cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Pollen Viability by Enzymatically Induced Fluorescence; Intracellular Hydrolysis of Fluorescein Diacetate

Viable pollen grains immersed in a solution of fluorescein diacetate, made up in a concentration of about 10−6 M in sucrose of suitable tonicity (usually about 0.5 M), rapidly accumulate free fluorescein, which can be detected by its fluorescence. This fluorochromatic reaction (FCR) probably depends upon the entry of the nonpolar substrate into the vegetative cell where it is hydrolyzed by esterase to give the polar product, fluorescein, which is retained by the cell membrane. The test is primarily one for the integrity of the plasmalemma of the vegetative cell. Since this integrity is likely to be closely correlated with viability, the FCR provides an effective method for assessing pollen quality.
Crater geometry and ejecta thickness of the Martian impact crater Tooting

We use Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topographic data and Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) visible (VIS) images to study the cavity and the ejecta blanket of a very fresh Martian impact crater ~29 km in diameter, with the provisional International Astronomical Union (IAU) name Tooting crater. This crater is very young, as demonstrated by the large depth/ diameter ratio (0.065), impact melt preserved on the walls and floor, an extensive secondary crater field, and only 13 superposed impact craters (all 54 to 234 meters in diameter) on the ~8120 km 2 ejecta blanket. Because the pre-impact terrain was essentially flat, we can measure the volume of the crater cavity and ejecta deposits. Tooting crater has a rim height that has >500 m variation around the rim crest and a very large central peak (1052 m high and >9 km wide). Crater cavity volume (i.e., volume below the pre-impact terrain) is ~380 km 3 and the volume of materials above the pre-impact terrain is ~425 km 3 . The ejecta thickness is often very thin (<20 m) throughout much of the ejecta blanket. There is a pronounced asymmetry in the ejecta blanket, suggestive of an oblique impact, which has resulted in up to ~100 m of additional ejecta thickness being deposited down-range compared to the up-range value at the same radial distance from the rim crest. Distal ramparts are 60 to 125 m high, comparable to the heights of ramparts measured at other multi-layered ejecta craters. Tooting crater serves as a fresh end-member for the large impact craters on Mars formed in volcanic materials, and as such may be useful for comparison to fresh craters in other target materials.
Histoplasmosis involving the heart and great vessels

Abstract It is not generally appreciated that histoplasmosis, both in its acute and chronic stages, can produce symptomatic involvement of the heart and great vessels. Four such cases are reported: pericarditis with effusion complicating acute histoplasmosis; recurrent atrial flutter associated with contiguous involvement of the mediastinum; obstruction of the superior vena cava due to a fibrocaseous histoplasmal mass; and chronic fibrous mediastinitis causing obstruction of the superior vena cava and distortion of other mediastinal structures. The finding of four such cases within a year in a city outside the endemic area of histoplasmosis makes it appear likely that such involvement, if sought, will be encountered with increasing frequency.
Observations and Numerical Modeling of an Elevated Mixed Layer

Abstract Observations and a numerical model have been used to investigate the structure of an elevated mixed layer (EML) that formed in the lee of the Rocky Mountains over eastern Colorado. The EML formed as a dry convective boundary layer over the higher mountainous terrain of western Colorado, and then advected eastward, producing upper-level warming over the eastern plains. This upper-level warming generated a strong capping inversion at the top of a surface-based plains convective boundary layer that formed concurrently with the EML. A model trajectory analysis indicated that air from the plains boundary layer was detrained into the EML in a zone of convergence along the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Specific physical processes responsible for meso-β-scale EML development were examined using a two-dimensional version of the mesoscale numerical model. Blocking of the plateau-level winds by the plains breeze proved to be the primary constraint on advection of the EML and its under...
Shrimp growth functions and their economic implications

Abstract Obtaining a reliable growth function is an integral part of deriving the optimal harvesting strategy for any aquaculture operation. This paper examines the common functional forms of fitting growth equations for fish and shrimps. The following functional forms are considered: linear, polynomial, log reciprocal, Von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, logistic and exponential. Results of fitting these various functional forms with experimental data for Penaeus vannamei are compared and evaluated using standard statistical goodness-of-fit tests. The implications of these estimated growth functions in determining the optimal harvest schedule is compared and discussed. Results indicate that Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy functions are statistically the best fit to the experimental data and the harvesting schedule calculated based on these two functions well reflect the actual shrimp farm operation. Therefore, the Gompertz and Von Bertalanffy function may be the best functions describing shrimp biological growth and hence might be useful for economic evaluation.
Field emission work functions

Abstract Field emission has proven to be a very useful technique for obtaining work function changes from single crystal planes or from the whole emitter. The inability to independently measure the electric field has limited the accuracy of field emission total current measurements for determining absolute work functions. Young and Clark's method of combining field emission energy distribution measurements and total current versus voltage measurements to eliminate the electric field as an unknown is not adequate because it does not take into account the effects of the surface density of states present in the energy distribution. In this paper we discuss a technique to overcome this problem, which involves a series of measurements taken as a function of electric field and an extrapolation to zero field. The method yields reliable values of the work function for the low index (flat) (100) and (112) planes of tungsten but not for the high index (rough) (013) and (111) faces.
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COPD: a report of five cases and systematic review of the literature.

Background: There are increasing reports describing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without the classic risk factors for this se...
Actin-driven chromosomal motility leads to symmetry breaking in mammalian meiotic oocytes

Movement of meiosis I (MI) chromosomes from the oocyte centre to a subcortical location is the first step in the establishment of cortical polarity. This is required for two consecutive rounds of asymmetric meiotic cell divisions, which generate a mature egg and two polar bodies. Here we use live-cell imaging and genetic and pharmacological manipulations to determine the force-generating mechanism underlying this chromosome movement. Chromosomes were observed to move toward the cortex in a pulsatile manner along a meandering path. This movement is not propelled by myosin-II-driven cortical flow but is associated with a cloud of dynamic actin filaments trailing behind the chromosomes/spindle. Formation of these filaments depends on the actin nucleation activity of Fmn2, a formin-family protein that concentrates around chromosomes through its amino-terminal region. Symmetry breaking of the actin cloud relative to chromosomes, and net chromosome translocation toward the cortex require actin turnover.
Beyond Efficacy and Effectiveness: Conducting Economic Analyses During Clinical Trials

Few studies have examined cost issues in the field of dysphagia. This study presents cost data collected during a clinical trial in speech-language pathology, demonstrating the types of cost analyses that can be conducted and highlighting obstacles and issues facing investigators who seek to conduct economic analyses in this arena. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the clinical trial to assess the impact of a swallowing intervention on swallowing and speech function. The patients were at least one year past treatment for head and neck cancer. No significant intervention differences were detected in these outcomes. A companion economic analysis was conducted in 37 of these patients using patient diaries and followup with identified health care providers. Analyses indicated that (1) the intervention did not significantly reduce health care expenditures; (2) indirect costs and costs of hospitalizations are both important factors to consider during a trial; and (3) health care costs of this population are high relative to the rest of the U.S. population. Attrition from the overall study population can pose a serious threat to the viability of an economic study. The article concludes with a discussion of how these issues can be addressed in future studies.
Local Atomic Structure of Thermally Grown SiO2 Films

We have grown thin films of SiO2 by thermal oxidation of crystalline silicon and have determined as functions of the growth and annealing conditions: (1) the frequency, v, and line-width, ∆v,of the Si-O infrared (ir) active bond-stretching absorption band; (2) the index of refraction, n, at 632.8 nm; and (3) the intrinsic in-plane film stress, σx(SiO2). Linear relationships between; (1) ∆v and v, and (2) n and v, are explained in terms of a microscopic model in which the determinant atomic scale variable is the bond-angle, 2θ, at the oxygen atom site. Using this model, we have been able to obtain an approximate value of the in-plane Young’s modulus for SiO2 from a combinatidn of stress and ir measurements.
Prevention strategies for age related cataract: present limitations and future possibilities

Age related cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world today,1 with an estimated 17 million individuals bilaterally blind.2 Though surgery may be an effective means to reverse cataract blindness, visual outcomes will be poor where experienced surgeons and appropriate postoperative care, including refraction, are not available.34 Moreover, even where high quality surgery is readily accessible, it may be expensive—cataract extraction is currently the most frequently performed surgical procedure among Medicare beneficiaries in the United States, at an annual cost of over $3 billion.5 It has been estimated that a delay in cataract onset of only 10 years could reduce the need for cataract surgery by as much as half.6 At present, no proved methods exist to effect such a result. This article will review existing and possible future strategies to prevent or delay age related cataract. An association between nuclear cataract and smoking is one of the most robust findings in cataract epidemiology.7-11 There is also evidence that smoking cessation can reduce the likelihood of cataract,1213 and studies of attributable risk have proposed “quit smoking” campaigns as a major cataract prevention strategy.10 However, it is not clear whether damage to the lens resulting from smoking is indeed reversible, or whether individuals who quit smoking are simply subjected to a lower cumulative risk than those who persist.12 Evidence for an effect of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light on cataractogenesis in animal models, presumably on the basis of increased oxidative damage, is comparatively plentiful.14-16 Early evidence on chronic exposure from human studies has been from ecological investigations examining some proxy for ultraviolet exposure such as latitude.1718 Another ecological association which has been studied is that between location and severity of cortical opacities in the lens, with the …
Relative contributions of domestic and foreign sourced ballast water to propagule pressure in Puget Sound, Washington, USA

Abstract The movement and release of non-indigenous species (NIS) in ship ballast water is a global threat to the conservation of native aquatic species and habitats. One key to successful NIS establishment in coastal waters is propagule pressure – the size and frequency of NIS inoculations. We estimated propagule pressure of high-risk coastal zooplankton delivered in ballast water to Puget Sound, Washington, USA, which receives 7.5 × 10 6 m 3 of ballast water annually. We weighed the relative propagule pressure from domestic and foreign ballast water, in terms of propagule size (number of individuals), frequency of NIS occurrences, and diversity (number of known NIS species). Ship discharge volume was not a good predictor of propagule pressure. Instead route type (domestic or foreign) and ballast water exchange status (exchanged in mid-ocean vs. unexchanged) were much better predictors of propagule supply. Overall, while the diversity of non-indigenous zooplankton was higher in trans-oceanic ballast, the annual discharge of coastal zooplankton propagules to Puget Sound was much greater for ships conducting domestic voyages. These results suggest that intra-coastal ballast water must be further scrutinized as a pathway for NIS introduction, and calls into question regional “common waters” agreements that allow vessels to move ballast without conducting ballast water treatment.
Preparation and Characterization of Nanometer-scale Polycarbonate Fibers: Bead Formation

Electrospinning is a superior process compared to other conventional spinning methods for the production of fibers in the sub-micron to nanometer scales. Such fiber membranes have exceptionally large surface areas and small pore sizes. The process requires an electrostatic force, which induces charges on the liquid droplet of the polymer solution or melts and therefore overcomes the surface tension and viscoelasticity forces to create an electrically charged jet. When the jet dries or solidifies, an electrically charged fiber remains, which can be directed or accelerated by the electrical forces and then collected in non-woven fiber membrane or other useful shapes. The present research work demonstrates the electrospinning of polycarbonate solution with solvent mixtures THF (Tetrahydrofuran) and DMF (Di-methyl formamide) to produce nanometer scale polycarbonate fibers. The solvent mixture of THF and DMF was the major parameter for producing nano-polycarbonate fibers along with the formation of byproducts beads. The electrostatic voltage, viscosity and surface tension also showed significant effect on bead formation and bead density. The microstructures of the polycarbonate beads were quantitvely investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).
VIBRATION TECHNIQUES FOR TESTING FRUIT FIRMNESS

Vibration instruments and tests previously developed for engineering materials have been applied recently to measuring the vibration properties of agricultural commodities. The vibration properties of some of these commodities are significantly correlated with firmness and ripeness. This paper reviews the current methodology for measuring and characterizing the vibration response of fruits within the frequency region 20–10000 Hz. Sweep-sine as well as random-vibration test methods are discussed. Emphasis is placed upon test techniques and sources of variation in test results due to such factors as the vibrator capacity, detector mass, and the manner of coupling the fruit to the test transducers.
Localization of critical points of ventricular surface activation

The inverse electrocardiology problem requires integration of an elliptic partial differential equation under Cauchy conditions, and is thereby ill-posed. The author presents an approach to the inverse problem. A well-posed theoretical approach is derived which provides a method for calculation of the timing and location of critical points of ventricular surface activation. Since the output of regularization methods depends sensitively on a priori information regarding the nature of the solution, such localization could prove useful in further constraining or validating ill-posed formulations. However, critical point characterization also has intrinsic interest as it constitutes a qualitative picture of ventricular surface activation. >
Dissecting the Roles of the 5′ Exoribonucleases Xrn1 and Xrn2 in Restricting Hepatitis C Virus Replication

The replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is uniquely dependent on a host microRNA, miR-122. Previous studies using genotype 1a H77S.3 virus demonstrated that miR-122 acts in part by protecting the RNA genome from 5′ decay mediated by the cytoplasmic 5′ exoribonuclease, Xrn1. However, this finding has been challenged by a recent report suggesting that a predominantly nuclear exoribonuclease, Xrn2, mediates the degradation of genotype 2a JFH1 RNA. Here, we dissect the roles of these two 5′ exoribonucleases in restricting the replication of different HCV strains and mediating the decay of HCV RNA. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) depletion experiments indicated that Xrn1 restricts replication of all HCV strains tested: JFH1, H77S.3, H77D (a robustly replicating genotype 1a variant), and HJ3-5 (a genotype 1a/2a chimeric virus). In contrast, the antiviral effects of Xrn2 were limited to JFH1 and H77D viruses. Moreover, such effects were not apparent in cells infected with a JFH1 luciferase reporter virus. Whereas Xrn1 depletion significantly slowed decay of JFH1 and HJ3-5 RNAs, Xrn2 depletion marginally enhanced the JFH1 RNA half-life and had no effect on HJ3-5 RNA decay. The positive effects of Xrn1 depletion on JFH1 replication were largely redundant and nonadditive with those of exogenous miR-122 supplementation, whereas Xrn2 depletion acted additively and thus independently of miR-122. We conclude that Xrn1 is the dominant 5′ exoribonuclease mediating decay of HCV RNA and that miR-122 provides protection against it. The restriction of JFH1 and H77D replication by Xrn2 is likely indirect in nature and possibly linked to cytopathic effects of these robustly replicating viruses. IMPORTANCE HCV is a common cause of liver disease both within and outside the United States. Its replication is dependent upon a small, liver-specific noncoding RNA, miR-122. Although this requirement has been exploited for the development of an anti-miR-122 antagomir as a host-targeting antiviral, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the host factor activity of miR-122 remain incompletely defined. Conflicting reports suggest miR-122 protects the viral RNA against decay mediated by distinct cellular 5′ exoribonucleases, Xrn1 and Xrn2. Here, we compare the roles of these two exoribonucleases in HCV-infected cells and confirm that Xrn1, not Xrn2, is primarily responsible for decay of RNA in cells infected with multiple virus strains. Our results clarify previously published research and add to the current understanding of the host factor requirement for miR-122.
Mechanical fatigue in aluminium at elevated temperature and remaining life prediction based on natural frequency evolution

Fatigue is one of the principle damage mechanisms in materials especially at elevated temperatures. It possesses a great influence on the material properties and the possible working life. In this work, a novel technique for the analysis of fatigue at elevated temperature is suggested. Material fundamental frequency and its drop are used as the key parameters to predict the remaining useful life of a selected shape specimen, which is operated under low-cyclic fatigue loading at elevated temperature. Experiments are performed on aluminium 1050 with two different lengths of a non-prismatic cantilever beam at room temperature, 100, 200 and 300 °C, respectively. The experimental data is further transformed in to an empirical correlation that can predict specimen useful life. The error in this life prediction is less than 5%, and it reduces more once the frequency drop is increased.
MR angiography of tibial runoff vessels : Imaging with the head coil compared with conventional arteriography

We compared peripheral vascular MR angiography done with a standard transmit-receive head coil with conventional arteriography for identifying and evaluating runoff vessels below the knee.We examined 55 legs in 31 symptomatic patients with both conventional contrast angiography and gradient-echo two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography. Both legs of patients were placed in a standard transmit-receive head coil for MR angiography and were imaged simultaneously. For evaluation of stenoses, images of vessels were divided into 10 segments, and each segment was graded on a four-point scale.In the 393 native vascular segments evaluated, the sensitivity of MR angiography in identifying normal vessels was 95% and the specificity was 98%. In detecting segmental occlusion, MR angiography was 98% sensitive and 97% specific. Sensitivity and specificity for stenoses greater than 75% were 98% and 96%, respectively, and for stenoses greater than 50%, they were 98% and 95%, respectively. Interpretative discrepancies...
Fractional fourier transform of generalized functions

In recent years the fractional Fourier transform (FRFT), which is a generalization of the Fourier transform, has been the focus of many research papers because of its application in several areas, including signal processing and optics. In this paper, we extend the fractional Fourier transform to different spaces of generalized functions using two different techniques, one analytic and the other algebraic. The algebraic approach requires the introduction of a new convolution operation for the fractional Fourier transform that makes the transform of a convolution of two functions almost equal to the product of their transform.
Are "not just right experiences" (NJREs) specific to obsessive-compulsive symptoms?: evidence that NJREs span across symptoms of emotional disorders.

Objective “Not just right experiences” (NJREs) represent a mismatch between a perceived current versus desired state of experiences. NJREs are currently considered specific to obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but results from prior studies might have been affected by the assessment of NJREs that were particularly relevant to only obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Method A large community sample of adults recruited through the Internet (N = 480, Mean age = 32.9 years, 54.7% female) completed self-report measures of symptom types and a modified self-report measure of NJREs. Results Consistent with predictions, NJREs tended to share statistically equivalent zero-order correlations with all of the assessed symptom types. NJREs were significantly related to only generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms after accounting for important covariates, including general distress, perfection/certainty, and the overlap among the symptom types. Conclusions These results suggest that NJREs are relevant to a broader range of symptom types than previously thought.
Resilience training for hospital workers in anticipation of an influenza pandemic

of the organization to respond to extraordinary demands. Training sessions were one component of a multifaceted approach to reducing stress through effective preparation and served as an evidence based platform for our hospital’s response to the H1N1 pandemic. Results: The training was delivered to more than 1250 hospital staff representing more than 22 departments within the hospital. The proportion of participants who felt better able to cope after the session (76%) was significantly higher than the proportion who felt prepared to deal confidently with the pandemic before the session (35%). Ten key themes emerged from our qualitative analysis of written comments, including family-work balance, antiviral prophylaxis, and mistrust or fear towards health care workers. Conclusions: Drawing on what we learned from the impact of SARS on our hospital, we had the opportunity to improve our organization’s preparedness for the pandemic. Our results suggest that an evidence-based approach to interventions that target known mediators of distress and meet standards of continuing professional development is not only possible and relevant, but readily supportable by senior hospital administration.
Protracted urinary retention necessitating urethrolysis following tension-free vaginal tape surgery.

The fascial pubovaginal sling for stress urinary incontinence is effective and durable. Various techniques and materials have been developed, including polypropylene tension-free vaginal tape. Contrary to other synthetic slings, tension-free vaginal tape reportedly has a low complication rate.1,2 We report on a case of long-term urinary retention after tension-free vaginal tape surgery, which required urethrolysis and partial sling excision.
Theory on small radiating apertures in the outer sheath of a coaxial cable

An analytical expression for the aperture field is obtained from an integral equation formulation and a subsequent use of a quasistatic approach in which the dominant part of the solution can be extracted from canonical problems. Unlike the conventional approach of replacing the aperture field by equivalent dipoles, our method retains the basic features of the propagating mode in the coaxial region, and the radiation characteristic of the coaxial cylinder. An equivalent network representation of a small aperture is then derived. The network equivalence of a symmetrical aperture with its axes oriented in the direction of the incident field is shown to consist of a lumped shunt capacitance C_{b} and a series impedance Z composed of an inductive element L_{b} , a capacitive element C_{T} and the input admittance Y_{b\infty} of the external antenna, all in parallel.
DBT-enhanced habit reversal treatment for trichotillomania: 3-and 6-month follow-up results.

Background: Maintenance of gains with cognitive-behavioral treatment for trichotillomania (TTM) has historically been problematic. Methods: We conducted follow-up assessments 3 and 6 months after completion of a 3-month maintenance phase on 10 individuals with DSM-IV-TR TTM who participated in an open trial of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-enhanced habit reversal treatment (HRT). Results: Significant improvement from baseline was reported at 3-and 6-month follow-up on all measures of hair pulling severity and emotion regulation, although some worsening was reported on some measures from earlier study time points. At 6-month follow-up, five and four participants were full and partial responders, respectively. Significant correlations were reported at both follow-up time points between changes in hair pulling severity and emotion regulation capacity. Conclusions: DBT-enhanced HRT offers promise for improved long-term treatment results in TTM. Changes in TTM severity from baseline to 3-and 6-month follow-up is correlated with changes in emotion regulation capacity. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Multi-Commodity Network Flows

A network is a set of nodes Ni connected by arcs with nonnegative arc capacities bij which indicates the maximum amount of flow that can pass through the arc from Ni to Nj. Given all bij, there is a maximum flow from Ni to Nj using all arcs. Under the assumption that bij = bji, the present paper generalizes the max-flow min-cut theorem of Ford and Fulkerson to the problem of finding the maximum simultaneous flows of two commodities and gives an algorithm similar to the labelling method for constructing the two flows.
Strengthening Glass-Ceramics by Application of Compressive Glazes

Glasses in the Na2O–Ba0–A12O3-Si02 system, nucleated with TiO2, were heat-treated to effect controlled crystallization. Resulting materials consisted of a dense, micro-crystalline mixture of nepheline (Na20–A12O3-2SiO2) and barium feldspar (BaO-A12O3-2Si02) in a glassy matrix. Thermal expansion coefficients (O° to 300° C) of these bodies ranged from 75 to 125 × 10 –7/°C. Glazes in the Na2O-CaO-PbO-B2O2-A1203-SiO2 system having expansion coefficients of about 40 to 80 × 10 -7/0°C were applied to the glass-ceramics. On firing, the glazes matured well and reacted with the bodies to form interlocking crystals at the interface. This interfacial region was investigated using several instrumental techniques, and the crystals were identified as plagioclase feldspar. Applying these compressive glazes resulted in modular of rupture up to five times that of the initial glass-ceramic. Calculated strengths correlated well with experimental values.
The cost of delirium in the surgical patient

The authors identified the added cost attributable to postoperative delirium in patients undergoing elective surgery. The authors evaluated patients (n = 500) before their elective surgery, assessing cognitive functioning, medical conditions, medication usage, and other information regarding their health status. Using DSM-IV criteria, the authors assessed patients for delirium on Postoperative Days 1-4. Medical record review provided laboratory, radiological, and pharmaceutical information. The authors analyzed length of stay (LOS), comprehensive cost data collected through the hospital, and a group practice financial database to determine differences among those developing delirium. Of the 500 patients assessed, 57 (11.4%) developed delirium during the study. Delirium is an extremely costly disorder, both to the patient in terms of morbidity and mortality and to the medical facility. A prolonged LOS increases charges to third party payors and reduces return to physicians and hospitals when delirium develops. Careful presurgical screening and targeted postoperative interventions may help contain LOS and costs while affording greater physical, emotional, and cognitive health to patients hospitalized for elective surgery.
Self-starting mode locking and Kerr-lens mode locking of a Ti:Al 2 O 3 laser by use of semiconductor-doped glass structures

We report a novel wedge-shaped saturable absorber structure based on commercial semiconductor-doped glasses. By use of several different semiconductor-doped glasses, fast saturable absorber passive mode locking of a Ti:Al2O3 laser was demonstrated, which generated pulse durations as short as 2 ps in the 780–860-nm range. These saturable absorbers were also used to start Kerr-lens mode locking, and transform-limited 52-fs pulses were generated. Photodarkening effects in the semiconductor-doped glasses have been observed and characterized on a femtosecond time scale.
Kernel smoothing of periodograms under Kullback-Leibler discrepancy

Kernel smoothing on the periodogram is a popular nonparametric method for spectral density estimation. Most important in the implementation of this method is the choice of the bandwidth, or span, for smoothing. One idealized way of choosing the bandwidth is to choose it as the one that minimizes the Kullback-Leibler (KL) discrepancy between the smoothed estimate and the true spectrum. However, this method fails in practice, as the KL discrepancy is an unknown quantity. This paper introduces an estimator for this discrepancy, so that the bandwidth that minimizes the unknown discrepancy can be empirically approximated via the minimization of it. It is shown that this discrepancy estimator is consistent. Numerical results also suggest that this empirical choice of bandwidth often outperforms some other commonly used bandwidth choices. The same idea is also applied to choose the bandwidth for log-periodogram smoothing.
Measuring Teacher Effectiveness Through Meaningful Evaluation: Can Reform Models Apply to General Education and Special Education Teachers?

While teacher quality is recognized as a critical component in school reform and the pursuit of new teacher evaluation systems has gained national attention, the question of whether proposed teacher assessment models recognize and account for the unique roles and responsibilities of special education teachers has gone largely unnoticed. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide a review of current efforts to reform practices in teacher assessment, (b) describe recommendations for emerging teacher evaluation systems that accurately distinguish between effective and ineffective teachers, and (c) consider the difficulties of implementing these reform measures in the evaluation of teachers who serve students with disabilities. Important consideration is given to understanding the unique roles and responsibilities of the special educator, as well as the use of observation protocols to evaluate instructional practices in the general and special education setting. In addition, this article elucidates the dif...
Conundrums in the Combined Use of Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Drugs

Medical pharmacological therapy typically targets a single process or agent. Examples include the selection of a specific antibiotic to suppress growth or viability of a specific bacterium, administration of a specific hormone to obviate a specific endocrinologic deficiency, and utilization of a specific chemotherapeutic agent selected to annihilate neoplastic cells of a specific type. By contrast, the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs deviates from this general principle because of several considerations: (1) inevitable interactions that link activation of platelets and activation of the coagulation cascade; (2) the effect of commonly used antithrombotics (eg, heparin and warfarin) on multiple factors in the coagulation cascade; and (3) profound amplification of a prothrombotic state of >5 orders of magnitude associated with activation. Accordingly, the concentration in blood of an antithrombotic agent that is sufficient to completely suppress its target under basal conditions may be totally insufficient in such suppression when the thrombotic system is activated. Conversely, if a concentration is sufficient to suppress the target under conditions of activation of the thrombotic system, a hemorrhagic diathesis may be induced under basal conditions. Thus, even when a patient has a single condition to be targeted with antithrombotic measures, the considerations that govern therapy are complex. Numerous positive and negative feedback loops in the prothrombotic process1 confer additional complexity. Important examples of positive loops include activation of coagulation factor (F) V and FVIII by thrombin with consequent augmentation of activation of generation of FXa through what has been called the intrinsic pathway, activation of FIX by the tissue factor/VIIa complex, and activation of FXI and consequently FIX by thrombin. Examples of negative feedback loops include inactivation of FVa and FVIIIa by activated protein C formed by the thrombin/thrombomodulin complex, inhibition of the tissue factor FVIIa complex by tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and inhibition …
Developments in Molecular Virology: Cloning of Retrovirus DNA in Bacteria and Cloning of other DNA in Retroviruses

Retroviruses are natural vectors for the insertion of foreign DNA into the cell genome. With the use of recombinant DNA techniques retrovirus structure has been studied and retroviruses have been made into vectors to introduce cloned DNA into the cell genome.
Impact of AFEX™ Pretreatment and Extrusion Pelleting on Pellet Physical Properties and Sugar Recovery from Corn Stover, Prairie Cord Grass, and Switchgrass

The effects of AFEX™ pretreatment, feedstock moisture content (5,10, and 15 % wb), particle size (screen sizes of 2, 4, and 8 mm), and extrusion temperature (75, 100, and 125 °C) on pellet bulk density, pellet hardness, and sugar recovery from corn stover, prairie cord grass, and switchgrass were investigated. Pellets were produced from untreated and AFEX™ pretreated feedstocks using a laboratory-scale extruder. AFEX™ pretreatment increased subsequent pellet bulk density from 453.0 to 650.6 kg m−3 for corn stover from 463.2 to 680.1 kg m−3 for prairie cord grass, and from 433.9 to 627.7 kg m−3 for switchgrass. Maximum pellet hardness of 2342.8, 2424.3, and 1298.6 N was recorded for AFEX™ pretreated corn stover, prairie cord grass, and switchgrass, respectively. Glucose yields of AFEX™ corn stover pellets, prairie cord grass, and switchgrass pellets varied from 88.9 to 94.9 %, 90.1 to 94.9 %, and 87.0 to 92.9 %, respectively. Glucose and xylose yields of AFEX™ pellets were not affected by the extruder barrel temperature and the hammer mill screen size. The results obtained showed that low temperature and large particle size during the extrusion pelleting process can be employed for AFEX™-treated biomass without compromising sugar yields.
Bus stop graffiti: An index of media based cultural intrusion in a Scandinavian city

Greeson, L.E. (1990). Bus stop graffiti. An index of media based cultural intrusion in a Scandinavian city. Nordisk Psykologi, 42, 358–365. One hundred bus stops to the north and south of the city ...
Influence of larval crowding on the adult life history of Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae).

Stunted adult face flies produced by larval crowding were compared with normal-sized adults in laboratory studies of adult longevity, mating competitiveness, fecundity, and egg hatchability. Mean longevity of stunted and normal-sized adults was significantly different when nutrition was withheld but did not differ when nutrition was adequate. Stunted males were as competitive as larger-sized males in their attempt to copulate with a normalsized female. Stunted females produced significantly fewer eggs with a lower percentage of hatch than their normal-sized counterparts. Regardless of female-male pairing size, viable progeny were produced. When larval food was abundant, progeny from stunted parents attained normal size within the first filial generation.
Dangerous Women, Libertine Epicures, and the Rise of Sensibility, 1670–1730

Dangerous Women, Libertine Epicures, and the Rise of Sensibility, 1670–1730 LAURA LINKER Farnham, Ashgate, 2011 174 pp., ISBN 978 1 40941 811 5, £55 What connections exist between libertinism and s...
Neurogenic voiding: function and dysfunction.

SUMMARY Normal bladder function is dependent upon neural components for storage and coordinated, controlled evacuation. Maturation of these nervous system functions is acquired in childhood to allow a transition from the reflex voiding of infancy to the inhibitable, controlled voiding required for adult living. Alterations in this transition may manifest themselves in benign forms such as nocturnal enuresis or more severe forms that threaten urinary anatomy and function. Understanding these characteristics may involve the application of urodynamic concepts and techniques. Therapy may be chosen to counter these disturbances. This may subsequently require revision of earlier traditional approaches to recurrent cystitis and reflux.
Academically Productive Talk: One Size Does Not Fit All.

We present a study in which we experimentally manipulate the form of support offered to groups of three students during collaborative learning. Specifically, we contrast two forms of Academically Productive Talk (APT) facilitation, known as Revoicing and Agree-Disagree. The first form has been demonstrated effective with the target age group (i.e., 9 th grade) on an earlier more difficult unit. The second form has been demonstrated effective with older kids. Results suggest that with this age group, facilitation with Revoicing may be more effective than Agree-Disagree. Implications for future work are discussed.
Abstract 3574: Nicotine prevents chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in vivo, and fails to stimulate the growth of lung cancer cells or interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy in vitro

Chemotherapy has played a significant and unparalleled role in the treatment and survival of cancer patients. However, this pharmacological approach can lead to long-term symptoms of drug toxicity, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a result of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration. CIPN is characterized by sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, cold sensitivity, or allodynia, and an overall decrease in quality of life. Paclitaxel (Taxol), a taxane that is commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, has been found to cause CIPN in 59 to 78% of patients. There is currently no effective preventative or therapeutic treatment for this side effect, which can present either during or after chemotherapy administration. Without the development of an efficacious treatment, CIPN can be a dose-limiting factor for chemotherapy or delay treatment, thereby influencing survival and quality of life. Our studies have revealed that the prototypical nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, nicotine, is capable of reversing and preventing the development of paclitaxel-induced CIPN in vivo, and does not interfere with the cytotoxic properties of paclitaxel in vitro. Male C57BL/6J mice were infused with 24 mg/kg of nicotine via subcutaneous 7-day osmotic minipumps starting 48 hours prior to paclitaxel treatment, which consisted of 8 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections every other day for a total of four injections. The use of von Frey filament testing revealed that nicotine dose-dependently reverses and prevents paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. In regards to the in vitro studies, MTT and MTS colorimetric assays showed that concentrations of nicotine ranging from 0.1 to 10 μM fail to significantly increase or decrease the viability of A549, H460, Lewis lung carcinoma, or human explant lung cancer cells. Similar results were obtained in ovarian cancer cell lines, where no significant difference in cell growth was observed following nicotine treatment of SKOV-3/DDP and OVCAR-3 cells. Most importantly, the paclitaxel-induced decreases in both H460 cell viability and growth were not significantly attenuated by nicotine. Moreover, 1 μM nicotine did not interfere with paclitaxel-induced sub-G1 DNA content or apoptosis of A549 cells. These findings suggest that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors may be promising drug targets for the prevention and treatment of CIPN. Citation Format: Sarah L. Kyte, Wisam Toma, M I. Damaj, Xianjun Fang, David A. Gewirtz. Nicotine prevents chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in vivo, and fails to stimulate the growth of lung cancer cells or interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy in vitro. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3574.
Cover crops increase foraging activity of omnivorous predators in seed patches and facilitate weed biological control

Abstract Omnivorous predators are key contributors to biocontrol, but the relative importance and interactive effects of ecological variables (e.g., habitat and prey- or plant-based foods) that impact their colonization, abundance, and/or function in crop fields are poorly understood. Here, we use immuno-marking to examine both activity density and consumption by omnivorous ground beetles in response to experimentally manipulated cover, weed seeds, and invertebrate prey. Vegetative cover increased per-capita seed predation by 73% compared with bare plots, validating existing correlative evidence that cover crops facilitate weed biocontrol. Interestingly, beetles responded differently to the main effects of seeds and prey. In both years, early season seed presence increased activity-density by 77%, while prey availability never influenced beetle activity. These data suggest that within-field habitat manipulation strategies such as cover crops improve biocontrol, not only by promoting increased activity of omnivores, but also by facilitating their function as seed predators on an individual-level.
Updated results of a randomized phase II study comparing two schedules of temozolomide in combination with sorafenib in patients with advanced melanoma

8009 Background: Sorafenib (SO) is an oral Raf kinase/VEGFR-2 inhibitor that has anti-melanoma activity when given with carboplatin/paclitaxel. The primary objective of this study is to estimate th...
Perceived physical activity and mortality: Evidence from three nationally representative U.S. samples.

Objective This research sought to examine the relationship of individuals' perceptions about their level of physical activity with mortality outcomes at the population level. Method This study used 3 nationally representative samples with a total sample size of 61,141 U.S. adults (weighted N = 476 million). Data from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 1999-2002/2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were linked to prospective National Death Index mortality data through 2011, yielding follow-up periods of up to 21 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between respondents' perceptions of their relative level of physical activity (compared with other people their age) and all-cause mortality, adjusting for actual levels of physical activity, health status and behavior, and sociodemographic variables. Results Perceived physical activity relative to peers was associated with mortality risk. Individuals who perceived themselves as less active than others were up to 71% more likely to die in the follow-up period than those who perceived themselves as more active. This finding held across 3 samples and after adjusting for actual levels of physical activity and other covariates. Conclusions Individuals' perceptions about their level of physical activity strongly predicted mortality, even after accounting for the effects of actual physical activity and other known determinants of mortality. This suggests that perceptions about health behaviors may play an important role in shaping health outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record
Insights on efficacious doses of PAMORAs for patients on chronic opioid therapy or opioid-naïve patients.

Background Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a major side effect of opioid use. Centrally acting antagonists result in opioid withdrawal or worsening of pain and lead to use of peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs). The required doses of the PAMORAs, methylnaltrexone and naloxegol, in the treatment of OIC are well established in chronic opioid users. OIC may occur after short duration of opioid treatment; the required doses of naloxone, naltrexone, and PAMORAs in opioid-naive subjects (with no opioid use for at least 3 months) are unclear. The aim of this review was to evaluate the PAMORA dose required for opioid-naive subjects to achieve similar beneficial effects on symptoms or valid surrogates to those observed in chronic opioid users. Methods A PubMed search of μ-opioid antagonists to counter μ-opioid effects included terms: naloxone, naltrexone, methylnaltrexone, alvimopan, and naloxegol, as well as OIC and colonic transit. Key Results The approved dose of methylnaltrexone in chronic opioid users, 0.3 mg/kg subcutaneous (SQ), did not affect motility in opioid-naive subjects. Trials investigating the required dose of alvimopan showed 0.5-1 mg dose was efficacious in treating OIC; a 10-fold higher dose (12 mg) of alvimopan is needed to block effects of codeine on small bowel and colonic transit in opioid-naive subjects compared to chronic opioid users. Opioid-naive users need 125 mg of naloxegol to reverse the effects of opioids on transit; this is in contrast to the 12.5 to 25 mg needed to treat OIC in chronic opioid users. Conclusions & Inferences Opioid-naive subjects require a higher dose of PAMORA than chronic opioid users to achieve μ-opioid antagonist effect.