cells, or less frequently as small morula-like clusters in the ovary, Mehlis’ gland, vitelline follicles, uterus, intrauterine eggs, testis, cirrus-sac, tegument, intestine and the oral and ventral sucker. Examination of hamster small intestine infected with P. elegans showed many endobacteria at the host-parasite interface such as the oral and ventral sucker, the tegument and the excretory pore. We conclude that adult P. elegans trematodes carry Neorickettsia endobacteria in varying numbers in many tissue types that support vertical transmission, trematode to trematode transmission via seminal fluid, and possibly horizontal transmission from trematodes to vertebrate hosts. These means appear to be novel mechanisms of pathogen transmission by endoparasitic worms.
Design and Use of Representative Agricultural Pathways for Integrated Assessment of Climate Change in U.S. Pacific Northwest Cereal-Based Systems

This paper presents the design and use of Representative Agricultural Pathways (RAPs) in regional integrated assessment of climate impacts. In the first part of the paper, we describe the role of pathways and scenarios in regional integrated assessment as well as the three RAPs developed for a study of dryland wheat-based systems in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. We use this example to illustrate the challenges associated with the development and implementation of RAPs, including the engagement of research team and stakeholders, the dimensionality problem in integrated assessment, incorporation of economic data and quantification of uncertainties. In the second part, we illustrate the use of RAPs in the study of climate impacts on dryland wheat-based systems. Results show that the direct impacts of future climate projections through crop yields provide the largest source of uncertainty in the climate impact and vulnerability analysis, but the indirect impacts of climate change through price projections embedded in RAPs also play an important role in the analysis. We conclude that in addition to being an essential element in designing an integrated assessment at the regional level, the RAPs development process can facilitate stakeholder engagement and improve communication of climate impact assessments.
Flow Cytometry as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool in Cancer Medicine

Microscopic cell and tissue inspection plays an important role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients and is unsurpassed in cancer diagnosis. Whereas the biochemical examination of body fluids and tissue extracts has long reached an objective and quantitative stage, morphologic cell and tissue investigation remains subject to pathologist expertise and bias. Over the past decade, automated cytology using both image analysis and flow cytometry has been greatly advanced, enabling an objective and quantitative assessment of those cellular features that are crucial to microscopic diagnosis [1–4]. In this review, we discuss the use of flow cytometry as a diagnostic and prognostic tool to supplement morphology for the management of neoplasia. Principally, a flow cytometer consists of a flow chamber, a light source, an array of optical lenses, and electronic signal processing devices. Properties amenable to flow cytometric evaluation include light scatter [5], fluorescence [6] and electric impedance [7]. Light scatter has been found useful both for measurement of cell size (forward angle scatter) and cell structure (right angle scatter), whereas fluorescence intensity provides accurate information on the quantity of cellular constituents as long as specificity and stochiometry of dye binding are assured. These requirements are readily fulfilled in the case of nucleic acid and protein analysis, whereas immunofluorescence measurements are not as clearly defined.
Designing the stem cell microenvironment for guided connective tissue regeneration.

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell source for regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and their capacity for multilineage differentiation and tissue regeneration. For connective tissues, such as ligaments or tendons, MSCs are vital to the modulation of the inflammatory response following acute injury while also interacting with resident fibroblasts to promote cell proliferation and matrix synthesis. To date, MSC injection for connective tissue repair has yielded mixed results in vivo, likely due to a lack of appropriate environmental cues to effectively control MSC response and promote tissue healing instead of scar formation. In healthy tissues, stem cells reside within a complex microenvironment comprising cellular, structural, and signaling cues that collectively maintain stemness and modulate tissue homeostasis. Changes to the microenvironment following injury regulate stem cell differentiation, trophic signaling, and tissue healing. Here, we focus on models of the stem cell microenvironment that are used to elucidate the mechanisms of stem cell regulation and inspire functional approaches to tissue regeneration. Recent studies in this frontier area are highlighted, focusing on how microenvironmental cues modulate MSC response following connective tissue injury and, more importantly, how this unique cell environment can be programmed for stem cell-guided tissue regeneration.
Animal Unconscious: Three Questions

“Animal Unconscious” begins with Freud’s claim, in The Psychopathology of Everyday Life (1965), that psychoanalysis proposes “nothing animal is alien to us.” By drawing on recent scholarship in fem...
Opioid prescribing practices in patients undergoing surgery for oral cavity cancer.

Objectives Opioids have been overprescribed after general and orthopedic surgeries, but prescribing patterns have not been reported for head and neck surgery. The objectives of this retrospective review are to describe postoperative opioid prescriptions after oral cancer surgery and determine which patients receive higher amounts. Methods A single institution retrospective review was performed for 81 adults with oral cavity tumors undergoing surgery. Opioid prescriptions upon discharge were reported in daily oral morphine equivalents (OME). High opioids were defined as > 90 mg daily and > 200 mg total, commensurate with U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate factors associated with high opioids. Results The median number of doses dispensed was 30 (interquartile range [IQR] 30-45; range 3-120). The median daily dose was 30 mg (IQR 20-45 mg; range 15-240 mg). Five patients (6%) received higher than the recommended daily dose. The median total dispensed amount was 225 mg (IQR 150-250 mg; range 15-1200 mg). Fifty-one (63%) received greater than the recommended total dose. On multivariable logistic regression, advanced tumor stage (odds ratio [OR] 11.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-109.4; P = 0.034) and inpatient pain scores (OR 1.3 per 1-unit increase; 95% CI 1.0-1.7; P = 0.039) were associated with receiving high total opioids after surgery. Conclusion The majority of patients received greater than the recommended 200 mg total OME. Advanced stage and higher inpatient pain scores were associated with receiving more opioids for discharge. Consensus-driven analgesic plans are needed to reduce excess opioids after discharge following head and neck surgery. Level of evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 128:2361-2366, 2018.
Do more creative people adapt better? An investigation into the association between creativity and adaptation

Abstract Objective Some evidence suggests an association between creativity and adaptability; yet this relationship has not been tested empirically. The present study aimed at testing experimentally whether cognitive and motor creativity are associated with the psychological, behavioral, and affective dimensions of adaptation when failing to reach a motor task goal. Design and method Forty-five students were asked to complete a motor circuit under pressure. After setting their own goal, participants had up to 10 attempts to reach that goal and were told that they failed after each attempt. Perception of task difficulty and self-efficacy were measured before the first attempt. Persistent and variable behaviors were recorded during the task. Finally, upon completion of the motor circuit, participants completed the affect grid and were tested for their cognitive and motor creativity. Results Correlational analyses revealed that cognitive and motor creativity are separate but related entities. A series of linear regression analyses revealed that motor (but not cognitive) creativity was significantly associated with probability of adaptation (r = 0.31). Flexibility in motor creativity predicted perception of task difficulty whereas originality was a significant predictor of persistent behavior. Conclusions Some similarities exist in the processes underlying both the generation of creative thoughts and movements. Being able to produce a large number of flexible and original motor solutions seem to offer an adaptation advantage. Each creativity dimension has a separate but complementary influence on the psychological, affective, and behavioral dimensions of adaptation.
From eyes‐closed to eyes‐open: Role of cholinergic projections in EC‐to‐EO alpha reactivity revealed by combining EEG and MRI

Alpha rhythm (8 to 12 Hz) observed in EEG over human posterior cortex is prominent during eyes-closed (EC) resting and attenuates during eyes-open (EO) resting. Research shows that the degree of EC-to-EO alpha blocking or alpha desynchronization, termed alpha reactivity here, is a neural marker of cognitive health. We tested the role of acetylcholine in EC-to-EO alpha reactivity by applying a multimodal neuroimaging approach to a cohort of young adults and a cohort of older adults. In the young cohort, simultaneous EEG-fMRI was recorded from twenty-one young adults during both EO and EC resting. In the older cohort, functional MRI was recorded from forty older adults during EO and EC resting, along with FLAIR and diffusion MRI. For a subset of twenty older adults, EEG was recorded during EO and EC resting in a separate session. In both young and older adults, functional connectivity between the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM), the major source of cortical acetylcholine, and the visual cortex increased from EC to EO, and this connectivity increase was positively associated with alpha reactivity; namely, the stronger the BNM-visual cortex functional connectivity increase from EC to EO, the larger the EC-to-EO alpha desynchronization. In older adults, lesions of the fiber tracts linking BNM and visual cortex quantified by leukoaraiosis volume, associated with reduced alpha reactivity. These findings support a role of acetylcholine and particularly cholinergic pathways in mediating EC-to-EO alpha reactivity and suggest that impaired alpha reactivity could serve as a marker of the integrity of the cholinergic system.