cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trait-associated sequence variation in the bovine growth hormone receptor 1A promoter does not affect promoter activity in vitro.

Summary Growth hormone (GH) plays a central role in growth and metabolism in cattle by binding to growth hormone receptor (GHR) and stimulating production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Two sequence variations in the promoter transcribing a major GHR mRNA variant, GHR 1A mRNA, have been reported to be associated with quantitative differences in growth rate or blood concentration of IGF1 in cattle. One such variation is in the length of a TG-repeat, being 11 or 16–20; the other variation is in the nucleotide 155 bp upstream from the transcription start site, being G or A. In this study, we determined whether these sequence variations would affect the activity of GHR 1A promoter. We cloned GHR 1A promoters bearing different sequence variations and linked each of them to a reporter gene. Transient transfection analyses revealed that these promoter–reporter constructs did not differ in reporter gene expression. Cotransfection analyses demonstrated that they also did not differ in activation by hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4γ and nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2, known transcription factors for bovine GHR 1A promoter. These in vitro results, together with a previous observation that neither the nucleotide 155 bp upstream from the transcription start site nor the TG-repeat was part of the GHR 1A promoter region interacting with nuclear proteins from bovine liver, do not support a cause–effect relationship between the reported sequence variations and the associated changes in growth rate or blood IGF1 concentration in cattle.
The impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection on the economic burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Brazil and potential value of new CL drug treatments.

Convergence of geographic regions endemic for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) raise concerns that HIV co-infection may worsen CL burden, complicating already lengthy and costly CL treatments and highlighting a need for newer therapies. We constructed two Markov decision models to quantify impact of HIV on CL and help establish a target product profile for new CL treatments, accounting for co-infection. The HIV co-infection increased lifetime cost per CL case 11–371 times ($1,349–45,683) that of HIV-negative individuals ($123) and Brazil's CL burden from $1.6–16.0 million to $1.6–65.5 million. A new treatment could be a cost saving at ≤ $254 across several ranges (treatments seeking probabilities, side effect risks, cure rates) and continues to save costs up to $508 across treatment-seeking probabilities with a drug cure rate of ≥ 50%. The HIV co-infection can increase CL burden, suggesting more joint HIV and CL surveillance and control efforts are needed.
Seasonal changes in plasma androgen levels and the gonads of the beach vole, Microtus breweri

The reproductive cycle of 108 mature male beach voles, Microtus breweri, endemic to Muskeget Island, Massachusetts, was investigated. Changes in body weight were seen through the year with animals heaviest (62.10 ± 1.38 g) in April and lightest (43.40 ± 2.84 g) in October. In April through June spermatogenic activity was maximum while testicular weight was greatest (1300 –1600 mg). In July spermatogenic activity remained maximum although testicular weight dropped (858.72 ± 152.00 mg). A decline in spermatogenic activity and testicular size followed during August through October. Testes were quiescent and weished approximately 300 mg from October through December. Plasma androgen levels were highest (>2 ng/ml) during spermatogenic activity in April through June and lowest (<1.0 ng/ml) in October when the testes contained only spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. The reinitiation of spermatogenesis in the male beach voles on Muskeget Island is synchronized with the spring increase in photoperiod and temperature, and testicular regression begins during the late summer.
Experimenting with noise in markerless motion capture

Visual culture has embraced the visual glitch as just one of many aesthetics associated with digital media. A glitch is often associated with noise in a technological system. Some motion capture systems experience noise and glitches as they process human movement. Under normal conditions, a glitch is undesirable because it decreases the usability of the capture. This short paper and demonstration introduce our research into the non-traditional use of motion capture data for the generation of artistic animated works.
Nicotine Administration Impairs Sensory Gating in Long–Evans Rats

In rats, effects of nicotine administration on sensory gating as indexed by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) are unclear. We have found that nicotine administration enhances ASR and PPI in Sprague-Dawley rats, but other investigators, using Long-Evans rats, have reported no effects or enhancement of PPI only. Numerous methodological differences exist among studies in addition to subject strain, however, making it unclear whether inconsistent behavioral responses are the result of different experimental procedures or indicate a true strain difference. To investigate the role of strain in nicotine's effects on ASR and PPI, 192 male and female Long-Evans rats were administered 12 mg/kg/day nicotine via osmotic minipump for 14 days using identical methodologies employed in studies with Sprague-Dawley subjects. Effects of grouped vs. individual housing on these responses also were examined. Nicotine administration impaired ASR and PPI in Long-Evans subjects. These effects occurred in female rats regardless of housing condition, and interacted with housing in male rats. Results indicate that sex and housing are important variables in nicotine's effects. Results suggest that subject strain may be an important variable in nicotine's effects on sensory gating, and that responses of Sprague-Dawley vs. Long-Evans rats may represent a true strain difference.
Evolution of interface properties of the Pentacene/Bi(0001) system

Abstract Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy we measured the evolution of the electronic properties of the Pentacene (Pn)/Bi(0001) interface. From thickness dependent photoemission spectra of the substrate and Pn film we conclude that Pn growth is epitaxial. Pentacene highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) valence band features are identical for sub-monolayer (ML) as well as for thick films which suggests a thickness independent film morphology. The Pn/Bi interaction is weak and results in a lowering of the HOMO binding energy by 180 ± 5 meV and 80 ± 5 meV for the first and second MLs respectively. The interface dipole (ID) is fully developed over the first ∼ 1.2 ML of Pn coverage and has a value of ID = 310 ± 10 meV. The hole injection barrier across the interface is Φh = 1.03 ± 0.01 eV.
The Political Economy of Ethnic Mobilization: Comparing the Emergence, Consolidation and Radicalization of Ethnic Parties in Post-Colonial Sri Lanka and Malaysia

By focusing on the emergence, consolidation, and radicalization of ethnic parties in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, I show that the degree of inter-ethnic violence in the political mobilization of ethnic minorities in these post-colonial democracies results from the strategic interaction between ethnic group political leaders and individual ethnic members subject to existing organisational constraints and the existence of tangible and material selective incentives. Put differently, ethnic parties will radicalize their strategies and turn to violence when their mobilization drives have been captured by critical masses of supporters whose economic well-being depends on control over the state and the material resources it can allocate.
Sexual Orientation Beliefs: Their Relationship to Anti-Gay Attitudes and Biological Determinist Arguments

Previous studies which have measured beliefs about sexual orientation with either a Single item, or a one-dimensional scale are discussed. In the present study beliefs were observed to vary along two dimensions: the "immutability" of sexual orientation and the "fundamentality" of a categorization of persons as heterosexuals and homosexuals. While conceptually related, these two dimensions were empirically distinct on several counts. They were negatively correlated with each other. Condemning attitudes toward lesbians and gay men were correlated positively with fundamentality hut negatively with immutability, Immutability, but not fundamentality, affected the assimilation of a biological determinist argument. The relationship between sexual orientation belief's and anti-gay prejudice is discussed and suggestions fur empirical studies of sexual orientation beliefs are presented. (C) 2001 by the Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Basic Relationship Between Machining Induced Residual Stress Profiles and Fatigue Life

The characteristics of residual stress (RS) profiles and their effects on rolling contact fatigue life for precision turned and ground surfaces with a white layer (WL) are very controversial. The key findings of this study are: (a) The basic RS profiles by a sharp tool can be fundamentally changed by a turned WL but not a ground WL; (b) The hook shaped RS profile of a turned surface may have about 40% more fatigue life than a ground one; (c) The white layer may reduce fatigue life as much as 7–8 times despite the deep compressive RS in the subsurface.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An improved thermoregulatory model for cooling garment applications with transient metabolic rates

Current state-of-the-art thermoregulatory models do not predict body temperatures with the accuracies that are required for the development of automatic cooling control in liquid cooling garment (LCG) systems. Automatic cooling control would be beneficial in a variety of space, aviation, military, and industrial environments for optimizing cooling efficiency, for making LCGs as portable and practical as possible, for alleviating the individual from manual cooling control, and for improving thermal comfort and cognitive performance. In this paper, we modify the blood flow dynamics of a state-of-the-art thermoregulatory model and identify a new signal, i.e. the rate of change of hypothalamus temperature weighted by the hypothalamus error signal, which governs the thermoregulatory response during conditions of simultaneously increasing core and decreasing skin temperatures. We compare temperature predictions with experimental data for a 700 W rectangular type activity schedule in an LCG environment. The new thermoregulatory model predicts rectal and mean skin temperatures with root mean square deviations of 0.09°C and 0.69°C, respectively, which results in a 44% reduction of the mean absolute body heat storage error. It appears that the new thermoregulatory model can, with some additional improvements outlined here, satisfy the very strict accuracy requirement that is needed for automatic cooling control development.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Compounds for expanding the descriptor space for characterizing separation systems.

Abstract A combination of gas chromatography and liquid–liquid partitions in totally organic biphasic systems is used to determine descriptor values for compounds of low volatility suitable for characterizing open tubular columns at high temperatures. The descriptor database of varied compounds includes several difficult to determine by conventional techniques due to their low water solubility or stability. The descriptor database facilitates an expansion of the descriptor space and compound variation for characterizing separation systems. As an application the descriptor database is used to determine the system constants for SPB-Octyl, HP-5, Rxi-5Sil MS, Rtx-440, and Rtx-OPP for the temperature range 200–300 °C. As an example of the broader affect of temperature on column selectivity the variation of the system constants for Rtx-440 over the temperature range 60–300 °C is described in detail. These studies demonstrate the persistence of polar interactions to the highest temperature studied and that at high temperatures selectivity differences persist for moderately polar stationary phases.
Cinema and the Sandinistas: Filmmaking in Revolutionary Nicaragua

Cinema and the Sandinistas: Filmmaking in Revolutionary Nicaragua. Jonathan Buchsbaum, Austin: University of Texas Press, 2003. 323 pp.
First-principles investigations on the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 doped with Se

In this work, the thermoelectric properties of Se-doped Bi2Te3 are examined using first-principles density functional theory and semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. Placing a single Se atom on the 3a Wyckoff position lowers the unit cell energy by approximately 3.6 eV, compared to the 6c Te position. The electronic structure of Bi2Te3 has minor changes upon Se doping. At carrier concentration of 1019 cm-3, the optimal thermopower, S, is obtained as 207 and 220 μV/K for n-type and p-type doping, respectively. Unlike the thermopower, the power factor, S 2 σ/τ, is highly anisotropic for the in-plane and cross-plane conduction. At carrier concentrations of 1019 cm-3, the best power factor is predicted to be around 1.05 and 1.4×1011 W/m·s·K2 for n-type and p-type doping, respectively.
Effects of surface properties on the tribocharging characteristics of polymer powder as applied to industrial processes

Experiments performed on different powders of different size distributions tribocharged with stainless-steel (SS) beads showed the charge acquired by the powder could be correlated with the actual work function difference between the powder and SS. Ultraviolet and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed on various materials involved, and showed the work function increased with surface contamination and oxidation, and the difference narrowed for metals and polymers. Such a small difference in work function may contribute to bipolar charging. Experiment data showed that while charge acquired increased with particle size, the charge distribution was generally bipolar. Both surface analysis and charge distribution studies suggest that for tribocharging, minimization of oxidation and surface contamination are needed. It also appears that the relative humidity must also be controlled to obtain reliable tribocharging. Semiempirical molecular modeling calculations of the work function of several polymers showed good agreement with experiment. Surface plasma treatment is presented as a viable method for modifying the work function.
Theoretical study of a potential low-noise semimetal-based avalanche photodetector

The authors present a theoretical analysis of a possible avalanching photodetector (APD)-based on II-VI compound semiconductors. Each unit cell is composed of a HgTe layer, or a similar semimetal, sandwiched between two layers of CdTe and HgCdTe or similar semiconducting materials. The barrier layers are graded so that the leading barrier height is just high enough to eliminate the thermionic emission dark current out of the well. The use of a semimetal within the well has a distinct advantage over a semiconductor, which is that the ionization process is essentially an interband mechanism since the confined carriers within the well lie within the overlapping conduction and valence bands. As a result, the concentration of target carriers is virtually inexhaustible as in a conventional interband device. >
Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissue Femoral Fixation Devices for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PurposeTo evaluate femoral soft tissue fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.HypothesisFemoral fixation devices have different ultimate strengths and slippage under cyclic loading.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsThirty-three porcine femora were used to study interference screw (9), Endobutton (8), Rigidfix cross-pin (8), and Bio-Transfix cross-pin (8) fixation methods. Fixation slippage was evaluated under cyclical load from 50 N to 250 N using a materials testing machine. Ultimate load was determined with a single load to failure.ResultsTotal graft slippage was greater (P< .001) for the Rigidfix (6.02 ± 2.12 mm) and the interference screw (5.44 ± 3.25 mm) compared to the Endobutton (1.75 ± 0.97 mm) and the Bio-Transfix (1.14 ± 0.53 mm). All techniques showed the greatest slippage during the first 100 cycles (Rigidfix 84%, Endobutton 70%, interference screw 56%, and Bio-Transfix 55%). The failure load for the interference screw technique (539 ± 114 N) was lower (P= .0008) t...
Pilot Evaluation of Early Juvenile Blue Crab Stock Enhancement Using a Replicated BACI Design

We quantified whether local populations of early juvenile blue crabs (J1–2) could be enhanced through the translocation of crabs to underutilized nursery habitats, and if enhancement success, survival, and potential impacts of stocked crabs on their benthic prey varied in a density-dependent manner. Using plankton nets, ∼143,000 blue crab megalopae were collected as they ingressed into Pamlico Sound, NC. Of these, ∼13,800 early juvenile blue crabs (J1–2 stages) were then stocked at potential nursery sites relatively far removed (32–70 km) from their initial settlement areas using a replicated before-after control impact (BACI) experimental design. On average, there was negative enhancement success (−34%) five weeks after local crab enhancement, and no evidence of density-dependent enhancement success, mortality, or impact on potential crab prey. Poor stocking success was likely due to pelagic emigration from enhancement sites relative to controls. Attempts to assess the feasibility of stocking blue crabs ...
Multi-scale image warping using weighted Voronoi diagram

A new multi-scale image warping method based on the weighted Voronoi diagram is proposed. Weights are assigned to the control points according to their influence scales. At each scale level, a triangulation based on the weighted Voronoi diagram is constructed. Then the interpolation of displacements is performed on this triangulation. In this process, only the control points with large weights are mapped to their final values. Once the control points with large weights have been mapped correctly, their weights are modified to be the maximum weight of those unmapped control points and their displacement values are set to 0. This process is performed iteratively until all control points are correctly mapped. The advantage of this approach is that the underlying triangulation changes between scales to fit the warping scale. Both global warping and local warpings can be modeled appropriately using this approach.
Genetic analysis of radiation response in Escherichia coli.

An analysis of a cross between Escherichia coli K-12 strains of different radiation sensitivities was made. The data indicate that hereditary determinants of radiation behavior are transferred during bacterial conjugation, the difference in radiation sensitivity in the parental strains is a multigenic phenomenon, genes capable of affecting x-ray survival can also affect UV survival, and the genes involved may be located somewhere between proline and histidine on the E. coli linkage map. The results are discussed in relation to data available for organisms derived from E. coli B. (auth)
Hensin remodels the apical cytoskeleton and induces columnarization of intercalated epithelial cells: processes that resemble terminal differentiation.

Intercalated epithelial cells exist in a spectrum of phenotypes; at one extreme, β cells secrete HCO3 by an apical Cl/HCO3 exchanger and a basolateral H+ ATPase. When an immortalized β cell line is seeded at high density it deposits in its extracellular matrix (ECM) a new protein, hensin, which can reverse the polarity of several proteins including the Cl/HCO3 exchanger (an alternately spliced form of band 3) and the proton translocating ATPase. When seeded at low density and allowed to form monolayers these polarized epithelial cells maintain the original distribution of these two proteins. Although these cells synthesize and secrete hensin, it is not retained in the ECM, but rather, hensin is present in a large number of intracellular vesicles. The apical cytoplasm of low density cells is devoid of actin, villin, and cytokeratin19. Scanning electron microscopy shows that these cells have sparse microvilli, whereas high density cells have exuberant apical surface infolding and microvilli. The apical cytoplasm of high density cells contains high levels of actin, cytokeratin19, and villin. The cell shape of these two phenotypes is different with high density cells being tall with a small cross-sectional area, whereas low density cells are low and flat. This columnarization and the remodeling of the apical cytoplasm is hensin-dependent; it can be induced by seeding low density cells on filters conditioned by high density cells and prevented by an antibody to hensin. The changes in cell shape and apical cytoskeleton are reminiscent of the processes that occur in terminal differentiation of the intestine and other epithelia. Hensin is highly expressed in the intestine and prostate (two organs where there is a continuous process of differentiation). The expression of hensin in the less differentiated crypt cells of the intestine and the basal cells of the prostate is similar to that of low density cells; i.e., abundant intracellular vesicles but no localization in the ECM. On the other hand, as in high density cells hensin is located exclusively in the ECM of the terminally differentiated absorptive villus cells and the prostatic luminal cell. These studies suggest that hensin is a critical new molecule in the terminal differentiation of intercalated cell and perhaps other epithelial cells.
Rapid kinetics of Na+ binding to thrombin.

The kinetic mechanism of Na+ binding to thrombin was resolved by stopped-flow measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Na+ binds to thrombin in a two-step mechanism with a rapid phase occurring within the dead time of the spectrometer (
The effect of resource limitation on competing populations of flour beetles, tribolium spp. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

Single-species and mixed-species populations of Tribolium castaneum (Hbst.) and T. confusum Duv. were followed in two experiments. Food (flour) was renewed at various intervals between 30 days and 180 days or was not renewed at all. As the interval between food renewals lengthened, single-species populations of T. confusum became extinct later than populations of T. castaneum , the survivor in mixed-species populations changed from T. castaneum to T. confusum , and the mixed-species populations became extinct later than the single-species populations. When resource is limited, therefore, populations of the two species may persist longer if they compete than if they are husbanded as single species.
Sparse Least-Squares Methods in the Parallel Machine Learning (PML) Framework

We describe parallel methods for solving large-scale, high-dimensional, sparse least-squares problems that arise in machine learning applications such as document classification. The basic idea is to solve a two-class response problem using a fast regression technique based on minimizing a loss function, which consists of an empirical squared-error term, and one or more regularization terms. We consider the use of Lenclos-based methods for solving these regularized least-squares problems, with the parallel implementation in the Parallel MachineLearning (PML) framework, and performance results on the IBM Blue Gene/P parallel computer.
Wall relaxation of 3He in spin-exchange cells

The 3He longitudinal spin-relaxation rate T1-1 is crucial for production of highly polarized 3He by spin-exchange optical pumping. We show that T1-1 is increased by a factor of 2-20 solely by exposure of spin-exchange cells to a few-kG magnetic field. The original T1-1 can be restored by degaussing the cell. The effect is attributed to magnetic surface sites and has been observed in both Pyrex and aluminosilicate-glass cells. Our results both advance the understanding of wall relaxation and demonstrate the use of 3He as an extremely sensitive probe of surface magnetism.
Requirements and models for adaptive optics in coherent LIDAR wind measurements

An adaptive optics system is proposed to increase the signal to noise ratio of a laser Doppler wind measurement system with a wavelength of 2 mu . If the laser provides a pulse repetition rate of 100-1000 pulses per second and pulse bursts of 10-100 ns pulses every 1-2 ms, the signal power averaged, over speckle from the aerosol target can be increased. >
A collective dynamics-based method for initial pebble packing in pebble flow simulations

Abstract In the simulation of pebble flow in Pebble-Bed High Temperature Reactors (PB-HTR's), high-fidelity methods, such as discrete element method (DEM), are usually employed to simulate the dynamic process of the pebble circulation. Such simulation normally takes extraordinarily long time to reach the dynamic equilibrium state, in which the pebble distribution is statistically steady. However, if an initial dense packing of pebbles can be provided, which is close to the realistic packing at the equilibrium state and can be easily implemented without much computational effort, then the high-fidelity pebble flow simulation can take much less time to reach the dynamic equilibrium state. In this paper, a collective dynamics-based method is developed to generate an initial pebble packing for the subsequent high-fidelity pebble flow simulations. In the new method, pebbles are packed by two processes: a sequential generation process allowing overlaps and an overlap elimination process based on a simplified normal contact force model. The latter provides an adaptive and efficient mechanism to eliminate the overlaps accounting for different overlap size and pebble size, thus can pack tens of thousands of pebbles within several minutes. Applications of the new method to packing pebbles in both cylindrical and annular core geometries are studied for two types of PB-HTR designs: HTR-10 and PBMR-400. The resulting packings show similar radial and axial packing fraction distributions compared to the dynamic equilibrium packing state produced by the DEM pebble flow simulation. Comparisons with other existing random packing methods, such as the gravitational deposition method, have shown that the developed method not only exhibits excellent computation efficiency, but also presents desirable potential in other applications as a general packing algorithm for packing mono-sized or poly-sized spheres in a large container.
Characterization of a new isolate of poliovirus defective interfering particles

An independent isolate of poliovirus defective interfering particles has been analyzed. These particles, designated DI(A), are apparently analogous to the DI particles described by Baltimore and co-investigators. Electron microscopic heteroduplex analysis reveals that the DI(A) isolate is a mixture of deletion mutants which changes with passage level. The DI(A) population consists of at least five distinct deletion mutants, including one double deletion. Electron microscopic mapping of the deleted regions indicates that most, if not all, of the viral capsid region can be deleted. Despite this heterogeneity, the mutant genomes are quite similar in physical size. We propose a model which suggests that the observed properties of poliovirus DI genomes reflect selective pressures extant during the amplification of the mutant genome. According to this model, only those deleted genomes which retain a minimal size and the capacity to synthesize a functional viral polymerase will replicate successfully in a mixed infection. Furthermore, this model proposes a mechanism for the enrichment of poliovirus DI genomes and an explanation for the low level of complementation observed in mixed infections of picornaviruses.
The lifetime of complex ions in ionic liquids : an electrode kinetic study

Abstract For the system formed by the addition of KBr to Cd(NO 3 ) 2 in liquid NaNO 3 -KNO 3 at 263°C, the relation of the square root of the transition time to the reciprocal of the current density shows two sections. Analysis of this behavior shows that Cd exists probably as CdBr 2 in solution under the given conditions and has a lifetime of about 0.3 sec.
Water Supply Economics

Water supply systems are generally composed of: (1)Collection works; (2)purification works, where needed; and (3)transportation and distribution systems. There is much controversy over which economic arguments can be applied to water supply; e.g., it is often said that water supply exhibits significant economies of scale, thereby justifying larger and larger systems. This may be true when considering the purification works, but does not necessarily apply to the total treatment and distribution system. In this paper representative cost data collected from one of a series of case studies being conducted by the EPA are presented. These data should be useful in evaluating the relative economic impact and importance of the various components in the system. A suggestion is made as to the way in which the cost of water varies throughout the distribution system.
Distance of the Repellency of Dead Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Nestmates

Abstract Small arenas were constructed to test the distance at which the repellency of dead subterranean termite nestmates, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), could affect termite feeding on wooden blocks. The study used groups of 20 dead nestmates placed 1 cm distant from the wood blocks (5, placed in a series) in the treatment, and no dead nestmates in the controls. Data for each of 3 colonies were combined for analysis. The interaction of treatment x distance was a significant fixed effect. On average, in control arenas termite feeding decreased with distance, whereas in treatment arenas termite feeding increased with distance. These results indicate that whereas there is some feeding repellency associated with dead nestmates, this repellency has a short distance of influence.
Overview of Ocular Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy in the Management of Diabetic Eye Complications

Diabetes has been increasing in prevalence over the years, and nearly 30 million Americans (9.3%) now have diabetes (1). This disease burden on the population also translates to increased prevalence rates of diabetes complications. Diabetes is associated with several eye complications, including cataracts and glaucoma (2). However, the most common eye disorder associated with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is the leading cause of blindness among U.S. adults (2,3). During the 2005–2008 time period, >4 million adults ≥40 years of age with diabetes had retinopathy, including diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which can lead to vision loss (1). The management of systemic disorders is vital to preventing diabetic eye complications (4). Specifically, the management of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia has been associated with reduced or delayed onset and progression of DR (5–11). However, even with adequate control of these metabolic conditions, people with diabetes may still be at risk for developing retinopathy. Adequate eye screening is therefore important for the early detection and treatment of visual complications (4). Screening recommendations call for a dilated, comprehensive eye examination within 5 years after diabetes diagnosis for people with type 1 diabetes and immediately after diagnosis for those with type 2 diabetes (12). Laser therapy has been the mainstay of treatment for DR and DME. Primarily, laser photocoagulation treatment has been used to prevent vision loss and to delay progression of retinopathy (13). The associated adverse effects of laser therapy, including night and peripheral vision loss, are generally preferred to eventual blindness. When laser treatment is not feasible, vitreous surgery becomes an option and has been shown to be beneficial for PDR and DME (4). Research has supported the intravitreal administration of steroids, whose anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic effects are beneficial in …
Attenuation correction for polarimetric radar observations at X-, Ku-, and Ka-band frequencies

In recent years, dual-polarization radars operating at high frequencies such as X- and K-bands are becoming more popular due to the cost efficiency and portability. However, compared to the traditional S-band radars that are used for weather sensing by National Weather Service (NWS), observations at such frequencies severely suffer from attenuation along the propagation paths due to precipitation. Therefore, for any quantitative applications that use reflectivity and/or differential reflectivity, radar observations should be corrected for attenuation.
Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy of χ ( 3 ) in LiNb O 3

By using tunable dye lasers, the third-order optical nonlinear susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)}(\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{3},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{1},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{2})$ is studied in LiNb${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)}$ shows resonant enhancement when ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{2}$ is near the polariton frequencies. This behavior is explained in terms of a nonlinear force which drives the polariton modes strongly whenever momentum matching is satisfied.
On finite elation generalized quadrangles with symmetries

We study the structure of finite groups G which act as elation groups on finite generalized quadrangles and contain a full group of symmetries about some line through the base point. Such groups are related to the translation groups of translation transversal designs with parameters depending on those of the quadrangles. Using results on the structure of p-groups which act as translation groups on transversal designs and results on the index of the Hughes subgroups of finite p-groups, we can show how restricted the structure of elation groups of finite generalized quadrangles with symmetries is. One of our main results is that G is necessarily an elementary abelian 2-group, provided that G has even cardinality. In particular, the elation generalized quadrangle coordinatized by G is a translation generalized quadrangle with G as translation group, that is, G contains full groups of symmetries about every line through the base point.
A New Technique for Continent Urinary Diversion

Canine experimental surgery was used to investigate the feasibility of creating a new continent urinary reservoir. Remodelled ileum was used to fashion this reservoir like the Kock pouch, but without either of the intussuscepted nipple valves which it uses. Ureters were implanted directly into the wall of the reservoir using a nonrefluxing technique. Continence was obtained by plication of a short limb of intact ileum exiting from the reservoir through which intermittent catheterization was performed. Three of four animals which remained infection-free had good to excellent results. Reservoir infection in four additional animals was associated with failure due to ureteral obstruction. The advantages of this reservoir include the use of ileum to achieve a low-pressure reservoir, the absence of the complex nipple valves of the Kock pouch, and the absence of foreign bodies such as staples and artificial sphincters. While the followup in this study is recognized as relatively short-term, the successes seen in this difficult-to-use animal model suggest that further evaluation of this simplified procedure is warranted.
Use of the submental vessels for free gracilis muscle transfer for smile reanimation.

Background Free muscle transfer is an important in dynamic facial reanimation; however, suitable donor vessels in this population can be inadequate. In this case series, the submental vessels were used as donors to free gracilis muscle in vessel-depleted patients. Methods Five patients underwent free gracilis muscle transfer for smile reanimation, 2 with a prior failed free gracilis transfer, 2 with vascular anomalies, and 1 with previous distal ligation of the facial vessels. The submental artery was used as a donor in all cases, and the submental vein was used in 3 cases. Results There were no complications or flap failure. Postoperative arterial and venous blood flow was confirmed in all patients using Doppler color flow imaging above and below the anastomoses. Conclusion The submental vessels are suitable for microvascular anastomosis for free flaps having short pedicles, such as the free gracilis muscle flap, in the vessel-depleted hemiface. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016
Craig’s Nominalism and the High Cost of Preserving Divine Aseity

William Lane Craig rejects Platonism (the view that uncreated abstract objects (AOs) exist) in favor of nominalism because he believes Platonism fatally compromises God’s aseity. For Craig, concrete particulars (including essences) exist, but properties do not. Yet, we use property-talk, following Carnap’s “linguistic frameworks.” There is, however, a high cost to Craig’s view. I survey his views and then explore the importance of essences. But, next, I show that his nominalism undermines them. Thus, we have just interpretations of reality. Worse, nominalism undermines creation’s determinacy. Last, I suggest AOs are created, but in a more fundamental sense than Craig considers.
Be Lazy: A Motto for New Concurrent Engineering

This paper is a position paper to point out that concurrent engineering is entering its 3rd generation. 1st generation concurrent engineering was proposed in 1989 when DICE project started. The primary purpose of the 1st generation was how effectively we can reduce time to market. Their only concern was time and “earlier and faster” were the keywords then.
Peers without fears? Barriers to effective communication among primary care physicians and oncologists about diagnostic delays in cancer

Objective Relatively little attention has been devoted to the role of communication between physicians as a mechanism for individual and organisational learning about diagnostic delays. This study’s objective was to elicit physicians’ perceptions about and experiences with communication among physicians regarding diagnostic delays in cancer. Design, setting, participants Qualitative analysis based on seven focus groups. Fifty-one physicians affiliated with three New York-based academic medical centres participated, with six to nine subjects per group. We used content analysis to identify commonalities among primary care physicians and specialists (ie, medical and surgical oncologists). Primary outcome measure Perceptions and experiences with physician-to-physician communication about delays in cancer diagnosis. Results Our analysis identified five major themes: openness to communication, benefits of communication, fears about giving and receiving feedback, infrastructure barriers to communication and overcoming barriers to communication. Subjects valued communication about cancer diagnostic delays, but they had many concerns and fears about providing and receiving feedback in practice. Subjects expressed reluctance to communicate if there was insufficient information to attribute responsibility, if it would have no direct benefit or if it would jeopardise their existing relationships. They supported sensitive approaches to conveying information, as they feared eliciting or being subject to feelings of incompetence or shame. Subjects also cited organisational barriers. They offered suggestions that might facilitate communication about delays. Conclusions Addressing the barriers to communication among physicians about diagnostic delays is needed to promote a culture of learning across specialties and institutions. Supporting open and honest discussions about diagnostic delays may help build safer health systems.
Smoking-Cessation Strategies for American Indians Should Smoking-Cessation Treatment Include a Prescription for a Complete Home Smoking Ban?

Background The prevalence of cigarette smoking is particularly high among American Indian communities in the Upper Midwest. Purpose To evaluate the predictors of smoking cessation among a population-based sample of American Indians in the Upper Midwest during a quit attempt aided with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Methods This study used the subsample of American Indian adults (n=291, response rate=55.4%) from a cohort study of smokers engaging in an aided NRT quit attempt. Eligible participants filled an NRT prescription between July 2005 and September 2006 through the Minnesota Health Care Programs (e.g., Medicaid). Administrative records and follow-up survey data were used to assess outcomes approximately 8 months after the NRT fill date. This analysis was conducted in 2009–2010. Results Approximately 33% of American Indian respondents trying to quit smoking reported complete home smoking bans. Adoption of a complete home smoking ban and greater perceived advantages of NRT were cross-sectionally associated with 7-day smoking abstinence in univariate and multivariate analyses. Consistent with previous research, older age was a significant predictor of 7-day abstinence. Having a history of clinician-diagnosed anxiety in the past year was associated with decreased likelihood of 7-day abstinence in the unadjusted analysis, but not significant in multivariate analyses. Conclusions Results of this study suggest potential modifiable targets of interventions for future research to help American Indians quit smoking: (1) improved delivery of behavioral interventions to increase the intensity of smoking cessation treatment; (2) promotion and adoption of complete home smoking bans; and (3) education to increase awareness of the benefits of NRT.
Hip Arthroscopy Survivorship: A Population-based Study:

Objectives:Recently, hip arthroscopy has been increasingly utilized to address pathology such as femoracetabular impingement and symptomatic labral tears. However, its role in advanced age and dege...
National Trends in and Correlates of Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants, Nonmedical Use Frequency, and Use Disorders.

Objective To examine national trends in and correlates of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, nonmedical use frequency, and use disorders among individuals aged 12-64 years. Methods Data from 783,400 persons aged 12-64 who participated in the 2003-2014 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Descriptive analyses and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression and zero-truncated negative binomial regression models were applied. Results Our multivariable results show that among individuals aged 12-64, the national prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in 2003-2004 was higher than in 2007-2008 and was similar to that in 2009-2011, but was lower than in 2013-2014. Among those who used prescription stimulants nonmedically, the frequency of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in 2003-2004 was lower than that in 2005-2006 and was similar to that in 2007-2014, and the prevalence of prescription stimulant use disorders in 2003-2004 was higher than that in 2005-2010, but was similar to that in 2011-2014. Among nonmedical prescription stimulant users aged 12-64 in 2013-2014, 53.2% reported that their source of stimulants used nonmedically last time was from relatives/friends for free. Our study also identified correlates of prescription stimulant nonmedical use, use frequency, and use disorders. Co-occurring substance use disorders are common among those with prescription stimulant nonmedical use problems. Conclusions Among individuals aged 12-64 in the United States, after adjusting for covariates, the prevalence of nonmedical use of prescription stimulants in 2013-2014 was higher than that in 2003-2004. The results of this study help inform and target efforts to reduce prescription stimulant nonmedical use, use frequency, and use disorders.
Contrasting effects of individual versus combined estrogen and progestogen regimens as working memory load increases in middle-aged ovariectomized rats: one plus one does not equal two.

Abstract Most estrogen-based hormone therapies are administered in combination with a progestogen, such as Levonorgestrel (Levo). Individually, the estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) and Levo can improve cognition in preclinical models. However, although these hormones are often given together clinically, the impact of the E2 + Levo combination on cognitive function has yet to be methodically examined. Thus, we investigated E2 + Levo treatment on a cognitive battery in middle-aged, ovariectomized rats. When administered alone, E2 and Levo treatments each enhanced spatial working memory relative to vehicle treatment, whereas the E2 + Levo combination impaired high working memory load performance relative to E2 only and Levo only treatments. There were no effects on spatial reference memory. Mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases pathway activation, which is involved in memory formation and estrogen-induced memory effects, was evaluated in 5 brain regions implicated in learning and memory. A distinct relationship was seen in the E2-only treatment group between mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases pathway activation in the frontal cortex and working memory performance. Collectively, the results indicate that the differential neurocognitive effects of combination versus sole treatments are vital considerations as we move forward as a field to develop novel, and to understand currently used, exogenous hormone regimens across the lifespan.
Basis and Discriminant

From now on we shall consider fields K, k, etc., which are number fields or finite extensions of ℚ. Here they are separable. (Finite fields Fq will occur only as incidental tools for analyzing such fields.)
Thermooxidation and Stabilization of Urethane and Urethane-Urea Block Copolymers

Urethane and urethane-urea block copolymers are subject to degradation under various environmental conditions. Among the different types of degradation, thermal, thermooxidation, UV degradation and hydrolysis are most important for the above classes of copolymers. The degradation of these polymers is quite complex due to the fact that they may contain, in addition to the urethane and urea groups, other functional groups such as ether, ester, allophanate, biuret, etc.
Future Pulsed Magnetic Field Applications in Dynamic High Pressure Research

The generation of large pressures by magnetic fields to obtain equation of state information is of fairly recent origin. Magnetic fields used in compression experiments rise gradually, and therefore produce an almost isentropic sample compression. High pressure state points well off the shock Hugoniot can be produced, particularly for “soft” materials, and the data obtained can thus complement that obtained from shock wave techniques.