cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the response AC/A ratio determined using nearpoint autorefraction and simultaneous heterophoria measurement

BACKGROUND: Clinicians frequently assess the accommodative convergence to accommodation (AC/A) ratio using near phoria measurements and accommodative stimuli. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of AC/A ratio measurements and to compare the response AC/A ratio to stimulus AC/A ratios determined two different ways. METHODS: Heterophorias and accommodative responses to different stimuli were measured simultaneously on eight subjects at two visits. A Canon Auto Ref R-1 autorefractor was used to measure accommodative response, while vergence posture was measured using the modified Thorington heterophoria technique. These results were used to calculate response-slope, stimulus-slope and stimulus-gradient AC/A ratios and the means of these ratios for each session were compared. Correlations between the response AC/A ratios and the stimulus AC/A ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The mean response AC/A ratios for the two sessions were 3.8 prism dioptres per dioptre for each session. The correlation between the slope-determined ratios was 0.56, and between the response-slope and the stimulus-gradient AC/A ratios the correlation was -0.03. The regression equation for the slope-determined AC/A ratios was calculated. CONCLUSIONS: Means for the two sessions were not significantly different for any of the AC/A ratios. The response-slope and stimulus-slope AC/A ratios had a moderately significant correlation and a predictive regression equation was determined. The stimulus-gradient AC/A ratios were not correlated with the response-slope AC/A ratios.
Analysis of the Temperature Field from Multiple Jets in the Schwarz Melt Blowing Die Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Melt blowing dies are used to manufacture fine polymer fibers rapidly. The Schwarz die is a type of melt blowing die that uses multiple jets to produce numerous polymer fibers simultaneously. Heated air flows through the air jets, each of which encloses a polymer capillary. The experimentally measured velocity and temperature fields from a Schwarz die can be reproduced using the k−e turbulence model. Six different multihole die geometries were simulated in three dimensions with this model. The geometries differed only in the spacing between the jets. The temperature field from the array showed significant variations from the temperature field from a single annular jet. The temperature field from the multihole dies decayed more slowly than that from a single annular jet. In addition, the temperature field from the different multihole geometries showed variations from each other, leading to observations relating to the interactions between multiple jets. As the spacing between the jets increased, the distan...
Reducing post-lumbar puncture headaches with small bore atraumatic needles.

Lumbar puncture for testing of Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology for diagnostic confirmation is likely to become more common in the coming years. Minimizing adverse effects from this testing will be essential for clinical practice. Small bore, atraumatic needles reduce the occurrence of post-lumbar puncture headache (PLPH). Our goal was to extend this recommendation specifically to a well-characterized aging population. We assessed PLPH in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort and found that PLPH occurrence was reduced only when using a 24 gauge atraumatic needle. We recommend that lumbar punctures for clinical and research purposes in Alzheimer’s disease be conducted with 24 gauge atraumatic needles.
Partial credit in multiple-choice exams: improving large-scale assessment of multiple constituencies

Multiple-choice exams are often a necessity in the assessment of large number of students, yet the information gleaned in traditional scoring possesses known weaknesses, often obscuring the true level of knowledge of particular constituencies within the larger group of learners. Described here is a partial credit methodology for multiple-choice, developed to address these constituencies, and the benefits of implementation are demonstrated with data drawn from a five-year history of use involving over 2,700 students.
Inhibition of type I and type II geranylgeranyl-protein transferases by the monoterpene perillyl alcohol in NIH3T3 cells

The monoterpene perillyl alcohol has anticancer activities that include both prevention and treatment of a wide variety of cancers in animal models. In purified enzyme studies, perillyl alcohol inhibited farnesyl-protein transferase and type I geranylgeranyl-protein transferase. However, whether and which of the polyprenyl-protein transferases is inhibited by perillyl alcohol in vivo is not known. The previously reported monoterpene-induced inhibition of the incorporation of [14C]mevalonolactone into proteins in cultured cells could be due to an inhibition of one or several enzymes in the mevalonate pathway or to changes in the levels of protein substrates for isoprenylation. In the current study, we first analyzed the levels of individual phosphorylated isoprenoid intermediates between mevalonate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate in NIH3T3 cells labeled for 4 hr with [14C]mevalonolactone and found that perillyl alcohol did not inhibit the synthesis of these intermediates. Next, proteins including Ras, RhoA, and Rab6 were immunoprecipitated from NIH3T3 cells. Perillyl alcohol was found to inhibit the incorporation of [14C]mevalonolactone into RhoA and Rab6 but not Ras protein. The cellular levels of these three proteins were constant over the 4-hr treatment period. Finally, the distribution of Ras, Rap1, and Rab6 proteins between the aqueous and the detergent-enriched phases was measured. Rap1 and Rab6 but not Ras from perillyl alcohol-treated NIH3T3 cells accumulated in the aqueous phase. Thus, we conclude that perillyl alcohol can inhibit the in vivo prenylation of specific proteins by type I and type II geranylgeranyl-protein transferases but not farnesyl-protein transferase in NIH3T3 cells.
On the Nature of Nicotine Addiction: A Taxometric Analysis

Taxometric procedures were used to determine whether nicotine addiction is best conceptualized as a dimensional or a categorical (i.e., taxonic) phenomenon. Using data from the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH; N = 12,467), results from MAMBAC, MAXEIG, and LMODE taxometric analyses provided strong evidence that nicotine addiction has a taxonic latent structure. Members of the addiction taxon, which constituted approximately 48% of those who reported smoking in the past 30 days, consumed a higher number of cigarettes per day, had stronger craving, higher levels of nicotine tolerance, more inflexible smoking patterns, and shorter latencies to smoking their first cigarette on waking compared with nontaxon members. These findings of a distinct addiction taxonic structure were replicated using a 2002 NSDUH sample (N = 12,224). Finally, the predictive validity of the taxon variable was compared with a continuous indicator sum. The taxon accounted for most of the predictive variance in the indicator sum, but the latter generally showed significant predictive power even after controlling for the former. Thus, these smoking variables may have both a categorical and a dimensional structure.
Dyslexia and specifically distorted drawings of the face - a new subgroup with prosopagnosia-like signs.

Identification of a subgroup (38%) of dyslexics (new syndrome?). These, against controls (5.5%), drew ‘neolithic’ face configurations analogous to those visually experienced in prosop-agnosia. Essential symptoms of this subgroup are seen as result of specific early ways of processing visual data: lexical shapes (letters, words) and facial features, as if these were concrete entities, not abstract component parts. Thus, with letters, taken as entities, d=q, d=b, N=Z.
Aromatic-aromatic interaction: a mechanism of protein structure stabilization

Analysis of neighboring aromatic groups in four biphenyl peptides or peptide analogs and 34 proteins reveals a specific aromatic-aromatic interaction. Aromatic pairs (less than 7 A between phenyl ring centroids) were analyzed for the frequency of pair type, their interaction geometry (separation and dihedral angle), their nonbonded interaction energy, the secondary structural locations of interacting residues, their environment, and their conservation in related molecules. The results indicate that on average about 60 percent of aromatic side chains in proteins are involved in aromatic pairs, 80 percent of which form networks of three or more interacting aromatic side chains. Phenyl ring centroids are separated by a preferential distance of between 4.5 and 7 A, and dihedral angles approaching 90 degrees are most common. Nonbonded potential energy calculations indicate that a typical aromatic-aromatic interaction has energy of between -1 and -2 kilocalories per mole. The free energy contribution of the interaction depends on the environment of the aromatic pair. Buried or partially buried pairs constitute 80 percent of the surveyed sample and contribute a free energy of between -0.6 and -1.3 kilocalories per mole to the stability of the protein's structure at physiologic temperature. Of the proteins surveyed, 80 percent of these energetically favorable interactions stabilize tertiary structure, and 20 percent stabilize quaternary structure. Conservation of the interaction in related molecules is particularly striking.
Voiding diaries: adherence in the clinical setting

The objective was to document adherence with 24-h voiding diaries in the evaluation of routine urogynecology patients. This was a cross-sectional study of 200 patients presenting for initial urogynecological consultation. All were mailed a standardized packet prior to their visit, including a 24-h voiding diary. Upon arrival, subjects were asked to complete a brief survey. Eight questions targeted those that completed the diary (“completers”); 3 targeted those that did not (“noncompleters”). “Completers” were further sub-classified based on survey responses. Those recording each void immediately were termed “appropriate completers.” Others were considered “inappropriate completers.” Demographics and other data were obtained from the medical records. Eleven women were excluded for recording more than 24 h of data. Of the 189 remaining subjects, 157 (83 %) completed the diary. Many “noncompleters” were unaware of the diary (54 %). Others chose not to complete it, most commonly citing “don’t think it applies” (25 %). On univariate analysis “completers” were older (p = 0.049), with more complaints of mixed incontinence (p = 0.001). Fifty-four percent of “completers” were deemed “appropriate.” “Appropriate completers” voided more frequently (p = 0.024) than “inappropriate completers.” After multivariate analyses, however, only lower parity and unemployed status were associated with appropriate diary completion. Reassuringly, the majority, 77 %, believed that the diary responses were reflective of their typical behavior, and voiding frequency on the diary correlated with self-report during their medical history (rs = 0.483, p < 0.001). Although compliance with voiding diaries is reasonably high in the office setting, adherence to instructions is less optimal. Strategies to improve ease of use could benefit future patient care.
Advances in immersive communication: (1) Telephone, (2) Television, (3) Teleportation

The last great advances in immersive communication were the invention of the telephone over 137 years ago and the invention of the video telephone (ne television) over 86 years ago. However, a perfect storm is brewing for the next advance in immersive communication, thanks to the convergence of massive amounts of computation, bandwidth, resolution, new sensors, and new displays. It could well be the Multimedia community that turns this brew into the next great advance in immersive communication, something akin to teleportation.
A multi-agent system-based intelligent identification system for power plant control and fault-diagnosis

A large-scale power system is required to have a new control system to operate at a higher level of automation, flexibility, and robustness. In this paper, a multi-agent system based intelligent identification system (MAS-IIS) is presented for identification and fault-diagnosis methodologies that improve the performance of the plant in a wide-range of operation. With proposed architecture of a single agent and an organization of the multi-agent system, the MAS-IIS realizes on-line adaptive identifiers for control, and off-line identifiers for fault-diagnosis in real-time power plant operation. The proposed MAS-IIS is one of the functions in multi-agent system based intelligent control systems (MAS-ICSs) which has several functions that provide efficient ways to control locally and globally, and to accommodate and overcome the complexity of large-scale distributed systems.
Design and control of robotic highway safety markers

Proper traffic control is critical in highway work zone safety. Traffic control devices such as signs, barricades, cones, and safety barrels are used. Accidents can occur because of improper work zone design, improper work zone housekeeping, and driver negligence. Automated safety devices could improve work zone design and housekeeping and therefore increase safety. This paper presents a mobile safety barrel robot. The robotic safety barrels can self-deploy and self-retrieve-removing workers from this dangerous task. The robots move independently so they can be deployed in parallel and can quickly reconfigure as the work zone changes. The system must be reliable and have a low per-robot cost. A robot that malfunctions could create a significant hazard. Also, multiple barrels are used and they are often struck by vehicles, therefore a high replacement cost is not practical. A six-robot system, which consists of a lead robot and five low-cost barrel robots, is described. A distributed planning and control approach is presented that reduces the per-robot cost by centralizing the intelligence and sensing while keeping communication bandwidth low by distributing local control. Test results are presented including a statistical analysis of the performance of the local robot controllers and field tests of the full system.
Subtidal Salinity and Velocity in the Hudson River Estuary: Observations and Modeling

A tidally and cross-sectionally averaged model based on the temporal evolution of the quasi-steady Hansen and Rattray equations is applied to simulate the salinity distribution and vertical exchange flow along the Hudson River estuary. The model achieves high skill at hindcasting salinity and residual velocity variation during a 110-day period in 2004 covering a wide range of river discharges and tidal forcing. The approach is based on an existing model framework that has been modified to improve model skill relative to observations. The external forcing has been modified to capture meteorological time-scale variability in salinity, stratification, and residual velocity due to sea level fluctuations at the open boundary and alongestuary wind stress. To reflect changes in vertical mixing due to stratification, the vertical mixing coefficients have been modified to use the bottom boundary layer height rather than the water depth as an effective mixing length scale. The boundary layer parameterization depends on the tidal amplitude and the local baroclinic pressure gradient through the longitudinal Richardson number, and improves the model response to spring–neap variability in tidal amplitude during periods of high river discharge. Finally, steady-state model solutions are evaluated for both the Hudson River and northern San Francisco Bay over a range of forcing conditions. Agreement between the model and scaling of equilibrium salinity intrusions lends confidence that the approach is transferable to other estuaries, despite significant differences in bathymetry. Discrepancies between the model results and observations at high river discharge are indicative of limits at which the formulation begins to fail, and where an alternative approach that captures two-layer dynamics would be more appropriate.
Conditions for Sustaining Research-Based Practices in Early Reading Instruction:

Recent consensus documents are reviewed to define research-based practices in early reading instruction. Examples of professional development that incorporates research-based practices are provided, with particular reference to the Texas Reading Initiative and the authors' research project in Houston and in Washington, DC. Data relating gains in teacher knowledge, ratings of teaching effectiveness, and student achievement are presented. Conditions essential to sustaining and scaling research-based reading instruction are discussed and major obstacles identified.
Grid-Based Access Scheduling for Mobile Data Intensive Sensor Networks

We introduce a distributed grid-based scheduling access scheme that mitigates high data loss in data intensive sensor networks. Our approach alleviates transmission collisions by applying virtual grids and adopting Latin Squares Characteristic to time slot assignments. We demonstrate that our technique efficiently handles sensor mobility with acceptable data loss and low overhead.
New species and new records of the hermit crab genus Pagurixus Melin, 1939 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Paguridae) from the Indo-West Pacific

Specimens belonging to the pagurid genus Pagurixus Melin, 1939 collected during various French expeditions made in the Indo-West Pacific were studied. Additional material from other sources is also included. Fifteen species have been identified, of which eight are new: Pagurixus aurantiaca sp. nov., P. cavicarpus sp. nov., P. crosnieri sp. nov., P. formosus sp. nov., P. icelus sp. nov., P. pilosus sp. nov., P. rubrovittatus sp. nov., and P. sculptus sp. nov. Pagurixus anceps (Forest, 1954) is redescribed on the basis of the syntypes and supplemental material from various localities. New locality records are reported for the following seven species: P. concolor Komai and Osawa, 2006, P. dissimilis Osawa and Komai, 2007, P. fasciatus Komai and Myorin, 2005, P. haigae Komai and Osawa, 2007, P. maorus (Nobili, 1906), P. nomurai Komai and Asakura, 1995, and P. ruber Komai and Osawa, 2006. An identification key to all known species is provided.
Policy and health implications of using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration product design approach in reducing tobacco product risk.

Purported risk or harm reduction through product design change of cigarettes has occurred in three phases in the U.S. The first phase from the 1940s to the early 1960s included a gradual rise in filtered cigarettes. The second phase, which began in the early 1960s in response to the landmark 1964 U.S. Surgeon General's report that linked smoking with lung cancer and other diseases, included the introduction of purportedly low tar and nicotine cigarettes. Subsequent re- search found that both filters and low tar and nicotine cigarettes were ineffective approaches to reducing health risks asso- ciated with smoking. Despite this, these product design changes were used in tobacco industry marketing campaigns to al- lay consumer health concerns and stabilize tobacco markets and sales. Since 2004, a new risk or harm reduction phase has occurred with the backing by Philip Morris as well as major U.S. health groups of U.S. Food and Drug Administration legislation that would require disclosure of tobacco ingredients, ban misleading health claims, prohibit or reduce harmful ingredients, and require prior approval of tobacco design, performance changes, and modified risk tobacco products. However, current scientific literature indicates that there is no scientific consensus and little evidence on what tobacco in- gredients are linked to particular morbidities and mortalities and at what levels. This will allow the tobacco industry to implicitly or explicitly claim their products are "safer." Instead, health advocates should advocate for scientifically proven policy measures such as smoke free public places or higher tobacco taxes that control and reduce tobacco markets and consumption.
The relationship of weight gain and caloric intake in infants with organic and nonorganic failure to thrive syndrome.

A retrospective study was performed of the factors influencing weight gain in 21 infants with nonorganic failure to thrive and 9 infants with organic failure to thrive. The primary factor influencing weight gain was caloric intake in both groups but weight gain was also influenced by the nutritional status. Infants with ideal body weight for length for age less than or equal to 80% demonstrated a high correlation between weight gain and caloric intake, while infants whose ideal body weight for length for age was greater than 80% did not show a statistically significant correlation between these two parameters.
Resistance to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxicity and abnormal liver development in mice carrying a mutation in the nuclear localization sequence of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

The Ah receptor (AHR) mediates the metabolic adaptation to a number of planar aromatic chemicals. Essential steps in this adaptive mechanism include AHR binding of ligand in the cytosol, translocation of the receptor to the nucleus, dimerization with the Ah receptor nuclear translocator, and binding of this heterodimeric transcription factor to dioxin-responsive elements (DREs) upstream of promoters that regulate the expression of genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. The AHR is also involved in other aspects of mammalian biology, such as the toxicity of molecules like 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin as well as regulation of normal liver development. In an effort to test whether these additional AHR-mediated processes require a nuclear event, such as DRE binding, we used homologous recombination to generate mice with a mutation in the AHR nuclear localization/DRE binding domain. These Ahr(nls) mice were found to be resistant to all 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced toxic responses that we examined, including hepatomegaly, thymic involution, and cleft palate formation. Moreover, aberrations in liver development observed in these mice were identical to that observed in mice harboring a null allele at the Ahr locus. Taken in sum, these data support a model where most, if not all, of AHR-regulated biology requires nuclear localization.
Experiments in knowledge-driven interpretation of natural scenes

Among the sources of information that can be used to guide the processing of visual sensory data are the constraints implied by the geometry of the objects being viewed. Experiments have been performed using representations of this type of knowledge to control image processing. They show how such geometric knowledge can be used to aid in the identification of object projections in images of natural outdoor scenes.
Intrasellar plasmacytoma: an illustrative case and literature review.

Abstract Intrasellar plasmacytoma is a rare pituitary pathology. Pre-operative diagnosis remains a challenge as a sellar plasmacytoma mimics a pituitary adenoma in clinical and radiological features. We report a 45-year-old woman, known to have multiple myeloma, presenting to our clinic with a pituitary mass eventually diagnosed as a plasmacytoma. We review 26 similar cases reported in the literature and divide them into three categories, based on their presentation and follow-up data. Pitfalls in diagnosis and reported treatment modalities are also discussed. We conclude that presentation with cranial nerve palsies and an aggressive sellar mass on imaging, and without gross anterior hypophyseal hormonal imbalance, are featues of a pituitary plasmacytoma. The presentation and follow-up characteristics may help to determine the prognosis of such patients.
The New Horizons high gain antenna: reflector design for a spin-stabilized bus at cryogenic temperatures

The New Horizons antenna system is subjected to cryogenic temperatures during the Pluto and KBO encounters. The RF performance of the high gain antenna (HGA) during and after these encounters is critical for the science and communications mission requirements. In order to satisfy these requirements, the angular alignment of the HGA bore-site and spacecraft spin axis must be maintained within 0.2/spl deg/. The mechanical design and RF performance of the NH HGA performance at cryogenic operational temperatures and gradients across the reflector surface are described. The RF calculations are performed using Ohio State University Satellite Antenna Consortium Software. Mechanical finite element analysis is used to predict surface distortion resulting from gradients across the surface.
Signal enhancement in collinear four-wave mixing

The solitary-wave solutions of the four-wave equations are studied, and their relevance to four-wave mixing in finite media is discussed. In general, the transfer of action from the pump waves to the probe and signal waves is limited by nonlinear phase shifts that detune the interaction. However, by controlling the linear phase mismatch judiciously, it is often possible to effect a complete transfer of action from the pump waves to the probe and signal waves.
Signal Propagation in Multi‐Layer DNAzyme Cascades Using Structured Chimeric Substrates

Signal propagation through enzyme cascades is a critical component of information processing in cellular systems. Although such systems have potential as biomolecular computing tools, rational design of synthetic protein networks remains infeasible. DNA strands with catalytic activity (DNAzymes) are an attractive alternative, enabling rational cascade design through predictable base-pair hybridization principles. Multi-layered DNAzyme signaling and logic cascades are now reported. Signaling between DNAzymes was achieved using a structured chimeric substrate (SCS) that releases a downstream activator after cleavage by an upstream DNAzyme. The SCS can be activated by various upstream DNAzymes, can be coupled to DNA strand-displacement devices, and is highly resistant to interference from background DNA. This work enables the rational design of synthetic DNAzyme regulatory networks, with potential applications in biomolecular computing, biodetection, and autonomous theranostics.
The size effects on the mechanical behaviour of fibres

The size of a fibre affects its mechanical properties and thus is of theoretical and practical importance for studies of the rupturing process during loading of a fibrous structure. This paper investigates the overall effects of length on the mechanical behaviour of single fibres. Four types of fibres, ranging from brittle to highly extensible, were tested for their tensile properties at several different gauge lengths. Different from most previous studies where the focus has been on the gauge length effects on a single property such as fibre strength or breaking strain, this paper look comprehensively into the effects of length on all three of the most commonly studied mechanical properties, namely strength, breaking strain and initial modulus. Particular emphasis is placed on initial modulus and on the interactions between all three parameters. Influences of strain rate and fibre type on the size effects are also investigated. The effect of potential fibre slippage on experimental error is examined. An image analysis method is used to measure the real fibre elongation in comparison to the same fibre elongation obtained directly from an Instron tester. Finally, a statistical analysis is carried out using the experimental data to test the fitness of the Weibull theory to polymeric fibres. This was done as the Weibull model has been extensively utilized in examining fibre strength and breaking strain, although it is supposed to be valid only for the so-called classic fibres to which more extensible polymeric fibres do not belong.
A Clinical Evaluation of Tubeless Gastric Analysis

Summary The azure A cation exchange resin test for the presence of free hydrochloric acid is an extremely simple test applicable to surveys of large groups of individuals. The reliability of the test in distinguishing those persons who do not secrete hydrochloric acid is supported by the results noted in our series of cases and in reports published elsewhere. The substance used in carrying out the test has so far proved to be relatively free of serious side-effects. The use of the test in cases of severe renal disease, gastric obstruction, diarrhea, and malabsorption syndromes requires further evaluation, but in all probability the test will prove to be undependable under such circumstances.
Human Rights and Religion in Palestine

This paper on Palestine (the Palestinian Territories, which are defined as East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip) is based on generally available information, on data gathered in the Religion and Human Rights 1.0 project research (conducted in the greater Bethlehem area in 2008), and on material from the personal investigations of the author. The research question in this paper is the human rights situation in Palestine, with particular reference to religion and young people. My conclusions are several. The Christian and Muslim young people mostly identify themselves as religious and generally support human rights. But the Occupation (military control) of many aspects of Palestinian life by Israel does affect the exercise of human rights. The Palestinian Authority and Israel are both accused of certain violations of human rights. Short of a durable peace treaty, the Occupation will affect the human rights of all Palestinians as well as any discussion of other human rights issues.
Fostering Sustainable Complexity: Which Way Forward?

The microfinance movement has gained tremendous popularity over the past 30 years, but it is still far from meeting its full potential. The industry stands at a crossroads between increased commercialisation and increased philanthropic aid. Standard economic discourse does little to resolve the debate. F. A. Hayek concept of the extended order sheds new light on how we might understand the future development of microfinance.
The impact of molecular cytogenetics and next generation sequencing in hematopathology: accomplishments and challenges

Molecular and cytogenetic studies provide important data that is useful for diagnosis, classification, prognostic assessment and selection of therapy in hematolymphoid malignancies. Many techniques are widely utilized in current routine clinical practice including metaphase cytogenetics, FISH, PCR and traditional (Sanger) sequencing. Recently, new technologies including array based karyotyping and next generation sequencing have become available for clinical use, offering the potential to provide even more detailed genotypic data. In this session, two speakers (JR Cook and TW Kelley) will discuss array based karyotyping and next generation sequencing techniques, providing insights into the utility and current limitations of these technologies in clinical practice. The goal is to provide practising pathologists with an overview of the current and near-future roles of these assays in the workup of hematolymphoid neoplasms.
Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in children in the era of community-acquired methicillin-resistance at Texas Children's Hospital

Background:Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus (SA) pneumonia has increased in children, yet few studies have focused on this infection.Methods:Patients with SA pneumonia (not ventilator-associated) were identified from our surveillance database. Medical records were reviewed; isolates were gen
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SEX AND VASCULAR DISEASE IN DIFFERENT ARTERIAL BEDS: A POPULATION DATABASE OF OVER 3.6 MILLION PEOPLE

Although sex is an important risk factor for vascular disease, the relationship between sex and different vascular beds and severities remains uncertain. Over 3.6 million self-referred people from 2003-2008 who completed a medical and lifestyle questionnaire in the United States were evaluated by
New North American Simuliidae of the Genus Cnephia Enderlein (Diptera)

Cnephia villosa (Wyoming and Utah), C . freytagi (Wyoming), and C . jeanae (Utah and Wyoming) are described and figured. These species, with three other Nearctic species and a number of Palaearctic species, constitute a group distinct from subgenus Cnephia and fall within subgenus Astega Enderlein as recognized by Shewell. It is probable that the latter name is incorrectly employed in current usage.
Insects and Indians of the Americas

With the advent of the white man and the consequent elimination and disintegration of many tribes of American Indians, much natural history lore was lost forever. However some early travelers did make a few notes on the Indians' entomological knowledge. In more recent years, ethnologists have thoroughly studied some of the remaining tribes and information on these latter groups is correspondingly greater. The following account is by no means exhaustive but is intended to give some idea of the way that more primitive cultures viewed the raw material of our science.
An Annotation Agnostic Algorithm for Detecting Nascent RNA Transcripts in GRO-Seq

We present a fast and simple algorithm to detect nascent RNA transcription in global nuclear run-on sequencing (GRO-seq). GRO-seq is a relatively new protocol that captures nascent transcripts from actively engaged polymerase, providing a direct read-out on bona fide transcription. Most traditional assays, such as RNA-seq, measure steady state RNA levels which are affected by transcription, post-transcriptional processing, and RNA stability. GRO-seq data, however, presents unique analysis challenges that are only beginning to be addressed. Here, we describe a new algorithm, Fast Read Stitcher (FStitch), that takes advantage of two popular machine-learning techniques, hidden Markov models and logistic regression, to classify which regions of the genome are transcribed. Given a small user-defined training set, our algorithm is accurate, robust to varying read depth, annotation agnostic, and fast. Analysis of GRO-seq data without a priori need for annotation uncovers surprising new insights into several aspects of the transcription process.
Vascular ring: Left cervical aortic arch, right descending aorta, and right ligamentum arteriosum

A rare form of vascular ring is presented consisting of a left cervical aortic arch, a right descending aorta, and a right ligamentum arteriosum in a symptomatic infant. The planning of its surgical interruption was complicated by absence of the left pulmonary artery and hypoplasia of the left lung. This case provides an exception to the surgical axiom that all vascular rings can be divided through the left side of the chest. It reveals the difficulty in evaluation of these lesions by barium swallow alone and emphasizes the importance of preoperative angiography to correctly define the anatomy. The surgical approach to a patient with an absent left pulmonary artery and hypoplastic lung requiring a contralateral thoracotomy is presented.
The Stigma of Depression: Black American Experiences

ABSTRACTWhile stigma is a large barrier for all racial/ethnic groups, research suggests that stigma has a particularly strong impact on the help-seeking behaviors and service use patterns of Black Americans. In this qualitative study, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Black American men and women, ages 21 to 57, who have experienced depression. Several thematic categories emerged: (a) race/culture-specific aspects of dealing with depression; (b) the impact of the diagnosis on depression sufferers; and (c) pushing back against the stigma. These findings highlight the impact of sociocultural factors like stigma on illness experiences, help-seeking behaviors, and service use patterns among Black Americans. They also offer targets for intervention to increase service rates and improve care for Black Americans with depression.
Temperature and Pressure-Dependent Rate Coefficients for the Reaction of Vinyl Radical with Molecular Oxygen

State-of-the-art calculations of the C2H3O2 potential energy surface are presented. A new method is described for computing the interaction potential for R + O2 reactions. The method, which combines accurate determination of the quartet potential along the doublet minimum energy path with multireference calculations of the doublet/quartet splitting, decreases the uncertainty in the doublet potential and thence the rate constants by more than a factor of 2. The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are computed using variable reaction coordinate transition-state theory, variational transition-state theory, and conventional transition-state theory, as implemented in a new RRKM/ME code. The main bimolecular product channels are CH2O + HCO at lower temperatures and CH2CHO + O at higher temperatures. Above 10 atm, the collisional stabilization of CH2CHOO directly competes with these two product channels. CH2CHOO decomposes primarily to CH2O + HCO. The next two most significant bimolecular produ...
Little Cigar and Cigarillo Beliefs and Behaviors among African-American Young Adults.

OBJECTIVES To inform the development of future research and culturally-targeted interventions to address little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) use among an at-risk population: African-American (AA) young adults. Additionally, this project assesses LCC use and perception differences between college- and non-college attending AA young adults who use LCCs. METHODS Separate focus groups with college and non-college attending AA young adult LCC users assessed participants' attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral controls regarding LCC use, which was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. A thematic analysis following standard qualitative methods procedures revealed 5 themes. RESULTS Participants shared overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward LCC use, ubiquitous use in their communities, and limited barriers to use. Additionally, participants had difficulty separating LCC and marijuana use practices because LCCs often served as carriers for marijuana. There were no substantive differences between the college and non-college samples with respect to overall themes. CONCLUSIONS Future research should assess LCC intended versus altered use and create culturally relevant intervention measures.
Block-Based Restoration Method for Wide-field Microscopy of Samples with Variable Refractive Index

Evaluation of a block based restoration (BBR) method, developed for imaging of samples with variable refractive index, is investigated using a lung tissue phantom. The BBR method results in a 98% accuracy improvement over depth-variant restoration.
New Ground-State Crystal Structure of Elemental Boron

Elemental boron exhibits many polymorphs in nature based mostly on an icosahedral shell motif, involving stabilization of 13 strong multicenter intraicosahedral bonds. It is commonly accepted that the most thermodynamic stable structure of elemental boron at atmospheric pressure is the β rhombohedral boron (β−B). Surprisingly, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we found that pure boron powder contains grains of two different types, the previously identified β−B containing a number of randomly spaced twins and what appears to be a fully transformed twinlike structure. This fully transformed structure, denoted here as τ−B, is based on the Cmcm orthorhombic space group. Quantum mechanics predicts that the newly identified τ−B structure is 13.8 meV/B more stable than β−B. The τ−B structure allows 6% more charge transfer from B_(57) units to nearby B_(12) units, making the net charge 6% closer to the ideal expected from Wade’s rules. Thus, we predict the τ−B structure to be the ground state structure for elemental boron at atmospheric pressure.
Quantum Oscillations at Integer and Fractional Landau Level Indices in Single-Crystalline ZrTe5.

A three-dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetal (DS) is an analogue of graphene, but with linear energy dispersion in all (three) momentum directions. 3D DSs have been a fertile playground in discovering novel quantum particles, for example Weyl fermions, in solid state systems. Many 3D DSs were theoretically predicted and experimentally confirmed. We report here the results in exfoliated ZrTe5 thin flakes from the studies of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and low temperature magneto-transport measurements. Several unique results were observed. First, a π Berry phase was obtained from the Landau fan diagram of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in the longitudinal conductivity σxx. Second, the longitudinal resistivity ρxx shows a linear magnetic field dependence in the quantum limit regime. Most surprisingly, quantum oscillations were also observed at fractional Landau level indices N = 5/3 and 7/5, demonstrating strong electron-electron interaction effects in ZrTe5.
Essentials of Engineering Leadership and Innovation

This book is a must-have resource for those engineering professionals seeking out best practice in engineering leadership and innovation. It is underpinned by years of applied experience in engineering settings, and is designed to develop and prepare engineers as leaders to accept the technical and managerial challenges that they will face as professionals At a time when engineering and innovation in technology is of importance on so many fronts, this text encourages engineers and technical professionals to become effective, socially conscious leaders and innovators. The text and course material is designed to create an environment of interactive, high-engagement learning that will produce lifelong skills. Some of the many benefits of this book include: Accompanying notes, instructor’s manual, sample syllabi for qualifying textbook adoption; A complementary website with a wealth of ancillary resources; Case studies in STEM contexts; An international approach, underpinned by years of experience in US settings; Practical advice on how to distinguish yourself as an engineering leader; A solid grounding in ethics and professional responsibility. Drawing together best practice in engineering leadership education, and current research in the field, this book is an essential read for those wishing to develop expertise in engineering leadership. Current professionals in the field, educators as well as students of engineering wishing to excel, will all be particularly interested readers.
A compact microstrip Rotman lens design

Rotman lenses have long served as analog beam forming networks (BFNs) to support linear scanning arrays. However, most lens designs have large electrical size which limits their uses in compact transceiver systems. In this paper, we aim to design a compact lens structure by folding the lens into two layers, and using coupling slots as transition. The proposed designed structure will reduce the overall dimensions of the conventional Rotman lens by 50%.
The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of apigenin on glioblastoma cells

Objectives Glioblastoma (GBM) is highly proliferative, infiltrative, malignant and the most deadly form of brain tumour. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed, amplified and mutated in GBM and has been shown to play key and important roles in the proliferation, growth and survival of this tumour. The goal of our study was to investigate the antiproliferative, apoptotic and molecular effects of apigenin in GBM. Methods Proliferation and viability tests were carried out using the trypan blue exclusion, MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Flow cytometry was used to examine the effects of apigenin on the cell cycle check-points. In addition, we determined the effects of apigenin on EGFR-mediated signalling pathways by Western blot analyses. Key findings Our results showed that apigenin reduced cell viability and proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner while increasing cytotoxicity in GBM cells. Treatment with apigenin-induced is poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caused cell cycle arrest at the G2M checkpoint. Furthermore, our data revealed that apigenin inhibited EGFR-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways and attenuated the expression of Bcl-xL. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that apigenin has potent inhibitory effects on pathways involved in GBM proliferation and survival and could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent for GBM.
Uncertainty analysis on band-stop filter using data-driven arbitrary polynomial chaos

A non-intrusive arbitrary polynomial chaos (APC) method is applied to a problem of a band-stop filter with geometrical imperfections. The construction of APC scheme only requires to evaluate a finite number of moments, and does not involve assigning analytical probability density functions for the uncertain parameters of a stochastic model. Therefore, APC is well suited for applications where the uncertain parameters are represented by raw data samples, as with the case of experimental measurements. The numerical examples show that the APC approach is accurate even with a limited number of input samples.
Communications and Learning Behaviour: Selected References

This is a list of references on Communication and Learning Behaviour. Most of these references are cited in Papers B to E of this Volume. The Citations are indicated by the name of the author and the year of publication of the document. The citations are in parenthesis.
Multi-objective surrogate-assisted optimization applied to patch antenna design

In this paper, we present a multi-objective optimization technique for designing a patch antenna on a finite ground plane by employing a surrogate model which is formulated by utilizing various regression and model selection techniques. The method presented enables simultaneous training and optimization of the surrogate model with few initial samples required. The techniques used enable faster convergence of the Pareto set when compared to a traditional multi-objective optimization scheme.
Left Ventricular Assist Devices, Kidney Disease, and Dialysis.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure. As LVAD use increases, so do the number of patients with LVADs who also have kidney disease. However, there are only sparse data on how best to care for these patients. This review provides an overview of LVAD principles and indications, including blood pressure assessment and criteria for receipt of both destination and bridge to transplantation LVADs. Following LVAD implantation, kidney function may improve in the short term, particularly if cardiorenal physiology was present; in the longer term, data remain limited. Individuals with glomerular filtration rates chronically
A BENTALL DEBACLE: THROMBUS OR DISSECTION?

In coronary angiography, differentiating coronary artery (CA) dissection and thrombosis can be difficult creating diagnostic equipoise and impacting clinical care. We report a case of a 39 year old male with history of Marfan's syndrome and ascending aortic aneurysm status post Bentall
Seafood and Aquaculture Plant Sanitation

A hygienically designed plant can improve the wholesomeness of seafood and/or aquaculture and the sanitation program. The location of the seafood plant can contribute to the sanitation of the facility, and the design and construction materials used in the plant and equipment are also critical to an effective sanitation program.