cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular approach for assessing responses of microbial-feeding nematodes to burning and chronic nitrogen enrichment in a native grassland

A substantial proportion of the primary productivity in grassland ecosystems is allocated belowground, sustaining an abundant and diverse community of microbes and soil invertebrates. These belowground communities drive many important ecosystem functions and are responsive to a variety of environmental changes. Nematodes, an abundant and diverse component of grassland soil communities, are particularly responsive to altered environmental conditions, such as those associated with reduced fire frequency and nitrogen enrichment, with the most consistent responses displayed by microbial-feeding nematodes. However, much of the available research characterizing nematode responses to environmental change has been carried out at the taxonomic level of family or by broad trophic categories (e.g. fungivores, bacterivores). The extent to which differential responses to environmental change occurs at the genus level or below is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use molecular methods to quantify the response of microbial-feeding nematodes, at the lowest levels of taxonomic resolution, to nitrogen enrichment and changes in fire frequency. Using sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) probes for the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and the ITS1 region, we identified 19 microbial-feeding nematode taxa across four families. When nematodes were sampled across treatments, we found that some nematode taxa within a family responded similarly to nitrogen and burning treatments, while other taxa within the same family respond quite differently. Additionally, although nematodes from different families on average responded differently to nitrogen enrichment and burning, similar responses were seen in nematode taxa that span three taxonomic families. Thus, if nematodes are to be used as indicators of environmental change, care should be taken to assess the response at the lowest taxonomic level possible.
Orwell was an optimist

George Orwell's book 1984 foresaw a future where television continuously surveilled the inhabitants of Oceania. It was a terrifying world where everyone knew they were constantly watched. This paper discusses our current situation where cell phones, automobiles, and computers provide easily accessible information to interested parties. Anonymity is increasingly difficult to maintain, especially on-line. We provide a brief introduction to currently available anonymity tools, followed with a discussion of their vulnerability to traffic analysis attacks. We state known attacks in the current literature and mention the preferred anonymity metric. Our current research uses an extension of hidden Markov models to exploit these vulnerabilities.
The Presidents of the United States in the Eyes of Austro-Hungarian Diplomats: 1901–1913

The interpretation of unpublished political documents in the light of known historical events resembles Penelope's efforts to convince her many suitors of the necessity of her avowed goal, namely to fabricate a new garment out of old material. The Austro-Hungarian diplomatic reports from Washington written in the first two decades of the twentieth century will not necessarily provoke a re-evaluation of the events leading to World War I. However, as in Penelope's case, their craftsmanship will arouse interest; they may well serve as a new source of study, and they certainly shed new light on old material.
Modelling parallel access to shared resources in a distributed file system using queueing networks

This paper presents a practical and noniterative method for evaluating queueing networks in which delays due to locking of files are represented using measurable parameters. A queueing network model of a distributed file system is introduced. The model allows read and write locks and allows multiple classes of users to be represented. The model parameters are estimated from the values of measurable quantities. An approximation of branching probabilities is used to direct transactions to their original sites when they leave a remote host. The service times of lock servers are calculated as functions of the loads on all service centers. The various lock granularities may be represented by this model. Performance measures applicable to the evaluation of computer systems are introduced and evaluated. An example involving a distributed file system and measurement data collected in a small business installation is given to compare performance measures and locking delays provided by the simulation and analytic models for various lock granularities.
Alternative Considerations for Surgical Training and Funding

Since the late 1880s surgical residency programs have existed in forms that are similar to our current models. Many important variations have been introduced over time. On aggregate this system has worked remarkably well; though as economic, demographic, and cultural changes continue to evolve, one must wonder if we were to change our models how might we do that and what reasoning could we use. This article's focus is to take a stratospheric view of what could be done, particularly in the United States, rather than characterize what happens in other countries with other health economic systems.
Landscape Establishment of Woody Ornamentals Grown in Alternative Wood-Based Container Substrates

Due to concerns over future pine bark (PB) availability for container plant production, recent research has focused on evaluating suitable alternatives. For alternatives to be considered suitable substrate replacements, they must not only have desirable characteristics as a container substrate (e.g., adequate drainage, inert, pathogen free, etc.), but must also cause no negative fertility effects (e.g., nitrogen immobilization) following planting in the landscape. The study objective was to evaluate the landscape performance of three woody ornamentals grown in PB and in two alternative wood-based substrates, namely WholeTree (WT) and Clean Chip Residual (CCR). Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica × faurei ‘Acoma’), magnolia (Magnolia grandifl ora ‘D.D. Blanchard’), and shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) were container grown in PB, WT, or CCR for an entire growing season prior to being planted into the landscape. Plants were grown in the landscape for two growing seasons. Data suggest that all species exhibited similar landscape performance when grown in WT or CCR compared to the PB standard. Therefore, the use of WT and CCR as alternative wood-based substrates for crapemyrtle, magnolia, and oak production may be acceptable from a landscape establishment standpoint.
Developmental Programming: Impact of Gestational Steroid and Metabolic Milieus on Adiposity and Insulin Sensitivity in Prenatal Testosterone-Treated Female Sheep

Prenatally testosterone (T)-treated sheep present metabolic disruptions similar to those seen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. These females exhibit an increased ratio of small to large adipocytes, which may be the earliest event in the development of adult insulin resistance. Additionally, our longitudinal studies suggest the existence of a period of compensatory adaptation during development. This study tested whether 1) in utero cotreatment of prenatally T-treated sheep with androgen antagonist (flutamide) or insulin sensitizer (rosiglitazone) prevents juvenile insulin resistance and adult changes in adipocyte size; and 2) visceral adiposity and insulin sensitivity are both unaltered during early adulthood, confirming the predicted developmental trajectory in this animal model. Insulin sensitivity was tested during juvenile development and adipose tissue distribution, adipocyte size, and concentrations of adipokines were determined during early adulthood. Prenatal T-treated females manifested juvenile insulin resistance, which was prevented by prenatal rosiglitazone cotreatment. Neither visceral adiposity nor insulin sensitivity differed between groups during early adulthood. Prenatal T-treated sheep presented an increase in the relative proportion of small adipocytes, which was not substantially prevented by either prenatal intervention. A large effect size was observed for increased leptin concentrations in prenatal T-treated sheep compared with controls, which was prevented by prenatal rosiglitazone. In conclusion, gestational alterations in insulin-glucose homeostasis likely play a role in programming insulin resistance, but not adipocyte size distribution, in prenatal T-treated sheep. Furthermore, these results support the notion that a period of compensatory adaptation of the metabolic system to prenatal T exposure occurs between puberty and adulthood.
Higher Education and Quality Assurance: Trends and Tensions in Asia

In October of 2006 the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific held their 7th annual conference, the topic of which was: “Towards an Asia-Pacific Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education.” Representing over 200 members from nineteen different countries, participants discussed issues of quality assurance, quality indicators, quality registers, pan-Asia accreditation, as well as other topics related to the desire of universities and colleges in the Asian region to achieve higher standards. This meeting (and the many others that have been held recently in the Asia/Pacific region) is symbolic of the preoccupation that higher educational leaders in the region have with “quality assurance” (QA hereafter). The fact that the top universities in Asia are not members of this association is also significant of the contradictions and tensions that exist in Asia when the issue of higher education QA arises. About the same time, a ministerial-level meeting sponsored by OECD was held in Athens on the topic “Higher Education: Quality, Equity and Efficiency” (OECD 2006), and another meeting sponsored by UNESCO was held in Paris. Asian participation in all of these venues was strong. Finally, as a concrete expression of how tense this issue can be, about 10,000 college students, many of them minorities, rioted and fought with police in Nanchang, China, on October 21, 2006 (Honolulu Advertiser 2006), because the government was not recognizing the academic credentials granted by two new private universities. This was only one of a series of such protests launched because of a lack of credentialing and accreditation of newly established minban, or nongovernmental universities (Jacobs 2009).
Engineering nanolayered particles for modular drug delivery

Layer-by-layer (LbL) based self-assembly of nanoparticles is an emerging and powerful method to develop multifunctional and tissue responsive nanomedicines for a broad range of diseases. This unique assembly technique is able to confer a high degree of modularity, versatility, and compositional heterogeneity to nanoparticles via the sequential deposition of alternately charged polyelectrolytes onto a colloidal template. LbL assembly can provide added functionality by directly incorporating a range of functional materials within the multilayers including nucleic acids, synthetic polymers, polypeptides, polysaccharides, and functional proteins. These materials can be used to generate hierarchically complex, heterogeneous thin films on an extensive range of both traditional and novel nanoscale colloidal templates, providing the opportunity to engineer highly precise systems capable of performing the numerous tasks required for systemic drug delivery. In this review, we will discuss the recent advancements towards the development of LbL nanoparticles for drug delivery and diagnostic applications, with a special emphasis on the incorporation of biostability, active targeting, desirable drug release kinetics, and combination therapies into LbL nanomaterials. In addition to these topics, we will touch upon the next steps for the translation of these systems towards the clinic.
What to Do Between the Times

The church looks with great anticipation to the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter as opportunities for reflection on powerful passages of Scripture recalling the major events in our Christian story. In every liturgical year, however, there are 33 or 34 Sundays known as Ordinary Time that fall between those seasons. Must they be “ordinary”?
Tip-Over Simulation of Degraded Dry Storage Structures

Concrete dry cask structures may be degraded due to environmental aging before they are encountered to hypothetical events. In this paper, first long term behavior of dry cask structures including creep and shrinkage is investigated numerically using COMSOL. Subsequently, the findings of the first part of the study are implemented into LS-DYNA to perform a crash analysis. Two cases including full bond and no bond between concrete cask and steel liner are compared. The results show shear transfer and significant damage in the interfacial region of the concrete cask and steel liner in the case of full bond, and large inelastic deformations far beyond the strain level for tensile cracking and compressive crushing of concrete.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Infant Mortality and Race in Kansas: Associations With Women, Infants, and Children Services.

Background: Racial and ethnic minority infants and mothers have worse birth outcomes than Caucasian infants and mothers, specifically infant mortality. The purpose of this pilot study was to compar...
Casimir effect in critical films of binary liquid mixtures

We present experimental evidence for the Casimir effect within critical films of binary liquid mixtures possessing opposite boundary conditions $(+\ensuremath{-})$ by studying the thickness of these vapor-adsorbed films on a silicon wafer as a function of temperature near the critical temperature. Our results for two different critical mixtures demonstrate that the critical Casimir pressure scaling function ${\ensuremath{\vartheta}}^{+\ensuremath{-}}(y)$ scales with $y=L/\ensuremath{\xi},$ where L is the equilibrium film thickness and $\ensuremath{\xi}$ is the bulk correlation length. Additionally, on approaching the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ an increase in the film thickness L is observed, implying that the sign of the universal Casimir amplitude ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{+\ensuremath{-}}={\ensuremath{\vartheta}}^{+\ensuremath{-}}(0)/2$ at ${T}_{c}$ is positive, consistent with theoretical predictions. However, the magnitude of the Casimir amplitude that we measure is approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than that given by prevailing theories. In the two-phase region of the liquid mixture, preliminary evidence suggests that the adsorbed film undergoes a surface phase transition from a film near the critical composition at $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{c}$ to a film near one of the bulk phases at $T\ensuremath{\ll}{T}_{c}.$ This low temperature film composition most likely corresponds to the bulk phase rich in the component that preferentially adsorbs at the silicon surface.
The Use of the Magnetip Double-J Ureteral Stent in Urological Practice

AbstractThe Magnetip⁎⁎Surgitek, Racine, Wisconsin. double J type ureteral stent has been used in a wide variety of clinical urological settings. We reviewed the use of the stent in 50 patients. In 45 patients stents were placed in conjunction with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, stone manipulation, obstruction due to pregnancy or malignancy, pyeloplasty and ureteroneocystostomy. In 83 per cent of the attempts the stent was placed successfully. Retrieval with the Magnetriever* was accomplished in 86 per cent of the cases (100 per cent in female and 76 per cent in male patients). Details of stent use are described.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Outcomes in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background To identify the patients at greatest odds for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and examine the association between SIRS and outcomes in patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
Research Progress of Determination of Resistance Gene and Utilization of Wild Rice

The wild rice is the ancestor of modern cultivated rice.Tens of thousands years ago,ancient human domesticated wild rice into cultivated rice.However,in the process of domestication,about 1/3 alleles and 1/2 genotypes from wild rice has been lost including disease-resistance,insect-resistance,weed-resistance,stressresistance and high yield and quality genes.The genes of disease-resistance(rice blast,bacterial blight,bacterial leaf streak),insect-resistance(rice hopper,yellow rice borer,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee),stress-resistance(cold resistance,drought resistance,low phosphorous resistance) from wild rice and the utilization of wild rice on rice breeding were summaried in recent years in the paper.
Induced Voltage Profile Simulation and Influencing Factors Study for 330 kV OPGW

The 330 kV transmission line employs two overhead ground wires,one is steel hinge wire and the other is optical fiber composite wire. It has been proved that a ground wire adopting the segmented insulation with onepoint earthing mode can achieve better electrical performance than adopting the segmented insulation with one-byone tower earthing mode or through spark-gap earthing mode. The segmented insulation with one-point earthing mode limits the amplitude of induced voltage on ground wire,and reduces the induced current and energy loss, which results in reliable protection performance. In this paper,a model of 330 kV transmission line is set up by making use of EMTP to investigate the induced voltage profile on OPGW. The results show that when the segmented insulation with one-point earthing mode is employed,the longer the segmented length is,the higher the induced voltage becomes. When the transmission line adopts the mode of reverse phase order disposition and reverse transposition,OPGW gets the lowest induced voltage compared with other disposition and transposition modes of conductors.
The Method Research of Knowledge Discovery in Digital Reservoir

Knowledge discovery is an important part of digital reservoir, and it is also one of the main objectives that can build digital reservoir. According to demand of oil and gas development and characters of reservoir data set, puts forward a new idea of knowledge discovery in digital reservoir by the technology, such as data cleaning, data mining, knowledge evaluation, knowledge interpretation, visualization, and illuminate the approach for its implication by the experiment, that is, analyzes factors influencing oil recovery effi-ciency by decision tree technology as example, through discretization of continuous attribute value, construction and pruning of decision tree and evaluation and interpretation of knowledge, and then discovers a great deal of interesting knowledge efficiently, such as rule and mode, from reservoir database, reservoir data warehouse and other reservoir data set.
Natural dehydration regimes as a prerequisite for the successful induction of anhydrobiosis in the nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis.

Induction of anhydrobiosis in the nematode Rotylenchulus reniformis (Linford & Oliveira) was studied using direct exposure to elevated relative humidities and conditions resembling natural dehydration regimes. All larvae and preadults were unable to survive direct short-term exposure to 97% relative humidity. However, dehydration of larvae on model substrates (0.5% agar: 1.0% agarose) that mimic the natural rate of soil moisture loss induced coiling and successful entry into anhydrobiosis. Coiling was maximized at 10–12 days and only coiled larvae survived dehydration, emerging as the preadult form. Larvae could withstand severe dehydration at 80 and 40% relative humidity after the induction of coiling, but were unable to withstand direct exposure to 0% relative humidity. The levels of adaptation utilized by anhydrobiotes to ensure slow dehydration and the adaptive significance of this are discussed in relation to the different environments in which these organisms are found. The results suggest that R. reniformis is well-adapted to its environment and emphasize the importance of natural dehydration regimes for assessing anhydrobiotic potential.
Neurologic manifestations of pulmonary disease

Respiratory insufficiency of any cause has significant effects on the nervous system. Headache, mental status changes, papilledema, and numerous motor abnormalities including asterixis are commonly seen. Abnormalities in ventilation and gas exchange result in hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis, and these, in turn, interfere with cerebral metabolism, increase CBF, and may raise intracranial pressure. Chronic respiratory insufficiency can persist for many months with minimal neurologic symptoms, as numerous compensatory mechanisms, particularly renal, may take effect. Treatment includes restoring adequate ventilation and improving gas exchange and may require tracheal intubation and assisted ventilation. Supplemental oxygen therapy should be carefully monitored, as high rates of flow may suppress the hypoxic drive for respiration and lead to significant carbon dioxide retention. The sleep apnea syndromes are a group of disorders in which abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep result in hypercapnia and hypoxemia. Intermittent obstruction of the upper airway and abnormalities of brainstem respiratory centers cause frequent nocturnal awakenings and apneas in these patients. Treatments vary and include weight loss in obese subjects, respiratory stimulants, tracheostomy, and diaphragmatic pacing. Rapid ascent to high altitudes may result in headache, changes in mental status, papilledema, and other neurologic symptoms in certain individuals: a syndrome known as high-altitude sickness. Hypoxia leading to cerebral edema, nocturnal periodic breathing, and hypobaria produces neurologic symptoms in these individuals. Acetazolamide and dexamethasone may be effective in minimizing symptoms of this disorder. Sustained hyperventilation produces acral and circumoral paresthesias and lightheadedness in anxious individuals and can be maintained by relatively normal ventilatory patterns once established. These symptoms are due to hypophosphatemia and respiratory alkalosis, the latter reducing CBF and causing localized tissue hypoxia. Rebreathing into a paper bag at the first awareness of symptoms is the most effective form of treatment.
Assessing Aromatic-Hydrocarbon Toxicity to Fish Early Life Stages Using Passive-Dosing Methods and Target-Lipid and Chemical-Activity Models.

Aromatic hydrocarbons (AH) are known to impair fish early life stages (ELS). However, poorly defined exposures often confound ELS-test interpretation. Passive dosing (PD) overcomes these challenges by delivering consistent, controlled exposures. The objectives of this study were to apply PD to obtain 5 d acute embryo lethality and developmental data and 30 d chronic embryo–larval survival and growth-effects data using zebrafish with different AHs; to analyze study and literature toxicity data using target-lipid (TLM) and chemical-activity (CA) models; and to extend PD to a mixture and test the assumption of AH additivity. PD maintained targeted exposures over a concentration range of 6 orders of magnitude. AH toxicity increased with log Kow up to pyrene (5.2). Pericardial edema was the most sensitive sublethal effect that often preceded embryo mortality, although some AHs did not produce developmental effects at concentrations causing mortality. Cumulative embryo–larval mortality was more sensitive than l...
Thermal analysis of calcium sulfate dihydrate sources used to manufacture gypsum wallboard

Abstract Gypsum wallboard has been used for over 100 years as a barrier to the spread of fire in residential and commercial structures. The gypsum molecule, CaSO4·2H2O, provides two crystalline waters that are released upon heating providing an endothermic effect. Manufacturers have recognized that the source of the gypsum ore is a factor that affects all aspects of its performance; thus, it is hypothesized that the impurities present in the gypsum ore are the causes of the performance differences. Differential Thermal Analysis/Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA/TGA) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were used to compare and characterize samples of gypsum ore representing sources of natural, synthetic from a Flue Gas Desulfurization process (FGD) and blends thereof. The hemihydrate phase of representative natural, FGD, and reagent grade calcium sulfate were rehydrated with distilled water and evaluated by DTA/TGA. Analysis of the data shows distinct areas of similarity separated by the conversion to anhydrite ∼250 °C. Compositional reconstructions based on DTA/TGA and XRD data were compared and although, the results were comparable, the DTA/TGA suggests thermally active compounds that were not detected by XRD. Anhydrite, silica and halite were reported by XRD but were not thermally reactive in the temperature range evaluated by DTA/TGA (ambient to 1050 °C). The presence of carbonate compounds (e.g., calcite and dolomite) were indicated by XRD and estimated from the thermal decomposition reaction ∼700 °C.
Cotard Delusion in the Context of Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: The Cotard delusion (CD) is one of a variety of narrowly defined monothematic delusions characterized by nihilistic beliefs about the body’s existence or life itself. The presence of CD within the context of schizophrenia is rare (<1%), and remains understudied. Case: ‘Mr. C’ is a 58-year-old veteran with a prior diagnosis of schizophrenia, who presented with CD in the context of significant depression, suicidal ideation (SI), violence, and self-harm behavior. He perseverated in his belief that he was physically dead and possessed by demons for several weeks. This delusion was reinforced by his religious belief that life was an attribute of God, and by inference, he as a human, was dead. His condition gradually improved over the course of treatment with Divalproex and quetiapine with discussions about the rationale for his belief. Upon discharge, Mr. C. demonstrated awareness of his fixation on death and an ability to redirect himself. Discussion: This case highlights the need to better understand the co-occurrence of CD in schizophrenia, their differentiation, the increased risk of violence and self-harm behavior in this presentation, and how specific events and religious factors can influence delusional themes of CD. Pharmacotherapy and aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be effective in ameliorating these symptoms in CD.
Comparing multiple model-derived aerosol optical properties to spatially collocated ground-based and satellite measurements

Abstract. Anthropogenic aerosols are a key factor governing Earth's climate and play a central role in human-caused climate change. However, because of aerosols' complex physical, optical, and dynamical properties, aerosols are one of the most uncertain aspects of climate modeling. Fortunately, aerosol measurement networks over the past few decades have led to the establishment of long-term observations for numerous locations worldwide. Further, the availability of datasets from several different measurement techniques (such as ground-based and satellite instruments) can help scientists increasingly improve modeling efforts. This study explores the value of evaluating several model-simulated aerosol properties with data from spatially collocated instruments. We compare aerosol optical depth (AOD; total, scattering, and absorption), single-scattering albedo (SSA), Angstrom exponent (α), and extinction vertical profiles in two prominent global climate models (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, GFDL, CM2.1 and CM3) to seasonal observations from collocated instruments (AErosol RObotic NETwork, AERONET, and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization, CALIOP) at seven polluted and biomass burning regions worldwide. We find that a multi-parameter evaluation provides key insights on model biases, data from collocated instruments can reveal underlying aerosol-governing physics, column properties wash out important vertical distinctions, and improved models does not mean all aspects are improved. We conclude that it is important to make use of all available data (parameters and instruments) when evaluating aerosol properties derived by models.
Investigation of effects of volume-of-interest mis-registration on accuracy of organ activity estimates obtained with quantitative planar processing

In targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), dose estimation is essential for treatment planning and tumor dose response studies. Dose estimates are typically based on whole body conjugate view planar or SPECT imaging of the patient after administration of a planning dose. Quantifying the activity in the organs from these studies is an essential part of dose estimation. The Quantitative Planar (QPlanar) processing method involves both accurate compensation for image degrading factors and correction of overlap from background and organs. It thus provides more accurate activity estimates than traditional planar activity estimation methods. However, alignment between the 3D organ volume of interest (VOIs) used in QPlanar processing and the true organ projections in the planar images is required in this method. The goal of this research was to study the effects of misregistration of VOIs on the accuracy and precision of organ activity estimates obtained using the QPlanar method. In this work, we modeled the degree of mis-registration that would be expected clinically. Mutual information based image registration was implemented to align realistic simulated 3D SPECT images that can be used to define 3D organ VOIs with 2D planar images. The resulting model of image mis-registration was applied to study the effects of mis-registration on the QPlanar method.
Transcutaneous direct current cardioversion in a foal with lone atrial fibrillation

There are rare published reports of atrial fibrillation (AF) in foals, all of which are associated with structural heart disease or within the adaptive period of newborns. This report describes a 3-month-old Thoroughbred filly with AF and a structurally normal heart on echocardiography. Medical cardioversion of the foal's AF was attempted with three 20mg/kg doses of quinidine sulfate therapy without success. Timed, transcutaneous, direct current cardioversion was successfully performed using adhesive patches on the midthorax in conjunction with intravenous procainamide at a total dose of 20mg/kg. A normal sinus rhythm was maintained through discharge from the hospital and at recheck 5 months after cardioversion. Transcutaneous direct current cardioversion presents a feasible alternative to quinidine sulfate or transvenous electrical cardioversion in young or lower body weight equids.
InGaAs/InP/AlGaAs/GaAs p-i-n photodetector array with low capacitance air-bridge coplanar metal waveguides and its monolithic WDM applications

Summary form only given. It is highly desirable to develop techniques for the monolithic integration of InGaAs photodiodes operating in the 1.0-1.6-/spl mu/m wavelength range with AlGaAs-GaAs-based optoelectronic and electronic devices for WDM applications. For very high-speed device applications, air-bridge coplanar metal waveguides can efficiently reduce the parasitic capacitance of diodes. In this paper, we report a novel air-bridges connected InGaAs detector on top of an AlGaAs-GaAs waveguide substrate with its monolithic WDM receiver module applications.
On the potential for RF heating in MRI to affect metabolic rates and 18 FDG signal in PET/MR: simulations of long-duration, maximum normal mode heating.

Purpose To examine the possibility that MR-induced RF power deposition (SAR) and the resulting effects on temperature-dependent metabolic rates or perfusion rates might affect observed 18FDG signal in PET/MR. Methods Using numerical simulations of the SAR, consequent temperature increase, effect on rates of metabolism or perfusion, and [18FDG] throughout the body, we simulated the potential effect of maximum-allowable whole-body SAR for the entire duration of an hour-long PET/MR scan on observed PET signal for two different 18FDG injection times: one hour before onset of imaging and concurrent with the beginning of imaging. This was all repeated three times with the head, the heart, and the abdomen (kidneys) at the center of the RF coil. Results Qualitatively, little effect of MR-induced heating is observed on simulated PET images. Maximum relative increases in PET signal (26% and 31% increase, respectively, for the uptake models based on metabolism and the perfusion) occur in regions of low baseline metabolic rate (also associated with low perfusion and, thus, greater potential temperature increase due to high local SAR), such that PET signal in these areas remains comparatively low. Maximum relative increases in regions of high metabolic rate (and also high perfusion: heart, thyroid, brain, etc.) are affected mostly by the relatively small increase in core body temperature and thus are not affected greatly (10% maximum increase). Conclusions Even for worst-case heating, little effect of MR-induced heating is expected on 18FDG PET images during PET/MR for many clinically relevant applications. For quantitative, dynamic MR/PET studies requiring high SAR for extended periods, it is hoped that methods like those introduced here can help account for such potential effects in design of a given study, including selection of reference locations that should not experience notable increase in temperature.
Quantum virial coefficients of molecular nitrogen

ABSTRACTWe report virial coefficients up to third order in density for molecular nitrogen, investigating 103 temperatures in the range (15 K, 3000 K). All calculations are based on an ab initio-based potential taken from the literature. Path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) is applied to account for nuclear quantum effects, and these results are compared to a more approximate but faster semiclassical treatment. Additionally, we examine a PIMC approach that employs semiclassical beads for the path-integral images, but find that it offers marginal advantage. A recently developed orientation sampling algorithm is used in conjunction with Mayer sampling to compute precise virial coefficients. We find that, within the precision of our calculations of the second-order coefficient (B2), semiclassical methods are adequate for temperatures greater than 250 K, and are needed to correct classical behaviour for temperatures as high as 800 K. For the third-order coefficient (B3), the semiclassical methods are adequate abov...
Differential perceptions of fear of crime among college students: The race factor

ABSTRACTDespite the rising crime rates on U.S. university campuses, few empirical studies—either quantitative or qualitative—have examined the rate of fearfulness among college students. The present analysis supplements previous efforts by exploring racial effects on college students' feelings of fearfulness and determines the influence of individual characteristics on white and nonwhite students' fear of crime. Using cross-sectional data from a large public university in the United States, results show that nonwhite students have greater levels of fear of crime on campus than their white counterparts. Moreover, gender and perceived police effectiveness also influenced students' levels of fear of crime. The effects were true for both white and nonwhite students.
MBS Prepayment Speed and More: Forecasting Model Based on Pure Rational Behavior, Quasi-Simulation and Empirical Restrictions

Prepayment behavior is traditionally a significant component of the MBS pricing and hedging models. Since U.S. financial crises of 2007-2009 highlighted the danger of the overreliance on the past experience, which may not be a proper indication of the future performance, there is a constant search of more relevant models aimed to overcome limitations of the historical analysis. We introduce the following innovation in the prepayment behavior forecasting: (a) combine empirical and theoretical approach to the forecasting, simulating the rate path, while predicting the target rate with an empirical model (b) introduce macro-variables into target rate forecast part of the analysis. We find that forecasting the mortgage rates with macro-variables is plausible in 1,3,6,9 and 12 month periods. We further establish methodology of the path forecasting and prepayment rates calculation based upon falling rate environment and rising rate environment examples. We observe interesting effects, suggesting high probability of loan fallout in the rising rate environment due to the intermediate rate fluctuations. We also notice signs of early determination of the fallout/prepayment decision. We suggest our finding are a promising addition to the established prepayment/fallout models.
Synovial fluid cytokine levels in diagnosis of indolent prosthetic shoulder joint infection

Abstract Periprosthetic joint infection is one of the most serious complications associated with arthroplasty surgery and poses great diagnostic difficulty. Traditional diagnostic methods used to diagnose infection in the lower extremity are less accurate for shoulder prosthetic joint infection due to the indolent nature of the most common pathogen, Propionibacterium acnes. In addition to preoperative lab work and intraoperative tissue cultures, a more recent tool for the evaluation of periprosthetic infection has been analysis of synovial fluid for antimicrobial peptides and cytokines. Investigation of synovial biomarkers such as α-defensin and interleukins offers improved ability to more accurately diagnose prosthetic shoulder joint infection.
Maternal Mental Status and Pregnancy - Importance of the Missing Peace

Natalia Schlabritz-Loutsevitch1* and Shailesh Bobby Jain2* 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, USA 2Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, USA *Corresponding authors: Natalia Schlabritz-Loutsevitch, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University HSC School of Medicine at the Permian Basin, USA, Tel: 432-703-5169; E-mail: Natalia.schlabritz-lutsevich@ttuhsc.edu
Effect of prior meal macronutrient composition on postprandial glycemic responses and glycemic index and glycemic load value determinations

Background: The potential impact of prior meal composition on the postprandial glycemic response and glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) value determinations remains unclear.Objective: We determined the effect of meals that varied in macronutrient composition on the glycemic response and determination of GI and GL values of a subsequent standard test food.Design: Twenty healthy participants underwent 6 test sessions within 12 wk. The subjects received each of 3 isocaloric breakfast meals (i.e., high carbohydrate, high fat, or high protein) on separate days in a random order, which was followed by a standard set of challenges (i.e., white bread and a glucose drink) that were tested on separate days in a random order 4 h thereafter. Each challenge provided 50 g available carbohydrate. Arterialized venous blood was sampled throughout the 2-h postchallenge period. GI, GL, and insulin index (II) values were calculated with the use of the incremental area under the curve (AUCi) method, and serum lipids were determined with the use of standard assays.Results: The consumption of the high-protein breakfast before the white-bread challenge attenuated the rise in the postprandial serum glucose response (P < 0.0001) and resulted in lower glucose AUCi (P < 0.0001), GI (P = 0.0096), and GL (P = 0.0101) values than did the high-carbohydrate and high-fat breakfasts. The high-protein breakfast resulted in a lower insulin AUCi (P = 0.0146) for white bread than did the high-fat breakfast and a lower II value (P = 0.0285) than did the high-carbohydrate breakfast. The 3 breakfasts resulted in similar serum lipid responses to the white-bread challenge.Conclusions: These data indicate that the macronutrient composition of the prior meal influences the glycemic response and the determination of GI and GL values for white bread. Future studies are needed to determine whether the background food macronutrient composition influences mean dietary GI and GL values that are calculated for eating patterns, which may alter the interpretation of the associations between these values and chronic disease risk. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01023646.
Exploring the Role of Ideology in Interdisciplinary Science Education Policy.

Despite its popularity in education studies literature, interdisciplinary science education is mostly considered outside the multitude of social forces that drive education reform. This has contributed to a mythologizing of interdisciplinary science education and lead to assumptions about the necessity of its intervention into science education practice. This research constructs a critical analysis of interdisciplinary science education by exploring a philosophical understanding of the relations between scientific disciplines, investigating discourse about interdisciplinarity in science education policy literature, and provides socioeconomic context for this reform movement. In particular, Louis Althusser's theory of ideology as material force, his conception of the spontaneous philosophy of scientists, and his theses on the ideological nature of interdisciplinary science are foundational to this critique. Althusser's contributions allow for critical reflection on interdisciplinarity and the effects of pr...
Impatience as a Virtue: Addressing Persistent ICT-in-Education Challenges in Small Developing Countries

This chapter details one scholar’s experience being a practitioner in her area of expertise: technology for schools in developing world contexts. After being invited to design a solar powering system to charge donated laptops in Haitian schools, she began working with students in hands-on, project-based courses to design and deploy ICT4D-related technologies in the field. Once on the ground, she and her students discovered that the challenges and failures of playing such an active role can be many, but the speed and intensity with which we learn is much greater than from more traditional types of classroom-based or ‘book learning’. After shifting geographic focus to Pacific Island schools, the author and her students designed, developed, and deployed multiple new technologies, including a solar computer lab in a box and a solar digital library. Throughout this venture, unexpected developments continually arose, which have led to the changing of project partners, improvement of the relevance and usefulness of technology being developed, and an expansion of the project to multiple small island-nations. Through a narrative case study of experiential learning, both in-the-classroom and in-the-field, this chapter details the challenges and lessons learned from the scholar-practitioner’s experience.
Analysis of the Training Behavior of the MICE Spectrometer Solenoid

Muon ionization cooling is theoretically well understood but has never been fully demonstrated experimentally. Ionization cooling is regarded as an important technology both in terms of cost and performance for a Neutrino Factory and is absolutely essential for a Muon Collider. The MICE experiment (Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment), based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, U.K., is currently collecting data to prove the concept. Part of MICE are two spectrometer magnets, each consisting of five superconducting large bore solenoids. The spectrometer solenoid is designed for a peak field of 4T. Both spectrometer magnets required about 15 quenches to reach the design current. However, it was discovered that both spectrometers do not remember their training; after a warm-up the spectrometers have to be retrained, following a very similar training curve. The MICE spectrometer was analyzed using 2-D and 3-D finite element software to understand the quench and training behavior; the analysis revealed a clamping mechanism, leading to a stick-slip situation for one of the coils in its coil pocket. This paper summarizes the results and makes suggestions how to improve the design.
The Constitutional Limitations on Congress's Power Over Local Land Use: Why the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act is Unconstitutional

The purpose of this Article is to bring to the forefront of discussion bedrock principles of land use law, which have been ignored to date, and to place RLUIPA analysis on a more constitutionally sound base. The Article is divided into three main sections. Section I recounts the history of land use principles from the drive to ordering urban centers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the development of the rich amalgam of modern practices that now constitute local land development and planning. Section II examines the Supreme Court’s constitutional doctrine of land use law and describes the federal laws that directly or incidentally affect local land uses and shows that these few are cabined within narrowly circumscribed arenas or in fields in which federal coordination of the states is necessary. These laws are readily distinguishable from the sweeping effect of RLUIPA on local land use determinations. Section III then looks closely at Section 2(a), to show how it impacts local decision-making, and operates as a radical and careless interference with settled constitutional principles. In addition, it points out that state courts have a history of rooting out invidious discrimination against religious landowners and invalidating discriminatory or arbitrary zoning and permitting decisions.
Fractography of Stress Corrosion Cracking in Glass

We most often associate fracture with a catastrophic event; a projectile impacts a plate or a pressure vessel explodes and the object of interest is suddenly and completely fragmented. In fact, fracture is never instantaneous but begins at some point called the fracture origin and spreads through the solid until failure is complete. The rate at which cracks propagate through glass can span several orders of magnitude in crack velocity. At one end of the spectrum we have fracture events that are driven by shock waves. Under these conditions, cracks can propagate at nearly six-tenths the Rayleigh wave speed in the material (1500m/s)1. On the other end of the velocity spectrum, when glass is exposed to constant, low level loading conditions, cracks in glass have been measured at speeds of only microns per week. The extremely slow development of cracks in glass is very important since it is this process that can give rise to delayed failure. Delayed failure causes structures that have supported a load for long periods of time to suddenly and spontaneously fail. Fortunately, from the fractographer’s viewpoint, no matter what the speed of the crack, fracture surfaces retain a permanent record that can later be used to interpret the details of the fracture event. In the case of slow crack extension, we can discover information about the stress state and environmental exposure that contributed to a premature failure event.
Applying the Neuropsychology of Memory Disorders to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Working with Nelson Butters changed my career. In 1981, I had just completed an unparalleled two years of postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology with Edith Kaplan. Eager to learn more about neuropsychological research, I asked Edith for a training recommendation and, always correct in her judgment, she unequivocally recommended Nelson Butters. Nelson took me on as a clinical research trainee with considerable clinical neuropsychological background but limited research experience. Over the next two years, through trials and tribulations, admonitions and exhortations, I managed to generate actual scientific research in areas of mutual interest, and Nelson and I came to be lasting colleagues and very close friends.