cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relative neural toxicity of local anesthetics

In rat sciatic nerve, relative neural toxicity and relative motor nerve conduction blockade were assessed for two amide-linked local anesthetics (etidocaine and lidocaine) and two ester-linked local anesthetics (chloroprocaine and procaine). As measures of neural toxicity, nerve fiber injury and edema were assayed by light microscopic examination of nerve tissue sampled 2 days after perineural (next to the sciatic nerve) injection of various concentrations of the local anesthetics. Both nerve injury and edema increased with concentration of local anesthetics, but injury was frequently present in nerve fascicles with little or no edema. In parallel studies, the amplitude of the electrical activity elicited from the interosseous muscles of the foot following ipsilateral electrical stimulation at the sciatic notch was monitored for up to 15 minutes to assess the extent of motor nerve blockade. The resulting log concentration-response curves were analyzed for differences in potency. Both for injury and for conduction block, the order of decreasing potency was: etidocaine, lidocaine, chloroprocaine, procaine. These results are not consistent with the proposal that ester-linked agents are more likely than other local anesthetic agents to cause nerve injury.
Hydrothermal pretreatment of microalgae for production of pyrolytic bio-oil with a low nitrogen content

Abstract Microalgae can be converted to an energy-dense bio-oil via pyrolysis; however, the relatively high nitrogen content of this bio-oil presents a challenge for its direct use as fuels. Therefore, hydrothermal pretreatment was employed to reduce the N content in Nannochloropsis oculata feedstock by removing proteins without requiring significant energy inputs. The effects of reaction conditions on the yield and composition of pretreated algae were investigated by varying the temperature (150–225 °C) and reaction time (10–60 min). Compared with untreated algae, pretreated samples had higher carbon contents and enhanced heating values under all reaction conditions and 6–42% lower N contents at 200−225 °C for 30–60 min. The pyrolytic bio-oil from pretreated algae contained less N-containing compounds than that from untreated samples and the bio-oil contained mainly (44.9% GC–MS peak area) long-chain fatty acids (C14−C18) which can be more readily converted into hydrocarbon fuels in the presence of simple catalysts.
Immune responses of mice with different genetic backgrounds to improved multiepitope, multitarget malaria vaccine candidate antigen FALVAC-1A.

FALVAC-1A is a second-generation multitarget, multiepitope synthetic candidate vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, incorporating elements designed to yield a stable and immunogenic molecule. Characteristics of the immunogenicity of FALVAC-1A were evaluated in congenic (H-2b, H-2k, and H-2d) and outbred strains of mice. The influences of four adjuvants (aluminum phosphate, QS-21, Montanide ISA-720, and copolymer CRL-1005) on different aspects of the immune response were also assessed. FALVAC-1A generated strong antibody responses in all mouse strains. The highest mean enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody concentrations against FALVAC-1A were observed in the outbred ICR mice, followed by B10.BR, B10.D2, and C57BL/6 mice, though this order varied for the different adjuvants, with no statistical differences between mouse strains. In all mouse strains, the highest anti-FALVAC-1A antibody titers in ELISAs were induced by FALVAC-1A in copolymer and ISA-720 formulations, followed by QS-21 and AlPO4. These antibodies were of all four subclasses, though immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) predominated, with the exception of FALVAC-1A with the QS-21 adjuvant, which induced predominantly IgG2c responses. Both sporozoites and blood stages of P. falciparum were recognized by anti-FALVAC-1A sera in the immunofluorescence assay. In addition to antibody, cellular immune responses were detected; these responses were studied by examining spleen cells producing gamma interferon and interleukin-4 in enzyme-linked immunospot assays. In summary, FALVAC-1A was found to be highly immunogenic and elicited functionally relevant antibodies that can recognize sporozoites and blood-stage parasites in diverse genetic backgrounds.
A numerical analysis of time dependent stress fields ahead of stationary interface cracks at creep regime—Part I. Interface cracks in bimaterials

Abstract In this study, the behavior of stationary interface cracks in layered materials at creep regime in plane-strain condition and pure opening dominated mode-I load state was studied numerically. Cracks located at the interfaces of the transitional layer between the elastic and creeping sectors and cracks at the center of the transitional layer are considered. The role of the layer thickness on the evolution of the stress fields at creep regime is also elucidated. The results indicate that both the location of the interface crack and the extent of the transitional layer strongly influence the amplitude of the stress field ( C ∗ ) at steady-state in layered materials. Also, the time required to achieve steady-state varies significantly with these parameters. The introduction of a transitional layer to the interface of the elastic-creeping bimaterials significantly elevates the stress values ahead of the interface cracks under identical applied load levels at creep regime. Due to large variation in the distribution of the stresses ahead of the crack tip, depending on which side of the transitional layer, the creep growth rates of such interface cracks will be significantly different from each other at creep regime under identical loading for a given layered material.
Poultry Vaccines of the Future

Current poultry vaccines are based either on live attenuated organisms or on killed organisms. Future vaccines also may be based on deletion mutants, live viral or bacterial vectors that express foreign genes, and naked DNA. Vaccines have different purposes, depending on the disease, which govern their intrinsic characteristics. Improvement of vaccine efficacy can be addressed by modifications of the vaccine and its administration, modifications in the capacity of the host to mount an immune response, and modifications of environmental factors. The concept of "designer vaccines" for matching vaccines that deliver specific antigenic peptides to chickens with the MHC haplotype that best presents those peptides to T cells is discussed.
Grandparent Visitation Rights: Testing the Parameters of Parental Rights

The purpose of this research was to examine mostly state supreme and appellant court cases from across the country that were brought under state grandparent visitation right statutes. We systematically analyzed justices' legal reasoning in 67 cases that favored parents. Themes derived from the data explained why parental rights superceded the rights of grandparents. Grandparent visitation that unfairly intruded on parental rights and failed to serve the best interest of the child were two themes that explained justices' legal reasoning. That grandparents failed to follow legal requirements including those in state grandparent visitation statutes was the predominate theme that explained how justices protected parental rights over that of grandparents.
Mechanism of Efficient and Accurate Nucleotide Incorporation Opposite 7,8-Dihydro-8-Oxoguanine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA Polymerase η

Most DNA polymerases incorporate nucleotides opposite template 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) lesions with reduced efficiency and accuracy. DNA polymerase (Pol) η, which catalyzes the error-free replication of template thymine-thymine (TT) dimers, has the unique ability to accurately and efficiently incorporate nucleotides opposite 8-oxoG templates. Here we have used pre-steady-state kinetics to examine the mechanisms of correct and incorrect nucleotide incorporation opposite G and 8-oxoG by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol η. We found that Pol η binds the incoming correct dCTP opposite both G and 8-oxoG with similar affinities, and it incorporates the correct nucleotide bound opposite both G and 8-oxoG with similar rates. While Pol η incorporates an incorrect A opposite 8-oxoG with lower efficiency than it incorporates a correct C, it does incorporate A more efficiently opposite 8-oxoG than opposite G. This is mainly due to greater binding affinity for the incorrect incoming dATP opposite 8-oxoG. Overall, these results show that Pol η replicates through 8-oxoG without any barriers introduced by the presence of the lesion.
Genitourinary tract injuries due to fracture of the pelvis in females: sequelae and their management.

Summary— The pathophysiology of injury to the female genitourinary tract secondary to a fractured pelvis has been studied in 5 patients. Delayed complications were frequent and their management is described. It is concluded that a transpubic approach to the lower urinary tract facilitates the satisfactory reconstruction of the urinary tract. Long-term follow-up of 4 to 5 years is necessary for the satisfactory management of these patients following their initial injury.
Observations of near-inertial energy in Lake Superior

Directly measured velocity data collected in Lake Superior between 2008 and 2011 show that currents in the open waters of the lake are dominated by near-inertial energy. The near-inertial signal is composed almost entirely of clockwise rotation, with vertical structure dominated by the first baroclinic mode, where waters above and below the thermocline are roughly 180° out of phase with each other. The strength of the oscillations is strongly related to the strength of the stratification; in periods of the year when the water column is well-mixed (typically late autumn and late spring) the near-inertial signal is very weak; when stratification exists, near-inertial oscillations can occur. Combining the velocity amplitudes with an estimate of the thermocline displacement allows estimation of the dominant direction and horizontal wavelength of the near-inertial field, showing that horizontal wavelengths are on the order of 50–100 km, and the direction of the waves veers counter-clockwise over the course of the season with a period of ∼ 1 month. Observations of backscatter suggest that inertial oscillations may be responsible for re-suspension of bottom sediments, which could have significant ecological consequences.
Systemic Lipopolysaccharide and Pokeweed Mitogen Increase Quinolinic Acid Content of Mouse Cerebral Cortex

The effects of lipopolysaccharide and pokeweed mitogen on brain L-tryptophan and quinolinic acid (QUIN) concentrations were investigated in C57BL/6NCR mice. Twenty-four hours after an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (5 micrograms from Salmonella abortus equii) or pokeweed mitogen (500 micrograms), cortical QUIN concentrations were increased by 81 +/- 6% and 182 +/- 15%, respectively. Plasma QUIN was increased 175 +/- 7% of control in pokeweed-mitogen treated mice only. Brain L-tryptophan concentrations were increased, whereas plasma L-tryptophan concentrations were decreased. The consequences of increased QUIN concentrations during endotoxin and mitogen exposure remain to be determined.
Optimizing Cost and Schedule Performance through Best Value Project Delivery: Application within a Design-Build Project

Performance in the construction industry is wrought with challenges and owners often are victim to cost and schedule overruns, particularly on high profile projects that are large, complex, and risky. Alternative project delivery methods and techniques are continually being developed and implemented by buyers of construction services to address these problems. The Best Value Business Model (BVBM) has been rigorously tested and shown to improve project performance via its three-phased approach to project delivery. BVBM increases performance throughout the construction project lifecycle by utilizing value-based selection processes, pre-contract planning methodologies, and performance measurement systems. The objective of this research is to provide a detailed case study of BVBM application on a design-build project to deliver a highly complex research facility with tight schedule and budget thresholds. The implementation process is discussed in detail and project results are provided and analyzed to demonstrate the ability of BVBM to improve project performance. Special attention is paid to the ability of BVBM to optimize project cost and schedule performance through the application of a value-based selection methodology, a pre-contract preplanning period, and a weekly risk management system.
The differential effects of conditioned stimulus intensity and chlorpromazine on avoidance

The effects of different levels of an auditory conditioned stimulus on the acquisition of an avoidance response with and without chlorpromazine pretreatment were examined. Ss trained under the highest intensity made more avoidance responses than other groups. All pretreated groups were below their respective controls. Results indicate that Ss trained under conditions of greater sensory stimulation will learn faster and that chlorpromazine can attenuate this effect.
Self-Inflicted Bodily Harm Among Victims of Intimate-Partner Violence

In this study, we surveyed 113 women psychiatric inpatients with regard to histories of intimate-partner violence and six self-harm behaviours related to the intentional damage of one's body (e.g., cutting, hitting, scratching self). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a history of domestic violence was a statistically significant predictor of bodily self-harm even after controlling for age and having ever been married. Among some victims of domestic violence, this statistical relationship may indicate an underlying common psychodynamic theme such as a high threshold for body maltreatment and/or low body esteem. Regardless, these data suggest that mental health clinicians need to explore among women victims of intimate-partner violence the presence of self-initiated bodily self-harm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Educational Implications of Efforts To Train Intelligence

This paper suggests the potential of intelligence theory in guiding the development of educational programs for the mentally retarded. The Campione-Brown model is used to infer skills, states, and processes of trainable mentally retarded and profoundly mentally retarded children that are modifiable and to target objectives for educational interventions. The integration of components in the architectural and executive systems, such as perceptual efficiency, strategies, and knowledge states, represents functional intelligence. Trainable components of intelligence can serve as objectives in educational planning, while the identification of structural limitations leads to programming the environment to meet diminished efficiency or to developing support systems, such as self-instructional routines. In short, a reciprocal relationship is suggested for emerging theories of intelligence and changing educational practices.
Ultrastable glasses from in silico vapour deposition

Glasses are generally prepared by cooling from the liquid phase, and their properties depend on their thermal history. Recent experiments indicate that glasses prepared by vapour deposition onto a substrate can exhibit remarkable stability, and might correspond to equilibrium states that could hitherto be reached only by glasses aged for thousands of years. Here we create ultrastable glasses by means of a computer-simulation process that mimics physical vapour deposition. These stable glasses have, far below the conventional glass-transition temperature, the properties expected for the equilibrium supercooled liquid state, and optimal stability is attained when deposition occurs at the Kauzmann temperature. We also show that the glasses' extraordinary stability is associated with distinct structural motifs, in particular the abundance of regular Voronoi polyhedra and the relative lack of irregular polyhedra.
Rescue of B cells from apoptosis by immune stimulatory CpG DNA.

All higher multicellular organisms use programmed cell death, or apoptosis, as a way to regulate cell numbers. Apoptosis is used to rid the organism of unneeded cells during development as well as to eliminate infected or damaged cells that could pose a threat to organismal integrity. The immune system also uses apoptosis as a means to regulate cell numbers. For example, at the end of an immune response large numbers of antigen-specific lymphocytes have been generated against an infectious agent. The absence of antigens is a sign to the immune system that the infection has been overcome, and is typically followed by the loss via apoptosis of 90% or more of these newly generated lymphocytes. Apoptosis also plays an extremely important role during the generation of the primary immune repertoire. The immune system typically “uses” antigen-receptor signaling of immature lymphocytes as a sign that these lymphocytes may have a level of reactivity with self-antigens that could lead to the development of autoimmune disease. Such autoreactive lymphocytes are instead purged from the emerging repertoire through apoptosis.
Continuous infusion of octreotide combined with perioperative octreotide bolus does not prevent intraoperative carcinoid crisis.

Background Operations and anesthesia in carcinoid patients can provoke carcinoid crises, which can have serious sequelae, including death. Prophylactic octreotide is recommended to prevent crises. Recommended prophylaxis regimens vary from octreotide long-acting repeatable to preoperative bolus to continuous octreotide infusion; however, efficacy data are lacking. We have shown previously that crises correlated with major complications and that octreotide long-acting repeatable and preoperative bolus failed to prevent crises. This study examines the impact of continuous octreotide infusion. Methods A total of 127 patients (71% with liver metastases, 74% with carcinoid syndrome) who underwent 150 operations with continuous octreotide infusions were enrolled in this prospective case series. Our main outcome measures were the occurrence of intraoperative carcinoid crises and post-operative complications. Results Crises occurred at a rate of 30% as compared with 24% in our previous series, which examined the impact of preoperative octreotide bolus. Crises were significantly associated with the presence of hepatic metastases ( P = .02) or history of carcinoid syndrome ( P = .006), although neither was required for crises. Prompt vasopressor treatment shortened the mean duration of hypotension to 8.7 minutes, compared with 19 minutes in our prior series. Crises no longer correlated with major complications ( P = .481) unless instability persisted for greater than 10 minutes ( P = .011). Conclusion Octreotide infusions do not prevent intraoperative crises. Patients without liver metastases or carcinoid syndrome can have intraoperative crises. Postoperative complications can be decreased by reducing the duration of crises. Further study is needed to determine how best to shorten hemodynamic instability during crises.
On the Road Again: How Tax Policay Drives Transportation Choice

In the United States, approximately 80 percent of commuters drive to work alone. Why do United States commuters persist in driving alone when the evidence is clear that they are wasting time and money, exposing themselves to the risk of accidents, polluting their neighborhoods and damaging their health? Many commuters have no other practical choice. Years of government subsidizing a low density, petroleum intensive lifestyle have created this dilemma. Transportation choices are limited because of (1) the federal funding mechanism for transportation projects, (2) disparate treatment of employee fringe benefits for transit versus parking, (3) the home mortgage interest deduction which encourages low density housing, and (4) the preferential tax treatment of the oil and gas industry. Other federal tax provisions, such as expensing rules that encourage purchase of large sport utility vehicles and the deductibility of advertising expenses liberally used by the automotive industry, contribute to the problem. Changes to the federal tax system can help create a solution. The federal tax system in the United States has pervasive influence over its citizens' lifestyles by creating economic incentives and disincentives for behavior. The federal tax system influences urban transportation choices by failing to account negative externality costs, and in some instances, actually subsidizing choices that result in significant environmental and social cost. In this article, I will first examine how driving alone became the dominant transportation mode for American commuters. Next, I will explore who bears the full cost of driving. After briefly describing urban transportation alternatives, I will discuss potential solutions, focusing on changes to the federal tax system, but also exploring regulatory alternatives. Finally, I will discuss the challenges such reforms will likely face, and strategies for overcoming those challenges, including comparisons of the solutions tried in other countries.
ROIs and the effect on left ventricle ejection fraction (EF)

2739 Objectives In Multiple Gated Acquisition (MUGA), nuclear medicine technologists draw regions of interest (ROIs) to evaluate the functional capacity of the left ventricle of the heart by finding an ejection fraction (EF). Each technologist draws distinct ROIs for the left ventricle. The practicing physicians at Froedtert hospital believe that drawing a larger ROI provides a better estimate of EF than drawing a close-fitting ROI around the left ventricle. The goal of this experiment is to show that drawing a broader ROI around the left ventricle gives a better estimate of the EF for the patient. Methods A set of 50 patients was chosen at random. Using the GE Healthcare automated function, a ROI was drawn around the left ventricle in the 45 degree left anterior oblique image. Two assumptions had to be made. The counts in the left ventricle as it is thrown to the side are proportional to the volume of blood being ejected and that the automatic background based on the region is correct. The larger ROI encompassed the entire septum, a small portion of the right ventricle, the base of the left ventricle including a fraction of the left atrium and pulmonary artery and extended a short distance beyond the lateral and apical walls. The closer ROI used a 20% isocontour based on the color scheme of the functional amplitude image. When necessary, phase images were used as reference. The EFs were then plotted and the difference between them was calculated to find the mean and standard deviation for the sample set. Results The average difference between the ROIs was 1.60% with a standard deviation of 1.14%. A t-test was performed and the p-value was calculated to be .23. Conclusions The statistics show that the difference between ROIs was statistically insignificant. Therefore, there is no concern for the practicing physicians at Froedtert Hospital regarding the calculated EFs that the technologists provide.
Is Seeing Intriguing? Practitioner Perceptions of Research Documents

Although design practitioners have a myriad of information sources available, they often have little time to evaluate the information. The need to study visual persuasive tactics is highlighted by (1) the propensity of designers to use visual communications, (2) the availability of sources that range in validity, (3) work stressors encountered by designers, and (4) the benefits of using peer-reviewed sources. Given these contexts, it may behoove design scholars to acknowledge the constraints and desires of their intended audience, which may include practicing interior designers. Framed by Petty and Cacioppo's Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion, this study's goal was to compare design practitioners' hedonic perceptions of empirical research documents. Thirty-four participants completed a mixed-method survey soliciting perceptions relative to the organizational strategies and word-to-image ratios of two document iterations. Responses ascertained from Likert-type scales, heat maps, and open-ended questions suggest that designers, at times, evaluate an information source based on the graphic quality in which it is presented. Taken together, findings from this study might provide some useful guidance for those conveying information to practitioners who are less familiar with academic literature but could benefit from the knowledge provided, thus increasing the likelihood of informed design decision-making practices. Furthermore, the methods utilized during this inquiry might serve as a pilot for future studies in this area.
Tolerance in pure strain newborn mice to tumor homografts.

SummaryHomotransplantation of “Z”(C3H) strain mammary adenocarcinoma to “A”and “Ce”strain mice and “A”strain tumor to “Z”(C3H) strain mice has been accomplished by injecting these tumors within a few hours after birth. After progressive growth in the “A”strain host the “Z”(C3H) tumors retain their histocompatibility characteristics and can be transplanted into adult “Z”(C3H) strain mice but are rejected by adult mice of the “A”strain.
Effects of weather conditions and trap types on sampling for richness and abundance of forest macrolepidoptera

In a 3-yr study (1991–1993), we compared blacklight and Townes-style Malaise traps for assessing richness and abundance of forest macrolepidoptera in 4 small watersheds in the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia. From early May through mid-August each year, sampling was conducted by one 8-W blacklight trap and 5 Townes-type Malaise traps in each watershed. Light traps were operated 1 night each week; Malaise traps operated continuously with the samples collected every 10 d. Over all years, macrolepidopteran species richness and abundance were 343 and 36,160 and 273 and 28,246 for light trap and Malaise trap samples, respectively. Percentage of total macrolepidopteran species per family was similar in both collecting methods although both diurnal and nocturnal lepidopterans were represented in Malaise samples. Differences were noted in percentage of total abundance by family. For example, geometrid abundance was similar in both sample types and represented the highest overall abundance, whereas the proportion of arctiids and notodontids was higher in light trap samples, and proportional abundance of noctuids was higher in Malaise trap samples. There were 135 and 65 species unique to light trap and Malaise trap samples, respectively. Abundance of macrolepidopterans sampled by both methods was highest in 1991 (a warm, dry year) and lowest in 1992 (a cool, wet year). Minimum ambient temperature and rainfall significantly affected the sizes of samples from blacklight traps, based on multiple-regression analysis. Moonlight in the absence of cloud cover reduced moth catch in blacklight traps. Mean ambient temperature, but not total rainfall, during trapping periods significantly affected the sizes of Malaise-trap samples based on a multiple autoregression analysis.
Apparatus for bone sectioning.

A new type of apparatus for cutting 100–200µ sections of bone is described. This apparatus consists of an especially designed bone vise and a mounted circular saw with three directional movement controls. The saw is driven by one D.C. motor and its vertical movement assembly is driven by another. Their speeds can be regulated individually. The bone sections may be made serially at intervals of 0.3 to 0.5 mm. and bones as large as 2 cm. in diameter or longitudinal slabs of larger bones may be sectioned.
The Study of Calibration Technology for Digital Power Metering

The output of electronic transformer obeys the standard of IEC61850-9-1,IEC61850-9-2,and IEC60044-8.Through the digital interface into the digital power meter,it calculates the power energy and so on.The traditional calibration and its technology is not suitable for the electronic transformer and digital power meter.This paper will introduce the method and technology.
An Analysis of the High Current Glow Discharge Operation of the BLT Switch

High current operation of the BLT switch is described. This paper includes a description of the switch structure and several optical triggering methods. Result of experimental observations of high current operation are reported including measurements of peak currents >80kA and rates of current rise >1011A/sec. Observations of the discharge plasma using a streak camera and electrode surface analysis by electron microscope are used to describe the dense glow discharge and the self heated cathode of this switch. Two phases of the discharge are identified, a hollow cathode phase responsible for the fast buildup of the discharge plasma and a dense glow discharge phase with self heated thermionic cathode responsible for the high peak currents obtained.
Rare airway tumors: an update on current diagnostic and management strategies.

Primary tracheobronchial neoplasms represent approximately 0.1% of all pulmonary tumors (1). They have been a topic of interest for many decades due to the challenge in their diagnosis and management. Many of tracheobronchial tumors are found incidentally. They are sometimes misdiagnosed as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An efficient N*N passive optical star coupler

A novel method is presented for configuring an N*N passive star optical coupler and eliminating the excess loss problem associated with such couplers. A space-varying refractive index slab is introduced as a key design element for such a coupler. The wave mixing method is used to implement the coupler. >
Phylogenetic evidence for the modular evolution of metazoan signalling pathways.

Communication among cells was paramount to the evolutionary increase in cell type diversity and, ultimately, the origin of large body size. Across the diversity of Metazoa, there are only few conse...
Towards faster estimation of statistics and odes under interval, p-box, and fuzzy uncertainty: from interval computations to rough set-related computations

Interval computations estimate the uncertainty of the result of data processing in situations in which we only know the upper bounds Δ on the measurement errors. In interval computations, at each intermediate stage of the computation, we have intervals of possible values of the corresponding quantities. As a result, we often have bounds with excess width. In this paper, we show that one way to remedy this problem is to extend interval technique to rough-set computations, where at each stage, in addition to intervals of possible values of the quantities, we also keep rough sets representing possible values of pairs (triples, etc.). The paper's outline is as follows: we formulate the main problem (Section 1), briefly overview interval computations techniques solve this problem (Section 2), and then explain how the main ideas behind interval computation techniques can be extended to computations with rough sets (Section 3).
SPread: Exploiting fractal social community For efficient multi-coPy routing in VDTNs

In this paper, we focus on the multi-copy routing in Vehicle Delay Tolerant Networks (VDTNs). In current multi-copy routing, the different copies of each packet search the destination node independently, which leads to a low utilization of copies since they may search through the same path repeatedly without cooperation. To solve this problem, we propose a fractal Social community based efficient multi-coPy routing in VDTNs, namely SPread. First, we measure social network features in Vehicle NETworks (VNETs). Then, by taking advantage of weak ties and fractal structure feature of the community in VNETs, SPread carefully scatters different copies of each packet to different communities that are close to the destination community, thus ensuring that different copies search the destination community through different weak ties. In the routing of each copy, current routing algorithms either fail to exploit reachability information of nodes to different nodes (centrality based methods) or only use single-hop reachability information (community based methods), e.g., similarity and probability. Here, the reachability of node i to a destination j (a community or a node) means the possibility that a packet can reach j through i. In order to overcome above drawbacks, inspired by the personalized PageRank algorithm, we design new algorithms for calculating multi-hop reachability of vehicles to different communities and vehicles dynamically. Therefore, the routing efficiency of each copy can be enhanced. Extensive trace-driven simulation demonstrates the high efficiency of SPread in comparison with state-of-the-art routing algorithms in DTNs.
The Relation between Physical Efficiency and Intelligence

(1923). The Relation between Physical Efficiency and Intelligence. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 28, No. 5, pp. 220-221.
Position-Dependent Dynamics Explain Pore-Averaged Diffusion in Strongly Attractive Adsorptive Systems.

Using molecular simulations, we investigate the relationship between pore-averaged and position-dependent self-diffusivity of a fluid adsorbed in a strongly attractive pore as a function of loading. Previous work [Krekelberg et al., Langmuir 2013, 29, 14527] established that pore averaged self-diffusivity in the multilayer adsorption regime, where the fluid exhibits a dense “film” at the pore surface and a lower density “interior pore” region, is nearly constant as a function of loading. Here we show that this puzzling behavior can be understood in terms of how loading affects the fraction of particles that reside in the film and interior pore regions as well as their distinct dynamics. Specifically, the insensitivity of pore-averaged diffusivity to loading arises due to an approximate cancellation of two factors: an increase in the fraction of particles in the higher diffusivity interior pore region with loading and a corresponding decrease of the particle diffusivity in that region. We also find that th...
Minimally invasive spigelian hernia repair

INTRODUCTION Spigelian hernia is an uncommon ventral hernia characterized by a defect in the linea semilunaris. Repair of spigelian hernia has traditionally been accomplished via an open transverse incision and primary repair. The purpose of this article is to present 2 case reports of incarcerated spigelian hernia that were successfully repaired laparoscopically using Gortex mesh and to present a review of the literature regarding laparoscopic repair of spigelian hernias. METHODS Retrospective chart review and Medline literature search. RESULTS Two patients underwent laparoscopic mesh repair of incarcerated spigelian hernias. Both were started on a regular diet on postoperative day 1 and discharged on postoperative days 2 and 3. One patient developed a seroma that resolved without intervention. There was complete resolution of preoperative symptoms at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive repair of spigelian hernias is an alternative to the traditional open surgical technique. Further studies are needed to directly compare the open and the laparoscopic repair.
Game Development with a Serious Focus

We report our experience teaching elective game development courses at two colleges at a public university. Over the past nine years these courses have been taught in a variety of languages on several platforms. As the courses evolved we introduced serious games with game-based-learning as a focus for the projects and ultimately offered a special topics elective in serious game development. In this paper, we discuss the merits of using serious games as a focus in game programming, including the benefits for students without a strong interest in gaming. We also describe the novel restructuring of one college's Computer Science elective sequence in response to recommendations from students, alumni, and an advisory board of computing professionals. By introducing 200-level electives, students are able to sample advanced topics including game development early in their academic sequence. This has led to involving more students in game-based undergraduate research which can result in increased interest and retention in Computer Science. We discuss our curriculum design and lessons learned including challenges and successes, and data from student surveys indicating student motivation and engagement.
Picosecond and Nanosecond Resonance Raman Evidence for Structural Relaxation in Bacteriorhodopsin's Primary Photoproduct

The protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR) pumps protons across the cell membrane of Halobacterium halobium, producing an electrochemical potential gradient that drives ATP synthesis [1]. Visible light absorbed by bacteriorhodopsin’s protonated retinal Schiff base chromophore initiates the proton-pumping photocycle (Fig. 1). Formation of the primary photoproduct, K, involves chromophore isomerization from all-trans to 13-cis [2] and the storage of ∼16 kcal/mole of potential energy [3]. The Schiff base nitrogen becomes deprotonated and reprotonated during subsequent events in the photocycle; presumably the Schiff base proton is “pumped.” Charge-separation (displacement of the Schiff base nitrogen away from a protein counterion) is thought to be responsible for differences in the photointermediates’ absorption maxima and probably plays a role in energy-storage [4]. To understand the mechanism of proton pumping in more detail, we are using time-resolved Raman spectroscopy to study the changes in chromophore structure that occur in picoseconds and nanoseconds.
The TEXPLORE Algorithm

This chapter presents the texplore algorithm, which uses the architecture presented in the previous chapter. First, texplore’s model learning approach is presented in Section 4.1. texplore utilizes a factored model, making a separate prediction about the next value of each state feature and reward. It builds decision trees to model each feature, enabling it to generalize the effects of actions across states. In Section 4.1.1, I describe how texplore’s decision tree models can be extended to regression tree models to model domains with continuous state. Next, in Section 4.1.2 I describe how texplore’s trees can model domains with sensor or actuator delays by providing them with the agent’s previous k actions as additional inputs. I describe how to modify texplore’s model for domains with dependent feature transitions in Section 4.1.3.
A FUNDAMENTAL AMBIGUITY IN THE CARTESIAN THEORY OF IDEAS: DESCARTES AND LEIBNIZ ON INTELLECTUAL APPREHENSION

Traditionally the modern theory of ideas has been discussed primarily in reference to its alleged introduction of a veil of mental items between the mind and the world, which leads, through the empiricists, to radical skepticism about the existence of an external world. Here I propose to emphasize an entirely different aspect of the Cartesian theory of ideas which, in my view, is more fundamental in opening the empiricist path that leads to Hume’s radical skepticism. I argue that what I call the “phenomenological presentation” model of ultimate justification is rooted in a fundamental ambiguity between sensible and intellectual apprehension insinuated by Descartes’s view of “clear and distinct” ideas together with his emphasis on the priority of intuition over logical inference. Sensible apprehension relies on immediate acquaintance with items phenomenologically and ostensively present before the mind as given particulars. The phenomenological presentation model takes its clues from sensible apprehension, although the items present before the mind might themselves be either ideas of the understanding, images of the imagination, sensory impressions, or material external objects. Intellectual apprehension, by contrast, as I illustrate with Leibniz’s model of our knowledge of concepts and truths of reason, consists in the discursive, non-ostensive grasping of the generality of abstract concepts and of formal structures (as opposed to particular contents). For Leibniz, all intellectual apprehension is unambiguously “logical discursive apprehension” as opposed to “direct ostensive apprehension.” Thus, Leibniz unmistakably disambiguates Descartes’s model in favor of a precise intellectual model. The empiricists, by contrast, correspondingly disambiguate Descartes’s conception in favor of an entirely sensible model.
Early Clinical Predictors of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome after Myeloablative Stem Cell Transplantation.

Abstract Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), or sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with mortality in its severe form exceeding 80%. Although the incidence of VOD/SOS has fallen with contemporary transplantation practices, the increasing use of inotuzumab, the return of gemtuzumab, and the popularity of pharmacokinetic-guided high-dose busulfan may impact incidence. Early intervention with defibrotide improves survival, but prompt diagnosis can be difficult. We aimed to identify clinical parameters that could aid in early detection of VOD/SOS in a large, retrospective, cohort study. Of the 1823 adult patients who underwent myeloablative HSCT between 1996 and 2015 in our center, 205 (11%) developed VOD/SOS, with a median onset of day +14. We compared parameters in the 7 days preceding VOD/SOS onset for cases to 447 randomly selected control subjects in an analogous time frame to determine those with predictive value. Between 7 days before and the day of diagnosis, VOD/SOS patients had higher serum creatinine levels and were more likely to develop acute kidney injury (61% versus 33%, P
Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases characterized by abnormalities in structure and function of the heart muscles (Abelmann, Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1984;27:73–94). The dysfunction of the myocardium leads to heart failure and arrhythmias. There are a variety of causes of cardiomyopathy including genetics, inflammation, hypertension, diabetes, ischemia, alcohol consumption, drugs, and infections among many other reasons (Abelmann, Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1984;27:73–94). The definition of cardiomyopathy can vary and sometimes excludes ischemia and hypertension as underlying etiologies (Elliott et al. Eur Heart J. 2008;29:270–276). However, in this chapter, we will include ischemic and hypertensive disease in the definition of cardiomyopathy and focus on ischemia in describing the pathology of cardiomyopathy.
MESO-PROPYLENE-CO-ETHYLENE POLYOLEFIN RUBBER: VULCANIZATION AND COMPARISON TO AMORPHOUS STEREOISOMER RUBBER

ABSTRACT A new class of polyolefin rubbers containing a majority of propylene copolymerized with ethylene and a vulcanizable, unsymmetrical diene is described. The key structural feature of these r...
Using Extracellular Calcium Concentration and Electric Pulse Conditions to Tune Platelet-Rich Plasma Growth Factor Release and Clotting

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an emerging autologous biologic method for wound healing. Clinicians apply PRP either topically (where it is activated ex-vivo before treatment by adding an external agent to trigger clotting and the release of growth factors that facilitate wound healing) or through injection (where it is activated in vivo at the injury site with no prior activation before injection). Because topical PRP activation typically utilizes bovine thrombin, which has significant potential side effects and high costs, recent studies have assessed the efficacy of combining extracellular calcium (EC) and electric pulses (EPs) to activate PRP. The potential to apply this novel technique to PRP both topically and internally via injection raises the question about the ability to tune the clotting time and growth factor release for a given application. While previous studies have assessed the impact of applying EPs of various durations either directly (conductive coupling) or indirectly (capacitive coupling) to PRP containing EC, no studies have assessed the tunability of this activation based on modifying EP parameters, EP delivery method (conductive or capacitive coupling), and the EC concentration. We hypothesize that tuning these parameters will modify intracellular calcium uptake to permit the control of growth factor release and clotting time, which are critical for optimizing PRP for either topical or internal clinical applications. A pilot study for a single donor demonstrates the potential for tunability as a function of the intensity of membrane manipulation and calcium concentration, which facilitate the increase of cytosolic calcium. This motivates future studies assessing EC and EP optimization and in vivo studies to determine the overall efficacy of this tunability for wound healing.
Role of oxytocin in social cognition in psychosis spectrum disorders

Abstract Social cognition deficits are recognized as key features of psychotic disorders, causing significant disability. Recent evidence supports that oxytocin may be a promising treatment to enhance social cognition. In this chapter, we review the biology of endogenous oxytocin, the mechanisms of action of exogenous oxytocin, and the role of oxytocin in social cognition. We present an overview of the current evidence by summarizing clinical trials of oxytocin across the spectrum of psychotic disorders. We also describe the results of clinical trials combining oxytocin with either psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral interventions. The latest literature has demonstrated that oxytocin may improve social cognition in severe mental disorders. Further studies are needed to clarify the therapeutic potential of oxytocin as a treatment for social cognitive deficits in psychotic disorders, and to develop specific evidence-based clinical guidelines.
Midterm outcomes of subclavian artery revascularization in the setting of thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Abstract Objective The outcomes of subclavian artery revascularization (SAR) have been examined extensively in the setting of atherosclerotic occlusive disease but have been poorly characterized in the setting of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). As trials for branched thoracic endovascular stent grafts materialize, the outcomes of the subclavian artery branched prosthesis will need to be compared with TEVAR with SAR by carotid-subclavian bypass or subclavian transposition. Methods A database of 1516 patients undergoing TEVAR from 2000 to 2015 was queried. Of those undergoing TEVAR, 19% (282 patients) also underwent SAR. Patient demographics, TEVAR indication, 30-day morbidity and mortality, and midterm patency and survival were analyzed. Results During the study period, 282 patients underwent 288 SARs in the setting of TEVAR. A total of 269 (93%) carotid-subclavian bypasses and 19 (7%) subclavian artery transpositions were performed; 76% of the SARs occurred before TEVAR, 14% occurred concurrently with TEVAR, and 10% occurred after TEVAR. The most common indications for TEVAR was aortic aneurysm (56%), chronic aortic dissection with aneurysmal degeneration (23%), and aortic dissections (13%). The 30-day ipsilateral stroke rate was 3.5%. Eight patients (2.8%) underwent an unplanned return to the operating room (2.1% for hematoma evacuation and 0.7% for management of chyle leak). Six patients (2.1%) sustained a nerve injury. The mean follow-up was 4.2 years. All-cause 30-day mortality was 4.6%. The overall survival rates at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years were 82%, 60%, and 42%, respectively. The median survival was 7.2 years. Four patients were found to have a failure in primary patency during follow-up. All four patients had undergone a carotid-subclavian bypass. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year primary patency rates were 99.5%, 98.9%, and 98.0%, respectively, for carotid-subclavian bypass and 100% for carotid-subclavian transposition. Conclusions During our 16-year study, we found SAR in the setting of TEVAR to be associated with low morbidity, durable long-term patency, and infrequent need for reintervention.