cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Compensatory Growth in Walleye Fingerling Production

Abstract Compensatory growth during production of fingerling walleyes Sander vitreus was evaluated. Age-0 walleyes (mean weight ± SE = 26.1 ± 0.73 g) were stocked into nine 100-L tanks (three tanks/treatment). Fish were fed daily (control); fed for 5 d consecutively and then went unfed for 2 d (5-d treatment); or fed for 3 d consecutively and then went unfed for 4 d (3-d treatment). Treatments were repeated weekly for an 8-week period. Full compensation occurred in the 5-d treatment, as shown by increased specific growth rate (SGR) and no statistical difference in final weight relative to that of the control group. Fish in the 3-d treatment exhibited partial compensation in which SGR increased periodically, but final weight differed significantly from that of the control group. Information garnered from this study exemplifies the potential for achieving compensatory growth during fingerling walleye production.
A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF TIME TO NORMALIZATION OF SERUM TESTOSTERONE AFTER WITHDRAWAL OF ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY

Purpose: Patients with prostate cancer are treated with neoadjuvant, adjuvant and intermittent androgen deprivation therapy. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is altered during androgen deprivation therapy, and as a result the prognostic significance and accuracy of PSA values measured before serum testosterone has normalized are questionable because the patient is still effectively on androgen deprivation therapy. We determine the time it takes for serum testosterone to return to normal after withdrawal of androgen deprivation therapy.Materials and Methods: Serial serum testosterone was prospectively measured at 3-month intervals in 68 men after withdrawal of androgen deprivation therapy. The number of months to return to normal serum testosterone 270 ng./dl. or greater, was calculated for each patient. Patients were stratified according to duration of androgen deprivation, age and type of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist used.Results: Median patient age was 71 years (range 46 to 88). Median t...
Feedback control for oscillations with CPG architecture

This paper presents a method for designing a nonlinear feedback controller for a linear plant to achieve an oscillation with a prescribed profile as a projection of a stable limit cycle of the closed-loop system. The controller architecture is based on the central pattern generator, a biological oscillator composed of interconnected neurons that control rhythmic body movements during animal locomotion. The nonlinear control design problem is reduced, approximately, to a linear eigenstructure assignment problem through describing functions and the multivariable harmonic balance method. We then provide a necessary and sufficient condition for existence of a feasible controller assigning a given eigenstructure, as well as a parametrization of all such controllers. A numerical example demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed design method.
Political action and the geography of defense investment: geographical scale and the representation of the Massachusetts Miracle

Abstract Drawing on the notions of material spatial practice and representations and counter-representations of such practice, the politics of defense investment during the Massachusetts Miracle is examined. Scale incongruities between the material practice of defense investment and the political representation of that investment are found. These incongruities are shown to affect the strategies adopted by Massachusetts peace organizations resisting the defense build-up of the 1980s. In particular, peace organizations failed to address the material implications of halting the arms race. The complex interaction of representations and material practices operating at a variety of scales led to the paradoxical situation in which peace organizations were able to generate strong symbolic opposition to the defense build-up but were unable to persuade voters to adopt measures that would halt it.
Who needs a friend? Marital status transitions and physical health outcomes in later life.

Objective This study assessed the moderating role of 2 types of confidante relationships in mitigating the negative health impact of transitions involving spousal loss in late life (widowhood and divorce/separation). Method The sample included 707 respondents who participated in the 1992 and 2004 waves of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS, 2007) all of whom were married at Time 1 and by Time 2 experienced either an end of the marriage resulting from widowhood or divorce/separation or remained continuously married to the same spouse. The majority of the sample was female (n = 457) and 64.3 years old on average. Three indicators of physical health were examined, including somatic depressive symptomatology, self-rated health, and number of sick days in the preceding year. Results Moderated regression analyses showed that the availability of a friend as confidante at Time 2 played a significant moderating role in the link between marital transitions and health outcomes, buffering the health impact of widowhood. Specifically, among those who became widowed between the 2 waves, those who had available a friend as confidante at Time 2 reported significantly lower somatic depressive symptoms, better self-rated health, and fewer sick days in bed during the preceding year than those who reported not having a friend as confidante. No support was obtained for the moderating role of having a family member as confidante at Time 2 in the link from marital transitions to health. Conclusions These results highlight the need to develop means to maintain and enhance confiding friendships among widowed older adults.
Limitations in the Hydrologic Applications of C-Band SRTM DEMs in Low-Relief Settings

The shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) data represent a major breakthrough in terms of providing accurate and consistent elevation data on a worldwide basis. These data are being used in many scientific applications, hydrology in particular. This letter examines the feasibility of using SRTM data for hydrologic characterizations, particularly in a region of low relief exemplified by the Otter Tail basin in Minnesota. The Version 2 SRTM data product provides a useful starting place for estimating the stage for larger lakes. Indications for Minnesota are that these estimates are accurate to several meters but are biased toward underestimation. Over land, the inherent noise in the data makes watershed boundary and stream network extraction problematic. We found large errors in estimated basin shape and area, and in the geometry of extracted stream networks, as compared to more traditional U.S. Geological Survey data products.
Hospital costs associated with bariatric procedures in the United States.

Abstract Background Weight loss operations are being performed at an exponentially increasing rate. Although highly effective for controlling obesity and its complications, the operations are expensive. The operations are thought to be cost-effective, but there has not been an analysis of the costs associated with these procedures at a national level precluding definitive cost-effectiveness studies useful for policy determination. Methods The 2001 and 2002 National Inpatient Survey (NIS) was used to establish costs attributable to bariatric surgery. This survey contains discharge information for approximately 20% of all US hospital admissions in any given year. Bariatric procedures were identified by ICD-9-CM procedures codes and diagnostic related group (DRG) 288 (operating room [OR] procedures for obesity). Results Of the commonly performed operations, laparoscopic gastric bypass had the lowest hospital charges ($19,794/case) relative to open gastric bypass ($22,313/case) and laparoscopic banding procedures ($25,355/case). Laparoscopic gastric bypass resulted in fewer charges because of a 1-day shorter median length of stay. Discussion These data provide benchmarks for the costs associated with the weight loss procedures commonly performed in the United States. Although laparoscopic gastric bypass is the lease costly approach to bariatric surgery, the fact that costs are lower because of decreased length of stay can be disadvantageous for hospitals reimbursed on a per diem basis.
From your editor

As the author went though his file of old Newsletters, one of the most interesting items to turn up was a "Special Letter to PGAP Members" dated February 20, 1960. This contained a history of our group and it was prepared by the first Chairman, L.C. Van Atta. This was the third of the IRE Professional Groups to be established and our birthdate was February 1, 1949. Ten years have passed since the first chapter in our history was written; it would be most appropriate for this to be updated. I am, herewith, calling for a volunteer historian.
The relationship between androgen levels and human spatial abilities

Individual differences on spatial tasks were examined relative to differences in free-androgen levels. A spatial test battery was administered to 91 males and females who differed in free-androgen levels as determined by a radioimmunoassay. Polynomial regression analyses yielded significant curvilinear functions relating spatial scores and androgen levels. A second study, conducted with a group of 33 males and females, replicated the basic findings of the first experiment.
Combustion of Silicon/Teflon/Viton and Aluminum/Teflon/Viton Energetic Composites

DOI: 10.2514/1.46182 The combustion of Si- and Al-based systems using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as the oxidizer and Fluorel FC 2175 (a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride) as a binder has been studied. Experimental data were obtained using two methods: 1) instrumented tube burns and 2) pressed pellets inside a windowed pressure vessel. Loose-powder burning rates were seen to optimize at slightly-fuel-rich mixture ratios for Si/PTFE/FC-2175 (SiTV). Al/PTFE/FC-2175 (AlTV) burning rates optimized near a stoichiometric ratio. Pressures calculated by assuming constant-volume combustion equilibrium were seen to match experimental values from burn-tube experiments when burning rates were at or near peak values. The pressure dependence of SiTV and AlTV pellet burning rates was also characterized and compared with reported Mg/PTFE/Viton (MTV) results. SiTV showed power-law dependence with a constant-pressure exponent over the experimental range of pressures. AlTV was showntoexhibitnonconstant-pressureexponentbehavior.SiTVburningratesoptimizedatmixtureratiossimilarto that of the tube burns. AlTV burning rates increased well past a stoichiometric ratio and decreased at a fuel-rich ratio, which is a similar trend to MTV burning rates.
A CS1 course designed to address interests of women

Literature on women in computing points out that computer science is not being effective at attracting and retaining women. Introduction to Media Computation is a new CS1 aimed especially at non-majors which was designed explicitly to address the concerns of women in computer science, such as the lack of relevance and creativity. The course is contextualized around the theme of manipulating and creating media. Of the 121 students who took the course (2/3 female), only three students dropped (all male), and 89% completed the course with a grade C or better. This paper presents data from interviews with women in the Media Computation class, then contrasts with interviews in a more traditional CS1.
Empowerment in organizations: Employees’ perceptions of the influences on empowerment

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the sources of employees’ self‐reported feelings of empowerment by analyzing their descriptions of their jobs, supervisors, colleagues, and organization. Data were collected from forty employees of a large company in the form of interviews and surveys. Relationships between empowerment and five influences on empowerment were explored. Four of the five influences are dimensions underlying self‐efficacy (Bandura, 1977, 1986): enactive attainment, verbal persuasion, vicarious experience, and emotional arousal. The fifth influence is macro‐level organizational culture. Findings revealed that employees had multiple meanings associated with the five influences. Their feelings of empowerment were most strongly associated with their perceptions of macro‐level culture. Positive verbal persuasion and positive emotional arousal were also significantly related to feelings of empowerment. The results suggest that previous models of empowerment that include only the dim...
Generation of a zebrafish P1 artificial chromosome library.

We have constructed a genomic P1 artificial chromosome library from the zebrafish. The library has been arrayed and archived in two hundred seventy-one 384-well microtiter dishes. It encompasses four to five genome equivalents with an average insert size of ∼115 kb and is readily accessible to the scientific community. The library has been used by numerous investigators in the community and shown to be a useful reagent for chromosomal walking and positional cloning.
Black Boxes as Capacities for and Constraints on Action: Electoral Politics, Journalism, and Devices of Representation

Actor-Network Theory, as a theoretical and methodological approach, is particularly insightful when applied to domains of social activity that are in flux, thus making it particularly useful for ethnographic research about unsettled socio-technical systems. Drawing from field research conducted over the last decade, this paper presents two empirical cases that reveal how ANT enables researchers to trace the associations that form the socio-technical objects of political and journalistic practice. We focus on “black-boxed” technical objects, exploring two distinct, yet complementary, analytical moments that emerged during our respective fieldwork. First, we detail the work that an electoral map performs in stabilizing networks of political representation and creating new capacities to act. We then go inside a journalistic organization to reveal a moment of breakdown when the black box of a content management system unravels and fails to do what it is seemingly supposed to do, throwing news production into a tenuous state. The paper concludes by interrogating our empirical findings through the lens of cultural practices, highlighting a few ways sociologists might need to supplement ANT-analysis with a more robust understanding of culture and symbolic belief systems.
Structural evolution of a porous type-VI sol-gel silica glass

The structural evolution of type-VI porous sol-gel-derived optical glasses is described. The average pore radius of the glasses studied is 30 ,A, with an exceptionally narrow pore size distribution. These glasses are particularly suited to laser surface densification. Their properties make them also attractive as matrices for impregnation of second phases and as a substrate material for the production of fully dense optical lens elements and micro-optical devices. The properties of the matrices are reported for the as-dried state to densities approaching 2.2 g/cm 3, with thermal treatments from room temperature to 1060°C. The parameters of sintering for the gel-glass transformation are measured, and the phenomena occurring for three temperature ranges are evaluated. An activation energy of 65 + 9 kcal/mol for sintering with a structure factor n = 1.0 + 0.3 was found for the initial stage sintering of the material.
Thallium antagonism toward potassium dependent systems

When a number of Group 1A chlorides were added to yeast solutions which were inhibited by 20 mM Tl+, the greatest restorative effect was shown by KCl, with a lesser effect by NH4Cl. Sodium, rubidium and cesium chlorides had no significant effect on Tl+-inhibited CO2 production, and lithium chloride inhibited the system even further. Removal of potassium ions by dialysis reduced CO2 production by about 70% and the restorative effect of potassium was markedly reduced when this ion was added in the presence of thallium.
Computer-assisted edge detection in two-dimensional echocardiography: Comparison with anatomic data

Four methods of computer-based edge detection were evaluated for identification of endocardial and epicardial borders on 2-dimensional echocardiograms of excised hearts. A method was also evaluated for observer identification of cardiac borders in the same hearts. The accuracy of computer-derived borders and of observer-derived borders were determined by comparison to anatomic borders measured from photographs of slices of the excised hearts. Echocardiographic borders were compared with anatomic borders by calculation of segmental cavity areas and wall thickness. Each of the methods tested (computer and observer) identified endocardial borders accurately, resulting in cavity segment areas that correlated well with the corresponding anatomic data (r = 0.90 to 0.92). Regional wall thicknesses correlated less well with anatomic data (r = 0.74 to 0.80), suggesting that endocardial borders were identified more accurately than were epicardial borders. Thus, the methods of computer-assisted echocardiographic border detection tested identified the endocardium and epicardium as accurately as a trained observer evaluating unprocessed echocardiograms. Computer-based methods of border detection may be useful in the automated analysis of clinical echocardiograms.
Changes in Specimen Preparation Method May Impact Urine Cytologic Evaluation

This study was performed to identify differences in the frequency of specific cytologic diagnoses obtained between specimens prepared by the filtration and ThinPrep (Cytyc, Marlborough, MA) techniques and to assess how these cytologic diagnoses correlated with pathologic findings. Data were collected from 2,347 voided urine specimens analyzed 8 months before and after ThinPrep implementation. Urine cytologic and bladder biopsy specimens were obtained as part of clinical follow-up, and positive diagnoses were considered evidence of malignancy. After ThinPrep implementation, the proportion of specimens diagnosed as negative significantly decreased (85.5% vs 78.6%; P < .001), clusters (5.8% vs 5.6%; P = .597) and positive (2.8% vs 3.3%; P = .143) diagnoses remained similar, and atypical (3.1% vs 8.4%; P < .001) and “suspicious” diagnoses (2.7% vs 4.1%; P < .001) increased. After 1 year of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the percentage of patients diagnosed with bladder carcinoma between the 2 methods for all cytologic categories.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Specifies Formation of Native Collaterals and Regulates Collateral Growth in Ischemia

The density of native (preexisting) collaterals and their capacity to enlarge into large conduit arteries in ischemia (arteriogenesis) are major determinants of the severity of tissue injury in occlusive disease. Mechanisms directing arteriogenesis remain unclear. Moreover, nothing is known about how native collaterals form in healthy tissue. Evidence suggests vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is important in embryonic vascular patterning and ischemic angiogenesis, may contribute to native collateral formation and arteriogenesis. Therefore, we examined mice heterozygous for VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1(+/-)), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2(+/-)), and overexpressing (VEGF(hi/+)) and underexpressing VEGF-A (VEGF(lo/+)). Recovery from hindlimb ischemia was followed for 21 days after femoral artery ligation. All statements below are P<0.05. Compared to wild-type mice, VEGFR-2(+/-) showed similar: ischemic scores, recovery of hindlimb perfusion, pericollateral leukocytes, collateral enlargement, and angiogenesis. In contrast, VEGFR-1(+/-) showed impaired: perfusion recovery, pericollateral leukocytes, collateral enlargement, worse ischemic scores, and comparable angiogenesis. Compared to wild-type mice, VEGF(lo/+) had 2-fold lower perfusion immediately after ligation (suggesting fewer native collaterals which was confirmed by angiography) and blunted recovery of perfusion. VEGF(hi/+) mice had 3-fold greater perfusion immediately after ligation, more native collaterals, and improved recovery of perfusion. These differences were confirmed in the cerebral pial cortical circulation where, compared to VEGF(hi/+) mice, VEGF(lo/+) formed fewer collaterals during the perinatal period when adult density was established, and had 2-fold larger infarctions after middle cerebral artery ligation. Our findings indicate VEGF and VEGFR-1 are determinants of arteriogenesis. Moreover, we describe the first signaling molecule, VEGF-A, that specifies formation of native collaterals in healthy tissues.
Lower extremity amputations in adults less than forty years of age : an underestimated risk from premature atherosclerosis

Between 1987 and 1992, 57 patients aged twenty-five to forty (average, 34.0 ±4.5 years) underwent major lower extremity amputations in five community hospitals, including a Level II Trauma Center. Only 19 (33%) patients had traumatic amputations, 3 (5%) had malignant tumors, and 4 (7%) had juvenile-onset diabetes mellitus without atherosclerotic involvement of the large arteries. Thirty (53%) patients had premature atherosclerosis (PAS) of the lower extremities with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) present in half and related to diabetes in 12. All patients with ESRD required continuous dialysis therapy. Overall 19 (33%) patients in this study had diabetes. Of 32 patients thirty-six years of age (OR= 14.3; P < 0.001). In total, 67 amputations were done. Twenty-one (68%) of 31 above-knee amputations (AKA) were performed in patients with PAS, and 26% of AKA were related t...
Improved heating efficiency with high-intensity focused ultrasound using a new ultrasound source excitation

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is quickly becoming one of the best methods to thermally ablate tissue noninvasively. Unlike RF or Laser ablation, the tissue can be destroyed without inserting any probes into the body minimizing the risk of secondary complications such as infections. In this study, the heating efficiency of HIFU sources is improved by altering the excitation of the ultrasound source to take advantage of nonlinear propagation. For ultrasound, the phase velocity of the ultrasound wave depends on the amplitude of the wave resulting in the generation of higher harmonics. These higher harmonics are more efficiently converted into heat in the body due to the frequency dependence of the ultrasound absorption in tissue. In our study, the generation of the higher harmonics by nonlinear propagation is enhanced by transmitting an ultrasound wave with both the fundamental and a higher harmonic component included. Computer simulations demonstrated up to a 300% increase in temperature increase compared to transmitting at only the fundamental for the same acoustic power transmitted by the source.
An Introduction to the Classic Paper by M. I. Pupin

This paper provides an introduction to the paper presented by Prof. Pupin, which deals with a method of measuring the radiation resistance of an antenna. In order to provide a perspective for the significance of Pupin's paper, a brief review of the state of antenna knowledge in 1913 is given first. The highlights of Pupin's paper are then discussed, followed by a summary of significant milestones in the development of our current state of knowledge about the impedance properties of wire type antennas and how it is evaluated.
The μ opioid receptor: from molecular cloning to functional studies

Opioids have been used and abused by humans for centuries. The mu opioid receptor represents the high affinity binding site for opioid narcotics with high abuse liability such as morphine, codeine and fentanyl. Heroin (diacetylmorphine), a semi-synthetic derivative of morphine, crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than morphine due to its increased hydrophobicity. Once in the brain heroin is hydrolyzed to morphine, which acts at the mu opioid receptor and results in euphoria, thus conferring the reinforcing properties of heroin. Using molecular biology techniques, the mu opioid receptors from several species have been cloned. This article reviews recent progress in this area, with respect to the two major cellular functions of the mu opioid receptor: reduction of intracellular cAMP concentration by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase activity, and inhibition of neuronal firing by modulating membrane ion channels.
Widespread Policy Disruption: Terrorism, Public Risks, and Homeland Security

We address theoretical and empirical aspects of policy disruptions that affect multiple areas of policymaking. Our theorizing leads us to consider the effects of widespread disruptions in gaining the attention of elected officials, in affecting policymaking, and in reshaping the involvement of federal agencies. Our empirical analyses concern the threat of terrorism in the United States and its implications for public risk subsystems over the past 25 years. Our analyses of the attention of policymakers and resultant policymaking volatility show selective patterns of subsystem disruption related to the threat of terrorism. We show that capturing the attention of policymakers in multiple subsystems is insufficient to motivate heightened levels of policymaking across the board. In addition, we find more muted impacts for federal agency involvement than might have been expected from the massive reorganization that created the Department of Homeland Security. More generally, the disjunctions we observe show the powerful influence of policy subsystems in buffering against widespread policy disruptions.
Facilitating the selection and creation of accurate interatomic potentials with robust tools and characterization

The Materials Genome Initiative seeks to significantly decrease the cost and time of development and integration of new materials. Within the domain of atomistic simulations, several roadblocks stand in the way of reaching this goal. While the NIST Interatomic Potentials Repository hosts numerous interatomic potentials (force fields), researchers cannot immediately determine the best choice(s) for their use case. Researchers developing new potentials, specifically those in restricted environments, lack a comprehensive portfolio of efficient tools capable of calculating and archiving the properties of their potentials. This paper elucidates one solution to these problems, which uses Python-based scripts that are suitable for rapid property evaluation and human knowledge transfer. Calculation results are visible on the repository website, which reduces the time required to select an interatomic potential for a specific use case. Furthermore, property evaluation scripts are being integrated with modern platforms to improve discoverability and access of materials property data. To demonstrate these scripts and features, we will discuss the automation of stacking fault energy calculations and their application to additional elements. While the calculation methodology was developed previously, we are using it here as a case study in simulation automation and property calculations. We demonstrate how the use of Python scripts allows for rapid calculation in a more easily managed way where the calculations can be modified, and the results presented in user-friendly and concise ways. Additionally, the methods can be incorporated into other efforts, such as openKIM.
Accelerated Phase CML: Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed vs. Progression From Chronic Phase

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has fundamentally changed the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Disease progression to advanced phase (accelerated or blast phase) has been reduced to 1 to 1.5 % per year from more than 20 % per year in the pre-TKI era. However, once the disease has progressed to accelerated or blast phase, there is no consensus regarding optimal therapy. The prognosis of these patients is dismal with median survival ranging from 7 to 11 months. TKIs along with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are conventional strategies in managing these patients but there are very few long-term survivors. Advanced phase CML represents the new frontier for CML treatment where research is critically needed to improve patient outcomes.
Assessing nodule detection on lung cancer screening CT: The effects of tube current modulation and model observer selection on detectability maps

Lung cancer screening using low dose CT has been shown to reduce lung cancer related mortality and been approved for widespread use in the US. These scans keep radiation doses low while maximizing the detection of suspicious lung lesions. Tube current modulation (TCM) is one technique used to optimize dose, however limited work has been done to assess TCM’s effect on detection tasks. In this work the effect of TCM on detection is investigated throughout the lung utilizing several different model observers (MO). 131 lung nodules were simulated at 1mm intervals in each lung of the XCAT phantom. A Sensation 64 TCM profile was generated for the XCAT phantom and 2500 noise realizations were created using both TCM and a fixed TC. All nodules and noise realizations were reconstructed for a total of 262 (left and right lungs) nodule reconstructions and 10 000 XCAT lung reconstructions. Single-slice Hotelling (HO) and channelized Hotelling (CHO) observers, as well as a multislice CHO were used to assess area-under-the-curve (AUC) as a function of nodule location in both the fixed TC and TCM cases. As expected with fixed TC, nodule detectability was lowest through the shoulders and leveled off below mid-lung; with TCM, detectability was unexpectedly highest through the shoulders, dropping sharply near the mid-lung and then increasing into the abdomen. Trends were the same for all model observers. These results suggest that TCM could be further optimized for detection and that detectability maps present exciting new opportunities for TCM optimization on a patient-specific level.
Leadership at all levels.

I am humbled and honored to have been selected to give this year’s John W. Webb lecture. I would like to thank the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Practice Managers and Bill Gouveia and Dean Jack Reynolds of the School of Pharmacy at the Bouve College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University for
Revival of Vanidicus Brennan & Jones, 1961, descriptions of two new species of the genus from Venezuela, and notes on related taxa (Acarina: Trombiculidae).

Vanidicus Brennan & Jones, 1961, synonymized with Pseudoschoengastia by Geest & Loomis (1968), is redescribed and restored to generic status. V. chalepus off Oryzomys albigularis and V.jojosti off Proechimys guyannensis , Venezuela, are described as new. The type species, V. tricosus , is briefly redescribed and descriptive notes of related forms are given.
Mechanism of enzymatic reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride.

SummaryThe conditions of the reduction of TTC by cytoplasmic fractions of rat tissue homogenates were determined. Rat kidney extracts, upon addition of aminoacids, reduce TTC anaerobically. Glycolytic enzymes of liver and muscle reduce TTC only when supplemented by mitochondria. An extract of mitochondria can be obtained which will supplement the glycolytic TTC reducing system.
Effects of High-Altitude Exposure on Survival and Behavior of Tobacco Budworms (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Exposure to characteristic climatic conditions at altitudes from 1.2 to 2.4 km above sea level did not significantly reduce the capacity of unmated tobacco budworm moths to subsequently mate and reproduce after their return to earth. Furthermore, nearly one-half of the previously mated females laid fertile eggs and could have contributed to the density of infield populations after long-range dispersal at these altitudes. Also, the moths were able to maintain a directional bearing, orient, and rotate, apparently by perceiving some obscure standard such as the earth's gravity or magnetic flux lines, even without a fixation on geographic landmarks or sharply contrasting light patterns. Boll weevils did not demonstrate this orientation ability, and their longevity was severely shortened after exposure to conditions at altitudes of 1.8 km or higher. However, weevils copulated and damaged their host food by making punctures after their return to earth.
A Dilemma for Theories of Public Reason

The ideal of public reason requires citizens to justify laws with public reasons. Unlike appeals to comprehensive doctrines, public reasons do not compel citizens to abandon their most basic religious or philosophical convictions, provided that these convictions are reasonable. The article presents a dilemma for theories of public reason. Either the proscription against appealing to comprehensive doctrines is redundant on ordinary rules of argument, or there are in effect public reasons for rejecting a reasonable comprehensive doctrine as false, i.e., public reasons that compel some citizens to abandon their most basic (and reasonable) religious, moral or philosophical convictions
High pressure laminating with fibrous glass mat

1. Fibrous Glass Mat for high pressure laminating fills the performance gap between paper base and glass fabric base high pressure laminates.
Progress of the early diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetic nephropathy

End stage renal failure(ESRD) caused by diabetic nephropathy(DN) is the main reason of type 1 diabetes(T1DM) death. Microalbuminuria is an important early predictor of DN. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is important to prevent the DN development to ESRD. This paper summarizes the epidemiology, clinical features, early diagnosis and prevention of T1 DM nephropathy(T1DN), hoping to raise the attention of early diagnosis and prevention of T1 DN.
Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) increases morbidity and mortality. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for AKI in patients undergoing TAVR. Methods Two hundred ninety consecutive patients underwent TAVR. Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-I criteria for AKI diagnosis at 72 hours, and VARC-II criteria at seven days were employed. Results Overall AKI incidence was 24.62% (65/264): 50 patients at 72 hours and 15 patients at seven days. Multivariate logistic regression determined transapical (TA) approach (OR: 4.46 [1.37-7.63]), preprocedural glomerular filtration rate less than 45 mL/min (OR: 3.47 [1.35-14.70]), and blood transfusion (OR: 3.34 [1.58-11.09]) as independent predictors for AKI at 72 hours; and prior coronary artery bypass grafting (OR: 3.02 [1.007-9.09]) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) (OR: 3.53 [1.06-11.62]) for AKI at seven days. In-hospital and 30-day mortality was higher in AKI patients. Non-AKI patients' survival was 93% at six months, 89% at 12 months, and 86% at 24 months, whereas survival in AKI at 72 hours was 66% at 6, 12, and 24 months (HR AKI vs. non-AKI: 3.9 [CI: 2.0-7.6]), and survival in AKI at seven days was 64% at 6, 12, and 24 months, HR: 3.13 (CI: 1.42-6.92). For the 12 dialysis patients survival was 82% at 6, 12, and 24 months. Conclusions AKI after TAVR is associated with worse outcomes. Blood transfusion should be administered restrictively in TAVR. Patients with CKD, PAD, prior CABG, and TA approach require close surveillance as they are at risk for AKI through seven days after TAVR. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12768 (J Card Surg 2016;31:416-422).
Pharmacologic Considerations in the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in Persons With HIV

Roughly one-third of individuals living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are coinfected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to shared routes of transmission. HIV accelerates the progression of HCV disease; thus, coinfected individuals are at high priority for HCV treatment. Several new HCV therapies, called direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), are available that achieve cure rates of >90% in many patient populations including individuals with HIV. The primary consideration in treating HCV in HIV-infected persons is the potential for drug interactions. We describe the clinical pharmacology and drug interaction potential of the DAAs, review the interaction data with DAAs and antiretroviral agents, and identify the knowledge gaps in the pharmacologic aspects of treating HCV in individuals with HIV coinfection. This review will focus on DAAs that have received regulatory approval in the United States and Europe and agents in late stages of clinical development.
Physician recommendations for screening mammography: results of a survey using clinical vignettes.

BACKGROUND Although experts estimate that 30% of breast cancer deaths could be prevented if women were screened according to published guidelines, fewer than 50% of physicians follow screening mammography guidelines, and fewer than 30% of women are screened with mammography. METHODS Physician recommendations for screening mammography were examined in a questionnaire mailed to 300 randomly selected physicians of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians responded with their likelihood of recommending screening mammography to 24 clinical vignettes that high-lighted patient, mammographic, and encounter characteristics. RESULTS Seventy-one percent responded. Ninety-one percent reported almost always recommending screening mammography to a 55-year-old woman at her yearly examination. They were significantly less likely to recommend mammography to women who were young (40 years old), were old (70 years old), were poor, had small breasts, had painful mammograms, did not want the doctor to look for cancer, lived in a nursing home, or were retarded. Physicians recommended mammography less often when the mammography unit was far away or produced poor quality films or ambiguous interpretations. When physicians ran behind schedule, perceived a more urgent medical problem during the encounter, or saw a woman for an acute visit, they recommended mammography significantly less often. CONCLUSIONS Patient, mammographic, and encounter characteristics significantly limit physician recommendations for screening mammography as assessed by clinical vignettes. These characteristics must be addressed if breast cancer mortality is to be reduced with early screening.
Coronary artery bypass grafting saves lives

Velazquez et al . are to be congratulated for publishing this follow up Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure Extension Study (STICHES) which clearly demonstrates that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) renders survival benefit to patients with ischemic heart disease with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less (1).
Potassium Sensing by Renal Distal Tubules Requires Kir4.1

The mammalian distal convoluted tubule (DCT) makes an important contribution to potassium homeostasis by modulating NaCl transport. The thiazide-sensitive Na+/Cl- cotransporter (NCC) is activated by low potassium intake and by hypokalemia. Coupled with suppression of aldosterone secretion, activation of NCC helps to retain potassium by increasing electroneutral NaCl reabsorption, therefore reducing Na+/K+ exchange. Yet the mechanisms by which DCT cells sense plasma potassium concentration and transmit the information to the apical membrane are not clear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the potassium channel Kir4.1 is the potassium sensor of DCT cells. We generated mice in which Kir4.1 could be deleted in the kidney after the mice are fully developed. Deletion of Kir4.1 in these mice led to moderate salt wasting, low BP, and profound potassium wasting. Basolateral membranes of DCT cells were depolarized, nearly devoid of conductive potassium transport, and unresponsive to plasma potassium concentration. Although renal WNK4 abundance increased after Kir4.1 deletion, NCC abundance and function decreased, suggesting that membrane depolarization uncouples WNK kinases from NCC. Together, these results indicate that Kir4.1 mediates potassium sensing by DCT cells and couples this signal to apical transport processes.
Figured Worlds and American Dreams: An Exploration of Agency and Identity Among Latinx Undocumented Students

In this chapter, I report on one of my studies of undocumented students with a focus on identity, education, and agency. The lives of undocumented students are at the mercy of the political ups and downs that impact their daily realities. No matter the agentic acts these students take to reach their goals or steps they take to simply survive, there is a limit to what they can achieve in the context of the law. While the unpredictable journey of the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act, which sought a conditional pathway to citizenship, raised students’ hopes since its inception in 2001, xenophobic messages about undocumented immigrants stealing American jobs, committing crimes, and otherwise abusing the US system of government continue to proliferate. These symbolically violent messages depict undocumented people as uneducated and deficient—as takers of what is not theirs, bringing with them problems rather than contributions.
Laser-Thermoablation zur Behandlung von pharmakoresistenten Epilepsien: Erfahrungen aus Philadelphia

Die „laser interstitial thermal ablation“ ist ein neues Verfahren fur die Behandlung pharmakoresistenter Epilepsien. Mit dieser Technik wird eine Sonde stereotaktisch in die Zielstruktur (z. B. Hippocampussklerose, hypothalamische Hamartome und kleine fokale kortikale Dysplasien), die fur die Entstehung epileptischer Anfalle verantwortlich ist, eingefuhrt. Die Sondenspitze wird dann mittels Laserenergie erhitzt, um das umgebende Gewebe zu abladieren. Dieses Verfahren hat den Vorteil, selektiv kleinere Strukturen anvisieren zu konnen, und ist wesentlich weniger invasiv als ein offener Eingriff (geringere Krankenhausaufenthaltsdauer, weniger Schmerzen und schnellere Rekonvaleszenz). Erste Ergebnisse bei mesialer Temporallappenepilepsie und hypothalamischen Hamartomen sind Erfolg versprechend: Ungefahr die Halfte der Patienten wird anfallsfrei. Aufgrund des geringeren Volumens im Vergleich zu einem resektiven Verfahren scheinen die neuropsychologischen Defizite geringer auszufallen. Weitere Untersuchungen mussen durchgefuhrt werden, um eine optimale Zielplanung der zu abladierenden Struktur und die Selektion der Operationskandidaten zu bestimmen. Auch mussen mehr Patienten untersucht werden, um die Effektivitat und Nebenwirkungsrate benennen zu konnen.
The Detailed Electronic Structure of Carbocyclic Molecules and the Concept of Superaromaticity

The literature on the electronic structure of carbon cyclic compounds such as cyclopropane, cyclohexane, benzene, etc., is so enormous that citation of some works but not others is mandatory and, thus, unfair.1 The essential point is that many aspects of the bonding of these molecules have been successfully dealt with but a fundamental understanding of the electronic structure of these molecules still eludes us. Why do I say so?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Older Adults

The number of older adults needing mental health care is expected to drastically increase over the next few decades. Research has established the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and behavioral concerns related to dementia in late life. Clinicians are encouraged to be flexible in making modifications for sensory and cognitive changes in older adults. CBT can address specific clinical issues that are more prevalent in older adults than in other age groups, such as hoarding, fear of falling, physical illness or disability, or pain in the context of dementia. Recent literature has emphasized novel models for increasing access to mental health care for older adults, as well as for providing care management and basic needs for diverse older populations. Locating mental health services in primary care, long-term care, and the community through home-based or telephone-based care can increase older adults’ access to evidence-based psychotherapy.
INTERACTION OF LIPID VESICLES CONTAINING H-2 ANTIGENS WITH ALLOANTIBODY AND WITH ALLOIMMUNE CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES

ABSTRACT Detergent solubilized, partially purified mouse H-2 antigens have been reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol lipid vesicles. These lipid vesicles inhibit lysis by alloantibody and complement and inhibit specific conjugate formation between alloimmune cytotoxic T lymphocytes and target cells. With this system the influence of antigen density and lipid composition on immune recognition can be studied.
Persistence and Efficacy of Four Nuclear Polyhedrosis Viruses for Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Heading Grain Sorghum

The persistence and efficacy of Helicoverpa zea nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzNPV) on heading grain sorghum was compared with three multiply-enveloped NPV's from other hosts to which the corn earwo...
Cancer-Targeting Ultrasmall Silica Nanoparticles for Clinical Translation: Physicochemical Structure and Biological Property Correlations

Although a large body of literature exists on the potential use of nanoparticles for medical applications, the number of probes translated into human clinical trials is remarkably small. A major challenge of particle probe development and their translation is the elucidation of safety profiles associated with their structural complexity, not only in terms of size distribution and heterogeneities in particle composition but also their effects on biological activities and the relationship between particle structure and pharmacokinetics. Here, we report on the synthesis, characterization, and long-term stability of ultrasmall (<10 nm diameter) dual-modality (optical and positron emission tomography) and integrintargeting silica nanoparticles (cRGDY-PEG-Cy5-C' dots and 124I-(or 131I-) cRGDY-PEG-Cy5-C'dots) and the extent to which their surface ligand density differentially modulates key in vitro and in vivo biological activities in melanoma models over a range of ligand numbers (i.e., ~6-18). Gel permeation chromatography, established as an important particle characterization tool, revealed a two-year shelf life for cRGDY-PEG-Cy5-C' dots. Radiochromatography further demonstrated the necessary radiochemical stability for clinical applications. The results of subsequent ligand density-dependent studies elucidate strong modulations in biological response, including statistically significant increases in integrin-specific targeting and particle uptake, cellular migration and adhesion, renal clearance, and tumor-to-blood ratios with increasing ligand number. We anticipate that nanoprobe characteristics and a better understanding of the structure-function relationships determined in this study will help guide identification of other lead nanoparticle candidates for in vitro and in vivo biological assessments and product translation.