cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure of Cervical Sympathectomy To Alter Pituitary Blood Flow

The flow of blood to the anterior or posterior portions of the rat pituitary was not significantly altered by bilateral removal or decentralization of the superior cervical ganglia. Regulation of perfusion in both lobes was relativelyrelatively intact after surgery and no denervation sensitivity of the vasculature was evident during infusion of catecholamines. (Endocrinology 83: 603, 1968)
Fluid inclusion evidence for a genetic link between simple antimony veins and giant silver veins in the Coeur d'Alene mining district, ID and MT, USA

The US Antimony mine in west central Montana is the United States' second largest quartz–stibnite vein deposit with production and reserves of about 15.4 kt of antimony. It is in the Mesoproterozoic Belt Basin on the eastern side of the Coeur d'Alene mining district that is known for its world class Ag, Pb, and Zn veins. To advance understanding of the origin and relation of the simple quartz–stibnite veins in the Prichard Formation to the giant Ag-rich tetrahedrite veins in the Revett and St. Regis Formations, fluid inclusions in quartz from the US Antimony mine were characterized using a variety of single inclusion and bulk analysis techniques. The measured Sb concentrations in fluid inclusions (approximately 2000 ppm) agree with equilibrium models for stibnite-saturated fluids at the measured homogenization temperatures (224–263°C), salinities (approximately 5 wt.% NaCl), H2S concentrations ( As > Fe > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ag) in fluid inclusions from the US Antimony mine support previous interpretations, based upon Pb isotopes, that the quartz–stibnite veins are genetically related to the Ag-rich tetrahedrite veins. In particular, the measured range of Ag concentrations in US Antimony fluid inclusions brackets that calculated on the basis of equilibrium with tetrahedrite in the silver veins. These data clearly show that hydrothermal fluids in the Prichard Formation contained metals that were fixed at shallower levels in the Revett and St. Regis Formations. We surmise that both the antimony and silver veins formed in response to Cretaceous magmatism, prograde metamorphism of the lower Prichard Formation, and episodic discharge of metamorphic fluids along dilatant faults. Ascending fluids deposited quartz and stibnite in the upper Prichard Formation and siderite, quartz, and tetrahedrite at shallower levels in the Revett and St. Regis Formations in response to cooling, decompression, phase separation, and mixing with external fluids.
Development and initial validation of the Quick Discrimination Index (QDI).

A series of empirical studies was conducted to develop and validate the Quick Discrimination Index (QDI), a 30-item, Likert-type self-report inventory. The QDI measures attitudes toward racial dive...
Understanding The Recent Growth In Medicaid Spending, 2000–2003

ABSTRACT: Growth in Medicaid spending averaged 10.2 percent per year between 2000 and 2003, resulting in a one-third increase in program spending. Spending growth was lower from 2002 to 2003 becaus...
Characteristics of Successful Students Readmitted Following Academic Suspension.

The study was an investigation of the usefulness of 50 variables in predicting the academic performance of 86 students readmitted to Bronx Community College following academic suspension. The variables included scores on the City University of New York placement tests, the Maudsley Personality Inventory, and the Survey of Study Habits and Attitudes. Other variables included 8 educational history items, 20 biographical items, and students' opinions about the contribution of 12 factors to their previous academic failure. The criterion measure was the academic performance (pass or fail) in the re‐entry semester. The principal conclusions to be derived from this study are that, for the population of academic failures characterized by average high school achievement and average scholastic aptitude, specific academic skills are important, past academic record seems unimportant, and a general factor called incentive seems important in the attainment of passing grades upon readmission.
Identification of Time-Varying Pilot Control Behavior in Multi-Axis Control Tasks

Recent developments in fly-by-wire control architectures for rotorcraft have introduced new interest in the identification of time-varying pilot control behavior in multi-axis control tasks. In this paper a maximum likelihood estimation method is used to estimate the parameters of a pilot model with time-dependent sigmoid functions to characterize time-varying human control behavior. An experiment was performed by 9 general aviation pilots who had to perform a simultaneous roll and pitch control task with time-varying aircraft dynamics. In 8 different conditions, the axis containing the time-varying dynamics and the growth factor of the dynamics were varied, allowing for an analysis of the performance of the estimation method when estimating time-dependent parameter functions. In addition, a detailed analysis of pilots adaptation to the time-varying aircraft dynamics in both the roll and pitch axes could be performed. Pilot control behavior in both axes was significantly affected by the time-varying aircraft dynamics in roll and pitch, and by the growth factor. The main effect was found in the axis that contained the time-varying dynamics. However, pilot control behavior also changed over time in the axis not containing the time-varying aircraft dynamics. This indicates that some cross coupling exists in the perception and control processes between the roll and pitch axes.
Material Turnover Modifications in Artificial Closed Ecosystems for Functional Similarity Maintenance between Ecosystems of Different Size

Previous experimental research and theoretical analysis on artificial Closed Ecological Systems (CES) for space Life Support (LS) did show that catalytic incineration is an efficient method of elimination of inedible plant biomass and return back into material cycle nutrients required for next cycle of plant biomass production (carbon dioxide, minerals, etc.). At the same time incineration of biological materials in a closed system produces sufficient amount of toxic gaseous substances destabilizing entire CES functioning through inhibition of photo-synthetic processes. It was discovered that inhibitory effects of toxic substances can be reduced by increase in buffers volumes of a life support system. However, the required increase in system’s volume is so significant that space applications become not feasible according to payload requirements. Requirements for buffers increase and consequently increase for system size, volume and mass could be counteracted by increase of contact surface area between different phases in the system (such as gases and liquids primarily). This increase could be provided by increase of circulation rates for gaseous and liquid phases in the closed system. This increase in circulation rates will require additional electrical energy supplies (fans for intensive air circulation, pumps for gas bubbling through water solutes) for the entire system which will lead to additional heat production. Preliminary theoretical analysis (based on math modeling) shows that this increase in excessive heat rejection system size could be acceptable for space applications.
Advances in oncolytic virus therapy for glioma

The World Health Organization grossly classifies the various types of astrocytomas using a grade system with grade IV gliomas having the worst prognosis. Oncolytic virus therapy is a novel treatment option for GBM patients. Several patents describe various oncolytic viruses used in preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate safety and efficacy. These viruses are natural or genetically engineered from different viruses such as HSV-1, Adenovirus, Reovirus, and New Castle Disease Virus. While several anecdotal studies have indicated therapeutic advantage, recent clinical trials have revealed the safety of their usage, but demonstration of significant efficacy remains to be established. Oncolytic viruses are being redesigned with an interest in combating the tumor microenvironment in addition to defeating the cancerous cells. Several patents describe the inclusion of tumor microenvironment modulating genes within the viral backbone and in particular those which attack the tumor angiotome. The very innovative approaches being used to improve therapeutic efficacy include: design of viruses which can express cytokines to activate a systemic antitumor immune response, inclusion of angiostatic genes to combat tumor vasculature, and also enzymes capable of digesting tumor extra cellular matrix (ECM) to enhance viral spread through solid tumors. As increasingly more novel viruses are being tested and patented, the future battle against glioma looks promising.
Assessment of Perceived Occupational Opportunity for Black Americans

This article reports the development of two new instruments for assessing perceived occupational opportunity for Black Americans: the Perceived Occupational Opportunity Scale—Form B and the Perceived Occupational Discrimination Scale-Form B. Study 1 reports the development of the two measures and the reliability and validity data collected from 231 Black undergraduate students at a midwestern university. Study 2 reports additional reliability and validity data collected from 105 Black and 72 White high school students in a southern metropolitan city. Results suggested adequate reliability and validity evidence for the two scales. Differences in responses to the measures among the three samples were interpreted in a theoretical framework. Practical and research implications of the two measures are discussed.
Centrifugal dissociation of a molecule using the optical centrifuge

We can force an ensemble of molecules to rotate coherently at an accelerating rate, using tailored femtosecond laser pulses. The maximum rotational rate of 6 THz is sufficient to dissociate chlorine into its constituent atoms.
Colletotrichum species as emerging opportunistic fungal pathogens: a report of 3 cases of phaeohyphomycosis and review.

Abstract Background: Numerous etiologic agents of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis have been reported. Colletotrichum spp, common plant pathogens, have been reported as a cause of ocular keratomycosis, but only one previous case of cutaneous disease (hyalohyphomycosis) has been attributed to this genus. Objective: Our purpose was to describe 3 cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Colletotrichum spp occurring in patients undergoing chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies. Methods: Three cases of Colletotrichum -induced phaeohyphomycosis are reviewed. The clinical and histologic features of this infection are presented, the antifungal susceptibilities are reported, and treatment options are discussed. Results: We describe the first report in which C coccodes and C gloeosporioides are implicated as etiologic agents of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis. Despite treatment, one patient died after the onset of visceral fungal disease. Conclusion: Colletotrichum spp may cause life-threatening phaeohyphomycosis in immunosuppressed patients. Prompt recognition and intervention with surgical and antifungal treatment may result in decreased morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:56-61.)
SEED REMOVAL, SEED PREDATION, AND SECONDARY DISPERSAL

Many studies of postdispersal seed fate use seed removal as an index of seed predation. However, following primary seed dispersal, some seeds are transported intact by ants, dung beetles, scatter-hoarding animals, or abiotic processes to new microsites (secondary dispersal) where germination is possible. Despite a growing realization that secondary seed dispersal can play an important role in plant recruitment, many researchers continue to use seed removal as a proxy for seed predation and are focused too intently on only the initial step of seed fate. We describe, using examples from the recent literature, how the results of some seed removal studies may have been misinterpreted, present plausible, alternative explanations for the fate of seeds in those studies, and discuss the importance of detailed studies of seed fates. Following the fates of seeds can be difficult, but such studies contribute much more to our understanding of seed dynamics and plant fitness.
Ageing gametes and embryonic death: a response to Bovens

Luc Bovens, in his 2006 article, argues that it can be shown that the ‘rhythm’ method of birth control results in a larger number of embryonic deaths than the IUD, the morning after pill or the combination oral contraceptive pill, just so long as one accepts his three ‘plausible’ assumptions. In this brief response I will argue that Boven’s third assumption is not plausible when one takes into account a basic knowledge of human reproductive biology. Thus, his argument, in both of its possible reconstructions, fails. To begin, here are Bovens’ assumptions: The first assumption is that there are a great number of conceptions that never result in missed menses. There are estimates that only 50% of conceptions actually lead to pregnancies. The second assumption is that, even in clinical trials, the rhythm method can fail due to the fact that a pregnancy results from sexual intercourse on the last days before and the first days after the prescribed abstinence period. Estimates of the effectiveness of the rhythm method
Incorporating body dynamics into sensor-based motion planning: the maximum turn strategy

Most of today's approaches to sensor-based motion planning focus on kinematic and geometric issues and ignore the system dynamics. Those few that address dynamics do so in a two-stage fashion by considering one issue at the time. This work attempts to incorporate control of body dynamics into the sensor-based motion planning process. A point mobile robot is assumed to operate in a planar environment with unknown arbitrary stationary obstacles. Based on its current velocity and sensory data about the surrounding obstacles, the robot plans its motion to locally maximize the turning angle toward the current intermediate target. An optimal braking procedure takes care of sudden potential collisions by guaranteeing a safe emergency stopping path. Given the constraints on robot's dynamics, sensing, and control means, conditions are formulated for generating trajectories that guarantee convergence and the robot's safety at all times. The approach calls for continuous computation and is fast enough for real-time implementation. Simulated examples demonstrate its performance.
Information literacy and engineering design: Developing an integrated conceptual model

Engineering education is moving increasingly toward an active-learning based pedagogy. Traditionally relegated to a final-year design project, more and more engineering design projects are appearing earlier, even in the first-year of undergraduate education. With the increased frequency of these projects that are problems without a single ‘right’ answer, engineering librarians are finding more opportunities to work with students throughout their educational careers instead of just in a capstone course. To fully take advantage of these opportunities, librarians need to translate their own knowledge of information literacy into the language of engineering educators, and indeed inform the pedagogy of those educators. This paper attempts to create just such a bridge, focusing on the information resources and processes needed by engineers engaged in the design process and bringing together the literature of both the engineering education and library science communities.
Impaired Revascularization in a Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes Is Associated With Dysregulation of a Complex Angiogenic-Regulatory Network

Objective—Diabetes is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases associated with impaired angiogenesis or increased endothelial cell apoptosis. Methods and Results—Here it is shown that angiogenic repair of ischemic hindlimbs was impaired in Lepr db/db mice, a leptin receptor–deficient model of diabetes, compared with wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, as evaluated by laser Doppler flow and capillary density analyses. To identify molecular targets associated with this disease process, hindlimb cDNA expression profiles were created from adductor muscle of Lepr db/db and WT mice before and after hindlimb ischemia using Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Expression Set microarrays. The expression patterns of numerous angiogenesis-related proteins were altered in Lepr db/db versus WT mice after ischemic injury. These transcripts included neuropilin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, placental growth factor, elastin, and matrix metalloproteinases implicated in blood vessel growth and maintenance of vessel wall integrity. Conclusion—These data illustrate that impaired ischemia-induced neovascularization in type 2 diabetes is associated with the dysregulation of a complex angiogenesis-regulatory network. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005;25:0-0.)
From linear to interactive animation: how autonomous characters change the process and product of animating

There are significant differences between the art of animating for linear media such as film and video and the art of animating for interactive media such as computer and video games. In particular, these differences arise from the shift from linear characters to autonomous interactive characters. This article describes differences between linear animation and interactive animation in several areas of character design -- character intelligence, emotional expressiveness, navigation, transitions among animations, and multi-character interaction. These differences provide insight into the processes of both forms of animation and the final products that they create, and may provide a starting point for linear animators interested in becoming familiar with interactive animation.
Towards an integrated reasoner for bearings prognostics

This paper describes an architecture and elements for an integrated prognostic bearings reasoner. The goal of the reasoner is to arrive at a reliable measure of damage accumulation, quantify its confidence, and aid in the assessment of remaining life. The reasoning integrates inflight and post-flight functions. During flight, the tasks are primarily diagnostic and assess damage in real time using input from a plurality of sources, both sensor-based and model-based. The damage assessment is further refined after conclusion of the flight with full-order models and additional information from historical failure data, operational data, and inspection data. Load profiles from future missions are used to calculate the damage propagation which will allow the reasoner to assess remaining life. This paper lays out the overall process and then focus in more detail on the in-flight reasoner. The operation of the architecture is demonstrated for bearing prognosis via an illustrative example
Regulation of protein kinase C

Protein kinase C has been in the spotlight since the discovery two decades ago that it is activated by the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol. Despite protein kinase C's enduring stage presence, the regulation and specific roles of its isozymes in defined cellular processes are still under intense investigation. Elucidation of the structures of protein kinase C's regulatory modules, the discovery that phosphorylation regulates the enzyme, and the identification of targeting mechanisms have made the past year a significant one for unveiling how this ubiquitous class of enzymes operates.
Development of an Antarctic Regional Climate System Model. Part II: Station Validation and Surface Energy Balance

Abstract In this, the second part of the analysis of an Antarctic regional climate system model, the model results and analyses are compared to a series of observational data from automated weather stations at a number of Antarctic stations, radiosonde launches, and surface energy balance climatology. The observational analyses show significant biases in comparison with station data, which is attributable in part to the errors in and low resolution of the elevation dataset. This is a factor in model performance also. Further, a dominant factor in the generation of the model biases is the simulation of atmospheric water vapor and cloud. The known “cold” bias in the clear-sky longwave radiation scheme is amply compensated for by excessive cloudiness in many cases. The strong vertical moisture transport contributes to the excessive cloud formation. The biases explored in detail in this paper are common to regional and global simulations of the Antarctic region and highlight areas in which model development s...
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein C (OspC).

Single crystals of the outer surface protein C (OspC) from Borrelia burgdorferi HB19 have been obtained by the vapor-diffusion method. These crystals belong to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 66.218, b = 46.113, c = 112.079 A, β = 99.30°, and diffract to at least 2.2 A resolution. Native data have been collected from flash-frozen crystals at the National Synchrotron facility of Brookhaven National Laboratory. There are two dimers per asymmetric unit, related by a non-crystallographic twofold axis and a pseudo-translational symmetry.
Unevening the Odds of “Even Up”

(1999). Unevening the Odds of “Even Up”. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 145-146.
Directional ZigZag: Neighbor Discovery with Directional Antennas

We introduce a new neighbor discovery method for wireless nodes with adaptive antennas, called "directional ZigZag." Adaptive antennas are capable of electronically changing their gain pattern and in particular form beams and steer them in arbitrary directions. Despite improving range, this makes neighbor discovery more difficult. We consider three cases; namely, nodes transmit with beamsteering and receive in omni-directional mode (DTOR), transmit with omni-directional antenna and receive with beam- steering (OTDR), and use beamsteering (directional antennas) for both transmitting and receiving (DTDR). We show that directional ZigZag detects the neighbors with vanishing probability of error. Furthermore, it is the first algorithm that requires a discovery period that scales on linearly with the average number of neighbors. This is proven through establishing a connection between ZigZag and message passing decoding.
Efficient Estimation of the Cox Model with Auxiliary Subgroup Survival Information

AbstractWith the rapidly increasing availability of data in the public domain, combining information from different sources to infer about associations or differences of interest has become an emerging challenge to researchers. This article presents a novel approach to improve efficiency in estimating the survival time distribution by synthesizing information from the individual-level data with t-year survival probabilities from external sources such as disease registries. While disease registries provide accurate and reliable overall survival statistics for the disease population, critical pieces of information that influence both choice of treatment and clinical outcomes usually are not available in the registry database. To combine with the published information, we propose to summarize the external survival information via a system of nonlinear population moments and estimate the survival time model using empirical likelihood methods. The proposed approach is more flexible than the conventional meta-a...
Comments on "covariance adjustments for the analysis of randomized field experiments".

Richard Berk, Emil Pitkin, Lawrence Brown, Andreas Buja, Edward George, and Linda Zhao (2014) have written a valuable Evaluation Review paper on regression adjustment in randomized experiments. I’ve long been a fan of Berk’s critical writings on regression and meta-analysis (Berk 2004, 2007; Berk and Freedman 2003), and I recently recommended Berk, Brown, et al.’s (2014) helpful Sociological Methods and Research paper to a colleague teaching a course on regression. Also, I am grateful to Berk for sending me kind and constructively critical comments on Lin (2013) after it went to press. In my reply to his e-mail, I shared an informal essay (Lin 2012a, 2012b) discussing regression adjustment in practice. We are in agreement on many points.
Metabolic adaptations in higher animals. VII. Responses of glutamate-oxalacetate and glutamate-pyruvate transaminases to diet.

SummaryThe activities of glutamic-oxalacetic (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic (GPT) transaminases have been estimated in livers from rats subjected to limited food intake or fed diets high in casein or f...
Characteristics of Selective Lpcvd W Films By Silicon Reduction

The characteristics of Selective LPCVD tungsten films produced by silicon reduction of tungsten hexafluoride are presented. The tungsten films deposited using Si(100), Si(111) and polysilicon undoped and doped substrates are analyzed by X-RAY, TEM, RBS, AES, SIMS and SEM. The as deposited bcc tungsten films are polycrystalline with a grain size 80–100A. The effect of annealing temperature and time on the crystal structure of films was studied. Tungsten reacts to form tungsten silicide at 600°C. The silicide grain size is of the order of 100–200A at 600°C and increases gradually to 400–500A at 1000°C. The oxygen impurities in the film retard the silicide formation further at 1000°C. Silicon from the substrate out-diffuses to the film surface and reacts with the presence of oxygen impurities in the annealing ambient to form Si-O at 1000°C. As deposited film resistivities of 130–140 micro-ohm-cm are achieved reproducibly and reach 60–70 micro-ohm-cm after 1000°C annealing in nitrogen or argon ambient. The impurities H, C, O and F are found in the as deposited films.
Digitally Enhanced Situation Awareness: An Aid to Military Decision-Making

In combat and tactical situations, situation awareness is a key factor in the quality of decisionmaking. Currently, the US Army is investigating using digital systems, such as computer networks, digital imagery, and GPS, to enhance situation awareness at all levels of command. This article illustrates how digital technology is currently being used to enhance decisionmaking at the unit level and provides suggestions for how further advancements can be made.
University Outreach and Engagement: The Ground is Shifting Under Our Feet

Challenges facing higher education are acute in Colorado. Over the course of just eight years state funding of CU-Boulder’s annual budget dropped from 15% in 2002 to 3.4% in 2010. Moreover, technology shifts enabling on-line higher learning alternatives – ranging from massive open on-line courses offered by universities (so-called “MOOCs”) to sites such as the Khan Academy – pose disruptive long-term threats to the traditional university model.In addition to stresses felt generally across campus, law schools operate amid other challenges particular to the legal profession. The business model of law is undergoing a transformation. Demand for recent juris doctorate recipients has lagged. While some difficulties may be cyclical, there is a growing sense that trends – such as disaggregation of legal work to low cost providers, do it yourself automated legal solutions, and encroachment by other professionals upon traditional legal tasks – are structural shifts that will continue into the future.
540 NO CORRELATION BETWEEN FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY AND LOW BACK PAIN.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common complaints by patients. However, the causes of LBP are poorly understood. The asymmetry of leg length and pelvic position have been suggested as possible causes. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is the summation of differences in several traits between the right and left side. People who have increased asymmetry in various bilateral traits may be at greater risk of developing chronic LBP. Ulnar, but not leg length, asymmetry is reportedly greater in a group of young Canadians with LBP compared to controls. Whether other measures of upper body asymmetry are elevated in a clinical LBP population is not clear. We hypothesized that older persons with chronic LBP would show elevated fluctuating asynmmetry in hand and arm traits. We compared the fluctuating asymmetry of control subjects (n = 130) and patients with LBP (n = 143) using six different traits: the wrist width, the hand length, the hand width, the length of the third proximal phalange, the lower arm length, and the ulnar length. FA was calculated by the following formula FA = Σ{|Ri - Li|/[.5(Ri + Li)]}/6 where R = right and L = left of the ith trait. We found no difference in FA between patients and controls. We also found that the LBP group did not have significantly higher asymmetry in ulnar length than the control group. Our results call into question the generality of earlier studies suggesting that developmental instability in the upper limbs is associated with chronic LBP.
Prerequisite Criticism of Marcuse's Technical Rational Criticism

Techninal rational criticism has become an important theme of modern philosophy development.Marcuse,the representative of the Frankfurt School,clearly points out that technical rationality has become the rule of reason in developed industrial society,and thereupon criticizes the technical rationality from differnet aspects.All along we only see positive significance of technical rational criticism of Marcuse's thought,and lack critimism on the critical theory itself.This paper reflects the premise of Marcuse's technical rational criticism.He wrongly thinks of the technology rationality as tool rationality which is fully converse to value rational,and thinks that the way to solve this problem is from the aspect of aesthetic design to build a new form instead of technical rationality.I think that technical rationality has tool dimension and value dimension.Reflection and criticism should be based on perfecting technical rationality itself,and switching the value requirements whose core is "goodness" to the regulations of technical activities.
Methods for Measuring Class I Membrane-Bound Hyaluronan Synthase Activity

Detecting and quantifying hyaluronan (HA) made by Class I HA synthase (HAS) and determining the level of activity of these membrane-bound enzymes is critical in studies to understand the normal biology of HA and how changes in HAS activity and HA levels or size are important in inflammatory and other diseases, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Unlike the products made by the vast majority of glycosyltransferases, HA products are more complicated since they are made as a heterogeneous population of sizes spanning a broad mass range. Three radioactive and nonradioactive assay methods are described that can give the amount of HA made with or without information about the distribution of product sizes.
Regulation of Renal Functional Development

An explanation of the functional development of the renal system is offered, with particular emphasis on glomerular fitration, renal vascular resistance, the development of the renal tubules, and quantitative measurement of renal obstruction.
Stem Cell Aging: An Overview

Stem cell dysfunction is associated with age-related degenerative and proliferative diseases. Recent work in a range of model organisms has focused on characterizing the causes and consequences of stem cell aging. The insight obtained from these studies is likely to impact our ability to promote healthy aging and to develop new therapies against age-related diseases. This book provides an overview of such studies, aiming to present a comprehensive assessment of the current status of the field.
Alloderm Covering Over Titanium Cranioplasty May Minimize Contour Deformities in the Frontal Bone Position.

BACKGROUND Titanium cranioplasty is commonly used for surgical closure of skull defects post craniectomy. Superficial implantation of the mesh can result in discomfort, palpability, and in extreme patients, exposure of the mesh. Exposed titanium mesh can be complicated by infections and often requires implant revision or removal. Generally, the contour of the titanium mesh is camouflaged in the hairline of the patient and any aesthetic complication can remain inconspicuous. However, in the frontal bone position the thin hairless forehead skin often may not easily hide the contour of the underlying titanium mesh. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to demonstrate the usage of an alloderm covering over the titanium cranioplasty to possibly minimize the contour irregularities of titanium. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE Our index patient, a 22-year-old woman, was operated for left frontal craniectomy for frontal bone tumor extending to brain parenchyma. This resulted in a surgical defect that was repaired with titanium mesh cranioplasty and dural patch. It was felt that the patient would potentially feel and see the titanium mesh cranioplasty under the thin frontalis muscle. Therefore, over top of the titanium mesh a remnant piece of AlloDerm unused after the dural patch was placed to buffer the potential contour deformity. Postoperatively, the contour appears natural and the patient does not report any complaints of discomfort or mesh palpability. CONCLUSION In a thin-skinned patient undergoing titanium mesh cranioplasty, the risk of mesh palpability or exposure can be significant, especially in areas of non-hair-bearing scalp and the protruding areas of the skull. Alloderm covering over the titanium mesh can provide improved aesthetic outcomes by minimizing contour deformity and may serve as an additional buffer in thin scalp.
Chemical Insight into the Adsorption of Chromium(III) on Iron Oxide/Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposites

Magnetic iron oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposites consisting of iron oxide nanoparticles embedded within mesoporous silica (MCM-41) and modified with aminopropyl functional groups were prepared for application to Cr(III) adsorption followed by magnetic recovery of the nanocomposite materials from aqueous solution. The composite materials were extensively characterized using physicochemical techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, nitrogen adsorption, and zeta potential measurements. For aqueous Cr(III) at pH 5.4, the iron oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposite exhibited a superior equilibrium adsorption capacity of 0.71 mmol/g, relative to 0.17 mmol/g for unmodified mesoporous silica. The aminopropyl-functionalized iron oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposites displayed an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 2.08 mmol/g, the highest adsorption capacity for Cr(III) of all the materials evaluated in this study. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with transmiss...
Relationships between Numbers of Vertebrae, Scale Counts, and Body Size, with Implications for Taxonomy in Nightsnakes (Genus: Hypsiglena )

Abstract The relationships between the number of trunk and caudal vertebrae, the number of ventral and subcaudal scales, and snout–vent length (SVL) and tail length were investigated in several species of Hypsiglena, including a few specimens from species contact zones. We confirm the presence of a 1:1 relationship between trunk vertebrae and ventral scales within Hypsiglena (99 specimens total; 50 males; 49 females). We also found a positive relationship between the number of ventral scales and SVL in adult specimens. We did not find a 1:1 relationship between caudal vertebrae and subcaudal scales, but there is a positive relationship between subcaudal scales and tail length. Because there is a positive relationship with the number of ventral scales and SVL, we infer—as general population trends—that snakes with more ventral scales have the capacity to grow to be larger than snakes with fewer ventral scales. Many other environmental factors influence body size, however, and this trend should be used only...
3D position sensitive CdZnTe spectrometer performance using third generation VAS/TAT readout electronics

Three-dimensional position-sensitive CdZnTe (CZT) gamma-ray spectrometers employing new VAS3.1/TAT3 ASIC readouts were developed and tested. Each spectrometer is a 1.5times1.5times1 cm3 CdZnTe crystal with 11 by 11 pixelIated anodes wire-bonded to the readout electronics using an intermediate ceramic substrate with plate-through-via. The signals from the anode pixels and the cathode were all read out through these ASICs. The pixel position provides the lateral coordinates of the interaction, while the cathode to anode signal ratio and the electron drift time are used to obtain the interaction depth. Using the 3-D position information, the variation in weighting potential, electron trapping and material non-uniformity can be accounted for to the scale of the position resolution, ~1.27 mmtimes1.27 mmtimes0.2 mm. The new VAS3.1/TAT3 ASIC has less gain and baseline drift, lower cross-talk noise, more uniform thresholds, better linearity and better timing resolution than our previous VAS2/TAT2 system. For example, the 32 keV K X-ray from a 137Cs source was observed for the first time. Two 3-D CZT spectrometers were tested and both achieved better than 1% FWHM energy resolution (at 662 keV, room temperature operation, with an uncollimated source) for single-pixel events. The experimental results for these two 3-D CZT spectrometer systems are presented and discussed
Primary renal lymphoma: an unusual finding following radical nephrectomy

Secondary kidney involvement by disseminated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is quite common and is estimated to approach 30 - 60% in NHL patients. However, primary renal lymphoma is exceedingly rare and estimated to make up less than 1% of all kidney masses. We report a case of primary renal NHL presenting with profound hypercalcemia and renal failure recalcitrant to medical management, ultimately treated with urgent radical nephrectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of primary renal lymphoma presenting in this acute fashion.
"What Did You Do at School Today?" A Comparative Rural and Urban Case Study of Students with Low Incidence Disabilities.

This article documents the content of the days of two children with low incidence disabilities. One child attends a rural school, the other an urban school. The main question to be answered in this...
Abstract 405: Therapeutic Potential of Oscimum Tenuiflorum in Prevention and Treatment of Atherosclerosis

Background Current experimental and clinical studies show that Oscimum tenuiflorum (commonly known as basil or Tulsi) possess many health benefits. Oscimum is also suggested to be anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory. Eugenol, an ortho-methoxy phenol, is one of its components. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an oxidative enzyme, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. MPO dependent oxidation of lipoproteins has been implicated in foam cell formation, dysfunctional HDL and abnormalities in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). In this study we tested whether eugenol and basil extract could inhibit the oxidation of lipoproteins (LDL & HDL) by MPO. Hypothesis Whole leaf extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum and eugenol would inhibit the oxidation of LDL and HDL by myeloperoxidase and by copper. Methods Basil leaf extract was prepared with water, lyophilized and reconstituted in water. Lipoproteins (LDL & HDL) were isolated from human plasma and their oxidation was performed using copper or MPO in the presence or absence of the basil extract and eugenol. MPO activity was measured using guaiacol and TMB as substrates. Results Basil extract and eugenol inhibited MPO enzyme activity against synthetic substrates. In addition, they also inhibited the oxidation of LDL and HDL both by copper and MPO, as measured by conjugated diene formation, TBARS formation, as well as by electrophoretic mobility assays. Conclusion In lieu of the reported anti-inflammatory properties of basil leaves, and the importance of oxidative and inflammatory pathways in atherosclerosis, such simple non-pharmacological agents could prove to be valuable adjunt therapeutic agents in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
MessageLens: A Visual Analytics System to Support Multifaceted Exploration of MOOC Forum Discussions

Abstract Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) often provide online discussion forum tools to facilitate learner interaction and communication. Having massive forum messages posted by learners everyday, MOOC forums are regarded as an important source for understanding learners activities and opinions. However, the high volume and heterogeneity of MOOC forum contents make it challenging to analyze forum data effectively from different perspectives of discussions and to integrate diverse information into a coherent understanding of issues of concern. In this paper, we report a study on the design of a visual analytics tool to facilitate the multifaceted analysis of online discussion forums. This tool, called MessageLens, aims at helping MOOC instructors to gain a better understanding of forum discussions from three facets: discussion topic, learner attitude, and communication among learners. With various visualization tools, instructors can investigate learner activities from different perspectives. We report a case study with real-world MOOC forum data to present the features of MessageLens and a preliminary evaluation study on the benefits and areas of improvement of the system. Our research suggests an approach to analyzing rich communication contents as well as dynamic social interactions among people.
Involuntary Clients' responses to a Treatment Experience:

A followup study of parental and child reactions to residential treatment includes the clients' suggestions and comments relevant to clinical intervention
Examining Sexuality Education Preferences Among Youth at Risk for Poor Sexual Health Outcomes Based on Social Determinants of Health Factors

At-risk adolescents may experience Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) that lead to higher rates of risky sexual behavior, including increased risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections...
Endoscopic Features of Mucous Cap Polyps: A Way to Predict Serrated Polyps.

Background/aims The aims of the study were to identify whether a mucous-cap predicts the presence of serrated polyps, and to determine whether additional endoscopic findings predict the presence of a sessile serrated adenomas/polyp (SSA/P). Methods We analyzed 147 mucous-capped polyps with corresponding histology, during 2011-2014. Eight endoscopic features (presence of borders, elevation, rim of debris, location in the colon, size ≥10 mm, varicose vessels, nodularity, and alteration in mucosal folds) of mucous-capped polyps were examined to see if they can predict SSA/Ps. Results A total of 86% (n=126) of mucous-capped polyps were from the right sided serrated pathway (right-sided hyperplastic [n=83], SSA/Ps [n=43], traditional serrated adenoma [n=1]), 10% (n=15) were left-sided hyperplastic polyps, and 3% (n=5) were from the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The presence of a mucous cap combined with varicose vessels was the only significant predictor for SSA/Ps. The other seven characteristics were not found to be statistically significant for SSA/Ps, although location in the colon and the presence of nodularity trended towards significance. Conclusions Our study suggests that mucous-capped polyps have high predictability for being a part of the serrated pathway. Gastroenterologists should be alert for a mucous-capped polyp with varicose veins, as these lesions have a higher risk of SSA/P.
Neutral Potassium Phosphate and Thiazide: Combined Treatment in Recurrent Stone Formers

Urinary calculous disease accounts for a large number of hospital admissions yearly and calcium oxalate is the most common stone found. Current theories of calculogenesis suggest that stones form as a consequence of two pathologic processes: (1) urinary solute supersaturation and (2) ineffective inhibition as shown by Robertson1.
Digital acoustofluidics enables contactless and programmable liquid handling.

For decades, scientists have pursued the goal of performing automated reactions in a compact fluid processor with minimal human intervention. Most advanced fluidic handling technologies (e.g., microfluidic chips and micro-well plates) lack fluid rewritability, and the associated benefits of multi-path routing and re-programmability, due to surface-adsorption-induced contamination on contacting structures. This limits their processing speed and the complexity of reaction test matrices. We present a contactless droplet transport and processing technique called digital acoustofluidics which dynamically manipulates droplets with volumes from 1 nL to 100 µL along any planar axis via acoustic-streaming-induced hydrodynamic traps, all in a contamination-free (lower than 10−10% diffusion into the fluorinated carrier oil layer) and biocompatible (99.2% cell viability) manner. Hence, digital acoustofluidics can execute reactions on overlapping, non-contaminated, fluidic paths and can scale to perform massive interaction matrices within a single device. Contamination is an obstacle to the functioning of microfluidic devices. Here the authors exploit acoustic streaming to manipulate droplets which float on a layer of immiscible oil. This prevents contamination and enables rewritability by which different fluids can be used on the same substrate.
A Comparison of the ECERS-R and ECERS-3: Different Aspects of Quality?

Research Findings: The present study provides an initial descriptive comparison of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (ECERS-R) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Th...
Mobility of Histidine Side Chains Analyzed with 15N NMR Relaxation and Cross-Correlation Data: Insight into Zinc-Finger-DNA Interactions.

Due to chemical exchange, the mobility of histidine (His) side chains of proteins is typically difficult to analyze by NMR spectroscopy. Using an NMR approach that is uninfluenced by chemical exchange, we investigated internal motions of the His imidazole NH groups that directly interact with DNA phosphates in the Egr-1 zinc-finger–DNA complex. In this approach, the transverse and longitudinal cross-correlation rates for 15N chemical shift anisotropy and 15N–1H dipole–dipole relaxation interference were analyzed together with 15N longitudinal relaxation rates and heteronuclear Overhauser effect data at two magnetic field strengths. We found that the zinc-coordinating His side chains directly interacting with DNA phosphates are strongly restricted in mobility. This makes a contrast to the arginine and lysine side chains that retain high mobility despite their interactions with DNA phosphates in the same complex. The entropic effects of side-chain mobility on the molecular association are discussed.