cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring Correlates with Neurologic Outcome After Endovascular and Surgical Treatment of a Cervical Arteriovenous Malformation.

Background The treatment of spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) presents the risk of spinal cord ischemia because of the vascular nidus and their feeding arteries involving and supplying the spinal cord parenchyma. The multimodal approach includes endovascular embolization and microsurgical excision, both benefiting from intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. We present a case study of a patient who underwent several staged embolizations and open surgery for microsurgical excision. Patient A 32-year-old man who presented with a recurrent glomus-type intramedullary AVM in the cervical spinal cord, located at the C5–C6 segment, with progressive neurologic deterioration. Methods Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were performed during three embolizations, a provocative test, and surgery, in addition to D-wave during microsurgical excision. Results Abolished hand MEP and drop in SEP during a provocative test guided the surgeon to embolize from a safer vessel with no acute neurologic deficit after three embolizations. Before surgery, an angiography showed the left posterior spinal artery supplying the AVM. After resecting the vascular nidus from the spinal parenchyma, left-hand MEP decreased in amplitude and later abolished, and SEP decreased. Interestingly, no D-wave or distal MEPs were affected. Weakness in the left hand immediately and 2 weeks postoperatively advocates for metameric spinal cord ischemia with preservation of long spinal cord pathways. Conclusions Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring correlates with neurologic outcome after endovascular and surgical treatment of a cervical AVM. Intraoperative monitoring provides continuous functional information of long and metameric spinal cord pathways, which is critical when deciding on the vessel to be embolized and during microsurgical excision where the surgeon is in less control of the AVM hemodynamic flow.
A case report of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with life threatening atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Introduction Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy defined by the sudden onset of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury (AKI). HUS is categorized as either typical, caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection, or atypical HUS (aHUS), usually complement mediated or secondary to systemic disease. We describe a rare case of aHUS in an adult male patient with recurrent acute pancreatitis. Patient clinical findings A 32-year-old Caucasian male presented to our institution for his third episode of alcohol-induced pancreatitis. He presented with abdominal pain, elevated lipase and pancreatic inflammation on computed tomography consistent with acute pancreatitis. While admitted, he developed sudden onset severe thrombocytopenia, AKI and hemolytic anemia. Diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, outcomes Peripheral blood smear, haptoglobin and hemoglobin level confirmed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Worsening anemia, thrombocytopenia and AKI were consistent with the diagnosis of aHUS. The patient's pancreatitis resolved with supportive measures, but resolution of significant thrombocytopenia and AKI was not achieved until administration of eculizumab, a complement inhibiting therapy. Eculizumab therapy provided dramatic improvement in this patient, with platelet count increasing from a low of 11,000 to >100,000 within 48 hours of therapy. Creatinine and hemoglobin levels returned to baseline within 3 weeks. Conclusion Recurrent pancreatitis is suggested as the etiology of atypical HUS in this patient and this condition should be recognized and treated in a timely manner for optimal clinical outcomes.
Initial Steps in the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 by TiO2-Supported Vanadium Oxides

Electronic structure calculations at the density functional theory/B3LYP level (selectively benchmarked by CCSD(T)) were performed on neutral and protonated monomer and dimer clusters of vanadium o...
A Gaussian process state-space model for atmospheric CO2 and sea surface temperature index reconstruction from boron isotope and planktonic δ18O proxies

It often occurs in practice that only a small number of observations are given for reconstructing past climate events in the field of paleoclimatology. State-space models can overcome such scarcity by giving priors to those hidden states to make them correlated to one another. Inferring multiple events simultaneously from various proxies to exploit their mutual dependency is another option. Here we present a Gaussian process state-space model to reconstruct both atmospheric CO2 and sea surface temperature index from boron isotope and planktonic δ18O proxies.
Structural insights of sulfonamide-based NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors: design, synthesis, and biological characterization

NLRP3 inflammasome has recently attracted much attention as a potentially druggable target to develop potential therapeutics for inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. In our continuing studies, structure–activity relationship studies were conducted based on a newly identified NLRP3 inhibitor, YQ-II-128, from our laboratory to understand the structural features and improve aqueous solubility. The results revealed that steric interactions at the propoxyl and amide domain of YQ-II-128 are important for the observed inhibitory potency on the NLRP3 inflammasome. The results also identified the amide domain to incorporate polar moieties to improve solubility and potentially pharmacokinetic properties. As a result, analog 10 was identified as a selective NLRP3 inhibitor with comparable potency while significantly improved aqueous solubility. Collectively, these findings strongly encourage further optmization of 10 to develop analogs with improved pharmacokinetic properties as potential NLRP3-targted therapeutics.
Review of Chinese young adults' human papillomavirus knowledge, attitudes, and vaccine acceptability.

OBJECTIVE The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is effective in reducing HPV-related disease. The 2-, 4-, and 9-valent HPV vaccines have been approved by the Chinese FDA since 2016; however, factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults remain unclear. DESIGN AND SAMPLE We conducted a systematic review to analyze factors affecting HPV vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults. A comprehensive search of databases (e.g., PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was conducted, and articles between 2011 and 2020 were included. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included in the final review, and eleven were conducted in mainland China and six in Hong Kong. All studies reported low level of HPV-related knowledge. Better knowledge, more concerns about HPV-associated diseases, and being female were found associated with higher vaccine acceptability. The vaccine cost and safety were the major concerns for vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggested a low level of HPV-related knowledge and suboptimal vaccination rate in Chinese young adults. Theory-based interventions addressing knowledge and other influencing factors and involving both males and females are urgently needed to increase vaccine acceptability and use in Chinese young adults.
Economics - 2020: What Happens When Everything Shuts Down Except the 'Money Printing Presses'

This short paper indicates how the massive fiscal deficits financed by creation of fiat money by central banks worldwide (undertaken in response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic) may lead to an inflationary depression. In particular, the supply disruptions caused by the pandemic inhibit the production of real goods and services necessary to absorb the extensive money printing to fund the large amounts of government spending could lead to an increase in the prices of real goods and services that is comparable to that occurring during the hyperinflation in Germany in 1923 except on a broad international scale.
Climbing Parnassus: A New Apologia for the Greek and Latin. Book Review

Tracy Lee Simmons’s book, Climbing Parnassus, is a tour-de-force. Simmons addresses the current state of education, which is dismal, to a classical education. The classical education was not strictly about conveying information, but more so about developing the student’s mind and soul. At the turn of the twentieth century, schools and universities turned their backs away from hundreds of years of what worked. By doing so; students have been truncated from their past, from over two-thousand years of culture, and left adrift – to be propagandized. The “mob” controls what has come to be deemed “education.” Today, we are left with parochial-history and cultural courses that only feeds weak-mindedness, and despair for those who yearn for something deeper. No wonder students stay away from such courses and many are taking up “useful” courses. Simmons holds up the classical education as a paragon, to emulate. The Humanities were once an area of discipline and rigor. All had to climb its mountain (Parnassus), to be considered educated. Ostensibly, Simmons’s book is a scathing rebuke and an indictment of today’s educational system.
Coercive Physical Force as Essential to the Concept of Law

To maximize conceptual coherence and legal concepts' real-world usefulness, the concept of law must include coercive physical force. Recognition of this fact combats confusion caused by the divergence of legal philosophers' methodologies from a common-sense Aristotelian approach that describes reality as experienced by real legal subjects. I use novel arguments to demonstrate that the Platonic and Benthamite-Austinian command theory of law is the correct one and, while adopting a normative thin positivism that is compatible with forms of natural law theory, argue that every law properly so called is a speech act that threatens violence. In this paper, I focus on the regulative purpose of law, the need for a consequential understanding of legal concepts rather than an a priori one, and the irrelevance of thought experiments involving angels.
Geochemistry and Origin of the Red Sea Brines

A steady-state model of the brine waters in Atlantis II Deep is presented. The deuterium and oxygen-18 concentrations in the water, and the dissolved argon content suggest a relative warm near surface Red Sea water as the source of the brine. In evaluating the overall environmental situation in the Red Sea in terms of temperature and salinity, the probable source lies about 800km to the south near the Strait of Bab el Mandeb. By integrating isotope data, and the trace and major element spectra of the brine, the origin, age and history of the brine waters become apparent.
Historical foundations of the common law

PART I: INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND PART II: PROPERTY IN LAND PART III: OBLIGATIONS PART IV: CRIME
Impact of the Affordable Care Act on access to care for US adults with diabetes, 2011-2012.

Introduction Lack of health insurance is a barrier to medical care, which may increase the risk of diabetes complications and costs. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 to improve diabetes care through increased health care access by comparing health care and health outcomes of insured and uninsured people with diabetes.
Electromagnetic scattering from 3-D arbitrary coated cavities via a connection scheme using triangular patches

The electromagnetic scattering from arbitrarily shaped 3-D cavities with coated walls is presented. In this formulation, the cavity is divided into smaller sections. Each section is individually analyzed with a boundary integral equation, followed by the standard moment method procedure to arrive at an admittance matrix for each section. These admittance matrices for different sections are then cascaded using a connection scheme based on microwave network theory. Once the admittance matrix of the whole cavity is obtained, the electric field on the aperture and thus the backscattered field can be obtained by the generalized network formulation. Triangular patch basis functions are used to provide easy mesh generation using standard CAD tools. To model wall treatment, the impedance boundary condition is applied. The numerical results generated by the present approach show good agreement with the modal solutions for regular geometries. An example for a cavity with coated walls is also presented.
Improving Entrepreneurship and Emergence Research by Using Longitudinal Data from Multiple Levels and Sources

Scholars have defined entrepreneurship as a phenomenon of emergence; however javascript: void(0); most entrepreneurship research has focused on questions regarding new ventures characteristics and outcomes after a new venture is started. One reason scholars continue to struggle with origins and emergence questions is the difficulty in obtaining relevant data. This paper recommends a series of tools and strategies to gather and analyze holistic data on entrepreneurship and organizational emergence. Specifically, the use of multi-level longitudinal data from several sources by multiple collection methods can provide the rich context necessary to illuminate venture emergence. To inform future studies, examples from nanotechnology entrepreneurship research are provided.
Modeling and fuzzy logic control of a multi-degree-of-freedom reaction compensating system

This paper presents the development of a general purpose fuzzy logic (FL) control methodology for isolating external vibratory disturbances of space-based devices. The physical model used is a scaled-down two-plate reaction compensating platform system. According to the desired performance specifications, a full range of investigation regarding the development of an FL stabilization controller for the system is conducted. The performance of the FL controller is tested using different scenarios such as variances of passive reaction compensating components and external disturbance load. It is shown that the proposed FL controller is robust in that the resultant active system closely follows the performance of the prespecified ideal reference model. The comparative study of the performances of the FL controlled active reaction and noncontrolled passive reaction compensating systems also reveals that the FL controlled system achieves significant improvements in reducing vibrations over passive systems.
Assembly of AMPA receptors: mechanisms and regulation

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) play a critical role in excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission. The number and subunit composition of AMPARs at synapses determines the dynamics of fast glutamatergic signalling. Functional AMPARs on the cell surface are tetramers. Thus tetrameric assembly of AMPARs represents a promising target for modulating AMPAR-mediated signalling in health and disease. Multiple structural domains within the receptor influence AMPAR assembly. In a proposed model for AMPAR assembly, the amino-terminal domain underlies the formation of a dimer pool. The transmembrane domain facilitates the formation and enhances the stability of the tetramer. The ligand-binding domain influences assembly through a process referred to as ‘domain swapping’. We propose that this core AMPAR assembly process could be regulated by neuronal signals and speculate on possible mechanisms for such regulation.
AN EXTENSION OF DHH-ERD ¨ OS CONJECTURE ON CYCLE-PLUS-TRIANGLE GRAPHS

Consider $n$ disjoint triangles and a cycle on the 3$n$ vertices of the $n$ triangles. In 1986, Du, Hsu, and Hwang conjectured that the union of the $n$ triangles and the cycle has independent number $n$. Soon later, Paul Erd\"os improved it to a stronger version that every cycle-plus-triangle graph is 3-colorable. This conjecture was proved by H. Fleischner and M. Stiebitz. In this note, we want to give an extension of the above conjecture with an application in switching networks.
A new direction in energy conversion - The all-electric aircraft

This paper reviews recent studies of all-electric aircraft that use electric-only secondary power and flight critical fly-by-wire flight controls, and brings to the attention of the power system designer the intrinsic advantages of such aircraft. The all-electric aircraft is made possible by the development of rare earth magnet materials and fault tolerant systems technologies. Recent studies have shown all-electric aircraft to be more efficient than conventional designs and offer substantial operating costs reductions. Compared to present aircraft, an all-electric transport can save at least 10 percent in fuel burn. The cornerstone of an all-electric aircraft is the electric secondary power system. This paper reviews the major features of flight critical electric secondary power systems. Research required to lay the foundation for an all-electric aircraft is briefly discussed.
Baseline Evaluation With a Sweating Thermal Manikin of Personal Protective Ensembles Recommended for Use in West Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Experience with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) ensembles by health care workers responding to the Ebola outbreak in the hot, humid conditions of West Africa has prompted reports of significant issues with heat stress that has resulted in shortened work periods. METHODS: A sweating thermal manikin was used to ascertain the time to achievement of a critical core temperature of 39°C while wearing 4 different PPE ensembles similar to those recommended by the World Health Organization and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) at 2 different ambient conditions (32°C/92% relative humidity and 26°C/80% relative humidity) compared with a control ensemble. RESULTS: PPE ensembles that utilized coveralls with moderate to high degrees of impermeability attained the critical core temperature in significantly shorter times than did other ensembles. Encapsulation of the head and neck region resulted in higher model-predicted subjective impressions of heat sensation. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize work capacity and to protect health care workers in the challenging ambient conditions of West Africa, consideration should be given to adjustment of work and rest schedules, improvement of PPE (e.g., using less impermeable and more breathable fabrics that provide the same protection), and the possible use of cooling devices worn simultaneously with PPE. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-7). Language: en
Effect of morning exercise on counterregulatory responses to subsequent, afternoon exercise

The aim of this study was to determine whether a bout of morning exercise (EXE1) can alter neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to subsequent afternoon exercise (EXE2) and whether these changes f...
WiFi based indoor localization with adaptive motion model using smartphone motion sensors

We present an adaptive motion model for tracking the movement of smartphone user by using the motion sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer) embedded in the smartphone. A particle filter based estimator is used to seamlessly fuse the adaptive motion model with a WiFi based indoor localization system. The system applies Gaussian process regression to train the collected WiFi received signal strength (RSS) dataset, and particle filter for the estimation of the smartphone user's location and movement. Simulations were conducted in MATLAB to provide more insights of the proposed approach. The experiments carried out with an iOS device in typical library environment illustrate that our system is an accurate, real-time, highly integrated system.
Measurement of the tritium concentration in the fractionated distillate from environmental water samples.

Abstract Standard procedures for the measurement of tritium in water samples often require distillation of an appropriate sample aliquot. This distillation process may result in a fractionation of tritiated water and regular light water due to the vapor pressure isotope effect, introducing either a bias or an additional contribution to the total tritium measurement uncertainty. The current study investigates the relative change in vapor pressure isotope effect in the course of the distillation process, distinguishing it from and extending previously published measurements. The separation factor as a quantitative measure of the vapor pressure isotope effect is found to assume values of 1.04 ± 0.036, 1.05 ± 0.026, and 1.07 ± 0.038, depending on the vigor of the boiling process during distillation of the sample. A lower heat setting in the experimental setup, and therefore a less vigorous boiling process, results in a larger value for the separation factor. For a tritium measurement in water samples where the first 5 mL are discarded, the tritium concentration could be underestimated by 4–7%.
Mesostriatal projections from ventral tegmentum and dorsal raphe: Cells project ipsilaterally or contralaterally but not bilaterally

The cells of origin of the brainstem projection to the caudate-putamen (CP) were examined in the albino rat by the use of two fluorescent retrograde tracers. Nuclear yellow was injected into the CP of one hemisphere and granular blue was injected into the contralateral CP. Retrogradely labeled cells were studied in the substantia nigra (SN), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and dorsal raphe (DR). The results confirm previous findings indicating the existence of contralateral projections from SN and VTA to the CP. Cells on both sides of the midline of the DR also project to either CP. Contralaterally projecting SN/VTA cells were located in areas of these nuclei which corresponded to the center of the ipsilaterally projecting cell region; the exact locations depended on the placement of the injection in the CP. In DR, contralaterally projecting cells were most often observed near the midline, although labeled cells were occasionally observed in the lateral wings of the DR. Cells labeled by contralateral injections were interdigitated with, but not identical to, cells labelled by ipsilateral injections. That is, contralaterally projecting cells and ipsilaterally projecting cells constituted separate populations within the SN, VTA and DR.
Market-based and accounting standards for public utility rate regulation

Abstract The possible usefulness of finance theory in developing appropriate approaches to the regulation of public utility service prices has received considerable attention. Of particular interest has been the matter of cost of capital as a guide to fair rate of return determination. From an underlying concept of the proper goal of regulation—to duplicate for public utility investors the risks and rewards they would be subjected to if their capital were committed to unregulated enterprises—the present paper develops a basis for selecting the correct regulatory approach. That approach is seen to be supportive of traditional accounting-based regulatory commission procedures, and to argue against cost of capital as a return standard.
Gene Transfer of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Improves Relaxation of Carotid Arteries From Diabetic Rabbits

Background—Diabetes mellitus is associated with impairment of NO-mediated vascular relaxation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of endothelial NO...
Collision risk estimation from an uncalibrated moving camera based on feature points tracking and clustering

We present an approach to estimate collision risk using a single uncalibrated camera attached to a moving platform. The proposed approach is based on computing the local scale change from image motion information obtained by tracking feature points. A fuzzy logic based thresholding step is applied to the tracked feature points to obtain the set of feature points that most likely represent the potential obstacle. The resultant set of points is clustered and the time-to-collision values for the corresponding clusters can be computed to determine the risk of collision. We perform collision detection experiments on three image sequences obtained from a moving car. The results indicate that the proposed approach can estimate collision risk with a single uncalibrated camera.
A minute for advocacy

What an unexpectedly rapid response to an online recommendation! Here’s how the scene unfolded on a hectic day: 11:40: surfing web for best nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prices. 11:43: Discover following link after description of a nicotine replacement patch: “Additional Information CLICK HERE for Quit Assist website from Philip Morris USA” …
Syndesmotic Injuries in Athletes

Ligamentous injuries around the ankle are one of the most common injuries in athletes, and syndesmotic (high ankle) sprains are being diagnosed at an increasing rate in recent years. Syndesmotic injuries can lead to significant pain, disability, and time away from sport with prolonged rehabilitation. Advanced imaging with ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging has improved the detection of syndesmotic injuries, and arthroscopy can confirm the diagnosis and help identify any additional intra-articular pathology. Recently, there has been increased interest and research surrounding the treatment of high-grade syndesmotic injuries in athletes with a focus on early rehabilitation and surgical intervention in select patients. Athletes can potentially return to training and play earlier if the syndesmosis is surgically stabilized, but the literature is controversial regarding the overall management of these injuries.
Transient Heat Transfer Between a Semi-Infinite Hot Plate and a Flowing Cooling Liquid Film

Heat transfer between a hot, semi-infinite plate and thin liquid film flowing over its surface is considered. As the plate is semi-infinite, the finite cooled portion of the plate and the temperature at the moving film front are time variable. The heat transfer is transient, as opposed to the usual quasi-steady process that exists when the plate is infinite. To investigate the transient heat transfer, solutions describing the temperature fields of the wet and dry portions of the plate are conjugated at the moving film front. The basic characteristics of transient cooling process are found to be governed by a dimensionless parameter named the Leidenfrost number, which is the ratio of the Biot number and the square of the Peclet number. The plate temperatures at the moving front, the film velocity, and the time required to reach the wetting temperature are calculated
The platelet-activating factor precursor of the injured cornea is selectively implicated in arachidonate and eicosanoid release.

The purpose of this study was to isolate the platelet-activating factor (PAF) precursor and other choline phosphoglycerides (GPC) i.e. the alkenylacyl and diacyl lipids from the rabbit cornea, to analyze their fatty acid content and to determine which pool was the most susceptible to arachidonate depletion when activated corneal tissue released arachidonic acid (AA) and metabolites. Rabbit iridal GPC was also analyzed for comparative purposes. The fatty acid methyl esters of the GPC components extracted from the rabbit cornea and iris-ciliary body, isolated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), were determined by capillary gas liquid chromatography. Rabbit corneas were labelled in vivo by intracameral injection of 3H-AA (1 μCi, specific activity = 218 Ci / mmol) and cryogenically injured 18 h later. Corneas were incubated in vitro and the AA and eicosanoids released into the medium were extracted and separated by HPLC. The GPC was extracted from the tissues and the labeling of the three GPC co...
Human malformation syndromes due to inborn errors of cholesterol synthesis.

Purpose of reviewThis review covers a group of human malformation syndromes, which are caused by inborn errors of cholesterol synthesis. The Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an autosomal recessive, multiple malformation, and mental retardation syndrome that is the prototypical example of this gr
Perforation due to ERCP

Abstract Iatrogenic duodenal and pancreaticobiliary perforations associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are rare but associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Perforations can be caused by the endoscope itself, secondary to endoscopic sphincterotomy, or related to the use of accessories (guidewires and stents). There is no consensus to direct the clinician on proper management of ERCP-related perforation. Traditionally perforations were classified according to their etiology and anatomical site and managed accordingly. Recently, the time to diagnosis, clinical state of the patient, and results of imaging studies have been shown to better predict the need for surgical intervention. This review summarizes perforations related to ERCP, with an emphasis on the criteria to determine if medical or surgical intervention is the appropriate management strategy.
Orientational Order Measurements near a Possible Nematic-Smectic-A Tricritical Point

We have measured a proton NMR dipolar splitting, $\ensuremath{\Delta}H$, proportional to the "nematic order parameter," in the nematic and smectic-$A$ phases of $p$-cyanobenzylidene-$p$-nonylaniline, at pressures up to 3.5 kbar. The discontinuity in $\ensuremath{\Delta}H$ at the nematic-smectic-$A$ phase transition decreases from a relatively large value at 1 atm to an unobservably small value at higher pressures. We tentatively identify a tricritical point for this transition at ${t}_{t}=140\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$C and ${P}_{t}=2.89\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.23$ kbar.
INTERACTION OF TOP-DOWN AND BOTTOM-UP LIFE HISTORY TRADE-OFFS IN MOOSE (ALCES ALCES)

Moose (Alces alces) in south-central Alaska have been found to have phenotypic life history trade-offs that can be partitioned into the same “bottom-up” and “top- down” trophic framework often applied at the population level. The potential interaction of these life history trade-offs was studied under varying degrees of predation and nutritional limitation using models based on data from radio-collared moose in south-central Alaska. The interaction was mildly antiregulatory, assuming that bottom-up trade-offs are density dependent. That is, as nutritional constraints increased, a female that skipped reproduction after successfully rearing a calf enhanced the survival of herself and her yearling enough in the second year to overcompensate for the loss of productivity. In a declining population, the reverse could occur, accentuating the decline. A more general, stage projection matrix was used to model a broader range of predation rates in summer and winter, in order to contrast the potential importance of ...
Single pulse ultrafast dynamic ellipsometry

Ellipsometry is a very useful optical technique to probe the complex index of refraction of a material. We perform dynamic ellipsometry using ultrafast lasers to probe the complex index dynamics during passage of compressional shock waves through materials of interest. When used to measure passage of a shock wave through dielectric materials, dynamic ellipsometry provides a direct measure of the equation of state (except temperature). In addition, the changes in complex index can be used to measure phase transformations and their kinetics. Using two CCD cameras and two Wollaston prisms, ellipsometric data at two incidence angles and two polarizations can be obtained simultaneously. Adding a spectrograph in front of each CCD camera and using chirped probe pulses and frequency domain interferometry provides a few hundred ps of ellipsometric data from a single shock event.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Deubiquitination by proteasome is coordinated with substrate translocation for proteolysis in vivo.

Abstract The 26S proteasome mediates degradation of protein substrates labeled with polyUb chains. After recognition by the 19S proteasome regulatory complex, polyUb chains are disassembled and substrates are processed in the 20S core of proteasome. However, the exact relationship of degradation-associated deubiquitination to substrate processing remains unclear. Here, using Ub-based tagging strategies, we provided evidence that removable polyUb chains serve as the signal for proteolytic processing of ubiquitinated substrates. We showed that inhibition of the proteasome by proteasome inhibitor MG132 results in trapping of the substrate in the proteasome. Such a trapping allows proteasomal cleavage of attached non-removable Ub mutant (UbV75,76), which is otherwise a “difficult” deubiquitination substrate. Characterization of deubiquitination and degradation intermediates, generated due to incomplete proteolytic inhibition, revealed changes in proteolytic cleavage sites, within the Gal4-VP16 model substrate, suggesting that the copy number of attached UbV75,76 affects substrate processing. Conversion of lysine48 to arginine48 in UbV75,76 did not have significant effect on in vivo polyubiquitination of multiple Ub-fused substrates, but considerably reduced proteolytic intermediates. Taken together, the results support a model in which deubiquitination process is a crucial event for proteolysis of ubiquitinated substrates and such an event is coordinated with substrate translocation.
Brief report: exploration of colorectal cancer risk perceptions among Latinos.

To explore colorectal cancer risk perceptions among Latinos. Focus groups discussions among Spanish-speaking Latinos conducted between February and July 2007 with 37 men and women who were age-eligible for colorectal cancer screening. Predominant themes of perceived colorectal cancer risk included: general cancer risks, risks related to nutrition and the digestive tract, and risks related to sexual practices. Participants frequently referred to the role of diet in keeping the colon “clean,” suggesting that retained feces increase colorectal cancer risk. Among both men and women, rectal sex was commonly associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. Some Latinos may hold misperceptions about colorectal cancer risks, including an association between rectal sex and colon cancer, that may impact their screening behaviors. Clinicians and public health officials should consider these potential risk misperceptions and explore for other risk misperceptions when counseling and educating patients about colorectal cancer screening.
Three-Dimensional Mixed Convection in Plane Symmetric-Sudden Expansion: Bifurcated Flow Regime

Simulations of three-dimensional laminar mixed convection in a vertical duct with plane symmetric sudden expansion are presented to illustrate the effects of the buoyancy-assisting force and the duct’s aspect ratio on flow bifurcation and heat transfer. The stable laminar bifurcated flow regime that develops in this geometry at low buoyancy levels leads to nonsymmetric temperature and heat transfer distributions in the transverse direction, but symmetric distributions with respect to the center width of the duct in the spanwise direction. As the buoyancy force increases, due to increases in wall heat flux, flow bifurcation diminishes and both the flow and the thermal fields become symmetric at a critical wall heat flux. The size of the primary recirculation flow region adjacent to the sudden expansion increases on one of the stepped walls and decreases on the other stepped wall as the wall heat flux increases. The maximum Nusselt number that develops on one of the stepped walls in the bifurcated flow regime is significantly larger than the one that develops on the other stepped wall. The critical wall heat flux increases as the duct’s aspect ratio increases for fixed Reynolds number. The maximum Nusselt number that develops in the bifurcated flow regime increases as the duct’s aspect ratio increases for fixed wall heat flux and Reynolds number.
Hand-mixed and Premixed Antibiotic-loaded Bone Cement Have Similar Homogeneity

Since low-dose antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) was approved by the FDA for second-stage reimplantation after infected arthroplasties in 2003, commercially premixed low-dose ALBC has become available in the United States. However, surgeons continue to mix ALBC by hand. We presumed hand-mixed ALBC was not as homogeneous as commercially premixed ALBC. We assessed homogeneity by determining the variation in antibiotic elution by location in a batch, from premixed and hand-mixed formulations of low-dose ALBC. Four hand-mixed methodologies were used: (1) suspension—antibiotic powder in the liquid monomer; (2) no-mix—antibiotic powder added but not mixed with the polymer powder before adding monomer; (3) hand-stirred—antibiotic powder stirred into the polymer powder before the monomer was added; and (4) bowl-mix—antibiotic powder mixed into polymer powder using a commercial mixing bowl before the monomer was added. Antibiotic elution was measured using the Kirby-Bauer bioassay. None of the mixing methods had consistently dissimilar homogeneity of antibiotic distribution from the others. Based upon our data we conclude hand-mixed low-dose ALBC is not less homogeneous than commercially premixed formulations.
A new genus of sphaeropsocid bark lice from the Early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon (Psocodea: Sphaeropsocidae)

A new genus and species of sphaeropsocid bark louse is described and fi gured from a single individual in Early Cretaceous amber from Hammana, central Lebanon. Asphaeropsocites neli gen. n., sp. n. is the second sphaeropsocid described from Lebanese amber. Like Sphaeropsocites lebanensis Grimaldi & Engel 2006, it has a basal phylogenetic position within Sphaeropsocidae, and adds evidence that these insects were once widespread and global, in the past. The new species is distinguished from related taxa, and a discussion and checklist of sphaeropsocids are provided. Resume. Un nouveau genre de psoque sphaeropsocide du Cretace Inferieur de l'ambre du Liban (Psocodea : Sphaeropsocidae). Un nouveau genre et espece de sphaeropsocide est decrit et fi gure a partir d'un individu de l'ambre du Cretace Inferieur de Hammana, Liban central. Asphaeropsocites neli gen. n., sp. n. est le deuxieme sphaeropsocide decrit de l'ambre du Liban. Comme Sphaeropsocites lebanensis Grimaldi & Engel 2006, il a une position phylogenetique basale au sein des sphaeropsocides et demontre davantage que ces insectes etaient probablement repandus mondialement dans le passe. Cette espece est comparee aux taxa apparentes; une discussion et une liste des sphaeropsocides sont donnees.
Light microscopic, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical spectrum of malignant lacrimal and salivary gland tumors, including malignant mixed tumors.

Ten malignant myoepithelial tumors of the salivary glands and one of lacrimal gland origin were studied by light, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The light microscopic appearance of the tumors varied from primarily spindle cell neoplasms (two cases), to others with predominantly epithelial components (four cases) and mixed varieties (five cases). Therefore, they can be confused with other epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms. The electron microscopic spectrum varied from tumors with widespread and typical myoepithelial differentiation (i.e. myofilament bundles at the cell periphery, attachment plaques and intercellular junctions) to some with diffusely distributed filaments, without associated spindle densities but with attachment plaques, and others with evidence of duct formation and containing scattered cells showing intracytoplasmic tonofilaments. Often the tumors revealed mixed ultrastructural features; the relative numbers of the different cellular components was variable. The eleven neoplasms were S-100 protein, actin and keratin positive, either focally or diffusely, with varying degrees of intensity. Ten of the eleven tumors were positive for vimentin and nine of ten tested expressed carcinoembryonic antigen. Only two of nine were focally positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. The study emphasizes the variable light microscopic appearances of these neoplasms and their immunocytochemical and ultrastructural spectrum. Accurate determination of myoepithelial differentiation sometimes requires careful evaluation of the light, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical findings. If all three diagnostic modalities are not utilized, it is likely that some of these neoplasms will be improperly classified.
Finite element/Newton method for the analysis of Czochralski crystal growth with diffuse‐grey radiative heat transfer

A quasi-steady-state, integrated system model describing high temperature heat transfer, solidification and the action of capillarity in the Czochralski crystal growth process is solved by a finite element/Newton method. The numerical analysis couples the calculation of the temperature field in all phases and the determination of the melt/crystal and melt/gas interfaces and the crystal radius free boundaries. The analysis includes conductive heat transfer in the melt, crystal, crucible, pedestal, heater and the surrounding insulation and diffuse-grey radiation, which couples the heat transfer between surfaces, the crystal radius and the melt/gas free boundary through the view factors. Finite element approximations are used to reduce the entire problem to a coupled set of non-linear algebraic equations. These are solved simultaneously by Newton's method with the Jacobian matrix computed by a combination of closed form expressions and finite difference approximations. Quadratic convergence of the Newton iteration is demonstrated along with a factor of four increase in computational efficiency over a successive iteration procedure that decouples the calculation of radiation from the rest of the heat transfer model.
Understanding digital documents

The explosion of digital documents on the internet and in the workplace has led to an increasing need for computer systems that help us not only manage the documents but also manage our understanding of these documents and their relationships.When users are confronted with hard copy documents or unorganized digital documents, they look at main topic headers, skim the contents and so forth.The problem of how this can be done more effectively in an on-line environment is the main topic of this minitrack. Accordingly, this minitrack aims to bring together the multiplicity of research in various fields on how organizations, groups and individual users seek to understand and navigate through document collections and individual documents.Putting it more plainly, we are interested in discussing how people can understand the content of digital documents without reading them. This becomes increasingly important as we are inundated with such a plethora of electronic information.
Assessing a Buddhist treatment for bereavement and loss: the mustard seed project.

From a Buddhist perspective, grief becomes complicated because mourners have trouble accommodating the reality of impermanence in the face of deep and unwelcome change, as they struggle to make sense of the “event story” of their loss and to revise their life story and identity accordingly. Joining this perspective with a constructivist emphasis on grieving as meaning reconstruction, we developed a distinctive group intervention to help people reflect on the natural conditions of impermanence and limitation in a compassionate environment in which they were encouraged to cultivate a new self-narrative in the wake of loss. Integrating meditative interludes, dyadic sharing, dharma lessons, and informal didactics on the human quest for meaning, we used expressive arts exercises to engage the existential dilemmas of loss from a self-distancing perspective. Evidence from an open trial on 41 participants in 2 groups documents that the intervention is both feasible and acceptable to clients, and that they display...
A 19-Year Follow-up of Tuberculin Reactors: Assessment of Skin Test Reactivity and In Vitro Lymphocyte Responses

Tuberculin skin test reactivity decreases with time such that repeat PPD skin testing may result in reactions of less than 10 mm. This reactivity may be boosted in some individuals with a second tuberculin skin test. The immunologic basis of these observations remains unclear. We studied the relationship between skin-test reactivity and in vitro blastogenic response to PPD in a cohort of 22 individuals (aged 28 to 81 years) known to be tuberculin reactors (induration ≥10 mm) in 1970. In 1989, 18 subjects remained reactive to PPD on the first skin test and responded to PPD in vitro (mean incorporation of 3 H-thymidine by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 22,650 cpm). Three subjects reverted (induration in response to PPD in vitro reactivity to PPD (mean incorporation of 3 E-thymidine, 2,205 cpm). One subject boosted (increase of induration of at least 6 mm to ≥15 mm) on the second skin test and showed a concomitant in vitro boost in the blastogenic response to PPD (from 1,008 cpm to 47,837 cpm). In this cohort, interpretation of the two-step tuberculin skin test correlated closely with in vitro proliferative responses. Over a 19-year period, the majority of individuals maintained skin test reactivity and strong in vitro responses to PPD despite a lack of ongoing exogenous exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The immunologic basis for reversion appears to depend in part on a loss of lymphocyte blastogenic capacity. In the one individual who exhibited the booster phenomenon, repeat antigen stimulation resulted in a dramatic increase in the in vitro blastogenic responses. (Chest 1991; 99:1172-76)
Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on in vitro fertilization in the mouse

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are industrial chemicals that are long-lasting global environmental contaminants. PCBs have been reported to adversely affect reproduction in laboratory and wild animals by reducing the incidence of breeding and the survival rate of young. The present study was undertaken to determine the toxic potential of PCBs on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the mouse. Aroclor 1221, 1254, and 1268, and 3, 3', 4, 4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB), a PCB congener, were added to IVF medium at various concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 micrograms/mL). Cumulus masses containing oocytes were obtained from superovulated B6D2F1 mice and cultured in medium containing PCB to which capacitated sperm were added. Oocytes were assessed for fertilization 20 to 24 h after insemination. A-1221, A-1268, and TCB reduced the fertilization rate at the 1 microgram/mL and 10 micrograms/mL doses, while inhibition of fertilization by A-1254 reached significance at 0.1 microgram/ml. Furthermore, all of these chemicals caused an increased incidence of degenerative ova and abnormal 2-cell embryos at the higher dose levels (1 microgram/mL and 10 micrograms/mL). The results suggest that higher dosages of PCB and TCB adversely affect fertilization and cause an increased incidence of degeneration of oocytes and abnormality in the early mouse embryos.
Implicit fitness and heterogeneous preferences in the genetic algorithm

This paper takes an economic approach to derive an evolutionary learning model based entirely on the endogenous use of genetic operators in the employment of self-interested autonomous agents. Reproductive decisions depend on subjective tradeoffs between the quality and quantity of offspring. This avoids the imposition of an external fitness function typically used by genetic algorithms in favor of evolving, heterogeneous preferences over risky reproductive outcomes, expressed via optimal reaction functions. An application to learning in a repeated Cournot oligopoly game is developed, with analytical predictions tested against a computational simulation. With evolutionary coordination via intergenerational wealth transfers, risk-averse firms learn to cooperate to Cournot-Nash market equilibria, raising the market price above costs to fund risk-spreading reproductive strategies.