cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reversibility of UV-altered wound tensile strength in the hairless guinea pig following a 90-day recovery period

Investigations in our laboratory showed that exposure to ultraviolet radiation significantly diminishes wound tensile strength in hairless guinea pigs. A recurring question is whether changes in wound tensile strength are reversible. The present project addresses whether wound tensile strength in irradiated and control animals differs following a 90-day healing period after irradiation and wounding. Group 1 animals (n = 10) served as nonirradiated controls. Group 2 animals (n = 10) were irradiated with a UVA/B source receiving a cumulative dose of 8,960 joules/cm2 over a 16-week period. Following completion of the irradiation schedule, a standard 6 cm midline incision was made on the dorsum of each animal and then allowed to heal for 90 days. At this time, wound tensile strength measurements were performed. The mean wound tensile strength value for the control group (4.62 +/- 0.16) was not significantly different compared to the irradiated animals (4.23 +/- 0.24). The alteration in wound tensile strength observed at 21 days in animals irradiated with a UVA/B light source is reversible after a 90-day recovery period.
Graphical templates for model registration

A new method of model registration is proposed using graphical templates. A graph of landmarks is chosen in the template image. All possible candidates for these landmarks are found in the data image using local operators. A dynamic programming algorithm on decomposable subgraphs of the template graph finds the optimal match to a subset of the candidate points in polynomial time. This combination of local operators to describe points of interest/landmarks and a graph to describe their geometric orientation in the plane, yields fast and precise matches of the model to the data, with no initialization required.
On estimating the number of sources with a frequency-hopped signaling sensor array

Frequency-hopped signaling is proposed to improve the estimation of the number of diversely moving sources/targets by a sensor array. Information-theoretic criteria are employed in the analysis, and simulation results are presented. It is shown that, by appropriately designing the pulse period and the subpulse frequencies, the system performance using frequency-hopped signaling is much better than that of the conventional array with a monotone frequency when the element signal-to-noise ratio is above a certain threshold. For a given system bandwidth, the noise performance saturates when the number of frequency hops becomes large. >
Design of a ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Magnet for a 4th Generation ECR Ion Source

The next generation of Electron Cyclotron Resonant (ECR) ion sources are expected to operate at a heating radio frequency greater than 40 GHz. The existing 3rd generation systems, exemplified by the state of the art system VENUS, operate in the 10-28 GHz range, and use NbTi superconductors for the confinement coils. The magnetic field needed to confine the plasma scales with the rf frequency, resulting in peak fields on the magnets of the 4th generation system in excess of 10 T. High field superconductors such as Nb3Sn must therefore be considered. The magnetic design of a 4th. generation ECR ion source operating at an rf frequency of 56 GHz is considered. The analysis considers both internal and external sextupole configurations, assuming commercially available Nb3Sn material properties. Preliminary structural design issues are discussed based on the forces and margins associated with the coils in the different configurations, leading to quantitative data for the determination of a final magnet design.
MAINTENANCE OF SERUM SOMATOMEDIN ACTIVITY IN HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED PREGNANT RATS

Pregnant female rats were hypophysectomized on the 14th day of pregnancy without fetal loss or premature delivery. Completeness of hypophysectomy was confirmed by measurements of serum growth hormone and prolactin. Serum somatomedin activities were measured by the hypophysectomized rat costal cartilage in vitro assay using a human serum standard. In this assay somatomedin activity of normal rat serum is about four times that of normal human serum. Forty-eight hours after hypophysectomy serum somatomedin was maintained at 3.9 + 1.0 units/ml. At this time after operation somatomedin activity of nonpregnant hypophysectomized rat serum would be virtually undetectable. Somatomedin concentrations were still maintained on the 18th and 20th day of pregnancy. However, within 24 hours after delivery somatomedin had fallen to less than 0.6 units/ml and by three days post delivery were less than 0.2 units/ml. These observations indicate that the fetal-placental unit, probably by secreting a chorionic somatomammotropi...
Hybrid control for aggressive maneuvering of autonomous aerial vehicles

New advances in control theory are required to enable aggressive maneuvering of autonomous vehicles, while adapting in real time to changes in the operational environment. A hybrid control architecture, the states of which represent feasible trajectory primitives, is constructed to reduce the complexity of the motion-planning problem for a nonlinear, high-dimensional system such as an aerial vehicle. Any feasible trajectories in the primitive list are available to the automatic control system; these may include a complete set of transitions between pairs of trim trajectories in addition to pilot-inspired behaviors recorded during manual flight tests with a human pilot. This paper describes the structure of a hybrid automaton that solves a time-optimal motion-planning problem by sequencing maneuvers in real time from such a primitive list. The algorithm can be used in a free workspace, or in the presence of fixed or moving obstacles. We present simulation results showing the effectiveness of this approach for a behavior library generated by a combination of analysis and live flight tests with a small remote-controlled helicopter.
Colonization of potato fields in eastern North Carolina by Colorado potato beetle

Rotated and non-rotated commercial potato fields were sampled intensively to follow Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), colonization and subsequent oviposition patterns in the spring of 1990 and 1991. Maximum densities of colonizing adults ranged from 0 to 14,891/ha and maximum egg mass densities ranged from 0 to 48,451/ha. Crop rotation generally resulted in lower potato beetle populations. Regardless of crop rotation management practices, colonization of fields planted in potatoes began at field edges and progressed inward in all fields for both years. Management of potato beetles is discussed in light of these findings.
Profit-Maximizing Dairy Sire Selection Package

The Net Present Value Sire Summary Professional Package (NPVSS) is a microcomputer program designed for technical personnel to help dairy producers better manage investments in genetic improvement. NPVSS is written in C language, utilizes the MS-DOS operating system, and requires 256K of RAM. It is menu driven and includes parameter screens to define herd management characteristics of individual producers. Profit rankings of bulls can be generated to evaluate alternative: a) objective functions (selection policies for genetic merit in milk income and type scores), b) herd management performance factors (conception rate, calving interval, age at first calving), and c) economic factors (milk price, semen price, discount rate, planning horizon).
Fat suppressed MRI of articular cartilage with a spatial‐spectral excitation pulse

We developed a three-dimensional, gradient-recalled-echo imaging technique that incorporates a short-duration spatial-spectral excitation pulse from the family of binomial pulses. Binomial pulses of different orders were tested on phantoms and on normal volunteers to find the composite pulse that produced in the shortest duration the most reliable fat suppression. Composite pulses employing unipolar slice-selective gradients with explicit rewinder gradients between each radio-frequency (RF) pulse were compared with composite RF pulses employing alternating-polarity, slice-select gradients. The advantage of the sequences using the unipolar gradients is improved fat suppression. Images of the knees of volunteers produced with the composite RF pulse have contrast between fat and articular cartilage equivalent to that on images created by the gradient-recalled-echo imaging technique employing a conventional chemsat pulse. The optimum RF pulse consisted of three amplitude- and phase-modulated pulses combined with unipolar slice-select gradients.
CoSense: enhancing sensemaking for collaborative web search

Making sense of the information found during an investigational Web search task can be daunting. With the recent emergence of tools to support collaborative Web search, the associated sensemaking task has become even more complex, requiring sense to be made not only of the products of a search (i.e., results found) but of the process, as well (i.e., group division of labor and decision-making). We present the findings of a formative study illustrating the sensemaking challenges posed by collaborative search tools. Based on these findings, we created CoSense, a system that supports sensemaking for collaborative Web search tasks by providing several rich, interactive views of a group's search activities. We describe an evaluation of CoSense, reflecting on how its features supported different aspects of sensemaking, and how future collaborative search systems can benefit from these findings.
Sublethal effects of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis on marine copepod behavior

Apart from grazing interactions, little is known regarding the sublethal effects of Karenia brevis cells on copepod behavior. We conducted grazing and mortality experiments with K. brevis cells and brevetoxins (PbTx-2), establishing routes of toxicity for the copepods Acartia tonsa, Temora turbinata and Centropages typicus. Subsequent behavioral experiments determined whether copepod swimming and photobehavior, both behaviors involved in predator avoidance, were impaired at sublethal K. brevis and PbTx-2 levels. Copepods variably grazed toxic K. brevis and non-toxic Prorocentrum minimum at bloom concentrations. Although copepods accumulated brevetoxins, significant mortality was only observed in T turbinata at the highest test concentration (1 x 10 7 K. brevis cells L -1 ). Acartia tonsa exhibited minimal sublethal behavioral effects. However, there were significant effects on the swimming and photobehavior of T. turbinata and C. typicus at the lowest sublethal concentrations tested (0.15 μg PbTx-2 L -1 , 1 x 10 5 K. brevis cells L -1 ). Although physiological incapacitation may have altered copepod behavior, starvation likely played a major role as well. These data suggest that sublethal effects of K. brevis and brevetoxin on copepod behavior occur and predicting the role of zooplankton grazers in trophic transfer of algal toxins requires knowledge of species-specific sublethal effects.
Neurofilament Transport In Vivo Minimally Requires Hetero-Oligomer Formation

Neurofilament assembly requires at minimum the polymerization of neurofilament light chain (NF-L) with either neurofilament medium chain (NF-M) or neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) subunits, but requirements for their axonal transport have long been controversial. Using a gene deletion approach, we generated mice containing only NF-L or NF-M. In vivo pulse radiolabeling analyses in retinal ganglion cell neurons revealed that NF-L alone is incapable of efficient transport, whereas nearly one-half of the normal level of NF-M is transported along optic axons in the absence of the other triplet subunits. Under these conditions, however, NF-M transport is completely abolished by deleting α-internexin. Our results strongly suggest that efficient neurofilament protein transport in vivo minimally requires hetero-oligomer formation. They also show that NF-M can partner with intermediate filament proteins other than the NF-H and NF-L subunits in neurons to support slow transport and possibly other functions of neuronal intermediate filaments.
The Arbitrage Pricing Theory Approach to Strategic Portfolio Planning

The well-known capital asset pricing model asserts that only a single number—an asset's "beta" against the market index—is required to measure risk. Arbitrage pricing theory asserts that an asset's riskiness, hence its average long-term return, is directly related to its sensitivities to unanticipated changes in four economic variables—(1) inflation, (2) industrial production, (3) risk premiums, and (4) the slope of the term structure of interest rates. Assets, even if they have the same CAPM beta, will have different patterns of sensitivities to these systematic factors. The central focus of portfolio strategy is the choice of an appropriate pattern of sensitivities. This choice will depend upon the economic characteristics of the beneficiary of the portfolio's income—in particular, upon whether it is more or less concerned with the economic factor risks than the broad average of investors. An organization, for example, may expect to spend less on food than the average investor. To the extent that food p...
A brief olfactory test for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Background The early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may help reduce disability, enhance quality of life, and aid clinical trials. Portions of olfactory cortex are the initial sites of AD pathology and patients with AD often have more degeneration of their left than right hemisphere. Since the olfactory epithelium projects mainly to the ipsilateral olfactory cortex, patients with AD may demonstrate an asymmetrical (left greater than right) decrement of odor detection sensitivity. This retrospective, case-control study assessed a quick olfactory test that may help diagnose AD. Methods Participants with probable AD (N = 18), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, N = 24), other causes of dementia (OD, N = 26) and matched controls (OC, N = 26) were tested, with closed eyes, for their ability to detect an odor, one nostril at a time. A container of 14 g of peanut butter was opened, held medially at the bottom of a 30 cm ruler, and moved up 1 cm at a time during the participants' exhale. Upon odor detection, the distance between the subject's nostril and container was measured. Results The mean odor detection distance of AD patients' left nostril (5.1 cm), and not their right (17.4 cm), was significantly less (F(3,90) = 22.28, p Conclusion This non-invasive and inexpensive left–right nostril odor detection test appears to be a sensitive and specific test for probable AD.
REGULATORY MECHANISMS OF CELLULAR RESPIRATION I. THE RÔLE OF CELL MEMBRANES: URANIUM INHIBITION OF CELLULAR RESPIRATION

Uranium as UO(2)(NO(3))(2) combines reversibly with proteins. The degree of dissociation of this combination depends, among other factors, on the H(+) concentration. At pH 7.3 the U-albumin complex was easily dissociated on addition of citrate, while at pH 3.8 it was not. Uranium inhibited reversibly a number of enzyme systems. Uranium enzyme inhibitions could be reversed on addition of certain hydroxypolycarboxylic acids (citric acid, alpha-hydroxyaspartic acid, malic acid); in no case, however, did phosphate have any effect. In cell-free yeast juice, the fermentation of glucose-hexosediphosphate was inhibited by UO(2)(NO(3))(2). Slight reactivation occurred on addition of phosphate. In living yeast cells, the fermentation and oxidation of glucose was inhibited by small amounts of UO(2)(NO(3))(2) (7,7 micrograms per mg. dry weight), while the oxidation of acetic acid, ethyl alcohol, malic and citric acids, was not affected at all. U inhibition in living yeast cells at pH 7.3 was completely released on addition of small amounts of phosphate, adenosinetriphosphate, and citrate, while at pH 3.8 U inhibition was not released by phosphate and citrate. At saturation, one yeast cell contained 7.06 x 10(6) molecules of uranium. Lactic dehydrogenase was not inhibited by U while the oxidation of lactic acid by gonococci was inhibited. Addition of phosphate released this inhibition. The U inhibition of liver succinoxidase was unaffected by phosphate, while the U inhibition of the oxidation of succinate by E. coli was released by phosphate. It has been concluded from these experiments that U inhibition of cell metabolism is due to combination of the metal with the protein portion of the cell membrane. Uranium is presented as an example of surface inhibition.
Corporate Bond Market Transparency and Transaction Costs

Using TRACE data - a complete record of all US OTC secondary trades in corporate bonds - we estimate average transaction cost as a function of trade size for each bond that traded more than nine times in 2003. We find that transaction costs are higher than in equities and decrease significantly with trade size. Highly rated bonds, recently issued bonds, and bonds that will soon mature have lower transaction costs than do other bonds. Costs are lower for bonds with publicly disseminated trade prices, and they drop when the TRACE system starts to publicly disseminate their prices. The results suggest that public traders would significantly benefit if bond prices were made more transparent.
Models of Conflict Management

Conflict can arise in virtually any social setting, be it between or within individuals, groups, organizations, or nations. Such conflict can be managed in any of a number of possible ways. These include domination through physical or psychological means, capitulation, inaction, withdrawal, negotiation, or the intervention of a third party. This article explores the latter two approaches to conflict management, first examining two very different models—mutual gains and concession-convergence—that have emerged for the understanding of negotiation, and then turning to the roles and functions of outside intervenors.
A New Species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from the Wasatch Mountains of Utah

Abstract Astragalus kelseyae B.L. Corbin, sp. nov. is described as a new species from the central Wasatch Mountains, where it is known from only one small occurrence in Weber County, Utah. It grows in shale talus within the Gambel oak and bigtooth maple shrubland.
The Animal Apparatus: From a Theory of Animal Acting to an Ethics of Animal Acts

The methods by which animal performance is made legible to audiences depend upon a historically contingent set of material practices and social relationships among humans and animals: an "animal apparatus" that is distinctly "middle-brow" and implicated in constructions of bourgeois subjectivity. However, the fleshly presence of the animal also routinely causes it to exceed this order of signification, offering a site for an ethics of resistance to anthropogenic ideologies.
What regulators can do to advance privacy through design

Seeking to address the challenges of privacy by design through regulatory process and formal law.
Unlootable Resources and State Security Institutions in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Why, when faced with similar conditions of weakening central control, do some institutions of state security fragment into autonomous agents of organized violence whereas others cohere around coerc...
Characterization of Genetically Matched Isolates of Campylobacter jejuni Reveals that Mutations in Genes Involved in Flagellar Biosynthesis Alter the Organism's Virulence Potential

Phenotypic and genotypic evidence suggests that not all Campylobacter jejuni isolates are pathogenic for humans. We hypothesized that differences in gene content or gene expression alter the degree of pathogenicity of C. jejuni isolates. A C. jejuni isolate (Turkey) recovered from a turkey and a second C. jejuni isolate (CS) recovered from a chicken differed in their degrees of in vitro and in vivo virulence. The C. jejuni Turkey isolate invaded INT 407 human epithelial cells and secreted the Cia (Campylobacter invasion antigen) proteins, while the C. jejuni CS isolate was noninvasive for human epithelial cells and did not secrete the Cia proteins. Newborn piglets inoculated with the C. jejuni Turkey isolate developed more severe clinical signs of campylobacteriosis than piglets inoculated with the C. jejuni CS isolate. Additional work revealed that flagellin was not expressed in the C. jejuni CS isolate. Microarray and real-time reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that all flagellar class II genes were significantly downregulated in the C. jejuni CS isolate compared to the C. jejuni Turkey isolate. Finally, nucleotide sequencing of the flgR gene revealed the presence of a single residue that was different in the FlgR proteins of the C. jejuni Turkey and CS isolates. Complementation of the C. jejuni CS isolate with a wild-type copy of the flgR gene restored the isolate's motility. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that critical differences in gene content or gene expression can alter the pathogenic potential of C. jejuni isolates.
Magneto-electric magnetic tunnel junction as process adder for non-volatile memory applications

Magneto-electric magnetic tunnel junction devices (ME-MTJ) show promise for beyond-CMOS memory applications. The advantages of these devices include non-volatility, easy integration with CMOS processing, high-density, low power consumption and high-speed operation. We discuss circuitry that allows the ME-MTJ devices to interface with SRAM memory, to create non-volatile storage elements. Various layouts are suggested for the circuit configurations, showing flexible integration in an efficient manner.
Toward Secure and Convenient Browsing Data Management in the Cloud.

Cloud and Web-centric computing is a significant trend in computing. However, the design and development of modern Web browsers failed to catch up this significant trend to address many challenging Browsing Data Insecurity and Inconvenience (referred to as BDII) problems that bother millions of Web users. In this position paper, we present our preliminary investigation on the BDII problems of the five most popular Web browsers and highlight the necessity and importance of addressing those problems. We also propose to explore a novel Cloud computing Age Browser (referred to as CAB) architecture that leverages the reliability and accessibility advantages of cloud storage services to fundamentally address the BDII problems.
Steam Reforming of Ethylene Glycol over MgAl2O4 Supported Rh, Ni, and Co Catalysts

Steam reforming of ethylene glycol (EG) over MgAl2O4 supported metal (15 wt % Ni, 5 wt % Rh, and 15 wt % Co) catalysts was investigated using combined experimental and theoretical methods. Compared to highly active Rh and Ni catalysts with 100% conversion, the steam reforming activity of EG over the Co catalyst is comparatively lower with only 42% conversion under the same reaction conditions (500 °C, 1 atm, 119 000 h–1, S/C = 3.3 mol). However, CH4 selectivity over the Co catalyst is remarkably lower. For example, by varying the gas hour space velocity (GHSV) such that complete conversion is achieved for all the catalysts, CH4 selectivity for the Co catalyst is only 8%, which is much lower than the equilibrium CH4 selectivity of ∼24% obtained for both the Rh and Ni catalysts. Further studies show that varying H2O concentration over the Co catalyst has a negligible effect on activity, thus indicating zero-order dependence on H2O. These experimental results suggest that the supported Co catalyst is a promi...
Arctogalidia trivirgata stigmatica (Bornean small-toothed palm civet)

The karyotypes presented here are gifts of Dr. D.H. Wurster-Hill, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. The animals are kept at the National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C., USA. Skin biopsies were used for the initiation of cell cultures. The marker chromosome (autosome #7) has a secondary constriction in the long arm.
Activation of the MDA-5–IPS-1 Viral Sensing Pathway Induces Cancer Cell Death and Type I IFN-Dependent Antitumor Immunity

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5, IFIH1), a cytosolic innate pattern recognition receptor, functions as a first line of defense against viral infection by sensing double-stranded RNA. Ectopic expression of MDA-5 has been shown to induce cancer cell death, but the mechanism of action by which MDA-5 exerts these cytotoxic effects is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that ectopic expression of MDA-5 via replication-incompetent adenovirus (Ad.Mda-5) initiates multiple signaling cascades, culminating in cytotoxicity and type I IFN production in mouse and human prostate cancer cells. This intrinsic dual activity of MDA-5 required the adaptor protein IFNβ promoter stimulator 1 (IPS-1, MAVS) and could be functionally uncoupled. MDA-5 lacking N-terminal caspase recruitment domains (CARD) engaged an intracellular death program in cancer cells but was unable to efficiently stimulate the expression of IFNβ. In contrast to cancer cells susceptible to MDA-5-mediated cytotoxicity, normal cells were highly resistant and instead developed a robust type I IFN response. Strikingly, intratumoral delivery of Ad.Mda-5 led to regression of preestablished prostate cancers and development of long-lasting antitumor immune memory, which was primarily attributed to the activation of tumor-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes and/or natural killer cells. Using the CARD-truncated MDA-5 mutant, silencing of IPS-1, and antibody blockade of the IFNα/β receptor, we further demonstrate that type I IFN signaling was crucial for in situ MDA-5-induced protective antitumor immunity. Therefore, deliberately targeting the evolutionarily conserved MDA-5-IPS-1 antiviral pathway in tumors can provoke parallel tumoricidal and immunostimulatory effects that bridge innate and adaptive immune responses for the therapeutic treatment of cancer. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2166-76. ©2016 AACR.
The Moral First, The Technical Second!

Should moral considerations be primary in each individual bureau crat's action? Should we aim for that kind of revolution in regulative ideals? In view of what some pundits describe as an increased interest in "values" in American politics, it seems a timely question. More pre cisely, what can we learn from asking whether, as a regulative ideal, each and every bureaucratic action should be primarily moral, with a technical sub-text?or whether it should be primarily technical, with a moral sub-text? I want to see what I can learn by outlining three pro and three con arguments for the uncomfortable belief that, as a regulative ideal, the moral should be privileged in each and all bureaucratic actions. I will do so defining morality no more finely than "seeking what ought to be the case" or "seeking what should be the case." I'm writing of moralizing as a creative activity of the self in the face of the other, as contrasted with moralizing as a mere picking from among a menu of do's and don'ts "out there." The moral first, the technical second! I expect to find comfort for the view that privileging the moral can transform the quality of living, and that theorists should create space appropriate for this transformation. Turning around a thought expressed by a lover of Dante's "Comedy" (Rubin, 2004, p. 5), I embrace the revolutionary desire that bureaucrats should aim to be, not merely craftsmen or craftswomen, but moral vi
Factors Influencing Citrus Red Mite Populations on Navel Oranges and Scheduling of Acaricide Applications in Southern California

Trends of citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McG.), populations on untreated trees, as well as the intervals during which potentially injurious populations were present on trees exposed to a variety of treatment schedules, were studied. Seasonal citrus red mite population cycles occurred in the orchards in each of the 5 years. The specific time of each year in which these populations were increasing or decreasing varied from year to year depending on the seasonal growth cycles of the tree and the direct effects of weather extremes (hot. dry periods) on the miles. Application schedules ine1nding two or three treatments were Suggested. The number and timing of the applications were dependent on whether mite populations started to increase in late summer or rail following the annual early summer decline.
Effect of Saccharin and of Galactose on the Blood-Sugar.∗

ConclusionFollowing oral administration of either saccharin or galactose, no evidence was obtained of a reflex hyprglycemia.
A study on the stress and related factors among outpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective To explore the stress among outpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis and to analyze the factors associated with the stress.Methods An informed consent questionnaire survey was performed among the outpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis at designated clinics of tuberculosis in two counties of Zhejiang Province.The data collected included social demographic characteristics,treatment status,perceptions of the disease and the stress status measured by the CPSS scale.Results A total of 440 outpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis were interviewed,and 437 valid questionnaires were included in the study.The average score of stress was 23.89±5.55 and 49.20% of the outpatients were at or over health risk stress(HRS) level.There were significantly different stress scores of outpatients at different education levels and with different occupations.The outpatients,who felt economic burdens,had the negative perceptions of self-accusation,had worries,and felt being isolated,scored higher levels of stress.Conclusion TB outpatients' Psychological problem should be noticed.The psychological support should be given more to the group who are in low social class,and who are bearing heavy economic burden,negative perception of disease,and sense of isolation.
Intra-abdominal packing with laparotomy pads and QuikClot™ during damage control laparotomy: A safety analysis.

Abstract Background Intra-abdominal packing with laparotomy pads (LP) is a common and rapid method for hemorrhage control in critically injured patients. Combat Gauze™ and Trauma Pads™ ([QC] Z-Medica QuikClot ® ) are kaolin impregnated hemostatic agents, that in addition to LP, may improve hemorrhage control. While QC packing has been effective in a swine liver injury model, QC remains unstudied for human intra-abdominal use. We hypothesized QC packing during damage control laparotomy (DCL) better controls hemorrhage than standard packing and is safe for intracorporeal use. Methods A retrospective review (2011–2014) at a Level-I Trauma Center reviewed all patients who underwent DCL with intentionally retained packing. Clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative parameters, and outcomes were compared with respect to packing (LP vs. LP + QC). All complications occurring within the patients’ hospital stays were reviewed. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results 68 patients underwent DCL with packing; (LP n = 40; LP + QC n = 28). No difference in age, BMI, injury mechanism, ISS, or GCS was detected ( Table 1 , all p > 0.05). LP + QC patients had a lower systolic blood pressure upon ED presentation and greater blood loss during index laparotomy than LP patients. LP + QC patients received more packed red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma resuscitation during index laparotomy (both p 0.05). After a median of 2 days until abdominal closure in both groups, no difference in complications rates attributable to intra-abdominal packing (LP vs LP + QC) was detected. Conclusion While the addition of QC to LP packing did not confer additional benefit to standard packing, there was no additional morbidity identified with its use. The surgeons at our institution now select augmented packing with QC for sicker patients, as we believe this may have additional advantage over standard LP packing. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to further evaluate the intra-abdominal use of advanced hemostatic agents, like QC, for both hemostasis and associated morbidity.
Why Do Global Reanalyses and Land Data Assimilation Products Underestimate Snow Water Equivalent

AbstractThere is a large uncertainty of snow water equivalent (SWE) in reanalyses and the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), but the primary reason for this uncertainty remains unclear. Here several reanalysis products and GLDAS with different land models are evaluated and the primary reason for their deficiencies are identified using two high-resolution SWE datasets, including the Snow Data Assimilation System product and a new dataset for SWE and snowfall for the conterminous United States (CONUS) that is based on PRISM precipitation and temperature data and constrained with thousands of point snow observations of snowfall and snow thickness. The reanalyses and GLDAS products substantially underestimate SWE in the CONUS compared to the high-resolution SWE data. This occurs irrespective of biases in atmospheric forcing information or differences in model resolution. Furthermore, reanalysis and GLDAS products that predict more snow ablation at near-freezing temperatures have larger underestimat...
Agricultural and science education: a socio-analysis of their intersection and positions within the educational field

It can be argued that agricultural science is one of the original forms of science education. However, over the past century, agricultural science education has habitually been perceived as an educational venue meant solely for production agriculturalists. When examining modern agricultural education we find it to be a minority within the broader field of science education, contradicting its historically stout scientific standing within the sciences. This educational shift leaves one to ponder the historic development of contemporary agricultural education. To gain deeper insight into these questions we reviewed the historical evolution of agricultural education within the United States. We then examined the professional habitus, or cultural nuances, associated with contemporary agricultural education. Next, we considered potential outcomes associated with the profession embracing post-modern perspectives within mainstream science and community-based education. Finally, we call for critical venues within agriculture education to question the status quo and challenge the acceptance of commonly held views.
Bacterial clonal diagnostics as a tool for evidence-based empiric antibiotic selection

Despite the known clonal distribution of antibiotic resistance in many bacteria, empiric (pre-culture) antibiotic selection still relies heavily on species-level cumulative antibiograms, resulting in overuse of broad-spectrum agents and excessive antibiotic/pathogen mismatch. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which account for a large share of antibiotic use, are caused predominantly by Escherichia coli, a highly clonal pathogen. In an observational clinical cohort study of urgent care patients with suspected UTI, we assessed the potential for E. coli clonal-level antibiograms to improve empiric antibiotic selection. A novel PCR-based clonotyping assay was applied to fresh urine samples to rapidly detect E. coli and the urine strain's clonotype. Based on a database of clonotype-specific antibiograms, the acceptability of various antibiotics for empiric therapy was inferred using a 20%, 10%, and 30% allowed resistance threshold. The test's performance characteristics and possible effects on prescribing were assessed. The rapid test identified E. coli clonotypes directly in patients’ urine within 25–35 minutes, with high specificity and sensitivity compared to culture. Antibiotic selection based on a clonotype-specific antibiogram could reduce the relative likelihood of antibiotic/pathogen mismatch by ≥ 60%. Compared to observed prescribing patterns, clonal diagnostics-guided antibiotic selection could safely double the use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and minimize fluoroquinolone use. In summary, a rapid clonotyping test showed promise for improving empiric antibiotic prescribing for E. coli UTI, including reversing preferential use of fluoroquinolones over trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The clonal diagnostics approach merges epidemiologic surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and molecular diagnostics to bring evidence-based medicine directly to the point of care.
Securing SDN Infrastructure of IoT–Fog Networks From MitM Attacks

While the Internet of Things (IoT) is making our lives much easier, managing the IoT becomes a big issue due to the huge number of connections, and the lack of protections for devices. Recent work shows that software-defined networking (SDN) has a great capability in automatically and dynamically managing network flows. Besides, switches in SDNs are usually powerful machines, which can be used as fog nodes simultaneously. Therefore, SDN seems a good choice for IoT–Fog networks. However, before deploying to IoT–Fog networks, the security of the OpenFlow channel between the controller and its switches need to be addressed. Since all the controller commands are sent through this channel, once compromised, the network will be completely controlled by an attacker. This is a disaster for both the network service providers and their customers. Previous works on SDN security either protect controllers themselves or make a strong assumption that the OpenFlow channel is already secured. Using TLS to encrypt the channel is not a “silver-bullet” solution due to the known TLS vulnerabilities. In this paper, we specifically investigate the potential threats of man-in-the-middle attacks on the OpenFlow control channel. We first introduce a feasible attack model in an IoT–Fog architecture, and then we implement attack demonstrations to show the severe consequences of such attacks. Additionally, we propose a lightweight countermeasure using Bloom filters. We implement a prototype for this method to monitor stealthy packet modifications. The result of our evaluation shows that our Bloom filter monitoring system is efficient and consumes few resources.
Acute ethanol exposure during late mouse neurodevelopment results in long-term deficits in memory retrieval, but not in social responsiveness.

Objective Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in neurological changes in affected individuals and may result in the emergence of a broad spectrum of neurobehavioral abnormalities termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The effects of ethanol exposure during development are both time and dose dependent. Although many animal models of FASD use more chronic ethanol exposure, acute developmental alcohol exposure may also cause long-lasting neuronal changes. Our research employed behavioral measures to assess the effects of a single early postnatal ethanol intoxication event in mice. Materials and Methods Mice were dosed at postnatal day 6 (a 2.5 g/kg dose of ethanol or a saline control administered twice, 2 hr apart) as a model of third trimester binge drinking in humans. This exposure was followed by behavioral assessment in male mice at 1 month (1M) and at 4 months of age (4M), using the Barnes maze (for learning/memory retrieval), exploratory behavior, and a social responsiveness task. Results Ethanol-exposed mice appeared to be less motivated to complete the Barnes maze at 1M, but were able to successfully learn the maze. However, deficits in long-term spatial memory retrieval were observed in ethanol-exposed mice when the Barnes maze recall was measured at 4M. No significant differences were found in open field behavior or social responsiveness at 1M or 4M of age. Conclusions Acute ethanol exposure at P6 in mice leads to mild but long-lasting deficits in long-term spatial memory. Results suggest that even brief acute exposure to high ethanol levels during the third trimester equivalent of human pregnancy may have a permanent negative impact on the neurological functioning of the offspring.
Development and validation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy: Antiangiogenesis (FACT-AntiA).

e20527 Background: Anti-angiogenesis therapies represent a significant and promising advancement in cancer treatment. Side effects from angiogenesis inhibitors, although generally milder than chemo...
Perceptions regarding prostate cancer (CaP) treatment options: Results from the North Carolina Prostate Cancer Comparative Effectiveness and Survivorship Study (NC ProCESS).

6530 Background: NC ProCESS is a population-based cohort of early (non-metastatic) CaP patients followed prospectively from diagnosis. Methods: Patients were identified through Rapid Case Ascertain...
Poverty, Theology, and Justice Fifty Years After the War on Poverty

This chapter provides an overview of the social, historical, and contextual background for the book. Social scientific data on rural, regional, and national poverty demonstrates the entrenchment of poverty, particularly in the rural South—the context of the case study. After laying out the landscape of poverty, the church’s articulation of its responsibility to the poor is discussed. This sense of responsibility has its foundation in the theological traditions that shape churches’ economic ethics. Thus, a historical overview of predominant theological traditions within the Black Church is offered as an illustration of the church’s engagement, or lack thereof, with economic justice and as a demonstration of the ambiguity that marks Black churches’ praxis related to economic justice.
The Collection Process and Basic Commutators

The goal of this chapter is to determine normal forms for elements in finitely generated free groups and free nilpotent groups. This is done by using a collection process which we discuss in Sect. 3.1. A study of weighted commutators and basic commutators in a group relative to a given generating set also appears in this section. The highlight of Sect. 3.1 is a fundamental result stating that if G is any group generated by a set X and γ i G denotes the ith lower central subgroup, then each quotient γ n G/γ n+1G is generated, modulo γ n+1G, by a sequence of basic commutators on X of weight n. Section 3.2 is devoted to the so-called collection formula. This formula expresses a positive power of a product of elements x1, …, x r of a group as a product of positive powers of basic commutators in x1, …, x r . The collection process developed in Sect. 3.1 plays a key role here. In Sect. 3.3, we investigate basic commutators in finitely generated free groups and free nilpotent groups. We prove a major result which states that a finitely generated free nilpotent group, freely generated by a set X, has a “basis” consisting of basic commutators in X. The techniques used in this section involve groupoids, Lie rings, and the Magnus embedding. We end the chapter with Sect. 3.4, which is devoted to the rather technical proof of the collection formula obtained in Sect. 3.2.
Cost-Effectiveness of Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma.

Background Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETPS) has become increasingly popular for resection of pituitary tumors, whereas microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (MTPS) also remains a commonly used approach. The economic sustainability of new techniques and technologies is rarely evaluated in the neurosurgical skull base literature. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of ETPS compared with MTPS. Methods A Markov model was constructed to conduct a cost-utility analysis of ETPS versus MTPS from a single-payer health care perspective. Data were obtained from previously published outcomes studies. Costs were based on Medicare reimbursement rates, considering covariates such as complications, length of stay, and operative time. The base case adopted a 2-year follow-up period. Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses were conducted. Results On average, ETPS costs $143 less and generates 0.014 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) compared with MTPS over 2 years. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) is −$10,214 per QALY, suggesting economic dominance. The QALY benefit increased to 0.105 when modeled to 10 years, suggesting that ETPS becomes even more favorable over time. Conclusions ETPS appears to be cost-effective when compared with MTPS because the ICER falls below the commonly accepted $50,000 per QALY benchmark. Model limitations and assumptions affect the generalizability of the conclusion; however, ongoing efforts to improve rhinologic morbidity related to ETPS would appear to further augment the marginal cost savings and QALYs gained. Further research on the cost-effectiveness of ETPS using prospective data is warranted.
Praseodymium Telluride: A High-Temperature, High-ZT Thermoelectric Material

Summary Refractory rare-earth tellurides with the Th 3 P 4 structure type have attracted considerable interest as high-performance thermoelectric materials since the 1980s due to their high dimensionless figure of merit ( ZT ). Extensive work has been conducted on La 3−x Te 4 with peak ZT values greater than 1.1 at 1,273 K. The high ZT of La 3-x Te 4 is in part due to a large peak in the density of states near the Fermi level from the La 5d states. Here, we revisit Pr 3−x Te 4 , for which our electronic structure calculations predict a favorable modification of the density of states by the introduction of praseodymium's 4f electrons. This was experimentally verified by preparing Pr 3−x Te 4 samples with varying Pr vacancy concentrations using a mechanochemical synthesis approach. The thermoelectric properties were measured and a ZT of 1.7 at 1,200 K was achieved with Pr 2.74 Te 4 . The 50% improvement in peak ZT compared with La 3−x Te 4 resulted from an increased effective mass, improved Seebeck coefficient, and lower thermal conductivity.
Research and the Professional Society

Basic and applied research in science and engineering of greater scope and with increased expenditures of public and private funds are today accepted as national obligations. The special challenge to civil engineers to participate in the advancement of new knowledge for a better human environment is outlined with respect to tasks and responsibilities. Present research activities of the ASCE are reviewed and new areas for expanded research efforts are presented. The importance of a revitalized and creative climate for the advancement of knowledge in the profession is stressed as a prerequisite to professional stature and growth. A course of action is suggested to assume new basic research functions by the ASCE as a matter of policy and in line with the constitution of the society.
Two-dimensional reduction of beam training overhead in crowded 802.11ad based networks

The millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) or 60 GHz technology emerges as an attractive candidate for indoor wireless access in the 5G architecture. Different from 2.4/5 GHz, high signal attenuation requires mm-Wave antenna utilizing directional transmission to enhance beamforming gain. Consequently, time-consuming beamforming training process between mm-Wave nodes significantly increases communication overhead, especially when the environment is crowded since the nodes perform training process in a contention and backoff manner. In this paper, we propose a novel group beam training scheme that enables simultaneous beam training of all the user devices attempting to associate with the access point. Leveraging the angle-of-arrival sparsity in mm-Wave communications, compressed sensing is adopted to further reduce the beam training overhead. To verify the feasibility of group training and the necessity of compressed sensing under certain conditions, we analyze the signal-to-noise ratio measured on a 60 GHz software defined radio testbed in three typical indoor environments: i) corridor; ii) conference room; and iii) laboratory. Extensive simulations are also performed to evaluate the recovery performance of compressed sensing in mm-Wave WLANs for different sampling capabilities. Simulation results show that compressed sensing reduces the cost of sector sweep by 50%.
Red Cell Substitutes in the Kidney

The utility of cross-linked hemoglobin (Hgb) solutions has been predicted to be limited in part by potential renal toxicity and consequent renal dysfunction (Hess et al. 1989, Keipert and Chang 1987, Messmer 1978, Snyder et al. 1987). However, this concern has been based upon models and assumptions that may not be entirely pertinent since direct studies have not as yet been performed in both euvolemic and hypovolemic models pertinent to the utility of red cell substitutes.