cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of oral methadone consumption on visual discrimination performance of the rhesus monkey

Monkeys which drank small doses, once daily, of methadone mixed with Tang orange drink were trained to perform a series of two-object visual discrimination problems. Their average number of trials to criterion was the same as that of normal monkeys, and they made the same number of errors on test trials in which the orientation of the stimulus objects was changed. Their average choice latencies, however, were significantly longer than those shown by the normal group. In a second experiment, on each trial Ss were given a decision interval to observe the stimulus objects. Latencies, as measured from the end of the interval, were the same for control and methadone-consuming monkeys. These data suggest that the previously elevated latencies were not due to motor or motivational lethargy, but to a drug-induced prolongation of the time necessary to decide which was the correct object.
A Simplified Approach for Validating FAO AquaCrop using Landsat images and regional crop information

Abstract Defining crop response to water is a crucial part of decision-making for agricultural water management. This study is proposing an efficient and a low-cost approach to validate FAO's AquaCrop model using remote sensing (RS) estimates instead of crop ground measurements. A radiance use efficiency (RUE) based RS model for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) is proposed with Landsat images and regional crop information. The RS estimates are used to validate AquaCrop's built-in crops and calibrate it under salinity stress. As a result, RS estimates of canopy cover (CC) and AGB were produced from an existing CC model and the proposed AGB model, respectively. These estimates became good replacements of the ground measurements for validation and calibration. Built-in maize of AquaCrop showed good agreement between simulations and RS estimates under non-stress conditions whereas built-in barley underestimated AGB compared to the RS estimates. By comparing the RS estimates in salinity-affected farms to AquaCrop simulations without considering salinity stress, AGB reduction due to salinity stress and corresponding CC reduction were quantified for calibration of AquaCrop under salinity stress. The results of calibration predicted initial soil salinity of saline-stressed farms and the values are within the possible ranges. The proposed methodology shows that the readily available Landsat images and regional crop information could extend the validation of built-in crops of AquaCrop to regions without ground measurements.
From Assessment to Policy: Lessons Learned from the U.S. National Assessment

The process of translating scientific information into timely and useful insights that inform policy and resource management decisions, despite the existence of uncertainties, is a difficult and challenging task. Policy-focused assessment is one approach to achieving this end. It is an ongoing process that engages both researchers and end-users to analyze, evaluate and interpret information from multiple disciplines to draw conclusions that are timely and useful for decision makers. This paper discusses key characteristics of a policy-focused assessment process, including (1) ongoing collaboration between the research, assessment, and stakeholder communities; (2) a focus on stakeholder information needs; (3) multidisciplinary approaches; (4) use of scenarios to deal with uncertainties; and (5) evaluation of risk management options. We illustrate the particular challenge to assessors of providing the specific types of insights stakeholders need to effectively influence policy decisions. And we discuss the role that assessment can play in formulating an agenda for future research. Examples from the U.S. National Assessment of “The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the United States” are used to illustrate a policyfocused assessment process. For many of the participants, the first U.S. National Assessment was an extraordinary learning experience about how to develop better ways of conducting assessments.
Modelling and simulation of ultrafast pulse propagation in microstrip lines

Advances in the electro-optics technology have made possible the generation of pulses of time-duration of the order of a fraction of a picosecond or less; propagation of such pulses in conventional transmission lines is severely affected by both dispersion and attenuation. Since these pulses are finding their application in many fields of science and engineering, it is important to model and simulate their propagation process and to find new ways to overcome these difficulties. In this paper we describe our procedure for modelling and simulation of ultrafast pulses in microstrip transmission lines, both conventional and superconductive. This procedure combines the approximate, curve-fitted expressions for the dispersion characteristics with an analytical approach based on the Taylor-series expansion. In this way, the propagation is described by a cascade of linear filters, each of them related to a well known physical process. The output of the system is then obtained numerically through a Fast Fourier algorithm. The advantage of this method, as compared with entirely numerical methods, is to make it possible for the designer to have a prior estimate of the distortion to be expected in a given situation, and consequently, to be able to manipulate the different variables in search for a better system performance.
Variation in the Effects of Fat Supplements on Broiler Pigmentation, Growth and Feed Conversion

Abstract THE range in price between prime tallow and lower grades of fat such as yellow grease or No. 2 tallow is normally ¾¢ to 1¢ pound. This difference in price is very important to the feed manufacturer, because it means a substantial savings in ingredient cost can be realized if fats such as yellow grease and No. 2 tallow can be substituted for prime tallow without reducing the feeding value of feeds. Yacowitz (1953) found that soybean oil, cottonseed oil and lard at levels of 2½ percent and 5 percent produced similar responses in growth and feed efficiency. March and Biely (1954) reported the results of feeding 5 percent to 10 percent cottonseed oil, herring oil and tallow. The growth response to the fats varied with the composition of the basal ration. Tallow was the most consistent supplement for improving growth rate. Both herring oil and cottonseed oil depressed growth …
Problems associated with the procurement of Plant Products From the American Tropics

Industrial utilization of the vast wild vegetable resources of Latin America involves much more than the solution of technological problems. More difficult, at times, are the problems of labor, politics, transportation, native apathy and climate.
In Vivo Observations of Myosin II Dynamics Support a Role in Rear Retraction

To investigate myosin II function in cell movement within a cell mass, we imaged green fluorescent protein-myosin heavy chain (GFP-MHC) cells moving within the tight mound of Dictyostelium discoideum. In the posterior cortex of cells undergoing rotational motion around the center of the mound, GFP-MHC cyclically formed a "C," which converted to a spot as the cell retracted its rear. Consistent with an important role for myosin in rotation, cells failed to rotate when they lacked the myosin II heavy chain (MHC-) or when they contained predominantly monomeric myosin II (3xAsp). In cells lacking the myosin II regulatory light chain (RLC-), rotation was impaired and eventually ceased. These rotational defects reflect a mechanical problem in the 3xAsp and RLC- cells, because these mutants exhibited proper rotational guidance cues. MHC- cells exhibited disorganized and erratic rotational guidance cues, suggesting a requirement for the MHC in organizing these signals. However, the MHC- cells also exhibited mechanical defects in rotation, because they still moved aberrantly when seeded into wild-type mounds with proper rotational guidance cues. The mechanical defects in rotation may be mediated by the C-to-spot, because RLC- cells exhibited a defective C-to-spot, including a slower C-to-spot transition, consistent with this mutant's slower rotational velocity.
O21.2 Effect of Mutations in pilQ on the Susceptibility of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae to Cephalosporins

Background The susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to beta-lactam antibiotics is determined by mutations or the presence of mosaic sequence in penA , which codes for PBP2. The level of susceptibility is influenced by the presence of mutations in ponA , mtrR , por , and pilQ . Here we investigate the potential for isolates of N. gonorrhoeae that give elevated MIC values to both penicillin and cephalosporins to mutate to still higher MIC values. Methods Mutations in gonococcal isolates were determined by DNA sequencing. MIC values were determined by agar dilution. Mutants exhibiting higher MIC values were selected on GC base agar that contained either a gradient or uniform concentration of cefpodoxime or ceftriaxone. Results Examination of mutants of N. gonorrhoeae with exhibited elevated MIC values to cephalosporins revealed SPL4 3–4. Unlike previous, similar mutants, SPL4 3–4 did not possess additional mutations in penA . Genetic transformation experiments and genomic sequencing indicated the presence of a two base insertion mutation in pilQ that created a termination codon at amino acid 159 which resulted in a truncated protein and an increase in the ceftriaxone MIC from 0.03 to 0.5 ug/ml. Additional transformation and sequencing experiments using amplified pilQ DNA from SPL4 3–4 confirmed that the insertion mutation in pilQ was responsible for the increased resistance to cephalosporins as well as to penicillin. Further experimentation by amplification mutagenesis of pilQ with Taq polymerase yielded three additional pilQ mutants which exhibited increased MICs to cephalosporins, and all caused premature termination of the translation of the pilQ protein. Conclusion Most of the studies examining increased MICs to cephalosporins in the gonococcus have focused on additional mutations in a mosaic penA gene. However, in this study we have been able to generate mutations in pilQ that resulted in increased MICs. Future studies will look for similar mutations in gonococcal clinical isolates.
Breaking the Code of Good Intentions: Everyday Forms of Whiteness

Breaking the Code of Good Intentions: Everyday Forms of Whiteness. Melanie E. L. Bush. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2004. 328 pp.
Application of the Fritchman error model to new error parameters

This paper presents a model for channels with memory and applies that model to the process of specifying error performance in a digital communications system. A partitioned Markov chain with a single error state is described, based on the well-known Fritchman (1967) model, and then applied to error parameters used in performance allocation, including bit error rate, error-second rate, block error rate, and error threshold rate. These error parameters are extended to new definitions of error gap and cluster distributions, and interpreted for the random error channel. Next, selected error parameters are plotted based on error measurements taken from single and tandem digital radio links using both troposcatter and line-of-sight media. Error parameters for these radio links are derived using the fitting functions of the model and are compared with the actual measurements. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the number of model parameters required to describe troposcatter and line-of-sight radio channels.
Cost minimization analysis comparing enteral N-acetylcysteine to intravenous acetylcysteine in the management of acute acetaminophen toxicity.

Context. Acetaminophen poisoning is one of the most common exposures and causes of poisoning-related fatalities as reported to U.S. poison information centers. Acetylcysteine is indicated for the a...
On the demonstration of blindsight in monkeys

The work of Alan Cowey and Petra Stoerig is often taken to have shown that, following lesions analogous to those that cause blindsight in humans, there is blindsight in monkeys. The present paper reveals a problem in Cowey and Stoerig ' s case for blindsight in monkeys. The problem is that Cowey and Stoerig ' s results would only provide good evidence for blindsight if there is no difference between their two experimental paradigms with regard to the sorts of stimuli that are likely to come to consciousness. We show that the paradigms could differ in this respect, given the connections that have been shown to exist between working memory, perceptual load, attention, and consciousness. 1. Cowey and Stoerig ' s Claim In ' Blindsight in Monkeys ' , a brief article published in Nature in 1995, Alan Cowey and Petra Stoerig described a pair of experiments in which three monkeys, following brain surgery, behaved in a way that was, they said, ' reminiscent of patients with blindsight ' (emphasis added). This conclusion is a modest one, and there is little here that might be objected to, even by a sceptical philosopher. Later in that same year, however, in an article entitled ' Visual Perception and Phenomenal Consciousness ' , Cowey and Stoerig were writing as if they had established the actual existence of blindsight in monkeys, or at least provided strong evidence for it. Subsequent commentators have certainly taken them to have established this much stronger conclusion: That there really is blindsight in monkeys. Do Cowey and Stoerig ' s results support this strong conclusion, or do they only warrant the conclusion that lesioned monkeys behave in a way reminiscent of blindsight? The present paper makes the case for modesty here. We will suggest that Cowey and Stoerig ' s experiments do not provide good evidence for the strong conclusion that there really is blindsight in monkeys. One reason why their interpreters may have overestimated what Cowey and Stoerig ' s work shows is that the interpreters are under a misapprehension as to the details of Cowey and Stoerig ' s experimental procedures. Andy Clark was certainly under a misapprehension of this sort when, in a paper from the year 2000, he wrote about ' the test used by Cowey and Stoerig to convince us of genuine blindsight in a monkey. ' The description that he gives of Cowey and Stoerig ' s test
Activation of the arousal response and impairment of performance increase with anxiety and stressor intensity

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of trait anxiety and stressor intensity on arousal and motor performance during a pinch task. We examined the steadiness of a precision task in the presence and absence of an imposed stressor on subjects with moderate and low trait anxiety. Subjects with the 26 highest and 14 lowest anxiety scores were assigned to one of three groups: a control group (5 women, 5 men), a moderate-anxiety group (8 women, 8 men), or a low-anxiety group (7 women, 7 men). Subjects in the anxiety groups received electric shocks and experienced significant increases in cognitive and physiological arousal compared with baseline and control subjects, especially subjects in the moderate-anxiety group. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and electrodermal activity were elevated during the stressor, whereas diastolic blood pressure was unchanged. Cognitive and physiological arousal tended to increase with stressor intensity and was accompanied by changes in steadiness. Although steadiness was markedly reduced with the highest intensity of shock, the average electromyogram activity was unaffected by the stressor. These findings indicate that the increase in arousal and the impairment of steadiness increased with trait anxiety and with the intensity of the noxious stimulus.
La Programación Evolutiva Aplicada para Emular Robots

La sintesis de los sistemas de recuperacion de informacion ha aprovechado los puntos de acceso, y las tendencias actuales sugieren que pronto surgira la simulacion de las sumas de verificacion. Despues de anos de investigacion tecnica en hojas de calculo se logro demostrar la construccion de agentes para encarnan los principios solidos de la esteganografia. En este trabajo se investiga como aplicar la programacion evolutiva en la emulacion de robots.
Security models for priority buffering and interrupt handling

Ways to securely buffer messages are examined. The focus is on the development of a decomposition theorem for the theory of restrictiveness, so that if the buffering part of a process and the output part of a process satisfy the specified constraints then the combined process is restrictive. This technique is applied to a number of buffering methods, including a priority queue. A method of decomposition for interrupt handling is shown. >
Virulence of Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Laboratory

The Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) is the most severe weevil pest in Florida citrus. Entomopathogenic nematodes have effectively suppressed larval populations of D. abbreviatus. Our objective was to conduct a broad laboratory comparison of entomopathogenic nematodes for virulence toward larvae of D. abbreviatus. The study was conducted at three temperatures (20, 24, and 29°C) and included nine entomopathogenic species and 17 strains: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Baine, NJ1, Hb, Hbl, HP88, and Lewiston strains), H. indica Poinar, Karunakar & David (original and Hom1 strains), H. marelatus Liu & Berry (IN and Point Reyes strains), H. megidis Poinar, Jackson & Klein (UK211 strain), H. zealandica Poinar (NZH3 strain), Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston (355 strain), S. carpocapsae (Weiser) (All strain), S. feltiae (Filipjev) (SN and UK76 strains), and S. glaseri (Steiner) (NJ43 strain). At 20°C, the greatest mortality was caused by S. riobrave although it was not significantly greater than H. bacteriophora (Baine), H. bacteriophora (Hb), H. bacteriophora (Hbl), and H. indica (original). At 24 and 29°C, S. riobrave caused greater larval mortality than other nematodes tested. Two strains of H. indica, H. bacteriophora (Baine), and S. glaseri were next in terms of virulence at 29°C. Our results suggest that S. riobrave has the greatest potential for control of D. abbreviatus.
Changes in Jupiter's 13‐cm synchrotron radio emission following the impact of comet Shoemaker‐Levy‐9

Results of an observing program to monitor the synchrotron radio emission from Jupiter's inner radiation belts before, during and after the impact of Comet SL-9 are reported. The observations were made at 2295 Mhz as part of the NASA-JPL Jupiter Patrol, a long-term radio astronomy monitoring program begun in 1971. The data indicate that the intensity of the synchrotron emission at 13 cm wavelength increased by 27 percent within a few days after the comet impacts; the longitudinal beaming curve was distorted during the week of impacts; the magnetic latitude beaming curves flattened after the week of impacts suggesting an increase in the emission at higher magnetic latitudes; and the decay of the enhanced emission is consistent with an exponential with a time constant of ∼125 days. The reported changes following the SL-9 impact are unprecedented in the 23-year history of the Jupiter Patrol.
Race, Ethnicity, and School-Based Adolescent Victimization:

Opportunity theory enhances one’s understanding of school-based adolescent victimization. Race and ethnicity plays a significant role in school-based victimization. What is uncertain is how opportunity is linked to the school-based victimization of racial and ethnic minority adolescents. This study explores how race and ethnicity interact with opportunity and victimization. Analyses, which are drawn from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 and employ hierarchal generalized logistic model analyses, suggest some important results. Most notably, the relationships between opportunity and victimization vary across racial and ethnic groups. For instance, athletic extracurricular activity involvement is an insulating factor for White Americans but a potential risk factor for Latino Americans and Asian Americans. Besides discussing the findings of this study, this article underscores the importance of understanding racial and ethnic minority school-based adolescent victimization.
Thin-film optical filters with diffractive elements and waveguides

The chief principles and properties of optical reflection and transmission guided-mode resonance (GMR) filters are presented. These devices are based on GMR effects in dielectric structures comprising gratings and homogeneous thin films. Detailed characteristics are calculated using rigorous coupled-wave analysis for bandpass filters operating in reflection and transmission for TE- and TM-polarized incident waves. High resonance efficiency with narrow or wide linewidths is achievable with near-zero reflectance or transmittance sidebands over extended wavelength ranges. To illustrate the potential of this technology, example GMR reflection and transmission characteristics are presented for filters operating in the visible spectral region. Excellent reflection-filter features are found when antireflection conditions prevail away from the resonance wavelength. Furthermore, long-range, low sidebands are found to be obtainable for a single-layer GMR reflection filter with a TM-polarized plane wave incident at the Brewster angle. The transmission filter is optimized when the structure is highly reflective off resonance. GMR filter fabrication tolerances are discussed with examples illustrating the sensitivity of the filter center wavelength to variations in layer thickness, grating shape, and incident angle. GMR filters are found to exhibit loss-dependent wavelength shifts such that the reflection peak occurs at a different wavelength than the corresponding transmission notch. However, under antireflection conditions, the resonance location becomes insensitive to loss. Finally, reflective GMR thinfilm structures that support multiple waveguide modes are studied. These devices exhibit unique characteristic angular and spectral signatures.
Further Observations on A533-B Steel Plate Tailored for Improved Radiation Embrittlement Resistance

A series of advanced investigations on the radiation performance of four 6-in-thick plates from a large (30-ton) commercial melt of A533-B steel is described. The melt represented the first commercial scale demonstration test of improved radiation embrittlement resistance through the control (minimization) of selected residual impurity elements. Melt specifications emphasized the attainment of a low copper and phosphorus content; one half of the melt was modified, however, by a copper addition (0.03 percent Cu increased to 0.13 percent Cu). Initial plate tests described superior 550 F (288 C) radiation resistance, in terms of notch ductility retention, for the primary melt composition and verified the detrimental influence of impurity copper on irradiation behavior. Promising capability of the primary melt composition for very high fluence (∼2.5 × 1020 n/cm2 > 1 MeV) service is shown by the current investigations. In addition, a significant influence of copper content on radiation resistance is revealed for a broad range of exposure temperatures. A dependence of 650 F (343 C) postirradiation heat treatment response (notch ductility recovery) on copper content was also found. Charpy-V versus dynamic tear test performance and tensile strength trends with temperature are examined for low (<450 F, 121 C) and elevated (550 to 585 F, 288 to 307 C) temperature irradiation conditions.
Mechanisms of facilitation of synaptic glutamate release by nicotinic agonists in the nucleus of the solitary tract.

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is the principal integrating relay in the processing of visceral sensory information. Functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been found o...
Lithium Hydride and Lithium Trimethoxyborohydride: A Comparative Study of Their Reducing Power

Abstract LiH, Li(CH3O)3BH and the corresponding deuteride forms of these reagents have been prepared in situ and used to reduce a variety of functional groups. Their reducing power has been evaluated and compared.
A finite difference BPM analysis of bent dielectric waveguides

A new version of the scalar TE wave equation is introduced, one that is particularly useful in bent waveguide analysis. The slowly varying envelope equation in cylindrical coordinates for the field amplitude E is finite-differenced, with no other approximations made to it. It will be shown that this version of the equation has several advantages over other forms and gives good results for the power loss rates even at radii /spl les/100 /spl mu/m, as well as being useful for the study of curved structures with varying radii of curvature. Evidence is provided to show that the loss rates calculated from this equation using the two dimensional finite difference beam propagation method compare favorably with other numerical and analytical results found in the literature. Special care must be taken when applying transparent boundary conditions as the curvature increases. >
Heat-and-run: leveraging SMT and CMP to manage power density through the operating system

Power density in high-performance processors continues to increase with technology generations as scaling of current, clock speed, and device density outpaces the downscaling of supply voltage and thermal ability of packages to dissipate heat. Power density is characterized by localized chip hot spots that can reach critical temperatures and cause failure. Previous architectural approaches to power density have used global clock gating, fetch toggling, dynamic frequency scaling, or resource duplication to either prevent heating or relieve overheated resources in a superscalar processor. Previous approaches also evaluate design technologies where power density is not a major problem and most applications do not overheat the processor. Future processors, however, are likely to be chip multiprocessors (CMPs) with simultaneously-multithreaded (SMT) cores. SMT CMPs pose unique challenges and opportunities for power density. SMT and CMP increase throughput and thus on-chip heat, but also provide natural granularities for managing power-density. This paper is the first work to leverage SMT and CMP to address power density. We propose heat-and-run SMT thread assignment to increase processor-resource utilization before cooling becomes necessary by co-scheduling threads that use complimentary resources. We propose heat-and-run CMP thread migration to migrate threads away from overheated cores and assign them to free SMT contexts on alternate cores, leveraging availability of SMT contexts on alternate CMP cores to maintain throughput while allowing overheated cores to cool. We show that our proposal has an average of 9% and up to 34% higher throughput than a previous superscalar technique running the same number of threads.
Thermodynamic characterization of proton-ionizable functional groups on the cell surfaces of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea.

The ammonia-oxidizing archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus strain SCM1 (strain SCM1), a representative of the Thaumarchaeota archaeal phylum, can sustain high specific rates of ammonia oxidation at ammonia concentrations too low to sustain metabolism by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). One structural and biochemical difference between N. maritimus and AOB that might be related to the oligotrophic adaptation of strain SCM1 is the cell surface. A proteinaceous surface layer (S-layer) comprises the outermost boundary of the strain SCM1 cell envelope, as opposed to the lipopolysaccharide coat of Gram-negative AOB. In this work, we compared the surface reactivities of two archaea having an S-layer (strain SCM1 and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius) with those of four representative AOB (Nitrosospira briensis, Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosolobus multiformis, and Nitrosococcus oceani) using potentiometric and calorimetric titrations to evaluate differences in proton-ionizable surface sites. Strain SCM1 and S. acidocaldarius have a wider range of proton buffering (approximately pH 10-3.5) than the AOB (approximately pH 10-4), under the conditions investigated. Thermodynamic parameters describing proton-ionizable sites (acidity constants, enthalpies, and entropies of protonation) are consistent with these archaea having proton-ionizable amino acid side chains containing carboxyl, imidazole, thiol, hydroxyl, and amine functional groups. Phosphorous-bearing acidic functional groups, which might also be present, could be masked by imidazole and thiol functional groups. Parameters for the AOB are consistent with surface structures containing anionic oxygen ligands (carboxyl- and phosphorous-bearing acidic functional groups), thiols, and amines. In addition, our results showed that strain SCM1 has more reactive surface sites than the AOB and a high concentration of sites consistent with aspartic and/or glutamic acid. Because these alternative boundary layers mediate interaction with the local external environment, these data provide the basis for further comparisons of the thermodynamic behavior of surface reactivity toward essential nutrients.
Implementing a Conflicts Control System

Avoiding conflicts requires collecting client information and searching databases for potential conflicts. Once a potential conflict is discovered, lawyers should understand the nature of the conflict as well as the sources and content of the legal regulation that governs.
Analysis of emergency vascular surgery consults within a tertiary health care system

Objective Patients with vascular disease often have multisystem atherosclerosis and multiple comorbidities requiring comprehensive interdisciplinary specialty care. Consultation is a critical component of a tertiary vascular surgery practice, but analysis of this service is under-reported in the literature. After-hours inpatient consultations and interhospital transfers are associated with urgent patient care. Methods A retrospective analysis of vascular surgery consultations was carried out from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. Consultations included inpatient services, the emergency department, surgical and medical intensive care unit, and interhospital transfers. Data analysis included number of consults, time of consultation (during hours, 0700-1859; after hours, 1900-0659), referring service, nature, and outcome of consultation. Consultations were then classified as urgent if vascular surgical intervention was required as an intraoperative consultation, within 24 hours, or during the same hospitalization. Patients without a same-hospital vascular surgical intervention were classified as nonurgent. Results During a 1-year period, 823 independent consult requests of 749 patients were analyzed. It was found that 57.8% of after-hours consults resulted in urgent patient care ( P = .003); 29.7% of medicine, 33.3% of medical intensive care unit, 41.9% of trauma surgery, and 60% of emergency department after-hours consultations were urgent; 73% of surgery and 79.2% of interhospital after-hours consults required urgent vascular surgical intervention. Extremity ischemia, aortic disease, and iatrogenic consults accounted for 44.8%, 20.4%, and 11.1% of after-hours consults, with 57.9%, 56.4%, and 70% requiring urgent vascular surgical intervention, respectively. Conclusions After-hours consultations are not always associated with an urgent vascular surgical intervention. Nonurgent after-hours consultations are requested more frequently from some services and may present an opportunity for education that could improve workflow of the vascular workforce.
Not Your Typical Hole-in-the-Wall: Percutaneous Closure of an Acquired Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventriculoatrial Gerbode Defect.

A 58-year-old male patient presented with an inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The VSD was surgically repaired, but basal extension of necrotic tissue obligated a second repair 2 weeks later. Subsequently, he again presented in
A purified fraction of thioflavine-S (vasoflavine); valuable agent for visualization of blood vessels.

Summary and ConclusionsA more fluorescent and less rapidly diffusible dye with a strong affinity for the walls of the blood vessels has been described. This dye is a purified, water soluble fraction of Thioflavine-S and has been named Vasoflavine. Studies leading to a more accurate characterization of this dye are described. These include paper chromatography, dialysis, and spectrophotometry.The following conclusions are offered: 1. Vasoflavine approaches the ideal dye for the visualization of blood vessels under ultraviolet light and is much superior to the Thioflavine-S previously used. 2. The solution of dye probably exists as an equilibrium between monomeric and various polymeric forms. 3. The higher the concentration of an aqueous solution of the dye the more of the polymeric forms exist. 4. The yellow-green fluorescence is apparently produced by the higher form and the bluish by the monomeric form. 5. The polymers are probably too large in molecular size to pass the barrier of the vessel walls readi...
Impact of Reinforcement Ratio and Loading Type on the Deformation Capacity of High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Cementitious Composites Reinforced with Mild Steel

AbstractHigh-performance fiber-reinforced cement-based composites (HPFRCCs) reinforced with mild steel have been proposed for use in structural elements to enhance component strength and ductility, increase damage tolerance, and reduce reinforcement congestion. Recent research has shown that HPFRCCs have a high resistance to splitting cracks, which causes reinforcement strains to concentrate when a dominant tensile crack forms, leading to early reinforcement strain hardening and reinforcement fracture. This paper presents the impact of longitudinal reinforcement ratio, ranging from 0.54 to 2.0%, and the influence of monotonic and cyclic loading histories on the deformation capacity of reinforced HPFRCC flexural members subject to three-point and four-point bending. Experimental results show that load cycling can decrease deformation capacity of flexural members by up to 67% when compared to monotonic deformation capacity. The impact of load cycling on deformation capacity is shown to be strongly affected ...
Subchronic Toxicity of Cistanche Tubulosa Extract on SD Rat

Objective To study the subchronic toxicity of Cistanche tubulosa extract on SD rat.Methods Three dosage groups of 2500mg/Kg.BW,5000mg/Kg.BW and 7500mg/Kg.BW,and one control group of basal feed were set.Each group had 10 male and 10 female rats.Rats of experiment groups were fed with Cistanche tubulosa extract continuously for 90 days,and then hematology indexes,biochemical indexes,organ-body ratios,quantity of food-intake,food availability and pathological effects were measured.Results Significant differences were found on female rats in: hemoglobin,low dose group(157.40±8.77g/L) higher than that of control group(145.10±8.54g/L) in metaphase of the feeding(P0.05);RBC counts,low dose group(9.25±0.65×1012/L,10.35±1.27×1012/L) higher than that of control group(8.45±0.51×1012/L,8.77±0.86×1012/L) in both metaphase and the last phase(P0.01,P0.05).The triglyceride of male rats in low dose group(1.16±0.25 mmol/L) was higher than that in control group(0.91±0.20 mmol/L)(P0.05);the blood sugar level of male rats in middle dose group(6.04±0.45 mmol/L) was lower than that in control group(6.54±0.26 mmol/L)(P0.05).Conclusion No apparent subchronic toxicity could be observed under this experiment condition.
Blast shockwaves propagate Ca(2+) activity via purinergic astrocyte networks in human central nervous system cells.

In a recent study of the pathophysiology of mild, blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) the exposure of dissociated, central nervous system (CNS) cells to simulated blast resulted in propagating waves of elevated intracellular Ca2+. Here we show, in dissociated human CNS cultures, that these calcium waves primarily propagate through astrocyte-dependent, purinergic signaling pathways that are blocked by P2 antagonists. Human, compared to rat, astrocytes had an increased calcium response and prolonged calcium wave propagation kinetics, suggesting that in our model system rat CNS cells are less responsive to simulated blast. Furthermore, in response to simulated blast, human CNS cells have increased expressions of a reactive astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and a protease, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). The conjoint increased expression of GFAP and MMP-9 and a purinergic ATP (P2) receptor antagonist reduction in calcium response identifies both potential mechanisms for sustained changes in brain function following primary bTBI and therapeutic strategies targeting abnormal astrocyte activity.
Relating Interface Evolution to Interface Mechanics Based on Interface Properties

The current article focuses on recent work done in understanding the role of processing techniques on interface evolution and connecting interface evolution to interface thickness-dependent properties. Special emphasis is placed on interface evolution during the sintering process of tungsten (W). Sintering with additives such as nickel significantly changes grain boundary properties in W, leading to issues such as grain boundary embrittlement. When one has to mechanically describe properties of polycrystalline W with an account of the influence of grain boundary embrittlement, one must explicitly consider grain boundary properties. This issue is the focus of the present work on the mechanical properties of interfaces. Overall, a phase field modeling-based approach is shown to be an excellent computational tool for predicting the interface evolution. The influences of the interface thickness, chemistry, and orientation of phases around interfaces are analyzed using extended finite element simulations for polycrystalline W.
Overconfidence and Disappointment in Decision-making under Risk: The Triumph of Hope over Experience

Overconfidence in economic decision-making is a well-established phenomenon; however, assessment of its scale and impact are largely absent from the literature. This paper uses Bell's disappointment metric to quantify its impact on individual decision-makers in a risky investment setting. We are able to quantify the sensitivity of disappointment to overconfidence. We examine disappointment in both deterministic and stochastic models, finding that in the most likely cases, individual investors experience lower disappointment when variance is higher. We are also able to quantify and compare calibration-based overconfidence and better-than-average overconfidence. Contrary to prior research, we find that their magnitudes are the same. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Nature of Age-Related Differences in Knee Function during Walking: Implication for the Development of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background Changes in knee kinematics have been identified in the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA). However, there is a paucity of information on the nature of kinematic change that occur with aging prior to the development of OA, This study applied a robust statistical method (Principal Component Analysis) to test the hypothesis that coupling between primary (flexion) and secondary (anterior-posterior translation, internal-external rotation) joint motions in walking would differ for age groupings of healthy subjects. Methods Seventy-four healthy participants divided into three groups with mean ages of 24 ± 2.3 years (younger), 48 ± 4.7years (middle-age) and 64 ± 2.4 years (older) were examined. Principal Component Analysis was used to characterize and statistically compare the patterns of knee joint movement and their relationships in walking. Results There were significant differences between the younger group and both the middle-age and older groups in the knee frontal plane angle and the coupling between knee flexion (PC1, p≤0.04) and the relative magnitudes of secondary plane motions in early and late stance (PC3, p<0.01). Two additional principal components (PC2, p = 0.03 and PC5, p<0.01) described differences in early stance knee flexion and relationship with secondary plane motion through-out stance for the older compared with middle-age group. Conclusions It appears there are changes in knee kinematics that occur with aging. The kinematic differences were identified for middle-aged as well as older adults suggesting midlife changes in neuromuscular physiology or behavior may have important consequences. These kinematic measures offer the potential to identify early markers for the risk of developing knee OA with aging.
The Effect of Industry Restructuring on Peer Firms

I study the bond price reaction of a merged firms peers, in order to better understand how the market responds to a restructuring. I argue that a merger announcement may signal the possibility of a merger wave to the industry, and in doing so, increase the conditional probability that peer firms might themselves be acquired in the future. Consistent with this hypothesis, I show that price reactions are stronger for firms that have a higher unconditional probability of being acquired ex-ante. Furthermore I show that following an initial merger, when the signal about a potentially upcoming wave should be the strongest, the peer bond returns are the highest. In addition, I document that, cross-sectionally, the abnormal returns I observe from peer bondholders are concentrated among firms that have the highest expected coinsurance benefit from a potential acquisition. I show that this is the case for bondholders between firms and within firms.
Extending the Direct Behavior Rating: An Examination of Schoolwide Behavior Ratings and Academic Engagement

Direct behavior ratings have been identified as a practical and feasible alternative to direct observation of behavior for monitoring behavioral progress. Despite the evidence of usability, there h...
A comparative analysis of ante- and postnatal clinical characteristics of extremely premature neonates suffering from refractory and non-refractory hypotension: Is early clinical differentiation possible?

Abstract Background About 25% of hypotensive ELBW infants are refractory to intravascular volume expansion and inotropic drugs (VI) and require hydrocortisone (HC). Such neonates suffer from complications of prolonged hypotension and extended therapy with VI. ELBW infants with refractory hypotension (RH) are clinically and biochemically indistinguishable from those who respond to VI. Objective Early identification and differentiation of ELBW infants susceptible to steroid dependent hypotension from those who respond to inotropic medications. Methods In a retrospective study the ante- and postnatal clinical characteristics of ELBW infants who received hydrocortisone (HC) for refractory hypotension (RH) were compared to those who responded to volume-inotropes (VI). Results Infants in HC group had lower birth weight (BW, 675 ± 121 g) and gestational age (GA, 25.1 ± 1.3 weeks) and higher mean airway pressure and oxygen requirements, all independent of antenatal steroid (ANS) exposure. The receipt of ANS (p 0.01) and occurrences of maternal diabetes mellitus (GDM, p 0.01) were lower in HC group. ANS (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–0.9, p 0.01) and GDM (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09–0.9, p 0.04) reduced the risk for RH. HC group had higher risk for IVH (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.02–4.2 p = 0.04) which declined in the multivariate analysis. A trend towards lower risk of ventriculomegaly (VM) was noted in HC group (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–1.1), which became significant after controlling for BW (OR 0.2 95% CI 0.07–0.9, p 0.04). Similar trend was noted for maternal hypertension. Conclusion Hypotension in ELBW infants who are ≤ 25 wks of GA and unexposed to ANS and GDM is refractory to VI therapy. Such neonates may benefit from an initial therapy with, or earlier institution of hydrocortisone. The trend towards a higher risk for VM with VI therapy needs validation in future studies.
Desiderata for the Study of Early Modern Art of the Mediterranean

Deploying “Mediterranean” as a frame allows us to articulate significant historical questions that studies of culture construed as monolithic entities do not recognize. But what does it take to develop a multi-faceted understanding of the dynamic processes of identity formation? This chapter offers a brief literature review of the ways in which Mediterranean studies have entered art history, locating a revisionist trend in the scholarship beginning in the 1970s, when the term Late Antique was re-deployed to pursue concerns with transcultural processes. Current scholarship brings art history into alignment with neighboring disciplines and encourages intra-disciplinary discussion on how to organize research, which sources to use, what kinds of order to seek, how to rethink the category “art” from a more pluralistic perspective, how to study exchanges of philosophical or ideological contexts as well as the circulation of objects, and how to resist notions of fixed truths.
Three-dimensional particle-particle simulations: Dependence of relaxation time on plasma parameter

A particle-particle simulation model is applied to investigate the dependence of the relaxation time on the plasma parameter in a three-dimensional unmagnetized plasma. It is found that the relaxation time increases linearly as the plasma parameter increases within the range of the plasma parameter from 2 to 10; when the plasma parameter equals 2, the relaxation time is independent of the total number of particles, but when the plasma parameter equals 10, the relaxation time slightly increases as the total number of particles increases, which indicates the transition of a plasma from collisional to collisionless. In addition, ions with initial Maxwell-Boltzmann (MB) distribution are found to stay in the MB distribution during the whole simulation time, and the mass of ions does not significantly affect the relaxation time of electrons. This work also shows the feasibility of the particle-particle model when using GPU parallel computing techniques.
Do Employee Exits Hurt Firm Performance? A Contingent View of Human Capital Loss

There has been much recent theorizing and empirical study of the impact of employee mobility on firm performance. This research argues that losing a key employee allows an organization’s advantageo...
Foodborne uptake and sublethal effects of copper and zinc to freshwater snails

Snail habitat selection was strongly influenced in thisresearch by measured copper (Cu) contribution from a powerplant discharge. Laboratory feeding studies showed that thesnail Leptoxis praerosa significantly bioconcentrated Cuwhen fed aufwuchs containing 564 (±269) µg Cu g-1but did not have significant cellulolytic enzyme activityimpairment. No foodborne zinc (Zn) bioconcentration was foundfrom aufwuchs containing up to 20 000 (±18 400) µg Zn g-1. These results suggest that water column Cuconcentrations leading to impairment via feeding mechanismscan be an order of magnitude higher than concentrations causingimpairments via waterborne exposures. Therefore, foodborneuptake might be expected to contribute to toxicity rather thandominate toxicity in most conditions where waterborneconcentrations of metals occur. Changes in food qualityappeared to have a greater overall effect on snail populationsthan foodborne uptake of metals alone. Snail populations took2 years to recover following intensive metal treatment on theplant discharge and subsequent reduction of measured metalconcentrations in both water and aufwuchs.
Proper Names and the Necessity of Identity Statements

An identity statement flanked on both sides with proper names is necessarily true, Saul Kripke thinks, if it's true at all. Thus, contrary to the received view – or at least what was, prior to Kripke, the received view – a statement like