cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of hepatic insulin receptors by pancreatic polypeptide in fasting and feeding

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) increases hepatic insulin receptor (IR) binding activity in fasted PP-deficient rats, but not fasted normal animals. PP-induced alteration of hepatic IR levels in normal animals may be detectable in the fed state when IR concentrations are lower than during fasting. In the current study, the effect of exogenous PP on IR concentrations in the fed and fasted states was determined in healthy 300- to 350-g male Sprague-Dawley rats. Ten animals were administered PP 100 microgram/kg/day for 3 days by intraperitoneal injection and 10 weight-matched control animals received saline vehicle. Five PP- and five saline-administered rats were fasted for 12 hr prior to organ procurement, while 5 PP- and 5 saline-treated rats were given free access to food for this period. Livers were removed and snap-frozen. IRs were isolated from solubilized hepatocyte membranes by affinity chromatography with agarose-bound wheat germ agglutinin. Western blots were performed using a specific antibody to the beta subunit of the IR, which was detected by a chemiluminescence technique after 45-min exposure to X-ray film. Exposed films were examined by scanning densitometry and IR concentration was expressed as absorbance units per milligram of hepatic protein (mean +/- SE). Statistical comparisons were by Student's t test with significance taken at P < 0.05. Feeding was associated with a significantly lower IR concentration in saline-administered animals compared with the fasted state (24.2 +/- 4.0 vs 53.3 +/- 11.1). PP administration in fed rats resulted in significantly increased IR concentration as compared with that seen in saline-administered fed animals (43.8 +/- 8.9 vs 24.2 +/- 4.0). This difference may be due to increased IR synthesis with long-term PP administration, and supports the role of PP as a regulatory factor in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.
The axiology of Robert S. Hartman: A critical study

Formal axiology is based on the logical nature of meaning, namely intension, and on the structure of intension as a set of predicates. It applies set theory to this set of predicates. Set theory is a certain kind of mathematics that deals with subsets in general, and of finite and infinite sets in particular. Since mathematics is objective and a priori, formal axiology is an objective and a priori science; and a test based on it is an objective test based on an objective standard.1
The Enhancer A/IRS region of a cattle MHC class I promoter

In addition to the TATA and CAAT box sequences necessary for RNA polymerase II positioning, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I promoter contains an upstream enhancer region (EnhancerA) that partially overlaps the Interferon Response Sequence (IRS; Kimura et al. 1986). This EnhancerA/IRS region is necessary for effecting class I transcription modulation through cytokine stimulation (Harms and Splitter 1992), viral infection (Maudsley and Pond 1991 ), and carcinogenesis (Blanchet et al. 1992). Genetic information about the cattle MHC class I, known as the Bo LA complex, has been limited to studies of cattle class I cDNA sequences; little is known of the genetic control of Bo LA expression. To better define genetic regulation of the cattle MHC class I, a Bo LA class I promoter EnhancerAdRS region DNA fragment was isolated, sequenced, and functionally tested in a luciferase reporter gene expression system. Genomic DNA, isolated from the B-lymphosarcoma cell line, BL3 (Harms and Splitter 1992), was amplified by PCR, using primer pairs designed from the HLA-A2 promoter sequence (Koller and Orr 1985). The PCR fragment was subcloned into the vector, pGem-3Z (Promega, Madison, WI), and dideoxy sequenced. The resultant Bo LA EnhancerA/IRS sequence was named, BoLAenh-9 (Fig. 1). Transcription initiation ability of BoLAenh-9 was assayed, using a luciferase reporter gene system. The cattle class I EnhancerA/IRS region DNA fragment, BoLAenh-9, was subcloned into the Bgl II site of the luciferase expression vector, pGL Promoter (Promega), and the resulting vector, pGL BoLAenh-9, along with negative and positive control vectors pGL Promoter (SV40 promoter, no enhancer) and pGL Control (SV40 promoter, SV40 enhancer), were transfected into Vero cells (ATCC CCL 81), using the liposome reagent, TransfectAM1NE (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, MD). Cell lysates were assayed for luciferase activity 24 h after transfection, using a Monolight 2010 luminometer (ALL, San Diego, CA) and the level of sample luminescence recorded as relative light units. Results (Fig. 2) indicate that BoLAenh-9 has a strong transcription initiation ability. The cattle MHC class I EnhancerA/IRS region clone, BoLAenh-9, was isolated by using PCR incorporating degenerate primers designed from HLA-A2. Sequence comparison of the EnhancerA/IRS in BoLAenh-9 with that of HLA-A2 was only 59% (data not shown). Nevertheless, transcription initiation ability was remarkably strong, using the SV40 promoter compared with SV40's native enhancer (Fig. 2). The cattle MHC class I enhancer, BoLAenh-9, will be useful in further research of class I genetic regulation of expression.
Pathogen derived resistance to potyviruses: working, but why?

Abstract The theory of pathogen-derived resistance suggests that pathogen resistance genes can be developed from a pathogen's own genetic material. For example, transgenic plants expressing plant virus coat protein genes are often virus resistant. Non-structural virus genes also have been expressed in plants, with mixed results. Recent experiments suggest that, at least in some cases, resistance may be RNA-mediated. In all cases the exact mechanism of this resistance remains a mystery. This review discusses examples of pathogen-derived resistance for members of the potyviridae family of plant viruses and offers some possible mechanisms to account for this intriguing phenomenon.
Neural regeneration in the noise‐damaged chinchilla cochlea

Recent studies in the bird ear have shown that degenerated hair cells are sometimes replaced by regenerated receptor cells. The present study evaluated the adult mammalian cochlea for evidence of hair-cell and nerve-fiber regeneration. Eighty-eight noise-damaged chinchilla cochleas were examined as plastic-embedded whole mounts by phase-contrast and bright-field microscopy. No signs of hair-cell regeneration were found. However, 32 (70%) of 46 cochleas damaged by high-intensity noise and 20 (48%) of 42 cochleas damaged by moderate-intensity noise contained a variable number of nerve fibers which appeared to be regenerated. These fibers, which were located in severely damaged areas of organ of Corti, differed from residual fibers with respect to their diameters, the degree and pattern of myelination, and by the abnormal paths they followed within the osseous spiral lamina and on the basilar membrane. The number of regenerated fibers varied with type of exposure and length of recovery. The strongest response was found in ears exposed to a high-intensity, low-frequency noise. The results described here indicate that a potential exists for the biological restoration of the mammalian inner ear.
Pupilgram adjusting scheme using intelligent illuminator for ArF immersion exposure tool

ABSTRACT Source Mask Optimization 1 (SMO) is one of the most important techniques available for extending ArF immersion lithography. However, imaging with a small k1 factor (~0.3 or smaller) is very sensitive to errors in the imaging system, such as lens apodization, process control, mask error, etc. As a result, the real source shape must be re-adjusted to realize expected imaging performance as may be seen, fo r example, in an OPE curve. The intelligent illuminator can modify the pupilgram with high spatial and intensity resolution in the pupil. But the question is: How to adjust the pupilgram parameters properly to match target OPE? In this paper we present and describe a pupilgram adjusting method that can effectively control the various illuminator parameters. The method uses pupilgram modulation functions, which are similar to Zernike polynomials used in wavefront analysis, to describe the optimal pupilgram adjustment. The resulting modulation can then be realized by the intelligent illuminator. We demonstrate the effect of this method and the relation to minimum pupil resolution and gray scale levels that are needed for the intelligent illuminator to achieve its goals. In addition, a pupil analysis scheme, which is suitable for the applied pupilgram adjustment method, is proposed and validated. Using this method, SMO solutions will be more realistic and practically achievable for extending ArF immersion lithography. Keywords: Microlithography, Source and mask optimization, SMO, freeform, Illumination.
Empirical Marketing Generalization Using Meta-Analysis

A decade of work in marketing meta-analysis has produced empirical generalizations concerning parameters in models of advertising, price, diffusion, and consumer behavior. Results from these meta-analyses should replace the now discredited zero null hypotheses of such parameters in future work. Probably more important than nonzero “grand mean” average effects is an approach called Parametric Adjustability, which provides estimated parameter values for specific conditions reflecting markets and research technologies. Systematic application of the methodology can also help guide research along productive routes and away from repetition of work which has little potential to add new knowledge.
Event-based verification of synchronous, globally controlled, logic designs against signal flow graphs

We address the problem of automatically verifying large digital designs at the logic level, against high-level specifications. We present a technique which allows for the verification of a specific class of systems, namely systems with synchronous globally timed control. To a first approximation, these are systems where a single controller directs the data through the data path and decides (globally) when to move the data. We address the verification of these systems against a Signal Flow Graph (SFG) specification, or a specification in an applicative language such as SILAGE. In this paper, a method is presented for verifying the implementation against an intermediate SFG, which is an expansion of the original specification in such a way that all the operations correspond to Register Transfers (RT's) in the implementation. In this SFG, complex arithmetic operations such as multiplications may have been decomposed into simpler ones, such as shifts and additions, and new operations may have been introduced for maintaining iteration indices and computing addresses of memory locations. SFG's can be viewed as maximally parallel synchronous machines. Both the implementation and the specification are then Finite State Machines, having string functions (input/output mappings) associated with them. Correctness is taken to mean that a certain relation (the /spl beta/-relation) holds between these string functions. >
Instability of FIFO at arbitrarily low rates in the adversarial queuing model

We study the stability of the commonly used packet forwarding protocol, FIFO (First In First Out), in the adversarial queuing model. We prove that FIFO can become unstable, i.e., lead to unbounded buffer-occupancies and queuing delays, at arbitrarily low injection rates. In order to demonstrate instability at rate r, we use a network of size polynomial in 1/r.
Diffusion versus Nonlocal Models of Stratospheric Mixing, in Theory and Practice

Abstract In zonally averaged chemical transport models of the stratosphere, quasi-isentropic mixing is represented by diffusion in latitude. However, it is fairly certain that the real mixing is to some extent nonlocal, so that the diffusive representation is not formally justifiable. This issue is explored from a point of view that combines theory and empiricism. Several models of mixing are described and compared. The most general, including as special cases all of the other models considered, is the integral or “transilient matrix” model. Some known properties of transilient matrices are discussed in a more formal way than has been done previously, and some new results concerning these matrices and associated equations are derived. Simpler models include the familiar diffusion model, a simple model of nonlocal mixing in which tracer concentrations are everywhere relaxed toward the global average, and a “leaky barrier” model in which two regions of nonlocal mixing are separated by a weakly diffusive tra...
Abnormal Indicator Dilution Patterns in Dogs Produced by Flowmeter Probes on the Pulmonary Artery

In acute experiments on open chested dogs, indicator dilution curves were recorded before and after placing electromagnetic flow probes on the pulmonary artery. The flow probes caused severe abnormalities in the dilution curves. The abnormalities resembled those seen in cases with left-to-right shunts. The following facts suggest that the abnormalities are caused by turbulence and eddy formation near the flowmeter probe: (a) Direct measurements with a fiberoptic densitometer showed that clearance of dye just proximal to the probe was delayed. (b) The abnormalities disappeared immediately after removal of the probe or when the dye was injected just downstream to the probe. (c) The areas under curves recorded from the pulmonary artery upstream from the probe were greater than the areas under curves recorded at this same site without the probe. Cardiac output and systemic arterial pressure were lower in animals with abnormal dilution curves than in those with normal femoral curves.
Accelerated ageing of the lung in COPD: new concepts

The rise in life expectancy worldwide has been accompanied by an increased incidence of age-related diseases, representing an enormous burden on healthcare services and society. All vital organs lose function with age, and this is well described in the lung, with a progressive decline in pulmonary function after the age of about 25 years. The lung ages, like any other organ, with progressive functional impairment and reduced capacity to respond to environmental stresses and injury. Normal physiological ageing results in enlarged alveolar spaces and loss of lung elasticity in the elderly known as ‘senile emphysema’, whereas in COPD there is destruction of the alveolar walls and fibrosis of peripheral airways. However, COPD shows striking age-associated features, such as an increase in cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, increased oxidative stress, alteration in the extracellular matrix and a reduction in endogenous antiageing molecules and protective pathways such as autophagy. In this review we discuss the evidence showing how oxidative stress induces accelerated ageing by upregulating the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin signalling pathway resulting in depletion of stem cells, defective autophagy, reduced antioxidant responses and defective mitochondrial function thus generating further oxidative stress. Understanding the mechanisms of accelerated ageing in COPD may identify novel therapeutic approaches.
Deriving principles of microbiology by multiscaling laws of molecular physics

It has long been an objective of the physical sciences to derive principles of biology from the laws of physics. At the angstrom scale for processes evolving on timescales of 10-14 s, many systems can be characterized in terms of atomic vibrations and collisions. In contrast, biological systems display dramatic transformations including self-assembly and reorganization from one cell phenotype to another as the microenvironment changes. We have developed a framework for understanding the emergence of living systems from the underlying atomic chaos.
Allee effects in stochastic populations

The Allee effect, or inverse density dependence at low population sizes, could seriously impact preservation and management of biological populations. The mounting evidence for widespread Allee effects has lately inspired theoretical studies of how Allee effects alter population dynamics. However, the recent mathematical models of Allee effects have been missing another important force prevalent at low population sizes: stochasticity. In this paper, the combination of Allee effects and stochasticity is studied using diffusion processes, a type of general stochastic population model that accommodates both demographic and environmental stochastic fluctuations. Including an Allee effect in a conventional deterministic population model typically produces an unstable equilibrium at a low population size, a critical population level below which extinction is certain. In a stochastic version of such a model, the probability of reaching a lower size a before reaching an upper size b, when considered as a function of initial population size, has an inflection point at the underlying deterministic unstable equilibrium. The inflection point represents a threshold in the probabilistic prospects for the population and is independent of the type of stochastic fluctuations in the model. In particular, models containing demographic noise alone (absent Allee effects) do not display this threshold behavior, even though demographic noise is considered an “extinction vortex”. The results in this paper provide a new understanding of the interplay of stochastic and deterministic forces in ecological populations.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Psychosocial Impact of Lupus: Social Work's Role and Function

This special issue of Social Work in Health Care is devoted to enhancing the knowledge and skill of social work practice with patients and families living with systemic lupus erythematosus (often r...
Evaluation of an intensive insulin transition protocol in the intensive care unit setting: a before and after study

The benefits of controlling blood glucose levels in intensive care units (ICUs) are well documented.Objective: This study determined the effectiveness and safety of a standardized transition order set for converting a continuous insulin infusion to a subcutaneous insulin regimen in non-cardiovascular surgery ICUs patient population.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome were excluded. One hundred patients were included prior to and 100 patients were included after initiating the transition order set. Blood glucose control was reviewed for up to 72 hours following the transition.Results: A total of 115 patients were included in data analysis: 85 prior to and 30 after transition protocol. All patients transitioned using the protocol were transitioned to basal insulin, compared to only 40% of the prior to protocol group. Patients transitioned correctly per the transition order set, “per protocol,” had 54% of blood sugars within the desired range, no increase in hypoglycemic events, and on average 5.56 hyperglycemic events (blood glucose >180 mg/dL) per person during the 72 hours compared to 6.68 and 9.00 for the prior to protocol group and the “off protocol” group (transitioned different than the protocol recommended), respectively (p= 0.05). There were significant differences in blood sugar control at 48 and 72 hours between the “per protocol” and “off protocol” groups (p= 0.01) and a 40% reduction in sliding scale or correctional insulin coverage.Conclusion: The addition of basal insulin to transition regimens resulted in fewer hyperglycemic events with no increase in hypoglycemic events. Patients transitioned “per protocol” had better glucose control demonstrated by: less hyperglycemic events, lower mean blood glucose levels at 48 and 72 hours, and lower need for correctional insulin. These findings showed benefits of glycemic control in the ICU by following a standardized transition protocol. Keywords: Insulin. Blood Glucose. Intensive Care Units. Postoperative Care. United States.
Critically-oriented pedagogical tact: learning about and through our compulsions as teacher educators

The work of critical teacher education centers on making sure future teachers learn to be critically-oriented practitioners. In this article, I assert that this sort of learning must first begin with the critical teacher educators themselves, and that much of the most fruitful learning manifests itself in the teacher educator’s compulsions. Drawing on a key finding from a phenomenological study that focused on cultivating pedagogical tact in teaching, I suggest that the ways in which I compulsively strategized at times limited what I could accomplish as a critically-oriented teacher educator; that each of us as teacher educators have compulsions that limit just as much as they make possible; and that our examinations of these compulsions are important for our students’ growth as critically-oriented practitioners.
Anaplastic astrocytomas: biology and treatment

Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), WHO grade III gliomas, comprise 10–15% of all glial neoplasms. Currently, the only factors that have been shown to influence prognosis in patients with AA are age and Karnofsky performance status. Attempts have been made to identify biological prognostic factors for response to therapy and clinical outcome, as well as potential targets for new therapies. The most important predictor of response to therapy and survival in AA tumors is the presence or absence of the 1p19q co-deletion, a translocation that defines a subset of oligodendroglial tumors, and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas in particular. A further likely prognostic biomarker is the methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltranferase gene (the predominant DNA repair enzyme following alkylator-based chemotherapy-induced injury). Owing to a paucity of clinical trials specifically in patients with AA, most patients receive temozolomide-containing regimens, based on data acquired from patients with glioblastoma mul...
Quantum non-demolition measurement of photon number using weak nonlinearities

We propose an alternative method for the quantum non-demolition measurement of photon numbers wherein weak cross-Kerr nonlinearities are to be used. The usual approach to quantum non-demolition measurements of quantum number involves encoding the photon number, through a cross-Kerr interaction, into a phase shift of a probe coherent state which is then detected through balanced homodyning. Weak nonlinearities produce small phase shifts which are difficult to detect and distinguish. In the method we propose, unbalanced homodyning acts as a displacement operator on the probe beam coherent state such that the cross-Kerr interaction encodes the photon number into the amplitude of a new coherent state. The value of the photon number can be determined by inefficient photon counting on the new coherent state. Our proposed method requires fewer resources than does the usual approach.
Palliative Reconstruction for the Management of Incurable Head and Neck Cancer.

Background Surgical management of head and neck cancer is resource intensive and physiologically demanding. In patients with incurable disease, although the indications for surgery are not well defined, palliative benefit can be significant. The goal of this investigation was to compare outcomes of patients who underwent resection and reconstruction of head and neck cancer with curative intent with those who underwent similar procedures with palliative intent. Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent reconstruction for head and neck cancer between 2008 and 2014 was conducted. Patients were divided into curative and palliative groups. Outcomes assessed included postoperative complications and survival. Results A total of 147 patients who underwent 156 operations met inclusion criteria (27 palliative and 129 curative). In both cohorts, the most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the most common primary tumor site was the oral cavity. There was no significant difference between the cohorts in the rates of systemic and reconstructive complications, postoperative hospital length of stay, 30-day mortality, and flap survival. Overall survival in palliative patients was significantly shorter compared with curative patients (median OS, 6.2 months vs. 56.1 months, respectively; p Conclusion Surgical resection with reconstruction is possible in head and neck oncologic patients undergoing palliative treatment. Palliative patients have similar short-term outcomes when compared with patients undergoing resection for curative intent. Quality-of-life and economic implications of these approaches deserve closer scrutiny.
Antecedents and consequences of impending population implosion in the developed world: implications for business systems

Even as the world's population recently surpassed the 7 billion mark, there is enormous evidence pointing to the impending population implosion in approximately four decades, which will mostly affect the developed world. The latest UN statistics show that total fertility rates in most developed nations, have dropped to well below 2.1 children per woman, the required rate needed to sustain population growth. Based on a literature review and using a grounded theory approach, we identify demographic, socio-cultural, and economic/environmental, as antecedent factors primarily responsible for depopulation in the developed world, followed by a discussion of possible consequential factors. Implications of this phenomenon, and how it impacts the business systems, specifically, production, distribution, consumption and institutional systems are also discussed.
Analytical and Clinical Performance of the epoc Blood Analysis System Experience at a Large Tertiary Academic Medical Center

Objectives: To describe validation and performance of epoc, a blood gas analysis point-of-care system, in a live clinical setting. Methods: Data were collected for 156 epoc systems over 12 months. Preimplementation precision and correlation studies and postimplementation quality assurance data were collected, including test card, reader, and personal data assistant (PDA) failure rates. Results: The coefficient of variation was clinically acceptable for all analytes. Correlation studies yielded an R 2 from 0.901 (for sodium) to 0.994 (for potassium) with the Nova analyzer and from 0.961 (sodium) to 0.991 (glucose) with the i-STAT. Average test card failure rate was 13%. Of the PDA/reader units, 55% needed repair within 1 year.
The Department of Work and Family Life at Marriott Corporation (C)

This case describes the third approach Donna Klein took to managing the troublesome question of how to help Marriott employees balance work and family life. The case builds on the A and B cases and reports events through 1995. See A case (UVA-OB-0425) and B case (UVA-OB-0435).
Presidential Decision Making and the Political Use of Military Force

During the Cold War American presidents have used military force in support of U.S. foreign policy over 200 times (Blechman and Kaplan, 1978; Zelikow, 1986). In order to explain and predict this activity, I develop a model of presidential decision making that incorporates the concept of an "opportunity to use force" which most previous research has neglected. I hypothesize that presidents are led to use greater levels of military force the greater the threat to the nation's overseas defense commitments and their own domestic reputation for taking forceful action, and the less likely the threat of confrontation with the Soviet Union. I examine 458 international crises from 1948 through 1988, and using tobit analysis I find that most of the hypothesized relationships are statistically significant. The findings support the value of using opportunities to use force as the unit of analysis and the greater impact of international versus domestic conditions in presidents' decision making.
Selective active oxidation in hafnium boride-silicon carbide composites above 2000 °C

Abstract The oxidation behavior of an ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) based on HfB 2 with 20vol% SiC and was studied following two 10 min arc-jet test cycles with nominal heat flux of 350 W cm −2 , stagnation pressure of 7 kPa, and a sustained peak surface temperature of 2360 °C. Microstructure characterization revealed a modified, layered structure comprising ∼390 μm of porous HfO 2 at the surface and an underlying ∼740 μm porous region containing un-oxidized HfB 2 over the bulk UHTC, unaffected below the oxidation front. The SiC presumably undergoes active oxidation, as commonly reported for temperatures above ∼1600 ± 100 °C. However, unlike typical of exposures below ∼2000 °C no molten silicate phase was present at the surface to mediate the exchange of oxidant and gaseous reaction products. Additionally, a HfC impurity phase oxidizes concurrently with SiC rather than HfB 2 . A thermodynamic analysis is provided to explain the observed behavior and the differences with lower temperature scenarios in the literature.
The future is in the numbers: the power of predictive analysis in the biomedical educational environment

Biomedical programs have a potential treasure trove of data they can mine to assist admissions committees in identification of students who are likely to do well and help educational committees in the identification of students who are likely to do poorly on standardized national exams and who may need remediation. In this article, we provide a step-by-step approach that schools can utilize to generate data that are useful when predicting the future performance of current students in any given program. We discuss the use of linear regression analysis as the means of generating that data and highlight some of the limitations. Finally, we lament on how the combination of these institution-specific data sets are not being fully utilized at the national level where these data could greatly assist programs at large.
Liquidation of a large block stock under a Markov chain model

This work develops an optimal liquidation rule for stock trading. There are several distinct features compared to the existing literature. First, in lieu of a Brownian motion based model, a formulation using a continuous-time Markov chain is proposed. Second, in this work, we focus on finding the liquidation strategies for a large block stock. We solve the problem using a dynamic programming approach leading to the associate HJB equations with state constraints. We design a numerical method because a closed-form solution is difficult to obtain. Finally, Two example are provided for demonstration purpose.
Distribution Kinetics Modeling of Nucleation, Growth, and Aggregation Processes

Certain emerging fields of nanotechnology depend on self-assembly processes that lead to molecular structures which are organized and ordered or disorganized and disordered. Many such processes can be understood as combinations of nucleation, reversible growth, and reversible aggregation. We develop a descriptive theoretical framework through population balances for the cluster mass distribution and show the formulation of its mass moments. Calculations for relaxation to equilibrium show the effects of aggregation, deaggregation, dissolution, cluster growth by monomer addition, and nucleation, as either single processes or various combinations. Competition among the processes yields a variety of different behaviors that have been observed in nature and in the laboratory. Problems that can hinder self-organization processes include coarsening (Ostwald ripening) and glasslike phase transition (noncrystalline solidification). Both of these and other processes can be described by the kinetics of cluster distributions and the dynamics of their moments.
The Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Display Oculus Rift Induces Motion Sickness and Is Sexist in Its Effects

Anecdotal reports suggest that motion sickness may occur among users of contemporary, consumer-oriented head-mounted display systems and that women may be at greater risk. We evaluated the nauseogenic properties of one such system, the Oculus Rift. The head-mounted unit included motion sensors that were sensitive to users’ head movements, such that head movements could be used as control inputs to the device. In two experiments, seated participants played one of two virtual reality games for up to 15 min. In Experiment 1, 22% of participants reported motion sickness, and the difference in incidence between men and women was not significant. In Experiment 2, motion sickness was reported by 56% of participants, and incidence among women (77.78%) was significantly greater than among men (33.33%). Before participants were exposed to the head-mounted display system, we recorded their standing body sway during the performance of simple visual tasks. In both experiments, patterns of pre-exposure body sway differed between participants who (later) reported motion sickness and those who did not. In Experiment 2, sex differences in susceptibility to motion sickness were preceded by sex differences in body sway. These postural effects confirm a prediction of the postural instability theory of motion sickness. The results indicate that users of contemporary head-mounted display systems are at significant risk of motion sickness and that in relation to motion sickness these systems may be sexist in their effects.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Scar Tissue

This is an iatrogenic complication resulting and compression myelopathy due to a foreign body reaction to spinal cord stimulation for chronic refractory pain.
Mean 5-Year Follow-up for Suture Button Suspensionplasty in the Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

Purpose Suture button suspensionplasty (SBS) has been used to treat thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis (CMC joint OA). Although promising short-term outcomes have been reported, no outcomes beyond 4 years have been published. The aim of this article is to report intermediate outcomes of SBS. Methods We reviewed the charts of 14 patients who underwent 16 SBS procedures for symptomatic thumb CMC joint OA. We recorded demographic data, preoperative Eaton stage, length of follow-up, Quick –Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire scores, as well as pinch strength, grip strength, range of motion, and metacarpal subsidence. Operative time and postoperative complications were documented. Results Average age was 64 years. There were 12 women and 2 men. Preoperative Eaton stages were III and IV in 8 thumbs each. Mean operative time was 93 minutes. Mean follow-up was 64 months with mean Quick –Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improvement of 58.2. Mean palmar and radial abduction were 105% and 97%, respectively, of the nonsurgical thumb. Kapandji scores for all operated thumbs were either 9 or 10. Pinch and grip strength were 107% and 102%, respectively, of the nonsurgical side. Mean trapezial space height was 71%. One patient underwent removal of a symptomatic implant and 2 patients had transient neuropraxia of the dorsal radial sensory nerve. Conclusions Favorable outcomes (improvement in range of motion and pain relief) of SBS remain durable over time. Our results show that improvement in strength may also be expected over time when using SBS after trapeziectomy for the treatment of thumb CMC joint OA. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Roman Temple in England

A buried Roman temple in England was readily mapped using GPR amplitude slice-maps, but was difficult to identify with magnetic mapping. An integration of the two methods shows that the temple and its surrounding precinct has distinct walls, which produce radar reflections. Those walls are not composed of stones that are magnetic, and are slightly less magnetic than the surrounding ground. Areas where the stones had been robbed in trenches, and then those trenches were backfilled with soil and sediment, appear as negative magnetic anomalies. Two very highly magnetic areas north and south of the temple complex were places where burned materials were placed in excavated holes in the ground. In one of those holes distinct horizontal surfaces are visible with GPR adjacent to the holes, which may be the floors of buildings that stood there prior to the temple construction, and which were burned and pushed into the hole. A small post-Roman period building that was likely constructed of wood within what were still standing walls of the temple was effectively invisible in the magnetic maps, and very difficult to see in GPR maps. The GPR reflection profiles across this small building show that it was filled with sediment, and contains a possible hearth, visible with magnetic readings.
"I do the best I can:" Personal care preferences of patients of size.

Abstract Aim Obesity is a common co-morbidity of hospitalized patients, and nurses sometimes have great difficulty meeting the skin care needs of patients of size. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify successful self-care strategies patients of size used to care for themselves at home, in order to replicate these successes in the hospital. Background When patients who are obese are hospitalized they are vulnerable to complications, including skin integrity problems. These can be made worse for the patient if s/he cannot engage in their usual self-care hygiene practices. By uncovering self-developed solutions to hygienic care at home, nurses could incorporate these into their individualized plan of care. Methods This qualitative descriptive study used an appreciative inquiry approach, to discover what works well, in order to replicate these actions. A skilled qualitative nurse researcher used a semi-structured interview process to uncover the personal care preferences of patients whose admission body mass index (BMI) was > 50. A step-wise approach was used for data reduction, and triangulation of researchers added to the study's trustworthiness. Results Fourteen patients of size were interviewed. Nine categories emerged from the data, all of which fit under the overarching theme: “I do the best I can.” Multiple ideas for quality care, delivered while preserving patient dignity, were identified. Implications for nursing practice are included. Conclusion Patients of size have developed creative and useful approaches to managing skin health that could be used in the hospital when patients are unable to manage their self-care alone.
Statistically Significant Differences in Composition of Petroleum Crude Oils Revealed by Volcano Plots Generated from Ultrahigh Resolution Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectra

A “volcano” plot provides a visual means for identifying statistically significant differences between two populations. Here, we introduce the volcano plot as a means for simple, visual identification and statistical ranking of compositional differences between petroleum crude oils. Ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry yields the relative abundances of ions in each spectrum that contains up to tens of thousands of elemental compositions (CcHhNnOoSs). From that data, a volcano plot may be generated by plotting statistical significance (p-value, obtained from t test) versus log2(relative abundance ratio). The volcano plot data may be color-coded to highlight differences in heteroatom class (NnOoSs), double bond equivalents (DBE = number of rings plus double bonds to carbon), and/or carbon number. The volcano plot may be used either directly or as a “filter” for including only the most statistically significant differences for data entered into more conventional an...
Compressional modes in two-superfluid neutron stars with leptonic buoyancy

We investigate the compressional modes of cold neutron stars with cores consisting of superfluid neutrons, superconducting protons and normal fluid electrons and muons, and crusts that contain superfluid neutrons plus a normal fluid of (spherical) nuclei and electrons. We develop a two-fluid formalism for the core that accounts for leptonic buoyancy, and an analogous treatment for the crust. We adopt the Cowling approximation, neglecting gravitational perturbations, but include all effects of the background space-time. We introduce a phenomenological nuclear equation of state which contains all of the thermodynamic information required to compute the coupled fluid oscillations, with parameters that are constrained by the nuclear physics and the requirement that the maximum mass of a neutron star is $\geq 2M_{\odot}$. Using this equation of state, we calculate the Brunt-V\"{a}is\"{a}l\"{a} frequency due to leptonic buoyancy, and find the corresponding $g$-mode frequencies and eigenfunctions. We find that the WKB approximation reproduces $g$-mode frequencies closely. We examine the dependence of $g$-mode frequencies on stellar mass and strength of neutron-proton entrainment, and compare to previous calculations of $g$-mode frequencies due to leptonic buoyancy. For $p$-modes, we find that the usual WKB treatment often breaks down because the displacements of the two superfluids may have large phase differences. The $p$-mode spectra may permit the existence of nearly resonant mode pairs which could lead to nonlinear $p$-$g$ instabilities.
A Patient with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Kidney Failure.

A 42-year-old pregnant woman was evaluated for AKI. It was her first pregnancy, and at 32 weeks of gestation, she noted lower extremity edema. Her BP had previously been normal but was >170/90 mm Hg on the day of admission. Her serum creatinine was 2.97 mg/dl, transaminase levels were elevated,
Moonlighting by Psychiatric Residents

Moonlighting by house staff, including psychiatric house staff, has stimulated controversy, but few objective reports. We mailed questionnaires to residents at 133 psychiatric training programs in order to investigate the extent and types of moonlighting, and the relationship between moonlighting and financial, personal, and program variables. Of 3745 questionnaires mailed, 1013 (27 percent) were returned. Close to one half of all the responding psychiatrists-in-training have worked outside their training programs. Most moonlighted moderately, with moonlighting residents tending to have significantly greater financial responsibilities than non-moonlighting residents.
Psychogenic vagotonia in a family of beagle dogs

Eight inbred beagle dogs, litter mates of two generations, exhibited psychogenic vagotonia (long sinus pauses and transient atrioventricular block of the heart) during orienting to tones. This was intensified during tones following “one-trial conditioning” to a single painful leg-shock. It was potentiated during conditional stimuli (CS+) regularly reinforced by leg-shock; whereas unreinforced tones (CS−) elicited less vagotonia. Additional evidence of differentiation was observed in one dog when the differential magnitudes of the responses were reversed following reversal of the significance of the conditional stimuli. The possible mechanisms of these changes and correlations with clinical material are discussed. Results of this study illustrate the interplay between constitutional predisposition and psychological factors in prominent cardiovascular changes.
Recent advance in shape-Selective catalysis over zeolites for synthesis of specialty chemicals

Abstract This paper discusses the application of zeolite catalysts for shape-selective conversion of 2- ring and 3-ring poly cyclic hydrocarbons into value-added intermediates for making specialty chemicals and monomers of new polymer materials such as advanced engineering plastics, polyester fibers and films, and liquid crystalline polymers. Specifically, we will discuss the new developments in the following reactions over large-pore zeolite catalysts: 1) ring-shift isomerization of phenanthrene derivatives to anthracene derivatives; 2) shape-selective alkylation of naphthalene; 3) shape-selective alkylation of biphenyl; 4) conformational isomerization of cis- decahydronaphthalene into trans-decahydronaphthalene; and 5) shape-selective hydrogenation of naphthalene.
The FIELD Integration Mechanism

FIELD integrates tools by providing a simple message-passing framework that supports selective broadcast messaging. The center of the framework is the message server that the various tools communicate with. When a tool starts, it finds the message server and sends it a description of the messages it is interested in. As it runs, the tool sends messages to the server. The message server matches each message against the descriptions that were registered by all the tools, and forwards the message to those tools that have expressed interest in it
How Organizational Silos and Bridges Shape Student Success: The CSU STEM Collaboratives Project

Student success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is a major concern in higher education. While overall 6-year graduation rates are around 60% nationally (National Center for Edu...
von Willebrand Factor, Free Hemoglobin and Thrombosis in ECMO

Though extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides life-saving support, this intervention exposes patients to certain risks. Circulating free hemoglobin (fHb) resulting from mechanically induced hemolysis and insufficient haptoglobin/hemopexin may promote thrombosis within the ECMO circuit. Thrombi in the circuit can result in thromboembolic complications in these patients. Prevention of thrombus formation and propagation in the ECMO circuit may improve clinical outcome. fHb released during hemolysis has been shown to have multiple adverse effects, including thrombosis, but the mechanism by which fHb contributes to thrombosis in an ECMO circuit remains elusive. It is well established that (1) high shear stress generated in the circuit may cause hemolysis, and (2) plasma fibrinogen is adsorbed onto the inner tubing of the ECMO circuit over time. Plasma von Willebrand factor (pVWF) mediates platelet deposition at sites of vascular injury under high shear stress by sensing alterations in the hemodynamic environment. This biophysical property of pVWF that enables hemostasis may also contribute to the pathogenesis of ECMO-induced thrombosis. pVWF contains binding sites for both adsorbed fibrin(ogen) and fHb. High concentrations of fHb increase pVWF-mediated platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on a surface-adsorbed fibrin(ogen) under high shear stress. The molecular mechanism(s) by which fHb drives the conformation of pVWF into a prothrombotic state is currently unknown. Reduction of thrombotic risks during ECMO intervention warrants further investigations into the interaction between pVWF and fHb.
Merchandising Snoopy: The case of licensing Peanuts in Japan

The Peanuts brand has commanded multimillion-dollar success in the challenging Japanese marketplace. The strength of the intellectual property developed by comic artist Charles M. Schulz and its re...
Current Understanding of Humoral Immunity to Enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a pathogen that causes outbreaks of respiratory illness across the world, mostly in children, and can be especially severe in those with asthma. Clusters of acute flaccid myelitis, a poliomyelitis-like neuromuscular weakness syndrome, often occur concurrent with EV-D68 respiratory outbreaks. Seroepidemiologic studies have found that the serum of nearly everyone older than 2 to 5 years contains anti-EV-D68 neutralizing antibodies, which suggests that EV-D68 is a ubiquitous pathogen of childhood. However, knowledge of the viral epitopes against which the humoral immune response is directed is only inferred from previous studies of related viruses. Although neutralizing antibodies protect newborn mice from lethal EV-D68 inoculation via nonphysiologic routes, cotton rats have a mixed phenotype of both benefit and possible exacerbation when inoculated intranasally. The human antibody response to EV-D68 needs to be studied further to clarify the role of antibodies in protection versus pathogenesis, which might differ among respiratory and neurologic disease phenotypes.