cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The standardized family: an innovation in primary care education at the University of Massachusetts

In 1995 as part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Generalist Physician Initiative, the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Medical School developed the "standardized family" as a new model for teaching the essential elements of primary care in a core curriculum format outside of the clinical setting. Using this model, a hypothetical family unit (the "McQ Family") serves as the focus for case-based clinical problem solving. This paper describes the standardized family model and provides two years of evaluation outcomes such as curriculum assessments, student performance outcomes, and correlation with external measures of clinical performance to support the effectiveness of this educational model. It discusses the transferability of the standardized family model from UMass Medical School to Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and uses Pennsylvania State's adaptation (the "Hershey-Penn Family") to illustrate how the standardized family can be customized to integrate a core curriculum into a three-year longitudinal primary care program. The authors suggest that the standardized family model has the potential to meet a broad range of primary care teaching needs at other institutions.
Assessing the response of subgrid hydrologic processes to atmospheric forcing with a hydrologic model system

Abstract An integrated hydrologic model system (HMS) was developed and used to study hydrologic processes and systems responding to various climatic forcings. The modeling system operates with a time step of minutes to days to facilitate coupling with a mesoscale meteorological model (MM). The major emphasis with HMS is on the interaction among climate, land surface, surface water, and ground water. HMS utilizes spatially detailed information on climate, soil type, land use, digital elevation, and hydrologic parameters. The focus of this study was to improve the presentation of rainfall-runoff partitioning by implementing subgrid-scale spatial variability in precipitation and hydraulic conductivity. The practical application of HMS is demonstrated in the hydrologic simulation of a major sub-basin of the Susquehanna River Basin in Pennsylvania. Questions concerning data preparation, model calibration, and subgrid-scale spatial variability are addressed in the hydrologic simulation. The simulation without considering subgrid-scale spatial variability using both observed and MM5-simulated precipitations significantly underestimates the streamflow. The simulated and observed streamflows compare well in the simulation with consideration of the subgrid-scale spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity using observed precipitation. With the implementation of subgrid-scale spatial variability in precipitation and hydraulic conductivity, the simulated results using MM5-simulated precipitation were improved in terms of fit between the simulated and observed streamflows.
Analysis of protein dynamics within the septate junction reveals a highly stable core protein complex that does not include the basolateral polarity protein Discs large

Barrier junctions prevent pathogen invasion and restrict paracellular leakage across epithelial sheets. To understand how one barrier junction, the septate junction (SJ), is regulated in vivo, we used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to examine SJ protein dynamics in Drosophila. Most SJ-associated proteins, including Coracle, Neurexin IV and Nervana 2, displayed similar, extremely immobile kinetics. Loss of any of these components resulted in dramatically increased mobility of all others, suggesting that they form a single, highly interdependent core complex. Immobilization of SJ core components coincided with formation of the morphological SJ but occurred after their known role in maintaining epithelial polarity, suggesting that these functions are independent. In striking contrast to the core components, the tumor suppressor protein Discs large was much more mobile and its loss did not affect mobility of core SJ proteins, suggesting that it is not a member of this complex, even though it colocalizes with the SJ. Similarly, disruption of endocytosis affected localization of SJ core components, but did not affect their mobility. These results indicate that formation of a stable SJ core complex is separable from its proper subcellular localization, and provide new insights into the complex processes that regulate epithelial polarity and assembly of the SJ.
Electron paramagnetic resonance of the excited triplet state of metal-free and metal-substituted cytochrome c

The photoactivated metastable triplate states of the porphyrin (free-base, i.e., metal-free) zinc and tin derivatives of horse cytochrome c were investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance. Zero-field splitting parameters, line shape, and Jahn-Teller distortion in the temperature range 3.8-150 K are discussed in terms of porphyrin-protein interactions. The zero-field splitting parameters D for the free-base, Zn and Sn derivatives are 465 x 10(-4), 342 x 10(-4) and 353 x 10(-4) cm-1, respectively, and are temperature invariant over the temperature ranges studied. AN E value at 4 K of 73 x 10(-4) cm-1 was obtained for Zn cytochrome c, larger than any previously found for Zn porphyrins derivatives of hemeproteins, showing that the heme site of cytochrome c imposes an asymmetric field. Though the E value for Zn cytochrome c is large, the geometry of the site appears quite constrained, as indicated by a spectral line shape showing a single species. Intersystem crossing occurred predominantly to the T2 > zero-field spin sublevel. EPR line shape changes with respect to temperature of Zn cyt c are interpreted in terms of vibronic coupling, and a maximum Jahn-Teller crystal-field splitting of approximately 180 cm-1 is obtained. Sn cytochrome c in comparison with the Zn protein exhibits a photoactivated triplet line shape that is less well resolved in the X-Y region. The magnitude of E value is approximately 60 x 10(-4) cm-1 at 4 K; its value rapidly tends toward zero with increasing temperature, from which a value for the Jahn-Teller crystal-field splitting of > or = 40 cm-1 is estimated. In contrast to those for the metal cytochromes, the magnitude of E value for the free-base derivative was essentially zero at all temperatures studied. This finding is discussed as a consequence of an excited-state tautomerization process that occurs even at 4 K.
A comparison of Galerkin and streamline techniques for integrating strains from an Eulerian flow field

Two methods are compared for integrating the strains that can arise in finite element solutions for Eulerian velocity fields associated with large strain material forming processes. With the Galerkin formulation, partial differential equations for the deformation gradient are solved over the entire domain based on a weighted residual; with the streamline integrated technique, the corresponding ordinary differential equations are integrated along characteristic lines. Both methods have yielded accurate integrations for the radial flow and planar rolling problems studied. A finite element technique is also presented for ensuring that the free surfaces of the fluid flow are streamlines. This technique has been used for ensuring proper boundary conditions in the rolling analysis.
The Use of Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds for Improved Information Communication in Decentralized Decision Systems

In today’s global product development environment, the design of large scale systems is completed by distributing design tasks to various subsystems that are located in different parts of the world. Though such a process reduces the product development time (due to concurrent completion of design tasks), there also exists the possibilities of errors due to information communication and handling among the distributed subsystems. Errors in information communication get amplified when there exist a large number of subsystems with high coupling between them. Causes for errors in design information communication include loss of design information emails, corruption of attachments that include product data, duplication of files at multiple locations, different software being used to complete the same design task, etc. All these factors contribute to delays in the product development process. In this paper, a new approach for design information communication that utilizes Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds is proposed. Most information providing websites provide their users with RSS feeds that include the latest available news. In this paper, the same process is incorporated for design information communication within decentralized design through the use of a web-based design environment. The design of a golf driver head by two subsystems is used as a case study.
Educator Perspectives on Earth System Science Literacy: Challenges and Priorities

ABSTRACT The challenges and priorities of defining and achieving Earth System Science (ESS) literacy are examined through surveys of geoscience educators attending a professional geological meeting. Two surveys with Likert-style and free-response questions were distributed to geoscientists and K–12 teachers to elicit what instructors think are important concepts, experiences, and hurdles to ESS literacy. Survey 1 asked participants open-ended questions about the challenges and priorities of ESS literacy. Survey 2 asked participants to evaluate the importance of various concepts for nonscience majors taking an ESS course. Survey 1 results indicate that the geoscience professors and K–12 teachers place emphasis on the relevance of Earth Science for public decision-making and regard formal education as having an important role in building Earth Science literacy. Respondents identified weaknesses of K–12 ESS education and the lack of respect for the geosciences as substantial hurdles for ESS literacy. Survey ...
Sedimentation‐equilibrium studies of the polysaccharide components of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Mild acid hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharide antigens from seven different serotype strains antigen immunotypes nos. 1–7 [in the classification of Fisher, M. W., Devlin, H. B. & Gnabasik, F. J. (1969) J. Bacteriol.98, 835–836] of Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave polysaccharide components of high molecular weight, which were isolated by gel filtration and dialysis. These components were examined by ultracentrifugation at equilibrium with the Rayleigh interferometric optical system. The partial specific volumes were calculated from densities obtained by using a mechanical oscillator. The average molecular weights (Mn, Mw, and Mz) were calculated and compared to evaluate the polydispersity of the polysaccharides. The nonideality was investigated by varying the rotor speed, the height of the solution column, and the concentrations of the polysaccharide fractions. The molar masses were found to range from 14,000 for the polysaccharide from immunotype two to 24,000 for that from immunotype one, when extrapolated to zero rotor speed and solution column height.
Aerobic capacity in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy children

This study compared aerobic capacity and highest work load completed by children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and healthy children during bicycle ergometer exercise. A secondary purpose was to determine the relationship between measures of disease severity and (a) aerobic capacity and (b) highest work load completed among the JRA patients. Aerobic capacity was measured using an open-circuit computerized gas analysis system. Sixteen patients with JRA and 16 healthy children were matched for age, sex, and body surface area. The healthy children achieved a significantly higher aerobic capacity than their respective control (p < 0.001, paired t test, two-tailed). The healthy children were able to complete higher work loads than their respective control (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). There was no relationship between measures of articular disease severity and (a) aerobic capacity and (b) highest work load completed among the JRA patients. Results of this study provide specific direction to clinicians to initiate aerobic conditioning programs for children with JRA soon after diagnosis. Additionally, an individual's functional exercise capacity is not directly related to the severity of the articular disease.
Apparent multifractality and scale-dependent distribution of data sampled from self-affine processes

It has been previously demonstrated theoretically and numerically by the author that square or absolute increments of data sampled from fractional Brownian/Levy motion (fBm/fLm), or of incremental data sampled from fractional Gaussian/Levy noise (fGn/fLn), exhibit apparent/spurious multifractality. Here, we generalize these previous development in a way that (a) rigorously subordinates (truncated) fLn to fGn or, in a statistically equivalent manner, (truncated) fLm to fBm; (b) extends the analysis to a wider class of subordinated self-affine processes; (c) provides a simple way to generate such processes and (d) explains why the distribution of corresponding increments tends to evolve from heavy tailed at small lags (separation distances or scales) to Gaussian at larger lags. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ipsilateral Ureteroureterostomy in the Surgical Management of the Severely Dilated Ureter in Ureteral Duplication

Purpose: Ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy for the surgical management of severely dilated ureter in ureteral duplication is well supported in the surgical literature but often not done. We evaluated our institutional experience with ureteroureterostomy in duplication anomalies to assess the feasibility and success of this procedure.Materials and Methods: An 8-year retrospective review of the records of all patients with complete renal duplex anomalies was evaluated. Anatomical presentations, and operative and nonoperative treatment of these patients were evaluated.Results: A total of 193 patients were identified with complete renal duplication. Associated anomalies included ureterocele in 24 patients, ectopic ureter in 38 and vesicoureteral reflux in 57. Of 193 patients 160 (83%) with duplex anomalies underwent surgical intervention with a total of 41 ureteroureterostomies performed in 39 patients with dilated donor ureters. A total of 11 ureteroureterostomies were performed primarily and 30 were performed...
Verification and Inferentialism in Wittgenstein's Philosophy

Contrairement a l'interpretation de M. Black et A. Coffa, l'A. defend la these selon laquelle la theorie verificationniste de la signification chez Wittgenstein est une consequence, et non pas l'origine, de la theorie inferentialiste de la signification comme usage.
Pancreas transplant outcomes for United States (US) and non-US cases as reported to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the International Pancreas Transplant Registry (IPTR) as of June 2004

As of December 31, 2004, more than 23,000 pancreas transplant had been reported to the IPTR, >17,000 in the US and almost 6000 from outside the US. An analysis of US pancreas transplants performed between 1988 and 2003 showed a progressive improvement in outcome, with pancreas transplant graft survival rates (GSRs) going from 75% at 1 yr for 1988/1989 to 85% for 2002/2003 simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) cases, from 55 to 78% for pancreas after kidney (PAK) cases, and from 45 to 77% for pancreas transplants alone (PTA) cases. The improvements were due both to decreases in technical failure (TF) rates (from 12 to 6% in SPK, 13-8% in PAK, and 24-7% in PTA) and immunological failure rates (going from 7 to 2% for SPK, from 28 to 7% for PAK, and from 38 to 8% for PTA cases). These results are even more impressive under the aspect that during the same time the rate of potential risk factors increased and the duct management techniques changed from bladder to enteric drainage. The improvement in outcome allowed also an increase in the number of solitary pancreas transplants from initially 12% to now 35%. Contemporary primary deceased donor pancreas transplant outcomes were calculated separately for 2000-2004 US and non-US cases. The US patient survival rates at 1 yr were >95% in each recipient category, with 1 yr primary pancreas GSRs of 85% for SPK, 78% for PAK, and 76% for PTA (p or =80% in all three recipient categories. The results were comparable (> or =83% 1-year GSR) for patients (approximately 10%) treated with Sirolimus (SIR) under various protocols. In regard to non-US pancreas transplants, even for 2000-2004 the overwhelming majority continued to be in the SPK category (91%), with 1-year patient, kidney and pancreas survival rates of 94, 92, and 87%. Solitary transplants are still very rarely done outside the US. Non-US PAK GSR at 1 yr was 85%, non-US PTA GSR at 1 yr was 76%. In summary, with the new advancements in immunosuppression and changes in surgical techniques the outcomes in patient survival and pancreas transplant graft function continue to improve even with an increasing proportion of high risk patients in all three categories.
Nonparametric Statistical Models of Astronomical Systems

Nonparametric statistical modeling is a useful tool for estimation of the statistical distribution of a property characterizing a population of astronomical objects, when that property is observed only in combination with some other properties of a priori unknown individual values, but of known or estimated distribution. A trivial and well known example is the integral relation between the distributions of true velocities V and their observed radial components VR = V sin i, among objects of uniformly distributed but otherwise unknown orientations (e.g., ref. [1]). The technique used to derive this relation can be extended to more complex and interesting such problems in observational astronomy; this is what is meant by the phrase “nonparametric statistical modeling”. As a simple example, the relation of the observed mass function Y to the underlying mass ratio q of a single-lined spectroscopic binary is Y = q sin i/ (1 + q), where i is the (a priori unknown) inclination of the orbital pole to the line of sight. The resulting statistical model, for a presumed uniform distribution of orbital orientations, is (ref. [2]):
Communication and Human Patient Simulation in Psychiatric Nursing

Communication is an integral component of nursing education and has been shown to improve health outcomes, patient compliance, and patient satisfaction. Psychiatric nursing emphasizes knowledge and utilization of communication skills. Nursing students often express anxiety and lack of confidence regarding communicating with patients diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses. Human patient simulation is one method that may be used for students to practice and become proficient with communication skills in a simulated environment. The authors of this article provide an overview of communication and psychiatric nursing as well as review of the current research related to the use of human patient simulation in nursing education.
Formation of radical species in photolyzed CH4:N2 ices

Abstract We report photochemical studies of thin cryogenic ice films composed of N 2 , CH 4 and CO in ratios analogous to those on the surfaces of Neptune’s largest satellite, Triton, and on Pluto. Experiments were performed using a hydrogen discharge lamp, which provides an intense source of ultraviolet light to simulate the sunlight-induced photochemistry on these icy bodies. Characterization via infrared spectroscopy showed that C 2 H 6 and C 2 H 2 , and HCO are formed by the dissociation of CH 4 into H, CH 2 and CH 3 and the subsequent reaction of these radicals within the ice. Other radical species, such as C 2 , C 2 - , CN, and CNN, are observed in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum. These species imply a rich chemistry based on formation of radicals from methane and their subsequent reaction with the N 2 matrix. We discuss the implications of the formation of these radicals for the chemical evolution of Triton and Pluto. Ultimately, this work suggests that C 2 - , CN, HCO, and CNN may be found in significant quantities on the surfaces of Triton and Pluto and that new observations of these objects in the appropriate wavelength regions are warranted.
Programming Pluralism: Using Learning Analytics to Detect Patterns in the Learning of Computer Programming

New high-frequency, automated data collection and analysis algorithms could offer new insights into complex learning processes, especially for tasks in which students have opportunities to generate unique open-ended artifacts such as computer programs. These approaches should be particularly useful because the need for scalable project-based and student-centered learning is growing considerably. In this article, we present studies focused on how students learn computer programming, based on data drawn from 154,000 code snapshots of computer programs under development by approximately 370 students enrolled in an introductory undergraduate programming course. We use methods from machine learning to discover patterns in the data and try to predict final exam grades. We begin with a set of exploratory experiments that use fully automated techniques to investigate how much students change their programming behavior throughout all assignments in the course. The results show that students’ change in programming ...
Erratum: Soil solution chemistry in relation to forest succession on the Tanana River floodplain, interior Alaska

The chemical composition of soil solution reflects the demand of soil biological processes and the solubility and ion-exchange equilibria between physical and biological components of the soil. The objectives of this study were to document soil-solution chemistry for representative phases of the primary successional sequence on the Tanana River floodplain near Fairbanks, Alaska, and to assess the effect of physical versus biological control on solution chemistry in these sites. Soil-solution samples were collected weekly using porous-cup soil-solution samplers located 20, 50, and 150 cm below the soil surface. In addition, groundwater and river water samples were collected at several sites that represented the successional stages typical of the Tanana River floodplain of interior Alaska. Magnesium, HCO3, Cl, Na, K, NO3, and PO4 showed the highest concentrations in the 50-cm layer at each site. Manganese, Fe, and Zn showed the highest concentrations at the groundwater level. Aluminum and Ca showed decreasi...
Synthetic and Biological Graft Materials: Biological Concepts

Graft or "mesh" implant materials continue to be used in a variety of surgical applications, including abdominal hernia repairs, suburethral slings, and female pelvic reconstructive surgery. The concern associated using autologous tissue for reconstructive surgery is that this tissue may be intrinsically weak and not suitable to repair fascial defects. Synthetic and biological mesh products have been developed to eliminate the need to rely on existing weak fascia or muscles and provide a more robust repair. The effect on wound healing depends on the type of mesh material as well as the anatomic site for implantation. While the perfect mesh material does not yet exist, the available products offer both benefits and risks with respect to the wound healing process while striving to maintain the necessary characteristics for tissue integrity. The objective of this review is to describe the biomechanical properties of commonly used mesh materials and the available evidence regarding their effects on wound healing.
A history-based scheduling protocol for ad hoc networks

This paper presents the history-based scheduling (HBS) protocol for collision-free channel access in ad hoc networks. In HBS, the channel is scheduled based on the history of activity of each node in order to attain higher channel utilization than traditional distributed scheduling schemes based on node activation. Conflict-free access to the channel is determined at each node based on a priority list of the nodes within two hops of each node that takes into account the activity history of each node. To keep the activity history of each node synchronized, a node that is assigned the channel and has no data packet to transmit simply transmits a "nothing-to-transmit" (NT) packet in that time slot. In this way, the exchange of the signal packet should be reduced. The throughput and delay characteristics of HBS are compared analytically and by simulation with those of CSMA/CA and the node activation multiple access (NAMA) protocol.
Concealed medicines for people with schizophrenia: a U.S. perspective.

The practice of illicitly administering medication to schizophrenia patients who refuse or resist treatment has had virtually no public discussion. Although the scope of this practice is unknown, the article in this issue by Srinivasan and Thara and reports of concealed medicines in analogous patients with dementia suggest that it is of growing importance. A recent survey by Treloar and colleagues (2000) found that the strategy of hiding medication in foodstuffs was used in 71 percent of 34 inpatient and residential settings that cared for patients with dementia in England. Srinivasan and Thara (this issue) now report that it is a common practice for patients with schizophrenia at their clinic in India.
Mechanisms of ER Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Atherosclerosis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is triggered by perturbations in ER function such as those caused by protein misfolding or by increases in protein secretion. Eukaryotic cells respond to ER stress by activating 3 ER-resident proteins, activating transcription factor-6, inositol requiring protein-1, and protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK). These proteins direct signaling pathways that relieve ER stress in a process known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). In pathological settings, however, prolonged UPR activation can promote cell death, and this process has recently emerged as an important concept in atherosclerosis. We review here the evidence for UPR activation and cell death in macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in the context of advanced atherosclerosis as well as the existing literature regarding mechanisms of UPR-induced cell death. Knowledge in this area may suggest new therapeutic targets relevant to the formation of clinically dangerous atherosclerotic plaques.
Optimal Flapping-Wing Vehicle Dynamics via Floquet Multiplier Sensitivities

This work considers the trimmed periodic orbits of flapping-wing micro air vehicles, and details the tradeoff between the stability of those orbits (via Floquet theory), their size, and the power needed to sustain them. The nonlinear equations of motion of a body with two rigid flapping wings are coupled to a blade element aerodynamic method, and the periodic shooting method is used to locate the orbit. Analytical sensitivities of the relevant flight metrics, including the Floquet multipliers, are derived with respect to kinematic variables, which enables a gradient-based optimization for maximum stability, minimum power, or minimum orbit size. This is done for hovering, climbing, and forward flight; comparisons between the required kinematics and the resulting flight behavior for each optimal case provide insight into the conflicting metrics. Notably, the optimizer is able to locate designs that are stable in an open-loop sense. However, this effort is not meant to replace the inclusion of a dedicated cl...
Radioactive beams from 252Cf fission using a gas catcher and an ECR charge breeder at ATLAS

Abstract The Californium Rare Ion Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) for the ATLAS facility is under construction. The facility will use 252Cf fission fragments thermalized and collected into a low-energy particle beam by a helium gas catcher. In order to reaccelerate these beams an existing ATLAS ECR ion source is being reconfigured as a charge breeder source. A 1Ci 252Cf source will provide sufficient yield to deliver beams of up to ∼106 far-from-stability ions per second on target. The facility design, expected performance and the project status will be presented in this paper.
Reasoning to a foregone conclusion

Abstract When can a Bayesian select an hypothesis H and design an experiment (or a sequence of experiments) to make certain that, given the experimental outcome(s), the posterior probability of H will be greater than its prior probability? We discuss an elementary result that establishes sufficient conditions under which this reasoning to a foregone conclusion cannot occur. We illustrate how when the sufficient conditions fail, because probability is finitely but not countably additive, it may be that a Bayesian can design an experiment to lead his/her posterior probability into a foregone conclusion. The problem has a decision theoretic version in which a Bayesian might rationally pay not to see the outcome of certain cost-free experiments, which we discuss from several perspectives. Also, we relate this issue in Bayesian hypothesis testing to various concerns about “optional stopping.”
Multi-site validation of image analysis methods - Assessing intra and inter-site variability

In this work, we present a unique set of 3D MRI brain data that is appropriate for testing the intra and inter-site variability of image analysis methods. A single subject was scanned two times within a 24 hour time window each at ve dierent MR sites over a period of six weeks using GE and Phillips 1.5 T scanners. The imaging protocol included T1 weighted, Proton Density and T2 weighted images. We applied three quantitative image analysis methods and analyzed their results via the coecients of variability (COV) and the intra correlation coecient. The tested methods include two multi-channel tissue segmentation techniques based on an anatomically guided manual seeding and an atlas-based seeding. The third tested method was a single-channel semi-automatic segmentation of the hippocampus. The results show that the outcome of image analysis methods varies signicantly for images from dierent sites and scanners. With the exception of total brain volume, which shows consistent low variability across all images, the COV’s were clearly larger between sites than within sites. Also, the COV’s between sites with dierent scanner types are slightly larger than between sites with the same scanner type. The presented existence of a signicant inter-site variability requires adaptations in image methods to produce repeatable measurements. This is especially of importance in multi-site clinical research.
Ketogenic Diet in Infants with Refractory Epilepsy

The effectiveness, tolerability, and adverse effects of the ketogenic diet were reviewed retrospectively in 31 infants (18 male; 13 female) with refractory epilepsy treated at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY.
Evaluation of Phosphorus Characterization in Broiler Ileal Digesta, Manure, and Litter Samples: 31P‐NMR vs. HPLC

Using 31-phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-NMR) to characterize phosphorus (P) in animal manures and litter has become a popular technique in the area of nutrient management. To date, there has been no published work evaluating P quantification in manure/litter samples with (31)P-NMR compared to other accepted methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To evaluate the use of (31)P-NMR to quantify myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) in ileal digesta, manure, and litter from broilers, we compared results obtained from both (31)P-NMR and a more traditional HPLC method. The quantification of phytate in all samples was very consistent between the two methods, with linear regressions having slopes ranging from 0.94 to 1.07 and r(2) values of 0.84 to 0.98. We compared the concentration of total monoester P determined with (31)P-NMR with the total inositol P content determined with HPLC and found a strong linear relationship between the two measurements having slopes ranging from 0.91 to 1.08 and r(2) values of 0.73 to 0.95. This suggests that (31)P-NMR is a very reliable method for quantifying P compounds in manure/litter samples.
Explicit expressions for prestack map time migration in isotropic and VTI media and the applicability of map depth migration in heterogeneous anisotropic media

We present 3D prestack map time migration in closed form for qP-, qSV-, and mode-converted waves in homogeneous transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI). As far as prestack time demigration is concerned, we present closed-form expressions for mapping in homogeneous isotropic media, while for homogeneous VTI media we present a system of four nonlinear equations with four unknowns to solve numerically. The expressions for prestack map time migration in VTI homogeneous media are directly applicable to the problem of anisotropic parameter estimation (i.e., the anellipticity parameter η) in the context of time-migration velocity analysis. In addition, we present closed-form expressions for both prestack map time migration and demigration in the common-offset domain for pure-mode (P-P or SS) waves in homogeneous isotropic media that use only the slope in the common-offset domain as opposed to slopes in both the common-shot and common-receiver (or equivalently the common-offset and common-midpoint) domains. All time-migration and demigration equations presented can be used in media with mild lateral and vertical velocity variations, provided the velocity is replaced with the local rms velocity. Finally, we discuss the condition for applicability of prestack map depth migration and demigration in heterogeneous anisotropic media that allows the formation of caustics and explain that this condition is satisfied if, given a velocity model and acquisition geometry, one can map-depth-migrate without ambiguity in either the migrated location or the migrated orientation of reflectors in the image.
Correlations between Neighboring Children in Their Subsequent Educational Attainment

This study proposes using correlations between neighboring children in their later socioeconomic status to bound the proportion of inequality in socioeconomic outcomes that can be attributed to dis...
Perognathus arenarius (Little desert pocket mouse)

Satellite may be observed on some small biarmed chromosomes. Many chromosome pairs are similar in size and in shape, so that identification of individual elements, including the X and the Y, is subjective.
Making fashion in the city: A case study of tailors and designers in Dakar, Senegal

AbstractThis article examines the interface between fashion production and the visual experience associated with urban life in Dakar, Senegal. It focuses on tailors and fashion designers to explore how their relationship to the city informs their creative practices and the processes of making fashion. Both tailors and fashion designers locate their creative practice in Dakar by attributing their engagement with the city's visual and conceptual matrix as fundamental to fashion making. In addressing the interplay between fashion production and the urban environment, this discussion further considers the dynamics of artistic positioning and the complex intersections between local and global inflections. This analysis underscores the imbrication of fashion in Dakar and the city's conceptual and visual landscape, the street and the mass media, and finally dialogues within and beyond Africa. Not only do fashion makers select visual and conceptual elements from the urban ocular field. By creating new proposition...
Mammalian morphine: de novo formation of morphine in human cells.

Background: Morphine, the major alkaloid of opium of Papaver somniferum, is one of the strongest analgesic compounds known. "Endogenous morphine" has been long isolated and authenticated by mass spectrometry in trace amounts from animal and human specific tissue or fluids. The most widely accepted explanation presently is that morphine detected in human and animal tissue is of exogenous sources (e.g. dietary origin). Material/Methods: The biosynthetic experiments were performed with human neurobalstoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and human pancreas carcinoma (DAN-G) cells. The application experiments were done in the presence of isotopically labeled potential precursors such as 1 8 O 2 and [ring- 1 3 C b ]-L-tyrosine. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids present in mammalian cells were identified by GC-MS/MS. Results: Growth of the SH-SY5Y cells in the presence of 1 8 O 2 led to [ 1 8 O 2 ]-labeled morphine and [ 1 8 O 2 ]-labeled reticuline, each had a molecular mass four mass units higher than if grown in 1 6 O 2 , indicating the presence of two atoms of 1 8 O per molecule. DAN-G cells cultured in an 1 8 O 2 atmosphere produced (S)-[ 1 8 O 2 ]-norlaudanosoline and (S)-[ 1 8 O 9 ]-retictrline, each labeled with 1 8 O atoms at only two of the four possible positions. Feeding of [ring 1 3 C 6 ]-tyramine, (S)-[1- 1 3 C, N- 1 3 CH 3 ]-reticuline and [N-CD 3 ]-thebaine to SH-SY5Y cells led each to the labeling of morphine, as established by GC-MS/MS. Conclusions: Taken together, morphine, reticuline and norlaudanosoline are unequivocally biosynthesized by cultured human cells. The precursors of morphine in the human cell lines were conclusively shown to be oxygen, tyramine, reticuline and thebaine.
Public Funding for Contraception, Provider Training, and Use of Highly Effective Contraceptives: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Objectives. We determined whether public funding for contraception was associated with long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use when providers received training on these methods.Methods. We evaluated the impact of a clinic training intervention and public funding on LARC use in a cluster randomized trial at 40 randomly assigned clinics across the United States (2011–2013). Twenty intervention clinics received a 4-hour training. Women aged 18 to 25 were enrolled and followed for 1 year (n = 1500: 802 intervention, 698 control). We estimated the effects of the intervention and funding sources on LARC initiation with Cox proportional hazards models with shared frailty.Results. Women at intervention sites had higher LARC initiation than those at control (22 vs 18 per 100 person-years; adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04, 1.98). Participants receiving care at clinics with Medicaid family planning expansion programs had almost twice the initiation rate as those at clin...
Development of a Predictive Nomogram for the Change in PT/INR Upon Discontinuation of Bivalirudin as a Bridge to Warfarin

Appropriate timing of bivalirudin discontinuation as a bridge to warfarin is complicated, as bivalirudin may cause a falsely prolonged international normalized ratio (INR). The purpose was to evaluate patient and medication characteristics associated with differences in INR prolongation caused by bivalirudin. Adult patients receiving bivalirudin as a bridge to warfarin in 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were excluded if they had known thrombophilia or inappropriate INR monitoring after discontinuation of bivalirudin. Data recorded included indication for bivalirudin use, bivalirudin dosing, and coagulation assays. Univariate analysis was performed to determine variables associated with a larger change in INR when discontinuing bivalirudin. Variables with P < .3 were included in multivariate analysis. In total, 50 patient admissions were included in the analysis. Patients with ventricular assist devices represented the majority of the patient population (74%). The most common INR goals were 2.0 to 3.0 and 2.5 to 3.5. The mean initial weight-based bivalirudin rate was 0.076 mg/kg/h, and the mean increase in INR when starting bivalirudin was 0.6. The mean final weight-based bivalirudin rate was 0.13 mg/kg/h, and the mean change in INR after stopping bivalirudin was 0.8. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with a larger change in INR after stopping bivalirudin included higher serum creatinine ( P = .033), greater change in INR after initiation of bivalirudin ( P = .028), and higher final bivalirudin rate ( P < .001). The change in INR when starting or stopping bivalirudin appears to be patient specific and dose related. A nomogram was developed to predict the ideal timing of bivalirudin discontinuation. Prospective evaluation of the nomogram is under way.
Insecticide Resistance in Field Populations of Greenhouse Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in the San Joaquin Valley (California) Cotton Cropping System

Susceptibility of field populations of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, in the San Joaquin Valley (California) cotton cropping system was tested with laboratory bioassays with acephate and dicrotophos. Approximately 9.5- fold resistance to acephate and 18.5-fold resistance to dicrotophos were detected. Results of bioassays indicated that 56.2 ppm acephate and 316 ppm dicrotophos could serve as discriminating concentrations for detecting resistant T. vaporariorum populations. Field trials demonstrated lack of control with acephate and dicrotophos in resistant T. vaporariorum . Susceptibility levels to acephate and dicrotophos of 32 T. vaporariorum field populations collected from cotton and other hosts including weeds in Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties were estimated by bioassays with discriminating concentrations. Substantial regional variability in susceptibilities to the two pesticides was found. Resistant and susceptible T. vaporariorum phenotypes occurred on cotton and other cultivated or weed hosts. Cross-resistance between acephate and dicrotophos is suggested. Implications of these results for integrated pest management of cotton system in the San Joaquin Valley are discussed.
Queueing Network-ACTR Modeling of Concurrent Tasks Involving Multiple Controlled Processes:

An important research question of human performance modeling is how to model concurrent task performance and mental workload. In this paper, we introduce a new method to model concurrent tasks involving multiple controlled processes in need of dedicated cognitive resources, which previous methods have difficulties to model. The key concept is a filtering discipline implemented in Queueing Network-ACTR cognitive architecture that allows cognitive resources to be exclusively occupied by one of the concurrent tasks when necessary, instead of switching between the tasks as frequently as possible. In the simulations of dual-tasks involving diagnostic decision making and patient status tracking, we found that the new discipline is necessary to model human performance and mental workload. Implications and practical applications of Queueing Network-ACTR in system evaluation and design are discussed.
CITED2 Modulates Breast Cancer Metastatic Ability through Effects on IKKα

Previously, we identified the transcriptional coactivator CITED2 as a potential facilitator of bone metastasis using a murine mammary cancer model. Extending these studies to human breast cancer, it was observed that CITED2 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in patient specimens of metastatic breast cancer relative to primary tumors, with highest levels in metastasis to bone relative to non-bone sites. To further evaluate CITED2 functions in breast cancer metastasis, CITED2 expression was stably reduced in the human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, which are metastatic in animal models. While CITED2 knockdown had no effect on cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion were significantly reduced, as was the establishment of metastasis following intracardiac administration in athymic nude mice. To explore the mechanism behind these effects, gene expression following CITED2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231 cells by cDNA microarray was performed. As confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels in both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, expression of the NF-κB regulator IKKα was significantly reduced, along with several NF-κB targets with known roles in metastasis (OPN, MMP9, uPA, SPARC, IL11, and IL1β). Furthermore, ChIP assay revealed recruitment of CITED2 to the promoter of IKKα, indicating a direct role in regulating its expression. Consistent with reduced IKKα expression, CITED2 knockdown inhibited both canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Finally, restoration of IKKα expression following CITED2 knockdown in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells rescued their invasive ability. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CITED2 modulates metastatic ability in human breast cancer cells, at least in part, through the regulation of IKKα. Implications: The current study highlights the role of CITED2 in facilitating breast cancer metastasis, partly via regulation of IKKα. Mol Cancer Res; 14(8); 730–9. ©2016 AACR.
Computational Basis of Neural Elements

To appreciate the Artificial Neural Network, a thorough understanding of the biological neurons and their synaptic connectivity with other neurons is needed. This synaptic connectivity assumes either excitatory or inhibitory transmission across these synapses. A limited number of interconnected neurons that share common functions and connections form a microcircuit that performs reflexive and sensorimotor functions as well as regulates memory and learning. A number of microcircuit elements form complex network functions. To mediate cognition and object and pattern recognition, which represent more elaborate functions, multiple microcircuits join to form macrocircuits at multiple brain levels in the brain. Neuronal rhythmicity, memory, and learning are also mediated at intraneuronal level circuits through the nanocircuits.
Optimization of the Bragg Grating Inscription Process Using Fluorescence Microscopy

Fluorescence imaging is used to visualize and adjust the femtosecond laser field inside a silica-based fiber during the Bragg grating inscription process based on side illumination through a phase mask.
Snoring as part of a dose-response relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and blood pressure.

This report addresses the hypothesis that snoring without significant apneas and hypopneas (simple snoring) is associated with elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data on blood pressure, previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease, and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) status from a population-based sample of 580 adults was analyzed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, increased stepwise acoss categories of no SDB, simple snoring, mild, moderate, and more severe SDB (p < 0.05). A similar and significant trend was seen for CVD prevalence. The results provide evidence that simple snoring represents the beginning of the SDB severity sprectrum and that simple snoring has a proportionately smaller but, nevertheless, significant, risk for elevated blood pressure and CVD.
Putting No Child Left Behind behind Us: Rethinking Education and Inequality

AbstractThis essay examines four books that may offer some insight into the post–No Child Left Behind (NCLB) discussion about educational policy, reform, and performance. Collectively The Allure of Order: High Hopes, Dashed Expectations, and the Troubled Quest to Remake American Schooling, by Jal Mehta, Too Many Children Left Behind: The US Achievement Gap in Comparative Perspective, by Bruce Bradbury, Miles Corak, Jane Waldfogel, and Elizabeth Washbrook, Despite the Best Intentions: How Racial Inequality Thrives in Good Schools, by Amanda E. Lewis and John B. Diamond, and Toxic Schools: High-Poverty Education in New York and Amsterdam, by Bowen Paulle, show that concerns with school accountability are now embedded in broader discussions about the importance of investing in children, families, and schools and how the internal dynamics of schools either support or frustrate those investments. We hope that these works represent a trend toward less ahistorical and reductionist and more empirically grounded t...