cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preventing blindness in americans: the need for eyehealth education

Black Americans are twice as likely to be blind as their white counterparts. Although blindness is preventable or curable in half of the patients studied, we have found that black Americans are only half as likely to be treated for glaucoma or cataract, which are the two leading causes of blindness in this population. Our data show that this treatment gap is not related to the supply of ophthalmologists or the patients' personal income, even among insured populations. In addition to the devastating financial costs incurred by blind individuals and their families, a single year of blindness for a working age American costs the federal government approximately $12,000. Research has shown that preventing blindness is often less expensive, in simple economic terms, than paying for the costs a blind individual incurs. These findings raise important questions about access to care and how it may improve within the context of health care reform. Government surveys show that black Americans, even those with health insurance, are significantly less likely to seek or obtain examination by an ophthalmologist. In studying utilization of care, we found that, in aggregate, black Americans who see an ophthalmologist are as likely as their white counterparts to be treated for glaucoma, cataract, and other blinding diseases. We propose that, beyond universal access to health insurance, eye health education that influences people to see an ophthalmologist may be the single most important step we can take to prevent needless blindness. Not only can education and preventive eye care save needless suffering, it may save scarce federal dollars as well.
Frequency of mentally stimulating activities modifies the relationship between cardiovascular reactivity and executive function in old age.

Objectives Recent evidence suggests that younger and middle-age adults who show greater cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to acute mental stress demonstrate better reasoning and memory skills. The purpose of this study was to examine whether older adults would exhibit a similar positive association between CVR and executive function and whether regular engagement in mentally stimulating activities (MSA) would moderate this association. Design Secondary cross-sectional analysis. Setting Three clinical research centers in the Midwest and on the West Coast and East Coast. Participants A total of 487 older adults participating in an ongoing national survey. Measurements Heart rate (HR) and low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) domains of heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline and in response to standard mental stress tasks (Stroop color word task and mental arithmetic). Executive function was measured separately from the stress tasks by using five neuropsychological tests. MSA was measured by self-reported frequency of six common MSA. Results Higher HR reactivity was associated with better executive function after controlling for demographic and health characteristics and baseline HR, and the interaction between HR reactivity and MSA was significant for executive function. Higher LF-HRV reactivity was also associated with executive function, but subsequent analyses indicated that frequency of MSA was the strongest predictor of executive function in models that included LF-HRV or HF-HRV. Conclusions Higher HR reactivity to acute psychological stress is related to better executive function in older adults. For those with lower HR reactivity, engaging frequently in MSA produced compensatory benefits for executive function.
Lessons learned by NREL's village power and rural energy program

This paper is to update the lessons NREL staff have gleaned from their participation in village energy projects and programs. NREL's approach to village power (VP) is multidisciplinary and multifunctional. NREL's integrated VP program included resource assessment/mapping, applications development, analytical modeling/options analysis, training, strategic planning, pilot project development, and program implementation.
A digital signature scheme secure against adaptive chosen-message attacks

We present a digital signature scheme based on the computational difficulty of integer factorization. The scheme possesses the novel property of being robust against an adaptive chosen-message attack: an adversary who receives signatures for messages of his choice (where each message may be chosen in a way that depends on the signatures of previously chosen messages) cannot later forge the signature of even a single additional message. This may be somewhat surprising, since in the folklore the properties of having forgery being equivalent to factoring and being invulnerable to an adaptive chosen-message attack were considered to be contradictory. More generally, we show how to construct a signature scheme with such properties based on the existence of a "claw-free" pair of permutations--a potentially weaker assumption than the intractibility of integer factorization. The new scheme is potentially practical: signing and verifying signatures are reasonably fast, and signatures are compact.
Exogenous insulin enhances humoural immune responses in short-day, but not long-day, Siberian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus )

Many animals experience marked seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions. In response, animals display adaptive alterations in physiology and behaviour, including seasonal changes in immune function. During winter, animals must reallocate finite energy stores from relatively costly, less exigent systems (e.g. reproduction and immunity) to systems critical for immediate survival (e.g. thermoregulation). Seasonal changes in immunity are probably mediated by neuroendocrine factors signalling current energetic state. One potential hormonal candidate is insulin, a metabolic hormone released in response to elevated blood glucose levels. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential role of insulin in signalling energy status to the immune system in a seasonally breeding animal, the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). Specifically, exogenous insulin was administered to male hamsters housed in either long ‘summer-like’ or short ‘winter-like’ days. Animals were then challenged with an innocuous antigen and immune responses were measured. Insulin treatment significantly enhanced humoural immune responses in short, but not long days. In addition, insulin treatment increased food intake and decreased blood glucose levels across photoperiodic treatments. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that insulin acts as an endocrine signal integrating seasonal energetic changes and immune responses in seasonally breeding rodents.
Human Nasal Cartilage Ultrastructure: Characteristics and Comparison Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Objectives/Hypothesis: Human nasal cartilage is hyaline cartilage, although the function and loads placed on it are different depending on the location. We hypothesized that important differences exist between the nasal septal cartilage and lower lateral cartilage (LLC) ultrastructures. Such differences would be important in the field of cartilage engineering. Methods: Ten specimens (6 septum and 4 LLC) of cartilage from patients undergoing nasal surgery (rhinoplasty or septoplasty) were obtained and examined using scanning electron microscopy. Micrographs were then analyzed and measured using photograph analysis software. Results: The collagen fibers of septal cartilage were found to be arranged in a mesh framework, with larger lacunae and thicker fibers measuring 3.18 m (standard deviation 0.75 m), with a 99.9% confidence interval of 2.74 to 3.54 m. LLC fibers, on the other hand, were arranged in less-organized sheets, with fibrous extensions, and had fewer, narrower lacunae. The fibers from the LLC averaged 2.29 m, with a 99.9% confidence interval of 1.17 to 3.42 m. Conclusions: Significant ultrastructural differences exist between the cartilage of the nasal septum and LLC. These are almost certainly the result of their embryologic origins and different forces placed on the structures they support. A less-organized pattern with smaller collagen fibers is present in the LLC versus the moreorganized, layered, thicker collagen fibers of the septum. These differences may prove to be critical in the future of cartilage engineering.
Hybrid Theorem Proving of Aerospace Systems: Applications and Challenges

DOI: 10.2514/1.I010178 Complex software systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in aerospace applications: in particular, to accomplish critical tasks. Ensuring the safety of these systems is crucial, as they can have subtly different behaviors under slight variations in operating conditions.This paper advocates the use of formal verification techniques and in particulartheoremprovingfor hybridsoftware-intensivesystemsasawell-foundedcomplementaryapproachtothe classical aerospace verification and validation techniques, such as testing or simulation. As an illustration of these techniques, a novel lateral midair collision-avoidance maneuver is studied in an ideal setting, without accounting for the uncertainties of the physical reality. The challenges that naturally arise when applying such technology to industrial-scale applications is then detailed, and proposals are given on how to address these issues.
Flagship species on covers of US conservation and nature magazines

Some conservation organizations publish magazines that showcase current conservation and research projects, attract new subscribers and maintain membership, often using flagship species to promote these objectives. This study investigates the nature of flagship species featured on the covers of ten representative US conservation and nature magazines, Defenders, National Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation, Zoonooz, Nature Conservancy, Outdoor America, Sierra, Audubon, California Wild and Natural History. Operationally defining flagship species by diet, taxonomic order, body size and IUCN status, we found that magazines tend to use mammal and bird species rather than invertebrate, fish, amphibian, reptile or plant taxa on their covers. Featured birds were mostly omnivorous or piscivorous, large-bodied and of little conservation concern; featured mammals were mainly carnivorous or herbivorous, large-bodied and of considerable conservation concern. These analyses confirm, for the first time, anecdotal observations about conservation organizations focusing their publicity and programmes on large, charismatic species to raise awareness and funds and raise the spectre that the public may be exposed to only a selected sample of conservation problems.
A Functional Approach to Generation with TAG

It has been hypothesized that Tree Adjoining Grammar (TAG) is particularly well suited for sentence generation. It is unclear, however, how a sentence generation system based on TAG should choose among the syntactic possibilities made available in the grammar. In this paper we consider the question of what needs to be done to generate with TAGs and explain a generation system that provides the necessary features. This approach is compared with other TAG-based generation systems. Particular attention is given to Mumble-86 which, like our system, makes syntactic choice on sophisticated functional grounds.
A Taxonomy of Telemedicine Efforts with Respect to Applications, Infrastructure, Delivery Tools, Type of Setting and Purpose

In the history of telemedicine, various definitions have been published and numerous terminologies have been coined. The introduction of new technologies played an important role in the changing definitions. After three decades of experience in telemedicine and its variations, the need for a single taxonomy that is detailed enough to define all the terms introduced until today is evident. Taxonomy we propose takes into account purpose, application area, delivery tools, communication infrastructure, and delivery setting dimensions. The purpose is to create a taxonomy that can explain how these dimensions fit together. Our taxonomy helps to categorize and compare current/future telemedicine efforts and plan several emerging telemedicine scenarios using new technology. The paper concludes with an explanation of how the proposed taxonomy can be used by parties involved in telemedicine as a diagnostic tool, and can help them to understand their needs and capabilities for participating in next generation healthcare environments.
On the design of near perfect reconstruction pseudo QMF banks

A new approach to the design of M-channel pseudo quadrature mirror filter (QMF) banks is presented. The analysis and synthesis filters are cosine-modulated versions of the prototype filters. The prototype filter is constrained to be a linear-phase spectral-factor of a 2M/sup th/ band filter. As a result, the reconstructed signal has no amplitude nor phase distortions. The only error at the output is aliasing, which is comparable to the stopband attenuation of the prototype filter. Using this approach, it is possible to design a pseudo-QMF bank where the stopband attenuation of the analysis (and thus synthesis) filters is on the order of 100 dB. Consequently, the resulting reconstruction error is also on the order of -100 dB. An example is included to demonstrate the theory. >
Subjective Knowledge and Fear Appeal Effectiveness: Implications for Message Design

This research investigates the role of perceived health knowledge on the effectiveness of fear-based persuasive appeals. Undergraduates (N = 263) read a strong fear, weak fear, or efficacy-only message encouraging breast or testicular self-examination. As expected, results indicated that men high in subjective knowledge were less reactant and more persuaded by the efficacy-only message whereas those low in subjective knowledge did not evidence this pattern. Contrary to expectation, women high in subjective knowledge had comparable reactions to each of the 3 messages. Implications for fear appeal theory and message design are discussed.
An expandable error-protected 4800 bps CELP coder (US Federal Standard 4800 bps voice coder)

The authors describe a code-excited linear predictive (CELP) coder that was recently selected as the US government standard 4800-b/s voice coder. The coder has the capability for future expansion and is robust to channel errors and noisy environments. Listening tests and DRT (diagnostic rhyme test) and DAM (diagnostic acceptability measure) scores show that the decoder exceeds the performance of all government standard speech coders operating at rates below 16 kb/s and is comparable to 32-kb/s continuously-variable-slope delta modulated coders. >
SPT20/ADA5 encodes a novel protein functionally related to the TATA-binding protein and important for transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mutations selected as suppressors of Ty and solo delta insertion mutations is Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified a number of genes important for transcription initiation. One of these gens, SPT15, encodes the TATA-binding protein, and three others, SPT3, SPT7, and SPT8, encode proteins functionally related to the TATA-binding protein. To identify additional related functions, we have selected for new spt mutations. This work has identified one new gene, SPT20. Null mutations in SPT20 cause poor growth and a set of severe transcriptional defects very similar to those caused by null mutations in SPT3, SPT7, and SPT8 and also very similar to those caused by certain missense mutations in SPT15. Consistent with its having an important function in transcription in vivo, SPT20 was also recently identified as ADA5 and has been shown to be important for transcriptional activation (G.A. Marcus, J. Horiuchi, N. Silverman, and L. Guarente, Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:3197-3205, 1996.
Lithium combinations in acute and maintenance treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression.

Bipolar illness and unipolar depression are both affective disorders associated with high lifetime morbidity and premature mortality due to suicide. Numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have shown that lithium augmentation therapy is effective in treating acute episodes of bipolar depression, refractory major depression, and delusional depression as well as in reducing recurrences of these illnesses. Lithium is the only agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Further research is needed to specifically address whether the antidepressant effect of adding lithium is greater in bipolar disorder or in unipolar depressions. This article will summarize available evidence and clinical considerations regarding the use of lithium augmentation in acute and maintenance treatment of unipolar and bipolar depressions.
Did (Or Will) Fluid Injection Cause Earthquakes? - Criteria for a Rational Assessment

Occasionally, the injection of fluids into deep wells causes or triggers earthquake activity. We propose two lists of yes-or-no questions to assess 1) whether an ongoing injection project has induced an earthquake that has already occurred; or 2) whether a proposed injection project is likely to induce a nearby earthquake. The answers to these questions form a descriptive profile of the injection project that facilitates comparison with other projects. To illustrate the application of these questions, we describe the answers in detail for the first set of questions at two sites: 1) the Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver, Colorado, where three significant earthquakes occurred in 1967; and 2) an injection site near Painesville, Ohio, near the epicenter of an earthquake that occurred 31 January, 1986. We also present a table of answers to these questions for several additional sites, and review other factors that may affect the potential for induced, seismic activity. The profiles of injection sites presented herein provide a convenient tool for deciding whether an injection site more closely resembles other sites where injection does, or does not induce earthquakes.
Observations on erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activity in dyscrasias of the blood.

1. Erythrocyte and plasma cholinesterase activities of the blood were determined by Michel’s potentiometric method in 20 healthy individuals and in 20 patients ill with various blood dyscrasias. 2. The mean erythrocyte cholinesterase activity in the blood of healthy individuals was 0.71 ± 0.11 Δ pH/hr. and the mean plasma cholinesterase activity was 0.98 ± 0.17 Δ pH/hr. 3. Low erythrocyte cholinesterase activity was found in the blood of patients ill with pernicious anemia or ill with hypoplastic anemia. 4. High erythrocyte cholinesterase activity was found in the blood of patients suffering with anemia secondary to hemorrhage and of patients ill with pernicious anemia or macrocytic anemia of nontropical sprue in early remission. 5. The plasma cholinesterase activity of blood from patients ill with blood dyscrasias usually reflected the general clinical status of the patients and, in general, was related to the albumin concentration in the serum. 6. The low erythrocyte cholinesterase activity increased following multiple blood transfusions and during a reticulocyte response in a case of hypoplastic anemia, whereas the plasma cholinesterase activity remained unchanged. 7. The erythrocyte cholinesterase activity in patients ill with pernicious anemia or macrocytic anemia of nontropical sprue increased rapidly during therapy beginning with the reticulocyte response and continuing during the period of increased erythropoietic activity. The plasma cholinesterase activity increased slowly parallel to improvement in hematologic and clinical status. 8. The possible relationships between alterations in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity in blood dyscrasias and reticulocytosis and erythropoiesis are discussed.
The New Prudent Man: Financial-Academic Capitalism and Inequality in Higher Education

For over one hundred years university endowments in the United States had been managed according to the common law “prudent man” principle that imposed the relatively conservative fiduciary responsibility for capital preservation upon university trustees. Beginning in the 1970s the prudent man concept was re-imagined to call for the maximization of return on endowment holdings and increased attention to long-term capital accumulation. This chapter shows how the transformation of the prudent man principle coincided with restructuring in the broader political economy and especially the globalization of finance. It is argued that endowment management is now a form of financial-academic capitalism in which universities engage in market activities to generate profit in order to secure advantage over competitor institutions by amassing wealth, which is in turn associated with prestige and field status. This advantage is reinforced by historical positional and taxation policy. Wealth and status advantages result in inequality, and I argue that endowment management is one contributing factor to the steep and persistent stratification that characterizes higher education in the U.S. Institutional inequality presents implications for social opportunity and equity. The chapter concludes with policy recommendations related to institutional wealth management.
Novel Logical Reasoning Tutor (Abstract Only)

In a sudden push for at-home learning, various simulation programs have been created to allow students to explore academic concepts in a variety of fields. But computer scientists are still forced to rely on trial-and-error test cases when trying to understand a tricky piece of code. In this poster the author reports on the results of a novel web-based educational tool that teaches coding through logical reasoning. Students are challenged to postulate symbolic relationships between generalized parameters within example code, and the tool evaluates the correctness and relevance of these answers within the context. Students may take comfort that their knowledge of the topic is comprehensive since the verification process takes into account all possible edge cases for parameter values.
Identifying areas of optimal multispecies conservation value by accounting for incompatibilities between species

Abstract Conservation planning is designed to optimize conservation actions when only limited resources are available for managing habitats and mitigating threats, and excels at selecting reserve networks that protect the largest number of species. However, the spatial optimization of the protection of multiple species can be complicated by interactions among those species and incompatibilities in their habitat needs. The challenge is to identify an optimal solution when two species with similar habitat needs cannot co-occur. We propose here a new approach to find the optimal conservation planning solution in cases of species incompatibilities, and demonstrate this solution for a 144 km2 area (a 160,000-cell grid) in northern Wisconsin. Specifically, our study objectives were to simultaneously (a) identify the smallest area needed to meet minimum habitat requirements for every species considered, (b) maximize the compactness of that area, and (c) avoid any overlap between species with incompatible habitat requirements. We found an optimized solution based on potential habitat models for 19 bird species using a novel application of mixed integer linear programming, with a clustering approach suited for large cell arrays. Under this solution, 9.9% of the study plot was sufficient to meet the minimum requirements for every species considered, maximize the compactness of that area, and avoid any overlap between species with incompatible habitat requirements. Our results are useful to assist managers in providing well-connected, sufficient habitat to at-risk species while minimizing costs and land use conflicts.
Growth Mechanism of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers: The Role of Self-Seeding Fullerene Nuclei

Due to their unique optoelectronic properties and potential for next generation devices, monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted a great deal of interest since the first observation of monolayer MoS2 a few years ago. While initially isolated in monolayer form by mechanical exfoliation, the field has evolved to more sophisticated methods capable of direct growth of large-area monolayer TMDs. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the technique used most prominently throughout the literature and is based on the sulfurization of transition metal oxide precursors. CVD-grown monolayers exhibit excellent quality, and this process is widely used in studies ranging from the fundamental to the applied. However, little is known about the specifics of the nucleation and growth mechanisms occurring during the CVD process. In this study, we have investigated the nucleation centers or “seeds” from which monolayer TMDs typically grow. This was accomplished using aberration-corrected scanning transmi...
Acute hepatic and renal toxicity in lambs dosed with fumonisin-containing culture material

To examine the effects of acute exposure to fumonisin-containing culture material (FCCM), 15 crossbred wether lambs were dosed intraruminally with FCCM containing 0 (CONTROL, n = 3), 11.1 (LOW, n = 4), 22.2 (MED, n = 4), or 45.5 (HIGH, n = 4) mg of total fumonisins (B1, B2, and B3)/kg BW daily for 4 d. Blood samples were collected daily, and on d 11 lambs were killed and necropsied. Changes in serum constituents in fumonisin-treated lambs indicative of liver damage, included increased (P < .05) activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, and creatinine were also increased (P < .05) in lambs dosed with FCCM. Hemoglobin tended to increase (P = .07) and white blood cell count tended to decrease (P = .08) in HIGH lambs and activated partial thromboplastin time tended to decrease (P < .10) in lambs dosed with LOW and MED treatments. Mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis was not different (P = .14) among treatments. Feed intake markedly decreased (P < .01) following the first dosing of FCCM and continued to decline throughout the study. Ruminal VFA concentrations and pH tended to decrease (P < .10) at d 11 in treated lambs. Relative liver and kidney weights (g/100 g of BW) increased (P < .05) in fumonisin-treated lambs. Histiolgical examination revealved tubular nephrosis and mild hepatopathy in dosed lambs. Lambs receiving the HIGH treatment died on d 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the study and on d 9 one lamb on the MED treatment died.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Competitive Strategies and Global Management: Linking with Technology

Competitive strategies remain a central topic of research in strategic management. Recent conceptual developments and practices reveal possible additional types of competitive strategies due to the advances i information as well as manufacturing technologies. This paper proposes a conceptual extension of the generic strategies originally developed by Michael Porter (1980) to include additional competitive approaches as various combinations and extensions of the original four. Furthermore, this paper applies the extended model of competitive strategies to global strategic management to present a number of propositions. Contributions, limitations and future research are considered. INTRODUCTION Central to the study and practice of strategic management are three research streams related to various aspects of company strategy. They are, respectively, product-market scope (Ansoff, 1965; Goold, Campbell, & Alexander, 1994; Mintzberg, 1988), global management gestalts (Bartlett & Ghoshal, 1998; Harzing, 2000; Leong & Tan, 1993; Prahalad & Doz, 1987), and competitive approaches (Campbell-Hunt, 2000; Da Silveira, Borenstein, & Fogliatto, 2001; Mintzberg, 1988; Porter, 1980, 1985). The product-market scope question focuses on the extent of diversification, This chapter appears in the book, IT-Based Management: Challenges and Solutions edited by Luiz Antonio Joia. Copyright © 2003, Idea Group Inc. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB8252 IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING
Hormonal Regulation of Avian Courtship and Mating Behaviors

Publisher Summary This chapter defines courtship behaviors as those occurring between a male and a female at close proximity and that persuades a member of the opposite sex to copulate. Birds display remarkable species diversity and sex differences in courtship complexity, mating behaviors, and the neuroendocrine regulation of these behaviors. Courtship displays are typically performed by males and may combine songs, dances, wing and tail movements, plumage coloration displays, and nonvocal sounds. Not every courtship display results in copulation, but most copulations are preceded by a courtship display. Birds are unusual among internally fertilizing vertebrates in that males of most species do not possess intermittent organs and transfer sperm through brief cloacal contact. Courtship and mating behaviors are regulated to a large extent by the same hormones. The environmental cues that stimulate hormone synthesis and release, and the target brain regions in which they act, differ between males and females and among species. Further, hormones act within partially overlapping neural systems to regulate different components of courtship and mating.
Systematic optimization of an engineered hydrogel allows for selective control of human neural stem cell survival and differentiation after transplantation in the stroke brain.

Stem cell therapies have shown promise in promoting recovery in stroke but have been limited by poor cell survival and differentiation. We have developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based self-polymerizing hydrogel that serves as a platform for adhesion of structural motifs and a depot release for growth factors to promote transplant stem cell survival and differentiation. We took an iterative approach in optimizing the complex combination of mechanical, biochemical and biological properties of an HA cell scaffold. First, we optimized stiffness for a minimal reaction of adjacent brain to the transplant. Next hydrogel crosslinkers sensitive to matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were incorporated as they promoted vascularization. Finally, candidate adhesion motifs and growth factors were systemically changed in vitro using a design of experiment approach to optimize stem cell survival or proliferation. The optimized HA hydrogel, tested in vivo, promoted survival of encapsulated human neural progenitor cells (iPS-NPCs) after transplantation into the stroke core and differentially tuned transplanted cell fate through the promotion of glial, neuronal or immature/progenitor states. This HA hydrogel can be tracked in vivo with MRI. A hydrogel can serve as a therapeutic adjunct in a stem cell therapy through selective control of stem cell survival and differentiation in vivo.
Vertical infection of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus via pollen transmission occurs at a lower frequency than ovule transmission

Seed transmission of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) has been demonstrated in a variety of cucurbits, including wild Cucurbita species, and pollen transmission of viruses is common in the family Potyviridae. Consequently, vertical transmission of ZYMV may occur via the pollen of infected wild squash as opposed to ovule transmission. To determine if vertical infection of ZYMV occurs via pollen transmission, we pollinated flowers on virus-free Cucurbita pepo ssp. texana plants with pollen from ZYMV infected plants. We found that seed infection of ZYMV via pollen occurs at a rate of 0.13 %. This rate is much lower than expected based on previously reported rates of seed transmission, which suggests that while seed transmission via pollen does occur in C. pepo, it is not the main mechanism for vertical infection. Because seed transmission of ZYMV has been shown in virus-resistant transgenic plants, it is possible that ZYMV infection of transgenic plants via pollen may contribute to the seed transmission and geographic distribution of this virus.
High linearity monolithic broadband pseudomorphic spike-doped MESFET amplifiers

A highly linear pseudomorphic spike-doped MESFET has been developed. This highly linear MESFET has been demonstrated at 10 GHz. Based on this device, two types of monolithic broadband amplifiers were designed and fabricated. Both the device and circuits achieved state-of-the-art linearity results while maintaining a low DC power consumption. >
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Inorganic Nitrate in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Rationale: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice has been shown to improve exercise capacity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, but studies using pharmacological preparations of inorganic nitrate are lacking. Objectives: To determine (1) the dose–response effect of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) on exercise capacity; (2) the population-specific pharmacokinetic and safety profile of KNO 3 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Methods and Results: We randomized 12 subjects with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction to oral KNO 3 (n=9) or potassium chloride (n=3). Subjects received 6 mmol twice daily during week 1, followed by 6 mmol thrice daily during week 2. Supine cycle ergometry was performed at baseline (visit 1) and after each week (visits 2 and 3). Quality of life was assessed with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. The primary efficacy outcome, peak O 2 -uptake, did not significantly improve ( P =0.13). Exploratory outcomes included exercise duration and quality of life. Exercise duration increased significantly with KNO 3 (visit 1: 9.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.31–10.43 minutes; visit 2: 10.73, 95% CI 10.13–11.33 minute; visit 3: 11.61, 95% CI 11.05–12.17 minutes; P =0.002). Improvements in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom (visit 1: 58.0, 95% CI 52.5–63.5; visit 2: 66.8, 95% CI 61.3–72.3; visit 3: 70.8, 95% CI 65.3–76.3; P =0.016) and functional status scores (visit 1: 62.2, 95% CI 58.5–66.0; visit 2: 68.6, 95% CI 64.9–72.3; visit 3: 71.1, 95% CI 67.3–74.8; P =0.01) were seen after KNO 3 . Pronounced elevations in trough levels of nitric oxide metabolites occurred with KNO 3 (visit 2: 199.5, 95% CI 98.7–300.2 μmol/L; visit 3: 471.8, 95% CI 377.8–565.8 μmol/L) versus baseline (visit 1: 38.0, 95% CI 0.00–132.0 μmol/L; P 3 did not lead to clinically significant hypotension or methemoglobinemia. After 6 mmol of KNO 3 , systolic blood pressure was reduced by a maximum of 17.9 (95% CI −28.3 to −7.6) mm Hg 3.75 hours later. Peak nitric oxide metabolites concentrations were 259.3 (95% CI 176.2–342.4) μmol/L 3.5 hours after ingestion, and the median half-life was 73.0 (interquartile range 33.4–232.0) minutes. Conclusions: KNO 3 is potentially well tolerated and improves exercise duration and quality of life in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This study reinforces the efficacy of KNO 3 and suggests that larger randomized trials are warranted. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02256345
Photoemission electron microscopy: Photovoltaics in action.

Electron motion in a type-II InSe/GaAs semiconductor heterostructure has been recorded in a movie immediately after photoexcitation with high spatial and temporal resolution
Detection of auditory signals in quiet and noisy backgrounds while performing a visuo-spatial task.

Context: The ability to detect important auditory signals while performing visual tasks may be further compounded by background chatter. Thus, it is important to know how task performance may interact with background chatter to hinder signal detection. Aim: To examine any interactive effects of speech spectrum noise and task performance on the ability to detect signals. Settings and Design: The setting was a sound-treated booth. A repeated measures design was used. Materials and Methods: Auditory thresholds of 20 normal adults were determined at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz in the following conditions presented in a random order: (1) quiet with attention; (2) quiet with a visuo-spatial task or puzzle (distraction); (3) noise with attention and (4) noise with task. Statistical Analysis: Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) with three repeated factors (quiet versus noise, visuo-spatial task versus no task, signal frequency). Results: MANOVA revealed significant main effects for noise and signal frequency and significant noise–frequency and task–frequency interactions. Distraction caused by performing the task worsened the thresholds for tones presented at the beginning of the experiment and had no effect on tones presented in the middle. At the end of the experiment, thresholds (4 kHz) were better while performing the task than those obtained without performing the task. These effects were similar across the quiet and noise conditions. Conclusion: Detection of auditory signals is difficult at the beginning of a distracting visuo-spatial task but over time, task learning and auditory training effects can nullify the effect of distraction and may improve detection of high frequency sounds.
No sex please, we're (in)breeding.

A genetic trick allows induction of haploid maize plants by a process known as gynogenesis, which is a useful tool for breeders. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Gilles et al (2017) show that loss of function of a patatin‐like phospholipase A underlies the induction of gynogenesis, findings that were also made in two other recent studies (Kelliher et al , 2017; Liu et al , 2017).
Oxygen Transport in the Human Brain — Analytical Solutions

Reneau et al. (1966, 1967) performed a digital computer simulation of steady-state oxygen transport in the human brain. The Krough capillary-tissue cylinder geometry was used in which the blood flows axially in a cylindrical capillary of radius, R, surrounded by a layer of tissue of outer radius, RT. The mathematical model used is given by: $$Capillary:\,v(1 + \frac{{Nkn{P^{n - 1}}}}{{c{{(1 + k{P^n})}^2}}})\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial z}} = D\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial}{{\partial r}}(r\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial r}})$$ (1) $$Tissue:\,{D_T}\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial }{{\partial r}}(r - \frac{{\partial {P_T}}}{{\partial r}}) - \frac{A}{{{C_T}}}\, = 0$$ (2) $${\text{Boundary Conditions}}:\,at\,z = 0,\,P = known\,P(r)$$ (3) $$at\,r = 0,\,\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial r}} = 0$$ (4) $$at\,r = R,\,P = {P_T} = {P_i}(z)$$ (5) $$at\,r = R,\,Dc\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial r}} = {D_T}{c_T}\frac{{\partial {P_T}}}{{\partial r}}$$ (6) $$at\,r = {R_T},\,\frac{{\partial P}}{{\partial r}} = 0$$ (7)
Macrophages take rheumatoid arthritis up a "Notch".

Notch signaling in bone marrow–derived inflammatory macrophages is central to synovial inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis, representing a promising future therapeutic target.
Genetic Control of Serum Marinobufagenin in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat and the Relationship to Blood Pressure.

Background We have investigated serum levels of immunoreactive marinobufagenin (MBG) in 16‐ to 20‐week‐old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs)‐A3 and in the normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rat strain in the absence of salt loading, and we have investigated the genetic control of serum MBG. Methods and Results We genotyped the F2 progeny of an SHR‐A3×WKY intercross using a genome‐wide panel of 253 single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers that were dimorphic between SHR‐A3 and WKY and measured serum MBG by ELISA. Serum MBG levels were lower in SHR‐A3 than WKY rats (0.39±0.07 and 1.27±0.40 nmol/L, respectively), suggesting that MBG may not play a role in the markedly divergent blood pressure measured by telemetry in rats of these 2 strains (SHR‐A3 and WKY, 198.3±4.43 and 116.8±1.51 mm Hg, respectively). The strain difference in serum MBG was investigated to determine whether genomic regions influencing MBG might be identified by genetic mapping. Quantitative trait locus mapping indicated a single locus influencing serum MBG in the region of chromosome 6q12. Homozygosity of WKY alleles at this locus was associated with increased serum MBG levels. We surveyed whole genome sequences from our SHR‐A3 and WKY lines, seeking coding sequence variation between SHR‐A3 and WKY within the mapped locus that might explain the inherited strain difference in serum MBG. Conclusions We identified amino acid substitution in the sterol transport protein Abcg5, present in SHR‐A3, but absent in WKY, that is a potential mechanism influencing MBG levels.
The Causes and Pervasiveness of DMC: Stakeholder Perceptions of Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Justice System:

This study explores perceptions and awareness of disproportionate minority contact (DMC) by stakeholders in juvenile justice, youth-serving community organizations, schools, social services, and th...
Generation of high-energy narrowband 2.05 μm pulses for seeding a Ho:YLF laser

We experimentally demonstrate efficient generation of high-energy (82 μJ) narrowband 2.05 μm pulses pumped with 1 mJ broadband Ti:sapphire laser pulses, utilizing dual-chirped optical parametric amplification (DC-OPA) in a BBO crystal. The narrowband 2.05 μm pulses will be primarily used for seeding an Ho:YLF laser, which solves the synchronization issue when Ti:sapphire and Ho:YLF lasers are needed for developing midinfrared lasers. The narrowband 2.05 μm pulse from the unique DC-OPA design can seed the Ho:YLF laser much more efficiently than the broadband 2.05 μm pulse from traditional OPA technology.
Predicting the risk of future dangerousness.

The purpose of assessing dangerousness is to determine whether an individual poses a risk of endangering self or others now or in the near future and to identify what interventions are necessary to minimize that risk.
Robotic-Assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: State-of-the Art and Review of the Literature.

Abstract Background Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a successful treatment for unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis that has lower complication rates, faster recovery, and a more natural feeling knee compared to total knee arthroplasty. However, long-term survival has been a persistent concern. As more surgeon-controlled variables have been linked to survival, interest in robotic-assisted surgery has continued to grow. Methods A review and synthesis of the literature on the subject of robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty was performed. Results We present the driving factors behind the development of robotic-assisted techniques in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and the current state-of-the art. The ability of surgeons to achieve intraoperative targets with robotic assistance and the outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery are also described. Conclusion Robotic-assisted surgery has become increasingly popular in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, as it allows surgeons to more accurately and reproducibly plan and achieve operative targets during surgery. Cost remains a concern, and it remains to be seen whether robotic-assisted surgery will improve long-term survivorship after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
Opioid Overdose Education for Individuals Prescribed Opioids for Pain Management: Randomized Comparison of Two Computer-Based Interventions.

Background: Opioid overdose (OD) rates in the United States have reached unprecedented levels. Current OD prevention strategies largely consist of distribution of naloxone and in-person trainings, which face obstacles to expedient, widespread dissemination. Web-based interventions have increased opioid OD response knowledge in patients with opioid use disorders; however, these interventions have not been tested in the larger population of individuals that are prescribed opioid analgesics. This study assessed a web-based intervention providing education across three knowledge domains: opioid effects, opioid OD symptoms, and opioid OD response. Methods: Participants (N=197) were adults recruited on Amazon Mechanical Turk from May to June 2017, who were prescribed an opioid medication for pain. Participants were randomly assigned to a Presentation (n=97) intervention communicating relevant facts in each knowledge domain, or a Presentation + Mastery (n=100) intervention including the same facts but requiring that participants respond correctly to >80% of embedded questions in each module before advancing. Participants completed the Brief Opioid Overdose Knowledge (BOOK) measure before and after the interventions, and provided feedback on acceptability. Results: Both versions of the intervention resulted in significant pre- to post-intervention increases in BOOK scores across all knowledge domains (p<.001), with no significant knowledge differences between groups. The Presentation intervention took significantly less time to complete (p<.001), and was completed by significantly more participants than the Presentation + Mastery intervention (p<.001). Most participants rated both interventions as highly acceptable. Conclusion: Results replicate a previous study (Dunn et al., 2017) and suggest the web-based Presentation intervention may be a convenient, cost-effective method for disseminating crucial public health information for preventing opioid OD.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Long-Term Care Facilities: Approaches to Creating an Antibiogram when Few Bacterial Isolates Are Cultured Annually

Abstract Antibiograms are important clinical tools to report and track antibiotic susceptibility and help guide empiric antimicrobial therapy. Antibiograms support compliance with antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and are in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Core Elements of AMS for nursing homes/long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Unlike most acute-care settings, LTCFs are challenged in creating antibiograms because of the low number of bacterial isolates collected annually. Determining the best methodology for creating clinically useful antibiograms for LTCFs needs to be explored. Possible approaches include (1) extending the isolate data beyond 1 year, (2) combining isolate data from the same geographic region, (3) using a nearby acute-care facility's antibiogram as a proxy, or (4) collapsing isolate data. This article discusses the benefits and limitations of each approach.