cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of intensity standards of tungsten-halogen and led curing units.

Current evidence indicates that the minimum light intensity of photo curing units required to polymerize in a reliable way a composite resin, in increments of 2mm, is 300mW/cm2. The recent introduction of new generations of composite resin materials for large volume increments, partially contrasts with ISO 4049 (2009), calling for the use of light intensity of 1,000mW/cm2. Therefore, it is considered relevant to carry out periodic measurements of the emission intensity of light-curing units of clinical use. The aim of this study was to test the intensity [mW/cm2] of a representative sample of tungsten-halogen and LED photopolymerization units used in private and public health service in different areas of the Valparaiso Region in Chile. This was achieved through the use of dental radiometers, without considering the variables of intensity modification over time (either spontaneously, by undesirable inherent characteristics of the device, or by programs of intensity modification in time), or the density of accumulated power needed. This in vitro diagnostic test, evaluated a sample of 507 units, 107 halogen and 400 LED, for a period of around one month, using two radiometers as measuring instruments. For LED units the Bluephase Meter® radiometer, from Ivoclar-VivadentTM was used, and for halogen units we used the Coltolux® from ColteneTM. As a result, 85% of the LED and halogen units achieved the minimum requirements of intensity needed for the polymerization of conventional dental biomaterials. However, only 25% from the tested units achieved a power density of 1,000mW/cm2.
New material of fossil rodents (Mammalia) from the Eocene (Bridgerian-Uintan) Washakie Formation, southcentral Wyoming

Eight species of rodents are described based on previously unreported fossil material from the early Eocene Adobe Town Member of the Washakie Formation of Wyoming. Among these are two new species: the sciuravid Pauromys turnbulli and the cylindrodont Pareumys flynni. The overall rodent fauna consists of twelve species. The greatest change in the rodent fauna is between the lower and middle units of the Adobe Town Member; six species having their last occurrence in the lower unit and three species having their first occurrence in the middle unit. This coincides with the boundary of the Bridgerian and Uintan North American Land Mammal Ages.
Nursing and surgery of a rare case of semi-conjoined deformed twins

Surgical therapy and nursing of a rare case of semi-conjoined deformed twins was summarized. To relieve life threaten, correct deformity and retain function, surgical therapy was performed. Afterwards, patient received nursing strategies including preventing elevation of abdominal pressure, incision care of hemipelvectomy, pelvic fixation, prevention of pressure sores, multi-canal nursing, nutrition support and infection control. Survival of patient was prolonged through a comprehensive therapy and nursing, and the patient was successfully discharged. Key words: Nursing; Congenital deformity; Semi-conjoined deformity; Caudal duplication
Genomics of Chronic Orofacial Pain

Chronic orofacial pain, including temporomandibular joint disorder, was once thought to arise from dental malocclusion and muscle spasms. Clinical research on the etiology of chronic orofacial pain has refuted this traditional belief and is now focused on identifying the risk factors and potential targets for treatment. This chapter provides an overview of current research on chronic orofacial pain and findings on the genetic contribution to its etiology and treatment.
Propuesta de estrategias didácticas promotoras para un óptimo aprovechamiento en el aula del estudiantado talentoso en la expresión escrita en el idioma inglés

El objetivo del estudio fue crear una propuesta de estrategias didacticas que promuevan el optimo aprovechamiento en el aula del estudiantado talentoso. La recoleccion de datos se realizo por medio de una entrevista a cinco docentes de ingles de Educacion Media en Costa Rica. Las respuestas fueron transcritas textualmente y comparadas entre si para dividirlas en tres diferentes categorias: estrategias para promover el desarrollo del estudiantado talentoso, caracteristicas de esta poblacion y elementos necesarios para desarrollar una propuesta. En los resultados sobresalieron estrategias como la aceleracion, la tecnologia y el estudio independiente. Asi mismo, caracteristicas de la excepcionalidad como rapidez, seguridad, responsabilidad, curiosidad, atencion, autonomia, motivacion y participacion. Finalmente, con la informacion y los datos recolectados se diseno una propuesta de estrategias didacticas para aplicar dentro del aula. Esto implica atencion por parte del cuerpo docente y administrativo. Sin embargo, se alienta su aplicacion y se recomienda realizar cambios dependiendo del estudiantado y el contexto.
Reply: Exposure of human fallopian tube epithelium to elevated testosterone results in alteration of cilia gene expression and beating.

Study question How does exposure to a testosterone rich environment affect the function and gene expression of human fallopian tube epithelium (hFTE)? Summary answer Elevated testosterone level alters several gene transcripts that regulate cilia expression and negatively impacts the rate of cilia beating. What is known already The presence of estrogen in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle increases the human fallopian tube ciliary beating frequency. The luteal phase, triggered by ovulation and increasing progesterone, is marked by a decrease in ciliary beating. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may have twice the serum level of testosterone than ovulatory women. To date, the effect of elevated androgens on the function of the human fallopian tube is not well-understood. We chose to examine the impact of elevated testosterone on hFTE. Study design, size, duration A prospective basic science study of human fallopian tube specimens from reproductive-aged women undergoing benign gynecologic surgery was performed. Fallopian tube removal at a large US academic center was collected and provided to us to continue with epithelium isolation and culturing. A total of 12 patients were analyzed in the study. Participants/materials, setting, methods Fallopian tube epithelium was isolated and exposed to two different conditions: normal with low testosterone concentration of 0.8 nM and PCOS-like, with high testosterone concentration of 2 nM. The study was conducted in both static and dynamic conditions in microfluidic devices for a total of 14 days, after which the tissue was collected for processing including RNA extraction, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. After the first 7 days of each experiment, a sample of tissue from each condition was imaged to quantify cilia beating frequency. Main results and the role of chance hFTE exposed to the 2 nM testosterone displayed slower cilia beating, inhibited estrogen signaling and decreased expression of the ciliary marker FOXJ1 when compared to stimulation with 0.8 nM testosterone. Large scale data N/A. Limitations, reasons for caution The in vivo response to elevated testosterone may differ from in vitro studies. RNA amount was limited from tissue cultured in the microfluidic devices as compared to static culture. Wider implications of the findings Understanding elevated testosterone in tubal function may explain an additional contribution to subfertility in women with PCOS and other hyper-androgen disorders, aside from oligo-ovulation. Furthermore, this adds to the body of literature of fallopian tube function using a microfluidic device. Study funding/competing interest(s) NIH grants: UH3 ES029073 and R01 CA240301. There are no competing interests.
Pericarditis and Post-cardiac Injury Syndrome as a Sequelae of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Pericarditis secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is known to develop either immediately or after a latent period of few months. Due to varied presentation and timing, its diagnosis and treatment can be challenging. This article reviews underlying mechanisms and the role of cardiac imaging in investigating and managing this condition. Timely diagnosis of pericarditis after AMI is important to prevent potential progression to complicated pericarditis. Clinical suspicion warrants initial investigation with serum inflammatory levels, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography. When findings are inconclusive, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography can provide additional diagnostic information. Pericarditis after AMI is a treatable condition. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion in this era of revascularization and develop a strategic plan for timely diagnosis and management.
Photooxidation of Water with Thin Film Tungsten Oxides

Tungsten oxide semiconductors are used to photooxidize water. Students prepare WO3, CuWO4, and mixed composition thin film photoanodes. The syntheses are simple, allowing for the quick production of a range of materials. Photoanodes are tested in a photoelectrochemical cell assembled from common equipment, allowing for the direct comparison of photoanode performance. Composite photoanodes perform best, leading to a discussion of what limits overall performance in these materials. Additional instrumental methods such as SEM, EDS, XRD, and diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectrophotometry, if available, can be incorporated readily into the experiment, providing additional insights into material properties. Students are introduced to solid-state chemistry, semiconductors, and the photooxidation of water in the context of the hydrogen economy.
What Impacts Consumers to Value Secondhand Apparel? A Consumer Theory Study Background

The sustainable consumption trend has increased the secondhand fashion products usage, yet most people are reluctant to purchase such products. One of the obstacles for second-hand apparel consumption is the stigma associated with these products. It is assumed that online shopping might reduce the stigma. This study aims to investigate the symbolic value of the secondhand apparel in online retail. To study the symbolic value, it is important to examine the product owner’s identity. To reach the purpose of the study the perceived value, commodity theory, and extended-self theory will be applied. The basic assumptions are as follows: the uniqueness of the product positively and perceived contamination negatively impact the symbolic value of the product. Also, consumer’s need for uniqueness and self-reported level of extended-self moderate the beforementioned relationships respectively.
Forecasting Emerging Market Exchange Rates from Foreign Equity Options

The use of derivatives to infer future exchange rates has long been a subject of interest in the international finance literature. With the recent currency crises in Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Brazil, work on exchange rate expectations in emerging markets is of particular interest. For some emerging markets, foreign equity options are the only liquid exchange traded derivatives with currency information embedded in their prices. Given that emerging markets sometimes undergo currency realignment with discrete jumps in their exchange rate, estimation of risk-neutral probability density functions from foreign equity option data provides valuable evidence concerning market expectations. To illustrate the use of foreign equity options in estimating market beliefs, we consider Telmex options around the 1994 peso devaluation and find evidence that markets anticipated the change in the Mexican government's foreign exchange policy.
National Survey of School Employees: COVID-19, School Reopening, and Student Wellness.

BACKGROUND: During spring 2020, COVID-19 forced widespread United States school building closures in an unprecedented disruption for K-12 students and staff. Partnering with the American School Health Association (ASHA), we sought to identify areas of concern among school staff planning for school reopening with the goal of addressing gaps in resources and education. METHODS: This 16-item web-based survey was distributed via email to 7467 ASHA members from May to June 2020. Topics focused on 3 Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child components: physical environment, health services, and mental health. Chi-square tests were used to identify differences in responses by school characteristics and school role on each survey item. RESULTS: A total of 375 respondents representing 45 states completed the survey. The majority were female (91.7%), white (83.4%) and non-Hispanic (92.2%), and school nurses (58.7%). Priority concerns were feasibility of social distancing (93.6%), resurgence of COVID-19 (92.8%), and the availability of health supplies (88.8%). CONCLUSION: Understanding staff concerns in the context of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model better positions the school community to address ongoing gaps and changing needs as schools continue to address COVID-19 complications.
Vitamin D: Do We Need More Than Sunshine?

There is an astounding amount of conversation and research about vitamin D. It carries many claims, and there is controversy as to what adequate levels should be, how to ensure reaching appropriate...
Defining global health: findings from a systematic review and thematic analysis of the literature.

Introduction Debate around a common definition of global health has seen extensive scholarly interest within the last two decades; however, consensus around a precise definition remains elusive. The objective of this study was to systematically review definitions of global health in the literature and offer grounded theoretical insights into what might be seen as relevant for establishing a common definition of global health. Method A systematic review was conducted with qualitative synthesis of findings using peer-reviewed literature from key databases. Publications were identified by the keywords of ‘global health’ and ‘define’ or ‘definition’ or ‘defining’. Coding methods were used for qualitative analysis to identify recurring themes in definitions of global health published between 2009 and 2019. Results The search resulted in 1363 publications, of which 78 were included. Qualitative analysis of the data generated four theoretical categories and associated subthemes delineating key aspects of global health. These included: (1) global health is a multiplex approach to worldwide health improvement taught and pursued at research institutions; (2) global health is an ethically oriented initiative that is guided by justice principles; (3) global health is a mode of governance that yields influence through problem identification, political decision-making, as well as the allocation and exchange of resources across borders and (4) global health is a vague yet versatile concept with multiple meanings, historical antecedents and an emergent future. Conclusion Extant definitions of global health can be categorised thematically to designate areas of importance for stakeholders and to organise future debates on its definition. Future contributions to this debate may consider shifting from questioning the abstract ‘what’ of global health towards more pragmatic and reflexive questions about ‘who’ defines global health and towards what ends.
A Systematic Review of the Effect of Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences on Parenting and Child Psychopathology

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as early exposure to maltreatment and household dysfunction. Researchers have demonstrated the link between ACEs and negative psychological, behavioral, interpersonal, and health outcomes. A growing area of interest in the ACE literature concerns the relationship between ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology due to the intergenerational effect of ACEs. Emotional availability and discipline strategies are two domains of parenting that can increase understanding of the associations between ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology from an attachment framework because they are both salient during early childhood and directly influence a child’s later behavior. This paper utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to elucidate the relationships between parental ACEs, parents’ emotional availability and discipline strategies, and children’s psychopathology. PubMed, PSYCINFO, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection were used to access the literature on June 16, 2020, and 26 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results from this review suggested that there is a direct association between ACEs and parental emotional availability and discipline techniques. Depression and dissociation were identified as potential mediators. There was support for the direct association between parental ACEs and children’s internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms, emotional availability, attachment, and children’s maltreatment experiences were found to be possible mediators. Recommendations are proposed to address limitations within the literature to further expand upon the research of ACEs, parenting, and child psychopathology.
Race-Related Differences Between and Within Sex to Experimental Thermal Pain in Middle and Older Adulthood: An Exploratory Pilot Analysis

This brief report details a pilot analysis conducted to determine racial differences in pain sensitivity and unpleasantness between cognitively healthy Black and White adults, stratified by sex. A total of 24 cognitively healthy adults (12 Black and 12 White) from two completed studies were matched by age and sex, and divided into two groups based on race. Stratified analyses by sex demonstrated that Black females reported experiencing pain intensity ratings of all three intensity sensations at lower temperatures than White females. These findings will inform future research studies to determine if these results hold true in a fully-powered sample and should include mixed methodologies, incorporating neuroimaging data to further assess this phenomenon. Improving pain assessment and management across racial/ethnic groups will help healthcare providers such as nurses and physicians to ensure optimal quality of life for all.
Effects of dietary lead and zinc on pregnancy

Abstract In order to further understand the effects of ingested Pb on pregnancy and the possible interaction of the trace element Zn with Pb, groups of dated, pregnant rats were fed 10, 50, 100, 200, or 500 mg/L of Pb in water throughout pregnancy. R control group with no Pb, but diet ad lib, and a pair-fed control group with no Pb were also studied. Maternal average daily food consumption was significantly reduced at 50 mg/L of Pb and up. Total and net maternal weights were significantly reduced at 50 mg/L of Pb and up. Pair feeding at the 200 mg/L level improved maternal weight gain but not to control levels. Zn, 200 mg/L, supplement at the 200 mg/L of Pb level caused no improvement nor did ad lib diet with Pb removed-after 16 days. Fetal weight decreased progressively as Pb levels were increased. Pair feeding at the 200 mg/L Pb of level and Zn, 200 mg/L, supplement with 200 mg/L of Pb significantly increased fetal weight but not to control levels. Placental weight was unchanged throughout. The results indicate that Pb-induced fetal growth retardation is due to reduced maternal food and energy intake, as well as to direct effect on the fetus. Excess dietary Zn improves fetal growth, probably by increasing maternal food consumption.
Vacuum Ultraviolet Absorption Measurements of Atomic Oxygen in a Shock Tube

The absorption of vacuum ultraviolet light by atomic oxygen has been measured in the Electric Arc-driven Shock Tube (EAST) Facility at NASA-Ames Research Center. This investigation demonstrates the instrumentation required to determine atomic oxygen concentrations from absorption measurements in impulse facilities. A shock wave dissociates molecular oxygen, producing a high temperature sample of atomic oxygen in the shock tube. A probe beam is generated with a Raman-shifted ArF excimer laser. By suitable tuning of the laser, absorption is measured over a range of wavelengths in the region of the atomic line at 130.49 nm. The line shape function is determined from measurements at atomic oxygen densities of 3 x 10(exp 17) and 9 x 10(exp 17) cm(exp -3). The broadening coefficient for resonance interactions is deduced from this data, and this value is in accord with available theoretical models.
Characterization of the human epidermal profilaggrin gene : genomic organization and identification of an S-100-like calcium binding domain at the amino terminus

Filaggrin is an intermediate filament-associated protein which functions to aggregate keratin intermediate filaments in the stratum corneum of mammalian epidermis. It is synthesized as a large precursor protein, profilaggrin, that consists of multiple filaggrin units and is localized in keratohyalin granules. In this report, we describe the characterization of cosmid genomic clones containing the human profilaggrin gene coding for 11 complete filaggrin repeats of 324 amino acids each. At the amino- and carboxyl-terminal ends of human profilaggrin are leader and tail peptide sequences of 293 and 157 amino acids, respectively, which differ from filaggrin. The leader peptide is composed of two distinct domains: an 81-residue segment which shows significant homology to the S-100 family of EF hand-containing calcium-binding proteins, and a hydrophilic second domain of 212 residues. The gene is divided into three exons, with one intron (approximately 9.6 kilobase pairs) in the 5' noncoding region and a second one of 570 base pairs between the EF hands. The position of intron 2 is identical to that of other members of the S-100-like family. The presence of an S-100-like domain suggests that profilaggrin binds calcium and that the calcium binding domain is functionally significant in the formation of keratohyalin and/or the subsequent processing of profilaggrin to filaggrin, both of which may be calcium-dependent events.
Coupled Thermal-Mechanical Experiments for Validation of Pressurized, High Temperature Systems

High fidelity finite element modeling of coupled thermal-mechanical failure processes in complex systems requires, as a precursor, high quality experimentation on several levels. The materials must be characterized such that the entire range of loading parameters is encompassed. Meaningful validation experiments must be developed that allow for the steady, incremental ascension of validation towards system level complexity and, eventually, predictability. This paper describes a combined experimental/modeling effort towards validating failure in pressurized, high temperature systems.
Impact of childhood and recent traumatic events on the clinical presentation of overactive bladder

Aims (1) To describe the Prevalence of childhood and recent trauma in patients with overactive bladder (OAB), and (2) assess the impact of traumatic events on the clinical presentation and the severity of OAB symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial health. Methods Patients diagnosed with OAB (n = 51) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 30) were administered the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale and Recent Traumatic Events Scale, assessing exposure and perceived impact of common traumatic events. Among OAB patients, validated instruments were administered to correlate traumatic exposure to evaluate adult urinary symptoms (ICIQ-UI, ICIQ-OAB, OAB-q, UDI-6, IIQ-7, USS), mood dysregulation (HADS), sleep and fatigue (PROMIS), and Psychological stress (PSS). Results Childhood sexual trauma was more prevalent in patients with OAB compared to controls (29.4% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.041). OAB patients also rated their childhood sexual exposure as more traumatic compared to controls (mean ratings of 1.7 vs. 0.4, P = 0.050). There was no difference in childhood deaths (P = 0.24), parental upheaval (P = 0.87), violence (P = 0.099), illness/injury (P = 0.683), or any recent traumatic events between OAB and control subjects. Childhood trauma predicted worse bladder pain (P = 0.005), worse non-urologic pain (P = 0.017), poorer mood (P = 0.001), higher anxiety (P = 0.029), higher physical symptom burden (P < 0.001), and higher psychological stress (P < 0.039). However, childhood trauma did not correlate with the severity of OAB symptoms (urgency, frequency, incontinence). Conclusions Thirty percent of OAB patients reported childhood sexual trauma. These patients report more pain symptoms, poorer mood, and greater somatic burden. These data highlight the potentiating role of psychosocial stressors from childhood in the adult suffering from OAB. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2015 Wiley periodicals, Inc.
Postpartum Depression in a Military Sample

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects nearly 1 in 8 mothers and has many negative implications. Studies show particular risk factors are linked with PPD. There are nearly 200,000 women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, but little is known regarding PPD and active duty (AD) mothers. This study examined rates and risk factors for AD mothers and found that 19.5% were positive for PPD symptoms. Ten significant psychosocial factors were associated with PPD, including low self-esteem, prenatal anxiety, prenatal depression, history of previous depression, social support, poor marital satisfaction, life stress, child care stress, difficult infant temperament, and maternity blues. This study has implications for prevention, identification, and treatment of AD military women with PPD.
Region-Specific Cis - and Trans -Acting Factors Contribute to Genetic Variability in Meiotic Recombination in Maize

Understanding the genetic basis for variability in recombination rates is important for general genetic studies and plant-breeding efforts. Earlier studies had suggested increased recombination frequencies in particular F(2) populations derived from the maize inbred A188. A detailed phenotypic and molecular analysis was undertaken to extend these observations and dissect the responsible factors. A heritable increase in recombination in the sh1-bz1 interval was observed in these populations. A factor causing an approximate twofold increase mapped to the A188 Sh1-Bz1 region, behaved as a dominant, cis-acting factor, affected recombination equally in male and female sporogenesis and did not reduce the wellstudied complete interference in the adjacent bz1-wx interval. This factor also did not increase recombination frequencies in the c1-sh1 and bz1-wx intervals, demonstrating independent control of recombination in adjacent intervals. Additional phenotypic analysis of recombination in the c1-sh1 and bz1-wx intervals and RFLP analysis of recombination along chromosomes 7 and 5 suggested that heritable factors controlling recombination in these intervals act largely independently and in trans. Our results show that recombination in these populations, and possibly maize in general, is controlled by both cis- and transacting factors that affect specific chromosomal regions.
The Google Online Marketing Challenge: Real Clients, Real Money, Real Ads and Authentic Learning.

Search marketing is the process of utilizing search engines to drive traffic to a Web site through both paid and unpaid efforts. One potential paid component of a search marketing strategy is the use of a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising campaign in which advertisers pay search engine hosts only when their advertisement is clicked. This paper describes a class exercise utilizing the Google Online Marketing Challenge (GOMC) to teach search marketing and PPC concepts. The GOMC is a global collegiate competition in which student teams utilize a $250 budget provided by Google to design, implement, and monitor a PPC campaign for an actual small business client. This paper argues that the GOMC is an effective exercise to teach search marketing and PPC terminology, skills, and techniques and demonstrates many of the characteristics present in authentic learning environments.
Bartonella henselae infection presenting as a unilateral panuveitis simulating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

Purpose To report an unusual ocular manifestation of cat scratch disease. Design Observational case report. Methods Review of the clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records of a patient with cat scratch disease. Results A 54-year-old woman presented with counting fingers visual acuity in the right eye associated with optic disk edema, diffuse choroidal thickening, and panuveitis. Fluorescein angiography showed disk leakage and hyperfluorescent spots with late leakage suggestive of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. She was diagnosed with cat scratch disease by serum antibody titers and clinical course. Conclusions Ocular manifestations of cat scratch disease can include diffuse thickening of the choroid. Cat scratch disease may manifest with angiographic features suggestive of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
Age and Geologic Significance of Radiolarian Cherts in the California Coast Ranges

A study of the Radiolaria in Coast Range cherts establishes that rhythmically bedded cherts associated with ophiolites below the base of the Great Valley Sequence are Late Jurassic (Tithonian) in age, and rhythmically bedded cherts in the Franciscan complex are of essentially the same age. The only younger pelagic sediments in the Franciscan are pelagic limestones (Laytonville and Calera types) and associated cherts of Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) age. In light of most plate tectonic models, the lack of pelagic sediments other than these seems enigmatic. The relation between the cherts associated with the ophiolites and the overlying Great Valley Sequence indicates a sudden cessation of pelagic sedimentation in early Tithonian time and probably reflects the rise of the Nevadan orogen. It is postulated that flysch-type turbidite sediments accumulated so rapidly during the remainder of Mesozoic time that they filled in an incipient trench system and spread far out onto the abyssal plain, thus inhibiting pelagic sedimentation.
Propagation method affects Miscanthus × giganteus developmental morphology

Abstract The Illinois clone of Miscanthus × giganteus has many traits of an ideal biomass crop, including sterility, which significantly limits invasive potential. However, this sterility necessitates vegetative propagation, a time and labor intensive process that currently challenges the crop's adoption. Traditionally propagated by rhizome segments, M. × giganteus can also reproduce by stems like its relative, sugarcane. Previous work indicates, however, that non-traditional propagation of M. × giganteus can affect developmental morphology of resultant plants in the field. We investigated the effect of stem propagation on developmental morphology (part I, this paper), and survival and yield (part II), of field-grown M. × giganteus (Illinois clone) plants at three sites in Iowa, USA during the second and third year of growth. Although stem propagation affected morphology compared to traditional rhizome propagation, the differences were less pronounced than reported for hormone-aided micropropagation. Observed differences (and similarities) between stem and rhizome propagated plants were consistent between different growing environments and years, despite extreme weather. Rhizome propagated plants had larger basal circumferences (146.2 cm vs. 134.7 cm on average, P = 0.0107), but stem propagated plants had more stems per plant (38 vs. 33 on average, P = 0.0492) suggesting that these two propagation techniques result in plants with different growth strategies but may achieve similar yields. Though small, these differences persisted consistently throughout the duration of this experiment, suggesting morphological differences may be maintained over time in mature stands of M. × giganteus.
Ion-exchange separations using sulphosalicylic acid

Abstract Ion-exchange separation of metal cations is carried out by elution from a 4- to 8-cm cation-exchange column with sulphosalicylate at pH 6 to 7. Aluminium III , iron III , titanium IV , uranium VI , vanadium IV and zirconium IV are quantitatively eluted, and thorium IV and copper II are partly eluted. Other bivalent metal ions and rare earths are quantitatively retained by the column.
Resonant Spin Amplification in n-Type GaAs

Extended electron spin precession in $n$-type GaAs bulk semiconductors is directly observed by femtosecond time-resolved Faraday rotation in the Voigt geometry. Synchronous optical pumping of the spin system amplifies and sustains spin motion, exposing a regime where spin lifetimes increase tenfold at low fields and exceed 100 ns at zero field. Precise studies in field and temperature provide clues to the relevant electron relaxation mechanisms, indicating a strong dependence on doping concentration.
Severe amniotic band syndrome with limb body wall complex. Ultrasonographic-clinicopathologic correlations

Severe amniotic band syndrome with limb body wall complex. Ultrasonographic-clinicopathologic correlations
Nanoparticle Filtration Performance of NIOSH-Certified Particulate Air-Purifying Filtering Facepiece Respirators: Evaluation by Light Scattering Photometric and Particle Number-Based Test Methods

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification test methods employ charge neutralized NaCl or dioctyl phthalate (DOP) aerosols to measure filter penetration levels of air-purifying particulate respirators photometrically using a TSI 8130 automated filter tester at 85 L/min. A previous study in our laboratory found that widely different filter penetration levels were measured for nanoparticles depending on whether a particle number (count)-based detector or a photometric detector was used. The purpose of this study was to better understand the influence of key test parameters, including filter media type, challenge aerosol size range, and detector system. Initial penetration levels for 17 models of NIOSH-approved N-, R-, and P-series filtering facepiece respirators were measured using the TSI 8130 photometric method and compared with the particle number-based penetration (obtained using two ultrafine condensation particle counters) for the same challenge aerosols generated by t...
NLO QCD corrections to top quark pair production in association with one hard jet at hadron colliders

Abstract We compute the QCD corrections to the production of a t t ¯ pair in association with one hard jet at the Tevatron and the LHC, using the method of generalized D-dimensional unitarity. Top quark decays are included at leading order in perturbative QCD. We present kinematic distributions of top quark decay products in lepton plus jets and dilepton final states at the Tevatron and the LHC, using realistic selection cuts. We confirm a strong reduction of the top quark forward–backward asymmetry in p p ¯ → t t ¯ j at next-to-leading order, first observed by Dittmaier, Uwer and Weinzierl. We argue that there is a natural way to understand this reduction and that it does not imply a breakdown of the perturbative expansion for the asymmetry.
An Experimental Assessment of Vehicle Disturbance Effects on Migratory Shorebirds

Off-road vehicle (ORV) traffic is one of several forms of disturbance thought to affect shorebirds at migration stopover sites. Attempts to measure disturbance effects on shorebird habitat use and behavior at stopover sites are difficult because ORV disturbance is frequently confounded with habitat and environmental factors. We used a before-after-control-impact experimental design to isolate effects of vehicle disturbance from shorebird responses to environmental and habitat factors. We manipulated disturbance levels within beach closures along South Core Banks, North Carolina, USA, and measured changes in shorebird abundance and location, as well as the activity of one focal species, the sanderling (Calidris alba), within paired control and impact plots. We applied a discrete treatment level of one flee-response-inducing event every 10 minutes on impact plots. We found that disturbance reduced total shorebird and black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola) abundance and reduced relative use of microhabitat zones above the swash zone (wet sand and dry sand) by sanderlings, black-bellied plovers, willets (Tringa semipalmata), and total shorebirds. Sanderlings and total shorebirds increased use of the swash zone in response to vehicle disturbance. Disturbance reduced use of study plots by sanderlings for resting and increased sanderling activity, but we did not detect an effect of vehicle disturbance on sanderling foraging activity. We provide the first estimates of how a discrete level of disturbance affects shorebird distributions among ocean beach microhabitats. Our findings provide a standard to which managers can compare frequency and intensity of disturbance events at other shorebird stopover and roosting sites and indicate that limiting disturbance will contribute to use of a site by migratory shorebirds.
A Case Study: Emergent Biliteracy in English and Chinese of a 5-Year-Old Chinese Child with Wordless Picture Books

This study was designed to investigate the development of a 5-year-old child's language and literacy development in English and Chinese within a 10-week tutoring context where the primary materials were wordless picture books. Storytelling in English and Chinese were the primary activities in each session. Extended activities included labeling, sentence making, and invented spelling. Data were analyzed to examine the child's development in alphabet and character recognition, directionality, and oral and reading vocabulary in English and Chinese. Results indicated that wordless picture books combined with the extended literacy activities facilitated the child's learning in both the languages. Ran, while volunteering in a kindergarten classroom, met Chaochao (pseudonym), a 5-year-old girl, who had come from China only 4 weeks ago. Ran could see that Chaochao was uncomfortable and unresponsive in the classroom where everyone spoke English. When she talked to Chaochao in Chinese, Chaochao nodded and smiled. A...
Algorithm-based method for suppressing the transmission of sound in a water-filled waveguide

Harmonic waves propagating in a water-filled cylindrical waveguide are suppressed by an actuator-sensor combination. The actuator and sensor are made from a material consisting of piezoelectric particles suspended in an elastomer matrix. The feed back mechanism is based on an algorithm originating in the evaluation of complex roots of an analytic function. It does not depend on a model for the experimental arrangement. Results are presented for frequencies varying from 100 to 5000 Hz. Although it is not needed for the operation of the method, a mathematical model is offered that illustrates the wave interaction and provides a comparison of the merits of the active material used with other candidates.
Extensions of endpoint equivalent and periodic Tchebycheff systems

Let IZ > 0 be an integer. Given an ordered set A of cardinality at least II + 2, a sequence of real functions (yi}r= 0 defined on A will be called a Tchebycheff system (T-system) on A, provided that, for every sequence 0 0, *.., t,} of points from A such that to y1+ 2) when the functions are periodic with period equal to the length of the set A and are a T-system on A, the set A containing either its infimum, II, or its supremum, I,. Similar to periodicity but not totally coincident is the concept of “endpoint equivalence.” A real function f defined on a real, nonempty set A will be called endpoint equivalent provided that, for all sequences (xn}, { y,} in A, such that x, + I, and yn -+ I,, the limits lim f (x,), lim f (y) exist (finite or infinite), and are equal. A T-system defined on such a set A will be called endpoint equivalent if the functions in it are endpoint equivalent. Although the functions considered should be real valued, one can often permit A to be a subset of the extended real number system. The advantage of this will be seen in what follows.
Temperature and pH Changes in Poultry Breast Muscles at Slaughter

Abstract DURING a study of factors affecting tenderness in poultry meat, an investigation was made of pH and temperature changes in the breast muscles of birds during and after slaughter. pH has been investigated in beef and pork by Bate-Smith and Bendall (1949), and Scaife (1955). However, little or no work has been done on poultry. pH should give an indication of rates and extensiveness of glycolysis in the tissue and would therefore be a consideration in a study of postmortem tenderization (de Fremery and Pool, 1958). In studies of contraction on rabbit and human muscle Marson et al. (1938) found a slight increase in pH after contraction. This is in apparent conflict with Bate-Smith and Bendall as well as Scaife. A preliminary note on this work was published b y Peters and Dodge, (1959). APPARATUS EMPLOYED A copper—constantan thermocouple was used to determine the temperature within the muscle. The …
Combination of interleukin-15 and fractionated radiotherapy for cancer treatment

Background Radiotherapy (RT) can induce T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses by multiple mechanisms. However, due to the strongly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that hinders T cell function, these responses are ineffective and tumors usually escape. The common gamma-chain cytokines interleukin ( IL)-2 and IL-15 promote the proliferation of activated T cells and, therefore, are prime agents for immunotherapy strategies aimed at sustaining anti-tumor T cell responses. IL2 at high doses is effective at inducing responses in a subset of cancer patients. However, the benefits of IL-2 are partially offset by serious toxicity and by regulatory T cell (Treg) stimulation. IL-15, on the other hand, has shown low toxicity and lacks Treg stimulatory activity, making it an attractive candidate for testing in combination with RT. Here we tested the hypothesis that IL-15 administration strengthens the pro-immunogenic effect of hypofractionated RT and contributes to inducing effective anti-tumor responses. Methods The poorly immunogenic TSA mouse breast cancer cells were implanted s.c. in syngeneic BALB/c mice on day 0. When tumors became palpable, mice were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups (N = 4-5mice/ group): control, RT, IL-15 or RT+IL-15. RT was delivered exclusively to the primary tumor in 8 Gy fractions on days 13, 14 and 15. IL-15 (5 μg/mouse) was administered i.p. or s.c. peritumorally daily for 10 days starting on day 12. Mice were followed for tumor growth or regression. In a separate experiment, mice were euthanized on day 22 to characterize tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Results Tumor growth delay was seen when IL-15 was given peritumorally but not i.p. (p < 0.05 compared to control). Improved tumor regression was seen when RT was combined with IL-15 (p < 0.05), suggesting that IL15 can potentiate T cell responses elicited by RT. Consistently, analysis of TILs showed a marked increase in CD8+ T cells expressing the activation marker CD137 (35.3% in RT+IL-15 versus 5.90% In control, p < 0.05) while the increase was modest with each monotherapy (18.8% in RT, 20.7% in IL-15, p < 0.05 compared to control). In addition, we found a significant increase in the ratio of effector CD4+ T-cells to Tregs (2.5 in RT +IL-15 versus 0.78 in control, p < 0.05) whereas monotherapy had no effect (1.14 in RT, 0.96 in IL-15). Conclusions Overall these results support the hypothesis that IL-15 is a valuable partner for combination treatments with local RT. We are currently elucidating the mechanisms involved in pre-clinical models in preparation for future testing in patients.
Elinor Ostrom (1933–2012)

Elinor (Lin) Ostrom, Distinguished Professor at Indiana University, died on 12 June 2012 at the age of 78. Her husband and intellectual partner, Vincent Ostrom, died on 29 June 2012 at the age of 92. Lin was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences. In 2009, Lin was awarded (with Oliver Williamson) the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, the first (and only) woman to win the prize. Doubly interesting is that she was not an economist, but a political scientist. While proud of her discipline, at heart, she considered herself a social scientist.
Democracy and Poverty: A Lesson from Mongolia

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v0i18.66 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.18 2013: 11-15
Peroxisomal participation in the cellular response to the oxidative stress of endotoxin

Exposure to a sublethal dose of endotoxin offers protection against subsequent oxidative stresses. The cellular mechanisms involved in generating this effect are not well understood. We evaluated the effect of endotoxin on antioxidant enzymes in liver peroxisomes. Peroxisomes have recently been shown to contain superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in addition to catalase. Peroxisomes were isolated from liver homogenates by differential and density gradient centrifugations. Endotoxin treatment increased the specific activity of SOD and GPX in peroxisomes to 208% and 175% of control activity, respectively. These findings correlated with increases in peroxisomal SOD and GPX proteins observed by immunoblot. Although the quantity of catalase protein was increased when assessed by immunoblot analysis, the specific activity of catalase was decreased to 68% of control activity. Activation of catalase with ethanol only restored catalase activity to control levels suggesting that catalase had undergone irreversible inactivation. The observed increase in GPX activity may represent a compensatory mechanism triggered by accumulating H2O2. The data presented here suggest for the first time that mammalian peroxisomal antioxidant enzymes are altered during the oxidative injury of endotoxin treatment.
POLG-Related Disorders: Muscle Biopsy Findings, Mitochondrial DNA Content and Deletions (P07.206)

Objective: To correlate clinical findings with muscle histological and molecular data in 19 patients with POLG-related disorder. Background POLG encodes for the catalytic subunit of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymerase gamma. Mutations in POLG result in a spectrum of clinical phenotypes varying from Alpers syndrome to ataxia-peripheral neuropathy (PN) syndrome to progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). Design/Methods: Review of clinical and muscle histological findings, quantitation of mtDNA in blood and/or muscle by qPCR, search for mtDNA multiple deletions in muscle and/or blood by Southern blot and/or PCR. Results: 1. Four patients with Alpers syndrome had normal muscle biopsy. All had normal mtDNA content in blood; 1/4 had mtDNA depletion in muscle; none of them had mtDNA deletions in muscle. All 4 patients were compound heterozygous for two missense mutations. 2. Twelve patients with PEO and myopathy accompanied by PN in 9 and stroke and epilepsy in 2, had normal mtDNA content in blood. Eleven patients had muscle biopsy showing mitochondrial myopathy only in 9. One patient had mtDNA depletion and deletions in muscle; another had multiple deletions in both muscle and blood, and 3 others had multiple mtDNA deletions in muscle but not in blood. Two patients were homozygous for missense mutations and 10 were compound heterozygous for missense or splice-site mutations. 3. Two patients with PN and ataxia had no histological signs of mitochondrial myopathy. One patient was homozygous for p.A467T and the other was a compound heterozygous for two missense mutations. 4. A patient with intractable epilepsy and stroke-like events had COX (-) fibers, no mtDNA deletions in blood and normal muscle mtDNA. This patient carried two missense mutations. Conclusions: Sequencing of POLG was the most reliable diagnostic test in Alpers syndrome. Histological signs of mitochondrial dysfunction did not correlate with mtDNA depletion or deletions. Supported by: Mayo Clinic CTSA through grant number UL1 RR024150 from NIH/NCRR. Disclosure: Dr. Milone has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sorenson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zhiyv has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wong has nothing to disclose.