cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying the optimal time for intervention in patients with valvular heart disease: Impact of improved diagnostic and therapeutic techniques

Summary In summary, the optimal liming of intervention in patients with valvular disease increasingly is directed toward the goal of preventing the long-term consequences ot valve disease, specifically irreversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation and thromboembolism. Noninvasive Doppler echocardiography allows detailed, sophisticated and reliable quantitation of disease severity and progression. Decisions about the timing of intervention in asymptomatic patients remain difficult and must be individualized for each patient. However, whereas clinical decision making cannot be based on “numbers” alone, accurate assessment ot disease severity does allow optimization of long-term patient outcome and maintenance of a normal functional status in many cases. With improvement in techniques for treatment ot valve disease, intervention will be considered even earlier in the disease course. In the future, approaches to preventing or slowing disease progression in patients with valvular disease may decrease the need for surgical intervention. Possible approaches include vasodilator therapy for chronic valvular regurgitation, interventions to interrupt the disease process and decrease risk factors for “degenerative” valve disease (5) and most importantly, world-wide efforts to prevent rheumatic heart disease.
Automated partial pose measurement system for manipulator calibration experiments

The work reported here is concerned with methods used to provide partial pose data for robot calibration tests. Rather than focussing on traditional, precision measurement techniques, the paper discusses calibration using end point motion constraints of various kinds. The preferred method consists of using a wire potentiometer attached to the robot tool by means of two specially designed fixtures. Suitable modeling of the measurement system as well as the internal kinematics of the manipulator allows simulation of the calibration process. Experimental results obtained in the calibration of an industrial manipulator is presented, and means to make the complete calibration process automatic is discussed. >
Motor Patterns of Distal Hind Limb Muscles in Walking Turtles: Implications for Models of Limb Bone Loading

Previous studies of limb bone loading in walking turtles indicate that the ground reaction force exerts a flexor moment at the ankle during stance, requiring extensor muscle activity to maintain joint equilibrium. Of four proposed ankle extensors in turtles, two (gastrocnemius medialis, pronator profundus) originate on the tibia and fibula, respectively, while the other two (flexor digitorum longus, gastrocnemius lateralis) originate from the distal femur, crossing the flexor aspect of the knee and potentially eliciting compensatory forces from antagonist knee extensor muscles that could contribute to femoral stress. Published bone stress models assume all four proposed ankle extensors are active during stance in turtles. However, if only the ankle extensors that cross the knee were active then femoral stresses might be higher than predicted by published models, whereas if only extensors that do not cross the knee were active then femoral stresses might be lower than predicted. We analyzed synchronized footfall and electromyographic activity patterns in slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) and found that all four proposed ankle extensors were active during at least part of stance phase in most individuals, corroborating bone stress models. However, activation patterns were complex, with multiple bursts in many ankle extensors that frequently persisted into swing phase. In addition, two hypothesized ankle flexors (tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum communis) were frequently active during stance. This might increase the joint moment that ankle extensors must counter, elevating the forces they transfer across the knee joint and, thereby, raising femoral stress. Recognition of these activity patterns may help reconcile differences between evaluations of loads on turtle limbs based on force platform versus in vivo strain studies. Moreover, while some variation in motor patterns for the distal hind limbs of turtles may reflect functional compartmentalization of muscles, it may also indicate flexibility in the control of their limb movements.
The Credit Hour as a Potential Barrier to Innovation: Lessons from Innovative Institutions

The premise of the credit hour is the equation of student learning with class time. Leaders at institutions particularly known for innovations in student learning have found ways to work with and around the metric, although it remains an obstacle to innovation at most institutions.
Computational Experiments with a Feature Based Stereo Algorithm

Computational models of the human stereo system can provide insight into general information processing constraints that apply to any stereo system, either artificial or biological. In 1977 Marr and Poggio proposed one such computational model, which was characterized as matching certain feature points in difference-of-Gaussian filtered images and using the information obtained by matching coarser resolution representations to restrict the search space for matching finer resolution representations. An implementation of the algorithm and its testing on a range of images was reported in 1980. Since then a number of psychophysical experiments have suggested possible refinements to the model and modifications to the algorithm. As well, recent computational experiments applying the algorithm to a variety of natural images, especially aerial photographs, have led to a number of modifications. In this paper, we present a version of the Marr-Poggio-Grimson algorithm that embodies these modifications, and we illustrate its performance on a series of natural images.
The Political Economy of Patronage: Expenditure Patterns in the Argentine Provinces, 1983–2003

Under what conditions do politicians emphasize patronage allocations over the provision of public goods? Building upon research on democratic policy management, this paper aims to improve our understanding of patronage politics by focusing upon the political incentives influencing the ability and willingness of politicians to target public sector allocations to political supporters. Drawing upon data on spending priorities at the provincial level in post-1983 Argentina, the statistical analysis provides evidence that the relative importance of patronage allocations fluctuates with partisanship, electoral cycles, revenue sources, and public sector investment in economic development. The findings underline important and largely neglected parallels between clientelistic and programmatic politics and thereby have important implications for the study of the political economy of democracy.
An advanced cathode for Na-ion batteries with high rate and excellent structural stability

Layered P2-Nax[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 (0 < x < 2/3) is investigated as a cathode material for Na-ion batteries. A combination of first principles computation, electrochemical and synchrotron characterizations is conducted to elucidate the working mechanism for the improved electrochemical properties. The reversible phase transformation from P2 to O2 is observed. New configurations of Na-ions and vacancy are found at x = 1/3 and 1/2, which correspond to the intermediate phases upon the electrochemical cycling process. The mobility of Na-ions is investigated using the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and the Na diffusion barriers are calculated by the Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) method. Both techniques prove that the mobility of Na-ions is faster than Li-ions in the O3 structure within the 1/3 < x < 2/3 concentration region. Excellent cycling properties and high rate capability can be obtained by limiting the oxygen framework shift during P2–O2 phase transformation, suggesting that this material can be a strong candidate as a sustainable low-cost Na-ion battery cathode.
An analysis of single-phase self-excited induction generators: model development and steady-state calculations

The modeling and steady-state performance of single-phase induction generators based on the principles of harmonic balance is set forth in this paper. Magnetizing flux linkage saturation and flux dependent core loss resistances are included. Experimental results are provided to justify the analytical approach and steady-state calculations. >
Silencing of the Gene for the β Subunit of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin by the Embryonic Transcription Factor Oct-3/4

The transcription factor Oct-3/4 may be important in maintaining embryonic cells in an undifferentiated state. It is probably down-regulated at about the time that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is first expressed in embryonic trophectoderm. Here we report that Oct-3/4 strongly inhibits the hCGβ subunit (hCGβ) promoter in JAr choriocarcinoma cells. Oct-3/4 reduced chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter expression from the −305hCGβ promoter by about 90% in transient co-transfection assays, but had no effect on expression from the −249hCGβ promoter. The −305/−249 hCGβ fragment specifically bound synthetic Oct-3/4 protein as measured in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and the Oct-3/4-binding site was localized around −270 by methylation interference footprinting. Site-directed mutagenesis of this binding site abolished Oct-3/4 repression. When stably transfected into JAr cells, Oct-3/4 reduced the amounts of both endogenous hCGβ messenger RNA and hCG protein to less than 10% of controls. We suggest that silencing of Oct-3/4 in trophectoderm is a prerequisite for hCG up-regulation in early human embryos at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy.
Digitizing the Social Contract: Producing American Political Culture in the Age of New Media

Campaigns are complex exercises in the creation, transmission, and mutation of significant political symbols. However, there are important differences between political communication through new media and political communication through traditional media. I argue that the most interesting change in patterns of political communication is in the way political culture is produced, not in the way it is consumed. These changes are presented through the findings from systematic ethnographies of two organizations devoted to digitizing the social contract. DataBank.com is a private data mining company that used to offer its services to wealthier campaigns, but can now sell data to the smallest nascent grassroots movements and individuals. Astroturf-Lobby.org is a political action committee that helps lobbyists seek legislative relief to grievances by helping these groups find and mobilize their sympathetic publics. I analyze the range of new media tools for producing political culture, and with this ethnographic ...
Quadratic integration method for transient simulation and harmonic analysis

This paper elaborates on a newly introduced approach for time-domain transient simulation of electric power systems with highly nonlinear and/or switching subsystems. The new methodology is based on a numerical integration scheme that assumes that the system model states vary quadratically within a time step (quadratic integration). The proposed method is an implicit integration scheme which demonstrates improved numerical characteristics and most importantly improved solution precision. The approach also demonstrates superior behavior compared to traditionally used methods in power system transient analysis (such as the trapezoidal integration rule) in terms of accuracy and numerical stability properties, especially for highly nonlinear and switching systems. Details about the numerical properties of the method are briefly discussed in the paper. The proposed methodology and its performance are demonstrated on two test systems including (a) linear R-L-C electric circuit representing a simple converter model, and (b) highly nonlinear saturable inductor model. The methodology is very useful for analysis of systems with power electronics and nonlinear devices such as saturable transformers/reactors and surge arresters.
PKA and ERK, but not PKC, in the amygdala contribute to pain-related synaptic plasticity and behavior

The laterocapsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeLC) has emerged as an important site of pain-related plasticity and pain modulation. Glutamate and neuropeptide receptors in the CeLC contribute to synaptic and behavioral changes in the arthritis pain model, but the intracellular signaling pathways remain to be determined. This study addressed the role of PKA, PKC, and ERK in the CeLC. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in all experiments. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of CeLC neurons were made in brain slices from normal rats and from rats with a kaolin/carrageenan-induced monoarthritis in the knee (6 h postinduction). Membrane-permeable inhibitors of PKA (KT5720, 1 μM; cAMPS-Rp, 10 μM) and ERK (U0126, 1 μM) activation inhibited synaptic plasticity in slices from arthritic rats but had no effect on normal transmission in control slices. A PKC inhibitor (GF109203x, 1 μM) and an inactive structural analogue of U0126 (U0124, 1 μM) had no effect. The NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic component was inhibited by KT5720 or U0126; their combined application had additive effects. U0126 did not inhibit synaptic facilitation by forskolin-induced PKA-activation. Administration of KT5720 (100 μM, concentration in microdialysis probe) or U0126 (100 μM) into the CeLC, but not striatum (placement control), inhibited audible and ultrasonic vocalizations and spinal reflexes of arthritic rats but had no effect in normal animals. GF109203x (100 μM) and U0124 (100 μM) did not affect pain behavior. The data suggest that in the amygdala PKA and ERK, but not PKC, contribute to pain-related synaptic facilitation and behavior by increasing NMDA receptor function through independent signaling pathways.
Bird Species Associated with Riparian Woodland in Fragmented, Temperate‐Deciduous Forest

: Forest area is known to be correlated with bird-species diversity. Most researchers of riparian forest avifauna have used riparian woodland width as an index of forest area. We conducted point counts at 135 locations along Big and Little Darby creeks in Ohio and used Landsat Thematic Mapper data to determine woodland area and width surrounding each point-count station. Probability of detection was positively correlated with area for 11 bird species and negatively correlated with area for 8 species. Thus, along Big and Little Darby creeks, woodland area appeared to better predict bird-species presence than woodland width. The proposed Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge located within the study area includes restoration of riparian forest habitat along the two creeks. If the riparian habitat zones are not sufficient in area, already common species, rather than declining Neotropical migrants, may be the only species to benefit from restoration efforts. Resumen: Es sabido que el area del bosque se correlaciona con la diversidad de especies de aves. La mayoria de los investigadores de avifauna de bosques riparios han usado el ancho de la zona riparia arbolada como un indice de area forestal. Realizamos conteos en puntos en 135 localidades a lo largo de los arroyos Big y Little Darby en Ohio y usamos datos de Ladsat Thematic Mapper para determinar el area arbolada y su ancho alrededor de cada estacion de muestreo. La probabilidad de deteccion estuvo positivamente correlacionada con el area para 11 especies de aves y negativamente correlacionada con el area para 8 especies. De esta manera, a lo largo de los arroyos Big y Little Darby, el area arbolada parece predecir mejor la presencia de especies de aves que la anchura del area arbolada. El refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre propuesto en Little Darby ubicado dentro del area de estudio incluye la restauracion del habitat de bosque ripario a lo largo de estos dos arroyos. Si las zonas de habitat ripario no son suficientes en area, las especies que ya son comunes, en lugar de las migrantes neotropicales en disminucion podrian ser las unicas beneficiadas.
Measurement of cellular elastic properties by acoustic microscopy.

SUMMARY The acoustic microscope is used to investigate the elastic properties of living biological cells. A quantitative model is developed relating acoustic microscope image contrast to cellular elastic properties. Cytoplasmic acoustic attentuation is measured by focusing the acoustic microscope on the surface of the underlying substrate. Cytoplasmic acoustic impedance is measured by focusing the acoustic microscope on the top surface of the cell. The model allows the acoustic microscope to give quantitative information about cellular elasticity on a subcellular scale.
A structural basis for metal ion mutagenicity and nucleotide selectivity in human DNA polymerase beta

When crystals of human DNA polymerase beta (pol beta) complexed with DNA [Pelletier, H., Sawaya, M. R., Wolfle, W., Wilson, S. H., & Kraut, J. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 12742-12761] are soaked in the presence of dATP and Mn2+, X-ray structural analysis shows that nucleotidyl transfer to the primer 3'-OH takes place directly in the crystals, even though the DNA is blunt-ended at the active site. Under similar crystal-soaking conditions, there is no evidence for a reaction when Mn2+ is replaced by Mg2+, which is thought to be the divalent metal ion utilized by most polymerases in vivo. These results suggest that one way Mn2+ may manifest its mutagenic effect on polymerases is by promoting greater reactivity than Mg2+ at the catalytic site, thereby allowing the nucleotidyl transfer reaction to take place with little or no regard to instructions from a template. Non-template-directed nucleotidyl transfer is also observed when pol beta-DNA cocrystals are soaked in the presence of dATP and Zn2+, but the reaction products differ in that the sugar moiety of the incorporated nucleotide appears distorted or otherwise cleaved, in agreement with reports that Zn2+ may act as a polymerase inhibitor rather than as a mutagen [Sirover, M. A., & Loeb, L. A. (1976) Science 194, 1434-1436]. Although no reaction is observed when crystals are soaked in the presence of dATP and other metal ions such as Ca2+, Co2+, Cr3+, or Ni2+, X-ray structural analyses show that these metal ions coordinate the triphosphate moiety of the nucleotide in a manner that differs from that observed with Mg2+. In addition, all metal ions tested, with the exception of Mg2+, promote a change in the side-chain position of aspartic acid 192, which is one of three highly conserved active-site carboxylate residues. Soaking experiments with nucleotides other than dATP (namely, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP, ATP, ddATP, ddCTP, AZT-TP, and dATP alpha S) reveal a non-base-specific binding site on pol beta for the triphosphate and sugar moieties of a nucleotide, suggesting a possible mechanism for nucleotide selectivity whereby triphosphate-sugar binding precedes a check for correct base pairing with the template.
Caveolae Targeting and Regulation of Large Conductance Ca2+-activated K+ Channels in Vascular Endothelial Cells *

Abstract The vascular endothelium is richly endowed with caveolae, which are specialized membrane microdomains that facilitate the integration of specific cellular signal transduction processes. We found that the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels are associated with caveolin-1 in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). OptiPrep gradient cell fractionation demonstrated that BK channels were concentrated in the caveolae-rich fraction in BAECs. Immunofluorescence imaging showed co-localization of caveolin-1 and BK channels in the BAEC membrane. Immunoprecipitation and glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay results indicated that caveolin-1 and BK channels are physically associated. However, whole cell patch clamp recordings could not detect BK (iberiotoxin-sensitive) currents in cultured BAECs under baseline conditions, even though the presence of BK mRNA and protein expression was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blots. Cholesterol depletion redistributed the BK channels to non-caveolar fractions of BAECs, resulting in BK channel activation (7.3 ± 1.6 pA/picofarad (pF), n = 5). BK currents were also activated by isoproterenol (ISO, 1 μm, 6.9 ± 2.4 pA/pF, n = 6). Inclusion of a caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (10 μm) in the pipette solution completely abrogated the effects of ISO on BK channel activation, whereas inclusion of the scrambled control peptide (10 μm) did not inhibit the ISO effects. We have also found that caveolin-1 knockdown by small interference RNA activated BK currents (5.3 ± 1.4 pA/pF, n = 6). We conclude that: 1) BK channels are targeted to caveolae microdomains in vascular endothelial cells; 2) caveolin-1 interacts with BK channels and exerts a negative regulatory effect on channel functions; and 3) BK channels are inactive under control conditions but can be activated by cholesterol depletion, knockdown of caveolin-1 expression, or ISO stimulation. These novel findings may have important implications for the role of BK channels in the regulation of endothelial function.
Lead-Induced Egg Production Decrease in Leghorn and Japanese Quail Hens

Abstract A study was conducted to compare the response of chicken hens and Japanese quail hens to various levels of dietary lead as plumbus acetate. Egg production was decreased significantly in quail receiving 1 mg lead/kg of diet from day of hatch, and 10 mg lead/kg diet was required to suppress egg production when the metal was given to the quail hens after they had reached sexual maturity. In chicken hens given lead after they had attained approximately 80% hen-day production, a comparable decline in egg production was seen in hens consuming at least 200 mg lead/kg of diet. Total plasma calcium in quail hens was reduced significantly by 10 mg lead/kg of diet, but total plasma calcium in chicken hens was not reduced with levels of less than 200 mg lead/kg of diet. There was no correlation between blood calcium level and decreased egg production in chicken hens consuming dietary lead at levels less than 200 mg/kg diet, suggesting that lead influences egg production in birds through mechanisms that may not be dependent entirely upon calcium metabolism. Removal of lead from the diets of quail was associated with significant increases in egg production and total plasma calcium, but removal of lead from the diets of chicken hens did hot cause any increase in total plasma calcium or increase egg production in treated hens. However, hens consuming the highest level of dietary lead (400 mg/kg) did increase significantly their rate of egg production, but this was attributed to recovery from a lead-induced molt. Results from this study indicated that the Japanese quail hen was more sensitive to the reproductive inhibitory effects of lead than the chicken hen.
Systolic VLSI array for fuzzy logic in expart sytems

Due to VLSI technology, hardware implementation of algorithmic oriented array architectures, such as systolic arrays, have become feasible and desirable. This paper discusses how to design a systolic array for the computation of the overall fuzzy relation, based on Fuzzy Sets Theory, between the antecedent and the conclusion portions of the rules in the knowledge bases of expert systems. The overall fuzzy relation may be used instead of the explicit rules of the system, for fast fuzzy inferences especially in real-time applications.
Immigrants, Mobilization, and the Digital Revolution

Concerns about a digital divide in US politics that separates those who have and do not have access to technology have persisted for decades. Those concerns are prominent for immigrants and ethno-racial minorities who have tended to participate in politics, in general, and digital politics, in particular, at lower levels than others. Less attention has focused on the role representative nonprofits play in using technology to share political information and whether there is an institutional dimension to the digital divide. This paper examines the adoption of social media by immigrant-serving nonprofits in the context of mobilization around elections. The findings suggest that responding organizations have adopted social media slowly and that key internal and external factors seem to relate to social media adoption. Certain immigrant communities are particularly slow to adopt social media suggesting that a digital divide exists within the population of immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations. These findings can be used by the leaders and managers of nonprofits to inform future decisions about the integration of technology into their operations.
Everything you know about calories is wrong.

The article discusses the inaccuracy of counting calories. The author argues that the calorie counts on food labels can greatly differ from the calories the human body actually extracts. Topics include how the body digests and uses food, a method for calculating the average number of calories in one gram of fat, protein, and carbohydrate by American chemist Wilbur Olin Atwater, and flaws in the way calories are calculated, which are based on Atwater's method.
Effect of Two Different Molting Procedures on a Salmonella enteritidis Infection

Abstract Previous studies have shown that inducing a molt using feed removal exacerbated an intestinal infection by Salmonella enteritidis (SE). The current study was conducted to determine whether inducing a molt using a molt diet would still cause a pause in egg laying but not exacerbate an intestinal SE infection. In Experiments 1 and 2, hens were either provided ad libitum access to layer feed (control), fed 45 g molt diet (molt-feed) daily, or deprived of feed for 14 d (molted), and were orally infected with 1 × 107 SE on Day 4 of molt. Egg lay ceased in hens subjected to both molt treatments. The percentage of hens shedding SE did not differ among treatment groups in Experiment 1, whereas in Experiment 2 the molted hens had significantly higher shed rates than the controls on Days 10, 17, and 24 postinfection and the molt-feed hens on Days 17 and 24 postinfection. Compared with both fed groups of hens, the molted hens shed significantly more SE in Experiment 1 on Day 10 postinfection, and in Experiment 2 the molted hens shed significantly more SE on all 4 sampling days. In Experiment 3, subgroups of hens within each treatment group received serial 10-fold dilutions of SE and intestinal shedding of the organism in each subgroup was determined 7 d later. The 50% infectious dose (ID50) was calculated for each treatment group from these shedding results. The ID50 was 2.7 × 103 SE, 5.2 × 102 SE, and 1.3 SE for control, molt-feed, and molted hens, respectively, indicating that feed removal substantially increased the susceptibility of hens to an SE infection and the molt diet decreased this susceptibility. Little difference was observed in the pH of alimentary samples or of cecal contents from hens in each treatment group, indicating that increased severity of SE infection was not due to alterations of intestinal pH. Histologically, the molted hens exhibited more extensive inflammation of the intestinal tract at Day 4 postinfection compared with the unmolted group. Intestinal inflammation in the molt-feed hens was intermediate between the two. These results indicated that molt induction, using a molt diet, will not put hens at risk for the severe intestinal infection observed in birds subjected to feed removal.
Tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus: Evidence for Bacteriophage Role

reported. It had been shown previously that a nontolerant strain produces tolerant progeny when it is incubated in media that contain a bacteria-free filtrate derived from cultures of each of the three tolerant strains of S. aureus. The tolerant progeny retain the characteristic tolerance upon serial subculture, and cell-free filtrates prepared from such subcultures are capable of converting nontolerant organisms to tolerant bacteria. A study of filtrates made from one of the tolerant strains revealed that all of the converting activity was sedimented by ultracentrifugation. DNase I and RNase A did not reduce the activity of the sediment, but Proteinase K completely diminished it. Equilibrium centrifugation of filtrates in cesium chloride showed that the conversion activity was maximal in the fraction with a density of approximately 1.445 + 0.015 g/ml. When a portion of this fraction was examined with the electron microscope, hexagonal bacteriophages (20 nm in diameter) were seen at this density. This observation seems to be evidence that a bacteriophage is involved in conversion of S. aureus from a nontolerant to a tolerant organism.
Experimental and Computational Investigation of a Dual-Bell Nozzle

The proliferation of earth orbital missions enabled by nanosatellites, of which CubeSats are the most common, has focused increased attention on low-cost, mobile launch systems. Advanced nozzle design can address the demand for higher booster performance, and has resulted in the investigation of alternate nozzle geometry. A dual-bell nozzle represents a novel approach to this problem by utilizing two theoretically ideal design points over the ascent trajectory instead of just one. The primary focus for this project was to investigate the performance of a representative dual-bell nozzle both computationally and experimentally. First, a dual-bell nozzle was designed which could be used on a representative, nanosatellite launch system with design altitudes of 3 km and 17 km. The nozzle contours were modified to facilitate machining, and incorporated in a supersonic wind tunnel. The dual-bell nozzle fabricated for testing in the wind tunnel had a “first contour” expansion ratio of 1:9.85 corresponding to an ideal design pressure ratio of 134. The downstream, “second contour” had an expansion ratio of 1:19.7 corresponding to an ideal design pressure ratio of 374. The conventional nozzle fabricated for testing in the wind tunnel had an expansion ratio of 1:11.3 corresponding to an ideal design pressure ratio of 102. Imaging of flow structures was achieved using a schlieren optical system. In addition, the computational fluid dynamics program ANSYS Fluent was used to model both a hypothetical, full-scale nozzle as well as the scaled version tested in the wind tunnel. Simulations were performed for full-scale, dual-bell nozzles operating at pressure ratios (chamber to ambient) of 20, 50, 100, 150 and 1000. These results were then compared to a similar conventional nozzle for each case. Preliminary schlieren results indicate that the scale wind tunnel dual-bell contours show flow structures consistent with the Fluent results.
SU-F-T-02: Estimation of Radiobiological Doses (BED and EQD2) of Single Fraction Electronic Brachytherapy That Equivalent to I-125 Eye Plaque: By Using Linear-Quadratic and Universal Survival Curve Models

Purpose: To test the radiobiological impact of hypofractionated choroidal melanoma brachytherapy, we calculated single fraction equivalent doses (SFED) of the tumor that equivalent to 85 Gy of I125-BT for 20 patients. Corresponding organs-at-risks (OARs) doses were estimated. Methods: Twenty patients treated with I125-BT were retrospectively examined. The tumor SFED values were calculated from tumor BED using a conventional linear-quadratic (L-Q) model and an universal survival curve (USC). The opposite retina (α/β = 2.58), macula (2.58), optic disc (1.75), and lens (1.2) were examined. The % doses of OARs over tumor doses were assumed to be the same as for a single fraction delivery. The OAR SFED values were converted into BED and equivalent dose in 2 Gy fraction (EQD2) by using both L-Q and USC models, then compared to I125-BT. Results: The USC-based BED and EQD2 doses of the macula, optic disc, and the lens were on average 118 ± 46% (p 14 Gy). Conclusion: The estimated single fraction doses were feasible to be delivered within 1 hour using a high dose rate source such as electronic brachytherapy (eBT). However, the estimated OAR doses using eBT were 112 ∼ 118% higher than when using the I125-BT technique. Continued exploration of alternative dose rate or fractionation schedules should be followed.
Reliable prediction of postmastectomy lymphedema: The Risk Assessment Tool Evaluating Lymphedema.

Abstract Background Breast cancer-related lymphedema remains a significant complication post mastectomy. Identifying patients at highest risk may better inform targeted healthcare resource allocation and improve outcomes. This study aims to identify lymphedema predictors after mastectomy to develop a simple, accurate risk assessment tool. Methods An institutional retrospective review identified all women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy between January 2000 and July 2013 with postmastectomy lymphedema as the primary outcome. Stepwise multivariate Cox regression identified independent predictors of lymphedema. A simplified risk assessment tool was derived and composite risk estimated for each patient. Results Of 3,136 patients included, 325 (10.4%) developed lymphedema after a follow-up of 4.2 years. Significant predictors included invasive cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.25), postmastectomy radiation (HR = 2.05), age over 65 years (HR = 1.90), and axillary dissection (HR = 1.79). Stratified lymphedema risk by group was defined as follows: low 6.2%, moderate 10.0%, high 16.4%, and extreme 36.4%. The model demonstrated excellent risk discrimination ( C = .78). Conclusions Postmastectomy lymphedema incidence was 10.4%. Invasive cancer diagnosis, chemoradiation, and axillary dissection imparted significant risk. The Risk Assessment Tool Evaluating Lymphedema offers accurate risk discrimination ranging from 6.2% to 36.4%. Selective treatment approaches may improve outcomes and delivery of cost-effective healthcare.
Mean flow through utility scale solar facilities and preliminary insights on dust impacts

Abstract Deposition of dust on solar collectors has the potential to be a costly part of utility-scale solar energy production operation and maintenance. Large facilities are frequently located in arid regions with dusty soils. The orientation of solar fields with respect to the wind may affect how vulnerable or protected the soil surface is from the erosive power of the wind. Field measurements of wind flow through a utility-scale solar photovoltaic facility are presented. Multiple measurements of wind speed by spinning cup anemometer and wind direction by rotating vane were collected between consecutive rows of panels at two heights above the ground. This dataset provides preliminary insight into the mean flow field for a nominally two-dimensional solar array. A better understanding of non-steady flow components, turbulence, and conditions for the initiation of sand transport is needed for accurate prediction of dust impacts of such facilities.
Contesting the Colonial Narrative’s Claims to Progress: A Nationalist’s Proposal for Agrarian Reform

In the years immediately following the imposition of mandatory rule in Syria in July 1920, French administrators declared their intention to develop the region in accordance with the ideals of progress and scientific rationality. Among the areas targeted for special attention and improvement was the field of agriculture. The first French agricultural counselor for the mandate, E. Achard, emphasized that attention to the mise en valeur (enhancement and development) of this sector could not only serve France’s need for specific commodities but would also make French mandatory rule a vehicle through which progress and scientific rationality would be imparted to what he depicted as an underdeveloped Syria. However, fifteen years later, it seems, little had changed. In 1935, Mohammed Sarrage, a Syrian student at Toulouse University, wrote a dissertation that soundly criticized the mandate government for its failure to institute the reforms necessary to advance or significantly increase Syria’s agricultural production. A closer examination of Sarrage’s critique and his proposed program for reform not only reveals the incoherence between French official discourse and actual policy, but suggests an alternative narrative to that of French officials regarding the sources of progress and modernity.
PAQM: Pro-active Queue Management for Internet Congestion Control

We argue that active queue management (AQM) based congestion control should be adaptive to dynamically changing traffic. We outline requirements for this adaptivity in what we call proactive queue management. We propose the Pro-Active Queue Management (PAQM) scheme, which can provide proactive congestion avoidance and control using an adaptive congestion indicator and control function for a wide range of traffic environments. PAQM stabilizes the queue length around a desired level while giving smooth and low packet loss rates independent of the traffic load. We introduce and analyze a feedback control model of TCP/AQM dynamics, and use this to build a discretized control implementation of the PAQM method. A simulation study with a wide range of realistic traffic conditions suggests that PAQM outperforms other AQM algorithms such as Random Early Detection (RED) (Floyd, 1993), Random Early Marking (REM) (Low, 1999) and Proportional-Integral (PI) controller (Hollot, 2001b).
Effect of instructions on EMG during the bench press in trained and untrained males.

Strength and rehabilitation professionals strive to emphasize certain muscles used during an exercise and it may be possible to alter muscle recruitment strategies with varying instructions. This study aimed to determine whether resistance trained and untrained males could selectively activate the pectoralis major or triceps brachii during the bench press according to various instructions. This study included 13 trained males (21.5±2.9years old, 178.7±7.0cm, 85.7±10.7kg) and 12 untrained males (20.3±1.6years old, 178.8±9.4cm, 74.6±17.3kg). Participants performed a bench press one-repetition maximum (1-RM) test, 3 uninstructed repetitions at 80% 1-RM and two more sets of three repetitions with instructions to isolate the chest or arm muscles. Electromyography (EMG) was obtained from the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, and the long head and short head of the triceps brachii. Maximum EMG activity normalized to 1-RM for each muscle was averaged over the three repetitions for each set and compared between the uninstructed, chest-instructed and arm-instructed conditions among the groups. The trained participants had a greater 1-RM (126.2±30.6kg) than the untrained participants (61.6±14.8kg) (P 0.05). When the group data was combined, short head of the triceps activity was significantly lower in the chest instruction (80.1±19.3%) when compared to the uninstructed (85.6±23.3%; P=0.01) and arm-instructed (86.0±23.2; P=0.01) conditions. It can be concluded that instructions can affect muscle activation during the bench press, and this is not dependent on training status.
The Burden of Being Public: Evidence from Local Labor Markets

We exploit rich, cross-occupation employment data and quasi-experimental variation in IPO completion to quantify the direct labor compliance costs of being a public company. We precisely estimate a small, positive effect of public listings on local employment for compliance occupations that translates to average annual firm-level compliance costs of no higher than $1.3M. Using dynamic cross-sectional variation in the regulatory burden for public companies, we find that labor costs are highly sensitive to capital markets regulation. However, our estimates are substantially lower than self-reported compliance costs and suggest that labor costs are likely not an important determinant of listing status.
Salton Sea: Ecosystem in transition.

Each year at least a billion birds migrate down the west coast of North America along what is known as the Pacific Flyway ([ 1 ][1]). For the aquatic species, large, open bodies of water are important oases. For more than a century, the Salton Sea in southern California has been a vital component of
Khomeini's Argument for International Justice: A Relationist Perspective

Recent events in Iran have caused a furor in the Western world. The picture of inhumanity and brutality painted by Western media leads one to believe that the Ayatollah is both irrational and inhum...
Realizing the Educational Potential of Ecological Restoration

As individuals it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the continuing media coverage of environmental problems, such as climate change, species loss, and overpopulation. As a result it is often profoundly difficult to imagine ways to contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions. Ecological restoration, however, provides hands-on opportunities for everyone, from the general populace to experts, to come together, forging solutions, and making a difference. Ecological restoration empowers people.
Visual business graphics query interface

Due to the relatively inexpensive availability of displays and printers, graphic interfaces are increasingly playing an important role in analyzing stored or computed data. The integration of graphical data presentation and computerized databases is thus becoming important for the professional end user. This paper describes the design of a visual business graphical interface for office applications. A visual programming approach for creating a business graphic query and generating business graphics is presented. It provides a flexible interface between graphics applications and database. The system enables professionals who are non-programmers to generate the desired graphical presentation of data from database without the help of a professional programmer.
Passive knee kinematics before and after total knee arthroplasty: are we correcting pathologic motion?

The change in coronal plane deformity throughout a range of flexion before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been reported. Unlike most alignment assessments traditionally reporting coronal plane alignment in a standing position under static conditions, this study reports deformity throughout the flexion arc before and after deformity correction. One hundred fifty-two TKA patients using the anteroposterior axis for femoral component rotation and computer navigation techniques were included in the study. Deformity before TKA ranged from 17.5° varus (deformity apex away from the midline) to 20.5° valgus (deformity apex toward the midline) in full extension. Before TKA, deformity was not constant through an arc of motion and significantly decreased with flexion of 60° and more (P < .01). The deformity after performing a TKA was not different (P = .478) throughout the flexion arc. The data determined that deformity is not constant throughout flexion in osteoarthritic knees preoperatively and that deformity throughout flexion can be corrected with the use of conventional alignment techniques during TKA.
Bone marrow cells and their role in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction

Abstract: Treatment for coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy accounts for a large proportion of the national health-care expenditure in the USA. More importantly, these disease processes are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, a fact that remains for many patients despite best current practices. Over the past decade, there have been exciting advancements in the field of regenerative medicine, and much hope has been placed on the potential of stem cells for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Of particular interest is the ability of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to aid in the repair process after myocardial infarction.
Cancer center clinic and clinical research team perceptions of identity and interactions.

e18215Background: As evidenced by the NCI-ASCO Teams in Cancer Care Delivery initiative, there is growing interest in applying an emerging science of teams to oncology clinical care. Treatment of p...
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Disease State Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that results in the progressive deterioration and loss of function of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis. ALS affects approximately 16,000 individuals, with a prognosis for survival of 2 to 5 years. There are 2 types of ALS differentiated by genetics: familial and sporadic (idiopathic). Diagnosis is determined by excluding other conditions and utilizing clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and nerve conduction/electromyography studies. Due to the collection of information from the participation of patients with ALS in registries, biomarkers and genes associated with ALS have been discovered. The best practices for the management of ALS include an interdisciplinary approach aimed at addressing the physical and psychological needs and desires of patients and their families and caregivers.
I'm Sorry About the Rain! The Positive Effects of Superfluous Apologies

Existing apology research has conceptualized apologies as a device to rebuild relationships following a transgression. As a result, apology research has failed to investigate the use of apologies f...
Global Patterns of Carbon Dioxide Variability from Satellite Observations

Advanced satellite technology has been providing unique observations of global carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. These observations have revealed important CO2 variability at different timescale...
What Discharge Instructions Should I Give? Oral Rehydration, Zinc Supplementation, Diet, Probiotics, and Antimotility Medications

For mild to moderate dehydration, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) delivers replacement of fluids and electrolytes in a safe, cost-effective manner. In a meta-analysis of 16 studies of 1545 children in 11 countries, oral rehydration was associated with fewer major adverse events (relative risk 0.36, 95% confidence interval, 0.14–0.89) and shorter hospital stays (mean 21 h; 95% CI, 8–35 h) compared to IV hydration. In the United States, oral rehydration solutions include Pedialyte, Infalyte, or WHO oral rehydration solutions. In 2004, WHO and United Nation’s Children fund (UNICEF) recommended zinc supplementation for acute diarrhea in children <5 years of age. Patients should no longer be limited to bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast as has been promoted in the past, but instead a healthy diet should be encouraged to promote enterocyte recovery.
Experimenting Text Creation by Natural-Language, Large-Vocabulary Speech Recognition

In the last years the probabilistic approach to speech recognition has allowed the development of high-performances large-vocabulary speech recognition systems [1] [2]. At the IBM Rome Scientific Center a speech-recognition prototype for the Italian language, based on this approach, has been built. The prototype is able to recognize in real time natural-language sentences built using a vocabulary containing up to 20000 words. [4]. Once and for all the user has to perform an acoustic training phase (about 20 minutes long), during which he is required to utter a predefined text. Words must be uttered inserting small pauses (a few centiseconds), between them. The prototype architecture is based on a personal computer equipped with special hardware. The first system we developed was aimed at a business and finance lexicon. Many laboratory tests have shown the effectiveness of the prototype as a tool to create texts by voice. After a first phase during which in-house experiments were carried on [5], the need arose to test the system in real work enviroments and for different applications. Two applications were considered: the dictation of radiological reports and of insurance company documents. Due to their characteristics, these applications seemed to be very well suited for our purposes. Since the vocabulary of the recognizer must be predefined, we had to adapt the system to the lexicon required by the new applications. The paper describes the techniques developed to efficiently adapt the basic component of the recognizer the acoustic and language models. The results obtained experimenting automatic text dictation during real work are also presented.