cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analysis of CMUTs in different regimes of operation

This paper reports on dynamic analysis of an immersed single capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) cell transmitting. A water loaded 24 /spl mu/m circular silicon membrane of a transducer was modeled. The calculated collapse and snapback voltages were 80 V and 50 V, respectively. The resonance frequency, output pressure and nonlinearity of the CMUT in three regimes of operation were determined. These regimes were: a) the conventional regime in which the membrane does not make contact with the substrate, b) the collapsed regime in which the center of the membrane is in constant contact with the substrate, and c) the collapse-snapback regime in which the membrane intermittently makes contact with the substrate and releases. The average membrane displacement was compared as the CMUT was operated in these regimes. A displacement of 70 /spl Aring/ in the collapsed regime and 39 /spl Aring/ in conventional regime operation were predicted when a 5 V pulse was applied to the CMUT cell biased at 70 V. The CMUT showed a 2/sup nd/ harmonic at -16 dB and -26 dB in conventional and collapsed regimes of operation, respectively. Collapse-snapback operation provided increased output pressure at the expense of a 3/sup rd/ harmonic at -10 dB. Our simulations predicted that the average output pressure at the membrane could be 90 kPa/V with collapse-snapback operation compared to 4 kPa/V with conventional operation.
Welcome from the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society president

It is my distinct privilege to warmly welcome you to the International and Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium IGARSS 2016 in the historic and vibrant city of Beijing, China. IGARSS is the premier remote sensing conference organized by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) which provides the ideal forum for scientists, practitioners, and industries, as well as decision makers, for meeting and exchanging ideas, obtaining the most up-to-date information about science and technology of remote sensing, as well as forming the future science and technology trends in the important area of remote sensing of the Earth. It is my belief that with the ever growing population and ever increasing demand for resources, public services, security, etc., that the interdisciplinary field of remote sensing will definitely be among the top 10 most promising technology trends in the future. Over the past 54 years IEEE GRSS has been at the forefront of the remote sensing discipline and has made significant strides towards this goal.
A “Massive and Unprecedented Intrusion”

In May 13, 2013, the Associated Press announced that the United States Department of Justice had secretly subpoenaed phone records from Associated Press phone lines over a two-month period in early 2012. A few days later, on May 17, the Washington Post revealed that the Department of Justice had also been tracking the activities of Fox News’ chief Washington correspondent, James Rosen. These two stories caused large scandals in the United States, and the majority of American journalists denounced the surveillance. As these scandals were still unfolding, yet another government surveillance scandal broke: former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the federal government had been collecting the cell phone metadata of American citizens for several years. Journalists’ responses to this scandal were more nuanced; editorials expressed a wider spectrum of views about the ethics of government surveillance practices, and more complex opinions about the legitimacy and necessity of govern...
Phytotherapy in Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition with significant impact on quality of life. Multiple etiologies are implicated including inflammation, infection, neuropathy, and pelvic muscle spasm. Ideal therapy is typically multimodal with treatments focused on the patient’s clinical phenotype. Traditional pharmacologic treatments have often failed in clinical trials. Interest has thus increased in the use of alternative treatments such as phytotherapies. However, it is imperative that these treatments receive the same rigorous evaluation as do the more traditional pharmaceuticals to help provide evidence-based medicine for patients with CP/CPPS. The increased attention to phytotherapies in the literature has provided practitioners with clinical trials of these agents to guide therapy. Commonly used treatments within this area are pollen extracts, quercetin, saw palmetto, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. This chapter will serve to review each of these phytotherapies and further investigate the scientific data for each.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of a fluorescent cyanoquinoline probe for profiling ERBB2 kinase inhibitor response

A fluorescent probe targeting the ERBB2 receptor tyrosine was designed, synthesized and evaluated as reporter of ERBB2 dynamics in overexpressing BT474, i.e. Her2(+), cells. Two cyanoquinazoline (CQ) probes modeled after type-I (CQ1) or active state and type-II (CQ2) or inactive state inhibitors were designed and synthesized with extended π systems that impart binding-induced, turn-on fluorescence. Solution spectroscopy revealed that CQ1 exhibited attractive photophysical properties and displayed turn-on emission in the presence of purified, soluble ERBB2 kinase domain, while CQ2 was found to be non-emissive, likely due to quenching via a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism. Live cell imaging with CQ1 revealed that this probe targeted an intracellular population of ERBB2, which increased following treatment with type-I inhibitors, gefinitib and canertinib, but showed no response to type-II inhibitors. CQ1 thus provides a novel means of imaging the dynamic response of ERBB2(+) cells to kinase inhibitors.
Aquaporins: Water Channel Proteins in the Plasma Membrane and the Tonoplast

The plasma membrane and the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) contain water-selective channel proteins called aquaporins. These 27 kDa proteins function as monomers and facilitate osmotic pressure-driven water transport through the membranes. The presence of aquaporins in a membrane increases its water permeability 5 to 10-fold.
Planar Librational Motion of a Gravity-Gradient Satellite During Deployment

Two existing analytical methods of predicting the planar librational motion during deployment of a gravity-gradient satellite with extendible booms are studied. The first method by Watson is based on the assumption that during the relatively short time of deployment the integrated effects of gravity-gradient torques can be neglected. The second method by Liu and Mitchell assumes that the librational motion is limited to small amplitudes. The series solution approach of Liu and Mitchell has been adapted here to include a corrected higher order term. Both analytical solutions are applied to predict librational deployment motion of (1) the DODGE satellite during a particular ‘dead-beat’ capture maneuver, and (2) a Dumbbell satellite initially stabilized with respect to the local vertical. The solutions obtained by both analytical methods are compared with the results of numerical integration of the exact deployment equation.
Edith Stein: Woman as Ethical Type

The seeds of Edith Stein’s ethical theory are present in her earliest work, Zum Problem der Einfuhlung (1917; On the Problem of Empathy, 1964), since there she discovers that only empathy can disclose others. In her analysis of experiences of empathy, Stein enriched the phenomenological notion of the “person in the world.” As early as age twenty-two—when she arrived at the University of Gottingen to study under Husserl—until her death at Auschwitz in 1942, her principal philosophical interest and the driving force behind her philosophy remained the person. For Stein, persons are the highest value. She also held that one “ought” to realize the values that (s)he can achieve. Thus all ethical dicta share a single intention: realizing the intrinsic value of persons, oneself and others.
Effect of Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy With or Without Chemoradiation on Bowel Function in Rectal Cancer Patients Treated With Total Mesorectal Excision

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CRT) impairs bowel function in patients with rectal cancer treated with total mesorectal excision (TME). The impact of other forms of neoadjuvant therapy such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (NC) and induction chemotherapy followed by CRT (total neoadjuvant therapy or TNT) on postoperative bowel function has not been investigated. We conducted a retrospective review of 176 rectal cancer patients treated between November 1, 2011, and August 31, 2017. All patients completed the MSKCC Bowel Function Instrument (BFI), a validated bowel function questionnaire, at least 6 months after TME and/or ileostomy reversal. Differences in BFI scores were compared across four groups (surgery alone, CRT, NC, and TNT) and also according to exposure to neoadjuvant RT and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A multivariable linear regression model was used to evaluate the independent relationship between exposure to neoadjuvant RT or chemotherapy and BFI. BFI total scores were significantly different between the four groups (p = 0.008). Exposure to RT correlated with worse BFI total scores (p = 0.002), and no differences were found in BFI total score after exposure to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.92). In a linear regression model, only exposure to RT (β = − 5.1; 95% CI − 8.9 to − 1.3; p = 0.008) and tumor distance from the anal verge (β = 1.23; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.97; p = 0.001) were significantly correlated with BFI total score. NC, whether administered alone or added to CRT, does not seem to impair bowel function. These data should be used to counsel rectal cancer patients when discussing neoadjuvant therapy options.
A unified wetting and drying theory

For years, theory and model simulations have strongly disagreed on whether global warming will lead to scarcer or more plentiful water supplies. An elegant study now supplies the missing theoretical piece, strengthening the case that global water resources will increase in a warmer world.
A qualitative investigation of microentrepreneurship in the sharing economy

Abstract This qualitative study explores various aspects of microentrepreneurship in the sharing economy and describes the motivations of people who operate these innovative businesses from financial, social, and cultural perspectives. This study uncovers the positive and negative outcomes of such business activities. Airbnb, a prominent proxy in the peer-to-peer accommodation business, was chosen as the study context and Airbnb hosts interviewed to build a theoretical framework. The results identified eight motivations behind Airbnb hosts’ microentrepreneurial activities: social, financial, and cultural benefit; ease of operation; availability of resources; freedom; flexibility; and excitement about future perspectives. The data also indicated that Airbnb hosts perceive five positive outcomes of their microentrepreneurship: financial gain, social connection, cultural learning, personal growth, and feelings of achievement. In addition, this study found that microentrepreneurship presents challenges to Airbnb hosts, such as risk, lack of privacy, and emotional stress resulting from guest reviews. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail.
Does incorporating gear selectivity during macroscale investigations of fish growth reduce size-selective sampling bias in parameter estimates?

Understanding of fish growth, the spatial variability in individual growth, and the potential drivers of such variability is a fundamental component of many ecological investigations. However, samp...
Effect of resin on impact damage tolerance of graphite/epoxy laminates

Twenty-four different epoxy resin systems were evaluated by a variety of test techniques to identify materials that exhibited improved impact damage tolerance in graphite/epoxy composite laminates. Forty-eight-ply composite panels of five of the material systems were able to sustain 100 m/s impact by a 1.27-cm-diameter aluminum projectile while statically loaded to strains of 0.005. Of the five materials with the highest tolerance to impact, two had elastomeric additives, two had thermoplastic additives, and one had a vinyl modifier; all the five systems used bisphenol A as the base resin. An evaluation of test results shows that the laminate damage tolerance is largely determined by the resin tensile properties, and that improvements in laminate damage tolerance are not necessarily made at the expense of room-temperature mechanical properties. The results also suggest that a resin volume fraction of 40 percent or greater may be required to permit the plastic flow between fibers necessary for improved damage tolerance.
Ethics and Students with Disabilities from Migrant Farmworker Families

Students with disabilities from migrant farmworker families face multiple and complex challenges in their pursuit of an appropriate education. An ethical framework based on principles of care and h...
O-008 Intra-arterial polymer coating deposition in patients undergoing endovascular therapy for acute large vessel strokes

Background and objective Hydrophilic polymer embolism (HPE) due to coated vascular devices is a recognized iatrogenic complication of endovascular therapies. This has been linked with significant sequelae, including neuroinflammation, acute ischemic stroke, cerebral hemorrhage and death. Despite this recognition, procedure and device-specific frequencies and clinical risks in cerebrovascular interventions are poorly investigated. We aim to evaluate the frequency of polymer coating delamination among stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Correlation between coating delamination and patient and procedural factors, including outcome, device type, number of passes and procedural duration are assessed. Methods Retrospective analysis of consecutively retrieved thrombectomy specimen from acute large vessel stroke patients undergoing endovascular interventions. A total of 92 specimen were studied. H and E stained slides of the extracted thrombus were analyzed by a neuropathologist with extensive experience in histopathologic detection of HPE for the presence and dimensions of polymer foreign body within the extracted thrombus specimens. Foreign body chemical analysis was performed. Prospectively collected data including patient demographics, stroke severity, procedural details and outcomes were correlated with the presence or absence of polymer. Results In 92 cerebral thrombectomy specimens, 30 revealed evidence of polymer delamination. Deposited polymer appeared as basophilic nonrefractile coiled foreign bodies on histopathology. Procedural details revealed heterogenous patterns of device use. No correlation between polymer delamination and use of a specific thrombectomy device such as stent retriever, aspiration catheters or guide catheters was found. Presence of polymer was not associated with clinical outcomes as measured by the modified Rankin score (mRS). However our study is not powered to detect this difference and 90 day outcomes based on mRS may not be the best outcome endpoint to detect delayed consequences of intracerebral polymer deposition. There was a trend of increased polymer presence with longer procedure times and polymer delamination was twice as common when the number of passes was greater than 1 compared to cases that used a single pass. Conclusion This study is the first to evaluate the frequency of polymer coating delamination during thrombectomy procedures. Polymer coating particulates were observed in 33% of patients. Although correlation with patient outcome was not established in this study, limited sample size, heterogeneous device combinations, retrospective nature and lack of long term follow up limits interpretation. In light of previously documented adverse effects of coating embolism, our findings indicate the need for large-scale long-term prospective studies to assess device risks. Disclosures R. Mehta: None. R. Mehta: None. J. Vos: None. A. Rai: 2; C; Stryker Neurovascular.
Influence of symbiotic and non-symbiotic bacteria on pheromone production in Steinernema nematodes (Nematoda, Steinernematidae)

ABSTRACT In this study, we assessed the effect of symbiotic (cognate and non-cognate) and non-symbiotic bacteria on ascaroside production of first-generation adults in two Steinernema spp.: S. carpocapsae All strain and S. feltiae SN strain. Each nematode species was reared under three bacterial scenarios: (1) cognate symbiotic, (2) non-cognate symbiotic strain and (3) non-cognate symbiotic species. Our results showed S. carpocapsae produced four quantifiable ascaroside molecules: asc-C5, asc-C6, asc-C7 and asc-C11, whereas in S. feltiae only three molecules were detected: asc-C5, asc-C7 and asc-C11. Bacterial conditions did not significantly affect the quantity of the secreted ascarosides in first-generation adults of S. carpocapsae. However, in S. feltiae, Xenorhabdus nematophila All strain influenced the production of two ascaroside molecules: asc-C5 and asc-C11.
Role of Memory B Cells in Hemagglutinin-Specific Antibody Production Following Human Influenza A Virus Infection.

When influenza A virus infects an immune individual, preexisting memory B cell (MBC) activation and rapid anamnestic antibody production plays a key role in viral clearance. The most effective neutralizing antibodies target the antigenically variable head of the viral hemagglutinin (HA); antibodies against the conserved HA stalk provide broader but less potent protection. In this review, we provide a comprehensive picture of an adult’s HA-specific antibody response to influenza virus infection. The process is followed from preexisting HA-specific MBC activation and rapid production of anti-HA antibodies, through to germinal center seeding and adaptation of the response to novel features of the HA. A major focus of the review is the role of competition between preexisting MBCs in determining the character of the HA-reactive antibody response. HA novelty modifies this competition and can shift the response from the immunodominant head to the stalk. We suggest that antibodies resulting from preexisting MBC activation are important regulators of anti-HA antibody production and play a role in positive selection of germinal center B cells reactive to novel HA epitopes. Our review also considers the role of MBCs in the effects of early-life imprinting on HA head- and stalk-specific antibody responses to influenza infection. An understanding of the processes described in this review will guide development of vaccination strategies that provide broadly effective protection.
Ethnic identity among Ukrainians in the United States: intergenerational and community influences

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research was to understand the complex ways in which family and community interact to sustain Ukrainian identity across generations. In this work, there is particular fo...
Self-help for taxonomists: three things we must do for taxonomy to survive

Knapp & Boxshall (2010) concluded that “at the very time when the importance of biodiversity has been realised, our capability of describing and documenting it has been eroded to a crisis point.” It seems to me that little has changed since then but other contributions are focusing on the overall problem so I want to use this article to highlight three practical challenges for taxonomy going forwards. 1. Maintaining and enhancing the system of Reciprocal Illumination. 2. Building and maintaining taxonomic information systems. 3. Addressing issues of societal relevance.
Hydride Mapping in Uranium Using MLLS Fitting of Electron Energy-Loss Spectra

Previous studies of the reaction of hydrogen gas with uranium metal have been mainly limited to microscale or higher observations of uranium surfaces. We have characterized subsurface features of uranium hydride structures formed in a depleted uranium pellet aged for over 9 years under a controlled atmosphere with an initial H2 partial pressure of 0.667 kPa (5 torr) using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), giving information at lower length scales than previously reported. We demonstrate that multiple linear least-squares fitting of the O4,5 edge of the uranium EEL spectrum, with input spectra generated from the dataset being analyzed, can be used to map hydride and metal phases in aged uranium metal at the nanometer scale. While the interface between the bulk metal and the subsurface hydride structures is sharp and well defined, the interior of the reacted region is heterogeneous, containing a mix of polycrystalline UH3 and stranded, apparently unreacted, U metal.
Sculpting new structures

The origins of the posterior lobe, a recently evolved structure in some species of Drosophila, have become clearer.
Development of drug resistance in colon cancer patients following chemotherapy, a contributing factor in the failure of oxaliplatin-based HIPEC to improve survival in the Prodige 7 trial.

4063Background: Numerous studies suggest benefit for heated intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in colon cancer but the Prodige 7 trial in 265 colon cancer patients randomized to HIPEC or observa...
4 – T Cell Anergy

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cellular characteristics of T cells. During T-cell development in the thymus, self-reactive cells are eliminated by a process known as negative selection. This mechanism for maintaining self-tolerance is, however, effective only for the self-antigens present in the thymus; therefore, the immune system must have a way of dealing with self-Ag present only in the periphery. One such mechanism that has been proposed is the functional inactivation of self-reactive T cells, a state known as clonal anergy. This state is thought to be induced when T cells are stimulated with T-cell receptor occupancy. The major characteristic of anergic cells is a proliferative defect in response to stimulation by Ag and APC. This proliferative defect is because of a dramatic decrease in IL-2 production. In addition, anergic cells produce less of the other lymphokines, but this decreased production is graded and not as profound as that for IL-2. The decrease in lymphokine is correlated with decreased steady-state mRNA levels for these lymphokines.
When Xenophobia Spreads Like a Plague: A Critical Pastoral Theological Reflection on Anti-Asian Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the coronavirus pandemic exponentially mushrooms across the globe, xenophobia comes after it almost immediately. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 began, Asians and Asian Americans have been subjec...
Event Camera Simulator Design for Modeling Attention-based Inference Architectures

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in realizing methodologies to integrate more and more computation at the level of the image sensor. The rising trend has seen an increased research interest in developing novel event cameras that can facilitate CNN computation directly in the sensor. However, event-based cameras are not generally available in the market, limiting performance exploration on high-level models and algorithms. This paper presents an event camera simulator that can be a potent tool for hardware design prototyping, parameter optimization, attention-based innovative algorithm development, and benchmarking. The proposed simulator implements a distributed computation model to identify relevant regions in an image frame. Our simulator's relevance computation model is realized as a collection of modules and performs computations in parallel. The distributed computation model is configurable, making it highly useful for design space exploration. The Rendering engine of the simulator samples frame-regions only when there is a new event. The simulator closely emulates an image processing pipeline similar to that of physical cameras. Our experimental results show that the simulator can effectively emulate event vision with low overheads.
We Need Accomplices, Not Allies in the Fight for an Equitable Geoscience

The killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 sparked a global movement for black lives that extended into the geosciences. Nearly a year later, some momentum has been sustained, but the appetite for...
Acquiring verbal reference: The interplay of cognitive, linguistic, and general learning capacities

Verbal reference is the ability to use language to communicate about objects, events, or ideas, even if they are not witnessed directly, such as past events or faraway places. It rests on a three-way link between words, their referents, and mental representations of those referents. A foundational human capacity, verbal reference extends the communicative power of language beyond the here-and-now, enabling access to language-mediated learning and thus fueling cognitive development. In the current review, we consider how and when verbal reference develops. The existing literature suggests that verbal reference emerges around infants' first birthdays and becomes increasingly robust by their second. In discussing the powerful developmental advantages of acquiring verbal reference we propose that this achievement requires a dynamic interplay among infants' cognitive and language development, fueled by general learning capacities. We close by describing new research directions, aimed at advancing our understanding of how verbal reference emerges.
Endorsements from Republican Politicians Can Increase Confidence in U.S. Elections

Since the 2020 U.S. presidential election, perceptions of the validity of the outcome and broader trust in the American electoral process have reached historically low levels among Republicans. While this trend has potentially harmful consequences for democratic stability, there is little research on how beliefs that the election was fair—and trust in the American electoral process more generally—can be restored. In a preregistered survey experiment (n = 2101), we find that viewing real messages from Republican politicians defending the legitimacy of the 2020 election increased faith in the election’s outcome and in the broader electoral process among Republican voters, compared to either a neutral control condition or to comparable messages from Democratic politicians. These effects are fully mediated by shifts in voters’ perceptions of elite Republican opinion about the 2020 election, highlighting a potentially useful intervention for efforts to restore faith in elections going forward. Notably, exposure to messages from Republican politicians affirming the election’s legitimacy did not significantly decrease support for the Republican Party, suggesting that Republican politicians who endorse the 2020 election results might not face voter backlash in future elections.
An Approach to Assess the Impact of Dynamic Congestion in Vehicle Routing Problems

This research proposes an integrated framework of capacitated vehicle routing problems (CVRP) and traffic flow model (cell transmission model in this research) to assess the effect of time-varying congestion. We develop a framework consisting sequence of mixed integer programs solving the CVRP with updated cost obtained from the traffic flow model. A real-world network with 15 cities and towns is tested with the framework and results show significant travel time reduction from the case where time-varying congestion is not considered. In addition, we consider system optimal type of route choice behavior within the traffic flow model.
Use of Griess Reagent Containing Vanadium(III) for Post-Column Derivatization and Simultaneous Determination of Nitrite and Nitrate in Baby Food

An ion chromatographic method with post-column derivatization and spectrophotometric detection is presented for the determination of nitrate and nitrite (NOx) in baby food. NOx residues found naturally or added as preservatives were extracted from baby foods and determined by using ion chromatography with post-column derivatization and spectrophotometric detection. Nitrate was reduced to nitrite online by post-column reduction using vanadium(lll) chloride and heat. Nitrite reacted with Griess reagent to produce a dye that was detected at 525 nm. The use of V(III) and heat to promote the reduction of nitrate to nitrite online is a novel feature of this detection system. The determination of incurred NOx residues in samples by using AOAC Method 993.03 yielded results comparable to those obtained by ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The toxic and carcinogenic metal cadmium used in the AOAC Method to reduce the nitrate to nitrite was avoided. The proposed method provides simultaneous determination of nitrate and nitrite. Average recoveries of nitrate and nitrite residues ranged from 82 to 107% for fortification levels of 25-400 ppm.
Design and analysis of aerospace DC arcing faults using fast fourier transformation and artificial neural network

This paper presents a novel scheme based on fast Fourier transformation and artificial neural network is utilized to design and analysis of the DC arcing faults in a spacecraft, for NASA experimental set up. It is important to keep the continuity of the power supply and at the same time increase the reliability of spacecraft energy power system (EPS). One of the most deadly faults is an arcing fault, which are accompanied by very erratic waveforms variations. The sustainable current level in the arc is not sufficient to be reliably detected by conventional means. Feeder current signal analysis provides a solution to this detection problem. A fast Fourier transformation is applied to decompose the monitored voltage and current signals into a series of detailed spectral components. The artificial neural network is used to detect the arcing faults. The spectral energies are computed and then employed to train the neural network to identify the faults.
Fotografiando la diversidad cultural

A fotografia como meio de comunicacao visual tem uma serie de codigos ou principios basicos sobre os quais orientar-se. No momento em que a fotografia encontra-se imersa na pagina deum jornal ja nao podemos considera-la individualmente, perde o status de unidade, e consequentemente deve-se considerar a relacao estabelecida entre imagem e texto. Quando a informacao que publica um jornal faz referencia a imigracao, em nivel fotografico, podemos estabelecer uma serie de criterios dirigidos a uma forma positiva e de qualidade de relacionar-se vsualmente com os imigrantes.
Soft Organ MDCT Imaging: Pancreas and Spleen

Imaging is now integral for diagnosing pancreatic disease and neoplasms. The use of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners has dramatically reduced scan acquisition time, with resultant improvement in patient compliance and image quality. Fast scanning time enables the acquisition of multiple phases of enhancement, which is of paramount importance in imaging the pancreas. The improved Z-axis resolution permits excellent image reconstructions, which play a critical role in diagnosis and staging of pancreatic neoplasms due to the anatomic layout of the pancreas and its vasculature. The cross-sectional imaging of splenic pathology has also improved due to the improvement in MDCT technology. MDCT can rapidly image the spleen and is valuable in the diagnosis of a variety of congenital, neoplastic, inflammatory, and traumatic lesions of the spleen.
Light Beating Spectroscopy

During the past decade, light beating spectroscopy has developed into a major new technique for analyzing optical fields with an effective resolution orders of magnitude greater than was available with traditional spectroscopic techniques. In all the early light beating experiments, the optical field under study illuminated a photodetector whose output current was then analyzed with an audio or r.f. spectrum analyzer in order to determine the photocurrent power spectrum.
Abstract 105: Geographic Disparities in Emergency Medical Services Calls for Stroke in Chicago

Introduction: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a methodology for matching clinical and spatial metrics to inform public health intervention and policy development. We evaluated statistical hot spots for emergency medical services (EMS) calls for stroke and compared these with stroke admission rates in Chicago. Methods: In a retrospective review, we compared stroke hospitalizations (ICD-9 code 430-436) for residents of Chicago using Illinois Hospital Association CompData to EMS stroke calls between May 15, 2012 and November 30, 2012. EMS stroke calls were identified through the patient tracking system of the Chicago Fire Department which also captured the scene coordinates (latitude and longitude). Using the Getis-Ord Gi* method, we identified hot spots for EMS stroke calls. Statistical hot spots are defined as areas where there is <1% chance of the case clusters occurring by chance. We then calculated a ratio of EMS calls to stroke admissions for each zip code in Chicago to identify areas where EMS usage was disproportionately low. Results: During the study period, there were 4,135 stroke admissions and 919 EMS stroke calls. Stroke admissions were more frequent in the south, west, and northwest sides of Chicago. While hot spot data for EMS stroke calls overlapped with areas of greatest stroke density and mortality, there were some areas with disproportionately low rates of EMS calls (figure). In particular, the regions in the northwest area of the city and downtown/south loop of Chicago appear to have low (4-11%) rates of EMS calls per stroke admissions. Conclusion: Discrete areas within Chicago were identified as hot spots for EMS-treated stroke which correspond generally with regions of greatest stroke density and stroke mortality. GIS mapping of EMS stroke calls may be valuable for targeted neighborhood educational outreach, operational deployment of EMS resources, and monitoring performance improvement initiatives. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A travel cost analysis of nonconsumptive wildlife-associated recreation in the United States

Increased emphasis on sustainable resource management in forestry has effectuated a demand for various nontimber values. Nonconsumptive wildlife recreation is an important nontimber service produced on forest and rangeland. Travel cost models and data from the 1991 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation are used to estimate the demand and value for nonconsumptive wildlife-associated recreation in the United States. Resulting welfare measures are shown to be sensitive to assumptions about the cost of travel time, pecuniary costs, and functional form. Consumer surplus estimates range from 18.7 to 327.5 dollars per trip, while aggregate estimates of consumer surplus resulting from access to nonconsumptive wildlife recreation range from 5.8 to 66.4 billion dollars annually. Availability of information about nonparticipants allows comparison of truncated and untruncated demand models. Contrary to previous findings, consumer surplus estimates from truncated models are smaller than for untruncated counterparts. Trip demand is found to be adversely affected by per capita decreases in forest and rangeland. Models include interaction variables to avoid forcing hunting or fishing as potential substitutes for the large number of people who do not hunt or fish. Hunting and nonconsumptive wildlife recreation are complementary activities, while the results for fishing are mixed. FOR. SCI. 46(4):496-506.
Electronic structure of NiSi2

Structural and electronic properties of epitaxial Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ crystals are investigated with the use of low-energy-electron diffraction, Auger spectroscopy, and photoemission. Normal emission spectra from (111) and (100) Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ surfaces yield band dispersions and critical-point energies along $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}L$ and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{-}X$ directions of the bulk Brillouin zone which support the results of recent self-consistent band calculations. No evidence of surface reconstruction is observed on (111) or (100) Ni${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ crystal faces; however, high-temperature annealing does promote silicon-atom segregation at the surface.
Emergency medical service and in-hospital vital signs as predictors of subsequent PTSD symptom severity in pediatric injury patients.

Background: The present study investigated the extent to which heart rate (HR) levels soon after a traumatic event predicted posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity assessed 6 weeks and 6 months later in child trauma victims. Methods: Participants consisted of 82 children (56 boys, 26 girls) aged 8–18 who were admitted to a Midwestern trauma center. HR data were recorded from emergency medical services (EMS) records, upon admission to the emergency department (ED), for the first 20 minutes following admission, and upon discharge. Subsequent PTSD and depressive symptoms were assessed 6-weeks and 6-months post-trauma. Results: HR recorded during EMS transport was significantly correlated with PTSD symptoms at 6 weeks (r = .42) and at 6 months (r = .35). After removing the variance associated with demographic variables and depressive symptoms, HR during EMS transport and averaged over the first 20 minutes following admission significantly predicted 6-week PTSD symptoms. The first recorded EMS HR measure significantly predicted 6-month PTSD symptoms. HR averaged over the first 20 minutes of EMS transport and averaged over the first 20 minutes following admission marginally predicted 6-month PTSD symptoms (ps = .051 and .079, respectively). Conclusions: The present findings suggest that physiological arousal soon after a traumatic event may be associated with increased risk for the development of PTSD symptoms in child trauma victims. These findings provide preliminary support for the use of acute cardiovascular levels as markers of child trauma victims at higher risk of developing symptoms of PTSD.
Analysis of adjustments to the United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) temperature database

[1] The United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) temperature database is commonly used in regional climate analyses. However, the raw temperature records in the USHCN are adjusted substantially to account for a variety of potential contaminants to the dataset. We compare the USHCN data with several surface and upper-air datasets and show that the effects of the various USHCN adjustments produce a significantly more positive, and likely spurious, trend in the USHCN data.
Bves, a member of the Popeye domain-containing gene family

Bves was discovered through subtractive screens designed to identify heart-enriched transcripts. Bves is a transmembrane protein that possesses a highly conserved structure among species of the animal kingdom. Various approaches have been used to elucidate the expression pattern of Bves mRNA and protein as well as its function in developing and mature organisms. Emerging evidence indicates that this protein is present in muscle and epithelia of developing embryos and the adult. In vitro functional studies predict a role in cell-cell interaction and/or adhesion. In vivo analysis of protein function is very limited at present, but recent work in Xenopus supports the importance of Bves in epithelial integrity. Presented in this review is a compilation of published findings concerning Bves gene and protein characteristics, expression patterns in embryos and cells, and functional significance as determined thus far. Presently, the literature supports a hypothesis that Bves is essential to the junctional architecture of muscle and epithelial cell types. Although there remain aspects of Bves structure, expression, and function that are not completely resolved, now is an appropriate time to summarize current knowledge about this protein, the remaining questions, and what its potential role in development might be. This review will serve as a departure point for others who become interested in the study of this highly conserved protein.
An evaluation of the tendency of Avitene to produce periureteral fibrosis in the dog

This study was designed to evaluate whether a microfibrillary collagen hemostatic agent (Avitene) would cause retroperitoneal fibrosis and ureteric obstruction when applied along the side of the ureter and left in situ for a period of 6 months. The contralateral side served as a control. Serial intravenous urograms were obtained and histopathologic studies were conducted to evaluate these effects. No evidence of significant retroperitoneal fibrosis or ureteric obstruction was found either on serial intravenous urograms or on histopathologic examination of the ureter after 6 months.
Interaction between diffusion and Michaelis-Menten uptake of dopamine after iontophoresis in striatum

A quantitative description of the behavior of a neurotransmitter in the brain extracellular microenvironment requires an understanding of the relative importance of diffusion versus uptake processes. This paper models the behavior of dopamine released from a small iontophoresis electrode and its voltammetric detection by a carbon fiber sensor 100 microns away as a basis for developing a new paradigm for measuring dopamine kinetics in intact rat neostriatum. The diffusion equation incorporating uptake, characterized by a maximum velocity Vmax and a Michaelis-Menten constant Km, was transformed to an integral equation and solved numerically for the dopamine concentration, C. Analytical solutions were derived for limiting cases of a steady-state free-boundary problem when C >> Km and the linear time-dependent problem when C
Using mechanical modeling to constrain fault geometries proposed for the northern Marmara Sea

[1] In recognition of potential seismic hazard along the North Anatolian fault within the Marmara Sea, geophysical surveys have recently been conducted to collect high-resolution bathymetry and seismic reflection data. Despite the high quality of the data, fault interpretations by different authors are varied and a conclusive fault geometry within the Marmara Sea remains elusive. This paper presents a mechanical modeling method for constraining proposed fault geometry interpretations. In the model, crustal faults within the Marmara Sea slip in accordance with GPS-constrained slip rates along deep plate boundary dislocations. We test three fault models proposed by others and show that an interpretation with a series of pull-apart basins along a master strike-slip fault best produces the observed deformation pattern within the Marmara Sea. The locations and relative subsidence of the basins along the northern Marmara trough are well matched. The computed slip vectors on the faults in the best fitting model indicate that, except for small faults bounding the Tekirdag basin, the faults have dominantly right-lateral slip, with rakes within 15° of horizontal. On the local scale, this suggests that interaction between the segmented strike-slip faults is the dominant mechanism producing the observed vertical deformation in the Marmara Sea. On the regional scale, if the Marmara Sea faults behaved in this manner over geologic timescales, then right-lateral plate boundary motion, without an additional component of north-south extension associated with the Aegean Sea, is sufficient to produce the Marmara Sea pull-apart basin morphology.
Parrot Behavior at a Peruvian Clay Lick

Abstract We documented the behavior of 13 parrot species at a geophagy site along the Tambopata River in southeastern Peru. These species use the lick in one or more multi-species aggregations composed predominantly of (1) large parrots and small macaws (81% of lick use), (2) large macaws (5%), or (3) parakeets and small parrots (5%). Monospecific flocks accounted for only 8% of lick use and lone individuals <1% of lick use. The multi-species aggregations sorted by body size and were generally composed of species with similar coloration suggesting that group composition was driven by a mix of competition and predation. Three species regularly used the lick in monospecific groups and these had the largest group sizes away from the lick, suggesting a causal relationship between intraspecific sociality and lick use in monospecific groups. All groups were wary when approaching the lick, probably due to the risk from landslides and predators. We suggest that clay lick use strategies are molded by predation ris...
The adoption of external networking by American schools

Hypotheses from diffusion and resource dependence theory are applied to the explanation of participation in external networking (inter-networking) by schools. A national probability sample of 571 U.S. K-12 schools was used to test factors predicting schools’ use of external networks for instructional purposes. Early (vs late) adoption of computers did not predict later involvement in networking. Neither school spending nor rural region predicted network participation, except through the intervening variable of computer density. Thus, no matter how a school has acquired computers, once the base has been established it serves as an essential ingredient in taking the next step into external networking. The results were disappointing for diffusion theory and certainly point toward further investigation of this phenomenon. The findings also point to the importance of building a technological infrastructure in order to boost and leverage many of the instructional reform initiatives in education.
Expression Profiling Identifies Genes That Continue to Respond to Insulin in Adipocytes Made Insulin-resistant by Treatment with Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

We have employed microarray technology using RNA from normal 3T3-L1 adipocytes and from 3T3-L1 adipocytes made insulin-resistant by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α to identify a new class of insulin-responsive genes. These genes continued to respond normally to insulin even though the adipocytes themselves were metabolically insulin-resistant, i.e. they displayed a significantly decreased rate of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Approximately 12,000 genes/expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were screened. Of these, 40 genes/ESTs were identified that became insulin-resistant as expected (e.g. Socs-3, junB, and matrix metalloproteinase-11). However, 61 genes/ESTs continued to respond normally to insulin. Although some of these genes were previously shown to be regulated by insulin (e.g. Glut-1 and β3-adrenergic receptor), other novel insulin-sensitive genes were also identified (e.g. Egr-1, epiregulin, Fra-1, and ABCA1). Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis confirmed the expression patterns of several of the differentially expressed genes. One gene that remained insulin-sensitive in the insulin-resistant adipocytes is the transcription factor Egr-1. Using an antisense strategy, we show that tissue factor and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, two cardiovascular risk factors, are downstream EGR-1 target genes in the adipocyte. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that some signaling pathways remain insulin-sensitive in metabolically insulin-resistant adipocytes. These pathways may promote abnormal gene expression in hyperinsulinemic states like obesity and type II diabetes and thus may contribute to pathologies associated with these conditions.
Tissue microarrays: One size does not fit all

Background Although tissue microarrays (TMAs) are commonly employed in clinical and basic-science research, there are no guidelines for evaluating the appropriateness of a TMA for a given biomarker and tumor type. Furthermore, TMA performance across multiple biomarkers has not been systematically explored.