cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer in both men and women in the USA, resulting in over 55,000 deaths annually. Environmental and genetic factors influence the development of CRC, and inflammation is a critical hallmark of cancer that may arise from a variety of factors. While patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing CRC, sporadic CRCs may engender or be potentiated by inflammation as well. In this review, we focus on recent advances in basic and translational research utilizing murine models to understand the contribution of inflammatory signaling pathways to CRC. We discuss advances in the utility of three-dimensional enteroid/colonoid/tumoroid cultures to understand immune-epithelial interactions in CRC, as well as the potential for utilizing patient-derived tumoroids for personalized therapies. This review underscores the importance of understanding the complex molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation in sporadic CRC and highlights up-and-coming or new avenues for CRC biomarkers or therapies.
Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Emissions Modeling

Heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use within the transportation sector even though they represent only a small portion of on-road vehicles. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) emit about half of all on-road emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx). However, because of the limited amount of HDDV emissions data, research has focused on light-duty vehicle emissions. The majority of these microscopic models suffer from two major limitations: the models result in a bang-bang control system and calibration of the model parameters is not possible with publicly available data. This paper proposes to extend the Virginia Tech Comprehensive Power-Based Fuel Consumption Model (VT-CPFM) to overcome the two shortcomings in state-of-the-practice HDDV emissions models of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HCs), and NOx. Heavy-duty diesel truck (HDDT) data from the University of California, Riverside, were used for the calibration and validation processes. The study’s result...
Optimal control and switch in a hydraulic power station

This paper gives a new approach for optimizing the total power output of a hydroelectric power station by analyzing the characteristics of efficiency function. It proofs the maximum total power supply. Under the constant head of the river, keeping each generator the same flow rate is the efficiency optimization, and the switch points are at the same efficiency points of different operating methods.
Blood transfusion and infectious diseases

Blood transfusion is essential in current medical treatment. In the era of selling blood, around 50% of recipients seemed to be infected by hepatitis virus. After the establishment of the blood donation system and many safety measures, the risk of blood contamination has decreased markedly; however, blood products still have a risk of known and unknown pathogens. In this manuscript, we discuss the remaining problems of HBV and HIV-1. As emerging infectious diseases, we examine Trypanosoma crusi, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, and Dengue virus. Finally, XMRV is exemplified as a rumored virus. Gathering accurate information about pathogens and preparing for outbreaks in advance are crucial for blood safety.
Management of paediatric high-grade blunt renal trauma: a 10-year single-centre UK experience

Objective To report the management and outcome of paediatric patients sustaining high-grade blunt renal trauma. Patients and methods Medical records were examined for all American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade III-V blunt renal trauma cases admitted to a paediatric trauma centre from 2005 to 2015. Data collected and analysed included: demographics, imaging modalities, management, length of hospital stay (LOS), complications, and follow-up outcomes. Results In all, 18 children (12 boys, six girls) with mean (range) age 11 (4-15) years were included. According to the AAST grading criteria, 39% (seven of 18) of the patients had grade III, 50% (nine of 18) grade IV, and 11% (two of 18) grade V injuries; 44% (eight of 18) had concomitant injuries. Most of the patients were managed conservatively (89%, 16 of 18), although two of the 16 subsequently needed JJ-stent insertion during inpatient stay for symptomatic urinoma(s). In all, 11% (two of 18) of the patients required interventional radiology service(s), involving selective embolisation for life-threatening renal tract haemorrhage. Blood transfusion for renal injury exclusively was required in 11% (two of 18) of the patients. In all, 89% (16 of 18) of the patients had at least one follow-up imaging study before hospital discharge; most (13 of 16) had ultrasonography and three required computed tomography. The median (range) LOS was 11 (4-31) days. In all, 17% (three of 18) of the patients required hospital re-admission within 30 days for complications and all required interventional procedures: JJ stent for urinoma (one), embolisation of renal arterio-venous fistula (one), and embolisation for a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm (one). Overall, the median (range) follow-up was 6 (2-60) months. In all, 78% (14 of 18) of the patients had dimercaptosuccinic acid studies, with 11 showing reductions in renal function (range 3-44%). Conclusions This study supports a care pathway strategy advocating conservative management of high-grade renal injuries in children. However, patients may experience a relative decline in renal function with higher grade injuries indicating the need for monitoring and follow-up.
Adaptation of Intracortical Signaling Concurs with Enhanced Encoding Efficiency

Stimulus repetitions improve performance despite decreased brain responses, suggesting that the brain is more efficient when processing familiar stimuli. Previous work demonstrated that stimulus repetition enhances encoding efficiency in primary visual cortex (V1) by increasing synchrony and sharpening the orientation tuning of neurons. Here we show that these adaptive changes are supported by an altered flow of sensory activation across the V1 laminar microcircuit. Using a repeating stimulus sequence, we recorded laminar responses in V1 of two fixating monkeys. We found repetition-related response reductions that were most pronounced outside V1 layers that receive the main retinogeniculate input. This repetition-induced suppression was robust to alternating stimuli between the eyes, in line with the notion that repetition suppression is predominantly of cortical origin. Congruent with earlier reports, we found that V1 adaptation to repeating stimuli is accompanied by sharpened neural tuning as well as increased neural synchrony. Current source density (CSD) analysis, which provides an estimate of net synaptic activation, revealed that the responses to repeated stimuli were most profoundly affected within layers that harbor the bulk of cortico-cortical connections. Together, these results suggest that stimulus repetition induces an altered state of intracortical processing resulting in enhanced encoding efficiency of sensory stimuli.
Towards batteryless wearables and implants

Powering of wearables and implants is a critical challenge. Conventional batteries are rigid and require frequent recharging and/or replacement, making their use cumbersome and obtrusive for body-area applications. Instead, this paper discusses three novel technologies that we have recently explored towards batteryless wearables and implants, viz. a) DC power generation using fabric electrochemistry, b) RF power harvesting, and c) fully-passive RF backscattering. Notably, the proposed technologies bring forward transformational possibilities in batteryless sensing and stimulation.
CONTINUUM ANGULAR DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE TRANSITION REGIONS

One of the open questions from the 1988 published systematics of continuum angular distributions in light particle reactions is addressed. Evidence for a smooth transition in the systematics at incident energies of [approximately]125 MeV is summarized, and appropriate revisions to the global parameterization are proposed. Applying similar changes to the second-order term helps to remove problems noted in the literature with low-energy (N,[alpha]) reactions.
Etiology, pathogenesis, pathology

It is customary to start discussions of etiology with a description of the agent. We will not follow this custom because we are impressed with the role of social and environmental factors.
Abstract WP294: Randomized Trial of an Attending Nurse Model of Care for Acute Stroke

Introduction: Poor medication adherence and insufficient stroke related knowledge may contribute to worse outcomes. Hypothesis: A relationship-based attending nurse (AN) model of inpatient care for...
Complete Genome Sequence of the Arcobacter ellisii Type Strain LMG 26155.

ABSTRACT Arcobacter spp. are highly prevalent in contaminated environmental waters and have been recovered from both freshwater and seawater, with several species isolated from shellfish. Arcobacter ellisii was recovered from mussels collected in Catalonia, Spain. This study describes the whole-genome sequence of the A. ellisii type strain LMG 26155 (=F79-6T =CECT 7837T).
Evidence for a Collective E 2 Resonance in the Reaction Pb 208 ( p , γ ) Bi 209

An $E2$ or $M1$ resonance is observed in the reaction $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}(p,{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{0}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2})^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$ at ${E}_{p}\ensuremath{\simeq}20.0$ MeV (${E}_{x}\ensuremath{\simeq}23.7$ MeV) with a width $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\sim}3.5$ MeV. Present evidence supports its identification as a collective $E2$ excitation.
Nonequilibrium heat transport in Pt and Ru probed by an ultrathin Co thermometer

Nonequilibrium of electrons, phonons, and magnons in metals is a fundamental phenomenon in condensed-matter physics and serves as an important driver in the field of ultrafast magnetism. In this work, we demonstrate that the magnetization of a subnanometer-thick Co layer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can effectively serve as a thermometer to monitor nonequilibrium dynamics in adjacent metals, Pt and Ru, via time-resolved magneto-optic Kerr effect. The temperature evolutions of the Co thermometer embedded in Pt layers of different thicknesses, 6--46 nm, are adequately described by a phenomenological three-temperature model with a consistent set of materials parameters. We do not observe any systematic deviations between the model and the data that can be caused by a nonthermal distribution of electronic excitations. We attribute the consistently good agreement between the model and the data to strong electron-electron interaction in Pt. By using Pt/Co/Pt and Pt/Co/Pt/Ru structures, we determine the electron-phonon coupling parameters of Pt and Ru, ${g}_{ep}(\mathrm{Pt})=(6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{17}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}}^{--3}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{K}}^{--1}$ and ${g}_{ep}(\mathrm{Ru})=(9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{17}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{m}}^{--3}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{K}}^{--1}$. We also find that the length scales of nonequilibrium between electrons and phonons are ${l}_{ep}={({\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}_{e}/{g}_{ep})}^{1/2}\ensuremath{\approx}9\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ for Pt and $\ensuremath{\approx}7\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ for Ru, shorter than their optical absorption depths, 11 and 13 nm, respectively. Therefore, the optically thick Pt and Ru layers show two steps of temperature rise: The initial jump of electron temperature that occurs within 1 ps is caused by direct optical excitation and electronic heat transport within a distance ${l}_{ep}$ for the Co layer. The second temperature rise is caused by heat transport by electrons and phonons that are near thermal equilibrium. We contrast two-temperature modeling of heat transport in Pt an Ru films to calculations for Cu, which has a much longer nonequilibrium length scale, ${l}_{ep}\ensuremath{\approx}63\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$.
It's Never Too Late: Entrepreneurship in the Aging Economy

With an aging population, this study focuses on exploring old-age effect on entrepreneurship propensity, sources of seniors' entrepreneurship, and the economic, fiscal, and labor impacts of elderly entrepreneurship. After reviewing current theories and literature, four hypotheses are tested through two binomial logit models, an extended log-linear growth model with spatial and sensitivity analysis, and a path analysis model. This dissertation builds on the utility maximization theory, economic growth theories, and social theories of aging. The empirical tests find out that seniors are more likely to be entrepreneurs, tax policies and social tolerance level matter to elderly entrepreneurship, and elderly entrepreneurship has positive impacts on regional economic growth, labor force size, and the amount of Social Security Fund surplus. This dissertation concludes with policy implications.
Techniques for Measurement of Zinc in Biological Samples

This chapter provides a brief description of techniques employed to assay zinc in plasma and blood cell in my laboratory. Many clinical laboratories use inaccurate and imprecise methods for assay of zinc. Since the levels of zinc in plasma and blood cells are very low, the methods must be very accurate in order to derive important biological information from this assay.
Manipulating Atomic Structures at the Au/TiO2 Interface for O2 Activation.

The metal/oxide interface has been extensively studied due to its importance for heterogeneous catalysis. However, the exact role of interfacial atomic structures in governing catalytic processes s...
Engaging Women with Limited Health Literacy in Mammography Decision-Making: Perspectives of Patients and Primary Care Providers.

Limited health literacy is a driver of cancer disparities and associated with less participation in medical decisions. Mammography screening decisions are an exemplar of where health literacy may impact decision-making and outcomes. To describe informational needs and shared decision-making (SDM) experiences among women ages 40–54 who have limited health literacy and primary care providers (PCPs). Qualitative, in-depth interviews explored experiences with mammography counseling and SDM. Women ages 40–54 with limited health literacy and no history of breast cancer or mammogram in the prior 9 months were approached before a primary care visit at a Boston academic, safety-net hospital. PCPs practicing at this site were eligible for PCP interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A set of deductive codes for each stakeholder group was developed based on literature and the interview guide. Inductive codes were generated during codebook development. Codes were compared within and across patient and PCP interviews to create themes relevant to mammography decision-making. The average age of 25 interviewed patients was 46.5; 18 identified as black, 3 as Hispanic, 2 as non-Hispanic white, and 2 had no recorded race or ethnicity. Of 20 PCPs, 15 were female; 12 had practiced for >5 years. Patients described a lack of technical (appropriate tests and what they do) and process (what happens during a mammogram visit) knowledge, viewing these as necessary for decision-making. PCPs were reluctant to engage patients with limited health literacy in SDM due to time constraints and feared that increased information might confuse patients or deter them from having mammograms. Both groups felt pre-visit education would facilitate mammography-related SDM during clinical visits. Both patients and PCPs perceived a need for tools to relay technical and process knowledge about mammography prior to clinical encounters to address the scope of information that patients with limited health literacy desired.
Is higher-order evidence evidence?

Suppose we learn that we have a poor track record in forming beliefs rationally, or that a brilliant colleague thinks that we believe P irrationally. Does such input require us to revise those beliefs whose rationality is in question? When we gain information suggesting that our beliefs are irrational, we are in one of two general cases. In the first case we made no error, and our beliefs are rational. In that case the input to the contrary is misleading. In the second case we indeed believe irrationally, and our original evidence already requires us to fix our mistake. In that case the input to that effect is normatively superfluous. Thus, we know that information suggesting that our beliefs are irrational is either misleading or superfluous. This, I submit, renders the input incapable of justifying belief revision, despite our not knowing which of the two kinds it is.
Every Inch Counts: A Prospective Randomized Trial of Anti-Slip Surfaces in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Study Objective To assess the effectiveness of common anti-slip surfaces on reducing intra-operative patient displacement while in Trendelenburg Design Prospective randomized controlled trial with a minimum 6-week post-operative follow up Setting Patient positioning with Trendelenburg Patients or Participants Patients undergoing major laparoscopic or vaginal surgery (hysterectomy or surgery >2 hours) were randomly assigned to one of three anti-slip surfaces: Pink Pad, Action O.R. Overlay (gelpad) or Olympic Vac-Pac (beanbag) from 6/2018-12/2019. 159 patients were enrolled with 148 found to be eligible. Interventions Patients were randomized 1:1:1 one of the three anti-slip surfaces. Measurements and Main Results Patients were pre-operatively assigned to one of three anti-slip surfaces. Intra-operative displacement was assessed by measuring multiple anatomic landmarks [perineum, anteriorsuperior iliac spine (ASIS), umbilicus, acromion and the head] at three times during the case: 1) pre-op, 2) when placed in Trendelenburg, and 3) prior to leveling. Positioning time and time added due to obstructed uterine manipulation were recorded. There was significantly less total movement on the Pink Pad at all anatomic landmarks compared to the gelpad (2.75-5.66cm) and for the torso (ASIS & perineum) compared to the beanbag (1.22-2.69cm). The most consistent predictors of movement included: height, weight, and body mass distribution. Obesity increased displacement by 32-55%. Surgery type, length of surgery, and maximum Trendelenburg did not predict displacement. Laparoscopic surgery with robotic assistance had greater displacement than without (p Conclusion Patients on the Pink Pad had significantly less displacement with Trendelenburg and faster positioning compared to the other surfaces. Obesity is a major predictor of movement. Uterine manipulation was easier on the Pink Pad than the beanbag.
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #54: Assessing the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.

The rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States demand a comprehensive approach to assessing pregnancy-related risks. Numerous medical and nonmedical factors contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. Reducing the number of women who experience pregnancy morbidity requires identifying which women are at greatest risk and initiating appropriate interventions early in the reproductive life course. The purpose of this Consult is to educate all healthcare practitioners about factors contributing to a high-risk pregnancy, strategies to assess maternal health risks due to pregnancy, and the importance of risk assessment across the reproductive spectrum in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
Loss of miR-29a/b1 promotes inflammation and fibrosis in acute pancreatitis.

MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) is a critical regulator of fibro-inflammatory processes in human diseases. In this study, we find a decrease in miR-29a in experimental and human chronic pancreatitis leading us to investigate the regulatory role of miR-29a/b1 cluster in acute pancreatitis (AP) utilizing a novel conditional miR-29a/b1 knockout (KO) mouse model. miR-29a/b1 sufficient (WT) and deficient (KO) mice were administered with supramaximal caerulein to induce AP and characterized at different timepoints, utilizing an array of immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses for AP parameters. In caerulein-induced WT mice, miR-29a remained dramatically downregulated at injury. Despite high inflammatory milieu, fibrosis and parenchymal disarray in the WT mice during early AP, the pancreata fully restored during recovery. Whereas miR-29a/b1 KO mice showed significantly greater inflammation, lymphocyte infiltration, macrophage polarization and ECM deposition, continuing until late recovery with persistent parenchymal disorganization. The increased pancreatic fibrosis was accompanied by enhanced TGFb1 coupled with persistent aSMA+ PSC activation. Additionally, these mice exhibited higher circulating IL6 and inflammation in lung parenchyma. Together, this collection of studies indicates that depletion of miR-29a/b1 cluster impacts the fibro-inflammatory mechanisms of AP resulting in (i) aggravated pathogenesis, and (ii) delayed recovery from the disease, suggesting a protective role of the molecule against AP.
Impact of hyponatremia on morbidity, mortality and resource utilization in portal hypertensive ascites: A nationwide analysis

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Ascites and hyponatremia are important milestones of worsening portal hypertension in those with cirrhosis. The objective of our study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics, resource utilization and disposition of hospitalized cirrhotic patients with ascites with and without hyponatremia. Methods The National In-patient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify all adult hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis and ascites with or without hyponatremia from 2016 to 2017 using ICD -10 codes. Results During the study period, 10,187 (7.6%) hospitalized patients with cirrhosis had ascites and hyponatremia and 34,555 (24.3%) had ascites, but no hyponatremia. Elixhauser comorbidity score, excluding liver disease, was higher in hyponatremic patients (median 21 vs. 12, p
Adolescent Exposure to School Health Education: Factors and Consequences.

Abstract The National Adolescent Student Health Survey (NASHS) represents perhaps the most comprehensive study of adolescent health in the last quarter-century. This article addresses two primary issues within the context of that study: (1) factors affecting exposure to school health education programs, and (2) the consequences of school-based health education. Health education was found to be widespread, although needs were underserved in the areas of violence, AIDS, STDs, suicide, and consumer health. Health needs varied by sex, grade, and region, although the health curriculum varied primarily by grade and was less related to needs by sex. Instruction regarding fighting and drug use was more prevalent in schools with the highest levels of fighting and drug use, indicating a connection between the health curriculum and local needs. Adolescents who had received health instruction were consistently more knowledgeable about the topic of instruction than their uninstructed peers. In many cases that knowledg...
Coliform Bacteria as Indicators of Water Quality

Coliform Subgroups as Indicators Keywords: coliform bacteria; indicators; water quality indicators
Chapter Six – Anacardic Acid Biosynthesis and Bioactivity

This chapter focuses on the biosynthesis of anacardic acid with an emphasis on the type III polyketide synthase family as well as the latest work understanding lipid metabolism in geranium glandular trichomes. The chapter also reviews the bioactivity of anacardic acid with an emphasis on utilization of anacardic acids for agricultural and medicinal applications. Anacardic acids are found in a number of plants, most commonly within the Anacardiaceae family. Based on results of labeling studies, anacardic acids have been proposed to be synthesized from fatty acids by action of a type III polyketide synthase adding acetate units from malonyl-CoA. Utilizing isolated geranium glandular trichome cells, a fatty acid CoA ester, as well as malonyl-CoA and acetate, have been shown to be incorporated into anacardic acids, verifying the proposed polyketide synthesis pathway.
Niobium oxide–polydimethylsiloxane hybrid composite coatings for tuning primary fibroblast functions

This study evaluates the potential of niobium oxide-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites for tuning cellular response of fibroblasts, a key cell type of soft tissue/implant interfaces. In this study, various hybrid coatings of niobium oxide and PDMS with different niobium oxide concentrations were synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), and contact angle goniometry. The coatings were then applied to 96-well plates, on which primary fibroblasts were seeded. Fibroblast viability, proliferation, and morphology were assessed after 1, 2, and 3 days of incubation using WST-1 and calcein AM assays along with fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that the prepared coatings had distinct surface features with submicron spherical composites covered in a polymeric layer. The water contact angle measurement demonstrated that the hybrid surfaces were much more hydrophobic than the original pure niobium oxide and PDMS. The combination of surface roughness and chemistry resulted in a biphasic cellular response with maximum fibroblast density on substrate with 40 wt % of niobium oxide. The results of the current study indicate that by adjusting the concentration of niobium oxide in the coating, a desirable cell response can be achieved to improve tissue/implant interfaces.
The effects of riparian restoration following saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) biocontrol on habitat and herpetofauna along a desert stream

Amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) have been linked to specific microhabitat characteristics, microclimates, and water resources in riparian forests. Our objective was to relate variation in herpetofauna abundance to changes in habitat caused by a beetle used for Tamarix biocontrol (Diorhabda carinulata; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and riparian restoration. During 2013 and 2014, we measured vegetation and monitored herpetofauna via trapping and visual encounter surveys (VES) at locations affected by biocontrol along the Virgin River in the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States. Twenty-one sites were divided into four riparian stand types based on density and percent cover of dominant trees (Tamarix, Prosopis, Populus, and Salix) and presence or absence of restoration. Restoration activities consisted of mechanically removing non-native trees, transplanting native trees, and restoring hydrologic flows. Restored sites had three times more total lizard and eight times more yellow-backed spiny lizard (Sceloporus uniformis) captures than other stand types. Woodhouse's toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) captures were greatest in unrestored and restored Tam-Pop/Sal sites. Results from VES indicated that herpetofauna abundance was greatest in the restored Tam-Pop/Sal site compared with the adjacent unrestored Tam-Pop/Sal site. Tam sites were characterized by having high Tamarix cover, percent canopy cover, and shade. Restored Tam-Pop/Sal sites were most similar in habitat to Tam-Pop/Sal sites. Two species of herpetofauna (spiny lizard and toad) were found to prefer habitat components characteristic of restored Tam-Pop/Sal sites. Restored sites likely supported higher abundances of these species because restoration activities reduced canopy cover, increased native tree density, and restored surface water.
High-Enthalpy Aerothermodynamics of a Mars Entry Vehicle Part 2: Computational Results

Numerical solutions for hypersonic  ows of carbon dioxide and air around a 70-deg sphere–cone Mars entry vehicle con guration were computed using a laminar, axisymmetric, nonequilibrium Navier–Stokes solver with freestream  ow conditions equivalent to those of aerothermodynamic tests conducted in a high-enthalpy impulse facility. The wake  ow eld computations were found to be much more sensitive to both grid resolution and grid adaptationthan the forebody results. The wake computations showed the existence of a region of separated, steady, recirculating  ow behind the vehicle. Whereas the rapid expansion of the  ow around the corner of the vehicle resulted in a wake that was mostly frozen both chemically and vibrationally, the degree of  ow expansion was not great enough to produce noncontinuum ow behavior. Comparisons between computational and experimental surface heating distributionswere within the estimated experimental uncertainty for both cases except around the forebody stagnation point and the free-shear-layer reattachment point for the air case and within a small portion of the wake recirculation vortex for the carbon dioxide case.
Some notes on multisplltting methods and m-step preconditioners for linear systems

Abstract To solve the real nonsingular linear system Ax = b on parallel and vector machines, multisplitting methods and m -step preconditioners are considered. In this work, in particular: (1) We extend Adams and Ong's idea and theory of the m -step additive preconditioners and Ruggiero and Galligani's method of the arithmetic mean, and we generalize the corresponding convergence results. (2) We determine suitable relaxed m -step preconditioners and solve the problem of minimizing the related condition number, with respect to the relaxation (extrapolation) parameter involved. (3) Finally, we complete the theoretical solution of the problem of determining the optimum SOR additive iterative method for 2-cyclic positive definite matrices.
Modified line-element theory for spatial-frequency and width discrimination

Recent data from several laboratories have shown that spatial-frequency discrimination is not a smooth function of frequency but rather exhibits alternate peaks and troughs. A model for spatial-frequency discrimination analogous to line-element models for color discrimination is presented here and shown to provide a reasonable fit to the available data. This model is based on the predicted responses of six spatial-frequency-tuned mechanisms, whose sensitivity curves have been estimated in previously published masking experiments. In order to fit the data it is necessary to pool responses from units centered under the stimulus as well as from spatially neighboring units. Thus it appears that the visual system utilizes both spatial and spatial-frequency information in discrimination tasks.
Amino acid functionalized ionomeric materials in biomedical applications

Several N-acryloyl and N-methacryloyl substituted amino acids have been prepared and copolymerized with acrylic acid and itaconic acid to prepare new polyelectrolytes. Due to an acid-base reaction, mixing of the water soluble copolymers with glass powders, having leachable Ca 2+ , Al 3+ , etc., type cations, produces inorganic-organic composites hardened by salt -bridge formation. These heretofore unexplored polyelectrolytes are shown to be very useful for preparing improved dental biomaterials.
Controlling interrelationships of progesterone/LH and estradiol/LH in mares.

Abstract The interrelationships of progesterone, estradiol, and LH were studied in mares ( n = 9), beginning at the first ovulation (Day 0) of an interovulatory interval. An increase in mean progesterone concentrations began on Day 0 and reached maximum on Day 6, with luteolysis beginning on Day 14. A common progesterone threshold concentration of about 2 ng/ml for a negative effect on LH occurred at the beginning and end of the luteal phase. Progesterone and LH concentrations decreased at a similar rate from Day 6 until the onset of luteolysis on Day 14, consistent with a decreasing positive effect of LH on progesterone. Concentrations of LH during the increase in the ovulatory surge consisted of two linear regression segments involving a rate of 0.4 ng/ml/day for Days 14–22 and 1.8 ng/ml/day for Day 22 to 1 day after the second ovulation. The end of the first segment and beginning of the second segment was 2 days before ovulation and was the day the ovulatory estradiol surge was at a peak.
Comparison of nonequilibrium viscous-shock-layer solutions with windward surface Shuttle heating data

A three-dimensional viscous-shock-layer code has been modified and used to compute the nonequilibrium flowfield over the windward surface of the Space Shuttle Orbiter for reentry conditions between 75 and 60 km. Effects of the modifications are demonstrated by comparison of present heat-transfer predictions with earlier results. The present predictions show a roughly 30 percent decrease in heat transfer along the windward centerline in comparison with previous results and are in agreement with two-dimensional viscous-shock-layer results. The latter agreement indicates that three-dimensional effects are not as significant as previously reported. Windward symmetry plane and off-centerline heating predictions with the modified code are compared with flight data from STS-2 and STS-3. Windward-centerline heating predictions obtained with a recent expression for oxygen recombination at the Shuttle surface were found to be in generally good agreement with the flight data. Comparisons of heating predictions on the off-centerline windward surface were also in good agreement with the data, and the calculated results followed trends in the crossflow heating distributions.
Chyluria after partial nephrectomy: case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of 61-year-old male who presented with chyluria after partial nephrectomy. During workup for appendicitis, an incidental exophytic renal mass was revealed on CT scan. The patient ultimately underwent uncomplicated open partial nephrectomy. Postoperatively, his JP drain output turned milky white with urine remaining clear. JP fluid analysis was consistent with lymph. At 3 weeks postsurgery, his drain output decreased, but his urine turned milky white. Urinalysis confirmed fat in the urine. CT imaging revealed chyloma/urinoma with extravasation. The patient was initially treated conservatively, with a medium-chain fatty acid diet and then ureteral stenting. His stent was eventually removed and his chlyuria resolved 14 weeks later.
Designing interactive electronic conference proceedings

Electronic publishing promises wider, cheaper and easier access to documents; better facilities for organizing, accessing and presenting information; and greater roles for nontextual media. As authors, editors and compilers create electronic documents, they must identify necessary features and components, consider what past projects in computer science and publishing suggest, select publishing and development platforms, and add functionality to these platforms. Conference proceedings-collections of papers and related materials prepared as a record-provide an interesting domain for studying electronic publishing, particularly interaction and the interplay of nontextual and textual materials. Conferences include many materials, such as color graphics, animations and presentations, frequently left out of printed proceedings for reasons of space, cost or inability to present dynamic media. At the same time, too few multimedia systems acknowledge the significant role of text. In developing proceedings for the summer institutes of the Dartmouth Institute for Advanced Graduate Studies, the Dartmouth Experimental Visualization Laboratory addressed the challenges and possibilities of electronic proceedings design. >
Simultaneous multiwavelength laser surgery

The coagulative effect of the conventional CO 2 surgical laser at 10.6 micrometers is usually sufficient for homeostasis during surgery, but at laser wavelengths approaching 3 micrometers , the absorption depth is very shallow, and all the laser/tissue interaction is very close to the surface. Where ablation of surface tissues must be combined with a more penetrating laser action for coagulation or tissue bonding, auxiliary wavelengths are required. Significant penetration into the remaining unablated tissue is needed for coagulation of large blood vessels, as well as for generalized control of bleeding or seeping, or for more gentle, but even, heating of the cut surfaces of blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues as part of tissue anastomosis or bonding procedures. Also, large volumes of tissue are often removed as rapidly as possible; this needs deep penetration of the energy over a wide area. All of these effects call for wavelengths well away from the water absorption peak near 3 micrometers . Both ZrF 4 and sapphire optical fibers are sufficiently transparent in the visible and IR regions of the spectrum to pass an ablative wavelength near 3 micrometers , coagulative and tissue bonding wavelengths in the shorter IR, and another auxiliary beam in the visible to serve as a marker which will remain in precise optical alignment with the active and invisible IR beams. The control of the relative proportions of the various active wavelengths will allow selection of the precise surgical effect to be obtained, ranging from pure ablation to coagulation only or tissue bonding alone with all combinations in between. The concept of the multiwavelength laser delivery system will certainly be popular in the future whenever such instrumentation becomes sufficiently available for its utility to be widely recognized.
The arthroscopic Meniscal repair: Recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation—a functional approach

The surgical technique of repairing torn menisci in the human knee is constantly undergoing change. A recently employed procedure involves repairing specific peripheral repairs via the arthroscope. It is therefore the responsibility of the athletic trainer and physical therapist to recognize and understand this new technique, and adapt the athlete's rehabilitation program accordingly. Although the rehabilitation period for the repair is considerably longer than for the removal procedure, the long term advantages of preventing degenerative changes often outweighs the short term speed of recovery.
Reading religion back into Terrorist Assemblages: Author's response

In this author's response, Jasbir Puar furthers the conversation between her book Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times (2007. Durham, NC: Duke University Press) and contemporary trends in theories of the theological, religious and secular. It begins with a consideration of the ‘viral’ travels of ‘homonationalism,’ a term that has moved across many geographies and political terrains since its coining. The response then focuses on three aspects of Terrorist Assemblages and the engagement it provoked. First, it traces the the relays between racialisation and religion, particularly vis-a-vis the charge of fundamentalism. Second, the neat opposition between religion and sexuality (particularly when the latter expresses as queer) is troubled through different theories of how exceptionalism has worked historically and continues to constitute investments in certain democratic fantasies of secularism. Finally, the piece concludes by broadening the preceding conversation to a theoretical scope at t...
Partial Means in the Economic Risk Analysis of Projects

Abstract Partial means constitute a new measure of economic risk that unifies and subsumes many less general measures. The partial mean of a random variable is its expected value conditioned on its falling within a given range. For a random variable such as the present worth of a return with uncertain timings, partial means are directly usable to discretize a continuum of outcomes in order to build a decision tree. More importantly, partial means can be used as building blocks in computing a variety of established risk measures - loss integrals, Fishbum's risk measure, the expected value of perfect information - thus unifying these measures and elucidating their interrelationships. In this paper we define partial means and related measures, illustrate their characteristics through numerical examples, and show their relationships to several less general risk measures. Tables of partial mean properties are presented for various probability distributions, to facilitate computations and comparisons among comp...
Natural environment considerations for Space Shuttle system development support

Natural environments were determined for each of the Shuttle mission phases as a guide to design and operational decisions. The phases were categorized as mission planning, prelaunch, launch/ascent, booster recovery, on-orbit, and descent and landing. The wind criteria included magnitude/height, gust factors, turbulence spectra, wind shear, and vector properties for all flight and ground phases. A maximum design risk of 1 percent was permitted for the windiest two weeks the Shuttle would have to stay on the pad at either KSC or Vandenberg. The ascent wind profile was determined with the Jimsphere Vector Wind profiles, which cover the wind speeds, shears, gusts, and turbulence up to 18 km altitude. The models used to define the environmental situations of the Shuttle comprised wind, thermodynamic, space, lightning, sea state, mission analysis, and ET ice data base formulations.
A Discipline's Composition: A Citation Analysis of Composition Studies

Citation patterns in the field of composition studies are analyzed and compared with patterns in other humanities fields. Results showed marked differences in citation patterns between composition studies and other humanities fields, including literary studies. Librarians can use this information to forge more productive relationships with composition studies faculty.
Epitaxial Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 superconducting thin film on Sr2(AlTa)O6 buffer layer

Epitaxial Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 superconducting films have been successfully grown on the dielectric Sr2(AlTa)O6 (SAT) buffer layers. X‐ray diffraction data showed that the films were highly c‐axis oriented with a rocking curve full width half maximum as narrow as 0.3°. The films also had an excellent in‐plane epitaxy with Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8[100] aligned with SAT[100] and MgO[100] of the substrate. The zero resistance temperature Tc of the superconducting films ranged from 95 to 103 K and the transport critical current density Jc in zero field was 3×105 A/cm2 at 77 K.
Random substitution of amylose

Abstract The production of modified amyloses often involves the p-toluenesulfonylation of the primary hydroxyl group of the d -glucopyranosyl residues, but it was not known whether this esterification is random when ∼20% of the d -glucopyranosyl residues have been substituted. The reaction of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride with amylose in pyridine, in C-methylpyridines, in aqueous 2 m KOH, and in dimethyl sulfoxide-pyridine yielded unsatisfactory products. However, p-toluenesulfonylation of 2,3-di-O-acetylamylose in pyridine yielded products that were converted into 2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-deoxy-6-iodoamylose, and thence into 6-deoxyamylose, a suitable substrate for the amylase to be used in the determination of random substitution. The hydrolysis products formed by the action of the crystalline, liquefying amylase of Bacillus subtilis were separated and analyzed. When a summation of the minimum number of separated, modified D -glucopyranosyl residues was compared to a computer-based calculation of the clustering expected, the results showed random esterification.
A Note on the Limiting Relative Efficiency of the Wald Sequential Probability Ratio Test

Abstract The efficiency (measured in terms of ratio of average sample size to fixed sample size) of the Wald sequential probability ratio test relative to the best competing fixed sample procedure for testing H 0:θ = θ0 versus H 1:θ = θ1 (θ0 0) this limiting relative efficiency is equal to (θ1 – θ0)/(4|θ1+θ0 − 2θ|). The practical implications of this result are discussed.
Adaptive Image Enhancement for Tracing 3D Morphologies of Neurons and Brain Vasculatures

It is important to digitally reconstruct the 3D morphology of neurons and brain vasculatures. A number of previous methods have been proposed to automate the reconstruction process. However, in many cases, noise and low signal contrast with respect to the image background still hamper our ability to use automation methods directly. Here, we propose an adaptive image enhancement method specifically designed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of several types of individual neurons and brain vasculature images. Our method is based on detecting the salient features of fibrous structures, e.g. the axon and dendrites combined with adaptive estimation of the optimal context windows where such saliency would be detected. We tested this method for a range of brain image datasets and imaging modalities, including bright-field, confocal and multiphoton fluorescent images of neurons, and magnetic resonance angiograms. Applying our adaptive enhancement to these datasets led to improved accuracy and speed in automated tracing of complicated morphology of neurons and vasculatures.
Interaction of the Second Coding Exon of Tat with Human EF-1δ Delineates a Mechanism for HIV-1-Mediated Shut-Off of Host mRNA Translation

Abstract HIV-1 Tat has pleiotropic functions. While its most studied role is to activate transcription from the retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR)-promoter, Tat also has functions as a secretable growth factor, a T-cell activator, and an inducer of cellular apoptosis, amongst others. For its transcriptional function, the first coding exon of Tat appears wholly sufficient; however, lentiviruses (HIVs and SIVs) maintain and conserve a second coding exon for Tat. While the function(s) of the second exon of Tat has remained largely unknown, its integrity in lentiviral genomes suggests biological importance, possibly a role in non-transcriptional activities. To understand better the biology of the second exon of Tat in HIV-1 infection of cells, we have searched for cellular proteins that bind specifically to this protein domain. Here, we report that the human translation elongation factor 1-delta (EF-1δ) binds to the second exon of HIV-1 Tat. Interaction between Tat and EF-1δ dramatically reduces the efficiency of the translation of cellular, but not viral, mRNAs. These findings suggest that a non-transcriptional activity of Tat modulates cellular protein synthesis, thereby affecting the metabolism of host cells.
Safe Wireless Practices

As IEEE802.11 Wireless Fidelity communications move out through the organization, a question arises as to which practices are safe and which are not. Most of the concern is for protection at the wireless access point to which the nomadic devices attach; some authors offer solutions outside of this device. The following is the result of a survey of 100+ people with wireless experience.
Antennal gland function in the freshwater blue crab,Callinectes sapidus: Water, electrolyte, acid-base and ammonia excretion

1. A cannulation method was developed to measure directly the urine output ofCallinectes sapidus in freshwater. The mean flow was 0.82±0.14 ml·100 g−1·h−1, or 19.7±3.3% body weight per day (S.E.). 2. Inulin clearance studies yielded urine formation rates not significantly different from direct measurements. The urine/blood inulin ratio was 1.13±0.03, indicating about 12% reabsorption of the primary urine. 3. Concentrations of major electrolytes (Na+, Cl−, K+) were only slightly different in blood and urine. Urinary losses accounted for 41% of the total Na+ efflux and 31% of the total Cl− efflux. 4. Ammonia concentration in urine was significantly higher than blood, but only 1–2% of the total ammonia excretion is urinary. 5. The net acid or base excretion in urine was negligible, both at rest and during hypercapnic acidosis. 6. The freshwater blue crab antennal gland appears to be a volume-regulating organ, imposing an additional salt loss, and having no appreciable role in either nitrogen excretion or or acid-base regulation.