cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In-Season Nitrogen Fertilization of Soybean

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is not a traditional nutrient management practice for soybean production in Iowa. Soybean is a legume plant and is assumed to adequately obtain needed N through symbiotic fixation. However, there is interest in using N fertilization to increase yield and grain protein due to the recognition of the large N requirement associated with high yields. Despite the fact that soybean is a legume, it readily utilizes soil inorganic N and will do so preferentially to symbiotic N2 fixation. Depending on the residual inorganic N level and soil N mineralization characteristics, approximately 40 to 75% of the N in a mature soybean plant is derived from the soil. Also, soybean seems to require this soil derived N for high yield.
“It’s what we’ve always been doing.” Exploring tensions between school culture and change

In this article, we compare two North Carolina public schools that were simultaneously implementing reforms with seemingly different orientations, the A+ School Program and the ABCs of Public Education. We use the literature on caring and critiques of bureaucracy as a framework to look at the concurrent implementation of two educational reforms in North Carolina. We discuss data from a 5 year longitudinal study and critique our own assumptions as we develop portraits of schools that are both situated and complex. We do this to explore the question: In what ways does educational reform actually change educational practice? We develop a framework that articulates a critique of bureaucracy from the standpoint of caring, locate the culture of each school within the theoretical framework, and analyze how the culture of schools affects the implementation of educational reform. We conclude that reform is deeply cultural and that ethnographic methods are essential to understanding educational reform efforts.
Model-based engine fault detection using cylinder pressure estimates from nonlinear observers

There are two indicated torque input observers presented in paper. The input estimation problem is transformed into the control tracking problem. The sliding mode control with integrator and PI with feedforward control are used for tracking control blocks. The indicated torque estimations are applied to detect engine firing faults. Cylinder pressure centroid and cylinder pressure difference approaches for engine diagnostics are also discussed in this paper. Simulation results for a six-cylinder engine with abnormal combustion are plotted to show engine combustion problems. >
Lodging Demand for Urban Hotels in Major Metropolitan Markets

Analyzing urban hotel properties located in major metropolitan markets during the 1989 to 2000 period, this study provides empirical evidence that various measures of current income, expectations o...
Development and Regulation of Dendritic Spine Synapses

Dendritic spines are small protrusions from neuronal dendrites that form the postsynaptic component of most excitatory synapses in the brain. They play critical roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Recent advances in imaging and molecular technologies reveal that spines are complex, dynamic structures that contain a dense array of cytoskeletal, transmembrane, and scaffolding molecules. Several neurological and psychiatric disorders exhibit dendritic spine abnormalities.
End Points in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia and/or Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Clinical Trials: Food and Drug Administration Perspective

Identification of reliable, reproducible, and precise end points for future studies of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia is of paramount importance for approval of new therapeutic agents. As required by the Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 314.126, the methods of assessment of a subject's response (ie, end points) must be well defined and reliable. The study protocol and results should explain the variables measured, the methods of observation, and criteria used to assess response. Meeting these requirements has proven to be problematic in clinical trials for the evaluation of new products for the treatment of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia because of the subjectivity of assessing a clinical response end point. There are multiple issues and caveats to consider when selecting appropriate end points for these trials.
Single lens stereo with a plenoptic camera

Ordinary cameras gather light across the area of their lens aperture, and the light striking a given subregion of the aperture is structured somewhat differently than the light striking an adjacent subregion. By analyzing this optical structure, one can infer the depths of the objects in the scene, i.e. one can achieve single lens stereo. The authors describe a camera for performing this analysis. It incorporates a single main lens along with a lenticular array placed at the sensor plane. The resulting plenoptic camera provides information about how the scene would look when viewed from a continuum of possible viewpoints bounded by the main lens aperture. Deriving depth information is simpler than in a binocular stereo system because the correspondence problem is minimized. The camera extracts information about both horizontal and vertical parallax, which improves the reliability of the depth estimates. >
A Multisensor Observational Depiction of the Transition from Light to Heavy Rainfall on Subdaily Time Scales

AbstractUtilizing data from the Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT), a new observational parameter related to mesoscale cold pool activity [termed cold pool kinetic energy (CPKE)] is developed and investigated. CPKE and the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) morphing technique (CMORPH) rainfall product (both scaled to 2.25°) are geolocated to 25 tropical island radiosonde sites. CPKE and radiosonde-derived nondilute CAPE, entraining CAPE (ECAPE), saturation fraction, and a new measure of convective inhibition (that takes into account stable layers above the LFC) are investigated with respect to rainfall time tendencies. Over the life cycle of rainfall, the composite temporal evolutions of CPKE and convective inhibition are quantitatively similar, but slightly out of phase. The maximum in CPKE precedes the maximum in convective inhibition by 3–6 h, thus allowing for an oscillation in the ratio of convective inhibition to CPKE relative to maximum rainfall. This ratio falls below unity at the time rainfall begins in...
B-HIVE: Beeswax hydrogen isotopes as validation of environment. Part I: Bulk honey and honeycomb stable isotope analysis

Abstract Stable isotope analysis is an established method for detecting honey adulteration. We extend its application to include honey and honeycomb region-of-origin assignment using hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes. We observed that liquid honey δ2H and δ18O values had the potential to change because of water absorption and H atom exchange between sugars and water vapour. This suggested that liquid honey has limited use for geo-location, because specimens will record analysis location humidity. Paired liquid honey and honeycomb δ2H values were significantly correlated; therefore, we propose using wax δ2H values for region-of-origin assignment. We observed significant correlations between beeswax δ2H values and both mean annual precipitation and tap water δ2H values predicted for hive locations, suggesting that geographical variation in water δ2H values are recorded by beeswax δ2H values. This survey demonstrates the promise of stable isotopes for region-of-origin assignment, using honeycomb wax δ2H values, which complements carbon isotope analysis to detect adulteration.
The Benefits of a Seismic Retrofit Program for Commercial Unreinforced Masonry Structures: Salt Lake County, Utah

Abstract This paper assesses the benefits of a seismic retrofit program for commercial unreinforced masonry structures (CURMs) in Salt Lake County, Utah. A comparative risk assessment embedded in a geographic information systems is the method used. A policy evaluation time horizon of twenty years is set. Future rates of demolition and rehabilitation, with and without a retrofit policy, are assumed. Damage functions for ordinary and retrofitted URMs are used to assess losses having a 10 percent chance of being exceeded over a 50‐year exposure period. With a retrofit program, expected losses are reduced by 57 percent or more than a quarter billion dollars when compared to the no‐policy scenario. Expected injuries and fatalities are reduced by more than 80 percent. These are minimal benefits expected from enforcement of the seismic provisions of the Uniform Code of Building Conservation.
Restrictions on the three-class ideal observer's decision boundary lines

We are attempting to develop expressions for the coordinates of points on the three-class ideal observer's receiver operating characteristic (ROC) hypersurface as functions of the set of decision criteria used by the ideal observer. This is considerably more difficult than in the two-class classification task, because the conditional probabilities in question are not simply related to the cumulative distribution functions of the decision variables, and because the slopes and intercepts of the decision boundary lines are not independent; given the locations of two of the lines, the location of the third will be constrained depending on the other two. In this paper, we attempt to characterize those constraining relationships among the three-class ideal observer's decision boundary lines. As a result, we show that the relationship between the decision criteria and the misclassification probabilities is not one-to-one, as it is for the two-class ideal observer.
Is Antiretroviral Therapy during Pregnancy Associated with an Increased Risk of Preterm Delivery, Low Birth Weight, or Stillbirth?

Background. Data on complications of pregnancy associated with antiretroviral therapy are limited. Some small studies have demonstrated an increased preterm delivery rate, but a recent retrospective United States multisite study did not concur with these findings. Our objective was to investigate whether antiretroviral therapy was associated with adverse pregnancy outcome at a single site. Methods. Using prospectively gathered data, women were identified who were determined to be human immunodeficiency virus positive before or during pregnancy who sought care at our prenatal clinic and who gave birth at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center from 1990 through 2002. The outcome measures were preterm delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Results. The cohort included 999 women who received antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy (monotherapy in 492, combination therapy without a protease inhibitor [PI] in 373, and combination therapy with a PI in 134) and 338 women who did not receive therapy. After adjustment for possible confounders, only combination therapy with a PI was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, compared with any other combination (odds ratio, 1.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.1‐3.0]). There were no differences in rates of low birth weight and stillbirth, regardless of therapy. Conclusion. Compared with monotherapy and combination therapy without a PI, only combination therapy with a PI was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.
Sensing meets mobile social networks: the design, implementation and evaluation of the CenceMe application

We present the design, implementation, evaluation, and user ex periences of theCenceMe application, which represents the first system that combines the inference of the presence of individuals using off-the-shelf, sensor-enabled mobile phones with sharing of this information through social networking applications such as Facebook and MySpace. We discuss the system challenges for the development of software on the Nokia N95 mobile phone. We present the design and tradeoffs of split-level classification, whereby personal sensing presence (e.g., walking, in conversation, at the gym) is derived from classifiers which execute in part on the phones and in part on the backend servers to achieve scalable inference. We report performance measurements that characterize the computational requirements of the software and the energy consumption of the CenceMe phone client. We validate the system through a user study where twenty two people, including undergraduates, graduates and faculty, used CenceMe continuously over a three week period in a campus town. From this user study we learn how the system performs in a production environment and what uses people find for a personal sensing system.
[4 + 3] Cycloaddition of Aminoallyl Cations with 1,3-Dienes:11-Oxatricyclo[4.3.1.12,5]Undec-3-en-10-one

11-Oxatricyclo[4.3.1.1{2,5}]undec-3-en-10-one R 2-chlorocyclohexanone I 6-chloro-1-pyrrolidinocyclohexene 1 P 11-Oxatricyclo[4.3.1.1{2,5}]undec-3-en-10-one Keywords: enamines and imines; halogen compounds, chloro compounds; addition, to CO; ethers, miscellaneous; heterocycles, miscellaneous; ketones, monoketones, miscellaneous; cyclization, cycloaddition; Diels-Alder reactions; hydrolysis, miscellaneous; metal-catalyzed reactions, silver; furan [110-00-9]; [4 + 3] cycloadditions; aminoallyl cations in Diels-Alder reactions
Architecting the Future U.S. Military Psychological Health Enterprise via Policy and Procedure Analysis

Although researchers suggest that a systems approach is required to make meaningful advances in the U.S. psychological health care system for service members, limited research has considered such an approach. This research uses an enterprise architecting framework to identify the system's strengths and areas for opportunity as they relate to the Ecosystem, Stakeholders, Strategy, Process, Organization, Knowledge, Information, and Infrastructure. Codifying qualitative data from publicly available U.S. Defense Health Agency and U.S. Service Branch doctrine, policy guidance, and concepts of operations, our findings indicate that the psychological health care system is strongly process-oriented and mentions a variety of key stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities in the enterprise. Potential opportunities of improvement for the system include a stronger emphasis on the development and transfer of knowledge capabilities, and a stronger information-based infrastructure.
Bank overdraft pricing and myopic consumers

In recent years, banks have routinely earned annual percentage rates of over 1,000 percent on overdraft services. Such returns are staggeringly high, especially in an arguably competitive industry; and consequently, consumer protection groups have been lobbying for increased oversight of bank overdraft fees (and similar fees). In the context of a model proposed by Gabaix and Laibson 2006, I find support for the argument that banks target myopic consumers — consumers who do not consider the add-on good when choosing the base product. Using demographic characteristics to proxy for the proportion of myopic consumers, I find results that are consistent with Gabaix and Laibson 2006 in the pricing of bank overdraft services.
Generalized ensemble method applied to study systems with strong first order transitions

At strong first-order phase transitions, the entropy versus energy or, at constant pressure, enthalpy, exhibits convex behavior, and the statistical temperature curve correspondingly exhibits an S-loop or back-bending. In the canonical and isothermal-isobaric ensembles, with temperature as the control variable, the probability density functions become bimodal with peaks localized outside of the S-loop region. Inside, states are unstable, and as a result simulation of equilibrium phase coexistence becomes impossible. To overcome this problem, a method was proposed by Kim, Keyes and Straub, where optimally designed generalized ensemble sampling was combined with replica exchange, and denoted generalized replica exchange method (gREM). This new technique uses parametrized effective sampling weights that lead to a unimodal energy distribution, transforming unstable states into stable ones. In the present study, the gREM, originally developed as a Monte Carlo algorithm, was implemented to work with molecular dynamics in an isobaric ensemble and coded into LAMMPS, a highly optimized open source molecular simulation package. Lastly, the method is illustrated in a study of the very strong solid/liquid transition in water.
Novel Applications of Magnetic Cell Sorting to Analyze Cell-Type Specific Gene and Protein Expression in the Central Nervous System

The isolation and study of cell-specific populations in the central nervous system (CNS) has gained significant interest in the neuroscience community. The ability to examine cell-specific gene and protein expression patterns in healthy and pathological tissue is critical for our understanding of CNS function. Several techniques currently exist to isolate cell-specific populations, each having their own inherent advantages and shortcomings. Isolation of distinct cell populations using magnetic sorting is a technique which has been available for nearly 3 decades, although rarely used in adult whole CNS tissue homogenate. In the current study we demonstrate that distinct cell populations can be isolated in rodents from early postnatal development through adulthood. We found this technique to be amendable to customization using commercially available membrane-targeted antibodies, allowing for cell-specific isolation across development and animal species. This technique yields RNA which can be utilized for downstream applications-including quantitative PCR and RNA sequencing-at relatively low cost and without the need for specialized equipment or fluorescently labeled cells. Adding to its utility, we demonstrate that cells can be isolated largely intact, retaining their processes, enabling analysis of extrasomatic proteins. We propose that magnetic cell sorting will prove to be a highly useful technique for the examination of cell specific CNS populations.
CONIA: Content (provider)-oriented, namespace-independent architecture for multimedia information delivery

We propose and present CONIA, a novel content (provider)-oriented, namespace-independent architecture for multimedia information delivery. CONIA is designed specifically to account for the diversity and complexity of multimedia content, and to recognize the prominent roles of content providers (CPs) in the network economics of content delivery. In this paper, we provide an overview of the content delivery architecture of CONIA and outline the basic functions of its key components. Using several use cases, we illustrate the flexibility of CONIA in allowing for CPs to employ various control policies to dynamically handle user demands and meet users' quality-of-experience expectations.
Oxidative stress and lipotoxicity

The α,β polyunsaturated lipid aldehydes are potent lipid electrophiles that covalently modify lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Recent work highlights the critical role these lipids play under both physiological and pathological conditions. Protein carbonylation resulting from nucleophilic attack of lysine, histidine, and cysteine residues is a major outcome of oxidative stress and functions as a redox-sensitive signaling mechanism with roles in autophagy, cell proliferation, transcriptional control, and apoptosis. In addition, protein carbonylation is implicated as an initiating factor in mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress, providing a mechanistic connection between oxidative stress and metabolic disease. In this review, we discuss the generation and metabolism of reactive lipid aldehydes, as well as their signaling roles.
Capturing the Global Feasible Design Space for Launch Vehicle Ascent Trajectories

A common approach to solving infinite dimensional optimal control problems, such as in launch vehicle trajectory optimization, is to approximate the optimal control function as a set of parameters. This process, known as the direct method, transcribes the optimal control problem into a finite dimensional parameter optimization problem. Traditionally, subject matter experts and trajectory analysts work manually to find usable trajectories by changing the initial guess for the control parameters. This paper presents a method to capture the feasible design space of a launch vehicle trajectory problem. The result is a region of feasible values for the launch vehicle control parameters. In this context, feasibility is defined by the trajectory reaching the termination criteria, thereby returning a function evaluation. The method is applied to a Delta IV Medium launch vehicle. This vehicle is used because it represents the challenges of trajectory optimization for ETO launch vehicles while not being overly complex. Two ways of sampling the control parameter design space to determine feasibility are compared. Results are represented using design variable limits and the global feasible space is shown directly using scatter-plot matrices.
Can Repeating an Advertisement More Frequently than the Competition Affect Brand Preference in a Mature Market

Would regular users of established brands be susceptible to the influence of advertisements that are repeated more than the competition, even if they have heard the advertisements before? The autho...
Studies of Ethylene Oxide Adsorption on Pt−Sn Alloys with TPD, HREELS, UPS, and DFT Calculations†

Ethylene oxide (EO) adsorption was studied on two ordered surface alloys: (2 × 2)-Sn/Pt(111) with θSn = 0.25 ML, and (√3 × √3)R30°-Sn/Pt(111) with θSn = 0.33 ML. Nearly all EO desorbs molecularly d...
Survey of Salmonella Contamination in Food and Evaluation of VITEK Microbial Analytical System

Objective To investigate the Salmonella contamination in food in Zhaoqing, and set up a fast method of detection of the Salmonella in food. Methods According to the national standard law (GB/T4789.4), the Salmonella in the food samples were analyzed,and VITEK 32 full-automatic microbial analytical system were used to identify the suspected bacterial strains. Results 120 samples of 4 types of food products were analyzed. 9 strains of Salmonella were detected, with a positive rate of 7.5%. Among the contaminated food, raw meat accounted for 20.0%, and vegetables for 5.0%. All cooked meat products and aquatic products were negative. The results obtained from VITEK system and from standard method were consistent. Conclusion The Salmonella contamination status of raw meat products in Zhaoqing was serious. VITEK full-automatic microbial analytical system can be used for the fast detection of the Salmonella in food products.
A longitudinal study of associates at the national library of medicine, 1957-1990

The Associate Program at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the oldest postgraduate training program for health sciences librarians in the United States. Despite the program's longevity, few data have been collected about the educational background or subsequent careers of the NLM Associates. This article describes one such study. When the study was conducted in 1990, 130 Associates had participated in the program since its inception in 1957. This report characterizes the age, gender, and educational background of the group as they entered the Associate Program and describes their subsequent employment and geographic distribution. The large number of Associates who have worked in health sciences libraries since completing the program indicates how much these individuals have contributed to NLM and the field of health sciences librarianship, and it also illustrates the value of the Associate Program in recruiting recent library graduates to the profession.
Minimal Positive Design for Self-Assembly of the Archimedean Tilings

A challenge of molecular self-assembly is to understand how to design particles that self-assemble into a desired structure and not any of a potentially large number of undesired structures. Here we use simulation to show that a strategy of minimal positive design allows the self-assembly of networks equivalent to the 8 semiregular Archimedean tilings of the plane, structures not previously realized in simulation. This strategy consists of identifying the fewest distinct types of interparticle interaction that appear in the desired structure, and does not require enumeration of the many possible undesired structures. The resulting particles, which self-assemble into the desired networks, possess DNA-like selectivity of their interactions. Assembly of certain molecular networks may therefore require such selectivity.
Condylomata Acuminata in the Pediatric Patient

Condyloma acuminatum has been recognized as venereal disease in adults but it has not always been similarly identified in children. We review our experience with 30 children with condylomata acuminata. Of the 14 children evaluated more than half have been determined to have a sexual etiology for the lesion. Recommendations for evaluation and treatment of children with condylomata acuminata are reviewed.
Effects of ovalbumin protein nanoparticle vaccine size and coating on dendritic cell processing

Nanoparticle vaccine delivery platforms are a promising technology for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity. Protein nanoparticles (PNPs), made entirely from antigen, have been shown to induce protective immune responses against influenza. However, the fundamental mechanisms by which PNPs enhance component protein immunogenicity are not understood. Here, we investigate the role of size and coating of model ovalbumin (OVA) PNPs on particle uptake and trafficking, as well as on inflammation and maturation factor expression in dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. OVA PNPs enhance antigen uptake in a size-independent manner, and experience attenuated endosomal acidification as compared to soluble OVA. OVA PNPs also trigger Fc receptor upregulation. Expression of cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were PNP size- and coating-dependent, with small (∼270 nm) nanoparticles triggering greater inflammatory cytokine production than large (∼560 nm) particles. IL-1β expression by DCs in response to PNP stimulation implies activation of the inflammasome, a pathway known to be activated by certain types of nanoparticulate adjuvants. The attenuated acidification and pro-inflammatory profile generated by PNPs in DCs demonstrate that physical biomaterial properties can modulate dendritic cell-mediated antigen processing and adjuvancy. In addition to nanoparticles’ enhancement of DC antigen uptake, our work suggests that vaccine nanoparticle size and coating are uptake-independent modulators of immunogenicity.
Vaccination with MAGE-3 Protein Can Induce a Potent Immune Response in a Healthy Donor Which Can Be Adoptively Transferred Via Stem Cell Transplant (Tx) to a Multiple Myeloma (MM) Patient.

A MAGE-3 positive, stage IIIA MM patient with a twin donor provided a unique opportunity to study if vaccination with MAGE-3 protein induces immune responses in the healthy twin, and if these responses can be adoptively transferred to the patient and expanded by booster vaccines. The patient was treated with MEL 200 tandem Tx (Tx1: auto, Tx2: syngeneic) and MAGE-3 recombinant protein in ASO2B adjuvant. The MAGE-3 negative, identical twin donor received 3 vaccines and was leukapheresed (LP1) one week after the 3rd vaccine to store vaccine-induced immune cells. Donor G-CSF mobilized stem cells (Tx2) were transfused fresh to the patient after MEL conditioning. Donor LP1 was transfused to the patient 21 days post Tx2 and followed by 8 booster vaccines. The donor continued vaccinations and LP2 was collected one week after the 8th vaccine and transfused to the patient who had received 4 of 8 planned booster vaccines. Ab responses to MAGE-3 and controls NY-ESO-1, LAGE-1, MAGE-1, MAGE-4, and p-53 were assessed by ELISA. MAGE-3 specific CD8 + T-cell responses to autologous EBV transformed cells pulsed with pooled 20-mer overlapping peptides from MAGE-3 were assessed by ELISPOT. Neither twin had pre-existing anti-MAGE-3 humoral immunity. The donor twin developed MAGE-3 ab up to 1/6400. The patient had a detectable anti-MAGE-3 titer post donor Tx2 (1/400) which was boosted by subsequent vaccinations (1/1600). After the transfer of LP2 and vaccines 5–8, the patient had MAGE-3 ab titers similar to those in the donor. There was low but significant cross-reactivity only to MAGE-4. A vaccine-induced CD8 + cellular response to a previously undescribed MAGE-3 115–123 , HLA-A68 restricted epitope was observed in the donor and patient. MAGE-3 115–123 is in the same region as (but is distinct from) two other known HLA-A2 and -B40 epitopes. Further studies with recombinant MAGE-3 protein and tetramers are in progress to study if this epitope is indeed naturally processed and presented. The patient is in CR nearly 1 yr post Tx2. We show for the first time that vaccinating a healthy donor with a defined cancer-testis antigen can induce both cellular and humoral responses and that such responses can be transferred and expanded post Tx in the recipient. Close inspection of the ab curves shows that humoral immunity was transferred with the donor stem cells (Tx2) and expanded in the patient by further booster vaccines. We could not establish with certainty that LP1 and LP2 contributed further to transferring humoral or cellular immunity. It is hoped that this approach may be used to induce a specific anti-MM immune response after autologous or allogeneic Tx and reduce MM relapse.
Comparison of prednisolone acetate 1.0% and difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% after cataract surgery: Incidence of postoperative steroid-induced ocular hypertension.

Purpose To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes between 2 common, commercially available corticosteroid drops: difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% and prednisolone acetate 1.0%. Setting TLC Eyecare and Laser Centers, Jackson, Michigan, USA. Design Retrospective chart review. Methods The outcomes of consecutive patients who had uneventful cataract surgery from April 2013 to September 2013 and used prednisolone acetate postoperatively were compared with the outcomes of consecutive patients who had uneventful cataract surgery from June 2014 to October 2014 and used difluprednate postoperatively. Results The study included 224 eyes treated with prednisolone acetate 4 times daily for 30 days and 225 eyes treated with difluprednate 2 times daily for 30 days. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in age, sex, or race. In addition, the mean IOP did not differ significantly between the prednisolone acetate group and the difluprednate group at the preoperative measurement or 1 month after surgery, nor was there a difference in the 1-month change in IOP between groups. No association was found between the incidence of a 6 mm Hg or higher increase in IOP 1 month after surgery and steroid treatment. One month postoperatively, 4 eyes in the prednisolone acetate group and 5 eyes in the difluprednate group had an IOP higher than 21 mm Hg. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the mean IOP or percentages showing IOP elevation between eyes treated with difluprednate and eyes treated with prednisolone acetate after cataract surgery. This was likely the result of low-frequency dosing and short duration of steroid use.
Athletic Trainers' Reasons for and Mechanics of Documenting Patient Care: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network.

Context: Documenting patient care is an important responsibility of athletic trainers (ATs). However, little is known about ATs' reasons for documenting patient care and the mechanics of completin...
Active colloidal particles at fluid-fluid interfaces

Abstract This review explores the intersection between two important fields of colloid and interface science – that of active colloidal particles and of (passive) particles at fluid-fluid interfaces. The former uses energy input at the particle level to propel particle motions and direct dynamic assemblies. The latter relies on the spontaneous adsorption of particles at fluid interfaces to modify the interfacial energy, rheology, and permeability of biphasic materials. Here, we address two key questions that connect these otherwise distinct fields of study. How do liquid interfaces influence the dynamics of active or driven colloidal particles? How can particle activity influence the dynamics of liquid interfaces? These questions motivate the pursuit of active particle surfactants that move and organize at fluid interfaces to perform useful functions such as enhancing mass transport or modulating interfacial properties. Drawing examples from the literature, we discuss how fluid interfaces can provide a unique environment for the study of active colloids, how surface tension can be harnessed to propel particle motions, and how capillary interactions can be activated to achieve dynamically tunable emulsions and foams. We highlight opportunities for the future study and application of active particles at liquid interfaces.
Analysis of GAPDH – Native Protein

GAPDH protein analysis under native, non-denatured condition combined with immunoblotting is a valid tool to determine the overall or total molecular mass of GAPDH protein, without involving cumbersome purification or isolation processes. It is one of the fast and reliable approaches as it involves the identification or recognition of GAPDH using specific antibody. Physiologically, as the total molecular mass includes the mass contributed by individual subunits the findings could reveal any cell-specific or pathway-specific posttranslational modification of subunits by phosphorylation, glycation and so on. Besides, it may also show any aggregation or modification due to covalent binding with other intracellular components. More importantly, any biochemical change (e.g. phosphorylation) in GAPDH would impact its pI (isoelectric point) as well which in turn may impact its cellular function. Thus, native-gel analysis of GAPDH followed by immunoblotting is an effective tool to understand any change in GAPDH as an intact, native protein. In this chapter we will describe relevant procedures pertinent to the identification of GAPDH by immunoblotting.
Panelists’ Reports by State: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin (a–f)

It is the belief of this group that NBIC technologies present important challenges and opportunities that we must face; we have the utmost confidence that facing them will lead to a better future. The multidisciplinary spectrum of these technologies is so vast that special attention should be paid to the implications, benefits, and risks of human enhancement as a rising field of research and development. The ethical, social, economic, and political consequences of NBIC technologies will be present in everyday life. Special care should be taken to avoid excessive prudence or reckless adoption. Our decisions now will affect both the present and the future of humanity and life.
The conformal map z → z 2 of the hodograph plane

Abstract Representing plane parametric curves by complex-valued functions of a real parameter, a simple conformal map of the hodograph plane serves to elucidate the relationship between Pythagorean-hodograph (PH) curves and polynomial curves in general (PH curves arc a special class of polynomial curves, distinguished by the property that their are lengths and offset curves can be computed rationally). For the case of regular parameterizations, a one-to-one correspondence between the PH curves and general polynomial curves is established, and relationships concerning the tangents, curvatures, inflections, arc lenghts, and other intrinsic properties of corresponding curves are identified. The use of complex representations also greatly facilitates the derivation of constraints on the Bezier control polygons of regular polynomial curves that are sufficient and necessary for a Pythagorean hodograph.
Input Feedback Networks: Classification and Inference Based on Network Structure

We present a mathematical model of interacting neuron-like units that we call Input Feedback Networks (IFN). Our model is motivated by a new approach to biological neural networks, which contrasts with current approaches (e.g. Layered Neural Networks, Perceptron etc.). Classification reasoning in IFN are accomplished by an iterative algorithm, and learning changes only structure. Feature relevance is determined during classification. Thus it emphasizes network structure over edge weights. IFNs are more flexible than previous approaches. In particular, integration of a new node can affect the outcome of existing nodes without modifying their prior structure. IFN can produce informative responses to partial inputs or when the networks are extended to other tasks. It also enables recognition of complex entities (e.g. images) from parts. This new model is promising for future contributions to integrated human-level intelligent applications due to its flexibility, dynamics and structural similarity to natural neuronal networks.
The Cytoskeleton of Human Blood Platelets

Blood platelets are deceptively simple cells. They circulate in the form of flattened disks, dwarfed by the larger erythrocytes and leukocytes surrounding them. The small size of the platelet and difficulty encountered in separating it from blood prevented its recognition for years after all other cellular elements had been defined (Robb-Smith, 1967). Identification was complicated further by problems involved in finding the origin of platelets (Howell, 1890). It was in 1906 that James Homer Wright finally dispelled the theory that platelets were produced by leukocytes (Wright, 1906). Using newly developed Romanowsky polychrome stains, he was able to follow the origin of platelets from fragmentation of megakaryocytes (Wright, 1910). However, as late as 1957 some workers still believed that platelets were products of other cells, such as the erythrocyte (Leiter, 1976).
TIME-OF-USE RATES AND LOAD MANAGEMENT IN THE WATER INDUSTRY: COST SAVINGS OR ENERGY CONSERVATION ?

ABSTRACT The energy crisis and escalating costs of power have prompted the examination of new approaches to meeting future energy needs. The load management alternative offers a lower Time-of-Use(TOU) rate to customers who can shift their power consumption to offpeak periods of the day. Water systems with sufficient pumping and storage capacity can reduce power costs by adopting TOU rates. A computer model is used to project the impact of a proposed TOU rate on a water utility. The model estimates the maximum possible power cost savings subject to pumping, storage and regulatory constraints. The savings can be considerable on days of low water demand. Storage and regulatory constraints will reduce cost savings on days of high water demand. Under TOU rates, power requirements will be higher due to increased friction losses in water transmission.
Die wesentlichen Behandlungsformen bei Heroinsucht

Das im vorangegangenen Kapitel angefuhrte Beweismaterial zeigt deutlich, das eine Unterbrechung des Suchtzyklus nur dann mit einigem Erfolg moglich ist, wenn der Suchtige sich dazu entschlossen hat, mit dem „Suchtsystem“zu brechen, das fur ihn keine Bedeutung mehr hat. Jedoch ist es genau so klar, das sinnvolle Alternativen bereitgestellt werden mussen, damit ein Ruckfall vermieden werden kann. Die Probanden der von Levy (1972) durchgefuhrten Studie nannten folgende Bedingungen, unter denen Behandlungsbemuhungen effektiver sein wurden: (a) chronischSuchtige sollten getrennt von „Anfangern“untergebracht sein (ebenfalls Alksne et al 1967 vermerkten, das ein chronisch Suchtiger nicht das Zimmer mit jemandem teilen sollte, der sich noch nicht mit dem Suchtsystem identifiziert hat); (b) die Drogengesetze sollten eine Differenzierung zwischen den unterschiedlichen Arten von Drogenbenutzern vorsehen, damit ein groserer Spielraum hinsichtlich der Behandlung moglich wird; (c) mehr ehemalig Suchtige sollten aktiv in den Behandlungsprozes einbezogen werden; (d) der Einzelne sollte starker darin gefordert werden, seine Fahigkeiten zu entwickeln, es sollten Wege aufgezeigt werden, wie der Suchtige mit Stressituationen besser fertig werden und Zufriedenheit Erlangen kann. Nach Vaillants Auffassung (1966d) sollten die Behandlungsbemuhungen wesentlich dazu beitragen, das „der Suchtige den bestmoglichen Halt findet, damit er mit externer Hilfe einer geregelten Arbeit nachgehen kann und reifere Wege entdecken kann, mit seinem triebhaften Verlangen fertig zu werden und nicht Befriedigung in der Droge sucht“(583).
Thermodynamics and Fluctuation Solution Theory with Some Applications to Systems at Near- or Supercritical Conditions

The first sections (1–3) give some general thermodynamic analyses of fluids, with representative applications involving near-critical systems. Thorough discussion is given of standard states for phase equilibria and results for various sets of independent thermodynamic variables such as in the Lewis-Randall, Kirkwood-Buff and McMillan-Mayer systems. Differences with sets of composition variables based on species and groups for systems with “reactive” components are illustrated. The second portion (Sections 4–8) describes the fundamentals and applications of fluctuation solution theory (FST) to correlate and predict thermodynamic properties of mixtures. This analysis includes a variety of relations from molecular theory and the behavior of integrals of molecular correlation functions for mixtures, including near-critical conditions. The emphasis is placed on activity coefficients and high dilution partial molar volumes of supercritical substances and salts in liquids at extreme temperatures and pressures. Comments are made about the insight that FST formulations can provide for critical-region systems. FST properties show relatively simple behavior over wide ranges of conditions.
Disparities in the incidence of community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infection: An area-based assessment of the role of social determinants in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Background Community-associated Clostridioides difficile infections (CA-CDIs) share many risk factors with health care–associated cases, although the role of socioeconomic factors is poorly understood. This study estimates the influence of several census tract–level measures of socioeconomic status on CA-CDI incidence rates. Methods CA-CDI case data from the New Mexico Emerging Infections Program were analyzed using quasi-Poisson regression modeling. Geocoded cases were assigned census tract–level socioeconomic measures to explore racial, ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in CA-CDI incidence. Results Regression modeling identified census tract–level socioeconomic measures as well as individual and medical measures that together accounted for 57% of the variance in CA-CDI rates. At the census tract level, socioeconomic factors associated with an increase in CA-CDI incidence included a high percentage of individuals lacking health insurance and a low percentage of individuals with low educational attainment. A subanalysis that included racial and ethnic designation revealed that ethnicity had no significant effect, but compared to white race, other races were significantly more likely to acquire CA-CDI. Conclusions Although this work reveals the role of certain socioeconomic and race and ethnicity risk factors in the incidence of CA-CDI, it also underscores the complex relationships that exist between socioeconomic status and access to health care.
Bi-component Carbohydrate and Lignin Nanoparticle Production from Bio-refinery Lignin: A Rapid and Green Method

A rapid and green preparation of lignin nanoparticles was demonstrated starting from bio-refinery lignin containing grafted carbohydrates. The particles were prepared by recovering a fraction of the lignin, which contained 24% carbohydrate (by weight) as the insoluble fraction in 0.5 M NaOH. The carbohydrate content of this fraction was verified with a wet chemistry analytical technique, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction. This fraction was then dissolved in a NaOH/urea/water system and added dropwise to water under a high shear, which rapidly formed precipitated particles in a size range of approximately 100 nm. This carbohydrate-containing fraction of the lignin was soluble in a green solvent system that was not suited for lignin alone. The generated particles were stable in different organic solvents and water. Overall, the dissolution of the bio-refinery lignin in the NaOH/urea/water system, followed by precipitation in water can be regarded as a green and rapid method to produce stable nanoparticles. The generated nanoparticles, containing both carbohydrates and lignin, are expected to have unique applications because of their bi-component nature. Furthermore, this is the first publication to show how materials with high levels of lignin can be solubilized in solvents that are conventionally used for cellulose.
Heat-Pipe Heat Exchangers for Salt-Cooled Fission and Fusion Reactors to Avoid Salt Freezing and Control Tritium: A Review

The fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor and some proposed fusion reactors use clean fluoride salts as reactor coolants that have melting points above 450°C and generate tritium. Tritium d...
Understanding Race and Racism among Immigrant Children: Insights into Anti-Bias Education for All Students.

This study examines relationship dynamics between young immigrant children in an afterschool program, and the ways in which these children become involved in racial discrimination and exclusion whereby one group perceives itself as majority. In order to explore and understand these children’s narratives and behaviors in an in-depth and comprehensive way, this study utilizes a qualitative case study approach. Employing a sociocultural theoretical lens as an analytic tool, this study provides insight into how young immigrant children whose first languages are other than English are aware of linguistic and cultural differences among their peers in the afterschool context, and how they develop their social attitudes toward these differences, include or exclude children, and negotiate power in their relationships. The findings extend the discourse of racism beyond the Black–White framework, increase awareness and understanding of how racial discrimination plays out between young immigrant children, and highlight the need for anti-bias education for all students.
Photoperiod Effect on Megachile rotundata (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) Female Regarding Diapause Status of Progeny: The Importance of Data Scrutiny

Megachile rotundata F. populations are managed to pollinate alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae), for seed production in western North America. Some progeny produced in summer by overwintered M. rotundata females enter diapause as prepupae to overwinter and become adults the following year. Other offspring avert diapause to undergo adult emergence in summer. The regulatory mechanism(s) of diapause induction or aversion is unknown; the process apparently involves multiple and integrated factors. This 4-yr study sought to determine effects of the exposure of mother bees to short, long, very long, and natural photoperiods on their production of non-diapausing and diapausing progeny. Just-emerged adult bees from both Utah and Canada sources were exposed to different photoperiods for 3 d in incubators and then released into field enclosures placed over blooming alfalfa. Control bees were those exposed to only outdoor conditions. Reproduction was monitored for each female bee, and offspring diapause outcome was recorded. Progeny outcome data were informative for only two of the four study years. Generally, progeny of Utah mothers exposed to long and very long photoperiods were more likely to be non-diapausers compared to progeny of mothers exposed to short and control photoperiods. Short and long (but not very long) photoperiod maternal exposures increased the likelihood of diapause aversion in Canada progeny. Performing multiyear field studies on geographically distinct populations is imperative for revealing environmental challenges and inconsistent bee performance that can impair analyses and interpretation. Future similar studies are needed to more fully evaluate photoperiod effects on diapause.
Performance Assessment Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Water Utilities: A Primer

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are widely recognized as a basis for evaluating water utility operations in developing countries and for designing both regulatory and managerial incentives that i...