cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Case Series of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for Primary Versus Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Analgesia

The innervation of the hip joint is complex and it is challenging to provide effective analgesia after hip surgery utilizing any single regional anesthesia technique. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is an interfascial plane block aiming to block articular branches supplied by femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves. In this case series, we compare the efficacy of the PENG block to provide analgesia in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The ultrasound-guided PENG block technique is described and post-operative pain scores and opioid requirements are reported. The PENG block was successfully used in primary THA as a solo block, and it may be used in combination with other regional blocks for any hip surgery. The PENG block is an easy regional technique to perform in the supine position with motor-sparing benefits.
Characterization of Amikacin Drug Exposure and Nephrotoxicity in an Animal Model.

Despite excellent in vitro activity, aminoglycosides are used conservatively to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections due to their associated nephrotoxicity. Aminoglycosides are known to accumulate in the kidneys, but the quantitative relationship between drug exposures and nephrotoxicity is not well established. To bridge the knowledge gap, the objective of this study was to develop an animal model with clinically relevant conditions to mimic human disease progression. Single-dose pharmacokinetics were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats dosed either with 100 or 500 mg/kg of body weight of amikacin subcutaneously. Serial blood samples were collected, and serum amikacin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Rats were also dosed with amikacin once daily for up to 10 days; blood samples were taken at baseline and daily to detect nephrotoxicity (defined as doubling of serum creatinine from baseline). Kidneys from both studies were harvested from selected rats, and amikacin concentrations in renal tissues were measured. A dose-dependent increase in systemic area under the curve (AUC) was observed, which ranged from approximately 1/3 (AUC of 53 mg·h/liter) to 3 times (AUC of 650 mg·h/liter) the expected exposure resulting from standard dosing in humans. Nephrotoxicity was significantly higher in rats given 500 mg/kg (100% versus 30%, P = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed a significant difference in nephrotoxicity onset between the two groups (P = 0.001). Finally, analysis of the renal tissues showed that the accumulation of amikacin could be associated with nephrotoxicity. These results are consistent with clinical observations, which support using this model in the future to investigate an intervention(s) that can be used clinically to alleviate nephrotoxicity.
Transactivation of TauT by p53 in MCF-7 Cells

The p53 tumor suppressor gene functions as a cell cycle checkpoint, blocking cell division in the G1 phase to allow repair of damaged DNA or even triggering apoptosis in cells that have defective genomes 1. Numerous stimuli trigger increases in the level of p53, including DNA-damaging drugs, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, and hypoxia 2–5. MCF-7, a human breast cancer estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cell line, expresses a high level of wild-type p53, which is up-regulated by 17-s-estradiol (E2) 6. However, p53 function is largely inactivated in MCF-7 cells, caused by misallocation of p53 from nuclei to cytosol 7, which may result in the altered expression of certain p53 target genes. Studies have shown that the taurine transporter gene (TauT) is a putative target of p53 8, and that mutation of TauT results in severe and progressive retinal degeneration, a small brain, and shrunken kidneys 9. In the present study, we show that TauT is up-regulated by p53 and E2 in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in a manner that appears to be mediated by estrogen receptor α (ERα).
The Enemy of My Enemy: New Insights Regarding Bacteriophage–Mammalian Cell Interactions

Bacteriophages (phages) are the most abundant biological entity in the human body, but until recently the role that phages play in human health was not well characterized. Although phages do not cause infections in human cells, phages can alter the severity of bacterial infections by the dissemination of virulence factors amongst bacterial hosts. Recent studies, made possible with advances in genome engineering and microscopy, have uncovered a novel role for phages in the human body – the ability to modulate the physiology of the mammalian cells that can harbor intracellular bacteria. In this review, we synthesize key results on how phages traverse through mammalian cells – including uptake, distribution, and interaction with intracellular receptors – highlighting how these steps in turn influence host cell killing of bacteria. We discuss the implications of the growing field of phage–mammalian cell interactions for phage therapy.
SOX4 and SMARCA4 cooperatively regulate PI3k signaling through transcriptional activation of TGFBR2

Dysregulation of PI3K/Akt signaling is a dominant feature in basal-like or triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). However, the mechanisms regulating this pathway are largely unknown in this subset of aggressive tumors. Here we demonstrate that the transcription factor SOX4 is a key regulator of PI3K signaling in TNBC. Genomic and proteomic analyses coupled with mechanistic studies identified TGFBR2 as a direct transcriptional target of SOX4 and demonstrated that TGFBR2 is required to mediate SOX4-dependent PI3K signaling. We further report that SOX4 and the SWI/SNF ATPase SMARCA4, which are uniformly overexpressed in basal-like tumors, form a previously unreported complex that is required to maintain an open chromatin conformation at the TGFBR2 regulatory regions in order to mediate TGFBR2 expression and PI3K signaling. Collectively, our findings delineate the mechanism by which SOX4 and SMARCA4 cooperatively regulate PI3K/Akt signaling and suggest that this complex may play an essential role in TNBC genesis and/or progression.
Five Modalities of Michel Foucault’s Use of Nietzsche’s Writings (1959–73): Critical, Epistemological, Linguistic, Alethurgic and Political:

In a series of essays, conferences, and lectures over the period 1959–73, Michel Foucault directly engaged the writings of Nietzsche. This article demonstrates the five different modalities of Fouc...
OCT Angiography Artifacts in Glaucoma

Purpose To determine the prevalence of different types of artifacts seen in OCT angiography (OCTA) images of healthy and glaucoma eyes and evaluate the characteristics associated with poor-quality images. Design Retrospective study. Participants A total of 649 eyes of 368 healthy, glaucoma suspect, and glaucoma patients. Methods Angiovue (Optovue Inc) high-density (HD) and non-HD optic nerve head and macula OCTA images of participants were evaluated by 4 expert reviewers for the presence of different artifacts, including eye movement, defocus, shadow, decentration, segmentation error, blink, and Z offset in the superficial vascular layer. Each OCTA scan was designated to have good or poor quality based on the presence of artifacts. The association of demographic and ocular characteristics with the likelihood of obtaining poor-quality OCTA images was evaluated. Main Outcome Measures The prevalence of OCTA artifacts and the factors associated with increased likelihood of capturing poor-quality OCTA images. Results A total of 5263 OCTA images were evaluated. Overall, 33.9% of the OCTA images had poor quality. The majority of images with acceptable quality scores (QS ≥ 4) had no artifacts (76.6%). Other images had 1 (13.6%) or 2 or more artifacts (9.8%). Older age (P Conclusions OCTA artifacts associated with poor-quality images are frequent, and their prevalence is affected by ocular and patient characteristics. One should not rely solely on the quantitative assessments that are provided automatically by OCTA instruments. A systematic scan review should be conducted to ensure appropriate interpretation of OCTA images. Given the high prevalence of poor-quality OCTA images, the images should be reacquired whenever an apparent and correctable artifact is present on a captured image.
What Predicts Venous Thromboembolism Among Cancer Inpatients: A Proposed Predictive Model

Abstract Introduction Increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been noted among cancer patients. Cancer associated thrombosis caused three folds increased hospitalizations, increased inpatient/outpatient medical and prescription claims, and increased total health care costs per patient. Our objective was to identify risk factors among demographic, clinical and laboratory risk for VTE among hospitalized cancer patients. We recognized the predictors of VTE and have proposed a predictive model. Methods Ours is a retrospective cohort study in patients with VTE and cancer from January 2013 to September 2015. Univariate (odds ratio with 95% confidence interval) and multivariate logistic regression analysis using stepwise approach was performed. An accurate ROC analysis with cross-validated probabilities of VTE was utilized to form a predictive model. By random partition, we formed a validation and derivative cohort to evaluate our model. Results A total of 3918 cancer inpatients were identified. Mean age was 66±14 years; 53% were males; 85% Caucasians, 7% African Americans; and 7% were obese. Common cancer types were 30% prostate, 16% lung, 11% cervical, and 11% breast. Common comorbidities were 46% hypertension, 35% pulmonary diseases, 21% renal diseases, 23% diabetes, 11% congestive heart failure, 9% anemia etc. Total 141 (3.87%) cancer patients had VTE. On univariate analysis, cancer patients with renal disease (95% CI: 1.42-2.91; p 0.0001), anemia (95% CI: 1.142-2.875; p 0.0116), and infection (95% CI: 0.96-2.04; p 0.078) were associated with increased VTE risk. On multivariate analysis, cancer group (Wald Chi-square: 9.86, p 0.0794), anemia (Wald Chi-square: 9.86, p 0.0794), infection (Wald Chi-square: 2.77, p 0.096) and renal disease (Wald Chi-square: 15.74; p Conclusion VTE was a common occurrence among male cancer inpatients. Anemia, renal diseases and infection increased VTE risk among cancer inpatients. Breast cancer, genitourinary cancer, anemia, infection, and renal disease formed the final predictive model. Download : Download high-res image (242KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Dhakal: Graduation Medical Education, Inc., Michigan State University: Research Funding. Rayamajhi: Michigan State University, College of Education: Research Funding; Sparrow/MSU Center for Innovation and Research: Research Funding.
International shadow banking and prudential capital controls

Abstract Shadow banks have recently led the growth in cross-border lending. With this in mind, I develop a two-country real business cycle model with commercial and shadow banking to study the business cycle implications and welfare effects of prudential capital controls. In my model, the presence of shadow banking results in leakages associated with capital controls. As a result, capital outflow restrictions result in a welfare loss in the policy source country, but a welfare improvement in the rival country. Capital inflow restrictions yield the opposite welfare effects for both countries.
Primary care visits and ambulatory care sensitive diabetes hospitalizations among adult Alabama Medicaid beneficiaries.

Abstract Purpose To describe patterns of care use for Alabama Medicaid adult beneficiaries with diabetes and the association between primary care utilization and ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) diabetes hospitalizations. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzes Alabama Medicaid claims data from January 2010 to April 2018 for 52,549 covered adults ages 19–64 with diabetes. Individuals were characterized by demographics, comorbidities, and health care use including primary, specialty, mental health and hospital care. Characteristics of those with and without any ACS diabetes hospitalization are reported. A set of 118,758 observations was created, pairing information on primary care use in one year with ACS hospitalizations in the following year. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of primary care use on the occurrence of an ACS hospitalization. Results One third of the cohort had at least one ACS diabetes hospitalization over their observed periods; hospital users tended to have multiple ACS hospitalizations. Hospital users had more comorbidities and pharmaceutical and other types of care use than those with no ACS hospitalizations. Controlling for other types of care use, comorbidities and demographics, having a primary care visit in one year was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of ACS hospitalization in the following year (odds ratio comparing 1–2 visits versus none 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.73–0.85). Conclusions Program and population health interventions that increase access to primary care can have a beneficial effect of reducing excess inpatient hospital use for Medicaid covered adults with diabetes.
Toxicity of chlorpyrifos adsorbed on clay and humic acid to larval walleye

7 Introduction 7 Materials and Methods 9 Results 16 Discussion 19 Acknowledgments 22 References 23 CHAPTER! EVALUATION OF ACUTE TOXICITY AND CHOLINESTERASE INHBmON IN WALLEYE fSTIZOSTEDION VITREUM^ EXPOSED TOCHLORPYRIFOS 37 Abstract 37 Introduction 38 Materials and Methods 40 Results 45 Discussion 49 Acknowledgments 51 References 52 CHAPTER 3. TOXICITY OF CHLORPYRIFOS ADSORBED ON HUMIC ACID AND A SMECTmC CLAY TO LARVAL WALLEYE 65 Abstract 65 Introduction 65
Acute toxicity to and bioconcentration of endosulfan by estuarine animals

Acute (96-h) flow-through toxicity tests with endosulfan (Thiodan) were conducted with several estuarine animals. The test species and their 96-h lethal concentration for 50 percent of the organisms (LC 5 0 ) values were: pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum), 0.04 μg/litre; grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), 1.3 μg/litre; pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), 0.3 μg/litre; spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), 0.09 μg/litre; and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), 0.38 μg/litre. In a 56-day bioconcentration study (28-day uptake, 28-day depuration), striped mullet were exposed to 0.008 and 0.08 μg endosulfan/litre seawater. The two endosulfan isomers (endosulfan I and II) were rapidly metabolized to endosulfan sulfate; only trace amounts of each isomer were detected in edible tissue or offal of mullet exposed to 0.08 μg/litre (0.035 μg/litre measured) for 28 days. Maximum bioconcentration factors of endosulfan were 2249 in edible tissue and 2755 in whole-body analyses. After 48 h in pesticide-free seawater, endosulfan was not detected in the previously exposed mullet. Our studies suggest that endosulfan in the estuarine environment would be a hazard because of its acute toxicity and bioconcentration potential, but animals surviving exposure and moving to areas free of endosulfan would lose the chemical rapidly.
Abstract 825: Effect of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy on the Timing of Regional Myocardial Deformation

Background: Effect of CRT on the timing of regional myocardial strain is not fully described. We aimed to explore the effect of CRT on the timing of regional myocardial strain using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods: STE and tissue Doppler imaging were performed in 91 patients before and 6 month after CRT. Time to peak longitudinal strain (Tϵ) from the onset of QRS was measured in 16 segments from three apical views. Time to peak systolic tissue velocity (Tv) was also measured in 12 basal and mid segments. Reverse remodeling was defined as 10% reduction in end-systolic volume. Results: At baseline, Tϵ and Tv demonstrated specific pattern with earlier septal and delayed lateral contraction (Figure). Tϵ in responders showed significantly earlier timing in mid inferoseptal (p=0.003) and anteroseptal segments (base, P=0.005, mid P=0.007) than in nonresponders, whereas the timing of free wall did not differ between responders and non-responders. After CRT, Tϵ in earlier segments (inferoseptal, anteroseptal and inferior wall) prolonged significantly (p Conclusions: Simultaneous electrical activation of LV free wall and septum with CRT achieves mechanical synchronization by delaying the timing of earlier contracting segment rather than directly shortening the timing in lateral wall. This could be explained by the increased wall stress on the septum as it contracts simultaneously with the opposing LV free wall.
Measurement of n and k in the XUV by the Angle-of-Incidence, Total-External-Reflectance Method

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the measurement of n and k in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) by the angle-of-incidence, total-external-reflectance (AOITER) method. All the methods that have been developed and employed over the years to determine the optical constants of materials are not useful in the XUV because of the lack of appropriate optics such as quarterwave plates, high absorption of materials, and extreme dispersion in both n and k typical of this spectral region. Another complication inherent in making measurements in the XUV is the absorption of air in this spectral region, which necessitates the use of vacuum chambers for any optical measurements to be performed. There are several general considerations concerning the determination of the optical constants of a material in the XUV. One of the complications in using any reflection or transmission method for the determination of the optical constants of a material in the XUV is the potential presence of contamination layers on the surface of the material. There are potential systematic errors in the measurement of n and k using the AOITER method. If the polarization of the XUV beam is unknown, it is also a potential source of error in analyzing the AOITER data for values of n and k . Another example of a potential error that occurs is spatially nonuniform detector sensitivity. This error can be minimized by always requiring that the reflected beam strike the same spot on the detector method.
Löffler's endomyocardial fibrosis with eosinophilia in association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The association of eosinophilia and Loffler’s endomyocardial fibrosis with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a 9-yr-old boy is reported. During the illness, there were three leukemic relapses, each preceded by eosinophilia which subsided upon induction of remission. It is suggested that the eosinophilia in this case was not "eosinophilic leukemia," but more likely a nonneoplastic response to an antigenic stimulus from the leukemic process.
Three-dimensional control of light in a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab

Optoelectronic devices are increasingly important in communication and information technology. To achieve the necessary manipulation of light (which carries information in optoelectronic devices), considerable efforts are directed at the development of photonic crystals—periodic dielectric materials that have so-called photonic bandgaps, which prohibit the propagation of photons having energies within the bandgap region. Straightforward application of the bandgap concept is generally thought to require three-dimensional (3D) photonic crystals1,2,3,4,5; their two-dimensional (2D) counterparts confine light in the crystal plane6,7, but not in the perpendicular z direction, which inevitably leads to diffraction losses. Nonetheless, 2D photonic crystals still attract interest8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 because they are potentially more amenable to fabrication by existing techniques and diffraction losses need not seriously impair utility. Here we report the fabrication of a waveguide-coupled photonic crystal slab (essentially a free-standing 2D photonic crystal) with a strong 2D bandgap at wavelengths of about 1.5 µm, yet which is capable of fully controlling light in all three dimensions. These features confirm theoretical calculations16,17 on the possibility of achieving 3D light control using 2D bandgaps, with index guiding providing control in the third dimension, and raise the prospect of being able to realize unusual photonic-crystal devices, such as thresholdless lasers1.
Transient ultrafine particle emission measurements with a new fast particle aerosol sizer for a trap equipped diesel truck

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has tested the utility of the Model 3090 Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS™) by TSI in measuring pre- and post-trap particulate matter (PM) emissions from a medium-duty truck. Pre- and post-trap measurements are used to evaluate the effect of engine operation on PM emissions and trap effectiveness. Because of mounting evidence that ultrafine (UF) particles are harmful, regulatory agencies are investigating new and promising instrumentation for improved characterization of such particles in emissions. This is especially true for fast-response instruments that can be used to size-resolve real-time UF emissions from prominent sources such as diesel engines. The EEPS uses diffusion charging, electrical mobility segregation, and electrometers. It is designed for the number measurement of transient aerosols in the size range of 5.6 to 560 nm. It collects 10 measurements per second at a flow rate of 10 Ipm. We sampled the emissions from a model year 2000 Isuzu medium-heavy-duty delivery truck. The truck was retrofitted with a Johnson Matthey Continuously Regenerative Trap (CRT") and fueled by ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Pre- and post-trap partial-flow samples of raw exhaust were taken using a double-stage Dekati diluter. Primary and secondary dilution ratios of approximately 8 each resulted in a total dilution of 64:1. The vehicle was operated over steady-state (50 mph cruise and idle) and transient (CBD and NYBC) duty cycles. The EEPS measurements suggest that without a trap, the size of the particles emitted by the diesel engine is highly dependent on the driving cycle. Emissions of particles smaller than 120 nm were greatest during accelerations and emissions of particles larger than 250 nm were greatest during decelerations and idle. Bursts of particularly high emissions of particles smaller than 10 nm were seen immediately after accelerations. The pre-trap size distribution was bi-modal during both steady state and transient engine operation. Peak concentrations were observed at or below 10 nm and at 60 nm at concentrations, uncorrected for dilution, of 10 5 -10 6 N/cc. The post-trap size distribution and concentration did not change significantly as a function of driving cycles. The post-trap size distribution was bi-modal with peaks at 10 and 30 nm and peak concentration of 10 2 N/cc. The EEPS measurements showed substantial effectiveness of the CRT in reducing both transient and steady-state UF particle emissions over the entire size range. In the current study the CRT reduced the total number concentrations by two to three orders of magnitude.
Ductility and toughenability study of epoxy resins under multiaxial stress states

The local strains in unmodified and rubber-modified epoxies under multiaxial stress states were examined. Matrix ductility was varied by using epoxide resins of different epoxide monomer molecular weights. The stress state was altered from a plane strain case to a plane stress case by varying the thickness of the test specimens. It was confirmed that, in the case of unmodified resins, the thinner specimens which experienced nearly uniaxial tensile stress exhibited much higher local strains at failure than the thicker counterparts which experienced highly triaxial tensile stress. Also, the cross-link density was reduced as monomer molecular weight increased, thus the increase in local plastic strain due to the stress state change also became greater. Furthermore, it was found that rubber modification markedly increased the plastic strain to failure, irrespective of the specimen dimensions, and that the extent of this plastic strain increased as cross-link density was lowered. These results are consistent with the concept that the cavitation of rubber particles relieves the initial multiaxial constraint in a thick specimen, induces a stress state closer to plane stress throughout the specimen, and consequently enables the matrix to deform to a larger extent. The results also show clearly that the toughenability of a matrix resin is not independent of the stress state and the matrix ductility.
Geoacoustic inversion using the vector field

Abstract : This research is being conducted under the Ocean Acoustics Graduate Traineeship / Special Research Award program. The first year of this award was FY10. The goal of this research is the study of new geoacoustic inverse methods using the information in the acoustic vector field. The fundamental question addressed by this effort is whether knowledge of the vector field can improve estimates for seabed properties as quantified by their a posteriori probability distributions and resolutions relative to approaches based solely on the scalar field. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of this work is to pose new geoacoustic inverse problems utilizing the acoustic vector field and to study their performance. Specific research questions include the following: * What opportunity does knowledge of the acoustic vector field provide for the estimation of sediment geoacoustic properties via numerical inversion? * How does inversion performance vary when different acoustic parameters such as impedance and intensity are used to support the estimates? * Does knowledge of the vector field improve the convergence rate relative to methods based solely on the acoustic scalar field? * Does knowledge of the vector field result in a different or improved estimate for the sediment properties? Does knowledge of the vector field reduce the solution variance?
Effect of Antisense Suppression of Endopolygalacturonase Activity on Polyuronide Molecular Weight in Ripening Tomato Fruit and in Fruit Homogenates

Fruit of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in which endopolygalacturonase (PG) activity had been suppressed to <1% of wild-type levels were slightly firmer than nontransgenic controls later in ripening. Enzymically inactive cell walls were prepared from these ripening fruit using Tris-buffered phenol. When extracted with chelator followed by Na2CO3, the amounts of pectin solubilized from cell walls of nontransgenic control or from transgenic antisense PG fruit were similar. Size-exclusion chromatography analysis showed that, relative to controls, in antisense PG fruit polyuronide depolymerization was delayed in the chelator-soluble fraction throughout ripening and reduced in the Na2CO3-soluble fraction at the overripe stage. Reduced pectin depolymerization rather than altered extractability thus may have contributed to enhanced fruit firmness. Substantially larger effects of suppressed PG activity were detected in tomato fruit homogenates processed to paste. In control paste the majority of the polyuronide was readily soluble in water and was very highly depolymerized. In antisense PG paste the proportion of polyuronide solubilized by water was reduced, and polyuronides retained a high degree of polymerization. The suppression of fruit PG activity thus has a small effect on polyuronide depolymerization in the fruit but a much larger effect in paste derived from these fruit. This indicates that in the cell wall PG-mediated degradation of polyuronide is normally restricted but that in tissue homogenates or in isolated cell walls this restriction is removed and extensive pectin disassembly results unless PG is inactivated.
The Cardinal Virtues and Kinesiology

What is a good kinesiologist? Is it possible that the ancient and medieval tradition of the Cardinal Virtues sheds light on this question? The four Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice, courage, and temperance are so called from the Latin cardo meaning “hinge.” The Cardinal Virtues are said to be the hinge upon which all the other virtues rest or turn. They are the foundation of good character. If this is right, then the answer to the question posed is simple. The good kinesiologist is prudent, just, courageous, and temperate. Therefore, to move the field forward, even on a practical level, kinesiologists must give due attention to the virtues.
RACORO continental boundary layer cloud investigations: 2. large-eddy simulations of cumulus clouds and evaluation with in situ and ground-based observations

A 60-hour case study of continental boundary layer cumulus clouds is examined using two large-eddy simulation (LES) models. The case is based on observations obtained during the RACORO Campaign (Routine Atmospheric Radiation Measurement [ARM] Aerial Facility [AAF] Clouds with Low Optical Water Depths [CLOWD] Optical Radiative Observations) at the ARM Climate Research Facility's Southern Great Plains site. The LES models are driven by continuous large-scale and surface forcings, and are constrained by multi-modal and temporally varying aerosol number size distribution profiles derived from aircraft observations. We compare simulated cloud macrophysical and microphysical properties with ground-based remote sensing and aircraft observations. The LES simulations capture the observed transitions of the evolving cumulus-topped boundary layers during the three daytime periods, and generally reproduce variations of droplet number concentration with liquid water content (LWC), corresponding to the gradient between the cloud centers and cloud edges at given heights. The observed LWC values fall within the range of simulated values; the observed droplet number concentrations are commonly higher than simulated, but differences remain on par with potential estimation errors in the aircraft measurements. Sensitivity studies examine the influences of bin microphysics versus bulk microphysics, aerosol advection, supersaturation treatment, and aerosol hygroscopicity. Simulated macrophysical cloud properties are found to be insensitive in this non-precipitating case, but microphysical properties are especially sensitive to bulk microphysics supersaturation treatment and aerosol hygroscopicity.
ADORE: Adaptive Object Recognition

Many modern computer vision systems are built by chaining together standard vision procedures, often in graphical programming environments such as Khoros, CVIPtools or IUE. Typically, these procedures are selected and sequenced by an ad-hoc combination of programmer's intuition and trial-and-error. This paper presents a theoretically sound method for constructing object recognition strategies by casting object recognition as a Markov Decision Problem (MDP). The result is a system called ADORE (Adaptive Object Recognition) that automatically learns object recognition control policies from training data. Experimental results are presented in which ADORE is trained to recognize five types of houses in aerial images, and where its performance can be (and is) compared to optimal.
Federal Tex Reform and the Taxation of Urban Residents

This article uses a microsimulation model to demonstrate that suburban residents reap larger benefits from Tax Reform than do urban residents. Tax Reform may also lead many states to reduce their reliance on income taxes. Although the direct incentives to reduce local taxes in central cities are weak, Tax Reform is likely to create stronger incentives for state governments to reduce spending, especially on programs for poor people. By creating differential price effects across different types of jurisdictions, state governments will face pressure to reduce and reallocate state aid away from central cities.
Chemical Imaging of Lipid Organization in the Plasma Membranes of Intact Cells with High Lateral Resolution

Compartmentalization of the plasma membrane into domains of differing composition is required for proper cell function, but the extent and origins of this organization is poorly understood. The non-random distributions of specific membrane proteins has been established through the use of functionalized immunolabels and genetically encoded fluorescent protein constructs. Cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched microdomains, which are sometimes called lipid rafts, are also postulated to be present in the plasma membrane and mediate cell signaling, virus budding, and many other disease-related cellular processes. Advanced high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques have revealed the presence of biophysically distinct microdomains and cholesterol-dependent nanoclusters within the plasma membranes of living cells. However a chemically specific and spatially well-resolved imaging technique is required to unambiguously establish how specific lipid species are organized within the plasma membrane. Imaging mass spectrometry is a promising approach for visualizing lipid distribution within membranes with chemical specificity and submicron lateral resolution. Previously, the distributions of two isotopically labeled lipids within phase-separated model lipid membranes were successfully imaged with 100-nm-lateral resolution by using high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Here we extend this approach to actual cells and chemically image the distributions of specific lipids within the plasma membrane with better than 100 nm lateral resolution.
Suppression of RNA interference increases alphavirus replication and virus-associated mortality in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Background Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) can persistently infect and cause limited damage to mosquito vectors. RNA interference (RNAi) is a mosquito antiviral response important in restricting RNA virus replication and has been shown to be active against some arboviruses. The goal of this study was to use a recombinant Sindbis virus (SINV; family Togaviridae; genus Alphavirus) that expresses B2 protein of Flock House virus (FHV; family Nodaviridae; genus Alphanodavirus), a protein that inhibits RNAi, to determine the effects of linking arbovirus infection with RNAi inhibition.
ASAPP: Automated systems approach to proposal production

The Automated Systems Approach to Proposal Production (ASAPP) quickly produces high quality, competitive proposals while reducing proposal-team stress. ASAPP has three components: electronic boilerplate, a dedicated proposal team, and a five-phase process for proposal development. The electronic boilerplate is reusable text on management structure, related experience, general capabilities, personnel abilities, and company policy. The team members fill six roles: proposal manger, text coordinator, writer(s), contract officer, text processing leader, and graphics leader. Their authority and responsibilities provide efficiency and coordination for the proposal effort. In phase I the team constructs an outline, makes writing assignments, establishes deadlines, and pulls together boilerplate information. In phase II the team drafts the technical approach so an official bid/no-bid decision can be made. If the company decides to bid, the boilerplate and the technical draft are coordinated and developed in phase Ill. Phase IV focuses on editing the successive drafts as they are produced, and phase V involves reviewing the last draft and producing the proposal in final form.
Micro‐evolution in a Human Population: A Study of Social Endogamy and Blood Type Distributions Among the Western Apache

T HIS paper has a two-fold objective: 1) to apply modern population genetics to human breeding groups, and 2) to demonstrate certain aspects of the micro-evolutionary process in these groups. Population genetics, applied to man, must take into consideration a form of environment not encountered with other organisms; namely, culture. The rules of marriage and kinship structure play significant roles in the patterning of mate selection, the size and stability of breeding groups, and the degree of intra and intergroup mobility. After a brief introduction to the pertinent work already done in this area of research, we describe the population to be studied in terms of family, clan, phratry, and band organization. We then analyze some current and historic marriage records to determine if correlations exist between geographic origin of spouses and band affiliations. It is shown that the bands are endogamous but that random mating occurs within the band. Band interbreeding is apparently too infrequent to constitute a significant source of inflowing genes. The size of the bands within historic times has been too great for genetic drift to have operated as an effective evolutionary agent. Differences between bands in frequencies of the genes for the ABO and Rh antigens are demonstrated to exist and to have remained relatively constant in the past three generations. It is contended that these differences arose in prehistoric times when the band sizes were sufficiently small to allow the effective operation of genetic drift. Relative isolation and increased size in historic times tended to fix the gene frequencies as we find them today. Certain changes in gene frequencies that are observed might best be explained as the result of natural selective forces.
Relationship between intracellular sterol content and sterol esterification and hydrolysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The relationship between the supply of free sterol and the synthesis of steryl esters by an auxotroph of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been examined in order to understand the role of cellular free sterol content in the regulatory interactions of sterol esterif ication. Our results show that the yeast cells must maintain an essential, low level of free sterol that is critical for growth. An additional, expandable pool of free sterol is maintained by the cells, provided there is adequate available sterol. As the quantity of sterol in the expandable pool increases, there is a progressively increasing rate of sterol esterif ication, which is consistent with the results from in vitro assays of acyl-Co A:ergosterol acyltransferase. Some increases in acyltransferase activity were insensitive to the protein synthetic inhibitor, cycloheximide. The data support the conclusion that sterol interconversion between the free and esterified forms is directed toward maintaining the essential amount of free sterol and that the activity of the relevant sterol enzymes in this organism are modulated in response to intracellular sterol content.
Metal ion inhibition of corn root plasma membrane atpase

Abstract In the presence of K + , the hydrolysis of ATP catalysed by the ATPase of corn plasma membrane showed negative cooperative kinetics. When the complexes of ATP and Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ca 2+ or Cd 2+ were used as substrates, the catalysed hydrolysis changed to follow simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics. However, this change was not observed with Zn 2+ -ATP as the substrate. A substantial enhancement of the hydrolysis was observed only when the complexes of Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ were used. Kinetic parameter determination indicated that the enzyme exhibited a similar binding property but a different catalytic efficiency to Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ and Ca 2+ -ATP. The enzyme formed a more stable but less reactive complex with Cd 2+ -ATP. The presence of aluminium ions competitively inhibited the membrane-catalysed hydrolysis of Mg 2+ -ATP, but showed no effect when free ATP was the substrate. This finding suggested that aluminium might bind in the vicinity of the Mg 2+ of Mg 2+ -ATP in the active site of the enzyme. On the basis of these observed inhibitory effects, possible origins of metal ion toxicity to root plasma membrane ATPase activity are discussed.
The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT): A New Scale for the Prediction of Psychosocial and Medical Outcomes in Organ Transplant Candidates

Purpose With a limited number of available transplant organs, careful assessment of candidates is imperative. Medical criteria are well established for each end-organ system, but not psychosocial criteria. To address this, we developed a new assessment tool: Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT) to assess psychosocial risk factors for organ transplantation. SIPAT has shown to have high inter-rater reliability (Pearson’s correlation coefficient = 0.853) and high predictability of psychosocial outcomes (P Methods and Materials Heart, lung, liver or kidney transplant candidates evaluated between 6/1/08-7/31/11 were assessed with SIPAT. We analyzed outcomes up to 1 year. Outcomes included: organ survival (primary); and patient survival, rejection, re-hospitalization, infection, non-compliance, psychiatric decompensation, failure of support, and albumin levels (secondary). Patients with SIPAT score of ≤ 20 were compared with patients with SIPAT score of ≥ 21. Results 217 patients were transplanted in the index period (46 heart, 58 lung, 58 liver and 55 kidney). 181 of patients had SIPAT score of ≤ 20; 36 had scores of 21-68. There was no significant difference in primary outcome, however patients with higher SIPAT scores had significantly higher rates of psychiatric decompensation (p=0.006), non-adherence to treatment (p=0.027), and had a higher frequency of medical hospitalizations (p= 0.057). Moreover, patients with higher SIPAT scores who were hospitalized had more hospitalizations per person (2.23) than those with lower SIPAT scores (1.32). Planned, further surveillance of these patients may yield more significant results. Conclusions The SIPAT is a comprehensive screening tool designed to predict psychosocial and medical outcomes of organ transplant candidates. Results suggest SIPAT is a promising tool to standardize the evaluation process and identify risk for negative outcomes to which interventions may be applied during selection.
Theory of photoabsorption in modulation-doped semiconductor quantum wells.

A systematic study of the electronic and optical properties of modulation-doped GaAs-${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As quantum wells is undertaken. We consider cases in which the ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As barriers are doped either n or p type and the GaAs wells are filled with a gas of free carriers. The electronic band structure, exciton binding energy, exciton oscillator strength, and interband absorption are studied as functions of well width and doping concentration. A multiband effective-mass method is used which takes coupling between heavy- and light-hole states into account. In our model for excitons we include effects of valence-subband nonparabolicity, free-carrier screening, and the k dependence of optical matrix elements. The interband optical absorption is obtained using Fermi's golden rule with a correction made for the screened final-state interaction. Our theoretical results are compared with available experimental data.
Analytical techniques for examining reliability and failure mechanisms of barrier-coated encapsulated silicon pressure sensors exposed to harsh media

Low-cost, silicon piezoresistive pressure sensors need to be compatible with a variety of chemical environments to provide pressure and liquid level sensing products for various automotive, industrial, and consumer white goods applications. Previous work has identified that the typical failure mechanism for a barrier coated device involves the delamination of the coating from the substrate followed by corrosion of exposed metal areas. This work introduces the application of known electrochemical techniques for the development of accelerated experimental test procedures for sensor exposure to harsh environments. Qualitative correlation of these results with predicted reliability lifetimes, estimated statistically from media exposure testing, is shown. Several methods are presented for assessing the quality of barrier coatings. These techniques can be used both to identify specific corrosive failure mechanisms as they are occurring during media exposure, and to make relative predictions about the reliability lifetime of barrier coated and encapsulated devices. One demonstrated method is the simple measurement of open circuit (non-biased) potential. This is envisaged to show a mixed potential between all anodic and cathodic reactions, while taking into account the resistance of the coating. The fluctuations in mean potential with time depend on variations in the activities of different sensor regions and on underfilm passivation. The standard deviation of voltage noise can be used as an indication of the quality of the coatings. The critical factor in these measurements and sensor encapsulation in general is understanding reactant diffusion through a barrier coating. In addition, polarization measurements were used to examine the rate of media diffusion through the coating and to determine the reaction mechanism.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Growth and characterization of single-crystalline gallium nitride using (100) LiAlO2 substrates

Abstract Self-separating single-crystalline gallium nitride films were grown by hydride-metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (H-MOVPE) on LiAlO 2 (LAO) substrates. Nitridation of the LAO substrate leads to the reconstruction of the surface and to the formation of a thin layer of nitrided material. Free-standing films of 35–40 μm thick were grown by a succession of techniques using both MOVPE and hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE) growth steps. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), and micro-Raman spectroscopy to investigate the effect of the initial MOVPE step.
Paraphenylene dimers with diphenylamine donor groups: synthesis and photophysics

A novel paraphenylene dimer (D696) with electron donating diphenylamine side chain groups has been prepared. Optical absorption measurements were theoretically and experimentally determined showing a red shift in the absortivity relative to dialkylamine functionalized benzophenone dimers. The fluorescence of D696 was quenched in a concentration dependent manner in the presence of reduced graphene oxide (RGO).
A Simple Proof of Siegel's Theorem.

Abstract A brief and simple proof of Siegel's celebrated theorem that h(d) » d1/2-[unk], as d → ∞, is given. Here h(d) denotes the class number of the quadratic field Q([unk]-d). Simple proofs that do not make use of algebraic number theory have been previously given by Estermann and Chowla.
Functionalization of Silicon Nanoparticles via Silanization: Alkyl, Halide and Ester

The feasibility of using silanization as a general tool to functionalize the surface of silicon nanoparticles (NPs) has been investigated in detail. Silicon NPs were prepared from reduction of silicon tetrachloride with sodium naphthalide. The terminal chloride on the surface of as-synthesized particles was substituted by methanol and water, in sequence. The particles were then silanized by octyltrichlorosilane, 11-bromoundecyltrichlorosilane, or 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrichlorosilane. These treatments yielded alkyl-, bromo-, or ester-termini on NP surfaces, respectively. The NPs were characterized by TEM, NMR, FTIR, UV–Vis, and PL spectroscopy. Changes of termination groups brought various functionalities to the NPs, without loss of the photophysics of the original NPs.
Borrowing from Health Communications to Motivate Students to Learn Information Literacy Skills

Given an unfamiliar audience, an undervalued skill, and a limited time to present, librarian information specialists need a prescriptive means to generate motivation to learn. Tailoring, more commonly used in health communications, could enhance perceived task attractiveness and relevancy. In a controlled trial, two groups were compared on the basis of exposure or non-exposure to a tailored lesson introduction prior to an online Website evaluation tutorial. The tailored introduction group reported significantly higher levels of task attractiveness before and after the tutorial; relevancy was significantly greater before, but not after the tutorial. Further research into tailoring is warranted.