cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iodometric Detection of Haemophilus influenzae Beta-Lactamase: Rapid Presumptive Test for Ampicillin Resistance

Strains of Haemophilus influenzae type b sporadically isolated from clinical specimens are ampicillin resistant due to production of a beta-lactamase. This enzyme which inactivates ampicillin and penicillin G is not produced by ampicillin-susceptible strains. Various characteristics of beta-lactamase production and ampicillin resistance of three H. influenzae type b isolates were investigated. A sensitive iodometric test was employed to detect beta-lactamase; positive results were obtained in 5 min with 10(9) bacteria taken from cultures on a nutritionally adequate agar medium. This simple chemical test will enable the hospital laboratory to obtain presumptive evidence of ampicillin resistance on the same day that H. influenzae is isolated.
Trigger Points of the Special Safeguard Mechanism

Current negotiations of the WTO's Doha Development Agenda include proposals for an agricultural special safeguard policy. The Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) under consideration would allow developing countries to invoke additional duties if import quantities rise above or import prices fall below specific trigger levels. We show that a global excess supply shock for a given agricultural commodity is ambiguous in terms of triggering a quantity- or price-based SSM. Using wheat and maize trade data, we show that a global excess supply shock may trigger a Q-SSM for one country and a P-SSM for another. We also provide threshold levels for the magnitude of shocks that would cause the P-SSM or Q-SSM to bind for various countries.
Ways of reaching nontraditional students: an assessment

A report on dealing with nontraditional students is presented which is based on the experience of a small engineering department that enrolls about 400 students. The department is on the campus of Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Different kinds of nontraditional students are identified, with specific attention given to part-time students and their needs. The ways that were used to address the needs of nontraditional students were grouped into three categories: institutional, departmental, and individual. Although it is suggested that all three ways be used, and that, to yield positive outcomes, they need to be coordinated and integrated, it is also argued that what is done at the level of the department is the most consequential. >
Effects of chronic dobutamine administration on the response to acute exercise in dogs

The effects of chronic dobutamine administration on haemodynamic and metabolic responses to submaximal and maximal exercise were studied in dogs. Dobutamine was infused at a rate of 40 micrograms/kg min-1, 2 h day-1, 5 days week-1 for a period of 6 weeks. Acute infusion of dobutamine for 1 h increased heart rate by 73 +/- 30 beats min-1 and cardiac output by 143 +/- 141 ml/min kg-1, reduced mean arterial blood pressure by 12 +/- 10 mmHg and arterial-venous O2 difference by 1.5 +/- 1 vol%. Maximal oxygen consumption, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output and arterial-venous O2 difference were unchanged after 6 weeks of treatment. Reductions in heart rate at rest and during submaximal exercise following chronic dobutamine treatment were small and significant only at the lowest exercise level studied. Mixed venous lactate concentrations measured at rest, during submaximal and maximal exercise and at 2 min of recovery were not different after dobutamine treatment. Chronic dobutamine infusion did not change the citrate synthase activity in the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. These results suggest that chronic dobutamine therapy in healthy dogs does not produce aerobic training responses.
Novel therapeutic usage of low-dose doxepin hydrochloride

Low-dose doxepin hydrochloride (1, 3 and 6 mg) is a tricyclic antidepressant currently being investigated for the treatment of primary insomnia in adult and geriatric patients. Although it has been used at much higher doses to treat depression effectively for a number of decades, it offers a unique potency and selectivity for antagonizing the H1 (histamine) receptor at low doses. This mechanism of action may prove to be advantageous compared with other medications currently approved for the treatment of insomnia. This article reviews previous clinical studies using doxepin for insomnia and the recent clinical trial data, and briefly discusses other potential roles of this compound in clinical practice.
A high-performance asynchronous FPGA: test results

We report test results from a prototype asynchronous FPGA (AFPGA) implemented in TSMC's 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process. The AFPGA uses SRAM-based configuration bits with pipelined logic blocks and switch boxes. Test results demonstrate a throughput of 674 MHz at 1.8 V.
Naturally Occurring Nanoparticles from Arthrobotrys oligospora as a Potential Immunostimulatory and Antitumor Agent

Arthrobotrys oligospora, a representative fl esh eater in the fungal kingdom, is a potential source for natural-based biomaterials due to the presence of specialized 3D adhesive traps that can capture, penetrate, and digest free-living nematodes in diverse environments. The purpose of this study is to discover novel nanoparticles that occur naturally in A. oligospora and to exploit its potential biomedical applications. A new culture method, fungal sitting drop culture method, is established in order to monitor the growth of A. oligospora in situ, and observe the nanoparticle production without interfering or contamination from the solid media. Abundant spherical nanoparticles secreted from the fungus are fi rst revealed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. They have an average size of 360‐370 nm, with a zeta potential of ‐33 mV at pH 6.0. Further analyses reveal that there is ≈ 28 μ g of glycosaminoglycan and ≈ 550 μ g of protein per mg of nanoparticles. Interestingly, the nanoparticles signifi cantly induce TNF- α secretion in RAW264.7mouse macrophages, indicating a potential immunostimulatory effect. The nanoparticles themselves are also found slightly cytotoxic to mouse melanoma B16BL6 and human lung cancer A549 cells, and show a synergistic cytotoxic effect upon conjugation with doxorubicin against both cells. This study proposes a new approach for producing novel organic nanoparticles secreted from microorganisms under controlled conditions. The fi ndings here also highlight the potential roles of the naturally occurring nanoparticles from A. oligospora as an immunostimulatory and antitumor agent for cancer immunochemotherapy.
Atomistic simulation of energetic and entropic elasticity in short-chain polyethylenes

The thermodynamical aspects of polymeric liquids subjected to uniaxial elongational flow are examined using atomistically detailed nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, attention is paid to the energetic effects, in addition to the entropic ones, which occur under conditions of extreme deformation. Atomistic nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulations of linear polyethylene systems, ranging in molecular length from C24 to C78 and for temperatures from 300to450K, demonstrate clear contributions of energetic effects to the elasticity of the system. These are manifested in a conformationally dependent heat capacity, which is significant under large deformations. Violations of the hypothesis of purely entropic elasticity are evident in these simulations, in that the free energy of the system is demonstrated to be composed of significant energetic effects under high degrees of orientation. These arise mainly from favorable intermolecular side-to-side interactions developing in the process of elonga...
Making CENs of mammalian artificial chromosomes.

Mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) hold the promise of providing autonomous vectors for gene therapy in dividing cells. They would not require insertion into the genome and could include sufficient genomic sequences that surround the therapeutic gene to ensure proper tissue-specific and temporal regulation. Several groups have reported successful formation of MACs in human cells using transfection strategies that included alpha satellite DNA, the primary DNA found at normal human centromeres. These results, although extremely encouraging, have limitations such as unpredictable chromosome formation and success thus far in only one transformed human cell line. Examination of other cells where alpha satellite DNA has integrated into ectopic chromosomal locations, as well as naturally occurring dicentric and neocentromere-containing cell lines, suggests that alpha satellite DNA may not be necessary or sufficient for centromere formation. Overall, these results suggest that epigenetic modifications of centromeric DNA are required for efficient centromere formation. Models for this centromere-specific epigenetic modification include a specialized chromatin structure and differential replication timing of centromeric DNA. Thus, further investigation of these centromere-specific epigenetic modifications may suggest strategies for increasing the efficiency of generating human artificial chromosomes for use as gene therapy vectors.
BEAMing Up Personalized Medicine: Mutation Detection In Blood

BEAMing is a feasible, accurate and sensitive method for detection of PIK3CA mutations in circulating tumor DNA in blood. Mutation status of PIK3CA may change between primary tumor and recurrence. The results suggest a new approach for non-invasive determination of current mutation status in patients with metastatic disease.
Conditions favorable to new central Alaskan permafrost will not last

Permafrost—ground that has been frozen for longer than 2 years—has been useful for tracking the effects of climate change because thawing permafrost has implications for greenhouse gas emissions and shifting ecosystems. In the last 30 years, shrinkage of Arctic and subarctic lakes has been tied to permafrost thaw. However, on the margins of recently receded lakes, scientists recently have witnessed permafrost growth, complicating how climate change may affect future Arctic lakes. Scientists question whether these new permafrost-friendly conditions will continue into the future.
Optical Spectra of 3d Transition Metal Ions in MgO 3·52O3 Spinel

Large gem-quality boules of MgO·3.5A12, O3 spinel, both pure and incorporating controlled amounts of Ti3, V3+, Cr3+, Mn2, Fe2+, Co2+, or Ni2+ were synthesized by a modified verneuil technique. Each crystal was characterized by measuring the lattice parameter, chemical composition, and density. Using thin polished slices as specimens, the absorption spectrum of each crystal was measured from 400 to 50, 000 cm−1, and band centers and order-of-magnitude oscillator strengths were calculated from the spectrum for each specimen. For these well characterized crystals, the absorption spectra were interpreted satisfactorily in terms of crystal field theory when the complete individual spectrum as well as the spectrum of the host matrix was considered. On this basis, the oxidation state and coordination of the 3d ion could be determined. Covalent bonding effects were of definite significance in these spinels and caused an inexact correspondence between observed band centers and those predicted by the Orgel diagrams. The ratio Dq (tetrahedral)/Dg (octahedral) was 0.67 in the 1:3.5 spinel and verified the theoretical relation expressing this ratio in terms of a constant, 4/9, times the fifth power of the ratio of the site radii. Coordination preferences of the incorporated transition metal ions are also discussed.
Lev Samuilovičč Klejn: Spor o Varjagah. Istorija protivosostanija storon (The Controversy about the Varyags. The History of Confrontation between the Parties)

This collection of texts is formally a history of the 250 years and more of controversy about the Varyags, the most sensitive question in the early history of Russia and Ukraine (the form ‘Varyag’ ...
Flicker Noise Effects in Noise Adding Radiometers

This paper presents an analysis of noise adding radiometers that includes the effects of flicker, or 1/f, noise which often limits radiometer performance. The 1/f noise processes within the detector are affected by the modulation of the detector voltage as a result of the injected noise power and cause the overall 1/f noise to increase. The functional dependence of the 1/f noise parameters on degree of source modulation is determined experimentally. The primary result of this paper is a concise mathematical formula for the noise equivalent temperature difference of a noise adding radiometer explicitly showing the dependences on the radiometer parameters, as well as detector voltages when the source is on and off. From this formula, we derive the optimum on and off voltage ratio that maximizes sensitivity.
First-Trimester Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type II by Three-Dimensional Sonography

Congenital anomalies are increasingly being identified in the first trimester, particularly when early screening sonography is performed for a previous abnormal pregnancy or diagnosis of a genetic disorder in the family. We present a case of first-trimester diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type II in a woman with a previously affected pregnancy in which diagnosis was aided by the use of transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) sonography.
Letter from the Balkans: Reflections on a peace-building trip to Serbia and Kosovo

This field report describes the author's trip to the Balkans from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) on a peace-building mission. The trip occurred six weeks after Kosovo declared its sovereignty from Serbia. Reflecting on the history of the region, the author describes the effort of public officials, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and citizens of both countries to come to terms with trauma and with identity-based conflict.
Flow Theory and the Paradox of Happiness

We all desire the experience of happiness, but happiness is not an attainable goal in and of itself; it is a derivative, or after-effect, of something. The more we focus on our experience of happiness the less that it exists. A paradox arises. Happiness and well-being are experienced when individuals relinquish concerns about the self and focus on an entity outside of the self. Flow theory proposes that optimal experience is ascertained through an intense focus on an activity that contains clear goals, immediate feedback, and a balanced skill/challenge ratio. I propose that using the activity-specific model of flow in a broader, life plan view, context utilizes the paradox of happiness and provides a useful framework for happiness goal attainment.
Preliminary Evaluation of Low Power Pulsed Corona Discharge for Characterization of Liquids

A low power pulsed corona discharge has been created in liquid media. The corona is generated at the ~1 μm sharp tip of a tungsten wire submerged in the liquid. The voltage pulse of about 15 kV applied to the tip is generated using spark gaps in air resulting in a rise time of ~300 V/ns. During this voltage pulse a small bubble and light emission is visible from the wire tip. The color of light emission depends on the liquid media. Optical emission spectroscopy is used to analyze the light emitted by the discharge. Due to the small size the plasma electron density is several orders of magnitude lower than for larger scale pulsed coronas and may remain non-thermal. Tested liquids include tap water and aqueous salt solutions. The light emission is unique to the constituents of the liquid in which the discharge is created. These preliminary results indicated that this corona in liquid may be a unique tool for the diagnostics of liquids such as species and contaminant detection.
Empirical Chemicals Ltd. (A): The Merseyside Project

Empirical Chemicals is a worldwide competitor in its industry, but earnings are falling and investors are anxious for improved financial performance. The plant manager of an aging production facility believes the time is right for plant modernization to make up for deferred maintenance and to increase production efficiency. The task for the student is to choose the relevant cash flows and complete the capital-expenditure analysis. Student and instructor worksheet files are available for use with the case and its teaching note. See also the B case (UVA-F-1021).
Changing engines in midstream: a java stream computational model for big data processing

With the addition of lambda expressions and the Stream API in Java 8, Java has gained a powerful and expressive query language that operates over in-memory collections of Java objects, making the transformation and analysis of data more convenient, scalable and efficient. In this paper, we build on Java 8 Stream and add a DistributableStream abstraction that supports federated query execution over an extensible set of distributed compute engines. Each query eventually results in the creation of a materialized result that is returned either as a local object or as an engine defined distributed Java Collection that can be saved and/or used as a source for future queries. Distinctively, DistributableStream supports the changing of compute engines both between and within a query, allowing different parts of a computation to be executed on different platforms. At execution time, the query is organized as a sequence of pipelined stages, each stage potentially running on a different engine. Each node that is part of a stage executes its portion of the computation on the data available locally or produced by the previous stage of the computation. This approach allows for computations to be assigned to engines based on pricing, data locality, and resource availability. Coupled with the inherent laziness of stream operations, this brings great flexibility to query planning and separates the semantics of the query from the details of the engine used to execute it. We currently support three engines, Local, Apache Hadoop MapReduce and Oracle Coherence, and we illustrate how new engines and data sources can be added.
Grain Refinement and Viscous Fracture of Metals during Severe Plastic Deformation: Mathematical Simulation

We investigate structure formation of metals undergoing severe plastic deformation. We present two natural assumptions that reveal valuable information about this process. The assumptions are the self-similarity of grain refinement and micro-damage and the complementarity of these two processes. Based on these assumptions, we obtain a system of kinetic equations that explains the formation of structure and suggests new problems for experimental and theoretical investigations.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF LABELLAR, TARSAL AND PALPAL CHEMOSENSILLA OF THE BLACK FLY, SIMULIUM DECORUM WALKER (DIPTERA SIMULIIDAE)

SUMMARY The presence of taste chemosensilla was demonstrated, by using both morphological and electrophysiological techniques, on labella, tarsi, and palps of a laboratory-reared colony of Simulium decorum Walker (Diptera Simuliidae). Each type of chemosensillum was sensitive to NaCl or sucrose stimulation, and proved to consist of four chemosensory units. The presence of various chemosensory units in each sensillum allows the assumption that in S. decorum single sensilla may provide the CNS with adequate information for peripheral discrimination among the stimulating chemicals, possibly by providing different spike discharge patterns according to the quality of the stimulus.
Rabbit esophageal cell cytoplasmic pH regulation: role of Na(+)-H+ antiport and Na(+)-dependent HCO3- transport systems.

Regulation of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of esophageal cells assumes importance as these cells can be exposed to mucosally absorbed acid during gastroesophageal reflux episodes. In this study, we examine...
Occupational Stress Claims in England, the USA and the Antipodes

This article examines how the English courts have responded to occupational stress claims, and compares this response to the equivalent Australian law and American Federal Law. It outlines the approach of the courts to claims arising in tort and contract respectively and concludes that the Australian, American and English legal systems have some way to go in order to present themselves as favorable to employees in this context.
Local Damage Effects of X70 Steel Pipe Subjected to Contact Explosion Loading

Field explosion experiments were carried out to investigate the contact explosion damage effects of large diameter X70steel oil-gas pipes.The contact explosion damage characteristics of pipes with different pipe wall thickness under various charge were analyzed.The experimental results show that the local damage of the pipe wall facing explosion is predominant and there is a petal-shaped crevasse.In addition,the fragments with abundant kinetic energy are formed.The dent or perforation phenomenon will occur after the opposite pipe wall is impacted by the fragment.By means of an explicit nonlinear dynamic finite element computer code LS-DYNA,the nonlinear dynamic response process of the steel pipe under contact explosion loading was numerically simulated with Lagrangian-Eulerian coupling method.The damage process of the pipe wall facing explosion and the after-effects of opposite pipe wall due to the impact of fragment were described.The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data.The results can provide important reference for the blast-resistant properties analysis and safety assessment of oil-gas pipes.
APPLYING REGRESSIVE EQUATION FOR UNCERTAINTY EVALUATION

Objective:To determinate the uncertainty evaluation of yianzihong colur in examine sample by HPLC.Methods:Regressive equation was applied for uncertainty evaluation introduced in detail.Results:The relative uncertainty of determination of yianzihong colur by HPLC was U (p=997%)=20%;The minimum relative uncertainty was 1%.Extend uncertainty is U (p=997%)=10×10 -2mg/mlConclusions:The idea can be used for reference in uncertainty evaluation of other regressive equation.
Pulmonary vascular dynamics after percutaneous mitral valvotomy

Hemodynamic studies were performed immediately before, within ½ hour, and every 8 hours for 24 hours after percutaneous mitral valvotomy in 22 patients with severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension. The mean pressure in the left atrium decreased from 27 ± 2 mm Hg to 14 ± 1 mm Hg (p
Radiotracer studies of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator expressed in Xenopus oocytes

We measured fluxes of radiotracers in Xenopus oocytes expressing the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Addition of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-elevating agents [forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (I/F)] led to large increases in uptake of 36Cl, 125I, and 82Br into oocytes expressing wild-type CFTR or delta F508 CFTR but not sham-injected oocytes. I/F also stimulated halide efflux from CFTR and delta F508 oocytes in the sequence Cl > Br > I. cAMP-induced increases in 36Cl efflux from delta F508 oocytes were approximately 20% of those in CFTR oocytes. Increases in halide efflux were blocked by diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid but not by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. The phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, also stimulated 36Cl efflux from CFTR oocytes. ATP uptakes into CFTR and sham oocytes were similar, and both were reduced by I/F. However, ATP uptake into I/F-treated CFTR oocytes was slightly greater (approximately 40%) than into I/F-treated sham oocytes. Urea uptake into CFTR and sham oocytes was similar and in both cases was increased by I/F. However, the I/F-induced increase in urea uptake into CFTR oocytes was significantly greater than for sham oocytes. I/F stimulated formate uptake into CFTR oocytes but not into sham oocytes. Fluxes of 22Na, 86Rb, 35SO4, 32PO4, and mannitol were unaltered by expression and activation of CFTR.
Ruptured aneurysms of abdominal aorta; excision and homograft replacement.

(1954). Ruptured Aneurysms of Abdominal Aorta. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 334-342.
Access To Therapeutic Surgical Procedures For Pathologic Fractures In Multiple Myeloma Patients: Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS)

Introduction Myeloma patients that experience a pathological fracture have 44% increased risk of mortality compared to their counterparts without pathological fractures. Given the negative impact of pathological fractures on survival, we have explored if access to obtain a therapeutic procedure influences the survival. We analyzed the nationwide inpatient cohort to evaluate for access to procedures and other hospitalization variables for myeloma patients admitted to the hospital for the diagnosis of pathologic fractures. Methodology Myeloma patients admitted in the hospital for the primary diagnosis of pathologic fractures from 2001-2010 were analyzed from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Procedures and diagnoses were identified using ICD-9-CM and NIS CCS codes. Variables of therapeutic procedures, length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality (IHM) and hospital charges were explored using multivariate logistic regression. Costs are derived from total hospital charges using cost-to-charge ratios based on hospital accounting reports from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and reflect the actual costs to produce hospital services. Results Of the 5154 myeloma patient admitted for pathological fractures, 2422 patients (47%) underwent a therapeutic procedure. The mean LOS for the primary diagnosis was 7.23 days (SE 0.14); cost for the hospitalization was $19344 and the IHM is 2.32%. The probability of getting a therapeutic surgical procedure and the cost of hospitalization is lower in patients >65, but had similar LOS and IHM compared to patients <65. Similar probability of not getting a surgical procedure was seen in medicare patients; but longer LOS may have contributed to the similar cost. However, in the medicaid patients, the odds of getting a surgical procedure was 66% low; the LOS and the cost are significantly high compared to the private insurance. IHM did not differ significantly across all groups. Conclusions This analysis addresses the question that older myeloma patients (age >65) and those that have the payer status of medicare and medicaid are significantly associated with the probability of not getting a therapeutic surgical procedure when they are admitted with pathological fracture. However, this did not result in increased in-hospital mortality suggesting that probably pathological fractures may reflect the biology of the underlying disease with negative impact on survival or the morbidity associated with a pathological fracture may impede the long term survival in myeloma patients. View this table: Table 1 Multivariate model of outcome analysis in myeloma patients with pathologic fractures Disclosures: Lonial: Millennium: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy.
Yield and sap nitrate responses of fresh market field tomatoes to simulated fertigation with nitrogen

Drip irrigated ‘Celebrity’ tomatoes were grown at 8 rates of nitrogen (N) on a well‐drained Oxisol on Central Oahu during summer 1985. Weekly fertigation was simulated by applying a small volume of solution containing nitrate N to the base of each plant each week. One thirteenth of the total amount of N was applied weekly. Petiole sap nitrate levels were monitored biweekly with paper test strips. Marketable yields of table‐ripe fruit over a 4‐week harvest period were related by a quadratic function to total N applied, with an estimated maximum yield of 35.1 t/ha occurring at a N application rate of 219 kg/ha. Sap nitrate‐N readings associated with 90 percent of maximum yield or more ("desirable values"‐DV) were 517–733 mg L‐1 at flowering, 478–915 mg L‐1 when the plants had small fruit, and 167–912 mg L‐1 when the plants had large green fruit. These DVs were somewhat lower than previously reported. Sap nitrate values that support maximum yields may be lower when N is supplied frequently than when...
The Robinson-Patman Act and the Consumer Effects of Price Discrimination

For almost eighty years, economists have repeatedly maligned the Robinson-Patman Act. While some of this is justified, I argue that it can improve and, at times, has improved, consumer surplus. In this article, I examine the consumer effects of price discrimination and discuss three Robinson-Patman cases and their positive effects on consumer welfare. I then discuss the recent theoretical and empirical literature on the welfare effects of price discrimination.
Purification of Plant Protoplasts by Discontinuous Gradient Centrifugation

Summary Discontinuous gradient centrifugation provided a technique for the isolation of purified intact barley, tobacco and safflower protoplasts in high yields. In the case of barley and tobacco, purified protoplasts were shown to retain viability following the centrifugation techniques. In addition, contaminating enzymes (e.g., deoxyribonuclease) found in the crude protoplast releasing enzyme solutions, damaged (non-spherical) protoplasts, organelles and cellular debris were significantly reduced in purified protoplast preparations.
Optimal Control of PEVs with a Charging Aggregator Considering Regulation Service Provisioning

Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are considered the key to reducing fossil fuel consumption and an important part of the smart grid. The plug-in electric vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in the smart grid infrastructure enables energy flow from PEV batteries to the power grid so that the grid stability is enhanced and the peak power demand is shaped. PEV owners will also benefit from V2G technology, as they will be able to reduce energy cost through proper PEV charging and discharging scheduling. Moreover, power regulation service (RS) reserves have been playing an increasingly important role in modern power markets. It has been shown that by providing RS reserves, the power grid achieves a better match between energy supply and demand in presence of volatile and intermittent renewable energy generation. This article starts with the problem of PEV charging under dynamic energy pricing, properly taking into account the degradation of battery state-of-health (SoH) during V2G operations as well as RS provisioning. An overall optimization throughout the whole parking period is proposed for the PEV and an adaptive control framework is presented to dynamically update the optimal charging/discharging decision at each hour to mitigate the effect of RS tracking error.As more and more PEVs are being plugged into the power grid, the control or management issue of PEV charging arises, since mass unregulated charging processes of PEVs may result in degradation of power quality and damage utility equipments and customer appliances. To solve this problem, this article also presents an SoH-aware charging aggregator design, which decides the control sequences of a group of PEVs. An energy storage system is used in the charging aggregator to do a peak power shaving, and future parking PEVs are properly taken care of. Experimental results show that the proposed optimal charging algorithm minimizes the combination of electricity cost and battery aging cost in the RS provisioning power market. Experimental results also show that the introduction of charging aggregator can significantly reduce the peak power consumption caused by simultaneous PEV charging.
Evaluating the Whitening and Microstructural Effects of a Novel Whitening Strip on Porcelain and Composite Dental Materials.

Aims: The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of 2 different whitening strips on color, microstructure and roughness of tea stained porcelain and composite surfaces. Methods: 54 porcelain and 72 composite chips served as samples for timed application of over-the-counter (OTC) test or control dental whitening strips. Chips were divided randomly into three groups of 18 porcelain and 24 composite chips each. Of these groups, 1 porcelain and 1 composite set served as controls. The remaining 2 groups were randomized to treatment with either Oral EssentialsR or 3D CrestR whitening strips. Sample surface structure was examined by light microscopy, profilometry and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, a reflectance spectrophotometer was used to assess color changes in the porcelain and composite samples over 24 hours of whitening. Data points were analyzed at each time point using ANOVA. Results: In the light microscopy and SEM images, no discrete physical defects were observed in any of the samples at any time points. However, high-resolution SEM images showed an appearance of increased surface roughness in all composite samples. Using profilometry, significantly increased post-whitening roughness was documented in the composite samples exposed to the control bleaching strips. Composite samples underwent a significant and equivalent shift in color following exposure to CrestR and Oral EssentialsR whitening strips. Conclusions: A novel commercial tooth whitening strip demonstrated a comparable beaching effect to a widely used OTC whitening strip. Neither whitening strip caused physical defects in the sample surfaces. However, the control strip caused roughening of the composite samples whereas the test strip did not.
Lifetimes and spatio-temporal response of protein crystals in intense X-ray microbeams.

Serial synchrotron-based crystallography using intense microfocused X-ray beams, fast-framing detectors and protein microcrystals held at 300 K promises to expand the range of accessible structural targets and to increase overall structure-pipeline throughputs. To explore the nature and consequences of X-ray radiation damage under microbeam illumination, the time-, dose- and temperature-dependent evolution of crystal diffraction have been measured with maximum dose rates of 50 MGy s−1. At all temperatures and dose rates, the integrated diffraction intensity for a fixed crystal orientation shows non-exponential decays with dose. Non-exponential decays are a consequence of non-uniform illumination and the resulting spatial evolution of diffracted intensity within the illuminated crystal volume. To quantify radiation-damage lifetimes and the damage state of diffracting crystal regions, a revised diffraction-weighted dose (DWD) is defined and it is shown that for Gaussian beams the DWD becomes nearly independent of actual dose at large doses. An apparent delayed onset of radiation damage seen in some intensity–dose curves is in fact a consequence of damage. Intensity fluctuations at high dose rates may arise from the impulsive release of gaseous damage products. Accounting for these effects, data collection at the highest dose rates increases crystal radiation lifetimes near 300 K (but not at 100 K) by a factor of ∼1.5–2 compared with those observed at conventional dose rates. Improved quantification and modeling of the complex spatio-temporal evolution of protein microcrystal diffraction in intense microbeams will enable more efficient data collection, and will be essential in improving the accuracy of structure factors and structural models.
Rich State Transitions in a Media Choreography Framework Using an Idealized Model of Cloud Dynamics

This paper presents "An Experiential Model of the Atmosphere," a responsive media environment including multi-surface video projection and ambisonic audio feedback in which participants can fluidly interact with an idealized model of atmospheric dynamics, using the presence and motion of their bodies to force convection, condense and evaporate moisture, and manipulate atmospheric pressure gradients. We use this model to explore steering of computational models of complex systems that can span gamuts of single to multi-body interaction, local to global spatial scales, short- to long-term time scales, and abstract representations to immersive, felt environments.
Emergency Physician Risk Estimates and Admission Decisions for Chest Pain: A Web-Based Scenario Study

Study objective We conducted this study to better understand how emergency physicians estimate risk and make admission decisions for patients with low-risk chest pain. Methods We created a Web-based survey consisting of 5 chest pain scenarios that included history, physical examination, ECG findings, and basic laboratory studies, including a negative initial troponin-level result. We administered the scenarios in random order to emergency medicine residents and faculty at 11 US emergency medicine residency programs. We randomized respondents to receive questions about 1 of 2 endpoints, acute coronary syndrome or serious complication (death, dysrhythmia, or congestive heart failure within 30 days). For each scenario, the respondent provided a quantitative estimate of the probability of the endpoint, a qualitative estimate of the risk of the endpoint (very low, low, moderate, high, or very high), and an admission decision. Respondents also provided demographic information and completed a 3-item Fear of Malpractice scale. Results Two hundred eight (65%) of 320 eligible physicians completed the survey, 73% of whom were residents. Ninety-five percent of respondents were wholly consistent (no admitted patient was assigned a lower probability than a discharged patient). For individual scenarios, probability estimates covered at least 4 orders of magnitude; admission rates for scenarios varied from 16% to 99%. The majority of respondents (>72%) had admission thresholds at or below a 1% probability of acute coronary syndrome. Respondents did not fully differentiate the probability of acute coronary syndrome and serious outcome; for each scenario, estimates for the two were quite similar despite a serious outcome being far less likely. Raters used the terms "very low risk" and "low risk" only when their probability estimates were less than 1%. Conclusion The majority of respondents considered any probability greater than 1% for acute coronary syndrome or serious outcome to be at least moderate risk and warranting admission. Physicians used qualitative terms in ways fundamentally different from how they are used in ordinary conversation, which may lead to miscommunication during shared decisionmaking processes. These data suggest that probability or utility models are inadequate to describe physician decisionmaking for patients with chest pain.
Viral Genetics of Chikungunya Virus and Zika Virus and Its Influence in Their Emergence and Application for Public Health Control Strategies

Abstract Emergence and dispersal of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) clearly have been the most important human public health emergencies caused by arboviruses. While studies prior to the recent epidemics demonstrated that evolution of the two viruses led to establishment of different genetic lineages in different areas of endemic regions, the importance of viral genetics in the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses was exemplified during these outbreaks, especially for CHIKV. The acquisition of an E1-A226V mutation by the East/Central/South African genotype of CHIKV allowed its rapid geographic expansion through viral adaptation to Aedes albopictus. Published findings suggest genetic mutations may have been involved in the emergence of ZIKV into the New World. In addition to the role genetic studies play as a determining factor in disease transmission and pathogenesis, genetics further provides the promise for developing novel antiviral therapeutics and efficacious vaccines. Together, these have the potential to significantly reduce the disease burden in endemic regions.
Enzymatic characterization of soil evidence.

Soils is most assuredly an important type of physical evidence; if one can establish that soil on the shoes or clothing of a suspect matches that of a crime scene it will lend support to a hypothesis that the suspect had, in fact, visited the scene. Likewise, comparison of soil from the tires or the undercarriage of an automobile with the soil from a particular location may establish with greater or lesser certainty that the automobile was at one time present at the location. Furthermore, soil evidence is more likely to be encountered in those offenses against persons or property which society deems most severe. Equally important is that soil evidence, properly examined and properly interpreted, may serve an exclusionary purpose and exonerate the innocent. Erratum to this paper appears in 21(2).
Torsion in Mordell-Weil groups of Fermat Jacobians

We study the torsion in the Mordell-Weil group of the Jacobian of the Fermat curve of exponent p over the cyclotomic field obtained by adjoining a primitive p-th root of 1 to Q. We show that for all (except possibly one) proper subfields of this cyclotomic field, the torsion parts of the corresponding Mordell-Weil groups are elementary abelian p-groups.
Clinical and Genomic Considerations for Variant Histology in Bladder Cancer.

Purpose of review Urothelial carcinoma demonstrates remarkable plasticity in its ability to differentiate into divergent histologic subtypes in both a pure and mixed form. This review presents the most current data pertaining to bladder cancer with variant histology. Recent findings Recognition of bladder cancer variants has increased profoundly in the past two decades with their inclusion in the pathologic guidelines and increased awareness among pathologists and urologists. Most of the available literature consists of small single-institutional studies, but there is compelling evidence to support deviation from the normal urothelial carcinoma management pathways for certain subtypes. While traditionally diagnosed by microscopic appearance, next-generation sequencing and molecular profiling have enabled identification of genomic markers associated with specific variants that exist in tumors lacking classic histologic hallmarks. This genomic information holds promise for predicting response to specific treatments or even in the development of novel targeted therapies. Combining increased awareness of variant histology, its impact on clinical outcomes, and genomic data will result in a more nuanced treatment approach to reduce morbidity and optimize oncologic outcomes for our patients.
The growing merits and dwindling limitations of bacterial cellulose-based tissue engineering scaffolds

Since its commercialization in the late 1980s and the concurrent emergence of the field of tissue engineering, bacterial cellulose (BC) has attracted growing attention as a tissue engineering scaffold. It is commonly accepted that tissue scaffolds for implantation into the human body should be biocompatible, that is, non-toxic and non-immunogenic, biodegradable, and biomimetic, that is, mimic the tissue closely in structure and performance. In addition, ideal tissue scaffolds are bioactive, that is, stimulate and guide cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. This review evaluates BC according to these scaffold criteria and highlights recent approaches toward improved functionality. Advances in biotechnology, in situ templating, and surface engineering are paving the way toward biodegradable, microporous, bioactive BC scaffolds, tipping the balance of merits and limitations in favor of its widespread use in biomedical applications.
Loss of Function of Phosphodiesterase 11A4 Shows that Recent and Remote Long-Term Memories Can Be Uncoupled.

Summary Systems consolidation is a process by which memories initially require the hippocampus for recent long-term memory (LTM) but then become increasingly independent of the hippocampus and more dependent on the cortex for remote LTM. Here, we study the role of phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) in systems consolidation. PDE11A4, which degrades cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), is preferentially expressed in neurons of CA1, the subiculum, and the adjacently connected amygdalohippocampal region. In male and female mice, deletion of PDE11A enhances remote LTM for social odor recognition and social transmission of food preference (STFP) despite eliminating or silencing recent LTM for those same social events. Measurement of a surrogate marker of neuronal activation (i.e., Arc mRNA) suggests the recent LTM deficits observed in Pde11 knockout mice correspond with decreased activation of ventral CA1 relative to wild-type littermates. In contrast, the enhanced remote LTM observed in Pde11a knockout mice corresponds with increased activation and altered functional connectivity of anterior cingulate cortex, frontal association cortex, parasubiculum, and the superficial layer of medial entorhinal cortex. The apparent increased neural activation observed in prefrontal cortex of Pde11a knockout mice during remote LTM retrieval may be related to an upregulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2A. Viral restoration of PDE11A4 to vCA1 alone is sufficient to rescue both the LTM phenotypes and upregulation of NR1 exhibited by Pde11a knockout mice. Together, our findings suggest remote LTM can be decoupled from recent LTM, which may have relevance for cognitive deficits associated with aging, temporal lobe epilepsy, or transient global amnesia.
The impact of dietary phosphorus regimen on muscle growth and quality in pig differing in lean growth capacity

Seven sets of 6 littermate barrows (initial BW of 20 kg) from each of a high and moderate lean growth (LG) genotype were allotted within litter to one of 6 dietary concentrations (.080, .110, .155, .222, .323, and .475%) of available phosphorus (AP). Pigs were allowed to consume their experimental diets ad-libitum. At 109 ± 4 kg, pigs were removed from feed at 7:00 am, transported 5 km, electrically stunned and killed by exsanguination .25 to 1.5 hr post-transport. From 89 to 109 kg BW, high LG pigs consumed less feed daily, grew slower but had similar gain/feed ratios compared with moderate LG pigs. Longissimus muscle (LM) sections from high LG pigs had lower pH 45 minutes post mortem, heavier initial weights, lower water holding capacities (WHO), more moisture and less intramuscluar fat, and were lighter in color on d 0 of retail storage, whereas the degree of redness and yellowness were similar between genotypes. During retail storage, exudative 'Research supported in part by Mallinckrodt Feed Ingredients, Mundelein, IL. The authors acknowledge the assistance of Scott Swenson, Tom Beall and Nathan Wall in the collection of data. The Image Analysis Facility is supported by the Iowa State University Biothechnology Council. "Present address. Continental Grain Company, Wayne Feed Division, 1230 Liberty Bank Lane Suite 120, Louisville, KY 40222. ^Department of Animal Science, 337 Kildee Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. •'To whom correspondences should be addressed.
Heraclius’ War Propaganda and the Qurʾān’s Promise of Reward for Dying in Battle

In this article I compare the Qurʾānic promise of reward for those who die in battle with similar concepts found in contemporaneous Byzantine military circles, and specifically, the idea promoted by emperor Heraclius (r. 610-641 CE) that soldiers might obtain the “crown of martyrdom” for dying on the battlefield. This idea has almost no antecedent in late antique society. Previously the martyr had been a passive figure slain by an unfaithful enemy, rather than a soldier engaged in a fight to impose (or to avenge) the true faith. Heraclius’ understanding of military martyrdom was arguably a revolutionary innovation. Since no attempt was made to either canonize or popularize on a large scale this point of Heraclius’ propaganda, the concept of military martyrdom must have been limited to the narrow circle of persons who were actively involved in military activities. For this reason, it is surprising that very similar concepts occur in the Qurʾān – that was composed in the very same historical period. The question that I will ask is whether the ideas expressed in the Qurʾān have any relationship to those promoted by imperial propagandists and, if so, the channel or channels through which this transmission took place
Growth Regulation of Vinca minor

Abstract Multiple applications of three rates each of B-Nine/Cycocel, Sumagic, Cutless, and Atrimmec were applied to common periwinkle grown in small containers in a greenhouse to control runner gr...