cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abrasion cross sections for Ne-20 projectiles at 2.1 GeV/nucleon

Utilizing eikonal scattering theory, an optical model potential approximation to the exact nucleus-nucleus multiple scattering series is used in an abrasion-ablation collision formalism to predict abrasion cross sections for relativistic Ne-20 projectile nuclei. Excellent agreement with recent experimental abrasion results is obtained. The sensitivity of the abrasion predictions to Pauli exclusion principle correlation effects and to the assumed shape of the nuclear single-particle density distribution is also demonstrated.
Modeling and design of the ilc test area beam absorbers at fermilab

Detailed MARS 15 simulations have been performed on energy deposition and shielding of the proposed ILC Test Area absorbers. It is designed for up to 50 kW of 800- MeV electron beam power and provides unlimited occupancy conditions in the experimental hall. ANSYS analysis based on the calculated energy deposition maps confirms robustness of the proposed design of the absorbers and beam windows for normal operation and for various failure modes.
Hot-Pack Pasteurization of Salted Egg Products,

Abstract A “hot-pack” process will pasteurize egg products containing salt. Both Staph. aureus and S. oranienburg are destroyed at inoculum levels of 106 cells/g. The process is as follows: Preheat the product in a vat or other heat exchanger to near 52° C. within ca. one hr. Add 10% salt either before or during preheating. Package the hot product before cooling and place in a “hot-room.” The following conditions are adequate: 10% salted egg yolk, held at 52° C. for 72 hr.; 10% salted whole egg, held at 52° C. for 48 hr. These heat treatments result in essentially sterile products. A fast come-up time is important, otherwise spoilage may occur. The emulsifying properties of these “hot-pack” pasteurized products are not adversely affected. Freezing these products after heating for extended periods improved the viscosity and stability of mayonnaise.
PSI: indexing protein structures for fast similarity search

Motivation: We consider the problem of finding similarities in protein structure databases. Current techniques sequentially compare the given query protein to all of the proteins in the database to find similarities. Therefore, the cost of similarity queries increases linearly as the volume of the protein databases increase. As the sizes of experimentally determined and theoretically estimated protein structure databases grow, there is a need for scalable searching techniques. Results: Our techniques extract feature vectors on triplets of SSEs (Secondary Structure Elements). Later, these feature vectors are indexed using a multidimensional index structure. For a given query protein, this index structure is used to quickly prune away unpromising proteins in the database. The remaining proteins are then aligned using a popular alignment tool such as VAST. We also develop an ovel statistical model to estimate the goodness of a match using the SSEs. Experimental results show that our techniques improve the pruning time of VAST 3 to 3.5 times while maintaining similar sensitivity.
New cumulative damage models for failure using stochastic processes as initial damage

Based on a generalized cumulative damage approach with a stochastic process describing initial damage for a material specimen, a broad class of statistical models for material strength is developed. Plausible choices of stochastic processes for the initial damage include Brownian motion, geometric Brownian motion, and the gamma process; and additive & multiplicative cumulative damage functions are considered. The resulting general statistical model gives an accelerated test form of the inverse Gaussian distribution, special cases of which include some existing models in addition to several new models. Model parameterizations & estimation by maximum likelihood from accelerated test data are discussed, and the applicability of the general model is illustrated for three sets of strength data. The proposed models are compared with the power-law Weibull model, and the inverse Gaussian generalized linear models.
School Culture Benchmarks: Bridges and Barriers to Successful Bullying Prevention Program Implementation.

ABSTRACT A substantial body of research indicates that positive school culture benchmarks are integrally tied to the success of school reform and change in general. Additionally, an emerging body of research suggests a similar role for school culture in effective implementation of school violence prevention and intervention efforts. However, little research is available that specifically focuses on the elements of school culture that promote the successful implementation of bullying intervention programs aimed at reducing the most prevalent form of school violence. Therefore, this case study attempted to identify the school culture characteristics that supported or interfered with implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program from the viewpoint of school staff key informants in a junior high school in its second year of program implementation. Data were collected primarily from open-ended, semi-structured interviews along with informal observations and analysis of school documents. Themes emerg...
Partnerships for Dual Preparation in Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education Programs

In partnership with local schools, faculty members in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) began planning a field-based dual licensure program in special education and elementary education in 1993. The resulting program redefined the roles of university faculty members, school-level mentor teachers, and school administrators in teacher preparation and school renewal. The implementation of the elementary dual preparation program in 1996 helped forge new school—university partnerships that were vitally important in working through the issues that arose with the first 2-year cohort. In light of the resulting success of the elementary program and the need for qualified special educators at the secondary level, the program was expanded to allow secondary education majors to complete dual licensure in special education. The purposes of this article are to describe the rationale for implementing dual preparation partnership programs, the characteristics of the UHM dual preparation ...
Parallel routing in hypercube networks with faulty nodes

The concept of strong fault-tolerance was introduced to characterize the property of parallel routing. A network G of degree d is said to be strongly fault-tolerant if with at most d-2 faulty nodes, any two nodes u and v in G are connected by min{deg/sub f/(u), deg/sub f/(v)} node-disjoint paths, where deg/sub f/ (u) and deg/sub f/ (v) are the numbers of non-faulty neighbors of the nodes u and v in G, respectively. We show that the hypercube networks are strongly fault-tolerant and develop an algorithm that constructs the maximum number of node-disjoint paths in a hypercube network with faults. Our algorithm is optimal in terms of time and length of node-disjoint paths.
Diets of Notoungulates from the Santa Cruz Formation, Argentina: New Evidence from Enamel Microwear

Abstract The late early Miocene Santa Cruz Formation of Patagonian Argentina is remarkable for its well-preserved and diverse mammalian fauna. This study evaluates the feeding preferences of three notoungulates from Santa Cruz (Nesodon imbricatus, Adinotherium ovinum and Protypotherium), typically reconstructed as open habitat grazers. Diets are inferred from enamel microwear features using a low-magnification microscopy technique. Analysis indicates that these notoungulates were primarily feeding on browse, a result that contrasts sharply with previous interpretations based on their hypsodont dentitions. All three notoungulates exhibit a low average number of scratches per taxon, indicative of browsing; high scratch averages are characteristic of grazers. Furthermore, these notoungulates were not primarily feeding on either hard objects (e.g., fruits with seeds) or abrasives (e.g., grasses). Nesodon imbricatus, however, exhibits microwear, suggesting it infrequently fed on hard objects such as bark. The ...
The Rationale for the Regionalization of Pediatric Services During Large Scale Disasters

Children's hospitals routinely function at or near capacity, at least during peak seasons of the year. When addressing these capacity limitations, most disaster plans operate with assumptions about how care will be provided to children in a disaster. The first assumption is that pediatric hospitals will be able to expand their capacity in order to adequately respond to any local disaster event. The second assumption is that adult providers are adequate substitutes for pediatric care. There are risks in these assumptions. The most obvious risks are that pediatric providers may be extremely limited in their ability to expand capacity, and that local adult providers will not be able to provide adequate care for children in terms of either volume or quality. Since these risks resonate with the market positioning of pediatric providers, they are likely to influence preparation at pediatric facilities. This may lead to pediatric facilities diverting significant resources on disaster preparation. Another alternative would be regional coordination between pediatric specific providers. Such support might provide the same degree of support for the local population, but at a lower overall cost. For the purposes of this paper, we assume that there are functional limits on local pediatric expansion capabilities during large scale events and that adult providers are not a perfect substitute for pediatric providers. Given these assumptions, this paper utilizes a microeconomic approach to develop a theoretical framework in order to facilitate regional pediatric disaster planning.
Menthol Content in US Marketed Cigarettes

Introduction In 2011 menthol cigarettes accounted for 32 percent of the market in the United States, but there are few literature reports that provide measured menthol data for commercial cigarettes. To assess current menthol application levels in the US cigarette market, menthol levels in cigarettes labeled or not labeled to contain menthol was determined for a variety of contemporary domestic cigarette products. Method We measured the menthol content of 45 whole cigarettes using a validated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. Results In 23 cigarette brands labeled as menthol products, the menthol levels of the whole cigarette ranged from 2.9 to 19.6mg/cigarette, with three products having higher levels of menthol relative to the other menthol products. The menthol levels for 22 cigarette products not labeled to contain menthol ranged from 0.002 to 0.07mg/cigarette. The type of packaging (soft vs. hard pack) for a given cigarette product does not appear to affect menthol levels based on the current limited data. Conclusions Menthol levels in cigarette products labeled as containing menthol are approximately 50- to 5000-fold higher than those in cigarette products not labeled as containing menthol. In general, menthol content appears to occur within discrete ranges for both mentholated and nonmentholated cigarettes. Implications This study shows that menthol may be present in non-mentholated cigarettes and adds to the understanding of how menthol may be used in cigarette products. It is the first systematic study from the same laboratory which will readily enable comparison among menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.
Schelling games, Kuran dominos and electoral coalitions. Non-standard game-theoretic models of collective action

Non-cooperative games such as the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Stag Hunt, Asymmetric Coordination and others are primary tools used for modeling collective action. I consider formal models that are close cousins of such standard games: Schelling’s games, Kuran’s dominos and partition function form games. For certain empirical problems, each of these formalisms may have advantages over standard games. Among the benefi ts there are mathematical simplicity, more intuitive depiction of represented phenomena, and better operationalizability. I formalize all three models and prove simple existence theorems for two of them. The detailed examples of applications include vaccination, unpredictability of revolutions, and electoral coalitions.
Integrating data analytics and simulation methods to support manufacturing decision making

Modern manufacturing systems are installed with smart devices such as sensors that monitor system performance and collect data to manage uncertainties in their operations. However, multiple parameters and variables affect system performance, making it impossible for a human to make informed decisions without systematic methodologies and tools. Further, the large volume and variety of streaming data collected is beyond simulation analysis alone. Simulation models are run with well-prepared data. Novel approaches, combining different methods, are needed to use this data for making guided decisions. This paper proposes a methodology whereby parameters that most affect system performance are extracted from the data using data analytics methods. These parameters are used to develop scenarios for simulation inputs; system optimizations are performed on simulation data outputs. A case study of a machine shop demonstrates the proposed methodology. This paper also reviews candidate standards for data collection, simulation, and systems interfaces.
The cacao pathogen Moniliophthora roreri (Marasmiaceae) produces rhexolytic thallic conidia and their size is influenced by nuclear condition

Abstract Moniliophthora roreri, the causal agent of frosty pod rot of cacao, is a member of the mushroom-forming family Marasmiaceae (Marasmiineae, Agaricales, Basidiomycota). Yet, M. roreri has never been observed to produce a mushroom fruiting body, but rather produces billions of spores on the surface of infected pods. The question of whether these spores are produced via meiosis or mitosis has been the subject of some speculation. However, numerous molecular-based studies have been unable to support a hypothesis of sexual recombination for this fungus. We re-examined sporogenesis and the nuclear condition of hyphae and spores in M. roreri via nuclear staining and spore germination studies. Conidia are produced asexually in a thallic and rhexolytic manner as is true for other Marasmiineae species such as M. perniciosa, Flammulina velutipes and Marasmius puerariae. We also found that hyphal cells as well as spores harbor one or two nuclei, rarely three, that conidium size is influenced by number of nuclei within, and that individual isolates produced consistently and significantly different proportions of binucleate and mononucleate spores regardless of varietal group.
Origin of Coverage Dependence in Photoreactivity of Carboxylate on TiO2(110): Hindering by Charged Coadsorbed Hydroxyls

The influence of reactant coverage on photochemical activity was explored using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). We observed diminished reactivity of carboxylate species (trimethyl acetate, TMA) on TiO2(110) as a function of increasing coverage. This effect was not linked to intermolecular interactions of TMA but to the accumulation of the coadsorbed bridging hydroxyls (HOb) deposited during (thermal) dissociative adsorption of the parent, trimethylacetic acid (TMAA). Confirmation of the hindering influence of HOb groups was obtained by the observation that HOb species originated from H2O dissociation at O-vacancy sites have a similar hindering effect on TMA photochemistry. Though HOb’s are photoinactive on TiO2(110) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, UPS results show that these sites trap photoexcited electrons, which in turn likely (electrostatically) attract and neutralize photoexcited holes, thus suppressing the hole-mediated photoreactivity of TMA....
Treatment of the Upper Cervical Spine Injury (experience of eight cases)

Since 1975 eight patients with upper cervical spine injury (fracture of the posterior arch of the atlas in one, fracture of the dens in three, pure anterior atlant-axial dislocation in one, Os odontoideum in one, hangman's fracture in two) were treated.Two patients (fracture of the dens, pure anterior atlant-axial dislocation) were not definitely diagnosed during six months after injury. These two cases and one case of Os odontoideum were treated with posterior C. 1 to C. 2 fusion, others conservatively.The case of pure anterior atlant-axial dislocation was operated only two weeks before. A follow-up study for five months to 5.6 years revealed rather good results in the other seven cases.
Topological Nature of Optical Bound States in the Continuum and it Application for Generating High-order Vector beams

We demonstrate all robust bound states in the continuum in photonic crystal slabs are vortex centers in the polarization directions of far-field radiation. They are robust because they carry conserved and quantized topological charges under PT symmetry. They also generate high-order vector beams.
Muslim Democracy: Politics, Religion and Society in Indonesia, Turkey and the Islamic World

Introduction: Indonesia, Turkey and "Islamic World." 1. A Brief History of the Islamic World 2. Religion, Development and Democratization 3. The Middle East and North Africa: Strong States, Weak Democracies 4. The Road to Democracy in the Islamic World 5. Pathways to Democratization: Turkey 6. Indonesia 7. Islam and Democracy
Impact of Chemotherapy and External-Beam Radiation Therapy on Outcomes among Patients with Resected Gallbladder Cancer: A Multi-institutional Analysis

Background Use of adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) and chemoradiation therapy (cXRT) for the treatment of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains varied. We sought to define the utilization and effect of adjuvant therapy for patients with GBC.
When To Hospitalize for Osteoporosis

Most osteoporotic patients are postmenopausal women, but it does not follow that the condition arises from hormonal deficiency or that the underlying process can be reversed by hormone replacement. Hospitalization is indicated during a painful crisis; the brief period of immobilization thus imposed need not be feared as contributing to progression of this essentially benign and self-limited illness.
Biofidelic human brain tissue surrogates

ABSTRACTTraumatic brain injury (TBI) due to blast exposure or head impacts in accidents or contact sports is one of the most critical and poorly understood areas of research in the 21st century. To date, the unavailability of human brain tissues (grey and white matter especially) due to ethical and biosafety issues has not allowed for much experimental research into the study of the mechanics of brain tissues under impact or dynamic loading. In the current work, for the first time, biofidelic brain tissue surrogates have been developed using a low cost, castable (to any shape or size), two-part silicone-based material system to precisely mimic the nonlinear mechanical properties of both the white and the grey matter. The fabrication methodology involves the iterative mixing of the two parts of silicone at certain mix ratios (by weight) to generate a biomechanical behavior similar to the white and the grey matter tissues, respectively, at two different strain rates (low and high). The nonlinear behavior of...
A novel framework for modeling dormant apple trees using single depth image for robotic pruning application

Dormant pruning is one of the most costly and labor-intensive operations in specialty crop production. During winter, a large crew of trained seasonal workers has to carefully remove the branches from hundreds of trees using a set of pre-defined rules. The goal of automatic pruning is to reduce this dependence on a large work-force that is currently needed for the job. Automatically applying the pruning rules entails construction of 3D models of the trees in their dormant condition (that is, without foliage) and accurate estimation of the pruning points on the branches. This paper investigates the contribution of modeling the trunk and primary branches of a tree using semi-circles in a 3D reconstruction scheme. It involves three main steps; estimating the diameter-error, filtering the depth images, and semi-circle-based modeling which estimates the required pruning data. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework for automatic reconstruction using only single depth image. We further propose a novel empirical model that estimates the diameter of the primary branches under varying depth values. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations are performed on a new challenging apple trees dataset under various indoor and outdoor environments. Our results show that the proposed scheme provides a performance of 89% for correctly estimating the diameter of the primary branches.
Antineoplastic agents 540. The Indian Gynandropsis gynandra (Capparidaceae).

The CH 3 DH-CH 2 Cl 2 extract of an Indian collection (entire plant) of Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. was separated based on bioassay results employing cancer cell lines. Six cancer cell growth inhibitors were isolated and found to be known flavone apegenin (4) and flavonols 1-3, 5, and 6. The structure of flavonol 2 was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure determination. All of the five flavonols (1-3, 5, 6) inhibited the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line with ED 50 values of 3.0, 9.2, 4.0, 0.37, and 3.9 μg/ml, respectively. All six of the flavonoids (1-6) also exhibited activity against a panel of six human cancer cell lines. Penduletin (3) inhibited growth of the Gram-negative pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae and apegenin (4) inhibited growth of the Gram-positive opportunist Enterococcus faecalis.
Breast Cancer Screening Among Women with Medicaid, 2006–2008: a Multilevel Analysis

Nationally, about one third of women with breast cancer (BC) are diagnosed at late stage, which might be reduced with greater utilization of BC screening. The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of BC mammography use among women with Medicaid, and differences among Medicaid beneficiaries in their propensity to use mammography. The sample included 2,450,527 women drawn from both fee-for-service and managed care Medicaid claims from 25 states, during 2006–2008. The authors used multilevel modeling of predictors at person, county, and state levels of influence and examined traditional factors affecting access and the expanded scope of practice allowed for the nurse practitioner (NP) in some states to provide primary care independent of physician oversight. Black [OR = 0.87; 95 % CI (0.87–0.88)] and American Indian women [OR = 0.74; 95 % CI (0.71–0.76)] had lower odds ratio of mammography use than white women, while Hispanic [OR = 1.06; 95 % CI (1.05–1.07)] had higher odds ratio of mammography use than white women. Living in counties with higher Hispanic residential segregation [OR = 1.16; 95 % CI (1.10–1.23)] was associated with a higher odds ratio of mammography use compared to areas with low Hispanic residential segregation, whereas living among more segregated black [OR = 0.78; 95 % CI (0.75–0.81)] or Asian [OR = 0.19; 95 % CI (0.17–0.21)] communities had lower odds ratio compared to areas with low segregation. Holding constant statistically the perceived shortage of MDs, which was associated with significantly lower mammography use, the NP regulatory variable [OR = 1.03; 95 % CI (1.01–1.07)] enhanced the odds ratio of mammography use among women in the six states with expanded scope of practice, compared with women residing in 19 more restrictive states. Racial and ethnic disparities exist in the use of mammography among Medicaid-insured women. More expansive NP practice privileges in states are associated with higher utilization, and may help reduce rural disparities.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a syndrome in which multiple symptoms reportedly occur with low-level chemical exposure. Several theories have been advanced to explain the cause of MCS, including allergy, toxic effects and neurobiologic sensitization. There is insufficient scientific evidence to confirm a relationship between any of these possible causes and symptoms. Patients with MCS have high rates of depression, anxiety and somatoform disorders, but it is unclear if a causal relationship or merely an association exists between MCS and psychiatric problems. Physicians should compassionately evaluate and care for patients who have this distressing condition, while avoiding the use of unproven, expensive or potentially harmful tests and treatments. The first goal of management is to establish an effective physician-patient relationship. The patient's efforts to return to work and to a normal social life should be encouraged and supported.
A matter of degrees: exploring dimensions in the Ph.D. student–advisor relationship in hospitality and tourism education

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the Ph.D. student–advisor relationship by identifying supervision dimensions and studying their effects on perception on supervision. Using principal component analysis, affective characteristics, intellectual expertise, and external grant/funding factors were found to play important roles in establishing the Ph.D. student–advisor relationship. Regression analysis revealed that affective personality and intellectual expertise positively influence student’s perception on supervision. Implications for students and faculty are discussed.
Defining success over time for large landscape conservation organizations

Transboundary issues, like climate change, threaten the health of natural ecosystems. To address these problems, management is taking place at larger geographic scales and across political boundaries. Although landscapes are considered the suitable scale for conservation, limited research exists on how members of large landscape conservation organizations (LLCOs) define success. The Crown Managers Partnership (CMP) and the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Cooperative (SAMAB) are two LLCOs that support collaboration for the conservation of the Northern Rockies and the Southern Appalachian regions. We analyze the diverse interpretations of success among SAMAB and CMP participants during different stages of the organizations’ life cycle. Of particular importance is how members emphasize intangible successes such as relationships and the cascading effects LLCOs can have on other projects and organizations. This research provides insight into the distinct niche LLCOs fill in transboundary ecosystem m...
Urethral catheterization and sperm vitrification for simplified semen banking in felids.

Contents Semen banking of domestic cats and wild felids represents a vital resource for their long-term conservation, but current methods require access to advanced training and specialized equipment. A newer method of semen collection, urethral catheterization of medetomidine-treated cats, allows recovery of high sperm numbers, but it is unclear if this approach permits maximal sperm recovery or is feasible using less expensive alpha-2 agonists. Similarly, a newer sperm preservation approach, vitrification, offers advantages of simplicity and minimal equipment needs, but its efficacy in combination with urethral catheterization has not been investigated. Our specific objectives were to (i) evaluate sequential semen recovery with urethral catheterization and electroejaculation in domestic cats, (ii) assess the effectiveness of a weak (xylazine) versus strong (dexmedetomidine) alpha-2 agonist for inducing sperm release, and (iii) compare post-thaw sperm motility, acrosome status and fertilizing capacity of catheter-recovered samples after vitrification or straw freezing. Results indicated that electroejaculation following repeated catheterization allowed recovery of additional spermatozoa (range, 11–32 × 106 sperm/male) and that xylazine was ineffective for inducing meaningful sperm release (range, 0–0.4 × 106 sperm/male). Post-thaw motility and acrosome status of vitrified catheter samples did not differ (p > .05) from that of straw frozen samples. Preliminary results indicated that in vitro fertilization success (9/30, 30%) of vitrified catheter sperm did not differ (p > .05) from that observed with straw frozen samples (17/30, 57%). In conclusion, urethral catheterization of dexmedetomidine-treated cats allows recovery of substantial sperm numbers but electroejaculation still may be warranted for maximal sperm recovery. Xylazine is not suitable as an inexpensive alternative to dexmedetomidine for catheterization. Vitrification of catheter samples results in comparable post-thaw parameters to straw freezing and may be adequate for use with oviductal insemination procedures.
Capital Structure Instability

This article summarizes the evidence from the authors’ recent study published in the Journal of Finance that documented the extent of the variation in the capital structures of individual public companies over long time horizons. It also reports the results of an exploratory investigation into the sources of variation over time in leverage ratios—an investigation that included case analyses of leverage instability at 24 U.S. companies that were included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average at some point in their histories. The main finding of the authors’ study is that substantial instability in leverage has been the norm at publicly held nonfinancial companies. “Episodic” cases of leverage stability were observed from time to time, but they were the exception, not the rule. Such cases almost always involved companies with low leverage ratios, and they invariably proved to be short-lived, rarely exceeding a decade or two. Leverage was found to be “sticky” during periods lasting just a few years, but a company's currently high (or low) leverage became an increasingly poor predictor of whether its future leverage would be high (or low) as the amount of time between leverage observations lengthened. When attempting to explain companyspecific changes in leverage after extended periods of stability, the authors found a strong connection with company expansion and investment. At the same time, they found no systematic relations between company-specific leverage changes and changes in industry leverage, company profitability, or other determinants of leverage that have been emphasized in previous academic studies. The authors' case analyses reinforced their finding that capital structure changes were often linked to the funding of company expansions, but such changes were also sometimes designed to support established payout policies while preserving financing flexibility.
Post-treatment alterations in 18F-dihydrotestosterone (FDHT) and FDG PET/CT in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with cabozantinib.

5073 Background: Cabo is a multitargeted kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated complete and partial responses in mCRPC as assessed byTc-99 MDP bone scintigraphy. FDG and FDHT PET/CT demonstrate gl...
A carbon dioxide collection accessory for the rapid combustion apparatus for preparation of biological samples for liquid scintillation analysis

Abstract A carbon dioxide collection accessory is described for the previously reported combustion system for preparation of biological samples for liquid scintillation counting. A sample can be burned and collected every 3 min. Sample size is limited by the capacity of the solvent to absorb carbon dioxide without precipitation. The system can be used for collecting water as well as carbon dioxide, for double isotope counting. The method has a collection recovery of 97%, is calibrated by internal standards, and shows a coefficient of variation of 1.1%.
Socrates in Hamann’s Socratic Memorabilia and Nietzsche’s Birth of Tragedy: A Comparison

In the year 1759 the twenty-nine year old Johann Georg Hamann (1730–1788), later to acquire the sobriquet Magus im Norden, launched his formal career as a writer with a brief essay bearing the curious title, Socratic Memorabilia, Compiled for the Boredom of the Public by a Lover of Boredom.1 One hundred and thirteen years later, in 1872, the twenty-seven year old Friedrich Nietzsche published his first major work under the singular, but more sober title, The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music.2 It is an interesting and significant fact that both writers commenced their careers with works in which Socrates appears as the central figure. It happens, however, that the accounts of the Greek philosopher appearing in the two works are so different that one might well wonder whether the authors were writing about the same historical personage. This fact strikes us as all the more surprising when we remember that, despite the deep religious gulf which separates them, the two thinkers have much in common.
Prospective Associations between Maternal Self-Sacrifice/Overprotection and Child Adjustment: Mediation by Insensitive Parenting

Prior research on Expressed Emotion (EE) in parents’ Five Minute Speech Samples (FMSS) suggests that parental attitudes that are overprotective or blur boundaries between the parent and child (i.e., the criteria for self-sacrifice/overprotection; SSOP) are related to increases in children’s behavior problems. Some theorists contend that parents who demonstrate high levels of SSOP treat their children more insensitively, but others argue that SSOP does not result in insensitive parenting during the early childhood years. To date, there is no evidence that can be brought to bear upon this tension within the field regarding the developmental implications of SSOP in childhood. This longitudinal investigation of 223 child-mother dyads (47.9% female; Mage_W1 = 49.08 months; 56.5% Hispanic/Latina) evaluated whether maternal insensitivity at age 6 mediated the link between mothers’ SSOP with respect to their 4-year-old children and children’s behavior problems (i.e., internalizing, attention/hyperactivity) at age 8. A path analysis revealed significant indirect pathways from mothers’ SSOP during the preschool period to children’s increased internalizing and attention/hyperactivity problems at age 8 via elevated maternal insensitivity at age 6. These associations did not differ significantly across groups as a function of child gender, maternal race/ethnicity, single-mother status, or family poverty. FMSS evaluations of SSOP may offer a culturally valid and clinically valuable screening tool to detect parental attitudes that confer elevated risks for insensitive parenting practices and later child adjustment difficulties.
Endovascular management of penetrating and non-penetrating aortic injury

Aortic trauma is a devastating injury often associated with significant polytrauma. Penetrating injury of the aorta is highly lethal and therefore rarely encountered in the hospital setting. The management of blunt trauma of the aorta has changed significantly over the past decade, principally due to improved imaging technology and the development of endovascular therapy. The most common site of injury is the proximal descending thoracic aorta. The degree of aortic wall injury guides the indication for therapy, while a combination of the degree of injury and the extent of co-morbid injuries drives the timing of repair. Lower grade injuries frequently do not require any surgical intervention. Thoracic aortic endograft repair can be performed in a safe, expeditious fashion. Short-term and mid-term outcomes appear excellent, with patient survival based mainly on concomitant traumatic injuries. Long-term outcomes are less well known. Future endeavors will be guided toward gaining a better understanding of the indications for repair and the long-term outcomes for endograft devices designed for this purpose.
IN VITRO SYNTHESIS AND MOLECULAR CLONING OF EUKARYOTIC STRUCTURAL GENES

ABSTRACT An approach to the preparation and amplification of eukaryotic structural genes is described. The method involves the enzymatic, in vitro synthesis of double stranded DNA starting from purified mRNA, using the sequential actions of reverse transcriptase, DNA polymerase I, and SI nuclease. Amplification of the synthetic DNA is achieved by joining the molecules to a plasmid DNA molecule which is then used to transform tetracycline sensitive E. coli to resistance. By characterizing the molecules in detail at each step of the procedure, it was possible to demonstrate that the cloned synthetic DNA is an accurate, and essentially full length copy of the mRNA, and that the procedure should be generally applicable to any poly A-containing mRNA.
Streamflow Reconstruction in the Upper Missouri River Basin Using a Novel Bayesian Network Model

National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation (NSF); Paleo Perspective on Climate Change (P2C2) [1401698, 1404188]; National Science Foundation, Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC)National Science Foundation (NSF) [1360446]; U.S. Department of EnergyUnited States Department of Energy (DOE) [DE-SC0018124]; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Program (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow); state of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; U.S. Geological Survey Land Resources Mission Area; North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center; Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory [8349]
AC-DC Converter with Hybrid Three-Level and Two-Level Legs Using Space Vector Modulation for Medium-Voltage SST Applications

This paper presents a single-phase five-level AC-DC converter with hybrid three-level and two-level legs using space vector modulation for medium-voltage SST application. The hybrid topology combines the low-loss Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFET and low-cost IGBT to solve the issues of severe switching-loss of semiconductors, unavailable medium-voltage SiC MOSFET, bulky volume of the inductor and high system cost under medium voltage. The converter reduces the number of active switches and transformers compared to the existing solutions. Moreover, a simple space vector modulation scheme which solves the zero-crossing distortion of presented topology is proposed and verified to realize the smooth transition between switch states for the hybrid topology using a digital signal processor (DSP) instead of FPGA. A 10 kW prototype has been built and verified the topology and modulation scheme.
Beschleunigung und Lorentzkraft

Wir gehen auf den Begriff der Kraft und den der Beschleunigung ein. Die Lorentzkraft beschreibt die Wechselwirkung geladener Teilchen mit elektromagnetischen Feldern. Wir untersuchen Beispiel fur Beispiel, wie die wohlbekannte nichtrelativistische Dynamik der Lorentzkraft sich auf relativistische Bewegungen verallgemeinern lasst. Wir betrachten geladene Teilchen in einem konstanten magnetischen Feld und in einem konstanten elektrischen Feld. Wir losen das klassische Coulombproblem der Bewegung in einem radialen elektrischen Feld.
Popliteal lymph nodes in patients with osteosarcoma: are they metastatic?

To evaluate the prevalence, imaging appearance, and significance of popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with distal femoral or proximal tibial osteosarcoma (OS). This study included consecutive patients with OS presenting from May 2016 to March 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients with distal femoral or proximal tibial OS with MRI and pathology at our institution. On MRI, two radiologists recorded primary tumor features (size, location, signal, extra-compartmental extension), and PLN characteristics (mean size, presence/absence of fatty hilum, mineralization, PET/bone scintigraphy avidity, contrast enhancement, and diffusion restriction). Tumor histology, stage, and clinical follow-up were recorded. Descriptive statistics were provided. Sixteen patients with OS (age 20 ± 10 (range10–40) years, 10/16 male) were included. Although 81% (13/16) of the patients had PLNs at presentation (size range 0.3–3.6 cm), fewer patients had extra-compartmental spread: intra-articular extension 50% (8/16), skip lesions 19% (3/16), lung metastases 31% (5/16), and osseous metastases 12% (2/16). Four (25% (4/16)) patients had PLN ≥ 1 cm; two were histologically proven reactive. One was presumed metastatic due to rapid development, mineralization, and FDG-avidity on PET/CT. The other ≥ 1 cm PLNs along with all twelve (75% (12/16)) that were 1 cm and loss of a fatty hilum.
Technology usage and barriers to the use of behavioral intervention technologies in adolescents and young adults with spina bifida.

Purpose The majority of behavioral intervention technologies (BITs) have been designed and targeted towards the general population (i.e., typically-developing individuals); thus, little is known about the use of BITs to aid those with special needs, such as youth with disabilities. The current study assessed adolescents and young adults with spina bifida (AYA-SB) for: 1) their technology usage, and 2) anticipated barriers to using technology to help manage their health. Methods AYA-SB completed a survey of their media and technology usage. A card sorting task that ranked and grouped anticipated barriers to using a mobile app to manage health was also completed. Ranked means, standard deviations, and the number of times a barrier was discarded were used to interpret sample rankings. Results AYA-SB reported less frequent technology and media use than the general population. However, differences emerged by age, with young adults endorsing higher usage than their younger counterparts. Top concerns focused on usability, accessibility, safety, personal barriers due to lack of engagement, technological functioning, privacy, and efficacy. Conclusions AYA-SB appear to be selective users of technology. It is therefore critical that the design of BITs address their concerns, specifically aiming to have high usability, accessibility, and engagement.
Comparison of High-Frequency Impedance of AC Machines with Circumferential and Toroidal Winding Topologies for SiC MOSFET Machine Drives

Due to the increased switching speed and switching frequency of wide bandgap (WBG) device-based power electronics, the common-mode (CM) electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise issue has been exacerbated in the modern motor drive system. Understanding the high-frequency impedance of an electric motor is critical in analyzing and mitigating the CM EMI issues. It is also essential to find the dominant parasitic capacitances within the electric machine, which serve as the primary motor-to-ground CM current paths. This paper investigates the impact of two different winding topologies, namely circumferential and toroidal windings, on the high-frequency machine impedance. The geometry of two different windings is analyzed, and motor-to-ground capacitive coupling paths are identified. Two high-frequency per phase motor impedance models are developed, and circuit parameters are extracted from the measured CM and differential-mode motor impedance data. The influence of the high switching speed of SiC MOSFET on CM voltage is identified. The CM motor current is estimated under different switching speeds and different high-frequency motor impedance models using simulation.
Reamplification of Eluted cDNAs

It is necessary to reamplify the eluted cDNAs to produce an amount of cDNA sufficient for subsequent analysis of expression and cloning. Generally, 4 μl of the eluted cDNA is used as template for the reamplification step in the presence of the same pair of primers used for differential display. The annealing temperatures and the number of cycles are the same as in the first amplification step, but the concentration of dNTPs should be higher (20 μM rather than 2 μM). Do not include radioisotopes. In the case of poor recovery of DNA products, cDNAs can be further reamplified in a second reamplification step using 1 μl of 1:100 dilution of the first reamplification.
Point-of-care naloxone distribution in the emergency department: A pilot study.

Purpose Opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) for use by laypersons has been shown to be safe and effective, but implementation in the emergency department (ED) setting is challenging. Recent literature has shown a discouragingly low rate of obtainment of naloxone that is prescribed in the ED setting. We conducted a study to evaluate the feasibility of point-of-care (POC) distribution of naloxone in an ED, hypothesizing a rate of obtainment higher than prescription fill rates reported in previous studies. Summary A multidisciplinary team of experts, including pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and case management professionals used an iterative process to develop a protocol for POC OEND in the ED. The protocol includes 5 steps: (1) patient screening, (2) order placement in the electronic health record (EHR), (3) a patient training video, (4) dispensing of naloxone kit, and (5) written discharge instructions. The naloxone kits were assembled, labeled to meet requirements for a prescription, and stored in an automated dispensing cabinet. Two pharmacists, 30 attending physicians, 65 resident physicians, and 108 nurses were trained. In 8 months, 134 orders for take-home naloxone were entered and 117 naloxone kits were dispensed, resulting in an obtainment rate of 87.3%. The indication for take-home naloxone kit was heroin use for 61 patients (92.4%). Conclusion POC naloxone distribution is feasible and yielded a rate of obtainment significantly higher than previous studies in which naloxone was prescribed. POC distribution can be replicated at other hospitals with low rates of obtainment.
Sex differences in cholinergic circuits and behavioral disruptions following chronic ethanol exposure with and without thiamine deficiency.

Background Few studies have investigated differences in the vulnerabilities of males and females to alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). According to epidemiological and clinical findings, females appear to be more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and thiamine deficiency and have a worse prognosis in recovery from neurocognitive deficits compared with males. This study aimed to characterize the effects of chronic ethanol (EtOH) toxicity and thiamine deficiency across the sexes using rodent models. Methods Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to chronic forced EtOH treatment (CET), pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency (PTD), combined CET-PTD, or pair-fed (PF) control treatment conditions. Following treatments, spatial working memory was assessed during a spontaneous alternation task while measuring acetylcholine (ACh) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HPC). The animals also underwent an operant-based attentional set-shifting task (ASST) for the analysis of behavioral flexibility. Results Female and male rats did not differ in terms of EtOH consumption; however, the CET and CET-PTD-treated female rats had lower BECs than male rats. Compared with the PF group, the CET, PTD, and CET-PTD groups exhibited spatial working memory impairments with corresponding reductions in ACh efflux in the PFC and HPC. The ASST revealed that CET-PTD-treated males and females displayed impairments marked by increased latency to make decisions. Thalamic shrinkage was prominent only in the CET-PTD and PTD treatment conditions, but no sex-specific effects were observed. Conclusions Although the CET and CET-PTD-treated females had lower BECs than the males, they demonstrated similar cognitive impairments. These results provide evidence that female rats experience behavioral and neurochemical disruptions at lower levels of alcohol exposure than males and that chronic EtOH and thiamine deficiencies produce a unique behavioral profile.