cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assimilation and retention of selenium and other trace elements from crustacean food by juvenile striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Estimates of the assimilation and retention of trace elements from food by fish are useful for linking toxicity with the biogeochemical cycling of these elements through aquatic food webs. Here we use pulse-chase radiotracer techniques to estimate the assimilation and retention of Se and four trace metals, Ag, Am, Zn, and Cd, by 43- and 88-d-old juvenile striped bass, Morone saxatilis, from crustacean food. Brine shrimp nauplii, Artemia franciscana, or adult copepods, Acartia tonsa, were fed radiolabeled diatoms and then fed to juvenile striped bass. Assimilation efficiencies (AEs 6 SD) for 43-d-old fish were 18 6 2%, 6 6 1%, 23 6 4%, 33 6 3%, and 23 6 2% for Ag, Am, Cd, Se, and Zn, respectively. For 88-d-old fish, the AEs were 286 1%, 42 6 5%, and 40 6 5% for Cd, Se, and Zn, respectively. The higher AEs in the older fish may result from longer gut passage times for larger fish. The 44-d-old fish excreted 5 6 0.8%, 4 6 2.0%, 7 6 0.3%, 9 6 0.4%, and 1.3 6 0.9% of the Ag, Am, Cd, Se, and Zn, respectively, they ingested from food per day, whereas the 88-d-old fish excreted 3 6 1.0%, 8 6 0.5%, and 3 6 0.5% of the assimilated Cd, Se, and Zn per day, respectively. Predictions of steady state Se concentrations in juvenile striped bass tissues made using a biokinetic model and the measured AE and efflux rates ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 m gS e g 21 dry wt for muscle tissue and 6.8 to 11.6 m gS e g 21 dry wt for gut tissue. These predictions agreed well with average values of 2.1 and 13 m gS e g 21 dry wt measured independently in North San Francisco Bay, where elevated Se concentrations are of concern. The model results imply that the planktonic food web, including juvenile striped bass, does not transfer Se as efficiently to top consumers as does the benthic food web.
FAST Observations of Electromagnetic Stresses Applied to the Polar Ionosphere

The Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (FAST), with its 83 inclination orbit and 4000 km apogee, is ideally suited for investigation of the high latitude perturbations to the geomagnetic field. These data can be used to determine fieldaligned currents, but here we emphasize the perturbations themselves, rather than their spatial gradient. This allows us to more readily visualize the forces applied to the ionosphere by the magnetosphere (and vice-versa). Our basic framework for interpreting the magnetic field perturbations is one in which flows in the magnetosphere and at the magnetopause apply stresses to the ionosphere where the imposed flows must overcome the collisional drag. Thus field-aligned currents flow in response to a requirement for an ionospheric J×B force to overcome the drag. We will interpret two intervals of polar data acquired by FAST in this framework, showing how the overall structure of the field perturbations can be understood in terms of applied stresses. We discuss briefly one implication of this approach, that the ionosphere may be important in braking substorm-related flow bursts.
Bundle evaluation in different market segments: The effects of discount framing and buyers’ preference heterogeneity

Heterogeneity of buyers’ preferences has played a significant role in the earlier economic analyses of bundling and continues to be important in the recent investigations initiated by marketing and consumer researchers. Guided by a decision-framing conceptualization, this study suggests that in a market characterized by heterogeneous preferences for items included in a bundle offer, buyers’ bundle evaluations may vary significantly depending on which item is featured as the price leader (i.e., the discounted item). When two unequally preferred items were evaluated for purchase as a set, bundle evaluation was more enhanced when the price leader was also the more preferred item. Thus, under such preference conditions, bundle evaluation may be quite sensitive to the choice of the price leader. Besides highlighting the importance of incorporating psychological considerations in bundling research, the results of this study also raise questions about the validity of a key assumption made in the extant analyses of bundling strategies. Specifically, perceived savings on one item may not always transfer readily to other items included in a bundle offer.
Understanding human-battery interaction on mobile phones

Mobile phone users have to deal with limited battery lifetime through a reciprocal process we call human-battery interaction (HBI). We conducted three user studies in order to understand HBI and discover the problems in existing mobile phone designs. The studies include a large-scale international survey, a one-month field data collection including quantitative battery logging and qualitative inquiries from ten mobile phone users, and structured interviews with twenty additional mobile phone users. We evaluated various aspects of HBI, including charging behavior, battery indicators, user interfaces for power-saving settings, user knowledge, and user reaction. We find that mobile phone users can be categorized into two types regarding HBI and often have inadequate knowledge regarding phone power characteristics. We provide qualitative and quantitative evidence that problems in state-of-the-art user interfaces has led to under-utilized power-saving settings, under-utilized battery energy, and dissatisfied users. Our findings provide insights into improving mobile phone design for users to effectively deal with the limited battery lifetime. Our work is the first to systematically address HBI on mobile phones and is complementary to the extensive research on energy-efficient design for a longer battery lifetime.
Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) variability in the wake of hurricanes and typhoons

[1] Satellite observation of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient variability in the wake of numerous hurricanes and typhoons is reported here for the first time. Storm-induced vertically-mixed CDOM from deeper depths has a higher absorption coefficient than the photochemically degraded CDOM within the undisturbed pre-storm upper mixed layer. Principal findings are: (1) Little variability is observed prior to storm encounter at which time the CDOM-defined wake rapidly develops a notable right side asymmetry. (2) The more robust right-side CDOM absorption coefficient elevation is visible up to ∼30days depending on storm intensity. In a way that is similar to existing sea surface temperature imagery applications, the techniques in this paper are proposed as a complementary new research tool for the study of atmosphere-ocean interactions.
Water conservation features of ova of Agrilus planipennis (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

ABSTRACT The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, has destroyed millions of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America since first identified in Detroit in 2002. With species of ash distributed throughout North America, it is easy to speculate the extinction of all susceptible species of ash on the continent given a lack of physical, environmental, or climactic barrier for dispersal of the insect. We investigated water balance characteristics of emerald ash borer ova by using gravimetric methods in an effort to measure their response to heat- and water-stress and explore possible influences this stress may have on the ecology and physiology of the ovum. We also explored the possible water balance benefit of a peculiar, “clustering,” oviposition behavior, as well as the difference in responses to stress between ova from a laboratory colony and ova from two wild populations. We found no evidence of water vapor absorption as a water balance strategy; rather enhanced water retention, resistance t...
Interactions between μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists and Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists in Rhesus Monkeys: Antinociception, Drug Discrimination, and Drug Self-Administration

Cannabinoid receptor agonists enhance the antinociceptive effects of μ-opioid receptor agonists, which suggests that combinations of these drugs might enhance therapeutic effectiveness (e.g., analgesia). However, it is not clear whether combinations of these drugs also enhance abuse or dependence liability. This experiment examined whether combinations of cannabinoids and opioids that enhance antinociception also increase abuse-related effects by studying the effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonists 2-[(1R,2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol (CP 55,940) and (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone mesylate (WIN 55,212) on the antinociceptive, discriminative stimulus, and positive reinforcing effects of μ-opioid receptor agonists in rhesus monkeys. In one group of monkeys (n = 3), morphine (0.1–5.6 mg/kg s.c.), CP 55,940 (0.0032–0.032 mg/kg s.c.), and WIN 55,212 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg s.c.) dose-dependently increased tail withdrawal latency from 50°C water, and pretreatment with small, otherwise ineffective, doses of CP 55,940 and WIN 55,212 shifted the morphine dose-effect curve to the left. In monkeys (n = 3) discriminating 3.2 mg/kg morphine, CP 55,940 (0.01–0.032 mg/kg s.c.) and WIN 55,212 (0.1–1.78 mg/kg s.c.) attenuated the discriminative stimulus effects of morphine, shifting the dose-effect curve to the right. In monkeys (n = 4) self-administering heroin (0.32–32.0 µg/kg/infusion i.v.), CP 55,940 (0.001–0.032 mg/kg s.c.), and WIN 55,212 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg s.c.) shifted the heroin dose-effect curve rightward and downward. Cannabinoid receptor agonists CP 55,940 and WIN 55,212 enhanced the antinociceptive effects but not the discriminative stimulus or positive reinforcing effects of μ-opioid receptor agonists in rhesus monkeys, supporting the view that combining cannabinoid and opioid receptor agonists might result in enhanced treatment effectiveness for pain without similarly enhancing abuse and dependence liability.
Higher order absorbing boundary conditions for the finite-difference time-domain method

Higher-order absorbing boundary conditions are introduced and implemented in a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) computer code. Reflections caused by the absorbing boundary conditions are examined. For the case of a point source radiating in a finite computational domain, it is shown that the error decreases as the order of approximation of the absorbing boundary condition increases. Fifth-order approximation reduces the normalized reflections to less than 0.2%, whereas the widely used second-order approximation produces about 3% reflections. A method for easy implementation of any order approximation is also presented. >
A dynamic sensor placement algorithm for dense sampling

For many applications, including robotic planning, obstacle avoidance, and mapping it has been observed with laser range-scanners and depth sensors that their sampling densities, i.e., the number of range measurements per unit length of the scanned contour, can vary greatly even within a single scan measurement. In this paper, an on-line placement algorithm is proposed that computes where the robot must next move so as to sample its environment uniformly and densely. The algorithm guarantees the minimum number of measurements per unit length of the observed space, obtaining a high and uniform spatial measurement density. It provides a Next-Best-View relative to a robot's current position while satisfying a locally-defined constraint function based on the sampling density of points. Three variants of this algorithm, suitable for different practical applications are demonstrated with experiments on real robots in interesting scenarios.
Maternal filarial infection as risk factor for infection in children

Abstract Familial clustering of filarial infection was investigated through random house-to-house surveys of 643 individuals in Leogane, Haiti, an area with endemic Bancroftian filariasis. Children of infected mothers were 2·4 to 2·9 times more likely to be infected than were those of amicrofilaraemic mothers. Filarial-specific cellular responsiveness in amicrofilaraemic children born to infected mothers was lower than that in amicrofilaraemic children born to amicrofilaraemic mothers. No effect of paternal infection status was seen. The findings show that maternal infection is a risk factor for filarial infection in children and is associated with altered parasite-specific immune reactivity.
Wavefront-error evaluation by mathematical analysis of experimental Foucault-test data.

The diffraction theory of the Foucault test provides an integral formula expressing the complex amplitude and irradiance distribution in the Foucault pattern of a test mirror (lens) as a function of wavefront error. Recent literature presents methods of inverting this formula to express wavefront error in terms of irradiance in the Foucault pattern. The present paper describes a study in which the inversion formulation was applied to photometric Foucault-test measurements on a nearly diffraction-limited mirror to determine wavefront errors for direct comparison with ones determined from scatter-plate interferometer measurements. The results affirm the practicability of the Foucault test for quantitative wavefront analysis of very small errors, and they reveal the fallacy of the prevalent belief that the test is limited to qualitative use only. Implications of the results with regard to optical testing and the potential use of the Foucault test for wavefront analysis in orbital space telescopes are discussed.
Crab Pulsar Radiation Characteristics

It has been suggested that for the Crab pulsar the radio radiation mechanism may be different from that in other pulsars. The principal observations leading to this suggestion are, firstly, the essentially constant position angle of the highly linearly polarised precursor, and secondly, the occasional large increases in intensity of the main pulse.
Functional connectivity in auditory-verbal short-term memory in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients show normal patterns of regional cerebral blood flow during performance of subspan verbal memory tasks, but appear to allocate new brain regions when performing supraspan recall tasks. To understand the relationships among these interconnected brain regions, their functional connectivity was considered using principal components analysis (PCA). AD patients and controls were scanned in four conditions: visual fixation only and visual fixation with one-word recall, three-word recall, and eight-word recall. When applied to the data from the three recall task conditions (i.e., eliminating fixation), PCA revealed a significant first component accounting for 75.8% of the variance in the control data and 66.8% of the variance in the patient data. The one-word recall condition had a high positive component score, and the eight-word condition a high negative score. The correlations of individual voxels on this factor (i.e., spatial modes) were very similar between the patients and the controls. The overall similarity in the results of the PCAs between the patients and the controls suggests that they have similar functional connectivity. This would suggest that, at least in the early course of the dementia, the functional CNS organization of verbal memory systems remains normal.
The Role of Information and Communication in the Context of Humanitarian Service

Information and communication are playing an increasingly important and more sophisticated role in humanitarian-service activities involving logistics, organizational learning, health-care delivery systems, assessment, and education. This role is impacted by important trends and environments within which the humanitarian sector operates. These include a shift of focus from providing direct aid to capacity building, empowerment, and assessment; a shift in project focus from technical solutions to broader sociotechnical strategies; and increased emphasis on demonstrating effectiveness, improving efficiency, and collaborating with other organizations. Five articles in this issue address these areas, including two pieces on developing information and communication tools to support the work of humanitarian organizations, two pieces on preparing students to work in the humanitarian environment, and one on organizational culture and the challenge of enhancing organizational learning in the humanitarian sector.
Emerging Concerns of Older Stroke Patients About Assistive Device Use

Assistive devices minimize limitations from physical impairment and are integral to rehabilitation. Little is known about older patients' concerns, perceptions, and beliefs about assistive devices. This study used a structured, qualitative approach to describe device perceptions of 103 stroke patients in rehabilitation. Six dimensions of patient concerns were identified, including the operation and utility of devices, social contexts and consequences, and attributions of cultural meanings of use. Initial device use posed cultural value dilemmas originating in discrepancies between sociocultural beliefs and conflicting normative expectations. Knowledge of these dimensions suggests new areas for social science research and refinements to clinical practice.
EHR Adoption and Hospital Performance: Time-Related Effects.

Objective To assess whether, 5 years into the HITECH programs, national data reflect a consistent relationship between EHR adoption and hospital outcomes across three important dimensions of hospital performance. Data Sources/Study Setting Secondary data from the American Hospital Association and CMS (Hospital Compare and EHR Incentive Programs) for nonfederal, acute-care hospitals (2009–2012). Study Design We examined the relationship between EHR adoption and three hospital outcomes (process adherence, patient satisfaction, efficiency) using ordinary least squares models with hospital fixed effects. Time-related effects were assessed through comparing the impact of EHR adoption pre (2008/2009) versus post (2010/2011) meaningful use and by meaningful use attestation cohort (2011, 2012, 2013, Never). We used a continuous measure of hospital EHR adoption based on the proportion of electronic functions implemented. Data Collection/Extraction Methods We created a panel dataset with hospital-year observations. Principal Findings Higher levels of EHR adoption were associated with better performance on process adherence (0.147; p < .001) and patient satisfaction (0.118; p < .001), but not efficiency (0.01; p = .78). For all three outcomes, there was a stronger, positive relationship between EHR adoption and performance in 2010/2011 compared to 2008/2009. We found mixed results based on meaningful use attestation cohort. Conclusions Performance gains associated with EHR adoption are apparent in more recent years. The large national investment in EHRs appears to be delivering more consistent benefits than indicated by earlier national studies.
Guided cobalamin biosynthesis supports Dehalococcoides mccartyi reductive dechlorination activity

Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains are corrinoid-auxotrophic Bacteria and axenic cultures that require vitamin B12 (CN-Cbl) to conserve energy via organohalide respiration. Cultures of D. mccartyi strains BAV1, GT and FL2 grown with limiting amounts of 1 µg l(-1) CN-Cbl quickly depleted CN-Cbl, and reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes was incomplete leading to vinyl chloride (VC) accumulation. In contrast, the same cultures amended with 25 µg l(-1) CN-Cbl exhibited up to 2.3-fold higher dechlorination rates, 2.8-9.1-fold increased growth yields, and completely consumed growth-supporting chlorinated ethenes. To explore whether known cobamide-producing microbes supply Dehalococcoides with the required corrinoid cofactor, co-culture experiments were performed with the methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro and two acetogens, Sporomusa ovata and Sporomusa sp. strain KB-1, as Dehalococcoides partner populations. During growth with H2/CO2, M. barkeri axenic cultures produced 4.2 ± 0.1 µg l(-1) extracellular cobamide (factor III), whereas the Sporomusa cultures produced phenolyl- and p-cresolyl-cobamides. Neither factor III nor the phenolic cobamides supported Dehalococcoides reductive dechlorination activity suggesting that M. barkeri and the Sporomusa sp. cannot fulfil Dehalococcoides' nutritional requirements. Dehalococcoides dechlorination activity and growth occurred in M. barkeri and Sporomusa sp. co-cultures amended with 10 µM 5',6'-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB), indicating that a cobalamin is a preferred corrinoid cofactor of strains BAV1, GT and FL2 when grown with chlorinated ethenes as electron acceptors. Even though the methanogen and acetogen populations tested did not produce cobalamin, the addition of DMB enabled guided biosynthesis and generated a cobalamin that supported Dehalococcoides' activity and growth. Guided cobalamin biosynthesis may offer opportunities to sustain and enhance Dehalococcoides activity in contaminated subsurface environments.
Idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis in a non-diabetic hypertensive smoker--case report and review of literature.

Nodular glomerulosclerosis in diabetes mellitus (DM) has been a well-recognized occurrence since first described by Kimmelsteil and Wilson [1]. Other disease conditions in which nodular glomerulosclerosis has been observed include lobular variant of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis [2,3], Takayasu’s arteritis [4], light chain glomerulopathy [5], immunotactoid glomerulopathy [6], amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulopathy [7,8] and collagen type III disease [9]. But when nodular glomerulosclerosis occurs in the absence of any of these conditions, it is called idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis (ING) [10], a diagnosis of exclusion. We report a case of this rare condition in a patient who had a long history of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and smoking with persistent hyperamylasaemia. This review aims to analyse all reported cases of ING to try and delineate the nature of this entity in order that ING be included in the long list of causes of nephrotic syndrome.
Investigation of flow boiling in large micro-channel heat exchangers in a refrigeration loop for space applications

Abstract Future manned space endeavors will require a new class of vehicles, capable of conducting different types of missions and enduring varying gravitational and temperature environments. Thermal management will play a vital role in these new vehicles, and is complicated by the need to tackle both low and high heat sink temperatures. The present study concerns the development of a thermal management system operating in vapor compression mode to tackle high heat sink temperatures. The specific goal of the study is to investigate the two-phase heat transfer characteristics of two large micro-channel heat exchangers that serve as evaporators in the vapor compression loop using R134a as refrigerant. Both heat exchangers feature parallel micro-channels with identical 1 × 1-mm 2 cross-sections. The evaporators are connected in series, with the smaller 152.4-mm long heat exchanger situated upstream of the larger 609.6-mm long heat exchanger. This layout, along with broad ranges of mass velocity (152.90–530.72 kg/m 2 s) and base heat flux (8072.93–48,437.60 W/m 2 ) produced a wide range of qualities, which facilitated systematic assessment of dominant heat transfer mechanisms using both heat transfer measurements and high-speed video. Overall, it is shown low qualities are associated with slug flow and dominated by nucleate boiling, and high qualities with annular flow and convective boiling. Important transition points between the different heat transfer regimes are identified as (1) intermittent dryout, resulting from vapor blanket formation in liquid slugs and/or partial dryout in the liquid film surrounding elongated bubbles, (2) incipient dryout, resulting from dry patch formation in the annular film, and (3) complete dryout, following which the wall has to rely entirely on the mild cooling provided by droplets deposited from the vapor core. Finally, the study provides an assessment of the accuracy of eight previous correlations in predicting the measured two-phase heat transfer coefficient for both evaporators. Only one correlation is found to provide acceptable predictions in both accuracy and trend, evidenced by a mean absolute error of 21.19%, with 69.92% and 95.12% of the predictions falling within ±30% and ±50% of the data, respectively.
Observational studies find association between chocolate consumption and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes

Commentary on: A Buitrago-Lopez, J Sanderson, L Johnson, et al.. Chocolate consumption and cardiometabolic disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ2011;343:d4488.
On thermodynamic yield criteria

It is shown that a thermodynamic yield criterion, previously proposed by the author for a specific model of viscoplasticity, may be derived from the Clausius-Planck inequality for a very general model of plasticity, rate-dependent or rate-independent, provided only that a flow rule (as defined in the paper) exists. Special cases of the yield criterion thus derived include the Schmid law and the von Mises criterion. Moreover, under appropriate assumptions the thermodynamic yield stress may be identified with the Frank-Read source activation stress.
Scintigraphic Evaluation of Disorders of the Esophagus, Stomach, and Duodenum

Gastrointestinal nuclear medicine procedures have progressed from the stage of anatomic imaging alone to their present applications in studying gastrointestinal function and pathophysiology. These tracer techniques have several specific advantages over other procedures. Scintigraphy requires no intubation, has excellent patient acceptance, is quantitative, and delivers lower radiation burdens to the patient than does the contrast radiographic study. Currently, nuclear medicine functional scintigraphy in gastroenterology is being applied clinically in many medical centers throughout the world.
Anatomical Model Generator Based on Published Clinical Data on Cardiovascular Anatomy

Anatomical variability in patient populations has presented a challenge to the verification and validation (V&V) process for medical devices. This lack of conformity is also present in the anatomical models used for device design and testing, leading to a limited ability for comparative analysis among study results. Other industries have adopted standardized models for benchmark analysis and the FDA has begun to seek conformity in the analytical tools used for flow analysis. The ability to generate anatomical models from a central source that prescribes taxonomy, much like a digital object identifier (DOI) number for a published document, would enable researchers in the medical device field to homogenize the model development process. It is possible to reconstruct these anatomies as parametric models driven by clinical measurement data. This solution presents a transformative approach to anatomical modeling by enabling large scale simulations, allowing comparative analysis, and lowering the cost barrier for smaller research groups to source these models. Investigatory models of the aorta, left ventricle and left atrium were constructed to design the appropriate parametric framework for reconstruction. The resulting models are presented as user selectable classes of patients, which are referencing lookup tables of the measurement data. Validation of this model generator method has shown acceptable results using volume subtraction analysis with models generated manually. This approach delivers a solution for anatomical model generation and traceability of test results derived from these geometries. It answers significant scientific and regulatory concerns regarding comparative analysis and creates a more egalitarian approach to developing anatomical models for medical device design.
Applications of surfactants to electroless Ni-P composite plating

It's a effective way to correctly select and use surfactants for dispersing insoluble particles in bath.The mecha-nism of electroless composite plating and the dispersion mechanism of surfactant in electroless composite plating were discussed.The applications of surfactants in electroless composite plating were introduced.The wide prospects of surfactants' applications in electroless composite plating were explored.
“He Has Both the Cost and the Torment”: Marital Labor and Commercialized Masculinity in A Chaste Maid in Cheapside

In A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, Mr. Allwit, the willing cuckold, exults that his wife’s adulterous liaison with Sir Walter has freed him not simply from commercial labor but also from marital labor:...
SDNFV: Flexible and Dynamic Software Defined Control of an Application- and Flow-Aware Data Plane

Software Defined Networking (SDN) promises greater flexibility for directing packet flows, and Network Function Virtualization promises to enable dynamic management of software-based network functions. However, the current divide between an intelligent control plane and an overly simple, stateless data plane results in the inability to exploit the flexibility of a software based network. In this paper we propose SDNFV, a framework that expands the capabilities of network processing-and-forwarding elements to flexibly manage packet flows, while retaining both a high performance data plane and an easily managed control plane.SDNFV proposes a hierarchical control framework where decisions are made across the SDN controller, a host-level manager, and individual VMs to best exploit state available at each level. This increases the network's flexibility compared to existing SDNs where controllers often make decisions solely based on the first packet header of a flow. SDNFV intelligently places network services across hosts and connects them in sequential and parallel chains, giving both the SDN controller and individual network functions the ability to enhance and update flow rules to adapt to changing conditions. Our prototype demonstrates how to efficiently and flexibly reroute flows based on data plane state such as packet payloads and traffic characteristics.
The Constrained Governor: Exploring Gubernatorial Decision Making on Senate Appointments

In the vast majority of American states, governors have unrestricted authority to fill Senate vacancies, and in an average decade, one-third of all Americans have been represented by an appointed s...
Disequilibrium Foundations of Equilibrium Economics: Introduction: Disequilibrium analysis and the theory of value

Introduction Economists, particularly economic theorists, are most often concerned with the analysis of positions of equilibrium. This is most obviously true in microeconomics, where general equilibrium theory stands as the most complex achievement of rigorous analysis; but it is becoming true of macroeconomics as well, where it has become increasingly popular in rational expectations models to assume that markets always clear. Less attention is given to disequilibrium. In microeconomics, the subject of the stability of general equilibrium is in poor repute. Too many economists (including economic theorists, who should know better) apparently believe that stability theory means tâtonnement - a branch of the subject that died in 1960 and was long ago superseded.1 They regard it as overformal and empty of results, save under the most extreme ad hoc restrictions, and without much relation to the rich and complex world of real economies. For macrotheorists the concentration on equilibrium manifests itself in other ways. Aside from the rational-expectations-market-clearing position already mentioned, one currently fashionable branch of the subject investigates fixed-price, quantity-constrained equilibria. Such investigations can be very fruitful, but they are not truly disequilibrium investigations, although they are sometimes misnamed as such. They are analyses of equilibria that are non-Walrasian.
Negotiating the Terrain of Conflict

Godfrey offers sustained readings of three of Hemingway’s wartime geographies: “On the Quai at Smyrna,” the lead story in the 1930 Scribner’s reissue of In Our Time; Hemingway’s 1929 World War I novel A Farewell To Arms; and his Spanish Civil War novel published in 1940, For Whom The Bell Tolls. She first frames the discussions of these works within the dimensions of space and place as concepts, connecting geographical distinctions between “space” and “place” to places in conflict. Godfrey also asks broader geographical questions (aided by the work of scholars such as Stephen Kern and Robert Tally) about how bodies in conflict interpret the physical spaces around them, and of the way that the trauma, violence, and even the boredom of warfare influence the geographical sensibilities of Hemingway’s characters.
The impact of Public Reporting on clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess both qualitatively and quantitatively the impact of Public Reporting (PR) on clinical outcomes, we carried out a systematic review of published studies on this topic. Pubmed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were searched to identify studies published from 1991 to 2014 that investigated the relationship between PR and clinical outcomes. Studies were considered eligible if they investigated the relationship between PR and clinical outcomes and comprehensively described the PR mechanism and the study design adopted. Among the clinical outcomes identified, meta-analysis was performed for overall mortality rate which quantitative data were exhaustively reported in a sufficient number of studies. Two reviewers conducted all data extraction independently and disagreements were resolved through discussion. The same reviewers evaluated also the quality of the studies using a GRADE approach. Twenty-seven studies were included. Mainly, the effect of PR on clinical outcomes was positive. Meta-analysis regarding overall mortality included, in a context of high heterogeneity, 10 studies with a total of 1,840,401 experimental events and 3,670,446 control events and resulted in a RR of 0.85 (95 % CI, 0.79-0.92). The introduction of PR programs at different levels of the healthcare sector is a challenging but rewarding public health strategy. Existing research covering different clinical outcomes supports the idea that PR could, in fact, stimulate providers to improve healthcare quality.
Notice of release of Charleston Peak Germplasm slender wheatgrass: a selected class, genetically manipulated track pre-variety germplasm

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announces the release of Charleston Peak Germplasm slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus (Link) Gould ex Shinners [Poaceae]) as a selected class, genetically manipulated track pre-variety germplasm selected directly from collection D-3269. This collection is unique in that it exhibits short rhizomes not typically found in standard slender wheatgrass and appears to have the ability to accumulate cadmium (Cd) from the soil in its aboveground tissue. In addition, Charleston Peak is currently the only slender wheatgrass plant material that originates in the Great Basin. Charleston Peak Germplasm was collected near Charleston Peak, Clark County, Nevada, at 2438 m above sea level on 30 July 1983 and designated as D-3269 within the ARS Collection of the Triticeae grasses at Logan, Utah. This germplasm is intended for use on arid and semiarid rangelands for revegetation in the Great Basin and Intermountain Region of the western US.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescent Girls

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders of hormonal imbalance in women of reproductive age. The signs and symptoms of PCOS, premature menarche, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, hirsutism, acne, and obesity, can occur as early as puberty. It is often difficult to diagnose PCOS in this patient population, however, because there is no current consensus on the diagnostic criteria in adolescent girls and because many of the hallmark signs and symptoms are similar to those that occur with puberty. In this chapter, we will focus on the disease particularly as it manifests in adolescent girls with emphasis on disease epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, pathogenesis, long-term complications, and management.
Improving energy relay dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells by use of a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS)

In this study, GUMBOS (a group of uniform materials based on organic salts) derived from rhodamine B chloride, 1,1′-diethyl-2,2′-carbocyanine iodide, 3,3′-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide, and meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine were synthesized and characterized for application as energy relay dyes (ERDs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A facile ion exchange reaction was employed for synthesis of GUMBOS. These GUMBOS exhibited improved characteristics in comparison to their respective parent dyes, including increased solubility, thermal stability, molar extinction coefficient, and fluorescence quantum yield. In addition, excellent spectral overlap integral and Forster resonance energy transfer efficiency were observed between various GUMBOS based-ERDs (donors) and the photosensitizing dye, N719 [di-tetrabutylammonium cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)-ruthenium(II)] (acceptor). DSSC devices were fabricated and solar efficiency was evaluated in the absence and presence of ERDs using N719 as the photosensitizing dye. DSSCs in the presence of GUMBOS-based ERDs exhibited increased solar efficiencies in comparison to DSSCs in the absence of ERDs. Moreover, increases in solar efficiencies were found to be dependent on the counterions used in GUMBOS synthesis.
Trends in Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Among Selected College Students

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to indicate trends regarding sexual attitudes and behavior among a college aged population over a five year period. The use of trend data over a period of years is particularly useful for educators in general and health educators in particular. This knowledge could assist educators in the area of human sexuality with respect to appropriate content, methodology and duration for their instructional program. Data were collected on 434 students during the five year period of investigation. Men and women were equally represented. Analysis was conducted on the total group as well as on each sex. Results indicated students enrolled in human sexuality courses primarily for intrinsic rather than extrinsic motives. Student expectations indicated a preference for a social or behavioral science approach rather than a biologic or physiological oriented approach. Fewer students believed that a sexual revolution had occurred. During the five year study period, rates of premarital in...
Range-based AUV navigation expressed in geodetic coordinates

This work describes a range-based acoustic navigation system that utilizes range measurements from a single moving transponder with a known location to estimate the position of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Additionally, the navigation system simultaneously estimates the currents acting on the AUV. The novelty of our approach is to express the navigation algorithm and the position estimate entirely in geodetic coordinates. Navigation estimates are expressed with respect to the WGS84 coordinate reference system, although other geodetic coordinate systems could be used with very minor modification of our approach. Performance of the navigation system is evaluated from field trials conducted using the Virginia Tech 690s AUV.
Abstract 513: Role of Membrane-Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase in the Pathogenesis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms

Background The histopathologic hallmark of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) is medial degeneration with extensive loss of elastic lamellar proteins, including fibrillin-1 (Fbn-1) . TAA in Marfan Syndrome is associated with Fbn-1 mutations. Fbn-1 is degraded by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in vitro. While elevated levels of MT1-MMP have been associated with TAA , its effect on Fbn-1 in TAA is unknown. Objectives We attempted to characterize tissue MT1-MMP and Fbn-1 in normal and TAA patients (non-Marfan) to determine if Fbn-1 degradation is correlated with elevated MT1-MMP levels. Methods MT1-MMP and Fbn-1 levels were measured in TAA tissue from patients undergoing repair and in control aorta (CON) from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Specimens were homogenized, protein was extracted and quantified, and the extracts were analyzed by Western blotting with antibodies to human MT1-MMP and Fbn-1 . Results Elevated levels of MT1-MMP were detected in 11/13 TAA , while 4/6 CON had undetectable levels (p (Fig. 1a) . In preliminary subset analysis, Fbn-1 degradation products were detected in 2 TAA samples with high levels of MT1-MMP but no detectable Fbn-1 degradation products were found in 2 CON samples that showed low levels of MT1-MMP (Fig. 1b) . Conclusions Elevated levels of MT1-MMP were associated with Fbn-1 degradation, this may represent a pathologic mechanism of TAA formation.
Primary Liver Cancer: Radiation Therapy Planning

The development of modern radiotherapy planning and delivery techniques has enabled safe and effective delivery of tumoricidal doses of liver-directed radiotherapy. With more refined assessments of hepatotoxicity risk, an increasing number of patients with primary liver cancer have received liver-directed radiotherapy, including patients who were not candidates for curative treatments such as surgical resection or orthotopic liver transplantation. In this chapter, we discuss radiotherapy planning and delivery techniques for primary liver cancers. We also discuss supporting evidence for the use of liver-directed radiotherapy in both hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Effect of Syringe Design on the Accuracy and Precision of Intravitreal Injections of Anti-VEGF Agents.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate the accuracy and precision of different syringe designs for intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents.Methods: Volume output was measured from three syringe designs—1) 1.0 mL tuberculin syringe, 2) 1.0 mL syringe with low dead space plunger, and 3) 0.5 mL low-volume syringe—to deliver 50 µL of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, or aflibercept, each repeated four times by three different physicians for 108 total simulated injections. Volume output was calculated from difference in syringe weight before and after expelling the drug. Accuracy was determined by mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and precision was measured by coefficient of variation (CV).Results: Volume output from all three syringes was significantly different from 50 µL, with mean volumes of 58.0 ± 5.7 µL for the tuberculin syringe, 58.0 ± 4.0 µL for the low dead space syringe, and 55.5 ± 5.1 µL for the low-volume syringe (p < 0.00001 for all). The low-volume syringe was the most accurate (MAPE = 12.8 ± 7.8% vs. 17....
The Role of Intrinsic Defects in the Protective Behavior of Organic Coatings

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the question of whether ions and water penetrate the coating via discrete channels or as a uniform diffusion front. It examines some of the new research tools that are being implemented to answer these questions. It focuses on the idea of whether water and ions move through contiguous organic coatings via intrinsic localized pathways. The chapter presents electrochemical methods for the local characterization of coatings. A variety of DC and AC methods have been developed in for the in situ examination of local electrochemical events. Some of these methods include: scanning reference electrode techniques, scanning vibrating probes, Kelvin probes, and electrochemical microscopy. There are topographic methods, such as atomic force microscopy, that can be used to investigate the surface morphology as opposed to electrochemical information. It discusses local electrochemical impedance map (LEIM) and local electrochemical impedance spectra (LEIS) for the local characterization of coatings.
A Demonstration of Recovery in Controlled Continuing Association

The phenomenon of recovery, a transient enhancement of performance following an interruption, is demonstrated to occur in controlled continuing association. The effect is shown to be manipulable by changing the experimental procedure. It appears to be a fairly common behavioral process, observable with a wide range of activities.
Pulmonary CTA in sickle cell patients: quantitative assessment of enhancement quality

The purpose of this study was to validate the observation that pulmonary artery (PA) enhancement is often decreased in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients imaged with MDCT for suspected pulmonary embolism and determine whether contrast infusion parameters are accountable for lower enhancement levels. Retrospective comparison of 35 adult SCD patients imaged for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in our emergency department using 128-slice dual source MDCT scanner to 34 age and weight matched adult controls. Bolus tracking data was recorded, and enhancement levels of the main PA and descending aorta were measured. Electronic records were reviewed for demographics, imaging and lab correlation, and infusion parameters. Age, weight, contrast infusion rate, and contrast volume were similar for both SCD and control patients. SCD patients had significantly lower main PA enhancement (mean 233 HU, range 151–361 HU) than the control subjects (mean 290 HU, range 138–487 HU) (p < 0.001). Most (74%) SCD subjects had PA enhancement that was <250 HU, while most (68%) control patients had PA enhancement ≥250 HU. Change in PA enhancement per second during bolus tracking was lower in SCD patients (12 HU/s, range −24 to 91 HU/s) than control patients (mean 30 HU/s, range −37 to 138 HU/s), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in the SCD cohort (p < 0.001). In this series of adult SCD patients with suspected PE imaged with MDCT, main PA enhancement level was lower than controls. Quality improvement investigations should focus on protocol optimization to improve enhancement quality and likelihood of a definitive diagnosis.
Improved Crystal Growth of Tl6SeI4 for γ-Ray Detection Material by Oxide Impurity Removal

Tl6SeI4 is a promising wide-bandgap semiconductor for room-temperature high-energy photon detection. Because of the air-sensitive Tl precursor or Tl-based binary precursors used in the synthesis, this material can contain deleterious Tl oxide impurities. These impurities lead to problems during syntheses and crystal growth including glass attack, tube rupture, and parasitic nucleation, which subsequently deteriorate detector performance. In this work, we present a facile way to chemically reduce Tl oxides and eliminate oxygen impurities in Tl6SeI4 by adding high-purity graphite powder during synthesis. The addition of carbon leads to reduction of the residual Tl oxides and formation of CO2 and CO. The resistivity and hard radiation detection performance for 122 keV γ-rays of Tl6SeI4 single crystals were significantly improved. The improvement in the crystallinity was also confirmed by a narrower near-band-edge emission band in the photoluminescence spectra. We confirmed that the reaction between Tl oxide ...