cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foreign Aid and Repression

Despite the democracy-enhancing intentions of most donors, foreign aid can often offer opportunities for governments to politically repress their populations. This chapter argues and presents evidence that aid from the world’s largest bilateral donor—the United States—harms political rights in recipient countries. US aid does so by weakening government accountability via the taxation channel. US aid lowers a government’s incentive to collect taxes. And this reduction in tax effort is negatively associated with political rights. These findings run counter to the stated intentions of the US government—and other bilateral donors—to foster political liberalization abroad via bilateral economic assistance.
1028. Dalbavancin Use in Complicated Infections and-associated Cost-Savings

Background Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic active against Gram-positive organisms with an extended half-life that allows for weekly dosing. Initially approved for treating skin and soft-tissue infections, use for more complicated infections provides several potential benefits, particularly in the outpatient setting when daily intravenous antibiotics are not practical due to social or financial issues.
Activated Platelets Induce Endothelial Cell Inflammatory Response in Psoriasis via COX-1.

Objective: Patients with psoriasis have impaired vascular health and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Platelets are key players in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction in cardiovascular ...
Extracellular vesicles as signaling mediators in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus type 2, a chronic metabolic disease, has globally increased in incidence and prevalence throughout the lifespan due to the rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyle. The end-organ cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects of diabetes mellitus result in significant morbidity and mortality that increases with age. Thus, it is crucial to fully understand how molecular mechanisms are influenced by diabetes mellitus and may influence the development of end-organ complications. Circulating factors are known to play important physiological and pathological roles in diabetes. Recent data have implicated extracellular vesicles (EVs) as being circulating mediators in type 2 diabetes. These small lipid-bound vesicles are released by cells into the circulation and can carry functional cargo, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, to neighboring cells or between tissues. In this review, we will summarize the current evidence for EVs as promising diagnostic and prognostic factors in diabetes, the mechanisms that drive EV alterations with diabetes, and the role EVs play in the pathology associated with diabetes.
Recent Advances in Local-Global Fe Analysis of Shells of Revolution

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a local–global finite element technique suitable for the analysis of shells of revolution with localized non-axisymmetric effects such as cracks, cutouts, and column supports. Both material and geometrical nonlinearities are considered. The model combines, in a single analysis, rotational shell elements, general shell elements, and column elements. Rotational shell elements are employed in the axisymmetric portion of the shell, where the nonaxisymmetric behavior in loading and deformation is accounted for by including appropriate Fourier harmonics. In the local zone, where deviations from axisymmetry are contained, a general isoparametric shell element is employed. Continuity of displacements between the rotational and general shell elements is achieved either by a layer of transitional elements or by a direct coordinate transformation. If the shell is supported on a discrete system of columns, a standard 3-D beam element with six degrees-of-freedom per node is deployed. This local–global approach has been applied to a wide variety of shell problems.
Mapping of spinal interneurons involved in regulation of the lower urinary tract in juvenile male rats

Coordination between the urinary bladder (BL) and external urethral sphincter (EUS) is necessary for storage and elimination of urine. In rats interneuronal circuits at two levels of the spinal cord (i.e., L6-S1 and L3-L4) play an important role in this coordination. In the present experiments retrograde trans-synaptic transport of pseudorabies virus (PRV) encoding fluorescent markers (GFP and RFP) was used to trace these circuits. To examine the relative localization of EUS-related and BL-related interneuronal populations we injected PRV-GFP into the EUS and PRV-RFP into the BL wall. The PRV infected populations of spinal interneurons were localized primarily in the dorsal commissure (DCM) of L6/S1 and in a hypothesized lumbar spinal coordinating center (LSCC) in L3/L4 above and lateral to central canal (CC). At both sites colocalization of markers occurred in a substantial number of labeled interneurons indicating concomitant involvement of these double-labelled neurons in the EUS- and BL-circuits and suggesting their role in EUS-BL coordination. Intense GFP or RFP fluorescent was detected in a subpopulation of cells at both sites suggesting that they were infected earlier and therefore likely to represent first order, primary interneurons that directly synapse with output neurons. Larger numbers of weakly fluorescent neurons that likely represent second order interneurons were also identified. Within the population of EUS-related first order interneurons only 3-8 % exhibited positive immunoreaction for an early transcription factor Pax2 specific to GABAergic and glycinergic inhibitory neurons suggesting that the majority of interneurons in DCM and LSCC projecting directly to the EUS motoneurons are excitatory.
A defect-based model of radiation-induced segregation to free surfaces in binary alloys

Abstract A defect-based model of radiation-induced segregation in binary solid solutions is presented. The model consists of a set of reaction–diffusion equations governing the space and time evolution of vacancies, dumbbell interstitials and lattice atoms under irradiation. Irradiation, the mechanism driving evolution, is represented by stochastic and spatially-resolved defect generation events. A key feature of the model presented here is that the role of boundaries as defect sinks is ensured by a set of defect–boundary reaction boundary conditions. Defining defect–boundary interactions in this way makes it possible to capture both segregation and boundary motion simultaneously. The model is tested with Cu–Au solid solution. Enrichment of Cu and depletion of Au has been observed near the boundaries, in agreement with experimental observations. For a particular dose rate, the amount of segregation after a given period of irradiation has been found to be highest at an intermediate temperature. At lower temperatures, maximum segregation is observed by lowering the dose rates, and vice versa. The activation barrier for the defect–surface reactions plays a significant role in segregation near the boundaries. A slight increase in the sample size is also noticed during the simulations due to rapid migration of interstitials to the surface.
Urethral support in female urinary continence part 1: dynamic measurements of urethral shape and motion

Urethral closure mechanism dysfunction in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is poorly understood. We aimed to quantify these mechanisms through changes in urethral shape and position during squeeze (voluntary closure) and Valsalva (passive closure) via endovaginal ultrasound in women with varying SUI severity. In this prospective cohort study, 76 women who presented to our tertiary center for urodynamic testing as preoperative assessment were recruited. Urodynamics were performed according to International Continence Society criteria. Urethral pressures were obtained during serial Valsalva maneuvers. Urethral lengths, thicknesses, and angles were measured in the midsagittal plane via dynamic anterior compartment ultrasound. Statistical shape modeling was carried out by a principal component analysis on aligned urethra shapes. Age, parity, and BMI did not vary by SUI group. Ultrasound detected a larger retropubic angle, urethral knee-pubic bone angle (a novel measure developed for this study), and infrapubic urethral length measurements at Valsalva in women with severe SUI (p = 0.016, 0.015, and 0.010). Shape analysis defined increased “c” shape concavity and distal wall pinching during squeeze and increased “s” shape concavity and distal wall thickening during Valsalva (p < 0.001). It also described significant urethral shape differences across SUI severity groups (p < 0.001). Dynamic endovaginal ultrasound can visualize and allow for quantification of voluntary and passive urethral closure and variations with SUI severity. In women with severe SUI, excessive bladder neck and distal urethra swinging during Valsalva longitudinally compressed the urethra, resulting in a proportionally thicker wall at the mid-urethra and urethral knee.
Pharmacokinetic study of an anti-trypanosome agent with different formulations and administration routes in mice by HPLC-MS/MS.

Previously compound 12 showed great anti-trypanosome activity without toxicity in the in vivo study. In the current study, a sensitive and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to investigate the pharmacokinetics of compound 12 in mouse plasma. Protein precipitation method was applied to extract the compound, and it was then separated by using a Kinetex C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid water (50:50, v/v) at a flow rate of 300 μL/min. The analytes were detected with the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in negative electrospray ionization source for quantitative response of the compounds. Compound 12 was detected at m/z 477.0→367.2, while the internal standard compound 14 was detected at m/z 499.2→268.2. Precision of the inter- and intra-day was less than 5.22% and 2.79% respectively, while the accuracy range was within ±9.65%. The method was successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetic of compound 12 in mouse plasma with two formulations (20% Cremophor EL or sesame oil) and drug administration routes (oral and intraperitoneal injection). We observed a better drug serum concentration with the Cremophor formulation, and the two different drug administration routes did not show significant difference to the drug distribution.
Remote enrollment into a telehealth-delivering patient portal: Barriers faced in an urban population during the COVID-19 pandemic

Telehealth drastically reduces the time burden of appointments and increases access to care for homebound patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many outpatient practices closed, requiring an expansion of telemedicine capabilities. However, a significant number of patients remain unconnected to telehealth-capable patient portals. Currently, no literature exists on the success of and barriers to remote enrollment in telehealth patient portals. From March 26 to May 8, 2020, a total of 324 patients were discharged from Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI), a teaching hospital in New York City. Study volunteers attempted to contact and enroll patients in the MyChart patient portal to allow the completion of a post-discharge video visit. If patients were unable to enroll, barriers were documented and coded for themes. Of the 324 patients discharged from MSBI during the study period, 277 (85%) were not yet enrolled in MyChart. Volunteers successfully contacted 136 patients (49% of those eligible), and 39 (14%) were successfully enrolled. Inability to contact patients was the most significant barrier. For those successfully contacted but not enrolled, the most frequent barrier was becoming lost to follow-up (29% of those contacted), followed by lack of interest in remote appointments (21%) and patient technological limitations (9%). Male patients, and those aged 40–59, were significantly less likely to successfully enroll compared to other patients. Telehealth is critical for healthcare delivery. Remote enrollment in a telemedicine-capable patient portal is feasible, yet underperforms compared to reported in-person enrollment rates. Health systems can improve telehealth infrastructure by incorporating patient portal enrollment into in-person workflows, educating on the importance of telehealth, and devising workarounds for technological barriers.
Behavioral hyperreactivity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat compared to its normotensive progenitor.

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is an excellent model of essential hypertensive disease. Hyperreactivity has been postulated as a contributing factor in the development of high blood pressure in the SHR and in man. In the maturing organism recurring hypertensive stress responses may promote permanent vascular changes and result in a fixed hypertension. Simple behavioral activity and emotionality rating scales were used to compare a large number of SHR with equally large groups of closely-related and distantly-related normotensive rats. As predicted, the SHR were clearly more active and emotional than their ancestral Wistar Kyoto (WKY) strain. However, the distantly-related normotensive Wistars did not differ from the SHR in either activity or emotionality. These results indicate that behavior and hypertension are not necessarily related in the rat. Nonetheless, the behavioral differences between the SHR and their closest genetic match, the WKY, suggest that arousal and blood pressure levels may be causally linked in this case of naturally occurring hypertension.
Chemical Bonding of Alloy Atoms in Amorphous Silicon

This paper presents a discussion of the local bonding arrangements of H and F in amorphous silicon. The basis for this model of the short range order derives from an interpretation of the local infrared absorption bands in a-Si:H and a-Si:F alloys that are associated with the incorporation of the respective alloy constituents, H and F. The method of analysis draws heavily on chemical bonding considerations and a review of the contributions to the bonding in Si-H and Si-F groups is presented. The approach to the interpretation of the ir-spectra is based on the use of induction relationships to derive realistic bond-stretching force constants for both Si-H and Si-F vibrations. These force constants change due to changes in near-neighbor bonding arrangements. This in turn allows one to interpret changes in bond-stretching frequencies in terms of changes in the local chemistry; i.e., the near neighbor environments. These bond-stretching force constants, along with bond-bending force constants obtained from various types of substituted silane molecules are used to calculate the frequencies and displacement vectors for localized Si-H and Si-F vibrations. In the case of Si-H,-all of the modes of the SiH and SiH2 groups are localized, and occur at frequencies above 500 cm-1, the upper limit of Si network vibrations. For Si-F, the only modes that are localized are the bond-stretching vibrations which occur between 800 and 1025 cm”1.
Efficacy of nicotineless non-pharmacologic alternative tool for smoking cessation program using varenicline

Background: Tobacco addiction is associated with not only nicotine dependence but also mental dependence based on the habitual smoking situation (e.g. drink alcohol, after meal). The efficacy of substitute nicotineless non-pharmacologic tool (e.g. nicotineless electronic cigarettes) in these situations for smoking cessation was unclear. Method: This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the efficacy of non-pharmacologic alternative tool in patients who were treated with a 12-week outpatients smoking cessation program using varenicline. We screened 180 patients who were treated with the program from March 2010 to February 2012. Tobacco addiction in this study was defined as a condition with both at least five points of the Tobacco Dependence Screener (TDS; Kawakami, et al., 1999) and at least 10 pack year. At the first medical examination, we instructed all the patients to use the nicotineless alternative tool when they urge to smoke. We assessed the success rate of smoking cessation at 12 weeks. Result: Of 136 patients were eligible (35 were lost, 9 dropped). The success rate was 77.8%. Eighty patients (58.9%) used alternative tool as we instructed. The success rate of the patients who used alternative tool was significantly higher than that of the patients who didn't use the tool (p<0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of smoking cessation failure were untreatable side effect (p=0.05) and disuse of alternative tool (p=0.01). Conclusion: In outpatients smoking cessation program using varenicline, non-pharmacologic alternative tool was useful for patients who urge to smoke in the habitual smoking situations.
von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) is an autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome characterized by tumors of the brain and spine, retina, kidney, adrenal glands, and several other organs. Point mutations and deletions in the VHL tumor suppressor gene have been identified in virtually 100 % of patients who meet strict clinical criteria. Molecular diagnostic testing consists of DNA sequence analysis of the coding region (~72 % of mutations) as well as deletion analysis (~28 % of mutations). Most cases are inherited; however about 20 % of cases are the result of de novo mutations; individuals mosaic for a VHL gene mutation have been reported. Molecular testing may be used to confirm a clinical diagnosis in an affected patient or rule out the disease in individuals with a single typical tumor. In families with a known mutation, molecular testing may be used for predictive testing of at-risk members or for prenatal testing.
Prioritizing agricultural lands for conservation buffer placement using multiple criteria.

Qiu, Zeyuan, 2010. Prioritizing Agricultural Lands for Conservation Buffer Placement Using Multiple Criteria. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1-13. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00466.x Abstract: Although conservation buffers are multifunctional, the current conservation buffer planning strategies tend to use a single criterion, most frequently a hydrological or soil condition indicator, to guide conservation buffer placement. This study presents a watershed planning approach that prioritizes agricultural lands for conservation buffers based on multiple selection criteria and applies the approach to Raritan Basin in central New Jersey. The multiple selection criteria include soil erodibility, hydrological sensitivity, wildlife habitat, and impervious surface rate. These criteria capture the conservation buffers’ benefits in reducing soil erosion, controlling runoff generation, enhancing wildlife habitat, and mitigating stormwater impacts, respectively. An expert panel was used to identify and define the section criteria, review the measured values of those criteria, and develop the classification scales that assign the class score to each criterion. The prioritization is based on the summation of the criteria class scores. About one-third of agricultural lands are prioritized for conservation buffers in Raritan Basin. The total program cost of converting those prioritized agricultural lands to conservation buffers in Raritan Basin is estimated to be between $54.8 and 102.9 million depending on the composition of installed conservation buffer practices.
Physical, chemical, and structural modifications to thin-film CuInSe/sub 2/-based photovoltaic devices

Two approaches to the modification and improvement of CuInSe/sub 2/-based photovoltaic devices are investigated. The incorporation of wide gap CuInSe/sub 2/-based alloys at the interface is discussed. The results are inconclusive, but suggest that the choice of alloy systems is critical. The growth of enhanced-grain thin-film CuInSe/sub 2/ is accomplished in two manners. The properties of the films are consistent with that required for device fabrication. >
Response of Primary Human Fibroblasts Exposed to Solar Particle Event Protons

Solar particle events (SPEs) present a major radiation-related risk for manned exploratory missions in deep space. Within a short period the astronauts may absorb doses that engender acute effects, in addition to the risk of late effects, such as the induction of cancer. Using primary human cells, we studied clonogenic survival and the induction of neoplastic transformation after exposure to a worst case scenario SPE. We simulated such an SPE with monoenergetic protons (50, 100, 1000 MeV) delivered at a dose rate of 1.65 cGy min−1 in a dose range from 0 to 3 Gy. For comparison, we exposed the cells to a high dose rate of 33.3 cGy min−1. X rays (100 kVp, 8 mA, 1.7 mm Al filter) were used as a reference radiation. Overall, we observed a significant sparing effect of the SPE dose rate on cell survival. High-dose-rate protons were also more efficient in induction of transformation in the dose range below 30 cGy. However, as dose accumulated at high dose rate, the transformation levels declined, while at the S...
Monitoring Lesquerella filiformis Rollins (Missouri bladderpod): Application and Evaluation of a Grid-based Survey Approach

Abstract Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Republic, Missouri, protects a large concentration of the rare, glade-endemic, winter annual Lesquerella filiformis Rollins (Missouri bladderpod; scientific nomenclature follows USDA PLANTS Database). A sustained monitoring effort provided the opportunity to assess a grid-based survey approach featuring the use of visual density class estimates. Population size intervals, which include the uncertainty associated with the use of density classes, were compared to sample-based population size estimates from a computer simulation of the L. filiformis population. A 100% population size interval was similar to a sample-based 95% confidence interval and much narrower than a 99.9% confidence interval. If the distributions of observations within density classes are not symmetrical, however, a sample-based approach will yield more accurate point estimates. Observers frequently underestimated plant densities when using density classes, although counts of plants provide...
RNAsnap™: a rapid, quantitative and inexpensive, method for isolating total RNA from bacteria

RNAsnap TM is a simple and novel method that recovers all intracellular RNA quantitatively (>99%), faster (<15min) and less expensively (� 3 cents/ sample) than any of the currently available RNA isolation methods. In fact, none of the bacterial RNA isolation methods, including the commercial kits, are effective in recovering all species of intracellular RNAs (76–5700nt) with equal efficiency, which can lead to biased results in genome-wide studies involving microarray or RNAseq analysis. The RNAsnap TM procedure yields � 60mg of RNA from 10 8 Escherichia coli cells that can be used directly for northern analysis without any further purification. Based on a comparative analysis of specific transcripts ranging in size from 76 to 5700nt, the RNAsnap TM method provided the most accurate measure of the relative amounts of the various intracellular RNAs. Furthermore, the RNAsnap TM RNA was successfully used in enzymatic reactions such as RNA ligation, reverse transcription, primer extension and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, following sodium acetate/ethanol precipitation. The RNAsnap TM method can be used to isolate RNA from a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as yeast.
Ascension Fracture Zone, Ascension Island, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Near 7° S. latitude, the Ascension fracture zone offsets the Mid-Atlantic Ridge right-laterally over 230 km. North of the fracture zone, which trends about N. 80° E., the ridge crest is perpendicular to its trend, but to the south, near 8° S., the initially perpendicular trend changes to nearly northerly. Ascension Island lies approximately 50 km south of the fracture on magnetic anomaly 4, with an inferred age of 7 m.y. It is not on any major tectonic trend and there is no evidence that it is part of a volcanic chain. Spreading rates in the region increase from north to south, proportional to the distance from the pole of rotation of the African and South American plates, and may be slightly different on the east and west sides of the ridge. Normal to subnormal heat-flow values prevail except for one high value east of the northern ridge axis. The Ascension fracture valley is wide and filled with thick sediments implying an anomalously high age. Earthquake epicenters are aligned along the ridge crest, but near the fracture zone they define an activity belt south of it and more nearly east-west trending. The data suggest a shift of the fracture zone to an east-west trend about 10 m.y. ago, followed by a reorientation of the southern ridge axis that proceeded from south to north and has not been completed. The hypothesis accounts for most observations except the heat-flow pattern, the absence of epicenters on the southernmost ridge crest, and some small structural features.
Authentic learning in network and security with portable labs

This paper is addressing the challenges of incorporating networking and security concepts into effective teaching and learning platform (PLab) that highlights real-world technical issues. PLab is an innovative portable learning platform that allows network applications to be safely tested. The isolated network without the need for a server promotes learning at anytime and anywhere. The strong connection between academic subjects and reality and digital-native students' everyday lives engages students in learning this emerging field, and better prepares students for the high industrial demands in mobile application development workforce. Moreover, this pedagogical model will help faculty develop expertise in the latest development of networking and security. The modular labware is designed to offer faculty the flexibility to implement it in many existing courses. Curricular materials will be delivered on Google cloud for its sustainability. This "ready-to-adopt" model will greatly save resources and time for enhancing modern networking and security education to meet the emerging workforce.
Poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized with mixtures of succinate di-esters – Synthesis and characterization

Abstract Succinate-based plasticizer mixtures have potential use as nontoxic and sustainable plasticizers and as replacements for commonly used phthalate plasticizers. Synergistic effects occur when the interaction between two materials is enhanced by the addition of a third component. This concept was applied to plasticizers within a polymer matrix. Three newly synthesized succinate-based plasticizers (di-ethylhexyl succinate, di-decyl succinate, and di-dodecyl succinate) were tested for their plasticizing ability. Then, di-decyl succinate and didodecyl succinate were blended with the previously reported succinate di-esters (di-ethyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, and di-octyl succinate) to study their plasticizing efficiency. Mixtures of these higher molecular weight (MW) succinate di-esters and previously reported lower MW ones were found to be more effective at plasticizing poly(vinyl chloride) compared to the individual succinate plasticizers alone.
Why Water Is Not H2O, and Other Critiques of Essentialist Ontology from the Philosophy of Chemistry

Ellis argues that certain essential properties of objects in the world not only determine the nature of these objects but also how they will behave in any situation. In this paper I will critique Ellis’s essentialism from the perspective of the philosophy of chemistry, arguing that our current knowledge of chemistry in fact does not lend itself to essentialist interpretations and that this seriously undercuts Ellis’s project. In particular I will criticize two key distinctions Ellis draws between internal vs. external properties and essential vs. accidental properties, showing that at the chemical level such distinctions are insupportable. If essential properties only exist at the level of sub‐atomic physics, then Ellis’s hopes that essentialism will provide a theoretical basis for a philosophy of chemistry are at best hopes for a very distant future, since the argument that chemical structure and dynamics can be explained at the quantum level derived is purely from analogy to much simpler systems than th...
Situs inversus totalis: giant hiatal hernia repair by laparoscopic Collis gastroplasty and Nissen fundoplication

We report the repair of a giant hiatal hernia by laparoscopic Collis gastroplasty and Nissen fundoplication in a patient with situs inversus totalis, highlighting the unique anatomic challenges in this case. The 52-year old female patient had Kartageners syndrome, a giant hiatal hernia, and a history of chronic severe gastroesophageal reflux disease with uncontrolled regurgitation. The laparoscopic procedure was accomplished with five ports placed in a mirror-image configuration, reversed from our standard positions. After visual confirmation of the complete reversal of the intraabdominal anatomy, we performed a modified Collis gastroplasty and Nissen fundoplication. Significant technical challenges were encountered intraoperatively. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first of its kind in the literature. The use of advanced laparoscopic techniques is highly adaptable to unusual anatomy. Laparoscopic hiatal hernia surgery is feasible in patients with situs inversus.
Induction of extensive fimbrial branching in the adult rat brain.

IT is now well known that some central nervous system axons can regenerate following axotomy1,2 or sprout in reaction to nearby denervation3. The cholinergic projection from the septal nuclei to the hippocampal formation has demonstrated the ability both to regenerate4,5 and sprout6,7. However, the possibility that axons in the mature mammalian brain can be induced to grow in other circumstances has not been investigated. We have examined the ability of the axons of the fimbria, the fibre bundle which interconnects the septal nuclei and the hippocampal formations, to grow in circumstances other than those used in classical regeneration and sprouting research. The fimbria is particularly suitable for the study of axonal growth in brain as its fibres run as an unbranched bundle, with one surface exposed to the lateral ventricle and thus free from surrounding neuropil. Consequently, it is readily accessible for experimental manipulation. We demonstrate here that fibres of the fimbria in the adult rat brain can be induced to grow in circumstances that neither sever them nor denervate regions to which they normally project.
Hard top soft bottom microfluidic devices for cell culture and chemical analysis.

We report fabrication and characterization of microfluidic devices made of thermoplastic and elastomeric polymers. These hard−soft hybrid material devices are motivated by the combined need for large scale manufacturability, enhanced barrier properties to gas permeation and evaporation of aqueous solutions compared to poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) devices, and compatibility with deformation-based actuation. Channel features are created on rigid polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), and polystyrene (PS) by hot embossing. These “hard tops” are bonded to elastomeric “soft bottoms” (polyurethane (PU) or PDMS-parylene C-PDMS) to create devices that can be used for microfluidic cell culture where deformation-based fluid actuation schemes are used to perfuse and recirculate media. The higher barrier properties of this device compared to PDMS devices enable cell culture with less evaporation and creation of hypoxic conditions.
Animal-assisted therapy with hospitalized adolescents.

PROBLEM: To ascertain the effects of animal-assisted therapy on hospitalized adolescents. METHODS: Thirty adolescents hospitalized in a 16-bed psychiatric unit. Data collection included patient journals, interviews with 15 patients, and anecdotal notes from observations and staff reports. The ethnographic method was used for data analysis. FINDINGS: Categories identified from the data include the dog as a component of the milieu, as friend, and as therapist. The dog served as a catalyst for interactions, and often had human qualities ascribed to him by the adolescents. CONCLUSION: This study provides new information that can enhance patient care.
Water availability, degree days, and the potential impact of climate change on irrigated agriculture in California

We use the geo-referenced June Agricultural Survey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to match values of individual farms in California with a measure of water availability as mediated through irrigation districts, and degree days, a nonlinear transformation of temperature, controlling for other influences on value such as soil quality, to examine the potential effects of climate change on irrigated agriculture in California. Water availability strongly capitalizes into farmland values. The predicted decrease in water availability in the latest climate change scenarios downscaled to California can therefore be expected to have a significant negative impact on the value of farmland.
Changes in the testis seminiferous tubules and interstitium in prepubertal bull calves immunised against inhibin at the time of gonadotropin administration

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of gonadotropin administration at initiation of inhibin passive immunisation in Jersey bull calves (age 27 ± 5 days) on testicular morphology and development. Primary treatments consisted of control (keyhole limpet haemocyanin, KLH; n = 9) or immunisation against inhibin (INH; n = 9). Subsets of calves were randomly assigned within primary treatments (TRT) to receive saline ( n = 3 per TRT), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; n = 3 per TRT) or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH, n = 3 per TRT). The right testis was removed (age 118 ± 5 days) to determine volumes of testicular components and cell numbers per testis using stereology. Data were analysed using the MIXED procedure of the SAS program. Antibody titres against inhibin were increased in INH bulls compared with KLH bulls (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant immunisation × hormone treatment interaction was noted for the number of germ cells. Administration of FSH at the time of initial immunisation against inhibin significantly increased the number of germ cells (92.2 ± 9 × 106 cells) compared with INH+saline bulls (54.9 ± 10 × 106 cells), with INH+GnRH bulls having an intermediate number of cells (64.5 ± 9 × 106 cells; P < 0.05). These results suggest that gonadotropin administration at the time of inhibin immunisation increases the number of germ cells in the testis.
What kinds of professional international opportunities may be secured for faculty

U.S. professors have a variety of opportunities, including study abroad and faculty exchange programs, to work in another country, which can enrich a professor's cross-cultural perspectives.
Delaying Onion Planting to Control Onion Maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae): Efficacy and Underlying Mechanisms

Onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an important pest of onion, Allium cepa L., in northern temperate areas, especially in the Great Lakes region of North America Management of D. antiqua relies on insecticide use at planting, but insecticide resistance can cause control failures that threaten the long-term viability of this strategy. Delaying the time onions are planted was investigated as an alternative management approach for D. antiqua and the ecological and behavioral mechanisms underlying host age and insect relationships were examined in laboratory and field experiments. Delaying onion planting by two to four weeks reduced damage to onions by 35 and 90%, respectively. Onions planted later emerged later and this reduced the period overwintered flies had to oviposit on the plants. Moreover, flies tended to lay few to no eggs on these young, late-planted onions. As anticipated, D. antiqua laid 4-8 times more eggs on older onions than on young onions, and older onions were more resilient to injury caused by D. antiqua neonates compared with younger onions. However, the resiliency to maggot attack lessened as the density of D. antiqua increased from 2 to 10 eggs per plant, which probably explains why greater levels of maggot damage are typically observed in early onion plantings compared with later plantings. Delaying onion planting until mid-May reduced D. antiqua damage without jeopardizing the period required to produce marketable yield, but this cultural tactic must be combined with other management strategies to prevent economic loss.
The Biogeography of Faunal Place Names in the United States

: The names of native wildlife species are attached to thousands of landmarks throughout the United States. We used a U.S. Geological Survey online database to assess the abundance, distribution, density, and historical range fidelity of 24 faunal place names within the continental United States and Alaska. Our search generated over 35,000 faunal place names distributed across 49 states, with overall highest densities in mountainous regions. The distribution of place names corroborates the familiar pattern of range constriction characteristic of many species during the past century. Place names of range-limited species demonstrated strong fidelity to historical ranges. The spatial patterns of faunal place names are important indicators of a species' historical distribution. Furthermore, these place names reflect culturally important connections between humans and native fauna. Prudent analysis of place names may provide important biogeographical information for maintaining or restoring species and habitat components, although its utility will likely be limited to large, charismatic species. Resumen: Los nombres de especies nativas de vida silvestre estan asociados a miles de puntos de referencia a lo largo de los Estados Unidos. Utilizamos una base de datos de la U.S. Geological Survey para evaluar la abundancia, distribucion y fidelidad del rango historico de 24 nombres de sitios asociados a fauna dentro del territorio continental de los Estados Unidos y Alaska. Nuestra busqueda genero mas de 35,000 nombres de sitios asociados a fauna distribuidos a lo largo de 49 estados, con las densidades mas altas en terminos generales en las regiones montanosas. La distribucion de los nombres de los lugares corrobora el patron conocido de constriccion de rango caracteristico de muchas especies durante el siglo pasado. Las especies con rango limitado tenian sus nombres en sitios que demostraban una alta fidelidad a los rangos historicos. Los patrones espaciales de los nombres de sitios asociados a la fauna son indicadores importantes de la distribucion historica de las especies. Adicionalmente, estos nombres de lugares reflejan conexiones culturalmente importantes entre los humanos y la fauna nativa. Un analisis prudente de los nombres de los sitios puede proveer informacion biogeografica importante para mantener o restaurar especies y componentes del habitat, aunque su utilidad estaria posiblemente limitada a especies grandes y que generan interes por parte del publico.
Semiprime Graded Algebras of Dimension Two

Semiprime, noetherian, connected graded k-algebras R of quadratic growth are described in terms of geometric data. A typical example of such a ring is obtained as follows: Let Y be a projective variety of dimension at most one over the base field k and let E be an OY-order in a finite dimensional semisimple algebra A over K = k(Y). Then, for any automorphism τ of A that restricts to an automorphism σ of Y and any ample, invertible E-bimodule B, Van den Bergh constructs a noetherian, “twisted homogeneous coordinate ring” B = ⊕ H0(Y, B ⊗ ··· ⊗ Bτn − 1). We show that R is noetherian if and only if some Veronese ring R(m) of R has the form k + I, where I is a left ideal of such a ring B and where I = B at each point p ∈ Y at which σ has finite order. This allows one to give detailed information about the structure of R and its modules.
Grainless Phosphor Screens for TV Tubes and a Light Amplifier

A luminescent coating deposited as a grainless layer avoids the diffusely scattered light associated with a conventional powder phosphor in television tubes. Such transparent phosphor screens of zinc sulfide can be made by a vapor phase reaction as will be described. With a screen of this kind, higher resolution and contrast are possible. Phosphor layers produced in this way may also be used as light amplifying screens.
Pulmonary Gas Exchange Improves in the Prone Position with Abdominal Distension

Arterial blood oxygenation in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome is often improved in the prone position. Critically ill patients often have abdominal distension and whether similar improvements in gas exchange occur with the prone position is not known. We therefore studied the effect of posture on gas exchange in eight ketamine-anesthetized pigs with abdominal distension. A rubber balloon, placed in the abdominal cavity, was filled with water to increase intra-abdominal pressure. The animals were mechanically ventilated with FIO2 = 0.4, and PaCO2 was kept constant. Gas exchange was measured in the supine and prone positions, with and without abdominal distension, in random order, using the multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET). When the abdomen was normal, the prone position increased PaO2 by 16 +/- 21 mm Hg (p < 0.05), accompanied by a small, but statistically insignificant, decrease in AaPO2 (p = 0.08) and no change in ventilation/perfusion (V A/Q) heterogeneity measured by MIGET. In the presence of abdominal distension, the prone position increased Pa O2 by 26 +/- 18 mm Hg (p < 0.01) and decreased AaPO2 (p < 0.05) and V A/Q heterogeneity as measured by the log standard deviation of the perfusion distribution (p < 0.01) and the arterial-alveolar difference area (p < 0.05). In addition, intragastric pressure was lower in the prone position (p < 0.01). We conclude that in anesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs, the prone position improves pulmonary gas exchange to a greater degree in the presence of abdominal distension than when the abdomen is normal.
Reaction of [14C]cyanide with hexosamines, acid polysaccharides and some related compounds

Abstract Cyanohydrin formation with [14C]cyanide was studied with N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, mannose, glucose, fucose, glucuronate, hyaluronate hexasaccharide, chondroitinsulfate and hyaluronate. With the simple compounds the reaction approximated second-order kinetics. The monosaccharides and the hyaluronate hexasaccharide took up the theoretical amount of cyanide when incubated with an excess of K14CN. However, the chondroitin sulfates took up more than expected from their number average molecular weights. Similar results were obtained with hyaluronate, suggesting that at high cyanide concentrations some breakdown of the polysaccharides may occur. The method of cyanide labeling and counting of mucopolysaccharides and related substances appears to be suitable for studies of enzymic and non-enzymic degradation of polysaccharides.
Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Synostosis and Outcomes Following Operative Treatment of Ankle Fractures

Background:Distal tibiofibular synostosis is a known but poorly described complication of ankle fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ankle fracture fixati...
Estuarine organic chemistry as a clue to mysteries of the deep oceans

Abstract Models of global carbon balances attribute a net transfer of organic carbon from the terrestrial environment to the deep ocean. Budgets of organic inputs to the world's oceans always show autochthonous input by primary productivity to contribute better than 95%. Yet, much of the organic matter in the ocean, especially at depth, is thought to be refractory and ancient. The question arises of whether a significant input of nonlabile organic matter may come to the sea from terriginous sources with possible alteration in passing through estuaries. Organic chemistry of the Delaware estuary is used to examine sources and sinks within the estuary and to address the question of organic export to the ocean. With relatively simple organic classification, distinctly different property—salinity plots can be found for different classes. As extreme examples it can be seen that total dissolved organic carbon gives an essentially conservative mixing pattern, humic acids show a strong geochemical estuarine sink and dissolved -free amino acids show variable biochemical sources in the lower estuary. Examining several classes of organic nitrogen, studying NMR scans of humic acids and colloidal organic matter, and extrapolating from these, the suggestion is made that mucopolysaccharides are an-estuarine export.
Making the Case for Standards of Conduct in Clinical Training

The authors examined a proposed set of standards for the personal and professional conduct of counseling trainees. Eighty-two counselor educators and supervisors from programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs ranked 55 behaviors divided across 3 categories (i.e., professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal). Q-sort methodology was used to collect the data, and the results provide a starting point for identifying criteria for gatekeeping practices.
Droplet model nuclear density distributions and single-particle potential wells

Abstract A description is given of the nuclear density distributions and single-particle potential wells that arise in the course of Thomas-Fermi calculations of average nuclear properties. Simple expressions are given for the calculation of the essential characteristics of these distributions, and it is shown how the results obtained here may be used to approximate the densities and potential wells in terms of Fermi functions.
Influence of soil water status and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit on leaf gas exchange in field-grown winter wheat

Abstract Soil water status and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD) are important environmental parameters that influence plant gas exchange. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil water potential (Ψs) on the responses of gas exchange to VPD in four field-grown winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. The gas exchange parameters: net CO2 assimilation rate (An), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), and intercellular CO2 concentration (ci) were measured under different VPD and Ψs conditions during the period from heading to the middle of grain filling. The soil water potential had a significant effect on the responses of gas exchange parameters to VPD. At high Ψs (−0.09 MPa), An did not respond to increased VPD. However, An was sensitive to increased VPD at low Ψs, and the most pronounced decrease in An as VPD increased was observed under severe water stress (Ψs=−0.7 MPa). Stomatal conductance decreased with increased VPD even at high Ψs (−0.09 MPa). Transpiration rate increased as VPD increased at high Ψs, but decreased as VPD increased under low Ψs. The response of gs to VPD cannot be explained as feedback mechanism, i.e. the decrease in gs is not due to increase in E at high VPD. The response of gs to VPD in this study was consistent with a feedforward mechanism. Among the four cultivars, Karl 92 had the lowest An, gs, and E, while the other three cultivars (Arapahoe, Cheyenne, and Scout 66) had higher An, gs, and E than Karl 92 under low Ψs and high VPD conditions.