cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thrombin activation of factor VIII: the effect of inhibitors.

Summary. Factor VIII is a large glycoprotein which can be separated into a high molecular weight component which retains factor VIII-related antigens and supports ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination, and a low molecular weight component which has procoagulant activity. It has been suggested that this separation, observed in high ionic strength buffers, might be the consequence of proteolysis by plasma proteins. To consider this possibility, we have examined the interaction of the proteolytic enzyme thrombin with factor VIII. This study, carried out with highly purified materials, has used thrombin-mediated factor VIII proagulant activation as an indicator of this interaction. Several proteolytic inhibitors have been studied to determine their ability to inhibit factor VIII activation by thrombin. Under the current experimental conditions, diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and hirudin inhibited the reaction, while heparin was an effective inhibitor only when plasma proteins were added. Benzamidine inhibited factor VIII activation when used at high concentrations, and phenylmethyl sulphonylfluoride and soybean trypsin inhibitor were found to be ineffective. These results show that DEP and hirudin prevent thrombin alteration of factor VIII and will be useful in purification and characterization studies of the factor VIII molecule.
The Structure of Thermals in Cumulus from Airborne Dual-Doppler Radar Observations

Abstract A newly developed technique for airborne dual-Doppler observations with the Wyoming Cloud Radar is used to characterize the velocity fields in vertical planes across cumulus turrets. The clouds sampled were continental in nature, with high bases (near 0°C) and with depths of 2–3 km. Clear evidence was found that the clouds evolved through sequences of bubbles, or thermals, with well-defined toroidal circulations, or vortex rings. The ring core and tube diameters were about 200–600 m, leading to turret sizes of 1–2 km in the horizontal. The largest updraft speeds were observed in the ring centers, but regions of turbulent, ascending air extended behind the thermals to distances comparable with the toroid sizes. Vertical shear of ambient winds, when present, led to a tilting of the updrafts and toroids. Patterns in the reflectivity and velocity fields indicated regions of major intrusions into the thermals, accompanied by entrainment of ambient air, or recycling of larger hydrometeors, depending on...
Is Health Care Ready for Six Sigma Quality

Serious, widespread problems exist in the quality of U.S. health care: too many patients are exposed to the risks of unnecessary services; opportunities to use effective care are missed; and preventable errors lead to injuries. Advanced practitioners of industrial quality management, like Motorola and General Electric, have committed themselves to reducing the frequency of defects in their business processes to fewer than 3.4 per million, a strategy known as Six Sigma Quality. In health care, quality problems frequently occur at rates of 20 to 50 percent, or 200,000 to 500,000 per million. In order to approach Six Sigma levels of quality, the health care sector must address the underlying causes of error and make important changes: adopting new educational models; devising strategies to increase consumer awareness; and encouraging public and private investment in quality improvement.
A genetic system for rhesus monkey rhadinovirus: Use of recombinant virus to quantitate antibody-mediated neutralization

Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV), a simian gamma-2 herpesvirus closely related to the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, replicates lytically in cultured rhesus monkey fibroblasts and establishes persistence in B cells. Overlapping cosmid clones were generated that encompass the entire 130-kilobase-pair genome of RRV strain 26-95, including the terminal repeat regions required for its replication. Cloned RRV that was produced by cotransfection of overlapping cosmids spanning the entire RRV26-95 genome replicated with growth kinetics and to titers similar to those of the parental, uncloned, wild-type RRV26-95. Expression cassettes for secreted-engineered alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were inserted upstream of the R1 gene, and the cosmid-based system for RRV genome reconstitution was used to generate replication-competent, recombinant RRV that expressed either the SEAP or GFP reporter gene. Using the SEAP and GFP recombinant RRVs, assays were developed to monitor RRV infection, neutralization, and replication. Heat-inactivated sera from rhesus monkeys that were naturally or experimentally infected with RRV were assayed for their ability to neutralize RRV-SEAP and RRV-GFP infectivity using rhesus monkey fibroblasts. Sera from RRV-positive monkeys, but not RRV-negative monkeys, were consistently able to neutralize RRV infectivity when assayed by the production of SEAP activity or by the ability to express GFP. The neutralizing activity was present in the immunoglobulin fraction. Of the 17 rhesus monkeys tested, sera from rhesus monkey 26-95, i.e., the monkey that yielded the RRV 26-95 isolate, had the highest titer of neutralizing activity against RRV26-95. This cosmid-based genetic system and the reporter virus neutralization assay will facilitate study of the contribution of individual RRV glycoproteins to entry into different cell types, particularly fibroblasts and B cells.
A New Class of Algorithms for Multipoint Network Optimization

A class of second-order greedy algorithms (SOGA) for the optimization of multipoint networks is defined that is capable of generating improved solutions to problems by an average of more than two percent, relative to the solutions generated by the Esau-Williams algorithm. These SOGA utilize repeated calls of a modified Esau-Williams procedure. They consequently take much longer to execute than does the Esau-Williams algorithm. Nevertheless, problems involving up to 400 points can be solved on a large computer, and 200-point problems can be solved on machines of intermediate size.
The impact of HIV-associated lipodystrophy on healthcare utilization and costs

HIV disease itself is associated with increased healthcare utilization and healthcare expenditures. HIV-infected persons with lipodystrophy have been shown to have poor self-perceptions of health. We evaluated whether lipodystrophy in the HIV-infected population was associated with increased utilization of healthcare services and increased healthcare costs. To examine utilization of healthcare services and associated costs with respect to presence of lipodystrophy among HIV-infected patients. Healthcare utilization and cost of healthcare services were collected from computerized accounting records for participants in a body image study among HIV-infected patients treated at a tertiary care medical center. Lipodystrophy was assessed by physical examination, and effects of lipodystrophy were assessed via body image surveys. Demographic and clinical characteristics were also ascertained. Analysis of healthcare utilization and cost outcomes was performed via between-group analyses. Multivariate modeling was used to determine predictors of healthcare utilization and associated costs. Of the 181 HIV-infected participants evaluated in the study, 92 (51%) had clinical evidence of HIV-associated lipodystrophy according to physician examination. Total healthcare utilization, as measured by the number of medical center visits over the study period, was notably increased among HIV-infected subjects with lipodystrophy as compared to HIV-infected subjects without lipodystrophy. Similarly, total healthcare expenditures over the study period were $1,718 more for HIV-infected subjects with lipodystrophy than for HIV-infected subjects without lipodystrophy. Multivariate modeling demonstrated strong associations between healthcare utilization and associated costs, and lipodystrophy score as assessed by a clinician. Healthcare utilization and associated costs were not related to body image survey scores among HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy demonstrate an increased utilization of healthcare services with associated increased healthcare costs as compared to HIV-infected patients without lipodystrophy. The economic and healthcare service burdens of HIV-associated lipodystrophy are significant and yet remain inadequately addressed by the medical community.
The impact of incarceration on intimate relationships

Although incarceration has a substantial impact on intimate relationships, little is known about how individuals cope with their separation and reunification. Incarceration also poses serious health risks for HIV infection, as rates are up to 6 times higher in the prison than the general population. A series of focus groups were conducted with individuals affected by incarceration to examine specific relationship challenges and factors that may place them at increased risk for HIV infection during and after their incarceration. Results highlight how institutional barriers and dependency lead to emotional withdrawal and disengagement from relationships. In addition, power differentials, avoidant communication strategies, and relationship instability were found to place these relationships at increased risk for HIV infection. Intervention recommendations for working with this population are discussed.
An Estimate of Diesel High-Efficiency Clean Combustion Impacts on FTP-75 Aftertreatment Requirements

A modified Mercedes 1.7-liter, direct-injection diesel engine was operated in both normal and high-efficiency clean combustion (HECC) combustion modes. Four steady-state engine operating points that were previously identified by the Ad-hoc fuels working group were used as test points to allow estimation of the hotstart FTP-75 emissions levels in both normal and HECC combustion modes. The results indicate that operation in HECC modes generally produce reductions in NOX and PM emissions at the expense of CO, NMHC, and H2CO emissions. The FTP emissions estimates indicate that aftertreatment requirements for NOX are reduced, while those for PM may not be impacted. Cycle-average aftertreatment requirements for CO, NMHC, and H2CO may be challenging, especially at the lowest temperature conditions.
Total knee replacement with rotational proximal tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis with severe external tibial torsion and patellar instability

The management of osteoarthritis of the knee associated with patellar instability secondary to external tibial torsion > 45° is challenging. Patellofemoral biomechanics in these patients cannot be achieved by intra-articular correction using standard techniques of total knee replacement. We reviewed seven patients (eight knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation and one with bilateral irreducible lateral dislocation who had undergone simultaneous total knee replacement and internal tibial derotational osteotomy. All had osteoarthritis and severe external tibial torsion. The mean follow-up was for 47.2 months (24 to 120). The mean objective and functional Knee Society scores improved significantly (p = 0.0001) from 29.7 and 41.5 pre-operatively to 71.4 and 73.5 post-operatively, respectively. In all patients the osteotomies healed and patellar stability was restored. Excessive external tibial torsion should be identified and corrected in patients with osteoarthritis and patellar instability. Simultaneous internal rotation osteotomy of the tibia and total knee replacement is a technically demanding but effective treatment for such patients.
Technology Circuit Co-Design for Ultra Fast InSb Quantum Well Transistors

Indium antimonide (InSb)-based quantum-well field- effect transistors (QWFETs) are conceived as a promising candidate for low-voltage high-performance applications. In this paper, we show complete technology-circuit assessment of InSb-based QWFETs. The codesign approach spans from the device/SPICE models, logic/memory circuit analysis, to technology requirements. We show the feasibility of the use of Si+InSb hybrid technology for future high-speed low-voltage applications. We prescribe the technology requirements as well as suggest the application space for InSb transistors.
Distinguished Lecture in Archeology: Communication and the Future of American Archaeology

Presentation du texte revise de la Distinguished Lecture in Archaeology, conference presentee a la 95e rencontre annuelle de l'association americaine d'anthropologie qui s'est tenue a San Francisco en novembre 1996 et qui traite de la communication avec le public dans le domaine de l'archeologie.
Database Mining for Flexible Concatenative Text-to-Speech

In this paper we explore mining a concatenative text-to-speech database to exploit subtle, naturally-occurring stylistic and contextual variability for runtime synthesis. By making a desired style or context known to the search during synthesis, the cost function can be biased toward finding units which satisfy these additional criteria. Having the ability to bias the output of the synthesizer towards a particular voice quality, or other characteristic such as speaking rate, increases its flexibility and potential value. In this paper we illustrate the approach to synthesizing subtle speech variation by focusing on three aspects: prosodic structure (phrase-finalness), prosodic prominence (prosodic accent), and voice quality (breathiness). Target values for the first two of these are automatically generated, while the target value for breathiness is specified by the user. We present results which indicate the value of distinguishing our data along these dimensions, and discuss possible improvements and new uses in the future.
ABCB1‐1Δ (MDR1‐1Δ) genotype is associated with adverse reactions in dogs treated with milbemycin oxime for generalized demodicosis

Twenty-two dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis were treated with milbemycin oxime (MO) because of poor response to previous therapies or because the dog was a breed known to be susceptible to ivermectin toxicosis. Fifteen of the 22 dogs were herding breeds. Doses of MO ranged from 1.0 to 2.2 mg kg(-1) day(-1) per os. Cheek swab samples were obtained in order to determine each dog's ABCB1 genotype. Adverse drug reactions were recorded for each dog by the owners and/or veterinarians. The ABCB1-1 Delta genotype was significantly associated with the development of an adverse reaction (neurological toxicity) after treatment with MO. None of the 19 dogs with the wild-type ABCB1 allele experienced adverse reactions, whereas two dogs homozygous for the ABCB1-1 Delta mutation developed ataxia. Assessing the ABCB1-1 Delta genotype prior to MO administration may prevent neurological toxicity in these patients.
Generalizing from Research Findings: The Merits of Case Studies

The case study as a key research method has often been criticized for generating results that are less generalizable than those of large-sample, quantitative methods. This paper clearly defines generalization and distinguishes it from other related concepts. Drawing on the literature, the author shows that case study results may be less generalizable than those of quantitative methods only in the case of within-population generalization. The author argues that case studies have merits over quantitative methods in terms of theoretical generalization, identifying disconfirming cases and providing useful information for assessing the empirical generalizability of results.
Optimal code generation for expression trees: an application BURS theory

A Rewrite System is a collection of rewrite rules of the form a b where a and b are tree patterns. A rewrite system can be extended by associating a cost with each rewrite rule, and by defining the cost of a rewrite sequence as the sum of the costs of all the rewrite rules in the sequence. The REACHABILITY problem for a rewrite system R is, given an input tree T and a fixed goal tree G, to determine if there exists a rewrite sequence in R, rewriting T into G and, if so, to obtain one such sequence. The C-REACHABILITY problem is similar except that the obtained sequence must have minimal cost among all those sequences writing T into G.This paper introduces a class of rewrite systems called Bottom-Up Rewrite Systems (BURS), and a table-driven algorithm to solve REACHABILITY for member of the class. This algorithm is then modified to solve C-REACHABILITY and specialized for a subclass of BURS so that all cost manipulation is encoded into the tables and is not performed explicitly at solving time. The subclass extends the simple machine grammars [AGH84], rewrite systems used to describe target machine architectures for code generation, by allowing additional types of rewrite rules such as commutativity transformations.A table-driven code generator based on solving C-REACHABILITY has been implemented and tested with several machine descriptions. The code generator solves C-REACHABILITY faster than a comparable solver based on Graham-Glanville techniques [AGH84] (a non-optimal technique), yet requires only slightly larger tables. The code generator runs much faster than recent proposals to solve C-REACHABILITY that use pattern matching and deal with costs explicitly at solving time [AGT86, HeD87, WeW86]. The BURS theory generalizes and unifies the bottom-up approaches of Henry/Damron [HeD87] and Weisgerber/Wilhelm [WeW86].
A Hybrid Dynamical-Statistical Downscaling Technique. Part II: End-of-Century Warming Projections Predict a New Climate State in the Los Angeles Region

AbstractUsing the hybrid downscaling technique developed in part I of this study, temperature changes relative to a baseline period (1981–2000) in the greater Los Angeles region are downscaled for two future time slices: midcentury (2041–60) and end of century (2081–2100). Two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) are considered, corresponding to greenhouse gas emission reductions over coming decades (RCP2.6) and to continued twenty-first-century emissions increases (RCP8.5). All available global climate models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are downscaled to provide likelihood and uncertainty estimates. By the end of century under RCP8.5, a distinctly new regional climate state emerges: average temperatures will almost certainly be outside the interannual variability range seen in the baseline. Except for the highest elevations and a narrow swath very near the coast, land locations will likely see 60–90 additional extremely hot days per year, effectively adding a...
Nanoscale X-ray Imaging

X-ray microscopy is a high resolution, elemental specific technique used for imaging materials, chemical, and more recently, biological samples. Specialized diffractive optics and imaging methods, both for lens-based and lensless x-ray microscopy, have been developed.
Breeding Ecology and Nesting Habitat Associations of Five Marsh Bird Species in Western New York

Abstract Nesting habitats and nest success of five species of marsh birds were studied during 1997 and 1998 at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and the adjacent Oak Orchard and Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) located in western New York. Nest searches located 18 American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), 117 Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), 189 Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), 23 Sora (Porzana carolina), and 72 Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) nests. Average nest densities in 1998, our best nest searching year, ranged from 0.01/ha for Soras (N = 8) to 0.28/ha for Pied-billed Grebes (N = 160). Mayfield nest success estimates for Least Bittern were 80% (N = 16) in 1997 and 46% (N = 37) in 1998. Nest success estimates were 72% (N = 55) for Pied-billed Grebe, 43% (N = 6) for Sora, and 38% (N = 20) for Virginia Rail. Nests of all five species were located in 70% emergent vegetation with a mean water depth of 24-56 cm and an average vegetation height that ranged from 69-133 cm...
Microneedling in skin of color: A review of uses and efficacy

In ethnic skin, traditional skin resurfacing procedures such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser therapy can be effective but can also be associated with prolonged recovery and risk of complications. These complications can include a higher risk of dyspigmentation and scarring, and unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. Microneedling is an evolving treatment technique for an expanding number of dermatologic conditions. Microneedling may offer a more advantageous safety profile, particularly in the skin-of-color population (Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI), compared with more conventional resurfacing modalities. Thus far, it has been shown to be effective for a number of dermatologic conditions in this population, including scarring, melasma, melanosis, skin rejuvenation, acne vulgaris, and primary hyperhidrosis. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of microneedling in skin of color.
Tracking erythroid progenitor cells in times of need and times of plenty

Red blood cell production rates increase rapidly following blood loss or hemolysis, but the expansion of erythropoiesis in these anemic states is tightly regulated such that rebound polycythemia does not occur. The erythroid cells that respond to erythropoietic stimulation or suppression are the progenitor stages of burst-forming units–erythroid (BFU-Es) and colony-forming units–erythroid (CFU-Es). Results from an early study of the changes in the size, location, and cell cycling status of BFU-E and CFU-E populations in mice under normal conditions, erythropoietic stimulation, and erythropoietic suppression are used as reference points to review subsequent developments related to erythroid progenitor populations and regulation of their size. The review concerns development of erythroid progenitor populations mainly in mice and humans, with a focus on the mechanisms related to the rapid but highly regulated expansion of erythropoiesis in spleens of erythropoietically stimulated mice. Current knowledge is used as a model of erythroid progenitor populations in mice under normal, erythropoietically suppressed, and erythropoietically stimulated conditions. Clinical applications of information learned from studies of erythropoietic expansion, in terms of current therapies for anemia, are reviewed.
Ar 40 ( n , α ) S 37 Reaction at 14.4 MeV

A gridded ionization chamber was used to detect charged particles produced when $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ was bombarded with 14.4-MeV neutrons. The energies of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles so produced yielded levels in $^{37}\mathrm{S}$ of 0.59 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.10, 1.39 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.09, 2.20 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.05, and 2.83 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.09 MeV. The $Q$ value for the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{37}\mathrm{S}$ reaction was determined to be -2.41 MeV. Cross sections calculated for the reaction to the ground state and the four excited states are 2.1 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.4, 0.3 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.1, 3.1 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.6, 3.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.7, and approximately 0.3 mb. The total cross section for the $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}(n,\ensuremath{\alpha})^{37}\mathrm{S}$ reaction was determined to be 9.4 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.0 mb. Comparisons between the results herein reported, other work, and theoretical predictions are made.
Lift Generation and Flow Measurements of a Robotic Insect

A 2.86 gram robotic insect with flapping frequencies up to 65Hz was developed to investigate the aerodynamic performance of high frequency flapping wings. The mean lift force was measured by an lever platform with a precision of 0.2mN. Experimental results showed that the lift increased with the flapping frequency in a quadratic manner and was saturated when frequency was beyond 35Hz. A 35 mN lift as well as the highest efficiency was achieved when the robotic insect flapped at 35 Hz. In order to explain the lift saturation, the flow patterns of MAV were investigated by using a DPIV system. Two major issues were found: first, the Leading Edge Vortex (LEV) loses stability and partly sheds away when the frequency is higher than 35Hz; second, the induced flow generated by left and right wings diverge to left and right sides, respectively, which is probably due to the strong tip vortices that were shed into the downwash.
The Trans-Political Nature of Southwest China’s Energy Conduit, Yunnan Province

ABSTRACTTransboundary flows of energy across Yunnan Province in China and to Southeast Asian states provide insight into the changing nature of borders and border areas. Rather than monolithic symbols of state sovereignty, China’s southwest borders in Yunnan can be more accurately characterised as zones of connectivity and exchange, serving a range of local, national and regional objectives. Energy production and distribution in and across Yunnan can be understood as functioning in a set of dynamic transnational processes that serve as economic and political bridges – increasing interaction and deepening regional integration – while also working to mitigate risk to China’s energy demands. In this article, energy projects in Yunnan and Southeast Asia demonstrate the ways border regions can respond to increasing globalisation, simultaneously strengthening national energy security while promoting regional interconnection and diplomacy. Thus, connections to and through a once peripheral region present an appa...
Attachment of Neisseria meningitidis to Human Mucosal Surfaces: Influence of Pili and Type of Receptor Cell

The factors that determine attachment of meningococci predominantly to the mucosa of the nasopharynx rather than to other mucosal surfaces are unknown. Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis from the nasopharynx of carriers and from patients with meningococcal disease were found to be heavily piliated. Isogenic piliated and nonpiliated meningococcal clones were derived from blood and cerebrospinal fluid isolates. Meningococci with pili consistently attached to human nasopharyngeal cells in greater numbers than meningococci without pili. Meningococci treated with trypsin or mechanical shear forces lost pili and exhibited decreased attachment. Attachment of piliated meningococci differed markedly among epithelial cells from different sites. In contrast, nonpiliated meningococci attached equally but in low numbers to all cell types. These data suggest that pili are important mediators of meningococcal attachment. The number and distribution of receptor sites for pili or pili-associated meningococcal ligands differ among human cells and may determine sites of meningococcal colonization.
Observations on the hemolytic mechanism of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; demonstration of the activity of at least two serum factors in PNH hemolysis.

1. It has been shown that PNH hemolysis can be inhibited in vitro in the following ways: (a) addition of fluoride, phosphate, citrate, oxalate and calcium ions; (b) inactivation at 56 C.; (c) adsorption of a globulin from serum. 2. The action of at least two serum factors ins PNH hemolysis has been demonstrated. One of these factors is heat labile and magnesium dependent and the other is an adsorbable globulin. 3. It is believed that the heat labile factor must react with the cells prior to the adsorbable factor if hemolysis is to occur. 4. The resemblance of these factors to the components of complement is briefly discussed.
Does Dynorphin Play a Role in the Onset of Puberty in Female Sheep

Puberty onset involves increased gonadotrophin-release (GnRH) release as a result of decreased sensitivity to oestrogen (E2 )-negative feedback. Because GnRH neurones lack E2 receptor α, this pathway must contain interneurones. One likely candidate is KNDy neurones (kisspeptin, neurokinin B, dynorphin). The overarching hypothesis of the present study was that the prepubertal hiatus in luteinising hormone (LH) release involves reduced kisspeptin and/or heightened dynorphin input. We first tested the specific hypothesis that E2 would reduce kisspeptin-immunopositive cell numbers and increase dynorphin-immunopositive cell numbers. We found that kisspeptin cell numbers were higher in ovariectomised (OVX) lambs than OVX lambs treated with E2 (OVX+ E2 ) or those left ovary-intact. Very few arcuate dynorphin cells were identified in any group. Next, we hypothesised that central blockade of κ-opioid receptor (KOR) would increase LH secretion at a prepubertal (6 months) but not postpubertal (10 months) age. Luteinising hormone pulse frequency and mean LH increased during infusion of a KOR antagonist, norbinaltorphimine, in OVX + E2 lambs at the prepubertal age but not in the same lambs at the postpubertal age. We next hypothesised that E2 would increase KOR expression in GnRH neurones or alter synaptic input to KNDy neurones in prepubertal ewes. Oestrogen treatment decreased the percentage of GnRH neurones coexpressing KOR (approximately 68%) compared to OVX alone (approximately 78%). No significant differences in synaptic contacts per cell between OVX and OVX + E2 groups were observed. Although these initial data are consistent with dynorphin inhibiting pulsatile LH release prepubertally, additional work will be necessary to define the source and mechanisms of this inhibition.
A Comparison of the Ability of Phase-Insensitive and Phase-Sensitive Ultrasonic Receivers to Detect Material Abnormalities Beneath Rough Surfaces

Phase cancellation effects can occur if irregularities in a specimen distort the ultrasonic phase fronts presented to a spatially extended piezoelectric receiving transducer. Among other causes, surface roughness can contribute to wavefront distortion [1] which, in turn, leads to phase cancellation at a piezoelectric receiving transducer. To minimize this problem specimens are often limited to materials that can be prepared with smooth surfaces. Ideally, the nature of the nondestructive evaluation of materials implies that the specimens should not have to be altered merely for the sake of examination. Specifically, actions such as grinding rough surfaces only to improve the quality of the inspection are contrary to the spirit of nondestructive evaluation. Previous studies have shown that phaseinsensitive detection reduces the effects of phase cancellation [2–5]. Therefore phaseinsensitive detection should be less significantly influenced than phase-sensitive detection by the presence of rough surfaces that may commonly arise from specimen production.
Print Versus Digital: How Medium Matters on 'House of Cards'

This study utilizes textual analysis to analyze how journalists are depicted on the Netflix drama House of Cards. Through the lens of orientalism and cultivation, researchers examine how depictions...
Switching of metabolic programs in response to light availability is an essential function of the cyanobacterial circadian clock

The transcription factor RpaA is the master regulator of circadian transcription in cyanobacteria, driving genome-wide oscillations in mRNA abundance. Deletion of rpaA has no effect on viability in constant light conditions, but renders cells inviable in cycling conditions when light and dark periods alternate. We investigated the mechanisms underlying this viability defect, and demonstrate that the rpaA- strain cannot maintain appropriate energy status at night, does not accumulate carbon reserves during the day, and is defective in transcription of genes crucial for utilization of carbohydrate stores at night. Reconstruction of carbon utilization pathways combined with provision of an external carbon source restores energy charge and viability of the rpaA- strain in light/dark cycling conditions. Our observations highlight how a circadian program controls and temporally coordinates essential pathways in carbon metabolism to maximize fitness of cells facing periodic energy limitations.
Bird Diversities and Their Responses to Urbanization in China

China has been experiencing remarkable urban expansion in recent decades. The rapid urbanization progress also drew much attention of researchers on urban birds and the effect of urbanization on birds. We summarized the papers on urban birds in China published from 1962 to 2014. To understand the urban bird diversities in China, we selected 17 cities across different bioregions even biogeographical realms whose bird diversities had been carefully surveyed and chose ten most abundant resident birds representing the urban birds of the cities. We measured the phylogenetic structure and the family diversity of ten species of each city and then examined their variations with the city’s population, latitude, and longitude. The results showed that 49 species dwell in the 17 cities as the top 10 abundant birds which cover three orders and 20 families. Crows, starlings, tits, and bulbuls are the most abundant species in the urban areas in China. The cities, on the one hand, close in geography have close bird lists which implied that local fauna has important impacts on urban bird assemblages. On the other hand, some cities far apart also share close bird lists probably due to the process of homogenization of urbanization. The cities with higher latitudes usually support birds more discretely in phylogenetic structure, but with lower family diversity. We also reviewed the urbanization effects on the birds. Evidences showed significant patterns of birds in response to urbanization in China at community, species, and even individual levels.
Agroecological and environmental factors influence Barley yellow dwarf viruses in grasslands in the US Pacific Northwest

Plant pathogens can play a role in the competitive interactions between plant species and have been understudied in native prairies, which are declining globally, and in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in the United States. Barley/Cereal yellow dwarf virus (B/CYDV) are among the most economically important disease-causing agents of small grain cereal crops, such as wheat, and are known to infect over 150 Poaceae species, including many of the grass species present in prairies and CRP lands. Field surveys of Poaceae species were conducted in endangered Palouse Prairie and CRP habitats of southeastern Washington and adjacent northern Idaho, USA from 2010 to 2012 to examine for the presence of B/CYDV among plant hosts and aphid vectors. Viral species were identified via cloning and sequencing. Landscape, soil and climate data were retrieved from USDA-NASS and USDA-NRCS databases. Analyses were conducted to examine effects of diverse agroecological and environmental factors on virus prevalence. A total of 2271 grass samples representing 30 species were collected; 28 of these were infected with BYDV in at least one location. BYDV infection was detected at every CRP and prairie remnant sampled, with an overall infection of 46%. BYDV-SGV and BYDV-PAV were the only two B/CYDV species encountered, with BYDV-SGV being more prevalent. Sampling time (season) and host plant identity were the main variables explaining variation in virus prevalence among sites. BYDV was more prevalent in perennial compared to annual grass species. Aphids were encountered only once suggesting non-colonizing aphids, potentially from neighboring cereal fields, are responsible for disease spread in these habitats. BYDV prevalence increased in sampled habitats as cereal crop cover increased within a 1-km radius of a habitat patch. Results demonstrate moderate to high and persistent prevalence of BYDV in an endangered grassland habitat. Species composition and susceptibility to pathogens should be considered when creating seed mixes for CRP sites, especially in relation to agricultural crops and diseases in a region. Future work exploring host abundance, competence and habitat utilization by vectors is required to fully elucidate BYDV ecology and epidemiology in grassland habitats.
Clinical findings and management of 153 horses with large colon sand accumulations

Objective To determine the influence of radiographic quantification of sand accumulation on the medical versus surgical management of large colon sand accumulations. To compare short- and long-term outcomes and complications associated with medical and surgical management of these horses. Study design Retrospective. Sample population A total of 153 horses. Methods Medical records and abdominal radiographs of horses presented for colic between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed. Severity of sand accumulation was quantified by tracing and measuring a region of interest with a commercial software program. Breed, weight, amount of sand, presence of diarrhea at presentation, treatment, and the development of complications were recorded. Results Records from 153 horses were reviewed. The mean cross-sectional area of sand accumulation was 692.9 cm2 (median = 658.7 cm2, 84.6-1780.7 cm2). Increased accumulation of gas on radiographs and abnormal transrectal examination findings were associated with an increased likelihood of surgery. The most common complication was the development of diarrhea (20.3%) with only 4 (2.6%) horses positive for Salmonella spp. Horses had a favorable prognosis, with 94.8% of horses treated medically and 94.7% of those treated surgically surviving to discharge. Conclusion Increased accumulation of gas on radiographs and transrectal palpation of impaction or intestinal gas distension increase the likelihood of surgery. Both medical and surgical treatments carry a good prognosis. Clinical relevance The sheer quantity of sand is not a factor when determining surgical intervention. Attention should be paid to the presence of increased gas accumulation on rectal or radiographic examination.
The importance of visibility for folk theories of sensor data

Sensor-enabled wearable devices and smartphones collect data about users' movements, location, and private spaces and activities. As with many ubiquitous computing technologies, this data collection happens in the background and appears "seamless" or invisible to the user. Despite this, users are still expected to make informed choices regarding consent to data collection. Folk theories are sets of beliefs and understandings that arise informally and guide decision-making. To investigate folk theories regarding sensor data collection that might guide privacy self-management decisions, we conducted qualitative free list activities with 30 activity tracker users in which we asked them to list "information that an activity tracker knows". We found that folk theories regarding the data that activity trackers collect depend on interactions between the users and their trackers that provide visibility into dependencies among data types, evidence about what trackers are able to record, and feedback that inspires speculation about how trackers work. Our findings suggest opportunities for designing interfaces that intentionally support the development of folk theories about how sensor data are produced and how they might be used, which may enable users to make more informed privacy self-management decisions.
Fiscal Austerity and the Entrepreneurial Impulse

In 1993, I proposed to restart and recapitalize a moribund Center for Policy Analysis (CFPA) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This initiative was a response to mounting criticism of the campus by the business dominated UMass Board of Trustees, the region’s state legislative delegation, municipal officials, business executives, and the general public, who all complained that the university was isolated, irrelevant, and unresponsive to regional needs. Business, political, and educational leaders felt that the university should provide applied research, technical assistance, technology transfer, and other educational or consulting services to support the region’s economic, social, political, and educational development. Those of us associated with the CFPA quickly found ourselves in a new world of business and politics, where we achieved a level of business success we had never imagined only a short time earlier.
Can Competitive Athletes Return to High-Level Play After Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Knee?

Purpose To investigate functional outcomes among competitive athletes undergoing osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation of the knee, including rates of return to play (RTP), and factors preventing RTP. Methods A retrospective review identified all competitive athletes (high school, intercollegiate, professional) undergoing isolated femoral condyle OCA from 2004 to 2013. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthritis Index [WOMAC], 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12], Tegner, and Marx) and custom RTP surveys were administered. All subsequent reoperations were documented. Results Thirteen athletes (4 intercollegiate, 9 high-school) were identified with an average follow-up of 5.9 ± 2.5 years. Seven athletes (54%) returned to competitive sport at an average of 7.9 ± 3.5 months, 5 of whom returned to preinjury functional levels. Of the 8 athletes who either did not return to competitive sport or failed to sustain their high level of play, the most common reasons cited were graduation from high school or college (4 patients, 50%) or fear of reinjury (3 patients, 38%). All 4 patients citing graduation as the primary factor preventing return to preinjury level of competitive sport resumed recreational sport without limitations, yielding an adjusted RTP rate of 10 patients (77%) who either returned to competitive play or believed they could return if they had not graduated. At final follow-up, athletes reported significant improvements in all PRO scores except for KOOS-Sport, WOMAC-Stiffness, and SF-12 Mental subscales. There were 3 reoperations at an average of 3.8 ± 3.3 years after the index OCA. There were no instances of graft failure. Conclusions OCAs provide an adjusted RTP rate of 77% for high-level adolescent athletes. Social factors may be more likely than persistent pain to prevent return to sport. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
APOL1 and blood pressure changes in young adults

APOL1 risk variants have been shown to be associated with kidney disease and hypertension. In this study, Chen and colleagues assess the association of these risk variants with longitudinal blood pressure in young adults. We review the current literature on association of these alleles with blood pressure and propose future directions to resolve the existing controversies.
CENP-B protects centromere chromatin integrity by facilitating histone deposition via the H3.3-specific chaperone Daxx

The main chromatin unit, the nucleosome, can be modulated by the incorporation of histone variants that, in combination with posttranslational histones modifications, determine epigenetics properties of chromatin. Understanding the mechanism that creates a histone variants landscape at different genomic elements is expected to elevate our comprehension of chromatin assembly and function. The Daxx chaperone deposits transcription-associated histone H3.3 at centromeres, but mechanism of centromere-specific Daxx targeting remains unclear. In this study, we identified an unexpected function of the constitutive centromeric protein CENP-B that serves as a “beacon” for H3.3 incorporation. CENP-B depletion reduces Daxx association and H3.3 incorporation at centromeres. Daxx/CENP-B interaction and Daxx centromeric association are SUMO dependent and requires SIMs of Daxx. Depletion of SUMO-2, but not SUMO-1, decreases Daxx/CENP-B interaction and reduces centromeric accumulation of Daxx and H3.3, demonstrating distinct functions of SUMO paralogs in H3.3 chaperoning. Finally, disruption of CENP-B/Daxx-dependent H3.3 pathway deregulates heterochromatin marks H3K9me3, ATRX and HP1α at centromeres and elevates chromosome instability. The demonstrated roles of CENP-B and SUMO-2 in H3.3 loading reveal a novel mechanism controlling chromatin maintenance and genome stability. Given that CENP-B is the only centromere protein that binds centromere-specific DNA elements, our study provides a new link between centromere DNA and unique epigenetic landscape of centromere chromatin.
Assessment of Ablative Therapies in Swine: Response of Respiratory Diaphragm to Varying Doses.

Ablation is a common procedure for treating patients with cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and other conditions, yet it can cause collateral injury to the respiratory diaphragm. Collateral injury can alter the diaphragm’s properties and/or lead to respiratory dysfunction. Thus, it is important to understand the diaphragm’s physiologic and biomechanical properties in response to ablation therapies, in order to better understand ablative modalities, minimize complications, and maximize the safety and efficacy of ablative procedures. In this study, we analyzed physiologic and biomechanical properties of swine respiratory diaphragm muscle bundles when exposed to 5 ablative modalities. To assess physiologic properties, we performed in vitro tissue bath studies and measured changes in peak force and baseline force. To assess biomechanical properties, we performed uniaxial stress tests, measuring force–displacement responses, stress–strain characteristics, and avulsion forces. After treating the muscle bundles with all 5 ablative modalities, we observed dose-dependent sustained reductions in peak force and transient increases in baseline force—but no consistent dose-dependent biomechanical responses. These data provide novel insights into the effects of various ablative modalities on the respiratory diaphragm, insights that could enable improvements in ablative techniques and therapies.
Developing an Evaluation Plan

After an exhaustive list of hypotheses to account for the child’s pain has been generated, the next step in the evaluation process involves testing each hypothesis. The therapist collects data from the child, the family, the medical staff, and others in the child’s environment, and then examines the accumulated evidence to determine the degree to which each hypothesis is supported or refuted. As this process unfolds, the therapist builds an array of supporting and refuting data until each hypothesis has been tested.
Fortuitous detection of endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ: a report of 2 cases.

Background The Pap smear and oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) testing are highly effective in screening for cervical cancer precursors. Cervical glandular abnormalities, however, are more difficult to detect and monitor than are squamous lesions. Cases We present 2 cases of premenopausal women with normal Pap smears, but oncogenic HPV infection and metrorrhagia. Biopsies revealed adenocarcinoma in situ, and cold-knife conization was performed. Conclusion Because glandular cancerous precursors can remain undetected by Pap screening, thorough evaluation of symptomatic patients with high-risk HPV is imperative.
Explication and Defense of Sampson’s Theory of Pathogenesis

In May 1927, at the 52nd annual meeting of the American Gynecological Society at Hot Springs, Virginia, Sampson stated: “At the meeting of the American Gynecological Society in 1921, the writer presented a paper1 on perforating hemorrhagic cysts of the ovary and their relation to pelvic adenomas of endometrial type…In view of the theories which have arisen to explain the origin of the peritoneal endometriosis associated with these cysts, the following quotation from that paper may be of interest.”2 “The question naturally arises: in what way do the contents of the cyst or ovary cause the development of these adenomas? Is it due to some specific irritant present in the cyst contents which stimulates the peritoneal endothelium to a metaplasia with the development of endometrial tissue typical both in structure and function? Some may assert that dormant endometrial epithelium may be present in the tissues soiled by the contents of the cyst and this is stimulated to further growth. It seems to me that the conditions found in many of these specimens are analogous to the implantation of ovarian papilloma or cancer on the peritoneal surfaces of the pelvis from the rupture of an ovarian tumor containing these growths.”3