cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy balance in obese, mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients

Abstract Objectives The aims of this study were, first, to compare the predicted (calculated) energy requirements based on standard equations with target energy requirement based on indirect calorimetry (IC) in critically ill, obese mechanically ventilated patients; and second, to compare actual energy intake to target energy requirements. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients with body mass index ≥30.0 kg/m2 for whom enteral feeding was planned. Clinical and demographic data were prospectively collected. Resting energy expenditure was measured by open-circuit IC. American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (APSPEN)/Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) 2016 equations were used to determine predicted (calculated) energy requirements. Target energy requirements were set at 65% to 70% of measured resting energy expenditure as recommended by ASPEN/SCCM. Nitrogen balance was determined via simultaneous measurement of 24-h urinary nitrogen concentration and protein intake. Results Twenty-five patients (mean age: 64.5 ± 11.8 y, mean body mass index: 35.2 ± 3.6 kg/m2) underwent IC. The mean predicted energy requirement was 1227 kcal/d compared with mean measured target energy requirement of 1691 kcal/d. Predicted (calculated) energy requirements derived from ASPEN/SCCM equations were less than the target energy requirements in most cases. Actual energy intake from enteral nutrition met 57% of target energy requirements. Protein intake met 25% of target protein requirement and the mean nitrogen balance was –2.3 ± 5.1 g/d. Conclusions Predictive equations underestimated target energy needs in this population. Further, we found that feeding to goal was often delayed resulting in failure to meet both protein and energy intake goals.
Features of non-activation dendritic state and immune deficiency in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN)

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, male-predominant hematologic malignancy with poor outcomes and with just one recently approved agent (tagraxofusp). It is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of precursor plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) with morphologic and molecular similarities to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) in its presentation within the bone marrow and peripheral blood. To identify disease-specific molecular features of BPDCN, we profiled the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and serum samples from primary patient samples using an in-house hematologic malignancy panel ("T300" panel), transcriptome microarray, and serum multiplex immunoassays. TET2 mutations (5/8, 63%) were the most prevalent in our cohort. Using the transcriptome microarray, genes specific to pDCs (LAMP5, CCDC50) were more highly expressed in BPDCN than in AML specimens. Finally, the serum cytokine profile analysis showed significantly elevated levels of eosinophil chemoattractants eotaxin and RANTES in BPDCN as compared with AML. Along with the high levels of PTPRS and dendritic nature of the tumor cells, these findings suggest a possible pre-inflammatory context of this disease, in which BPDCN features nonactivated pDCs.
Originality Built In

The new Goethals Bridge linking New Jersey and New York is a twin cable-stayed crossing that incorporates an innovative cable-stayed anchor in its towers, which angle outward to keep melting ice off the roadway surface. The project, which has an expected service life of 100 years, also represents the first time that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has had an infrastructure project delivered via public-private partnership.
103 – Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses aging and Alzheimer's disease. The possibility that aging-associated alterations of neuroendocrine systems contribute to the pathophysiology of behavioral changes and disorders of later life has long intrigued clinicians and investigators. This possibility was largely an inference from the substantial aging-associated reduction in concentrations of several important hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). However, establishing causality for decreased neuroendocrine activity in the pathophysiology of such later-life behavioral problems as impaired cognition and depression has proved difficult. For example, attempts to treat major neuropsychiatric disorders of later life with gonadal hormones have been largely disappointing. Furthermore, the direction in which several behaviorally relevant neuroendocrine systems are altered in late life is inconsistent with the assumption that aging is always associated with reduced neuroendocrine activity.
Speaking Being: Werner Erhard, Martin Heidegger, and a New Possibility of Being Human

Perhaps unconventional, but necessary, I must divulge my reviewer stance to clarify my relationship with this important work by Bruce Hyde and Drew Kopp. An original Star Trek cast member, Hyde was...
Sacrificial Fibers Improve Matrix Distribution and Micromechanical Properties in a Tissue-Engineered Intervertebral Disc.

Tissue-engineered replacement discs are an area of intense investigation for the treatment of end-stage intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. These living implants can integrate into the IVD space and recapitulate native motion segment function. We recently developed a multiphasic tissue-engineered disc-like angle-ply structure (DAPS) that models the micro-architectural and functional features of native tissue. While these implants resulted in functional restoration of the motion segment in rat and caprine models, we also noted deficiencies in cell infiltration and homogeneity of matrix deposition in the electrospun poly(e-caprolactone) outer region (annulus fibrosus, AF) of the DAPS. To address this limitation, here, we incorporated a sacrificial water-soluble polymer, polyethylene oxide (PEO), as a second fiber fraction within the AF region to increase porosity of the implant. Maturation of these PEO-modified DAPS were evaluated after 5 and 10 weeks of in vitro culture in terms of AF biochemical content, MRI T2 values, overall construct mechanical properties, AF micromechanical properties and cell and matrix distribution. To assess the performance of the PEO-modified DAPS in vivo, precultured constructs were implanted into the rat caudal IVD space for 10 weeks. Results showed that matrix distribution was more homogenous in PCL/PEO DAPS, as evidenced by more robust histological staining, organized collagen deposition and micromechanical properties, compared to standard PCL-only DAPS in vitro. Cell and matrix infiltration were also improved in vivo, but no differences in macromechanical properties and a trend towards improved micromechanical properties were observed. These findings demonstrate that the inclusion of a sacrificial PEO fiber fraction in the DAPS AF region improves cellular colonization, matrix elaboration, and in vitro and in vivo function of an engineered IVD implant. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work establishes a method for improving cell infiltration and matrix distribution within tissue-engineered dense fibrous scaffolds for intervertebral disc replacement. Tissue-engineered whole disc replacements are an attractive alternative to the current gold standard (mechanical disc arthroplasty or vertebral fusion) for the clinical treatment of patients with advanced disc degeneration.
Respiratory viruses are associated with serum metabolome among infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States. Growing evidence supports the heterogeneity of bronchiolitis. However, little is known about the interrelationships between major respiratory viruses (and their species), host systemic metabolism, and disease pathobiology. METHODS: In an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study, we profiled the serum metabolome in 113 infants (63 RSV-only, 21 RV-A, and 29 RV-C) hospitalized with bronchiolitis. We identified serum metabolites that are most discriminatory in the RSV-RV-A and RSV-RV-C comparisons using sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis. We then investigated the association between discriminatory metabolites with acute and chronic outcomes. RESULTS: In 113 infants with bronchiolitis, we measured 639 metabolites. Serum metabolomic profiles differed in both comparisons (Ppermutation < 0.05). In the RSV-RV-A comparison, we identified 30 discriminatory metabolites, predominantly in lipid metabolism pathways (eg, sphingolipids and carnitines). In multivariable models, these metabolites were significantly associated with the risk of clinical outcomes (eg, tricosanoyl sphingomyelin, OR for recurrent wheezing at age of 3 years = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.05-2.15). In the RSV-RV-C comparison, the discriminatory metabolites were also primarily involved in lipid metabolism (eg, glycerophosphocholines [GPCs], 12,13-diHome). These metabolites were also significantly associated with the risk of outcomes (eg, 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPC, OR for positive pressure ventilation use during hospitalization = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.28-0.78). CONCLUSION: Respiratory viruses and their species had distinct serum metabolomic signatures that are associated with differential risks of acute and chronic morbidities of bronchiolitis. Our findings advance research into the complex interrelations between viruses, host systemic response, and bronchiolitis pathobiology.
The Ambassador Program: A Framework for Recruiting and Engaging Flexible Volunteers

Volunteers are vital to the mission of nonprofit organizations. However, most nonprofits are struggling to recruit the volunteers they need to support their goals. Due to this difficulty, many of these organizations are seeking innovative techniques for recruiting and engaging volunteers in ways that are enriching, meaningful and productive. On the basis of this need we surveyed 55 participants, interviewed 10 users and conducted literature reviews on 30 materials to uncover insights into the best method for recruiting and retaining volunteers. Findings from the study revealed that most of the respondents were interested in a flexible and open-choice approach to volunteering. It also showed that the respondents would like to participate with their friends and that they wouldn't mind a reward for helping out such organizations. Based on these findings, we developed a flexible volunteer framework that could be implemented by nonprofits or any other organization that needs help recruiting volunteers. This paper should provide a clear understanding of the process, its benefits, and how to incorporate them into their current volunteer, recruitment, and engagement strategies.
Active/Passive Multiple Polarization Sea Ice Detection During Initial Freeze-Up

An algorithm for ice/water detection of ice less than 30 cm in thickness (thin ice) using dual-polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and passive microwave data has been developed based on insights from previous work. The frequency chosen from those available was in the C-band. For the radiometer layer ice concentrations, land contaminated pixels were removed. For the SAR layers, a novel approach to their use in ice detection was developed using the coefficient of variation (COV), defined as the ratio of the standard deviation of the normalized radar cross section, $\sigma _{0}$ , to the mean $\sigma _{0}$ . The COV reduced the complicated signatures of breaking waves and thin ice to bright ice pixels on a dark water background. The co-pol and cross-pol COV layers and the radiometer layer were merged according to physics-based rules, except in regions adjacent to land or the ice edge where only the SAR layers were valid. The detection algorithm was applied to 233 Sentinel 1a and 1b dual-polarization images of the freeze-up from 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The synergistic ice retrievals showed improved agreement with manual operational analyses in the marginal ice zone over other automated operational products.
Prevalence and factors associated with diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes: A report from a tertiary medical center in Central Pennsylvania.

Objective To explore the rate and factors associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a single tertiary medical centre in Central Pennsylvania. Methods Retrospective chart review of all individuals ≤ 18 years of age who were diagnosed with T1D (N = 350) at the Penn State Hershey Pediatric Diabetes Clinic from January 2017 to December 2019. We report logistic regression models for DKA at diagnosis of T1D for age, gender, race/ethnicity, BMI percentile, health insurance, outcome of any healthcare encounter 30 days prior to T1D diagnosis, HbA1c level, altered mental status at diagnosis, and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and a multivariable logistic regression model including all aforementioned variables. Results Of the 350 newly diagnosed children with T1D from 2017 to 2019, 161/350 (46%) presented in DKA. Among patients with DKA, there were 45 (28%) in mild DKA and 116 (72%) in moderate/severe DKA, which represents 13% and 33% of all patients diagnosed with T1D, respectively. Variables associated with increased risk of DKA at presentation of T1D included age ( 97%), no referral during preceding healthcare encounter, HbA1c level and altered mental status. In a multivariable model, age (<3 or 9-13), no referral during preceding healthcare encounter, HbA1c level and altered mental status were associated with DKA at presentation, whereas gender, race/ethnicity, BMI percentile, health insurance and autism spectrum disorder diagnosis were not. Discussion Our study notes an overall higher rate of DKA at diagnosis (46%) compared to the SEARCH study (approximately 30%) but a lower rate compared to a recent study in Colorado children (58%).
Emerging Causes of Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis: A Review of Anaphylaxis-Associated Reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Background Drug-induced anaphylaxis is a well-known adverse drug reaction for some drug classes, but emerging drug causes of anaphylaxis and novel mechanisms may contribute in unrecognized ways. Objective We sought to determine the top drugs reported in association with anaphylaxis and anaphylaxis followed by death in the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods We reviewed the publicly available FAERS database from 1999 to 2019. Using search terms "anaphylactic shock" or "anaphylactic reaction" and sorting cases by generic drug names, we counted and trended reports to FAERS in which a drug was associated with anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis followed by death. Results From 1999 to 2019, there were 17,506,002 adverse drug events reported in FAERS, of which 47,496 (0.27%) were reported as anaphylaxis. Excluding patients without age, sex, or country data, respectively, the median age of patients in reports of anaphylaxis was 52 (interquartile range: 28), 62.71% were female, and 13,899 of 34,381 (40.43%) reports were from the United States. There were 2984 of 47,496 (6.28%) reports of anaphylaxis followed by death. Top drug classes associated with anaphylaxis in FAERS were antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and acetaminophen. Top drug classes associated with anaphylaxis deaths were antibiotics, radiocontrast agents, and intraoperative agents. Linear regression demonstrated reports of anaphylaxis to mAbs increasing at an average rate of 0.77% of total anaphylaxis reports per year (95% confidence interval: 0.65, 0.88) from 2.00% in 1999 to 17.37% in 2019, faster than any other drug class. Conclusion Antibiotics were highly reported for anaphylaxis overall and anaphylaxis followed by death. Increasing reports were noted for anaphylaxis to mAb therapies.
Locked Anterior-Inferior Sternoclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report.

CASE We report a rare variant of sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocation, namely locked anterior-inferior dislocation, with unique clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative findings. In this variant, the medial clavicle was displaced anteriorly and inferiorly and locked in the manubrial-intercostal space, with corresponding mechanical dysfunction of the ipsilateral shoulder girdle joints. Symptoms unique to this variant included painful neck spasms and limited glenohumeral elevation. Nonsurgical treatment was not successful, and open reduction and ligament reconstruction resulted in correction of the fixed deformity with resolution of the clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION Locked anterior-inferior SCJ dislocation is indicated for early open reduction and ligament reconstruction.
Neural connectivity inference with spike-timing dependent plasticity network

Knowing the connectivity patterns in neural circuitry is essential to understand the operating mechanism of the brain, as it allows the analysis of how neural signals are processed and flown through the neural system. With the recent advances in neural recording technologies in terms of channel size and time resolution, a simple and efficient system to perform neural connectivity inference is highly desired, which will enable the process of high dimensional neural activity recording data and reduction of the computational time and cost. In this work, we show that the spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) algorithm can be used to reconstruct neural connectivity patterns in a biological neural network, with higher accuracy and efficiency than statistic-based inference methods. The biologically inspired STDP learning rules are natively implemented in a second-order memristor network and are used to estimate the type and the direction of neural connections. When stimulated by the recorded neural spike trains, the memristor device conductance is modulated by the proposed STDP learning rules, which in turn reflects the correlation of the spikes and the possibility of neural connections. By compensating for the different levels of neural activity, highly reliable inference performance can be achieved. The proposed approach offers real-time and local learning, resulting in reduced computational cost/time and strong tolerance to variations of the neural system.
Making the Switch: Changing Careers in Librarianship

Changing careers in librarianship is not easy. Although they have many transferable skills, librarians trying to get a job in a different type of library may experience difficulties. This article aims to provide concrete steps to help anyone interested in making a career change.
Adolescent female rats prone to the activity based anorexia (ABA) paradigm have altered hedonic responses and cortical astrocyte density compared to resistant animals.

Abstract Objective Anhedonia, which in part involves the lack of pleasure in consuming palatable food, is a long-lasting symptom observed in patients both when acutely ill and when long term recovered from Anorexia Nervosa. The neurocircuitry underlying this phenomenon is not well understood. Here we use the preclinical activity-based anorexia (ABA) model in adolescent female rats to assess the impact of excessive exercise, limited food intake and acute weight loss, on adolescent female rat orofacial responding to intraoral sucrose, as measured by the taste reactivity test (TRT). Animals were identified as either prone or resistant to this paradigm based on a weight loss criterion. Measures of food intake, running wheel activity, taste reactivity and medial prefrontal cortex astrocyte expression were compared across groups. Methods Adolescent female rats implanted with an intraoral catheter were given a TRT using 1 M (M) sucrose at baseline, max weight loss (25% weight loss from start of ABA or 7 full days on the paradigm) or 10 days recovered from the ABA paradigm. Animals were sacrificed after the final TRT and astrocyte density was measured via immunohistochemistry. Results Animals resistant to the ABA paradigm ran less than prone animals during the ABA period. Additionally, we found that resistant animals displayed more cumulative ‘liking’ responses to sucrose compared to prone animals at maximum weight loss. Finally, we found prone animals 10-days recovered from ABA had reduced medial prefrontal cortex astrocyte density compared to levels in resistant animals. Discussion Rats presented with the physiological challenge of the ABA paradigm either adapt their behavior to stabilize their body weight (i.e. resistant), or rapidly lose weight (i.e. prone). Furthermore, we found that prone animals have reduced orofacial responding to 1 M sucrose at maximum weight loss compared to responses in resistant animals, and this anhedonia-like behavior may be a result of reduced astrocyte density that affects cortical function.
Evaluation of Experimental Data From a Highly Loaded Transonic Compressor Stage to Determine Loss Sources

An advanced GE compressor design with high reaction and stage loading, demonstrated front stage efficiencies significantly lower than predicted by CFD calculations. The source of the efficiency miss has proven difficult to pinpoint with conventional inter-stage instrumentation. A test was performed in the NASA Glenn W7 facility with the compressor operating as both a single stage and a two stage machine allowing for the acquisition of detailed traverses at each station throughout the compressor.This paper presents the data from this test and the GE interpretation of what the data implies, concentrating particularly on one operating point, the stage one peak efficiency point. Tracking of the calculated fluid entropy between the exit of the rotor and the exit of the stator leads to the conclusion that there is significant entropy increase in the freestream fluid outside the stator wakes and this loss is believed to be attributable to mixing loss in the rotor wakes. The loss due to wake mixing is largest, and may indeed be amplified, where the rotor wakes pile up on the pressure surface of the stator.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-promoted Expression of Bcl-2 and Inhibition of Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Release Mediate Resistance of Mature Dendritic Cells to Melanoma-induced Apoptosis

Melanoma escapes host defenses through a variety of means, including the elimination of immune effector cells within the tumor microenvironment. We have reported recently that murine and human tumors including melanoma induce premature apoptosis of dendritic cells both in vitro and in vivo . In this study, we have demonstrated that over-expression of the Bcl-2 protein family member Bcl-x L rescued murine dendritic cells (DCs) from melanoma-induced death in vitro . Another successful protection approach was tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-promoted sustained expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 within dendritic cells. This effect of TNF-α was mediated by inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. Thus, both Bcl-x L and Bcl-2 enhance survival of dendritic cells within the tumor micro-environment. In addition, mature DCs were more resistant to melanoma-induced apoptosis than immature dendritic cells. This finding suggests a stage-dependent sensitivity of DCs to tumor-induced cell death. We conclude that: ( a ) mature DCs might be more suitable for the use of cancer vaccination; and ( b ) Bcl-2 protein family members such as Bcl-x L and Bcl-2 rescue DCs from tumor-induced premature apoptosis.
Time discrete approximation of weak solutions to stochastic equations of geophysical fluid dynamics and applications

As a first step towards the numerical analysis of the stochastic primitive equations of the atmosphere and the oceans, the time discretization of these equations by an implicit Euler scheme is studied. From the deterministic point of view, the 3D primitive equations are studied in their full form on a general domain and with physically realistic boundary conditions. From the probabilistic viewpoint, this paper deals with a wide class of nonlinear, state dependent, white noise forcings which may be interpreted in either the Ito or the Stratonovich sense. The proof of convergence of the Euler scheme, which is carried out within an abstract framework, covers the equations for the oceans, the atmosphere, the coupled oceanic-atmospheric system as well as other related geophysical equations. The authors obtain the existence of solutions which are weak in both the PDE and probabilistic sense, a result which is new by itself to the best of our knowledge.
Justice Not Benevolence: Catholic Social Thought, Migration Theory, and the Rights of Migrants

AbstractAlthough there are many migration theories that purport to explain why people migrate, many theologies and ethics of migration rely on neoclassical migration theory, which views migration solely as the result of poverty and unemployment in sending countries. This paper reviews various migration theories in order to argue that Catholic social teaching on migration has primarily relied on neoclassical theories of migration. This over-reliance on neoclassical migration theory has led to flawed policy recommendations and ethical analyses.Christian ethics must respond to the reality of migration as described by migration systems theory, which suggests that migration systems are actually initiated by the policies of receiving countries, primarily colonial and organized guest worker recruitment. The ethical principles required to respond to migration are not only benevolence and hospitality. Christian ethics must begin by seeing migration as a problem of exploitative relationships between citizens and mi...
Threonine requirement of pigs weighing 5 to 15 kg

Weanling crossbred pigs (avg initial wt 6.4 kg) were fed diets containing six levels of threonine to determine the threonine requirement of young pigs fed diets somewhat similar to those used in commercial swine production. The diets (16% crude protein) were composed primarily of grain sorghum, oat groats and soybean meal supplemented with minerals, vitamins, lysine, tryptophan, methionine and isoleucine, and were calculated to be adequate in all nutrients except threonine and crude protein. Threonine levels were .53, .57, .62, .68, .75 and .83% of the diet. There were two trials, each with 96 pigs. The pigs were fed the experimental diets for 28 d. The addition of threonine increased weight gain (P less than .02) and feed efficiency (P less than .001), with most of the response occurring between .53 and .68% threonine. There was little further response when threonine was increased above .68%. Plasma threonine concentrations increased as dietary threonine increased, with a sharp rise when dietary threonine exceeded .68%. Concentrations of most other essential amino acids in the plasma declined in response to increasing dietary threonine, and reached minimum values at either .68 or .75% threonine. Plasma urea concentrations decreased as threonine was increased in the diet, reaching a plateau at .68% dietary threonine. The data indicate the young pigs weaned at 3 to 4 wk of age require approximately .70% threonine.
Practical API Protocol Checking with Access Permissions

Reusable APIs often define usage protocols. We previously developed a sound modular type system that checks compliance with typestate-based protocols while affording a great deal of aliasing flexibility. We also developed Plural, a prototype tool that embodies our approach as an automated static analysis and includes several extensions we found useful in practice. This paper evaluates our approach along the following dimensions: (1) We report on experience in specifying relevant usage rules for a large Java standard API with our approach. We also specify several other Java APIs and identify recurring patterns. (2) We summarize two case studies in verifying third-party open-source code bases with few false positives using our tool. We discuss how tool shortcomings can be addressed either with code refactorings or extensions to the tool itself. These results indicate that our approach can be used to specify and enforce real API protocols in practice.
Evaporation from Bare Soil and Wind Erosion

In the absence of vegetation and when the soil surface is subject to radiation and wind effects, evaporation occurs entirely from the soil. This chapter explains the process of evaporation from bare soil. It is a process that, if uncontrolled, can involve very considerable losses of water in both irrigated and unirrigated agriculture. Three conditions are necessary for evaporation to occur and persist. First, there must be a continual supply of heat to meet the latent heat requirement. Second, the vapor pressure in the atmosphere over the evaporating body must remain lower than the vapor pressure at the surface of that body, and the vapor must be transported away by diffusion, or convection, or both. The third condition for evaporation to be sustained is that there be a continual supply of water from or through the interior of the body to the site of evaporation. The rise of water in the soil from a free-water surface is termed as “capillary rise.” Water rises higher in clay than in sand as the former soil type contains narrower pores. In addition, the evaporation flux from the soil surface can be modified in three alternative or complementary ways: (1) by controlling energy supply to the site of evaporation; (2) by reducing the potential gradient; and (3) by decreasing the conductivity or diffusivity of the profile. The chapter also discusses the occurrence of soil erosion by wind. Bare soil surfaces, especially when dry and loose, are vulnerable to erosion by wind. The wind erosion process consists of three distinct phases: (1) detachment and lifting of particles, (2) transportation, and (3) deposition. Various measures have been devised to control wind erosion such as the stabilization of surface-zone soil aggregates and the use of mechanical or vegetative windbreaks.
Lock-In Thermal Wave Imaging

Previously, some of the authors demonstrated a technique for parallel vector lock-in thermal wave infrared (IR) video imaging, using a patented technique. [1–3] The initial version [2] of the technique was restricted to the frame rate frequency of 15 Hz for the single-detector IR camera used for the experimental verification. In an application for imaging cracks in Cu microbridges, an alternative version of the technique [3] succeeded in achieving IR video lock-in imaging at frequencies up to 2 kHz. However, the latter implementation was seriously complicated by the complex timing pattern through which the pixels were acquired by the IR imaging system. The complication resulted from the fact that one needs to know the timing of each pixel, because the method assumes that the IR signal corresponding to each pixel of the image can be multiplied by the sine and cosine functions of the thermal modulation frequency, computed at the time at which the pixel datum was obtained. After multiplication, the results are accumulated, pixel-by-pixel, in two image buffers, which represent the two vector components of the lock-in image. If desired, these image buffers can then be transformed into magnitude (the square root of the sum of the squares of the components) and phase (the arctangent of the ratio of the two components) image buffers.
Mechanisms of DNA Damage, DNA Hypomethylation, and Tumor Progression in the Folate/Methyl-Deficient Rat Model of Hepatocarcinogenesis

Using the folate/methyl-deficient rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, we obtained evidence that may provide new insights into a major unresolved paradox in DNA methylation and cancer research: the mechanistic basis for genome-wide hypomethylation despite an increase in DNA methyltransferase activity and gene-specific regional hypermethylation. Previous studies revealed that the methyltransferase binds with higher affinity to DNA strand breaks, gaps, abasic sites, and uracil than it does to its cognate hemimethylated CpG sites, consistent with its ancestral function as a DNA repair enzyme. These same DNA lesions are an early occurrence in models of folate and methyl deficiency and are often present in human preneoplastic cells. We hypothesized that the high-affinity binding of the maintenance DNA methyltransferase to unrepaired lesions in DNA could sequester available enzyme away from the replication fork and promote passive replication-dependent demethylation. In support of this possibility, we found that lesion-containing DNA is less efficiently methylated than lesion-free DNA from folate/methyl-deficient rats and that an increase in DNA strand breaks precedes DNA hypomethylation. Despite an adaptive increase in DNA methyltransferase activity, hemimethylated DNA from folate/methyl-deficient rats is progressively replaced by double-stranded unmethylated DNA that is resistant to remethylation with dietary methyl repletion. In promoter regions, the inappropriate binding of the DNA methyltransferase to unrepaired lesions or mispairs may promote local histone deacetylation, methylation, and regional hypermethylation associated with tumor suppressor gene silencing. These insights in an experimental model are consistent with the possibility that DNA lesions may be a necessary prerequisite for the disruption of normal DNA methylation patterns in preneoplastic and neoplastic cells.
Perioperative adverse events associated with colpocleisis for uterovaginal and posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse.

Background Colpocleisis, a vaginal obliterative procedure, offers women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse an effective, durable anatomic repair and is associated with high patient satisfaction rates. Historically, colpocleisis was reserved for the medically frail or elderly with the goal of limiting anesthetic exposure, decreasing operative time, and minimizing adverse events. Several colpocleisis and colpectomy procedures exist and limited evaluation has been performed comparing these differences in regards to perioperative adverse events. Objective The primary objective was to describe the overall rate of perioperative adverse events in patients undergoing colpocleisis. The secondary objective was to compare rates of adverse events between different colpocleisis procedures. Study Design This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent colpocleisis at a tertiary care center from January 2003 through December 2013. Subjects were identified by their Current Procedural Terminology ( CPT ) codes and categorized into 3 groups: (1) partial or complete vaginectomy/colpectomy ( CPT 57106, 57110); (2) vaginal hysterectomy with total or partial colpectomy ( CPT 58275, 58280); and (3) Le Fort colpocleisis ( CPT 57120). Baseline demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative data were collected. Analysis of variance was used to describe perioperative and postoperative adverse events in all subjects and to compare outcomes among the 3 groups. Results In all, 245 subjects underwent colpocleisis during the study period. Mean age and body mass index were 78 (±7) years and 27.7 (±5.8) kg/m 2 , respectively; 59.1% (140/245) of subjects had stage-4 prolapse. The most common adverse event was urinary tract infection occurring in 34.7% of subjects. Major adverse events were uncommon. There were no differences in event rates among the groups except for the following: patients undergoing concurrent vaginal hysterectomy had longer mean operative time (144 vs 108 vs 111 minutes, P = .0001), had higher estimated blood loss (253 vs 135 vs 146 mL, P = .0001), and were more likely to experience postoperative venous thromboembolism (4.6% vs 0% vs 0%, P = .01). After controlling for age, body mass index, medical comorbidities, estimated blood loss, and operative time, the risk of venous thromboembolism was no longer significant. Conclusion The overall rate of major perioperative and postoperative adverse events in women undergoing colpocleisis is low; however, concomitant hysterectomy is associated with longer operative times and higher blood loss.
The hierarchical structure of metabolic networks and the construction of efficient metabolic simulators.

Abstract Methods are presented for the efficient simulation of large scale metabolic networks based upon the hierarchical structure of such networks and the formation of steady-state aggregations. The methods are dynamic and result in a varying time scale which is always consonant with the response of the network. An algorithm for the generation of reduced equivalent networks is presented. Problems of accuracy and stability are discussed. Special methods such as cascading and telescoping are presented for speeding the solution of the steady-state aggregations.
A Stimulation-Retreat Special Care Unit for Elders With Dementing Illness

Two equivalent special care nursing home units for elders with dementing illness were randomly designated as experimental and control units for an intervention called the "stimulation-retreat" model. This model introduced a set of staffing and program changes whose purpose was to diagnose, prescribe, and apply a package of care according to individual needs for additional stimulation or relief from stimulation ("retreat"). A total of 49 experimental and 48 control unit residents completed 12 months of care and were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. It was hypothesized that the intervention would not affect the basic disability (cognitive and activities of daily living functions), would improve negative behaviors and observed affects, and would have maximum impact in increasing positive behaviors and affects. Over time, most functions worsened, including negative attributes and affects. Lesser decline in positive affect and increases in external engagement, however, led to the conclusion that the intervention showed a marginally significant and selective effect on positive behaviors and affect.
Comparison of Methoxyl, Lignin, Crude Fiber, and Crude Protein Contents of Forage and Feces as Indirect Indicators of Dry Matter Digestibility

Summary The correlation between methoxyl, lignin, and crude fiber contents of forage and feces and the digestible dry matter of the forage has been determined with 36 observations on forage samples and 65 observations on fecal samples (forage, −.818, +.300, and −.578, respectively; feces, −.851, −.087, and −.839, respectively). In subsequent work reported, the lignin determination was discontinued because it was not promising. The crude fiber determination was also discontinued, because it appeared to be no better as an indicator than the methoxyl determination, and the latter offered the technical advantages of measuring a precise chemical entity, and the procedure is less empirical. With a total of 66 forage and 98 fecal observations, correlation coefficients of −.724 and −.725, respectively, were obtained between methoxyl content and the digestible dry matter of the forage. The protein content of the feces was a less reliable indicator of digestible dry matter, whereas that of forage had no indicator value (correlation coefficients of .528 and −.218, respectively).
Roles: A Strategy To Avoid Information Overload

Materialists have delineated technological and environmental factors that constrain human choices. This article suggests a known and tested mental factor, information processing, that serves a similar purpose and consequently also plays a role in organizing behavior. The limitations and the methods used for circumventing those limitations provide a framework for human interaction. Combining the interplay of mental and technoenvironmental constraints increases our ability to explain human behavior.
Control-volume mixed finite element methods

A key ingredient in simulation of flow in porous media is accurate determination of the velocities that drive the flow. Large-scale irregularities of the geology (faults, fractures, and layers) suggest the use of irregular grids in simulation. This paper presents a control-volume mixed finite element method that provides a simple, systematic, easily implemented procedure for obtaining accurate velocity approximations on irregular block-centered grids. The control-volume formulation of Darcy''s law can be viewed as a discretization into element-sized ``tanks'''' with imposed pressures at the ends, giving a local discrete Darcy law analogous to the block-by-block conservation in the usual mixed discretization of the mass-conservation equation. Numerical results in two dimensions show second-order convergence in the velocity, even with discontinuous anisotropic permeability on an irregular grid. The method extends readily to three dimensions.
Thermal decay of the VOH center in MgO

Abstract The concentration of V − centers (a positive hole trapped at a cation vacancy) in MgO is observed to increase during the thermal decay of the related V OH centers at 20°C. This shows (at least for V OH ) that, in the decay process at room temperature, hole release predominates over annihilation by electrons released from other centers.
“All we want are toilets inside our homes!” The critical role of sanitation in the lives of urban poor adolescent girls in Bengaluru, India

This paper describes how lack of access to adequate sanitation facilities affects the lives of adolescent girls in urban poor India. It draws specifically on the experiences of four adolescent girls, each living in one of four settlements in Bengaluru, India, and conversations with a larger group of girls. Findings reveal that where sanitation facilities are sorely lacking, adolescent girls face many deprivations (education, free time, privacy and independent mobility) and risks (sexual harassment and assault, health risks, etc.), and that this inadequacy can be a structural pathway for cyclical gender-based disempowerment and injustice.
Biochemical evidence for multiple i-e ia molecules.

Both Ia antigens and Ir genes map to the I-A and I-E subregions of the mouse H-2 gene complex. The I-A subregion codes genes for three polypeptide chains, designated Aα, Aβ, and Eβ while the I-E subregion maps the gene for Eα (1). The map position of a third invariant Ia polypeptide chain designated I is not known. Thus, the I-A molecule and I-E molecule are formed by the non-covalent binding of the three chains, α (34,000 M.W.), β (28,000 M.W.) and I (31,000 M.W.). Recent studies using mutant strains and monoclonal antibodies have clearly shown that Ia antigens are the immune response gene products. The Ia molecules are involved in generating histo-incompatibility, alloreactivity, autoreactivity, as well as generating immune response to a variety of foreign antigens. Studies using alloreactive and antigen-specific T-cell clones have shown that Ia molecules most probably mediate immune activity by presentation of antigens to T-cells (2). Yet, it is not clear how the Ia molecules interact specifically with a variety of antigens under Ir gene control. One possibility is that Ia molecules have several antigenic sites which interact with different antigens. Recent studies have shown that there may be multiple epitopes of similar Ia antigens which are spatially distributed through the Ia molecule (3). Another possibility is that there are multiple Ia molecules, each of which can interact specifically with different antigens. To investigate this question, we have begun the biochemical study of Ia molecules using monoclonal antibodies. In this report, we will present preliminary evidence that there are multiple I-A and I-E molecules (4).
Li Xing (ed.), The Rise of China and the Capitalist World Order

Li Xing (ed.), The Rise of China and the Capitalist World Order. The International Political Economy of New Regionalisms Series. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing, 2010, x + 212pp., £55.00 h/b. The ris...
From One to Many: Transforming Miramar into a Collaboration Space

The Miramar virtual collaboration environment was originally designed and constructed as a single-user 3D workspace. Its transformation into a multiuser collaboration workspace - while still retaining its core capabilities - posed major challenges, some anticipated, some empirical. The authors identify the issues faced in this transmogrification, discuss how they were addressed and why, the lessons learned, and remaining challenges.
Equilibrium-independent passivity

We extend the traditional notion of passivity to a forced system whose equilibrium is dependent on the control input by defining equilibrium-independent passivity, a system property characterized by a dissipation inequality centered at an arbitrary equilibrium point. We provide a necessary input/output condition which can be tested for systems of arbitrary dimension and sufficient conditions to certify this property for scalar systems. An example from network stability analysis is presented which demonstrates the utility of this new definition. We then proceed to numerical certification of equilibrium-independent passivity using sum-of-squares programming. Finally, through numerical examples we show that equilibrium-independent passivity is less restrictive than incremental passivity.
A batch-fabricated silicon accelerometer

An extremely small batch-fabricatable accelerometer has been developed using silicon IC technology. The device, 3 mm long and weighing 0.02 g, is a simple cantilevered beam and mass structure sealed into a silicon and glass package. The fabrication of the accelerometer is described, and the theory behind its operation developed. Experimental results on sensitivity, frequency response, and linearity are presented and found to agree with theory. The accelerometer is capable of measuring accelerations from 0.001 to 50 g over a 100-Hz bandwidth, while readily implemented geometry changes allow these performance characteristics to be varied over a wide range to meet the needs of differing applications.
Effect of fermentation and bacterial inoculation on lucerne cell walls

Changes were found in the cell wall composition of lucerne after ensiling at three different dry matter (DM) contents. The amount of protein associated with cell walls was reduced during ensiling, regardless of inoculation level, by 4M8 %, whereas protein associated with the lignin residue was reduced to a lesser extent ( 0.32). Removal of the sugars from the cell wall appears to be related to pH because silages with little pH change had no change in the cell wall sugars and inoculation reduced the cell wall sugars only after silage pH declined.
The Alternative-Conventional Agriculture Debate: Where Do Agricultural Faculty Stand?1

In recent years, publicly funded agricultural science at land grant universities (LGUs) has come under increasing criticism by those who argue that LGUs have contributed to an industrial mode of agriculture that is neither ecologically nor socioeconomically sustainable. The views of critics and defenders of modern industrial agriculture reflect two competing perspectives on agriculture—an alternative and a conventional paradigm. Utilizing a 24-item alternative-conventional agriculture paradigm (ACAP) scale, this study analyzes the paradigmatic positions of faculty in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics at Washington State University. Results reveal that the faculty are slightly more conventional than are farmers statewide, slightly less conventional than proponents of conventional agriculture, and far more conventional than known alternative agriculturalists. When looking at particular elements of the agricultural debate, however, the faculty tend to be more conventional than farmers on the socioeconomic elements of the competing paradigms but considerably less conventional on elements dealing with ecological and conservation issues. Women, younger faculty, non-land grant educated faculty, and faculty not raised on farms are somewhat more likely to endorse the alternative agriculture paradigm than are their counterparts. These differences are minor, however, compared to the differences across academic disciplines. Faculty of departments oriented to the social sciences (with the exception of agricultural economics) tend to most strongly endorse the alternative paradigm, while faculty from the more production-oriented departments and agricultural economics are the most conventional. Possible implications of the findings are discussed for the future of publicly-funded agricultural science.