cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser Doppler Flowmetry of the Optic Nerve Head in Glaucoma

The introduction of ocular laser Doppler flowmetry during the last decade has greatly improved our ability to noninvasively assess the hemodynamics of the optic nerve in patients with glaucoma. Studies with laser Doppler flowmetry have determined that blood flow in the optic nerve is diminished in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma and that this decrease occurs in patterns consistent with glaucomatous damage. Lower systemic blood pressure is associated with lower blood flow, supporting numerous studies linking systemic hypotension to glaucomatous damage. This direct relationship between systemic blood pressure and optic nerve blood flow has significant implications in terms of the etiology of glaucomatous damage and the treatment of ocular and systemic diseases in the glaucoma patient. Further research is needed to determine whether the circulatory abnormalities of the optic nerve head are a cause or a result of glaucomatous damage.
Methodology and exploration for sandstone-type uranium deposits

Mobility of uranium with ground water in near surface earth conditions and its association with sandstone formations of continental depositional environments require an increase in the understanding and application of depositional characteristics in exploration. This paper, therefore, summarizes significant relationships of uranium geochemistry in the supergene environments and depositional characteristics of fluvial, deltaic, and lacustrine environments and their influence on exploration that may aid in the expeditious search for sandstone-type uranium deposits throughout the world.
A Lagrangian dual-based solution method for a special linear programming problem

Abstract This paper presents an efficient Lagrangean dual-based solution method for a linear programming problem with a set of separable constraints and one linking constraint. The authors encountered this problem in solving the generalized assignment problem via surrogate duality and constraint aggregation concepts.
The evolution of public relations and the use of the internet: the implications for health care organizations.

SUMMARY Over the past several years the discipline and practice of public relations has evolved. Historically, this field within health care organizations was a one-way management of communications and often was reactive in nature dealing with a crisis situation with an organization. Recent theoretical development within the discipline suggests that public relations involves more relationship building with key constituencies and on-going-dialogue. Concomitant with this evolution is the technological development of the internet. Most particularly is the use of podcasting and blogging as key tools which have been underutilized by health car providers but have significant potential in both communication and relationship opportunities as discussed in this article.
Layered metal succinate/bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine coordination polymers featuring mutual inclined interpenetration

Abstract Reaction of divalent metal chlorides with succinic acid (H 2 suc) and the hydrogen-bonding capable tethering organodiimine bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp) in a mixed solvent system has afforded three isostructural coordination polymers: [M(suc)(bpmp)(H 2 O) 2 ] n (M = Co, 1 ; M = Ni, 2 ; M = Cu, 3 ) Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that 1 – 3 possess [M(suc)(bpmp)(H 2 O) 2 ] n 2D layer motifs. Parallel sets of layer motifs in 1 – 3 aggregate into 2d + 2d → 3D mutually inclined interpenetrated systems, fostered by hydrogen bonding interactions between layers. Spectral and thermal properties of these materials are also discussed.
Transient composition changes in off-eutectic composite growth

Abstract An analytical solution is presented for the composition transient which follows a rate change in off-eutectic composite growth. An approximate solution is also presented for the composite portion of the transient at the start of off-eutectic experiments. These solutions are evaluated to allow one to calculate the length required for the composition transient to decay.
A Bounded Variation Control Problem for Diffusion Processes

We consider an infinite horizon discounted cost minimization problem for a one-dimensional stochastic differential equation model. The available control is an added bounded variation process. The cost structure involves a running cost function and a proportional cost for the use of the control process. The running cost function is not necessarily convex. We obtain sufficient conditions to guarantee the optimality of the zero control. Also, for unbounded cost functions, we provide sufficient conditions which make our optimal state process a reflecting diffusion on a compact interval. In both cases, the value function is a C2 function. For bounded cost functions, under additional assumptions, we obtain a complex optimal strategy which turned out to be a mixture of jumps and local-time-type processes. In this case, we show that the value function is only a C1 function and that it fails to be a C2 function. We also discuss a related variance control problem.
ADVANCES IN RESUSCITATION STRATEGIES

Shock, regardless of etiology is characterized by decreased delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and our interventions are directed towards reversing the cellular ischemia and preventing its consequences. The treatment strategies that are most effective in achieving this goal obviously depend upon the different types of shock (hemorrhagic, septic, neurogenic and cardiogenic). This brief review focuses on the two leading etiologies of shock in the surgical patients: bleeding and sepsis, and addresses a number of new developments that have profoundly altered the treatment paradigms. The emphasis here is on new research that has dramatically altered our treatment strategies rather than the basic pathophysiology of shock.
A systematic model of the LC-MS proteomics pipeline

Mass spectrometry is a complex technique used for large-scale protein profiling with clinical and pharmaceutical applications. While individual components in the system have been studied extensively, little work has been done to integrate various modules and evaluate them from a systems point of view. In this work, we investigate this problem by putting together the different modules in a typical proteomics work flow, in order to capture and analyze key factors that impact the number of identified peptides and quantified proteins, protein quantification error, differential expression results, and classification performance. The proposed proteomics pipeline model can be used to optimize the work flow as well as to pinpoint critical bottlenecks worth investing time and resources into for improving performance. Using the model-based approach proposed here, one can study systematically the critical problem of proteomic biomarker discovery, by means of simulation using ground-truthed synthetic MS data.
Material removal mechanisms of single-crystal silicon on nanoscale and at ultralow loads

Abstract To understand the material removal mechanisms on a nanoscale and at ultralow loads, a modified atomic force microscope (AFM) with a three-sided pyramidal diamond tip (∼160 nm radius) was used for microwear/machining of a single crystal silicon (100) at ambient temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the material removal mechanisms change with applied normal load. Fine wear debris formed at a normal load of 20 μN. At low normal loads, the material is removed by abrasive wear associated with plastic deformation. No bend contours and dislocations were found in the wear marks at a normal load of 20 μN. At heavy normal loads (40–80 μN), most of the wear debris are ribbon-like or curly chip-like. TEM images of wear marks made at 40 μN showed bend contours in and around the wear marks, suggesting that presence of residual stresses. At a normal load of 80 μN, both bend contours and dislocation arrays were observed in the wear marks. No microcracks were found in the wear marks generated at heavy loads. TEM electron diffraction patterns of the wear marks show that no phase transformation occurred in the microwear process. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the wear debris was oxidized. These results suggest that, at heavy loads, the material is primarily removed by abrasive wear associated with plastic deformation, as commonly observed in metal cutting with a small contribution from elastic fracture.
Ontogeny of suction feeding capacity in snook, Centropomus undecimalis.

The ontogeny of suction feeding performance, as measured by peak suction generating capacity, was studied in the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis. Suction pressure inside the buccal cavity is a function of the total expansive force exerted on the buccal cavity distributed across the projected area of the buccal cavity. Thus, the scaling exponent of peak suction pressure with fish standard length was predicted to be equal to the scaling exponent of sternohyoideus muscle cross-sectional area, found to be 1.991, minus the scaling exponent for the projected buccal cavity area, found to be 2.009, equal to � 0.018. No scaling was found in peak suction pressure generated by 12 snook ranging from 94 to 314mm SL, supporting the prediction from morphology. C. undecimalis are able to generate similar suction pressures throughout ontogeny. J. Exp. Zool. 305A:246-252, 2006. r 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adenomatous and carcinomatous changes in hamartomatous polyps of the small intestine (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome): Report of a case and review of the literature

The authors report the unique case of a patient with the Peutz-Jeghers (P-J) syndrome who had multiple small bowel hamartomatous polyps, some of which also showed adenomatous and carcinomatous changes. Over the course of 30 years, over 100 small bowel and colonic polyps were resected; all histologically demonstrated the typical features seen in hamartomatous polyps. Several jejunoileal polyps excised during the last few months of the patient's life showed not only hamartomatous features but also adenomatous epithelium. As far as the authors can determine, this is the first documented case of adenomatous changes found within a small bowel hamartomatous polyp. In addition, at least one duodenal polyp demonstrated areas of hamartoma, adenoma, and in situ carcinoma. The literature on the occurrence of gastrointestinal adenomas and carcinomas in patients with the P-J syndrome is reviewed, and the relationship of hamartomas, adenomas, and carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract is discussed.
Antiviral and Antiproliferative Activities of Three Molecular Components of Leukocyte-Derived Human Interferon

Antiviral and antiproliferative activities of three naturally occurring components of leukocyte-derived human interferon (HuIFN-alpha) separated by concanavalin A-agarose affinity chromatography were studied in a variety of neoplastic cell lines. Significant differences were seen with these different components. The results strongly suggest that careful consideration must be given while selecting any one component of HuIFN-alpha for any of the antiviral or antiproliferative studies. There is no clear evidence that glycosylation of HuIFN-alpha has any significant influence on its in vitro antiviral or antiproliferative activities, although apparently glycosylated and non-glycosylated components gave different antiviral and antiproliferative responses in different tumor cells.
The measurement of222Rn in drinking water by low-level liquid scintillation counting

Radon-222 (Rn) has universally been found in well water. Non-stagnant ground water is collected at the well head while the well is pumping. The water is adjusted to a slow, non-aerated, steady flow through a clear tube, and a 500 ml glass bottle is filled. The sample is tightly capped after a high meniscus has developed. In the laboratory, standard 22 ml glass vials are filled with 10 ml of a toluene based mineral oil LS cocktail. Then, two 5 ml sample aliquots are pipetted into the vial. Vials are capped tightly, shaken vigorously, and placed in the liquid scintillation (LS) counter. Secular equilibrium is established in approximately 4 hours, after which samples are counted for 100 minutes each. The counting efficiency for Rn and progeny ranges between 315 to 345 percent depending on the chosen spectral window. The average background is about 6 cpm. A total of 28 wells were tested for Rn in the Carefree-Cave Creek, Arizona, USA area. The area's geometric average Rn concentration was found to be 46.5 Bq·l−1. The associated estimated lung dose is 0.51 mSv·y−1.
Monitoring Emergence of Feral Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Senescent Com

We compared various sampling procedures to monitor adult emergence of feral corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), from senescent corn. The three techniques compared were as follows: (1) collection of pupae in 94 fields and holding them in two types of individual emergence cages; (2) use of large emergence cages located in 12 selected cornfields; and (3) direct observation of nocturnal adult emergence from a plot in a cornfield in which the stalks were removed. Most emergence occurred over a period of ≍7 d, but an extended period of emergence was observed with all methods. However, the accuracy of measurement of this prolonged emergence period is questionable with the pupal sampling and nocturnal observation monitoring techniques because these techniques do not account for the larvae still present in the ears when the pupal samples are collected or when stalks are removed, respectively. Although all three methods indicated that females predominated during the early stages of emergence, this phenomenon was more pronounced in direct nocturnal observations. Pooling of insects from different fields that vary in phenology with pupal sampling and large cage techniques obscures the emergence pattern from individual fields, but is more reflective of the area-wide emergence pattern. Although area-wide estimates of density of populations of emerging adults are best provided by pupal sampling because of the large numbers of fields sampled, use of the large emergence cages in selected fields is an excellent alternative limited only by availability of cages. The best technique depends on use of the emergence data, available resources, and specific aspects of the situation, with the uniformity of com phenological development being of critical importance.
Convulsions induced by local anaesthetic: time course of diazepam prophylaxis.

Present-day prophylaxis of convulsions induced by local anaesthetics is based on the classic work by Tatum, Atkinson and Collins 2 who prevented cocaine seizures by prior barbiturate injection. Since then, patients commonly are premedicated with a barbiturate to minimize the possibility of a toxic reaction to local anaesthetic. Diazepam (Valium) recently was shown to be a more desirable prophylactic agent than barbiturates because it produced less neural and circulatory depression and reduced mortality more than an equiprotective dose of barbiturate preceding a convulsant dose of local anaesthetic2 -z Recovery, too, was swifter after a diazepam-local anaesthetic than after a barbiturate-local anaesthetic sequence. While the criterion of fewer side effects may thus have been met by diazepam, its time course of action remains to be determined. The latter is an important clinical consideration, as slow onset or brief span of action may negate any potential superiority over currently used therapy. We have shown in this study that eats are protected against local anaestheticinduced convulsions soon after an intramuscular injection of diazepam, and that diazepam prophylaxis lasts at least five hours in this species. METHODS Generalized tonic-clonic convulsions were induced in 13 adult cats (average weight 4.1 kg) with lidocaine (Xylocaine) given intravenously at a rate of 1 mg/kg/sec. The control (no diazepam) convulsant dose was bracketed by establishing the amounts of lidocaine that just did and just did not cause tonicclonic seizures. Injections were repeated weekly with the previous week's lidocaine dose increased or decreased in 0.05 log dose steps. (The lidocaine solution was prepared by dissolving lidocaine HC1 crystals in sterile saline and adjusting the pH to 7 with NaOH; courtesy the Astra Company. ) The anticonvulsant activity of diazepam was gauged by comparing the control and the post-diazepam seizure bracketing doses of lidocaine. Diazepam (0.2.5
Poster Sessions CP08: Signal Transduction

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and high levels of nitric oxide (NO) are present in the CNS of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), resulting in both DNA and protein oxidative damage. While iNOS can result in damaging levels of NO, the neuronal constitutive form of NOS (nNOS) has a role in cell signalling and can prevent neuronal apoptosis. iNOS can be induced by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNFα). TNFα is found in the CNS of AD, where neurons dependent on neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF) are particularly affected. Here we determined the effect of TNFα on the three NOS isoforms (endothelial, neuronal and inducible) in NGF-responsive PC12 cells. We found that while TNFα and NGF alone were uneffective, their simultaneous addition resulted in iNOS induction and the release of NO. In addition TNFα and NGF synergistically reduced nNOS, independently of the presence of high NO levels promoted by iNOS, while no effect was observed on eNOS. A similar pattern was observed in the brain of aged human subjects as compared to young individuals. Our results suggest that synergistic iNOS induction by TNFα and NGF may occur in selective populations of NGF-responsive neurons. Oxidative damage in such neurons could then occur in the presence of elevated levels of TNFα, that potentially occur in the brain of AD patients. This damaging scenario may further be aggravated by a concomitant reduction of nNOS, brought about by similar synergistic effects between TNFα and NGF. Acknowledgements: Supported by NIA (AG13945) and Sealy Res. Dev. grants to GT.
EUV reticle inspection with a 193nm reticle inspector

The prevailing industry opinion is that EUV Lithography (EUVL) will enter High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) in the 2015 – 2017 timeframe at the 16nm HP node. Every year the industry assesses the key risk factors for introducing EUVL into HVM – blank and reticle defects are among the top items. To reduce EUV blank and reticle defect levels, high sensitivity inspection is needed. To address this EUV inspection need, KLA-Tencor first developed EUV blank inspection and EUV reticle inspection capability for their 193nm wavelength reticle inspection system – the Teron 610 Series (2010). This system has become the industry standard for 22nm / 3xhp optical reticle HVM along with 14nm / 2xhp optical pilot production; it is further widely used for EUV blank and reticle inspection in R and D. To prepare for the upcoming 10nm / 1xhp generation, KLA-Tencor has developed the Teron 630 Series reticle inspection system which includes many technical advances; these advances can be applied to both EUV and optical reticles. The advanced capabilities are described in this paper with application to EUV die-to-database and die-to-die inspection for currently available 14nm / 2xhp generation EUV reticles. As 10nm / 1xhp generation optical and EUV reticles become available later in 2013, the system will be tested to identify areas for further improvement with the goal to be ready for pilot lines in early 2015.
Characterizing mechanical performance of Board Level Interconnects for In-Circuit Test

Lead Free boards are more susceptible to mechanical stress and therefore more prone to damage during manufacturing, assembly and field use. The IPC/JEDEC 9707(Spherical Bend Test Method for Characterization of Board Level Interconnects) was developed to characterize the mechanical performance of new lead free materials (i.e. laminates), board design features (i.e. pad design), and components (i.e. BGAs). This paper describes the application of the new IPC/JEDEC 9707 standard to qualify the mechanical performance of board interconnects for manufacturing and In-Circuit Test. The efforts of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) Board Flexure Initiative Project team drove the development of this new IPC/JEDEC 9707standard.
Joint search in text and concept spaces for EMR-based cohort identification

In this paper, we present a novel electronic health records (EMR) retrieval system that helps to reduce manual in work in cohort identification. Our system effectively uses medical domain knowledge to enhance retrieval performance. In particular, our system first maps raw text of EMR and EMR queries from the text space to concept unique identifiers in the medical concept space, and then searches in the two spaces independently, and finally weights and combines search results adaptively based on several heuristics. Our cross-validation results show that the proposed adaptive weighting mechanism is significantly better than the fixed-weighting mechanism, and also that the joint search is more effective than text-based search or concept-based search. In addition, we introduce an effective approach for external expansion in the concept space.
Psychiatric disorders due to general medical conditions: Evolution of the concept and recommendations for the future.

Abstract Objective Although the fact that brain diseases can cause behavioral, cognitive and emotional changes is well-established, a field specifically addressing this area has been slow to develop. A proper nomenclature that places this field in a proper position within the larger field of psychiatry has also been difficult to arrive at. In this article the development of concepts and nomenclature related to disorders on the border between Neurology and Psychiatry is reviewed. Methods Both the evolution of the “organicity” concepts in the DSM system as well as the parallel development in the actual clinical field of Neuropsychiatry are examined. Results The author concludes that while the field of Psychiatry in general continues to struggle with the mind–body dualism problem, classification of neuropsychiatric disorders does not seem to be influenced by this issue. The subspecialty field of Neuropsychiatry continues to evolve rapidly with a subspecialty certification already in place. Conclusions and recommendations The author supports the use of the term “Neuropsychiatric” to refer to the subgroups of psychiatric disorders directly or indirectly resulting from manifest brain pathology.
Learning to trust: Examining the connections between trust and capabilities friendly pedagogy through case studies from Honduras and Uganda

A B S T R A C T Trust in others is a foundational feature of a prosperous and flourishing society and serves as the basis for collective action and cooperation. In this paper, we emphasize that trust is a learned capacity, one that educational efforts should attempt to cultivate among students. We provide an in-depth discussion of how trust is conceptualized, as well as how it relates to the capabilities approach in education. Drawing from qualitative data collected in Honduras and Uganda, we identify four potential ways that education can build trust: (1) teacher/student relations that emphasize shared learning; (2) peer relations that emphasize collaboration rather than competition; (3) direct engagement with the community through service projects; and (4) the incorporation of lessons about trust and community in the curriculum.
Magical moments: the importance of dialogue in the teaching and learning of medicine

This article focuses on the importance of the development of dialogue between teacher and student if learning is to occur. A review of videotaped interactions between teacher and student illustrates that teaching and learning in medicine can occur through observation, introspection and dialogue in the teacher-student relationship. The teaching of clinical medicine requires skilled teachers who can devote the necessary time to teach students well.
Integration of Craniofacial Structures During Development in Mammals

The integration of craniofacial elements during development in mammals is studiedin a phylogenetic approach. Developmental series of four metatherian (marsupial) and five Eutherian (placental) taxa are examined, and the sequence of emergence of major characters of the central nervous system, the cranial skeleton and the cranial musculature is reconstructed. These sequences are transformed into a series of characters that are then mapped onto the phylogeny of the taxa. This phylogenetic approach makes it possible to distinguish between characters thatare uniform across all mammals, and those that differentiate marsupials and placentals. The most significant difference between the two groups involves the relative timing of the developmentof the central nervous system and the somatic system. The central nervous system differentiates far in advance of the bones and muscles of the head in eutherians. In metatherians, somatic elements, particularly of the face, are accelerated. Additional other differences between the two groups of mammals are discussed. Many elements, however, are unchanged, and develop in a consistent relation despite overall shifts in development. These data are used to test several hypotheses on the ways that cranial development in mammals is integrated.
COLUBRID ENVENOMATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

The literature concerned with colubrid envenomations in the United States is reviewed, including cases involving Americans who were envenomated by exotic snakes. Because exotic snakes have become readily available through the pet trade, it is essential for medical personnel to realize that snake-bite victims presenting themselves at North American hospitals may have been bitten by South American, Asian, African or European animals. Major themes emerging from this review are: 1) some colubrid envenomations have been serious, even life threatening, 2) many so-called envenomations might actually be allergic reactions, 3) extreme variability seems to characterize Duvernoy's secretions, intraspecifically as well as interspecifically, 4) even within the same individual, Duvernoy's secretion can vary in composition and action from time to time, and 5) we know little about the determinants of this variability, although a variety of hypotheses are available. Opportunities for research in this area are extensive. L...
Novel therapies for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis remains a significant clinical problem despite effective therapies. Many patients cannot or will not take currently available therapies. For this reason research continues in search of more effective and more tolerable agents. Anabolic agents offer a unique mechanism of action. The anabolic agents parathyroid hormone and strontium will be discussed. The investigational bisphosphonates ibandronate, minodronate and zoledronic acid may offer the advantage of less frequent dosing. Arzoxifene, bazedoxifene, lasofoxifene, MDL-103,323 and ospemifene are investigational selective oestrogen receptor modulators shown to be effective in animal studies and are now in clinical studies. Tibolone is a tissue-specific steroid that is currently used in Europe for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Multiple studies have shown efficacy in improving bone mineral density, but no fracture studies have been conducted to date. While studies of the effect of isoflavones on bone mineral density have been encouraging, a large, multi-centre study in Europe showed no effect of isoflavones on fractures. The newly described agent osteoprotegerin has been shown in early studies to inhibit bone turnover. Other agents with unique mechanisms of action in early development include cathepsin K inhibitors, integrin receptor inhibitors, nitrosylated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and Src inhibitors. The efficacy of statins in bone continues to be debated with no prospective, randomised studies yet to confirm the suggestion of benefit seen in epidemiological studies.
Gene-based therapy for inner ear disease.

Environmental inner ear insults often lead to hair cell injury and loss. Therapeutic measures for the prevention of hair cell loss are currently limited. Several reports have demonstrated the applicability of growth factors for hair cell protection. The goal of the experiments presented here was to assess the protective capability of the human GDNF transgene against noise trauma in the guinea pig cochlea. The left ears of guinea pigs were inoculated with a recombinant adenovirus with a human GDNF insert (Ad.GDNF). Four days later, animals were exposed to noise trauma. One week later, animals were sacrificed and hair cells counted in the left (inoculated) and right (non-inoculated) ears. Auditory brainstem thresholds were measured before the inoculation and just prior to sacrifice. Control groups included inoculation with a reporter gene vector (Ad.lacZ) and Ad.GDNF in normal ears with no noise exposure. The results show that intracochlear inoculation with adenovirus into normal ears does not compromise hair cell counts and ABR thresholds. Both Ad.GDNF and Ad.lacZ vectors can protect the cochlear hair cells and hearing from the noise insult. The difference between the protection afforded by Ad.GDNF and that of the Ad.lacZ vector is not statistically significant. The mechanism of Ad.lacZ protection needs to be elucidated. The data demonstrate the general feasibility of gene therapy for over-expression of neurotrophic factors against noise trauma, and emphasize the complexity of the technique and the problems of variability between subjects.
The Architecture of Complex Systems: Do Core-Periphery Structures Dominate?

Any complex technological system can be decomposed into a number of subsystems and associated components, some of which are core to system function while others are only peripheral. The dynamics of how such “core-periphery” structures evolve and become embedded in a firm’s innovation routines has been shown to be a major factor in predicting survival, especially in turbulent technology-based industries. To date however, there has been little empirical evidence on the propensity with which coreperiphery structures are observed in practice, the factors that explain differences in the design of such structures, or the manner in which these structures evolve over time. We address this gap by analyzing a large number of systems in the software industry.Our sample includes 1,286 software releases taken from 19 distinct applications. We find that 75-80% of systems possess a core-periphery structure. However, the number of components in the core varies widely, even for systems that perform the same function. These differences appear to be associated with different models of development – open, distributed organizations developing systems with smaller cores. We find that core components are often dispersed throughout a system, making their detection and management difficult for a system architect. And we show that systems evolve in different ways – in some, the core is stable, whereas in others, it grows in proportion to the system, challenging the ability of an architect to understand all possible component interactions. Our findings represent a first step in establishing some stylized facts about the structure of real world systems.
Changes in microtubule number and length during axon differentiation

Hippocampal neurons in culture initially extend several minor processes that are approximately 20 microns in length. The first minor process to grow approximately 10 microns longer than the others will continue to grow rapidly and become the axon (Goslin and Banker, 1989). We sought to define changes in the microtubule (MT) array that occur during axon differentiation. In theory, axon differentiation could involve an increase in MT number, MT length, or some combination of both. To address this issue, we first serially reconstructed the entire MT array of a minor process from a cell whose axon had not yet differentiated. This minor process contained 182 MTs that ranged in length from 0.14 to 20.09 microns. The average MT length was 3.87 +/- 3.83 microns, and the total MT length was 704 microns. We then reconstructed the MT arrays of a minor process and the 56 microns axon from a cell that had undergone axon differentiation. The minor process contained 157 MTs that ranged in length from 0.24 to 17.95 microns. The average MT length was 3.91 +/- 4.84 microns, and the total MT length was 600 microns. The axon contained 1430 MTs that ranged in length from 0.05 to 40.14 microns. The average MT length was 4.02 +/- 5.28 microns, and the total MT length was 5750 microns. These data indicate that a shift occurs toward shorter as well as longer MTs, but that virtually no change in average MT length occurs during axon differentiation. Thus, elongation of existing MTs cannot account for the major expansion of the MT array that occurs as a minor process becomes an axon. In contrast, the number of MTs increases by approximately 10-fold as a minor process differentiates and grows into an axon of the length we analyzed. Based on these data, we conclude that the MT array of a minor process is substantially expanded as it differentiates into an axon, and that the principal mechanism by which this expansion occurs is the copious addition of new MTs.
A constraint projection approach for robust adaptive beamforming

When the optimal signal-to-interference-plus-noise-power ratio (SINR) at the output of the linearly constrained minimum variance beamformer is large, small perturbation errors in the steering constraint can cause substantial degradation of the SINR. Even if there is no perturbation, an excessive number of data snapshots can be required for the SINR to converge to its optimal value. To alleviate both the perturbation and sample data problems, a novel approach is proposed-projecting the nominal steering vector onto the signal-plus-interference subspace to obtain a new steering constraint. Analysis suggests that the problems of perturbation error and insufficient data are closely related. >
Information-theoretic analysis of a stimulated-Brillouin-scattering-based slow-light system

We use an information-theoretic method developed by Neifeld and Lee [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A25, C31 (2008)] to analyze the performance of a slow-light system. Slow-light is realized in this system via stimulated Brillouin scattering in a 2 km-long, room-temperature, highly nonlinear fiber pumped by a laser whose spectrum is tailored and broadened to 5 GHz. We compute the information throughput (IT), which quantifies the fraction of information transferred from the source to the receiver and the information delay (ID), which quantifies the delay of a data stream at which the information transfer is largest, for a range of experimental parameters. We also measure the eye-opening (EO) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the transmitted data stream and find that they scale in a similar fashion to the information-theoretic method. Our experimental findings are compared to a model of the slow-light system that accounts for all pertinent noise sources in the system as well as data-pulse distortion due to the filtering effect of the SBS process. The agreement between our observations and the predictions of our model is very good. Furthermore, we compare measurements of the IT for an optimal flattop gain profile and for a Gaussian-shaped gain profile. For a given pump-beam power, we find that the optimal profile gives a 36% larger ID and somewhat higher IT compared to the Gaussian profile. Specifically, the optimal (Gaussian) profile produces a fractional slow-light ID of 0.94 (0.69) and an IT of 0.86 (0.86) at a pump-beam power of 450 mW and a data rate of 2.5 Gbps. Thus, the optimal profile better utilizes the available pump-beam power, which is often a valuable resource in a system design.
Modeling particulate matter concentrations measured through mobile monitoring in a deletion/substitution/addition approach

Abstract Land use regression modeling (LUR) through local scale circular modeling domains has been used to predict traffic-related air pollution such as nitrogen oxides (NOX). LUR modeling for fine particulate matters (PM), which generally have smaller spatial gradients than NOX, has been typically applied for studies involving multiple study regions. To increase the spatial coverage for fine PM and key constituent concentrations, we designed a mobile monitoring network in Monroe County, New York to measure pollutant concentrations of black carbon (BC, wavelength at 880 nm), ultraviolet black carbon (UVBC, wavelength at 3700 nm) and Delta-C (the difference between the UVBC and BC concentrations) using the Clarkson University Mobile Air Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (MAPL). A Deletion/Substitution/Addition (D/S/A) algorithm was conducted, which used circular buffers as a basis for statistics. The algorithm maximizes the prediction accuracy for locations without measurements using the V-fold cross-validation technique, and it reduces overfitting compared to other approaches. We found that the D/S/A LUR modeling approach could achieve good results, with prediction powers of 60%, 63%, and 61%, respectively, for BC, UVBC, and Delta-C. The advantage of mobile monitoring is that it can monitor pollutant concentrations at hundreds of spatial points in a region, rather than the typical less than 100 points from a fixed site saturation monitoring network. This research indicates that a mobile saturation sampling network, when combined with proper modeling techniques, can uncover small area variations (e.g., 10 m) in particulate matter concentrations.
Voluntary Medical Incident Reporting Tool to Improve Physician Reporting of Medical Errors in an Emergency Department.

Author(s): Okafor, Nnaemeka G.; Doshi, Pratik B.; Miller, Sara K.; McCarthy, James J.; Hoot, Nathan R.; Darger, Bryan F.; Benitez, Roberto C.; Chathampally, Yashwant G. | Abstract: Introduction: Medical errors are frequently under-reported, yet their appropriate analysis, coupled with remediation, is essential for continuous quality improvement. The emergency department (ED) is recognized as a complex and chaotic environment prone to errors. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a web-based ED-specific incident reporting system using an iterative process.Methods: A web-based, password-protected tool was developed by members of a quality assurance committee for ED providers to report incidents that they believe could impact patient safety.Results: The utilization of this system in one residency program with two academic sites resulted in an increase from 81 reported incidents in 2009, the first year of use, to 561 reported incidents in 2012. This is an increase in rate of reported events from 0.07% of all ED visits to 0.44% of all ED visits. In 2012, faculty reported 60% of all incidents, while residents and midlevel providers reported 24% and 16% respectively. The most commonly reported incidents were delays in care and management concerns. Conclusion: Error reporting frequency can be dramatically improved by using a web-based, user-friendly, voluntary, and non-punitive reporting system.
TR Discover: A Natural Language Interface for Querying and Analyzing Interlinked Datasets

Currently, the dominant technology for providing non-technical users with access to Linked Data is keyword-based search. This is problematic because keywords are often inadequate as a means for expressing user intent. In addition, while a structured query language can provide convenient access to the information needed by advanced analytics, unstructured keyword-based search cannot meet this extremely common need. This makes it harder than necessary for non-technical users to generate analytics. We address these difficulties by developing a natural language-based system that allows non-technical users to create well-formed questions. Our system, called TR Discover, maps from a fragment of English into an intermediate First Order Logic representation, which is in turn mapped into SPARQL or SQL. The mapping from natural language to logic makes crucial use of a feature-based grammar with full formal semantics. The fragment of English covered by the natural language grammar is domain specific and tuned to the kinds of questions that the system can handle. Because users will not necessarily know what the coverage of the system is, TR Discover offers a novel auto-suggest mechanism that can help users to construct well-formed and useful natural language questions. TR Discover was developed for future use with Thomson Reuters Cortellis, which is an existing product built on top of a linked data system targeting the pharmaceutical domain. Currently, users access it via a keyword-based query interface. We report results and performance measures for TR Discover on Cortellis, and in addition, to demonstrate the portability of the system, on the QALD-4 dataset, which is associated with a public shared task. We show that the system is usable and portable, and report on the relative performance of queries using SQL and SPARQL back ends.
Acute Toxicity, Absorption and Excretion of Sulfathiazole and Certain of its Derivatives.∗:

ConclusionsIt has been shown that the acute toxicity of sulfathiazole (as measured by the parenteral injection of sodium salts) for mice is one-third greater than that of sulfanilamide, and about h...
Genomic Potential for Coral Survival of Climate Change

One of the most pressing questions in coral reef biology today is “Will reef-building corals survive climate change?” Critical to this question is the rate at which climate change is progressing and whether that rate will be matched or exceeded by the ability of corals to acclimatize and adapt in their upper stress tolerance limits. The emerging field of genomics (i.e., genome scale genetics) holds great promise for investigation of the raw material needed for coral acclimatization and adaptation to climate change: variation in the gene sequences and activity of the molecular response pathways enabling corals and Symbiodinium to maintain key biological functions under environmental stress. A growing number of studies of gene expression signatures and gene frequency distributions are finding a diverse array of potential targets both for acclimatization potential and adaptive natural selection in climate change resistance. Additionally, research is consistently finding greater acclimatization and adaptive potential than previously thought, which when incorporated into models of coral survival in the future significantly improves the short-term outlook for reef persistence. Much remains to be determined about the extent of relevant phenotypic diversity in coral thermal tolerance and resistance to ocean acidification as well as the relative contributions of the coral host, Symbiodinium, and associated microbes to increased stress resistance. However, application of these new technologies to the question of coral climate change survival provides new evidence that evolutionary accumulation of adaptive diversity and phenotypic plasticity may give corals increased potential for persistence in the Anthropocene.
The theoretical and empirical study on the sustainable growth of China economy ——Based on the analysis of VAR model and impulse response function

The sustainable economic growth of China has been a focus of the academic circles.By using ADF unit root to guarantee the time series stability,utilizing the VAR model,the Johansen cointegration test and impulse response function,the article analyzes the sustainability of China economic growth empirically.It reaches the result that the fiscal policy and the monetary policy have produced persistent impacts on the economic growth of our country;from the long-term perspective,the fiscal policy has a stronger impact than the monetary policy,which reached 2.5% and maintained for a longer period.
Biofunctionalization of Hydrogels for Engineering the Cellular Microenvironment

The in vivo cellular microenvironment is a complex network of proteins and carbohydrates that not only acts as a scaffold for cell adhesion but also provides a wide range of biochemical and physical signals that are important for directing cell behavior. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is in turn also a substrate for cell-induced degradation and remodeling. Current advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have inspired the fabrication of in vitro material systems that can mimic biologically instructive properties of the ECM. In this chapter, we focus on strategies that have been developed for the functionalization of hydrogels with a wide range of biological motifs including ECM-derived proteins and growth factors. First, we consider approaches based on irreversible covalent immobilization as well as reversible and affinity-based immobilization of biomolecules onto polymer scaffolds. Next, we address approaches for the introduction of biodegradable elements such as substrates for cell-secreted enzymes into hydrogel matrices. We conclude the discussion with a short overview of techniques for synthesizing hydrogel nanoparticles, which can be used for functionalizing the surfaces of cells.
Conversion of cephalomedullary nail fixation to hip arthroplasty: technical points and pitfalls

Cephalomedullary nail fixation is used to treat proximal femur fractures. Some of these internal fixation constructs fail secondary to hardware failure, fracture malunion or nonunion, or the interval development of degenerative arthritis. Converting one of these constructs to a hip arthroplasty is technically more demanding and has a higher complication rate compared with routine primary total hip replacement. In this article, we review tips, techniques, and potential pitfalls for converting cephalomedullary nail fixation to hip arthroplasty-knowledge that orthopedic surgeons can use to minimize intraoperative and postoperative complications.
Long-Term (15 Years) Results of NPS Controls in an Agricultural Watershed upon a Receiving Lake's Water Quality

Nonpoint source controls were installed in a 1215 ha agricultural watershed in northeastern Wisconsin in the late 1970. Changes were made in handling of animal wastes and cropping practices to reduce runoff of sediment and nutrients. Modelling results predicted a reduction in phosphorus runoff of 30 percent. The water quality of White Clay Lake has worsened since the installation of NPS controls. The lake9s phosphorus concentration has increased from a mean of 29 µg L −1 in the late 1970s to 44 µg L −1 in recent years. Water clarity has declined from 2.7 to 2.1 m and the mean summer chlorophyll levels have increased from 9 to 13 µg L −1 with peak values exceeding 40 µg L −1 . Increased phosphorus loading is not the result of elevated precipitation but instead the failure of the control measures to sufficiently reduce P loading. Most of the effort was placed on structural changes while most of the P loading comes from cropland runoff. Further, soil phosphorus concentrations have increased because of artificial fertilizers and manure spreading. The White Clay Lake experience is discouraging since the majority of the polluters in this watershed utilized some NPS control practices, including 76 percent of the farms which installed waste management control facilities.
Free Speech: A Right for Good – and for Trouble‐Making?

Free Speech, intended to permit citizens of any community to publicly express dissent in order to influence, even change governance for the good of society has also given license to some members of society to insult, attack and harm others within and outside one's own society. This key element of human rights, “the freedom of speech” can and has been subject to corruption and used to attack those with whom, our ideology is in disaccord. The Janus Dilemma has it that “free speech” yields words of guidance and human good; but also words of attack and of wounding that stir human conflict.