cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation between optic nerve head parameters, RNFL, and CCT in patients with bilateral pseudoexfoliation using HRT-III.

AbstractBackground: It is well-established that eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) have higher intraocular pressure (IOP). Early diagnosis of preperimetric glaucoma will assist with better management of these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the optic nerve head (ONH) parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in subjects with bilateral PXS, bilateral pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) and normal, correlating these results with central corneal thickness (CCT). Design: This is a cross-sectional, case control study. All participants were from the Department of Ophthalmology, Athens University Medical School. Participants: A total of 55 eyes from 55 patients with PXS (27 eyes from 27 patients with PXG and 28 eyes from 28 normal subjects) were studied. Methods: Topographic measurements of the ONH and peripapillary RNFL thickness were performed using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph-III). The outcomes were correlated with the CCT of th...
Practice-Related Improvements in Somatosensory Interval Discrimination Are Temporally Specific But Generalize across Skin Location, Hemisphere, and Modality

This paper concerns the characterization of performance and perceptual learning of somatosensory interval discrimination. The purposes of this study were to define (1) the performance characteristics for interval discrimination in the somatosensory system by naive adult humans, (2) the normal capacities for improvement in somatosensory interval discrimination, and (3) the extent of generalization of interval discrimination learning. In a two-alternative forced choice procedure, subjects were presented with two pairs of vibratory pulses. One pair was separated in time by a fixed base interval; a second pair was separated by a target interval that was always longer than the base interval. Subjects indicated which pair was separated by the target interval. The length of the target interval was varied adaptively to determine discrimination thresholds. After initial determination of naive abilities, subjects were trained for 900 trials per day at base intervals of either 75 or 125 msec for 10-15 d. Significant improvements in thresholds resulted from training. Learning at the trained base interval generalized completely across untrained skin locations on the trained hand and to the corresponding untrained skin location in the contralateral hand. The learning partially generalized to untrained base intervals similar to the trained one, but not to more distant base intervals. Learning with somatosensory stimuli generalized to auditory stimuli presented at comparable base intervals. These results demonstrate temporal specificity in somatosensory interval discrimination learning that generalizes across skin location, hemisphere, and modality.
USE OF SODA FELDSPAR IN WHITEWARE BODIES

A comparative study is presented of a soda feldspar produced by a flotation process and of two potash feldspars when tested alone and made up in semivitreous and vitreous bodies. The investigation was divided into two parts, (1) a laboratory study and (2) plant trials on semivitreous dinnerware and on vitreous sanitary porcelain. From the results of the investigation, it was concluded that (1) it should be possible to substitute soda feldspar for North Carolina potash feldspar in semivitreous bodies containing not more than 12% feldspar, on an equal basis, with no significant change in properties except possibly crazing resistance; where crazing occurs, a slight modification of the regular glaze to give it a lower thermal expansion should correct the trouble; the formula of one modified glaze for this purpose is suggested; and (2) the substitution of soda feldspar for potash feldspar in sanitary porcelain and other similar vitreous whiteware bodies will doubtless require a reduction in amount in order to duplicate the vitrification and other properties of the potash-feldspar body in use; a modification of the regular glaze to fit the soda-feldspar body will probably be required; and the castability and control of casting slips should not be affected by the use of soda feldspar in place of potash feldspar.
Lowering Barriers to Interaction: Programming without Code

We developed a method of annotating pre-existing software so that an end-user can change the underlying program via an interface created from the annotations and generate new executable code.
Toward Trans‐gendering International Relations?

This article engages with trans-theorizing to show how International Relations (IR) is currently blind to gender diversity, and the conceptual contributions trans-theorizing could make. To do so, it asks what insights trans-theorizing might provide for the study of global politics generally, and for feminist theorizing about gender in global politics specifically. After briefly introducing the terminology of trans-theorizing, the article addresses the potential for (and potential hazards of) an alliance between trans-theorizing and feminist theorizing in IR. The article then discusses several potential contributions of trans-theorizing—including hyper- and in-visibility, liminality, crossing, and disidentification—which provide explanatory leverage for IR. The article concludes with some suggestions for further collaboration between trans-theorizing and (feminist) IR to deepen and widen IR's work on gender specifically, and global politics generally.
Security considerations for IEEE 802.15.4 networks

The IEEE 802.15.4 specification outlines a new class of wireless radios and protocols targeted at low power devices, personal area networks, and sensor nodes. The specification includes a number of security provisions and options. In this paper, we highlight places where application designers and radio designers should exercise care when implementing and using 802.15.4 devices. Specifically, some of the 802.15.4 optional features actually reduce security, so we urge implementors to ignore those extensions. We highlight difficulties in safely using the security API and provide recommendations on how to change the specification to make it less likely that people will deploy devices with poor security configurations.
European Party Loyalties Revisited

The likelihood that party loyalties reflect the characteristics of parties and political competition within specific political environments was generally ignored in critiques of party identification abroad. In this article, I identify substantial frequencies of stable partisan ties among British, Dutch, and German voters in the 1960s through the 1980s. Stable party loyalists in turn usually vote for their preferred party in subsequent elections. Long-term partisan ties are most common among supporters of traditional cleavage parties. These long-term party loyalties reflect the effects of both long-standing hostilities toward opposing parties and well-developed party principles. Since partisan responses are internally consistent and subsume ideational as well as affective components, these feelings resemble social psychology's affect-laden schemata.
Chromatin dynamics is correlated with replication timing

Discrete chromatin domains (ChrD), containing an average of ~1 Mbp DNA, represent the basic structural units for the regulation of DNA organization and replication in situ. In this study, a bio-computational approach is employed to simultaneously measure the translational motion of large populations of ChrD in the cell nucleus of living cells. Both movement and configurational changes are strikingly higher in early S-phase replicating ChrD compared to those that replicate in mid and late S-phase. The chromatin dynamics was not sensitive to transcription inhibition by α-amanitin but was significantly reduced by actinomycin D treatment. Since a majority of active genes replicate in early S-phase, our results suggest a correlation between levels of chromatin dynamics and chromatin poised for active transcription. Analysis of ChrD colocalization with transcription sites and cDNA with ChrD and transcription sites further supports this proposal.
TWO UNRECORDED SPECIES OF SCUTACARIDAE FROM THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

The Scutacaridae are very little understood. Paoli divided the genera chiefly on the basis of presence or absence of ungual hooks on tarsi I and IV. This is patently a superficial and non-phylogenic character. Within a genus all grades of reduction of unguis are to be found so that it is quite conceivable that species without unguis may belong to genera with unguis. Furthermore in each genus one may find, if Paoli's figures are correct, species with dorsal segments, ranging in number from four to six. Yet number of transverse plates, usually regarded as an indication of number of somatic segments, is certainly a more fundamental character than ungual reduction. On the other hand it is quite difficult to determine with certainty the total number of transverse plates in some species. My experience leads me to regard the total number of plates as four, each bearing four bristles. At present this character will have to be disregarded.
TIP-1 Translocation onto the Cell Plasma Membrane Is a Molecular Biomarker of Tumor Response to Ionizing Radiation

Background Tumor response to treatment has been generally assessed with anatomic and functional imaging. Recent development of in vivo molecular and cellular imaging showed promise in time-efficient assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of a prescribed regimen. Currently, the in vivo molecular imaging is limited with shortage of biomarkers and probes with sound biological relevance. We have previously shown in tumor-bearing mice that a hexapeptide (HVGGSSV) demonstrated potentials as a molecular imaging probe to distinguish the tumors responding to ionizing radiation (IR) and/or tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment from those of non-responding tumors. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study we have studied biological basis of the HVGGSSV peptide binding within the irradiated tumors by use of tumor-bearing mice and cultured cancer cells. The results indicated that Tax interacting protein 1 (TIP-1, also known as Tax1BP3) is a molecular target that enables the selective binding of the HVGGSSV peptide within irradiated xenograft tumors. Optical imaging and immunohistochemical staining indicated that a TIP-1 specific antibody demonstrated similar biodistribution as the peptide in tumor-bearing mice. The TIP-1 antibody blocked the peptide from binding within irradiated tumors. Studies on both of human and mouse lung cancer cells showed that the intracellular TIP-1 relocated to the plasma membrane surface within the first few hours after exposure to IR and before the onset of treatment associated apoptosis and cell death. TIP-1 relocation onto the cell surface is associated with the reduced proliferation and the enhanced susceptibility to the subsequent IR treatment. Conclusions/Significance This study by use of tumor-bearing mice and cultured cancer cells suggested that imaging of the radiation-inducible TIP-1 translocation onto the cancer cell surface may predict the tumor responsiveness to radiation in a time-efficient manner and thus tailor radiotherapy of cancer.
PleioGRiP: genetic risk prediction with pleiotropy

Motivation: Although several studies have used Bayesian classifiers for risk prediction using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets, no software can efficiently perform these analyses on massive genetic datasets and can accommodate multiple traits. Results: We describe the program PleioGRiP that performs a genome-wide Bayesian model search to identify SNPs associated with a discrete phenotype and uses SNPs ranked by Bayes factor to produce nested Bayesian classifiers. These classifiers can be used for genetic risk prediction, either selecting the classifier with optimal number of features or using an ensemble of classifiers. In addition, PleioGRiP implements an extension to the Bayesian search and classification and can search for pleiotropic relationships in which SNPs are simultaneosly associated with two or more distinct phenotypes. These relationships can be used to generate connected Bayesian classifiers to predict the phenotype of interest either using genetic data alone or in combination with the secondary phenotype(s). Availability: PleioGRiP is implemented in Java, and it is available from http://hdl.handle.net/2144/4367. Contact: vog.hin@yeltrah.nehpets Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sewarine, a New Phenolic Akuammicine Alkaloid from Rhazya stricta

Sewarine, a phenolic alkaloid from Rhazya stricta, is assigned the structure 10‐hydroxyakuammicine on the basis of chemical reactions and spectral data. Sewarine is the second phenolic akuammicine alkaloid to be isolated from natural sources. NMR and mass spectral data are discussed in detail.
Navigating Language Barriers: A Systematic Review of Patient Navigators’ Impact on Cancer Screening for Limited English Proficient Patients

OBJECTIVES To systematically review the literature on the impact of patient navigators on cancer screening for limited English proficient (LEP) patients.
Cooking frozen Turkey: duration, yield and stuffing alterations with solid-state starting temperature

Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys from 12 week females were conductively cooked at 163°C to an 85°C internal breast end-point. Bread cubes having 50% added water filled crop and body cavity to 20% of weight the turkeys were then frozen. Each of 4 treatments employed 7 carcasses: one was thawed to +5°C with repetitions at -5, -15, and -25°C enabling a regression analysis. Time to attain breast end-point was 44 min when the starting temperature was +5°C, which increased to 63 min at -5°C, and 69 min at -25°C (P < 0.001, Q: quadratic). Thigh temperatures averaged 77°C. Crop stuffing was 80°C when cooking was initiated at +5°C and increased to 84°C as the starting temperatures fell to -25°C (P < 0.01, Q). Body cavity stuffing reached 65°C when the carcass had been thawed prior to cooking, thereafter decreasing to 59 and 60°C when at -5 and -15°C, respectively, before returning to 65°C for the -25°C case (P < 0.01, C: cubic). Total carcass loss was 18.8% when cooking was initiated at +5°C. This increased to 22.6% at -25°C (P < 0.01, Q). Total drip after cooking averaged 23.7% however, the percentage of fat in the drip increased from 51.1% when using +5°C, to 57.2% with carcasses at -25°C (P < 0.05, Q). The stuffing gained in weight, which could be attributed to associated water when thawed, as opposed to frozen (147 vs. 102g, P < 0.05, Q). Stuffing moisture was less when the carcasses had been frozen than if cooked after thawing, particularly for crop (59.4% using +5°C vs. 55.8% frozen, P < 0.05, Q). Fat dominated the DM: increase, which was similar among treatments and both locations (22.6%). Stuffing CP: increased with +5°C carcasses on thawing compared to frozen carcasses, particularly for crop (15.1 vs. 13.2% DM, P < 0.05, Q from +5 to -5°C, respectively). Changes in part yield and meat composition were minor. Heat for ice to change to liquid was the primary basis for alterations when cooking from the frozen state, while cavity stuffing consistently failed to attain a safe temperature.
Home networking

Although most of the ideas behind networking are relatively straightforward, several interesting technical and business decisions must be made as an ongoing part of the process. In this first installment of what I hope turns into a discussion about more advanced applications, the focus is on revealing the secrets in a typical home router/switch. (Here, a router has both switching and routing functions).
Undocumented Student Success: Navigating Constraints Related to Retention

Undocumented college students face multiple barriers. This case study explores how a group of undocumented Latino/a students maintained a peer network. Using Stanton-Salazar's frameworks of empowerment agents, I discuss how students created a space on campus and navigated internal tensions threatening solidarity, including inclusion/exclusion, competition/support, and personal support/political engagement.
Effects of beach replenishment on intertidal invertebrates: A 15-month, eight beach study.

Abstract Beach replenishment is an increasingly popular means to remediate coastal erosion, but no consensus exists regarding how long replenishment affects sandy beach intertidal invertebrates, key components of beach ecosystems. We monitored the intertidal invertebrate community for fifteen months following a replenishment project at eight beaches, each with replenished and control sections, across San Diego County. Nearly all taxa showed major declines in abundance immediately following replenishment. Populations of talitrid amphipods and the bean clam Donax gouldii recovered within one year, sooner than in previous studies. On some beaches, populations of the mole crab Emerita analoga bloomed four months after replenishment and were more numerous on replenished portions of beaches at that time. Mole crab populations subsequently declined and no longer differed by treatment. The polychaete community, composed of Scolelepis sp. and several other numerically important taxa, showed a strong replenishment-induced reduction in abundance that persisted through the end of the study. The large negative effect of replenishment on polychaetes, coupled with their overall importance to the invertebrate community, resulted in a more than twofold reduction in overall invertebrate abundance on replenished beaches at 15 months. Such reductions may have far reaching consequences for sandy beach ecosystems, as community declines can reduce prey availability for shorebirds and fish. As this and other recent studies have revealed longer times for the recovery of intertidal invertebrates than previously observed, longer study periods and more cautious estimates regarding the magnitude, variability, and duration of impacts of beach replenishment for management decision-making are warranted.
Oncogenes and cancer: clinical applications.

Oncogenes are aberrant forms of proto-oncogenes, which are normal cellular genes that participate in cell growth and development; proto-oncogenes contribute to tumor formation when mutations or chromosomal translocation cause them to escape normal controls. Anti-oncogenes, also involved in neoplasm development, normally participate in inhibition of cell growth and proliferation; they become tumorigenic when mutations alter their function. Oncogene or anti-oncogene abnormalities have been characterized for a variety of tumors, with resulting clinical applications. In some forms of leukemia, for example, determining the presence or absence of the bcr-aM gene rearrangement has both diagnostic and prognostic value. The best-studied anti-oncogene is that found in retinoblastoma. Molecular techniques can differentiate the hereditary from the nonhereditary form of this disease and, with hereditary retinoblastoma, predict disease likelihood in family members.
“Separate Interests” and the Nation-State: The Washington Administration and the Origins of Regionalism in the Trans-Appalachian West

Few borders in the United States have seemed so natural and so inevitable as the Ohio River. By the middle of the nineteenth century, only a couple of generations after European Americans had begun to conquer, settle, and transform the Ohio Valley, it had become commonplace for travelers, politicians, and writers to identify differences between the society that had taken shape north of the river and the society south of it, differences they usually attributed to the existence of slavery in one but not the other. Alexis de Tocqueville provided the classic precis of the argument in Democracy in America. But Harriet Beecher Stowe offered the most familiar and succinct version in describing Eliza's impossible dash across the icy Ohio in Uncle Tom's Cabin. As an admiring Sam explained to a distraught Mrs. Shelby, Eliza had gone "clar 'cross Jordan" into "the land of Canaan."1 More than a river, the Ohio was a frontier between two different worlds. There is a persistent historiographical argument about whether the differences between the societies north and south of the Ohio were fundamental or simply matters of degree. In this essay I am less concerned with that debate than with exploring when some people began to believe that the interests of the two regions had diverged and why that belief arose. My argument is that awareness of distinctive re-
Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Weekly clinicopathological exercises. Case 2-2004. A 32-year-old man with pain and swelling of the jaw.

Presentation of Case Dr. H. Daniel Clark (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery): A 32-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a mandibular sarcoma. He had been well until two months before admission, when he had tenderness over the chin and saw a pea-size lump when he pulled his lower lip down. A dentist in another state confirmed the presence of a swelling on the anterior aspect of the mandibular alveolus, in the area of the right mandibular canine. Two or three weeks later, the patient consulted an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who also found the firm mass, which was . . .
Renal masses simulating primary renal cell carcinoma in patients with advanced malignancies.

AbstractMost patients who present with a large solid renal mass and evidence of advanced malignancy will have primary renal cell carcinoma but a small subset with similar features have different and more treatable malignancies. We identified 7 patients with clinical and radiological findings suggestive of metastatic renal cell carcinoma who were ultimately diagnosed as having nonHodgkin’s lymphoma (5), germ cell tumor (1) or transitional cell carcinoma (1). Two of these patients presented with abdominal pain, gross hematuria and a flank mass. Computerized tomography was interpreted as showing renal cell carcinoma in all patients, although lymphoma and sarcoma were included in the differential diagnoses in 2. With the correct diagnosis and appropriate therapy, 4 of the 7 patients are currently disease-free. We emphasize the need for histological documentation in such patients in view of curative therapy available for possible underlying neoplasms simulating renal cell carcinoma.
Bit-Vector Optimization

A variety of applications of Satisfiability Modulo Theories SMT require finding a satisfying assignment which optimizes some user-given function. Optimization in the context of SMT is referred to as Optimization Modulo Theories OMT. Current OMT research is mostly dedicated to optimization in arithmetic domains. This paper is about Optimization modulo Bit-Vectors OBV. We introduce two OBV algorithms which can easily be implemented in an eager bit-vector solver. We show that an industrial problem of fixing cell placement during the physical design stage of the CAD process can be reduced to optimization modulo either Bit-Vectors BV or Linear Integer Arithmetic LIA. We demonstrate that our resulting OBV tool can solve industrial instances which are out of reach of existing BV and LIA OMT solvers.
Illegal Beings: ANTICLONING LAWS ARE BAD PUBLIC POLICY

In Part 2 of this book, the focus shifts from human reproductive cloning to laws against human reproductive cloning. Chapter 6 addresses laws against cloning that have been proposed, applied, and enacted in the United States, and Chapter 7 demonstrates how the laws are based on the five objections. Chapter 8 explains that laws against cloning do more than ban an unpopular technology. The laws are intended to ensure that an unpopular class of humans never comes into existence. Reasoning by analogy to antimiscegenation laws, which once banned interracial marriages as a means of avoiding the birth of mixed-race children, I explain how laws against cloning implement a policy of existential segregation against human clones. Chapter 9 presents an analysis of the costs and benefits of laws against cloning. The discussion begins with costs and emphasizes those that human clones are likely to bear. Next, drawing upon my critique of the five objections, I examine purported benefits and find that they are not substantial enough to justify the laws. I therefore conclude that the laws are bad public policy.
IL-33 precedes IL-5 in regulating early commitment to eosinophil development (HEM5P.229)

IL-33 is strongly associated with allergic disease, in part because of the potent effects it exerts on Th2 lymphocytes, ILC2s, mast cells, and eosinophils, which express its receptor ST2. However, ST2 has also recently been observed on hematopoietic progenitor cells. The effect of IL-33 on these cells is unclear. We observed that naive ST2KO and IL-33KO mice had significantly less peripheral blood eosinophils (PBEs), whereas exogenous IL-33 was sufficient to elevate PBEs in WT and IL-33KO mice, but not in ST2KO mice. This was associated with increased myeloid/erythroid cell ratios in the bone marrow itself. IL-33 treatment expanded a Sca1-/Linint/SiglecF+ population, characteristic of a committed eosinophil progenitor. Using in vitro eosinophilopoesis conditions, IL-33 promoted mature eosinophil commitment (Sca1-/Lin+/SiglecF+) that was significantly diminished in ST2KO cells. Instead, ST2KO cells accumulated a Sca1-/Lin-/SiglecF+ population, characteristic of an early committed precursor. In contrast, IL-5, which has been shown to drive eosinophil development, expanded mature eosinophils. Finally, we assessed the hierarchy of IL-5 and IL-33 by crossing IL-5 overexpressing transgenic mice (NJ1638) with ST2KO mice. While IL-5 transgenic mice exhibited a robust age-dependent increase in PBEs, ST2 deficiency significantly prevented this IL-5-driven eosinophilia. Our findings demonstrate a novel role for IL-33 and ST2 in supporting eosinophil development that precedes IL-5.
Computer-Aided Predictive Reliability Risk Analysis for High-Temperature Operation of Subsurface Electronics Development

Abstract The engineering task to design a highly reliable printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) that can withstand high temperatures and vibration stress is a challenge faced by all downhole electronics designers in the oil and gas industry today. Discussion will focus a comprehensive Design for Reliability (DfR) process flow based on complementary use of computer-aided design (CAD) tools. The DfR can enable analysis of the PCBA electrical, vibration and thermal stresses, service life prediction, mean time between failure (MTBF) and identify potential design errors for iterative reliability improvement on the schematic-level, early in the design cycle. Stress analysis using CAD tools includes reliability risk assessment based on historical failures (i.e., engineering practice), detects uncertain design errors, and provides MTBF predictions and life predictions for the PCBA. This approach could improve PCBA performance and reliability by and reducing the product design cost and development time including t...
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Membrane Vesicles Inhibit T Cell Activation

Mycobacterium tuberculosis utilizes multiple mechanisms to evade host immune responses, and inhibition of effector CD4+ T cell responses by M. tuberculosis may contribute to immune evasion. TCR signaling is inhibited by M. tuberculosis cell envelope lipoglycans, such as lipoarabinomannan and lipomannan, but a mechanism for lipoglycans to traffic from M. tuberculosis within infected macrophages to reach T cells is unknown. In these studies, we found that membrane vesicles produced by M. tuberculosis and released from infected macrophages inhibited the activation of CD4+ T cells, as indicated by reduced production of IL-2 and reduced T cell proliferation. Flow cytometry and Western blot demonstrated that lipoglycans from M. tuberculosis-derived bacterial vesicles (BVs) are transferred to T cells, where they inhibit T cell responses. Stimulation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of BVs induced expression of GRAIL, a marker of T cell anergy; upon restimulation, these T cells showed reduced ability to proliferate, confirming a state of T cell anergy. Furthermore, lipoarabinomannan was associated with T cells after their incubation with infected macrophages in vitro and when T cells were isolated from lungs of M. tuberculosis-infected mice, confirming the occurrence of lipoarabinomannan trafficking to T cells in vivo. These studies demonstrate a novel mechanism for the direct regulation of CD4+ T cells by M. tuberculosis lipoglycans conveyed by BVs that are produced by M. tuberculosis and released from infected macrophages. These lipoglycans are transferred to T cells to inhibit T cell responses, providing a mechanism that may promote immune evasion.
History of Science is Good Unless it is Bad

The assertion that the History of Science can inform us of how modern Science works is growing in popularity and is implicit in the NGSS section on the Nature of Science (NOS). This may be true, but only in a limited sense, which has not been carefully scrutinized. If understanding twentieth and twenty-first century Science is the purpose, then only historical examples that illuminate it are relevant to the standards. An example that has nothing to do with the process of modern Science (even though it is suggested in NGSS Appendix H!) is the Galileo story. First, Galileo was arguing with the Catholic Church and faith-based dogma, not a community of scientists using reason and evidence to invent explanations founded in natural causes. Second, the standard narrative teaches the lesson that an individual scientist (who is the sole shining arbiter of “truth”!) must have the “honesty” to confront “corrupt orthodoxy” despite the threat of personal and professional destruction. This quixotic and moralistic flummery is quite wrong about how modern Science is really done (see http://whysciencerocks.weebly.com/what-science-is.html). Even worse, this misunderstanding does real damage. …
Step Responses of a Torsional System with Multiple Clearances: Study of Vibro-Impact Phenomenon using Experimental and Computational Methods

Abstract Recently Krak and Singh (2017) proposed a scientific experiment that examined vibro-impacts in a torsional system under a step down excitation and provided preliminary measurements and limited non-linear model studies. A major goal of this article is to extend the prior work with a focus on the examination of vibro-impact phenomena observed under step responses in a torsional system with one, two or three controlled clearances. First, new measurements are made at several locations with a higher sampling frequency. Measured angular accelerations are examined in both time and time-frequency domains. Minimal order non-linear models of the experiment are successfully constructed, using piecewise linear stiffness and Coulomb friction elements; eight cases of the generic system are examined though only three are experimentally studied. Measured and predicted responses for single and dual clearance configurations exhibit double sided impacts and time varying periods suggest softening trends under the step down torque. Non-linear models are experimentally validated by comparing results with new measurements and with those previously reported. Several metrics are utilized to quantify and compare the measured and predicted responses (including peak to peak accelerations). Eigensolutions and step responses of the corresponding linearized models are utilized to better understand the nature of the non-linear dynamic system. Finally, the effect of step amplitude on the non-linear responses is examined for several configurations, and hardening trends are observed in the torsional system with three clearances.
Impact of rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection without antimicrobial stewardship intervention on antibiotic optimization and clinical outcomes

Few studies have evaluated the clinical impact of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in resource-limited settings that lack direct antimicrobial stewardship intervention. This retrospective cohort study compared patients with standard microbiological identification (n=343) to those with additional identification by (PCR) (n=130). Time to initiation of optimal therapy was similar between groups but substantially shorter in the PCR group for those infected with methicillin susceptible S. aureus (median 40.0h vs. 28.3h, P=0.001). After controlling for confounding factors including infectious diseases consultation, the PCR group had a shorter time to initiation of optimal therapy by 9.7h (95% CI 4.3-15.0h). Clinical outcomes were similar in the non-PCR and PCR groups. While time to initiation of optimal therapy was shorter in the PCR group, greater reductions may be realized through additional education, direct antimicrobial stewardship intervention, or additional clinician notification.
Jacques Offenbach and the Making of Modern Culture

Offenbach's operas were a significant force for cultural change, both in his own time and in the decades to follow. In this book, Laurence Senelick demonstrates the ways in which this musical phenomenon took hold globally, with Offenbach's work offering an alternative, irreverent, sexualized view of life which audiences found liberating, both personally and socially. In the theatre, the composer also inspired cutting-edge innovations in stagecraft and design, and in this book, he is recognized as a major cultural influence, with an extensive impact on the spheres of literature, art, film, and even politics. Senelick argues that Offenbach's importance spread far beyond France, and that his provocative and entertaining works, often seen as being more style than substance, influenced numerous key artists, writers, and thinkers, and made a major contribution to the development of modern society.
Unmasking the component-general and component-specific aspects of primary and secondary memory in the immediate free recall task

The immediate free recall (IFR) task has been commonly used to estimate the capacities of the primary memory (PM) and secondary memory (SM) components of working memory (WM). Using this method, the correlation between estimates of the PM and SM components has hovered around zero, suggesting that PM and SM represent fully distinct and dissociable components of WM. However, this conclusion has conflicted with more recent studies that have observed moderately strong, positive correlations between PM and SM when separate attention and retrieval tasks are used to estimate these capacities, suggesting that PM and SM represent at least some related capacities. The present study attempted to resolve this empirical discrepancy by investigating the extent to which the relation between estimates of PM and SM might be suppressed by a third variable that operates during the recall portion of the IFR task. This third variable was termed “strength of recency” (SOR) in the present study as it reflected differences in the extent to which individuals used the same experimentally-induced recency recall initiation strategy. As predicted, the present findings showed that the positive correlation between estimates of PM and SM grew from small to medium when the indirect effect of SOR was controlled across two separate sets of studies. This finding is important because it provides stronger support for the distinction between “component-general” and “component-specific” aspects of PM and SM; furthermore, a proof is presented that demonstrates a limitation of using regression techniques to differentiate general and specific aspects of these components.
Carbon nanotube immobilized membrane with controlled nanotube incorporation via phase inversion polymerization for membrane distillation based desalination

Abstract In this paper, we present an optimized method for carbon nanotube immobilization on membrane surface for seawater desalination via direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Carbon nanotube immobilized membranes (CNIM) are fabricated via phase inversion technique using a controlled approach for carbon nanotube (CNT) incorporation which provides additional pathways for water vapor diffusion. Surface morphology differed for membranes fabricated with varying PVDF concentrations which altered the CNT distribution and its interaction with water vapor. The water vapor flux by CNIM membrane was as high as 51.4 L/m2 hr, which was 76% higher than the unmodified support membrane at 60 °C. No significant salt leakage was observed with modified membrane. The overall mass-transfer coefficient for phase inversion membrane was nearly 1.8 times higher than unmodified membrane.
Communication barriers for deaf employees: Needs assessment and problem-solving strategies

Deaf people experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment and earn lifetime wages that are between $356,000 and $609,000 less than their comparably educated normally hearing counterparts. This results in a substantial loss of earning power and career identity for members of this underutilized population of workers. This article examines how communication difficulties pose a major barrier to employment retention and advancement for deaf employees. These barriers exist (a) within the employee in terms of nonfluent use of English and reliance upon American Sign Language, (b) with the employment site, and (c) with agency service personnel. Primarily, these barriers reflect a lack of understanding of the cultural and communication needs of deaf people. Strategies to ameliorate these barriers include a model of long-term employment support using an ecological framework.
Demographic and Clinical Correlates of Seizure Frequency: Findings from the Managing Epilepsy Well Network Database.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that represents a tremendous burden on both patients and society in general. Studies have addressed how demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, and psychological comorbidity are related to the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE). However, there has been less focus on how these factors may differ between patients who exhibit varying degrees of seizure control. This study utilized data from the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the aim of elucidating differences in demographic variables, depression, and QOL between adult PWE. METHODS Demographic variables, depression, and QOL were compared between PWE who experience clinically relevant differences in seizure occurrence. RESULTS Gender, ethnicity, race, education, income, and relationship status did not differ significantly between the seizure-frequency categories (p>0.05). People with worse seizure control were significantly younger (p=0.039), more depressed (as assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire) (p=0.036), and had lower QOL (as determined using the 10-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy for Adults scale) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The present results underscore the importance of early screening, detection, and treatment of depression, since these factors relate to both seizure occurrence and QOL in PWE.
Effect of Threaded Joint Preparation on Impact Energy Dissipation Using Frequency-Based Kolsky Bar Analysis

Threaded joints are used in a wide range of industries and are relied upon in maintaining component assembly and structural integrity of mechanical systems. The threads may undergo specific preparation before assembly in applications. In order to ensure a tight seal the threads may be wrapped with PTFE tape or to prevent loosening over time an adhesive (thread locker) may be used. When a threaded joint is subjected to impact loading, the energy is transmitted through the joint to its neighbors while part of it is dissipated within the joint. In order to study the effect of the surface preparation to the threads, steel and aluminum joints were tested with no surface preparation, application of PTFE tape, and with the use of a thread locker (Loctite 262). The tests were conducted using a Kolsky tension bar and a frequency based analysis was used to characterize the energy dissipation of the various thread preparations on both steel/steel and steel/aluminum threaded joints.
Design of Basic Circuits

The aim of this chapter is not to present a complete, in-depth analysis of every possible building-block that can be found in today’s VLSI circuits. Rather, a limited number of circuits is dealt with. This chapter presents circuits of increasing complexity: it starts with flip-flops and latches and ends with multipliers. More complex circuits — such as floating-point or memory management units — have not been considered, because an in-depth treatment — including architectural issues, logic design methodologies, and actual implementation — would have eventually occupied a large portion of the book.
Methods and Models for Specifying Sites and Mechanisms of Sensitivity Regulation in the Aging Visual System

In this paper we will be discussing methods and mathematical models for identifying the loci of sensitivity losses that occur with age. The overall goal is to describe an approach to examining changes in the regulation of sensitivity in the aging visual system within the framework of formal models of adaptation. We will not be reviewing specific results from a wide range of experiments, but rather, we will be describing an approach to the understanding of sensitivity losses in the aging visual system that incorporates psychophysical results within the framework of formal models. This approach has been successful at identifying sites and mechanisms of alterations of sensitivity in retinal disease and may also be useful in analyzing changes that occur during visual development.
Effects of a Sound Field Amplification System on Teacher Movement in Physical Education Settings

This study determined the effect of a sound field amplification system on teacher movement in physical education (PE) settings. Two middle school PE teachers instructing coeducational PE classes were used as the subjects. This investigation used a multiple-baseline single-case design across subjects. The treatment (independent variable) was the teacher using a portable sound field amplification system. The results indicated consistency in the increase of teacher movement for all classes when amplified feedback was implemented, which suggests that the treatment was effective. Subscribe to TPE
The Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Associations Between IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα and Cognitive Outcomes in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Background Chronic inflammation has been linked with geriatric-related conditions, including dementia. Inflammatory cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, in the blood have been associated with cognitive impairment and decline. However, evidence has been mixed. Methods We examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between baseline-measured IL-6, IL-10, and TNFα levels and the ratio of IL-6/IL-10 with cognitive test performance and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among 1,602 community-dwelling older adults (median age = 72.8) enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Approximately half (46.5%) of participants were female and 98.6% were white. At baseline and follow-up visits (occurring at 15-month intervals), participants completed neuropsychological testing, blood draws, and had a clinical consensus diagnosis. Results In multivariable cross-sectional analyses, we did not observe an association between inflammatory cytokine levels and global or domain-specific cognitive z scores; however, higher IL-6 and IL-10 levels were associated with greater odds of a MCI diagnosis. Longitudinally, we did not observe any association between inflammatory cytokine levels and cognitive test performance or risk of MCI. Sex, age, cognitive status, APOE e4 genotype, diabetes, depression, and cerebral amyloid-beta deposition were not effect modifiers. Conclusions These results suggest that plasma inflammatory markers may not be useful to ascertain risk for cognitive decline and MCI in the general population.
CHEMO-CORONARIES: A RARE FORM OF CORONARY VASOSPASM FOLLOWING 5-FLUOROURACIL INFUSION

Coronary vasospasm secondary to chemotherapy toxicity presents with angina, elevated cardiac enzymes and ECG changes. Although rare, cardiotoxicity is a known oncologic emergency presenting after bolus or infusion administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) requiring prompt discontinuation of the drug.
A Machian wave effect in conformal, scalar–tensor gravitational theory

A frequency-dependent Machian effect previously put forward by Woodward (that for a body undergoing mass–energy fluctuations, the second time derivative of the mass–energy density is a source of a gravitational field) is discussed within Einstein’s theory and justified using Hoyle–Narlikar’s conformal gravitational theory. It is shown that Einstein’s theory has a similar term that is 3rd order post-Newtonian, but besides the issue of coordinate-dependence, the Machian significance of any field term in Einstein’s equation depends on the (universe’s) cosmological solution to the field equations. Therefore, Woodward’s theory is examined within Hoyle–Narlikar’s scalar–tensor theory of gravitation (a theory that was expressly developed with the intent to incorporate Mach’s principle) for a universe undergoing accelerating expansion (hereby accounted for by a positive cosmological constant). It is shown under gauge invariant expressions that the conformal, scalar–tensor gravitational theory of Hoyle and Narlikar has a similar term of first order when the mass–energy fluctuation is due to distant objects but that it effectively becomes a higher order effect when the mass–energy fluctuations arise from fluctuation of the (local) mass–energy (as is necessarily the case in Woodward’s experimental results, since the only mass that can be purposively fluctuated in energy, monochromatically, is the local mass, instead of the distant masses responsible for most of the inertia according to Mach’s principle). Therefore this effect appears too small for practical space travel application (unless the spaceship is near a black hole or a neutron star). Present cosmological measurements of the possible time variation of G are shown to occur at much lower frequencies and therefore cannot be used to rule out Woodward’s effect if G exhibits significant time-dependence at higher frequencies than observed in these cosmological measurements.
Party at 5, Bring a Date! Drama to Communicate and Apply Counseling Theories

ABSTRACTLearning and applying the philosophy, concepts, and application of counseling theories is a key aspect of competency for masters-level counseling students. This article demonstrates how dra...
Role of continuous flow processes in green manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals

Recently, focus has turned towards increasing chemical process safety and sustainability for fundamental and applied research as well as manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Flow chemistry techniques have attracted significant interest as a way to implement and improve chemical processes in order to satisfy the growing demand for chemical sustainability. In this article, we discuss emerging flow chemistry technologies with applications in green manufacturing of high-value chemicals and efficient screening of chemical reaction space. Continuous manufacturing techniques are increasingly being utilized to reduce the amount of material and energy utilized in a process while incorporating real-time analysis, control, and enhanced process safety. Beyond continuous production, flow screening techniques can rapidly search a multi-dimensional reaction space to improve process design, performance, and efficiency. Furthermore, time-efficient and material-efficient (green) flow screening platforms can be utilized to develop the next generation of process development technologies including predictive reaction models and process scale-up strategies.
Discerning rural Appalachian stakeholder attitudes toward memory screening.

Objective: The aim of this descriptive study was to examine Appalachian stakeholder attitudes toward routine memory screening, and to compare and contrast results from a similar study conducted in ...