cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Readout Modules: Fast Imaging

Whereas the preparatory modules discussed in the previous chapter were added to the front end of a core pulse sequence to further modify its contrast, this chapter will explore modification of the readout module of the core pulse sequence, principally in order to accelerate the speed of imaging. We learned earlier that the pulse sequence (time period = TR) must be repeated once for each line of k-space (which, of course, determines the number of voxels in the phase-encoding direction). Thus, TR and the number of phase-encoding steps (lines in k-space) are the factors that determine imaging time: Imaging time = TR × Np Faster imaging can be accomplished by shortening TR, as in fast gradient echo imaging. However, fast imaging is even more efficient when we actually fill more than one line of k-space during each TR. This central concept, filling multiple lines of k-space (or even all of it) during a single TR, is the foundation of many newer fast-imaging techniques. Be advised that this is the point at which your understanding of k-space (see Chapter 6) will come to real-world clinical application.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles produce phototoxicity in the developing zebrafish

AbstractExposure of humans and other organisms to nanomaterials is increasing exponentially. It is important, but difficult, to predict the biological consequences of these exposures. We hypothesized that the unique chemical properties that make nanoparticles useful might also be the key in predicting their biological impact. To investigate this, we chose titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and developing zebrafish embryos as model systems. TiO2NPs absorb photons to generate electron–hole pairs that react with water and oxygen to form cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we show that the exposure of zebrafish embryos to TiO2NPs produces malformation and death, but only if the fish are also illuminated. TiO2NPs are taken up into the developing fish, but the egg chorion is a barrier to uptake until the embryos hatch. Chemical probes and a transgenic reporter line confirm photo-dependent production of ROS in vivo, and the addition of an ROS scavenger rescues fish embryos from toxicity. To our ...
Excessively high plasma bupivacaine concentrations after tonsillar bed and adenoidal injection of 0.25% bupivacaine

Summary The injection of local anaesthetics into the tonsillar bed has gained acceptance in the United States as a method for providing postoperative pain relief. A clinical trial was devised in which the tonsillar bed was injected at the upper and lower poles subsequent to the removal of each tonsil. In addition, a small amount of local anaesthetic was sprayed topically by the nares onto the adenoidal beds subsequent to adenoidectomy to alleviate pain from this area. Bupivacaine was used as the local anaesthetic because of its long duration of action. Despite extreme care in the performance of this study, one patient developed ventricular tachycardia subsequent to the injection of bupivacaine. Plasma bupivacaine levels were obtained after tonsillar bed infiltration and nasal instillation post tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in each of the patients, and though most levels were below toxic ranges, one patient had high serum levels. This high serum level coincided with the development of ventricular tachycardia. On the basis of this finding, we have abandoned this technique for postoperative pain management after tonsillectomy.
Plant biomass influences rhizosphere priming effects on soil organic matter decomposition in two differently managed soils

We used a continuous labeling method of naturally 13 C-depleted CO2 in a growth chamber to test for rhizosphere effects on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition. Two C3 plant species, soybean (Glycine max) and sunflower (Helianthus annus), were grown in two previously differently managed soils, an organically farmed soil and a soil from an annual grassland. We maintained a constant atmospheric CO2 concentration at 40075 ppm and d 13 C signature at � 24.4% by regulating the flow of naturally 13 C-depleted CO2 and CO2-free air into the growth chamber, which allowed us to separate new plant-derived CO2–C from original soil-derived CO2–C in soil respiration. Rhizosphere priming effects on SOM decomposition, i.e., differences in soil-derived CO2–C between planted and nonplanted treatments, were significantly different between the two soils, but not between the two plant species. Soil-derived CO2–C efflux in the organically farmed soil increased up to 61% compared to the no-plant control, while the annual grassland soil showed a negligible increase (up to 5% increase), despite an overall larger efflux of soil-derived CO2–C and total soil C content. Differences in rhizosphere priming effects on SOM decomposition between the two soils could be largely explained by differences in plant biomass, and in particular leaf biomass, explaining 49% and 74% of the variation in primed soil C among soils and plant species, respectively. Nitrogen uptake rates by soybean and sunflower was relatively high compared to soil C respiration and associated N mineralization, while inorganic N pools were significantly depleted in the organic farm soil by the end of the experiment. Despite relatively large increases in SOM decomposition caused by rhizosphere effects in the organic farm soil, the fast-growing soybean and sunflower plants gained little extra N from the increase in SOM decomposition caused by rhizosphere effects. We conclude that rhizosphere priming effects of annual plants on SOM decomposition are largely driven by plant biomass, especially in soils of high fertility that can sustain high plant productivity. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Theoretical infrared, Raman, and optical spectra of the B 36 N 36 cage

The ${\mathrm{B}}_{36}{\mathrm{N}}_{36}$ fullerenelike cage structure was proposed as a candidate structure for the single-shell boron-nitride cages observed in electron-beam irradiation experiment. We have performed all electron density-functional calculations, with large polarized Gaussian basis sets, on the ${\mathrm{B}}_{36}{\mathrm{N}}_{36}$ cage. We show that the cage is energetically and vibrationally stable. The infrared, Raman, and optical spectra are calculated. The predicted spectra, in combination with experimentally measured spectra, will be useful in conclusive assignment of the proposed ${\mathrm{B}}_{36}{\mathrm{N}}_{36}$ cage. The vertical and adiabatic ionization potentials as well as static dipole polarizability are also reported.
Increased expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunit p67(phox) in the renal medulla contributes to excess oxidative stress and salt-sensitive hypertension.

Summary NAD(P)H oxidase has been shown to be important in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. Here, we show that the expression of a subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase, p67 phox , was increased in response to a high-salt diet in the outer renal medulla of the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat, an animal model for human salt-sensitive hypertension. The higher expression of p67 phox , not the other subunits observed, was associated with higher NAD(P)H oxidase activity and salt sensitivity in SS rats compared with a salt-resistant strain. Genetic mutations of the SS allele of p67 phox were found in the promoter region and contributed to higher promoter activity than that of the salt-resistant strain. To verify the importance of p67 phox , we disrupted p67 phox in SS rats using zinc-finger nucleases. These rats exhibited a significant reduction of salt-sensitive hypertension and renal medullary oxidative stress and injury. p67 phox could represent a target for salt-sensitive hypertension therapy.
Distraction-Free Service in Pervasive Environments Based on Multi-constrained QoS Routing

Pervasive computing provides an off-desktop computing paradigm, which allows users to access information and services anywhere and anytime. A pervasive environment is featured by user mobility. In other words, users may be moving around different locations. The user mobility makes it challenging to provide a distraction-free service since a user’s interaction context may change according to his/her location. One fundamental issue is to provide a multi-constrained QoS route between a user and a service provider, which may be changing upon time. This paper proposes a well-designed exact algorithm for the routing issue. Simulation results prove the performance of our approach.
Respiratory mucus hypersecretion (bronchorrhea): A case discussion—possible mechanism(s) and treatment

The mechanism(s) underlying mucus hypersecretion (bronchorrhea) and the treatment of this condition are poorly understood. We have previously demonstrated that erythromycin inhibited mucus secretion from human airways and from secretory epithelial cells in vitro. We encountered a patient with airway obstruction marked by severe bronchorrhea, who previously had responded only to inhaled bronchodilators and high-dose prednisone. Many attempts to wean him from prednisone had failed. During the course of his disease, he had developed an IgG antibody to vasoactive intestinal peptide, had increased amounts of mucus secreted by his respiratory epithelial cells, and demonstrated hyperreactive airways as measured by methacholine challenge provocation test. Erythromycin was added to his therapy. The effect of erythromycin treatment was quite dramatic and included clinical and laboratory improvement. After a short trial of erythromycin, the patient tolerated low, every-other-day doses of prednisone. there was a significant reduction in the volume of his bronchorrhea, a major decrease in the epithelial mucins in his total expectorated mucus, complete inhibition of his airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine, and significant reduction in the level of IgG antibody to vasoactive intestinal peptide. This response was specific for erythromycin since other antibiotics did not have any clinical, biochemical, or physiologic effects. We conclude that erythromycin may play a role in the treatment of patients with bronchorrhea and may have a steroid-sparing effect. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients are indicated.
Cartography in the Traditional African, American, Arctic, Australian, and Pacific Societies.

Cartography in the Traditional African, American, Arctic, Australian, and Pacific Societies. David Woodward and G.Malcolm Lewis. eds. The History of Cartography. Volume 2. Book 3. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 1998.662 pp.
Proposal for an e-waste management system for the United States

Quantities of end-of-life electronics (or e-waste) around the world keep growing. More than 1.36 million metric tons of e-waste were discarded in the U.S. in 2005, mainly in landfills, and e-waste is projected to grow in future years. This paper explores issues relating to planning future e-waste regulation and management systems in the U.S. It begins by reviewing the existing U.S. recycling systems to establish the importance of developing public responses. The paper then discusses what specific conditions are expected to influence the acceptability and implementation domestically. A key consideration is the cultural imperative in the U.S. for market-driven solutions that enable competition. Given this context, a solution is proposed that is designed to ensure a proper end-of-life management while at the same time establishing a competitive market for reuse and recycling services. The solution, termed e-market for returned deposit, begins with a deposit paid by consumers to sellers at the time of purchase, electronically registered and tracked via a radio-frequency identification device (RFID) placed on the product. At end-of-life, consumers consult an Internet-enabled market in which firms compete to receive the deposit by offering consumers variable degrees of return on the deposit. After collection of the computer by the selected firm, the cyberinfrastructure utilizes the RFID to transfer the deposit to the winning firm when recycled. If the firm chooses to refurbish or resell the computer in lieu of recycling, the transfer is deferred until true end-of-life processing.
Sudden Gains During Patient-Directed Expressive Writing Treatment Predicts Depression Reduction in Women with History of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Results from a Randomized Clinical Trial

Sudden gains are large reductions in symptoms measured in a single between-session interval and are positively associated with long-term treatment outcomes. To date, sudden gains have mostly been observed in therapist-directed psychotherapies. There are currently mixed findings surrounding the mechanisms underlying sudden gains, with some support for a cognitive mechanism and some support for therapist characteristics such as the therapeutic alliance. In this study of 77 female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sudden gains in trauma symptoms were found in a randomized clinical trial of a patient-directed expressive writing intervention. Women in the active treatment condition (who wrote about their beliefs related to sexuality or trauma) exhibiting sudden gains in trauma symptoms showed larger improvements in depression than those in the control condition (who merely wrote about their daily needs). The extension of sudden gains from psychotherapy to a client-directed treatment refines our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these gains, and supports the hypothesis that cognitive change is a likely mechanism underlying sudden gains.
Toll, a muscle cell surface molecule, locally inhibits synaptic initiation of the RP3 motoneuron growth cone in Drosophila

Toll, a transmembrane molecule with extracellular leucine-rich repeats, is dynamically expressed by the Drosophila embryonic musculature. Growth cones of RP3 and other motoneurons normally grow past Toll-positive muscle cells and innervate more distal muscle cells, which have down-regulated their Toll expression. In this study, we show that reciprocal genetic manipulations of Toll proteins can produce reciprocal RP3 phenotypes. In Toll null mutants, the RP3 growth cone sometimes innervates incorrect muscle cells, including those that are normally Toll-positive. In contrast, heterochronic misexpression of Toll in the musculature leads to the same growth cone reaching its correct target region but delaying synaptic initiation. We propose that Toll acts locally to inhibit synaptogenesis of specific motoneuron growth cones and that both temporal and spatial control of Toll expression is crucial for its role in development.
Advocacy Tactics and Policy Outcomes of Sex Offender Rights Organizations

Social movement organizations for sex offender rights work to reduce harm to registrants and their family members by influencing sex offender registration and community notification policies. This study draws on two theories of social movement organizations—organizational emergence and political opportunities—to investigate the capacity (i.e., structure, resources, knowledge and skills) of these organizations to bring about policy changes. Data were gathered using in-depth, telephone interviews with 19 leaders of state-level advocacy organizations in the United States. Two types of strategies emerged, distinguishing organizations as proactive or reactive in their approach to policy change. Proactive organizations contribute to policy amendment, development or adoption, whereas reactive organizations focus on blocking policy. These two types of organizations have similar tactical repertoires; however, more proactive organizations report the use of networking and coalition building and media stories, and mo...
The Belo Horizonte Observatory for Urban Health: its history and current challenges

The Belo Horizonte Observatory for Urban Health (OSUBH), housed in an academic setting, was founded in 2002 as part of a broader agenda to strengthen local and national health systems. Its mission is to build the capacity of the workforce in research on population health and to conduct studies on urban issues that can guide the planning of activities aimed at improving the health of populations, especially in heavily urbanized areas, associated with intra-urban inequalities. It focuses on the acquisition of advanced knowledge on urban health (metric) through scientific research, to contribute to public policies that may interfere with health, both at individual and community levels. During its lifetime, many partnerships and studies have been developed, but many challenges still exist in order for it to consolidate its position as a legitimate space and as a tool to generate systematic information for governments and populations.
DISCORDANCE OF PULMOARY CAPILLARY WEDGE PRESSURE AND LEFT VENTRICULAR END DIASTOLIC PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Discrimination of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) has clinical implications (both entities defined in Table 1). We examined the diagnostic concordance of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in
Deepening Kindergarteners' Science Vocabulary: A Design Study.

ABSTRACTEarly, effective instruction to introduce both science vocabulary and general academic language may help children build a strong conceptual and linguistic foundation for later instruction. In this study, a design research intervention was employed to expose children to a variety of interrelated science content words to increase both the breadth and the depth of their vocabularies. This 8-week intervention targeted specific science content vocabulary development through adapting teachers' practices to include use of three instructional techniques: Teachers interactively read aloud information books, engaged students in conversation, and provided hands-on science activity centers. Results demonstrated that children deepened their understanding of the targeted vocabulary words.
Total Brain Death and the Integration of the Body Required of a Human Being

I develop and refine an argument for the total brain death criterion of death previously advanced by Germain Grisez and me: A human being is essentially a rational animal, and so must have a radical capacity for rational operations. For rational animals, conscious sensation is a pre-requisite for rational operation. But total brain death results in the loss of the radical capacity for conscious sensation, and so also for rational operations. Hence, total brain death constitutes a substantial change-the ceasing to be of the human being. Objections are considered, including the objection that total brain death need not result in the loss of capacity for sensation, and that damage to the brain less than total brain death can result in loss of capacity for rational operations.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients on Hemodialysis

Background Previous studies have shown that the assessment of Doppler mitral flow velocity (DMFV) curves can be used to predict prognosis owing to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in certain specific diseases. Our aim was to study whether the prognostic value of DMFV curves is affected by the many end-stage renal disease factors, such as chronic uremia and long-term hemodialysis (HD), which cause LV diastolic dysfunction and death. Methods Retrospective echo Doppler studies obtained 10 to 12 hours after HD in 90 patients (52 males; mean age, 56 years) were analyzed to determine changes in deceleration time (DT) of the early mitral filling wave (E) and the ratio of E to the atrial velocity (A). The study findings (n = 83) showed 2 groups of DT: long DT (DT > 240 milliseconds) and normal/short DT (DT ≤ 240 milliseconds). Continuous variables of LV size using internal dimensions, systolic function using ejection fraction, hypertrophy using wall thickness and mass, and pulmonary hypertension and E/A were compared between the 2 groups. Results Patients with long DT versus normal/short DT had lower absolute and indexed LV mass (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) and pulmonary hypertension (P ≤ 0.001), without a significant difference in LV systolic function or E/A. The mortality rate, adjusted for age and sex, was lower with long DT versus normal/short DT, with a hazard ratio of death, 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.86, P = 0.02). Conclusions Our study identified characteristics of DMFV curves in patients on long-term HD, which are clearly of value in predicting outcomes and survival in these patients.
Association of apo(a)Pentanucleotide Polymorphism with Coronary Heart Disease and Serum Lp(a)levels

Objective:To investigate the distribution of5pentanucleotide TTTTA repeat polymorphism of apo(a)gene in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and healthy controls,and to observe the relationship between polymorphism of apo(a)and serum Lp(a)levels.Methods:5pentanucleotide TTTTA repeat polyˉmorphism of apo(a)gene were analyzed in293patients with CHD and163healthy controls.The corresponding DNA fragments were amplified with PCR,and PCR products were separated by polyacrylamide gel elecˉtrophoresis.Serum Lp(a)levels were measured by ELISA.Results:Eight alleles and19genotypes were found totally.The common genotypes were8/8,8/9,5/8,and9/9,respectively.Serum Lp(a)level was higher in5/8genotype in both patients and controls(P0.05).The higher distribution of5/8genotype in group with high Lp(a)and CHD group were observed(P0.05).Conclusion:Serum Lp(a)was related to5/8genotype.Peoˉple with5/8genotype have higher risk for CHD.
Sensory Neurons that Detect Stretch and Nutrients in the Digestive System

Neural inputs from internal organs are essential for normal autonomic function. The vagus nerve is a key body-brain connection that monitors the digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Within the gastrointestinal tract, vagal sensory neurons detect gut hormones and organ distension. Here, we investigate the molecular diversity of vagal sensory neurons and their roles in sensing gastrointestinal inputs. Genetic approaches allowed targeted investigation of gut-to-brain afferents involved in homeostatic responses to ingested nutrients (GPR65 neurons) and mechanical distension of the stomach and intestine (GLP1R neurons). Optogenetics, in vivo ganglion imaging, and genetically guided anatomical mapping provide direct links between neuron identity, peripheral anatomy, central anatomy, conduction velocity, response properties in vitro and in vivo, and physiological function. These studies clarify the roles of vagal afferents in mediating particular gut hormone responses. Moreover, genetic control over gut-to-brain neurons provides a molecular framework for understanding neural control of gastrointestinal physiology.
Pulsed dye laser efficacy as initial therapy for warts and against recalcitrant verrucae

Pulsed dye (vascular) laser therapy is effective against verrucae (warts) that have not responded to other treatments. These observations suggest that vascular laser therapy might be particularly efficacious against verrucae not previously treated. Of the thirty-two patients with verrucae in this study, nineteen had been previously treated (recalcitrant group) and thirteen had not (no prior treatment group). All warts were treated an average of 1.72 times with the Candela vascular laser at 585 nm, 8 J/cm2. Patients were treated at one- to two-month intervals. Response rates were as follows: 68 percent of the recalcitrant warts were completely cleared, and 47.1 percent of the warts with no prior treatment were completely cleared. In the recalcitrant group, 45.9 percent were treated three times, the maximum number of treatments offered. In the no prior treatment group, only 5.9 percent of warts were treated at all three laser clinics offered. Vascular laser therapy appears to be effective as therapy in the treatment of verrucae, especially those that have not been eradicated by other treatments. Patients who had received no prior treatment for their warts were less likely to proceed with therapy, but had a satisfactory clearance rate with minimal treatment.
Binomial Edge Colorings

In [76], a number of edge colorings were described that gave rise to various vertex colorings of interest. In one instance, the color of a vertex was defined as the set of colors of the edges incident with the vertex, with the goal to minimize the number of colors so that the resulting coloring is vertex-distinguishing. In this chapter, we consider edge colorings that result in the same vertex coloring, but with a different goal in mind. Here, for a fixed number k of edge colors 1, 2, …, k, we wish to determine graphs of minimum order having the property that for every subset S of [k] = { 1, 2, …, k}, there is a vertex whose color is S.
DNA delivery for regeneration

Introduction The delivery of nucleic acids is a powerful technique to regulate cellular processes that has profound implications for regenerative medicine. Nucleic acid delivery is most widely thought of as delivery of a gene to induce expression of a specific factor. This approach is highly versatile, insofar as it can readily target secreted factors (e.g. growth factors), membranous proteins (e.g. receptors), or intracellular proteins (e.g. transcription factors). Expression can potentially be modulated through the promoter, with control provided by soluble, inductive factors, or be restricted to specific cell populations. The alternative to delivering nucleic acids to induce expression of target genes is to reduce or block expression. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has identified a powerful mechanism for nucleic acid delivery to catalyze the degradation of target mRNA. Similarly, oligonucleotides can bind to a complementary strand of mRNA (antisense) to terminate translation or act as decoys that bind to transcription factors and limit their ability to influence transcription. The delivery of nucleic acids has the potential to either promote or inhibit virtually any cell process; however, a major challenge to capitalizing on this potential lies in the need for effective delivery systems.
Rock Physics Modeling in Conventional Reservoirs

Seismic reservoir characterization focuses on the interpretation of elastic attributes, such as seismic velocities and impedances, estimated from geophysical data such as surface seismic, crosswell seismic, and well log data. Elastic attributes depend on rock and fluid properties. The discipline of rock physics investigates the physical relations between petrophysical properties of porous rocks and their elastic response. In this chapter, we review the most common rock physics models for conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. Rock physics models are commonly used to study the effect of variations in porosity, lithology, fluid saturation, and other petrophysical properties in reservoir rocks and the changes in the corresponding elastic and seismic response. These models can then be used to quantitatively interpret geophysical data and build reservoir models conditioned by well log and seismic data.
Using Value Chains to Enhance Innovation

Past research (along with our experience) suggest that a firm's supply chain (i.e., value chain) plays an integral role in its ability to not only reduce cost via process innovation, but also in its ability to develop new products and services. Evidence suggests the value chain is playing an ever-more-important role, with greater prevalence of distributed product development (spanning geographic, organizational, or firm boundaries) and open innovation (performed outside the firm). We discuss some of the trends with regard to supplier and customer involvement in the innovation process, and summarize some of the research exploring the rationale behind those trends and the research offering advice on how firms can use external resources to further improve their innovation performance. We present a number of examples that illustrate some best practices. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Healthcare reform in the Middle East and the USA.

Mustafa Z Younis speaks to Laura Dormer, Commissioning Editor: Dr Mustafa Z Younis is an internationally recognized scholar and was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Society for Research of Healthcare Financial Management. Dr Younis has authored and published over 200 articles, abstracts and presentations in refereed journals and meetings, and has presented at national and international conferences. Dr Younis has administrative experience as Senior Adviser for the President at Zirve University, Turkey and as Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Florida International University (FL, USA) where he led the accreditation efforts for the Healthcare Management Program. Dr Younis has a history of playing visible roles on the editorial boards of journals as Chief Editor, Guest Editor and Editorial board member of leading journals such as Journal of International Medical Research, Journal of Health Care Finance, Inquiry, Journal of Health and Human Services Administrati...
Temporal changes in the suitability of claywater as a greenwater substitute for rearing larval sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

Abstract For some species, marine aquaculture facilities increase turbidity to improve larval feeding, growth, and survival, typically by mixing algae with seawater to make “greenwater.” Clay is a less expensive and inorganic potential algae substitute that has been shown to reduce bacterial levels relative to algae and promote equal or better growth and survival in some species. Sablefish ( Anoplopoma fimbria ) is a prime candidate species for aquaculture but the rearing of sablefish larvae has not yet been experimentally tested with clay. This study tested whether clay is a viable algae substitute for rearing sablefish, and whether the relative performance of clay versus algae varies as a function of time. In the first week of larval rearing, algae ( Nannochloropsis ) produced more than three times greater survival than clay (Kentucky Ball Clay OM4). However, switching from algae to clay at the beginning of the second week led to 1.5 times greater larval growth compared to tanks where algae was used in both weeks. The performance difference between clay and algae, despite equal turbidity, suggests that clay and algae have potentially harmful and beneficial effects in addition to turbidity effects, and that these effects change through time. However, because the first experiment was a replacement study, it was not possible to know whether algae produced better survival in week one because 1) clay, which might be harmful, was not present, 2) algae, which might be beneficial, was present, or 3) both. A further additive study was conducted to test the second possibility. The experiment found that adding algae to clay in the first week of larval rearing leads to greater growth and survival, suggesting that algae has beneficial effects beyond turbidity. We discuss some possible mechanisms for potential harmful and beneficial effects of algae and clay.
Examining Organizational Practices that Predict Persistence among High-Achieving Black Males in High School:

Background/ContextThis article summarizes an increasing trend of antideficit Black male research in mathematics and highlights opportunities to add to the research. A review of the literature shows...
Public Health Policies: Go Local!

The article discusses the reasons why the authors believe that public health (PH) practitioners in America should focus on local PH practice-related issues as of 2017, and it mentions how local PH policies can address health disparities and counteract the U.S. political gridlock and dysfunction that occurs on the national level. Population health and the risks associated with pandemics and epidemics are examined, along with policies protecting the safety of drinking water, food, and air.
Efficient Algorithm for the Prediction of Pressure–Volume–Temperature Properties of Crude Oils Using the Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory Equation of State

A new simplified approach is presented for characterizing crude oils using the perturbed-chain version of the statistical associating fluid theory equation of state (PC-SAFT EoS). The new approach models the liquid phase in crude oil as one pseudocomponent called the “single liquid fraction” (SLF). The SLF approach requires a single fitting parameter called aromaticity (γSLF) which is fitted to the experimental bubble point and density at saturation. Simulation results for 10 light crudes from the Middle East are presented in this work and compared to 2078 data points for the predictions of constant composition expansion (CCE), differential liberation (DL), separator test, and swell test experiments. It is found that the model predictions of density are the most accurate, with an average absolute percent deviation (AAPD) of 0.5% in the CCE, 0.7% in the DL, 0.8% in the separator test, and 2.1% in the swell test. The swell test study included modeling of blends of live oil with different gases such as lean ...
Development and Implementation of a U-500 Regular Insulin Program in a Federally Qualified Health Center.

According to the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report (1), 29.1 million people in the United States (9.3% of the population) have diabetes; 28.7% of adults >18 years of age use insulin alone or in combination with oral medications (1). Nearly 35% of U.S. adults are obese, and this rate has steadily increased during the past 20 years (2). With the growing number of adults with diabetes and increasing rates of obesity, there is an increased prevalence of insulin resistance and thus a need for large daily doses of insulin for glycemic control. U-500 regular (U-500R) insulin has been used for decades but has gained popularity in the past 10 years as a result of the increase in obesity and insulin resistance. The potency of U-500R insulin is five times greater than U-100 insulins; 1 mL of U-500R contains 500 units of insulin compared to 1 mL of standard U-100 insulin, which contains 100 units. The concentrated U-500R is advantageous for patients who are severely insulin resistant, requiring large doses of U-100 insulin because altered insulin absorption and leakage can occur when large volumes are injected, which reduces efficacy (3,4). To enhance U-100 insulin efficacy, practitioners often split the dose when the volume exceeds 40–60 units per dose. However, from the patient perspective, needing two injections to administer a single dose may be undesirable. For this reason, converting a patient requiring high doses of insulin from U-100 to U-500R could be considered because this option would decrease volume by 80% while still delivering the required number of units. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of U-500R appear to fall between those of NPH insulin and U-100 regular insulin and allow U-500R to provide both basal and mealtime insulin coverage (5). Because of its pharmacokinetic properties, delayed peak effect, and prolonged duration of …
Teachers as "Tests": Classification Accuracy and Concurrent Validation in the Identification of Learning Disabled Children.

The relative accuracy of teacher judgments of academic performance in classifying students as learning disabled (LD) or nonhandicapped (NH) was contrasted to standardized tests of intelligence and ...
Maternal Brain TNF-α Programs Innate Fear in the Offspring

Summary Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that not only coordinates local and systemic immune responses [1, 2] but also regulates neuronal functions. Most prominently, glia-derived TNF-α has been shown to regulate homeostatic synaptic scaling [3–6], but TNF-α-null mice exhibited no apparent cognitive or emotional abnormalities. Instead, we found a TNF-α-dependent intergenerational effect, as mothers with a deficit in TNF-α programmed their offspring to exhibit low innate fear. Cross-fostering and conditional knockout experiments indicated that a TNF-α deficit in the maternal brain, rather than in the hematopoietic system, and during gestation was responsible for the low-fear offspring phenotype. The level of innate fear governs the balance between exploration/foraging and avoidance of predators and is thus fundamentally important in adaptation, fitness, and survival [7]. Because maternal exercise and activity are known to reduce both brain TNF-α [8] and offspring innate fear [9], whereas maternal stress has been reported to increase brain TNF-α [10] and offspring fear and anxiety [11, 12], maternal brain TNF-α may report environmental conditions to promote offspring behavioral adaptation to their anticipated postnatal environment.
Forecasting the prevalence of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease in the United States

Abstract Introduction We forecast the prevalence of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and evaluated potential impacts of primary and secondary preventions in the United States. Methods We used a multistate model incorporating biomarkers for preclinical AD with US population projections. Results Approximately 6.08 million Americans had either clinical AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD in 2017 and that will grow to 15.0 million by 2060. In 2017, 46.7 million Americans had preclinical AD (amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, or both), although many may not progress to clinical disease during their lifetimes. Primary and secondary preventions have differential impact on future disease burden. Discussion Because large numbers of persons are living with preclinical AD, our results underscore the need for secondary preventions for persons with existing AD brain pathology who are likely to develop clinical disease during their lifetimes as well as primary preventions for persons without preclinical disease.
Traffic Enforcement Through the Lens of Race: A Sequential Analysis of Post-Stop Outcomes in San Diego, California:

Research has shown that Black and Hispanic drivers are subject to disproportionate stop and post-stop outcomes compared with White drivers. Yet scholars’ understanding of how and why such dispariti...
Challenging Convention in Empathy Research: Developing a Mouse Model and Initial Neural Analyses

Abstract “That’s not empathy” is a response that we often hear when describing our findings to other scientists. For some of our colleagues, it is far-fetched that individuals from the species Mus musculus domesticus could be engaged in something like “empathy.” The house mouse, which in some cases has been captive and inbred by biologists for over a century, may serve as a useful “model” system to experiment on the relatively low-hanging fruit of biomedical research, but the concept of empathy goes too far. Empathy, some argue, is a high-level psychological phenomenon reserved for species possessing a highly evolved prefrontal cortex, such as Homo sapiens .
Neutron capture on short-lived nuclei via the surrogate (d,pγ) reaction

Rapid r -process nucleosynthesis is responsible for the creation of about half of the elements heavier than iron. Neutron capture on shortlived nuclei in cold processes or during freeze out from hot processes can have a significant impact on the final observed r -process abundances. We are validating the (d,pγ ) reaction as a surrogate for neutron capture with measurements on 95 Mo targets and a focus on discrete transitions. The experimental results have been analyzed within the Hauser-Feshbach approach with non-elastic breakup of the deuteron providing a neutron to be captured. Preliminary results support the (d,pγ ) reaction as a valid surrogate for neutron capture. We are poised to measure the (d,pγ ) reaction in inverse kinematics with unstable beams following the development of the experimental techniques.
Some Reflections on the Contributions of Anthropologists to Public Policy

Publisher Summary This chapter provides some reflections on the contributions of anthropologists to public policy. Some remarks were made on the increasing interest of anthropologists in research relevant to social policy, research that was responsive to the social needs not only of the traditional areas of anthropological study, such as Oceania and the Indian reservations, but of the United States itself as a whole. It was argued that recently there had been certain fundamental shifts in the conditions of anthropological practice in America. Although anthropology has been very much a basic science field, even to the degree of appearing to be esoteric to some, it was nurtured in its infancy in a context of immediate public policy concerns. Least important is the antiquity of anthropology's sense of policy concern; more important is the fact that the concern was largely felt not about the problems of the dominant society, which generated the trouble, but for the immediate welfare of the natives whom anthropologists alone were able, in some measure, to understand and vouch for.
Forest Stress: Influence of Air Pollutants on Phytophagous Forest Insects

Arthropods have roles of enormous importance in the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. Forest ecosystems, in particular, typically have large and diverse arthropod populations. The importance of pollinating (Chapter 7) and litter metabolizing (Chapter 8) species has already been introduced. The damaging influence of high population densities of certain insects can be very visible and cause widespread forest destruction; witness contemporary North American situations involving the Douglas fir tussock moth, the gypsy moth, the eastern spruce budworm, and the southern pine bark beetle. It is critically important, however, to keep in perspective that there is substantial evidence to support the notion that forest insects, even those that cause massive destruction in the short run, may play essential and beneficial roles in forest ecosystems in the long run. These roles may involve regulation of tree species competition, species composition and succession, primary production, and nutrient cycling (Huffaker, 1974; Mattson and Addy, 1975).
Observers for ODEs Involving PDE Sensor and Actuator Dynamics

This chapter parallels the development in Chapter 3 but for the more challenging cases where the sensor dynamics are not of a pure delay type but instead aremodeled by heat or wave PDEs (see Fig. 17.1). The chapter consists of two distinct halves, the first half dealing with the heat PDE case in Sections 17.1, 17.2, and 17.3, and the second half dealing with the heat PDE case in Sections 17.4, 17.5, and 17.6.
Noninvasive assessment of dofetilide plasma concentration using a deep learning (neural network) analysis of the surface electrocardiogram: A proof of concept study

BACKGROUND Dofetilide is an effective antiarrhythmic medication for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation, but carries a significant risk of pro-arrhythmia and requires meticulous dosing and monitoring. The cornerstone of this monitoring, measurement of the QT/QTc interval, is an imperfect surrogate for plasma concentration, efficacy, and risk of pro-arrhythmic potential. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to test the application of a deep learning approach (using a convolutional neural network) to assess morphological changes on the surface ECG (beyond the QT interval) in relation to dofetilide plasma concentrations. METHODS We obtained publically available serial ECGs and plasma drug concentrations from 42 healthy subjects who received dofetilide or placebo in a placebo-controlled cross-over randomized controlled clinical trial. Three replicate 10-s ECGs were extracted at predefined time-points with simultaneous measurement of dofetilide plasma concentration We developed a deep learning algorithm to predict dofetilide plasma concentration in 30 subjects and then tested the model in the remaining 12 subjects. We compared the deep leaning approach to a linear model based only on QTc. RESULTS Fourty two healthy subjects (21 females, 21 males) were studied with a mean age of 26.9 ± 5.5 years. A linear model of the QTc correlated reasonably well with dofetilide drug levels (r = 0.64). The best correlation to dofetilide level was achieved with the deep learning model (r = 0.85). CONCLUSION This proof of concept study suggests that artificial intelligence (deep learning/neural network) applied to the surface ECG is superior to analysis of the QT interval alone in predicting plasma dofetilide concentration.
The Moduli Spaces of Sheaves on Surfaces, Pathologies and Brill-Noether Problems

Brill-Noether Theorems play a central role in the birational geometry of moduli spaces of sheaves on surfaces. This paper surveys recent work on the Brill-Noether problem for rational surfaces. In order to highlight some of the difficulties for more general surfaces, we show that moduli spaces of rank 2 sheaves on very general hypersurfaces of degree d in \(\mathbb {P}^3\) can have arbitrarily many irreducible components as d tends to infinity.
Utility-driven graph summarization

A lot of the large datasets analyzed today represent graphs. In many real-world applications, summarizing large graphs is beneficial (or necessary) so as to reduce a graph's size and, thus, achieve a number of benefits, including but not limited to 1) significant speed-up for graph algorithms, 2) graph storage space reduction, 3) faster network transmission, 4) improved data privacy, 5) more effective graph visualization, etc. During the summarization process, potentially useful information is removed from the graph (nodes and edges are removed or transformed). Consequently, one important problem with graph summarization is that, although it reduces the size of the input graph, it also adversely affects and reduces its utility. The key question that we pose in this paper is, can we summarize and compress a graph while ensuring that its utility or usefulness does not drop below a certain user-specified utility threshold?We explore this question and propose a novel iterative utility-driven graph summarization approach. During iterative summarization, we incrementally keep track of the utility of the graph summary. This enables a user to query a graph summary that is conditioned on a user-specified utility value. We present both exhaustive and scalable approaches for implementing our proposed solution. Our experimental results on real-world graph datasets show the effectiveness of our proposed approach. Finally, through multiple real-world applications we demonstrate the practicality of our notion of utility of the computed graph summary.
An Electronic Strategy for Eliminating Unnecessary Duplicate Genetic Testing

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of an electronic intervention designed to block duplicate constitutional genetic tests. METHODS We constructed, implemented, and studied an electronic intervention that stopped duplicate genetic tests. The activation frequency, types of tests affected, and cost savings achieved with this intervention were determined. The frequency and justification of override requests were also studied. RESULTS This intervention stopped 710 unnecessary duplicate genetic tests over a 3-year period and saved $98,596. The tests with the highest numbers of alerts were those used for screening presurgical or transplant patients and were commonly part of an order set or test panel. Most override requests were justified because of the lack of exclusion codes in the initial programming. CONCLUSIONS Electronic interventions that stop duplicate genetic testing, if properly constructed, can reduce waste, save health care dollars, and facilitate patient care by directing the provider to a test that has already been performed.