cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of methods of providing analgesia after pancreas transplant: IV opioid analgesia versus transversus abdominis plane block with liposomal bupivacaine or continuous catheter infusion

BACKGROUND Current practices emphasize a multimodal approach to perioperative analgesia due to higher efficacy and decreased opioid usage. Analgesia for pancreas transplant (PT) has traditionally been managed with intravenous (IV) opioids, and reports of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are limited in this population. METHODS Three interventions were compared in adult PT patients, including IV opioids, TAP catheter, and TAP block with liposomal bupivacaine. Time to return of intestinal function and oral diet, postoperative pain scores, opioid usage, and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS Study included 197 PT patients: 62 (32%) standard care, 90 (45%) TAP catheters with continuous 0.2% ropivacaine, and 45 (23%) single liposomal bupivacaine TAP block. Pain scores were lowest for the IV opioid group (P < 0.001). The liposomal bupivacaine group had lower pain scores on postoperative days (POD) 1-5 than the TAP catheter group. Opioid use during POD 1-5 was lower for both TAP block groups (P = 0.03). Time to bowel function was faster for the TAP block groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with IV opioid analgesia, TAP block interventions were associated with lower overall use of opioids and a faster time to intestinal function following pancreas transplant.
Using SpaceWire Time Codes for spacecraft time synchronization

This paper describes how SpaceWire Time Codes can be used for synchronizing time within various subsystems of a spacecraft as well as, maintaining a common time reference needed for coordinating operations within a spacecraft. The algorithms to account for inaccuracies in the time distribution method were based on the NASA-4009 Space Telecommunication Radio System (STRS) standard [1], which defined an interface for synchronizing clocks running at different tick rates and tick resolutions.
Analysis of Patients Diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and the Corresponding Incidence and Patterns of Electric Toothbrush Use.

Objective To investigate whether mechanical vibrational energy from using an electric toothbrush may cause an increase in the incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and prevent successful treatment of BPPV with canalith repositioning procedure. Methods This was a retrospective study conducted at an otolaryngology private practice. A survey of 111 patients who were diagnosed with BPPV in an otolaryngology practice between May 2012 and January 2017 was conducted using a questionnaire that included questions regarding demographics, inner ear pathology, treatment method, and use of an electric toothbrush. The results were recorded and compared using a chi-square test of analysis or Fisher’s exact test. Results Overall, 47 (42.3%) of the 111 BPPV patients used an electric toothbrush, whereas 64 of the 111 (57.6%) patients did not. Six (12.7%) of the 47 patients experienced dizziness with electric toothbrush use. Of the 47 patients using an electric toothbrush, 33 (70.2%) had a resolution of symptoms after Epley treatment, whereas 14 (23.4%) of 47 patients did not. Of the 64 patients who did not use an electric toothbrush, 15 (23.4%) did not have resolution after Epley treatment. Of the 47 patients using an electric toothbrush, 6 (12.8%) had a recurrence of BPPV diagnosed in the office, whereas 41 (82.2%) did not. Seven (10.9%) of those who did not use an electric toothbrush had a recurrence of BPPV, whereas 57 (89.1%) of the 64 patients did not. These results were not statistically significant (p = 0.77). Conclusions This study suggests that the mechanical vibrations from electric toothbrush use do not have an association with recurrent BPPV. The results align with some publications demonstrating that vibrations in the head and neck area from the use of an electric toothbrush can initiate dizziness; however, it does not appear that this modality of vibration is significant for inducing recurrent BPPV.
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of the Green Alga Tetraselmis striata (Chlorophyta) Generated from PacBio Sequencing.

ABSTRACT A high-quality draft genome sequence of the microalgal species Tetraselmis striata was generated using PacBio sequencing. The assembled genome is 228 Mb, derived from 3,613 polished contigs at 84× coverage depth. This genome contains an average GC content of 57.9% and 48,906 predicted genes.
Conductive Thread-Based Stretchable and Flexible Radiofrequency Coils for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective: We propose a novel flexible and entirely stretchable radiofrequency coil for magnetic resonance imaging. This coil design aims at increasing patient comfort during imaging while maintaining or improving image quality. Methods: Conductive silver-coated thread was zigzag stitched onto stretchable athletic fabric to create a single-loop receive coil. The stitched coil was mounted in draped and stretched fashions and compared to a coil fabricated on flexible printed circuit board. Match/tune circuits, detuning circuits, and baluns were incorporated into the final setup for bench measurements and imaging on a 3T MR scanner. A fast spin echo sequence was used to obtain images for comparison. Results: The fabricated coil presents multi-directional stretchability and flexibility while maintaining conductivity and stitch integrity. SNR calculations show that this stretchable coil design is comparable to a flexible, standard PCB coil with a 13–30% decrease in SNR depending on stretch degree and direction. In vivo human wrist images were obtained using the stitched coil. Conclusion: Despite the reduction in SNR for this combination of materials, there is a reduced percentage of SNR drop as compared to existing stretch coil designs. These imaging results and calculations support further experimentation into more complex coil geometries. Significance: This coil is uniquely stretchable in all directions, allowing for joint imaging at various degrees of flexion, while offering the closest proximity of placement to the skin. The materials provide a similar level of comfort to athletic wear and could be incorporated into coils for a variety of anatomies.
A Two-Tier Convolutional Neural Network for Combined Detection and Segmentation in Biological Imagery

Deep learning techniques have been useful for modern microscopy imaging techniques to further study and analyze biological structures and organs. Convolutional neural networks (CNN) have improved 2D object detection, localization, and segmentation. For imagery containing biological structures with depth, it is especially desirable to perform these tasks in 3D. Traditionally, performing these tasks simultaneously in 3D has proven to be computationally expensive. Currently available methodologies thus largely work to segment 3D objects from 2D images (without context from captured 3D volumes). In this work, we present a novel approach to perform fast and accurate localization, detection, and segmentation of volumes containing cells. Specifically, in our method, we modify and tune two state-of-the-art CNNs, namely 2D YOLOv2 and 3D U-Net, and combine them with a new fusion and image processing algorithms. Annotated volumes in this space are limited, and we have created synthetic data that mimics actual structures for training and testing our proposed approach. Promising results on this test data demonstrate the value of the technique and offers a methodology for 3D cell analysis in real microscopy imagery.
The genetic and cultural evolution of unsustainability

Anthropogenic changes are accelerating and threaten the future of life on earth. While the proximate mechanisms of these anthropogenic changes are well studied (e.g., climate change, biodiversity loss, population growth), the evolutionary causality of these anthropogenic changes have been largely ignored. Anthroecological theory (AET) proposes that the ultimate cause of anthropogenic environmental change is multi-level selection for niche construction and ecosystem engineering. Here, we integrate this theory with Lotka’s Maximum Power Principle and propose a model linking energy extraction from the environment with genetic, technological and cultural evolution to increase human ecosystem carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is partially determined by energetic factors such as the net energy a population can acquire from its environment and the efficiency of conversion from energy input to offspring output. These factors are under Darwinian genetic selection in all species, but in humans, they are also determined by technology and culture. If there is genetic or non-genetic heritable variation in the ability of an individual or social group to increase its carrying capacity, then we hypothesize that selection or cultural evolution will act to increase carrying capacity. Furthermore, if this evolution of carrying capacity occurs faster than the biotic components of the ecological system can respond via their own evolution, then we hypothesize that unsustainable ecological changes will result.
Disrupted inhibitory plasticity and homeostasis in Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder instigated by the absence of a key translation regulating protein, Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). The loss of FMRP in the CNS leads to abnormal synaptic development, disruption of critical periods of plasticity, and an overall deficiency in proper sensory circuit coding leading to hyperexcitable sensory networks. However, little is known about how this hyperexcitable environment affects inhibitory synaptic plasticity. Here, we show that in vivo layer 2/3 of the primary somatosensory cortex of the Fmr1 KO mouse exhibits basal hyperexcitability and an increase in neuronal firing rate suppression during whisker activation. This aligns with our in vitro data that indicate an increase in GABAergic spontaneous activity, a faulty mGluR-mediated inhibitory input and impaired inhibitory plasticity processes. Specifically, we find that mGluR activation sensitivity is overall diminished in the Fmr1 KO mouse leading to both a decreased spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic input to principal cells and a disrupted form of inhibitory long-term depression (I-LTD). These data suggest an adaptive mechanism that acts to homeostatically counterbalance the cortical hyperexcitability observed in FXS.
Vasodilation by Verapamil-Nitroglycerin Solution in Microvascular Surgery.

ObjectivePapaverine is a topical vasodilator commonly used during microvascular surgery to inhibit undesired vasoconstriction. A previous national shortage of papaverine prompted evaluation of an a...
The evolution of scale economies in US banking

Summary Continued consolidation of the US banking industry and a general increase in the size of banks have prompted some policymakers to consider policies that discourage banks from getting larger, including explicit caps on bank size. However, limits on the size of banks could entail economic costs if they prevent banks from achieving economies of scale. This paper presents new estimates of returns to scale for US banks based on nonparametric, local-linear estimation of bank cost, revenue, and profit functions. We report estimates for both 2006 and 2015 to compare returns to scale some 7 years after the financial crisis and 5 years after enactment of the Dodd–Frank Act with returns to scale before the crisis. We find that a high percentage of banks faced increasing returns to scale in cost in both years, including most of the 10 largest bank holding companies. Also, while returns to scale in revenue and profit vary more across banks, we find evidence that the largest four banks operate under increasing returns to scale.
HIV stigma and its metaphors: Photos, symbols, and solutions

The objective of this study was to explore how PLWH use visual metaphors to describe and make sense of stigma. This study solicited PLWH’s experiences with stigma via photovoice—a participatory res...
Pericardial diseases

Pericardial diseases have multiple clinical presentations with acute and chronic complications. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment markedly enhance the chance of complete resolution of the hemodynamic complications of pericardial disease. The treatment of patients with acute idiopathic pericarditis is mainly to alleviate symtoms of chest pain. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent such as indomethacin is our first drug of choice. Therapy is effective and symptoms resolve within 24 to 48 hours. In patients with chronic recurrent idiopathic pericarditis, we advise the use of colchicine at 1 mg/d. Constrictive pericarditis is a progressive disease and surgical pericardiectomy is the only definite treatment. It should be performed early in the disease process before myocardial fibrosis occurs. Cardiac tamponade is a cardiac emergency and patients should be treated promptly. We often start with volume expansion with intravenous fluid in preparation for transcutaneous pericardiocentesis. Echocardiographically guided, transcutaneous pericardiocentesis is the procedure of choice. Patients with asymptomatic pericardial effusion are followed with serial echocardiography, and reserve drainage for enlarging effusions if there are signs of cardiac compression.
Early observations on the use of termite nests by bats

The remarkable discovery of Neotropical round-eared bats (Phyllostomidae, Lophostoma) actively hollowing out cavities in termite nests for roosting sites has enabled researchers to explore several aspects of their previously unknown behavior. We now know that round-eared bats excavate cavities in Nasutitermes nests that are actively used by the termites and the bats roost only in these cavities, as well as a number of other aspects of the bats’ behavior. In the early 1800s, a British naturalist, Charles Waterton, observed and published that bats “clear out” and roost in termite nests, and how he was able to ascertain if a termite nest was being used by bats. Waterton’s descriptions of this behavior have long been overlooked and now provide us with additional insights on the distribution and ecology of these poorly known bats.
Euroscepticism and bargaining success in the European Union

We analyse how Euroscepticism affects the bargaining success of governments in European Union (EU) legislative negotiations. We argue that pro-European governments who face Euroscepticism at home a...
Bounding the Last Mile: Efficient Learned String Indexing.

We introduce the RadixStringSpline (RSS) learned index structure for efficiently indexing strings. RSS is a tree of radix splines each indexing a fixed number of bytes. RSS approaches or exceeds the performance of traditional string indexes while using 7-70$\times$ less memory. RSS achieves this by using the minimal string prefix to sufficiently distinguish the data unlike most learned approaches which index the entire string. Additionally, the bounded-error nature of RSS accelerates the last mile search and also enables a memory-efficient hash-table lookup accelerator. We benchmark RSS on several real-world string datasets against ART and HOT. Our experiments suggest this line of research may be promising for future memory-intensive database applications.
Transforming growth factor-beta responsiveness in DPC4/SMAD4-null cancer cells.

DPC4/SMAD4 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene with a strikingly high frequency of gene alterations in pancreatic cancer that suggests a discrete role for DPC4 in these tumors. DPC4 tumor-suppressive function has been implicated to mediate the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)–suppressive pathway; however, in a DPC4-null pancreatic cancer cell line, TGFβ growth-inhibitory and transcriptional responses were found to be DPC4-independent. This was observed within native cells having a natural homozygous deletion and in clones engineered for stable expression of wild-type DPC4 integrated into the genome. This observation contrasted with the absolute DPC4 dependence of TGFβ responses in a breast cancer cell line studied in parallel. This growth-inhibitory response to TGFβ in DPC4-null cells relied on an intact ras effector pathway. These data further suggest a major categorization of TGFβ responses into DPC4-dependent and -independent signaling pathways and specifically suggest that disruption of the TGFβ-independent signal might be a basis of selection for the emergence of DPC4 alterations during tumorigenesis in the pancreas and other sites. Mol. Carcinog. 26:37–43, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effects of HyperCard Programming on Teacher Education Students' Problem-Solving Ability and Computer Anxiety.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether a lengthened HyperCard treatment could promote problem-solving ability and reduce computer anxiety. It built upon a previous study by Reed and Liu (1994), which examined the comparative effects of the BASIC programming language and the HyperCard authoring language on students’ problem solving and computer anxiety. The Reed and Liu study found that after being exposed to the programming instruction for approximately 54 hrs, the problem-solving skills of the BASIC group improved significantly, whereas the problem-solving skills of the HyperCard group did not. This present research sought to answer the question “Can HyperCard promote problem solving if the treatment is lengthened and more of the programming components of HyperCard are included?” This study replicated a similar treatment, but lengthened the HyperCard instruction from 54 to 150 hrs of exposure to the language. The results showed that the lengthened treatment on HyperCard programming ...
Biofunctionalization of Fluorescent Nanoparticles

The sections in this article are Introduction Fluorescent Nanoparticle Probes Dye-doped Nanoparticles Quantum Dots (QDs) Metal Nanoparticles Hybrid Architectures Involving Fluorescent Nanoprobes Metal–Dye Dye-doped Silica Shells Quantum Dot-containing Microspheres Bioconjugation of Fluorescent Nanoparticles General Considerations Overview Common Coupling Reactions Bioconjugation of Polymeric Nanoparticles Noncovalent Approaches Covalent Approaches Bioconjugation of Quantum Dots Noncovalent Approaches Covalent Approaches Bioconjugation of Metallic Nanoprobes Noncovalent Approaches Covalent Approaches Design of Biocompatible Coatings General Considerations Overview Colloidal Stability Biocompatible Surfaces Cytotoxicity Nanoparticle-stabilizing Coatings Low Cytotoxicity Coatings Applications Biosensing Polymeric Sensors Quantum Dot Sensors Metallic Sensors Fluorescent Nanoparticles as Labels in Biological Imaging Dye-doped Nanoparticles Quantum Dots
Address-space layout randomization using code islands

Address-Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) techniques prevent intruders from locating target functions by randomizing the process layout. Prior ASLR techniques defended against single-target brute force attacks, which work by locating a single, omnipotent system library function such as execve(). These techniques are not sufficient to defend against chained return-into-lib(c) attacks that call a sequence of system library functions. In this paper, we describe the Island Code Transformation (ICT) that addresses chained return-into-lib(c) attacks. A code island is a block of code that is isolated in the address space from other code blocks. Island code not only randomizes the base pointers used in memory mapping, but also maximizes the entropy in function layout (that is, knowing the location and extent of one function gains the attacker little knowledge as to the memory location of other functions). We also provide an efficacy analysis of randomization schemes based on combinations of available ASLR techniques. Our analysis shows that ICT is exponentially more effective than any prior ASLR technique in defending against brute-force searches for addresses of multiple target functions - a key component of chained return-into-lib(c) attacks. ICT uses a predefined rerandomization threshold, that determines how frequently (in terms of failed attacks) the process layout is re-randomized to balance security and availability. Our overhead measurement on some well-known GNU applications shows that it takes less than 0.05 second to load/rerandomize a process with the necessary C system library functions in code islands, and our technique introduces a 3-10% run-time overhead caused by inter-island control transfers. We, therefore, conclude that ICT is well-suited for dedicated servers.
Cognitive impairments at high altitudes and adaptation.

Abstract Xiaodan Yan. Cognitive impairments at high altitudes and adaptation. High Alt Med Biol. 15:141–145, 2014.—High altitude hypoxia has been shown to have significant impact on cognitive performance. This article reviews the aspects in which, and the conditions under which, decreased cognitive performance has been observed at high altitudes. Neural changes related to high altitude hypoxia are also reviewed with respect to their possible contributions to cognitive impairments. In addition, potential adaptation mechanisms are reviewed among indigenous high altitude residents and long-term immigrant residents, with discussions about methodological concerns related to these studies.
Hand-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with renal mobilization for delayed recognition of a proximal ureteral injury after lumbar disk surgery

We present hand-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (HALUU) with renal mobilization as a novel approach to the management of proximal ureteral injury after lumbar disk surgery. A 63-year-old female underwent L4-L5 diskectomy and facetectomy with cage placement for back and leg pain. Postoperatively, she developed fever, nausea, abdominal pain, ileus and leukocytosis. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast and delayed imaging demonstrated a left proximal ureteral injury with contrast extravasation. Retrograde and antegrade ureteral stent placement was unsuccessful; a nephrostomy tube was placed. Antegrade and retrograde ureterograms revealed a 3-cm proximal ureteral defect. All treatment options were discussed, and the patient chose to undergo hand-assisted laparoscopic renal mobilization with ureteroureterostomy, which was completed successfully without complications. Operative time was 381 minutes; estimated blood loss was 50 mL. The patient was discharged after 2 days, her ureteral stent was removed in 8 weeks, and follow-up with furosemide-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG-3) renal scan demonstrated 30% function without evidence of obstruction. Hand-assisted laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy with renal mobilization can be performed as definitive management of a medium-length proximal ureteral injury. This is the first case describing this management technique after lumbar disk surgery.
Cognitive representation of common ground in user interfaces

We argue that Clark’s theory of participant representations of common ground in joint activities between people is relevant to the design of human-computer interaction. Features of common ground can be shown to exist in current interaction models suggesting that computers as sophisticated information processors can be legitimately construed as participants in the interactive process. Software, though, is rarely designed to explain itself or to demonstrate a knowledgeable awareness of the user’s concerns. We describe an effort to provide a principled basis for this capacity in the form of an embedded cognitive simulation representing an application’s task and user related common ground.
On cubic lacunary Fourier series

For 2 < β < 4, we analyze the behavior, near the rational points x = pπ/q, of Σ∞n=1 n -β exp(ixn 3 ), considered as a function of x. We expand this series into a constant term, a term on the order of (x - pπ/q) (β-1)/3 , a term linear in x - pπ/q, a chirp term on the order of (x - pπ/q) (2β-1)/4 , and an error term on the order of (x - pπ/q) β/2 . At every such rational point, the left and right derivatives are either both finite (and equal) or both infinite, in contrast with the quadratic series, where the derivative is often finite on one side and infinite on the other. However, in the cubic series, again in contrast with the quadratic case, the chirp term generally has a different set of frequencies and amplitudes on the right and left sides. Finally, we show that almost every irrational point can be closely approximated, in a suitable Diophantine sense, by rational points where the cubic series has an infinite derivative. This implies that when β ≤ (√97 - 1)/4 = 2.212..., both the real and imaginary parts of the cubic series are differentiable almost nowhere.
Busy, Happy Calvinists

Mainline religious institutions foster volunteering to serve the common good, and thereby build up their own members’ happiness. Among mainline denominations, Presbyterians stand out for their high levels of volunteering, optimism, generalized trust, and happiness, as shown by new data from the Presbyterian Panel. This is tied not only to their general status as a core mainline denomination, but specifically to the Calvinist doctrines of providence and stewardship. Though declining in numbers, Presbyterians still make an outsized contribution to the Tocquevillian voluntary associations that build American democracy.
Experimental Investigation of Grain and Specimen Size Effects During Electrical-Assisted Forming

Alternative manufacturing processes such as hot working and Electrical-Assisted Forming (EAF), which involves passing a high density electrical current through the workpiece during deformation, have been shown to increase the potential strain induced in materials and reduce required forces for deformation. While forming at elevated temperatures is common, the EAF process provides more significant improvements in formability without the undesirable affects associated with forming at elevated temperatures. This research investigates the effect of grain size and current density on annealed pure copper during the EAF process. The flow stress reduction effect of the process was shown to decrease with increasing grain sizes. A threshold current density, required to achieve a significant reduction in the flow stresses, becomes more apparent at larger grain sizes and the value increases with increasing grain size. The effects increase with increasing strain due to dislocations being generated during deformation. Therefore the dislocation density, related in part by the grain size, appears to be a factor in the EAF process.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Both Natural and Designed Micro RNAs Can Inhibit the Expression of Cognate mRNAs When Expressed in Human Cells

Animal cells have recently been shown to express a range of ∼22 nucleotide noncoding RNAs termed micro RNAs (miRNAs). Here, we show that the human mir-30 miRNA can be excised from irrelevant, endogenously transcribed mRNAs encompassing the predicted 71 nucleotide mir-30 precursor. Expression of the mir-30 miRNA specifically blocked the translation in human cells of an mRNA containing artificial mir-30 target sites. Similarly, designed miRNAs were also excised from transcripts encompassing artificial miRNA precursors and could inhibit the expression of mRNAs containing a complementary target site. These data indicate that novel miRNAs can be readily produced in vivo and can be designed to specifically inactivate the expression of selected target genes in human cells.
Even the best laid plans sometimes go askew: Career self-management processes, career shocks, and the decision to pursue graduate education.

Drawing on career self-management frameworks as well as image theory and the unfolding model of turnover, we developed a model predicting early career employees' decisions to pursue graduate education. Using a sample of 337 alumni from 2 universities, we found that early career individuals with intrinsic career goals, who engaged in career planning, who were less satisfied with their career, or who experienced impactful positive career shocks were more likely to intend to go to graduate school. In contrast, individuals with extrinsic career goals who were highly satisfied with their careers were less likely to intend to go to graduate school. Graduate education intentions, career planning, and the impact of having one's mentor leave the organization positively related to actual applications to graduate school. However, having extrinsic career goals, an impactful sooner than expected raise or promotion (a positive career shock), and a negative organizational change (a negative career shock) negatively related to the likelihood of applying. The career shocks' direct relationship to applications to graduate school, regardless of one's intentions, suggests that "the best laid plans" can sometimes be altered by unplanned events. This study contributes to the literatures on career self-management and graduate education and extends the application of the shock construct from the unfolding model of turnover to other career-related decisions.
A new single stage AC-DC converter for low voltage electromagnetic energy harvesting

In this paper, a direct AC-DC converter for electromagnetic microgenerators is presented. In recent years, researchers have developed a number of microgenerator configurations that are capable of producing an AC voltage of a few hundred millivolts. However, little work has been reported on conversion of such low voltages to a steady DC voltage required by most devices. The authors present a new converter topology that can be used for such low voltage, low power energy harvesting. It utilizes the bidirectional current capability of MOSFETs to avoid the use of front-end bridge rectifier. The converter offers a resistive load to the microgenerator making it suitable for optimum energy harvesting. Simulation and experimental results are depicted to verify the operation of the converter.
Imaging Marine Bacteria with Unique 16S rRNA V6 Sequences by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization and Spectral Analysis

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined with spectral analysis was performed to image specific bacteria from seawater using probes targeting the V6 hypervariable region of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), corresponding to positions 984 to 1047 of E. coli 16S rRNA gene. For each target, we designed two probes, each with a distinct fluorescent reporter and a unique hybridization site. Spectral imaging analysis of bacteria incubated with a pair of specific probes and a general bacterial probe enabled the detection of three probe-conferred spectra in each target cell, increasing the reliability of target identification in a diverse bacterial community.
Passive energy management through increased thermal capacitance

Abstract This paper investigates the potential of using passive energy management through increased thermal capacitance (ITC) on the building cooling load by circulating water through a piping system located in the building walls or ceiling and then through a water storage tank. The cooling load obtained from the application of the ITC on the building walls and the ceiling is compared with the cooling load of a reference building without ITC. The reference building, which is located in Atlanta, GA, as well as the building with the ITC are simulated using a transient building simulation software, TRNSYS, for the month of May. Several parameters that affect the performance of the proposed ITC are also analyzed, including the tank size, the mass flow rate of the working fluid, and initial working fluid temperature. In addition, the effect of the window-to-wall ratio was analyzed for the ITC case in the walls. It was found that as the window-to-wall ratio increases the amount of potential of the ITC to reduce the cooling load decreases. In general, results indicate that the application of ITC reduces the cooling load, with an application on the ceiling being the best scenario.
Changes in water‐soluble Mn due to soil sample preparation and storage

Abstract The effects of sample preparation and storage on levels of water‐soluble Mn in 5 Mississippi soils were determined. Steam sterilization has the most pronounced effect followed by methyl bromide and various degrees of air‐drying. In general, storage of soils in the moist or frozen condition will result in minimum changes in water‐soluble Mn. However, expected changes are not predictable and each soil will have to be investigated separately if it is necessary to know the effect of a particular treatment on available Mn.
Observer performance for adaptive, image-based denoising and filtered back projection compared to scanner-based iterative reconstruction for lower dose CT enterography.

The purpose of this study was to compare observer performance for detection of intestinal inflammation for low-dose CT enterography (LD-CTE) using scanner-based iterative reconstruction (IR) vs. vendor-independent, adaptive image-based noise reduction (ANLM) or filtered back projection (FBP). Sixty-two LD-CTE exams were performed. LD-CTE images were reconstructed using IR, ANLM, and FBP. Three readers, blinded to image type, marked intestinal inflammation directly on patient images using a specialized workstation over three sessions, interpreting one image type/patient/session. Reference standard was created by a gastroenterologist and radiologist, who reviewed all available data including dismissal Gastroenterology records, and who marked all inflamed bowel segments on the same workstation. Reader and reference localizations were then compared. Non-inferiority was tested using Jackknife free-response ROC (JAFROC) figures of merit (FOM) for ANLM and FBP compared to IR. Patient-level analyses for the presence or absence of inflammation were also conducted. There were 46 inflamed bowel segments in 24/62 patients (CTDIvol interquartile range 6.9–10.1 mGy). JAFROC FOM for ANLM and FBP were 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.92) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.92), and were statistically non-inferior to IR (FOM 0.84; 95% CI 0.76–0.93). Patient-level pooled confidence intervals for sensitivity widely overlapped, as did specificities. Image quality was rated as better with IR and AMLM compared to FBP (p < 0.0001), with no difference in reading times (p = 0.89). Vendor-independent adaptive image-based noise reduction and FBP provided observer performance that was non-inferior to scanner-based IR methods. Adaptive image-based noise reduction maintained or improved upon image quality ratings compared to FBP when performing CTE at lower dose levels.
ANALYSIS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM PROSPECTIVE DIABETES STUDY

Purpose: To review the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) for findings regarding glycated hemoglobin targets. Findings: The UKPDS was a large primary intervention study that showed a direct relationship between risk for complications of diabetes and glycemia over time-- the lower the glycemia (as measured by the glycated hemoglobin level), the lower the risk for complications. The rate of increase in risk for microvascular disease with hyperglycemia was greater than the risk for macrovascular disease. Conclusion: The UKPDS clearly demonstrated that, in type 2 diabetes, more intensive control of glycemia (glycated hemoglobin <6.5%) and "tighter" control of blood pressure (<130/80 mm Hg) independently reduce the risk of complications.
On the consequences of priming: Assimilation and contrast effects

Abstract Two experiments investigated the effects of priming (activation of a category by unobtrusive exposure to exemplars of that category) on subsequent judgments in an unrelated task. Subjects were primed with one of four levels of ferocity (size) in the course of a “color perception” experiment, and were later asked to judge the ferocity (size) of real (unambiguous) and unreal (ambiguous) animals. An interaction between ambiguity of judged stimuli (real vs unreal animals) and extremity of primed exemplars (moderate vs extreme levels of ferocity or size) was revealed. Assimilation effects (judgments consistent with the primed category) occurred only when moderate exemplars were primed and ambiguous stimuli judged. Contrast effects occurred when extreme exemplars were primed and ambiguous stimuli judged and, irrespective of extremity of the primed exemplar, when unambiguous stimuli were judged. The results are interpreted in terms of an integration of social judgment and social cognition perspectives.
Multidrug resistance in a small cell lung cancer line: Rapid selection with etoposide and differential chemosensitization with cyclosporin A

We developed a multidrug resistant small cell lung cancer line, VPR-2, by exposing H69 parent cells to etoposide (20 microM) for 1 h daily for 3 days every 21-28 days, a schedule similar to that used in the clinic. Resistance (20-fold) to the cytostatic and DNA cleavage activities of etoposide emerged after the third treatment, and this phenotype was stable in the absence of drug exposure for 2.5 years. VPR-2 cells exhibited cross resistance to intercalating agents and vinca alkaloids, but remained sensitive to X-radiation, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The human mdr1 gene was overexpressed in the resistant line, but steady-state concentrations of etoposide were reduced only 1.5-fold. Topoisomerase II catalytic and etoposide stimulated DNA cleavage activity in nuclear extracts from both lines were identical despite retention of a 3-fold level of resistance to etoposide-induced strand breaks in isolated nuclei from VPR-2 cells. Cyclosporin A and verapamil, both of which bind to P-glycoprotein, enhanced accumulation of etoposide in VPR-2 cells, and H69 cells to a lesser extent. Yet only cyclosporin A was effective in differentially enhancing etoposide cytostasis in VPR-2 relative to H69. In VPR-2 whole cells, cyclosporin A enhanced etoposide-induced DNA single-strand break frequency 9-fold but had no effect in isolated nuclei. Rapid selection of this line with a clinically relevant drug exposure schema and stability of the resistant phenotype suggest these cells may have been a steady subpopulation of the parent line through years of serial passage in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cortical reorganization after long-term adaptation to retinal lesions in humans.

Single-unit recordings demonstrated that the adult mammalian visual cortex is capable of reorganizing after induced retinal lesions. In humans, whether the adult cortex is capable of reorganizing has only been studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging, with equivocal results. Here, we exploited the phenomenon of visual crowding, a major limitation on object recognition, to show that, in humans with long-standing retinal (macular) lesions that afflict the fovea and thus use their peripheral vision exclusively, the signature properties of crowding are distinctly different from those of the normal periphery. Crowding refers to the inability to recognize objects when the object spacing is smaller than the critical spacing. Critical spacing depends only on the retinal location of the object, scales linearly with its distance from the fovea, and is approximately two times larger in the radial than the tangential direction with respect to the fovea, thus demonstrating the signature radial–tangential anisotropy of the crowding zone. Using retinal imaging combined with behavioral measurements, we mapped out the crowding zone at the precise peripheral retinal locations adopted by individuals with macular lesions as the new visual reference loci. At these loci, the critical spacings are substantially smaller along the radial direction than expected based on the normal periphery, resulting in a lower scaling of critical spacing with the eccentricity of the peripheral locus and a loss in the signature radial–tangential anisotropy of the crowding zone. These results imply a fundamental difference in the substrate of cortical processing in object recognition following long-term adaptation to macular lesions.
Computational and Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer Within a Column Photobioreactor

The goal of this research is to investigate heat transfer effects of two phase gas-liquid flows in a column photobioreactor (PBR) experimentally as well as computationally using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The authors have completed a preliminary study on bubble formation, rise and resulting circulation patterns using lab-scale experiments and CFD simulations. This study extends on this previous work by investigating the relationships of bubble drag coefficient and bubble Reynolds number with superficial gas velocity and a study of heat transfer within the PBR. It is hypothesized that a greater understanding the bubble movement patterns will aid in predicting heat transfer rates within the PBR. Dispersed gas–liquid flow in the rectangular column PBR are modeled using the Eulerian–Lagrangian approach. The heat transfer process has been considered for the case of a steady state three dimensional PBR. A low Reynolds number k–epsilon CFD model is used for the description of flow pattern near the wall. The velocity profiles and eddy diffusivity obtained by the model are utilized to predict heat transfer coefficients for different superficial gas velocities. The information on heat transfer effects between cooling or heating surfaces and a gas-liquid dispersed bed is essential for designing a PBR. Carbon dioxide, which is necessary for photosynthetic microalgae growth, is added to the system. Bubble size distribution measurements are carried out using a high-speed digital camera. The main interaction forces, i.e. the drag force, the added mass force, and lift force are considered. Heat transfer and internal hydrodynamics of a column reactor are studied and the numerical simulations results are presented for heat transfer and hydrodynamics in column PBRs. The results are validated with experimental data and with data from current literature.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
EVOLUTION OF THE SOLAR MAGNETIC FIELD

Abstract The possibility is demonstrated that the solar magnetic field, rather than being of internal origin, may have originated, during the process of the Sun's formation, from a galactic magnetic field which pervaded the interstellar gas out of which the Sun condensed The magnetic field in the condensing gas cloud is maintained at approximately the galactic level until a temperature of about 1500° K is reached. At this time the field becomes frozen to the gas. Equations governing its subsequent evolution and which determine its final magnitude and geometry are derived. In particular the effects of disc formation and the Hayashi phase of solar evolution upon the magnetic field are discussed. It is found that, if these effects do not grossly change the net flux of field through the cloud, the magnitude of the surface field predicted for the present day Sun compares not unfavorably with the observed 1–2 gauss field.
Reissert compound studies. XXXVII. Attempts to form reissert compounds from quinazoline and cinnoline

Reaction of quinazoline with trimethylsilyl cyanide and benzoyl chloride gave 2,4-dicyano-1,3-dibenzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline as the major product. This compound undergoes monoalkylation with methyl iodide in the presence of sodium hydride. Reaction of cinnoline with trimethylsilyl cyanide and benzoyl chloride gave 1,2-dibenzoyl-4-cyano-1,2-dihydrocinnoline.
Grain boundary misorientation dependence of β phase precipitation in an Al–Mg alloy

Precipitation of β phase (Al3Mg2) in an Al–Mg alloy is investigated by in situ heating and precession diffraction-based orientation imaging in a transmission electron microscope. Initial β formation occurs more readily at low-angle grain boundaries than at high-angle boundaries; however, larger precipitates are found at high-angle boundaries. We propose a mechanism for β formation based on boundary energy and grain boundary free volume. These results advance the understanding of β phase formation, aiding future corrosion prevention.
Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: An Approach to the Prevention or Palliation of Levodopa-Associated Motor Complications

Abstract Gene therapy holds considerable potential for the treatment of central nervous system disease. The introduction of functional genes into the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease may, for example, prove useful as a means to replace a defective gene, introduce a potentially neuroprotective or neurorestorative protein, or permit the physiological delivery of a deficient neurotransmitter. Recent observations suggest that the oral administration of currently available dopaminomimetics to relatively advanced parkinsonian patients leads to nonphysiologic intermittent stimulation of striatal neurons that express dopamine receptors. Resultant activation of signal transduction pathways from these dopaminergic receptors on medium-sized GABAergic neurons apparently induces long-term potentiation of adjacent glutamatergic receptors of theN-methyl- d -aspartate subtype. The effects of dopaminergic drugs thus become modified in ways that favor the clinical appearance of response fluctuations and peak-dose dyskinesias. In parkinsonian models as well as in patients with Parkinson's disease, continuous dopaminergic replacement tends to prevent or alleviate these adverse effects. By continuously maintaining appropriate cerebral dopamine concentrations, molecular techniques which stimulate an increase in the intrastriatal activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine synthesis, might be expected to palliate parkinsonian symptoms with less risk of the disabling consequences of current therapy. Clinical study of these approaches could also serve as initial, relatively simple, proof-of-principle evaluations of the safety and efficacy of genetic approaches to the treatment of basic disease processes in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
What should I say? Talking with patients about sexuality issues.

Sexual and reproductive function is affected by all aspects of cancer, including cancer’s biologic processes of growth and metastasis, the effects of undergoing cancer treatment, and the psychological issues that occur as a result of having cancer and receiving treatment for it. These aspects can result in changes in body appearance, infertility and sterility, and the inability to have intercourse. The changes may be made worse by additional alterations in body image, fears of abandonment, loss of self-esteem, changes in sexual identify, and concerns about self (Krebs, 2005). Human sexuality includes three separate but intertwined aspects: body image, reproductive ability, and sexuality or sexual functioning. Body image, or the way individuals see themselves or think others see them, may be altered by changes in body appearance resulting from weight loss or gain, alopecia, mucositis, fatigue, or a variety of other changes that may not be visible to others. Changes in self-esteem may occur as a result of body image alterations, resulting in decreased desire and decreased sexual activity. Reproductive function, or the ability to bear or father children, may become impossible as a result of therapyrelated infertility, and sexual functioning may be altered by changes in self-perception, decreased desire, general side effects of treatment (including cancer therapies and methods to manage side effects of therapy), or numerous other reasons. Some individuals are at higher risk for sexual side effects than others based on age, gender, type of cancer, type of cancer treatment, or concomitant medical or psychological illness (Krebs, 2001, 2005). See Figure 1 for a list of factors that contribute to sexual diffi culties.
Model energy landscapes

The multidimensional potential-energy “landscape” formalism offers useful insights into the properties of supercooled liquids and glasses. However, its mathematical fundamentals present formidable ...