cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of free polyunsaturated fatty acids on arrhythmias induced by lysophosphatidylcholine or palmitoylcarnitine in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes

Cultured, spontaneously beating, neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were used to examine the effects of various free fatty acids added to the medium perfusing the cells on lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)- or acylcarnitine-induced arrhythmias. Perfusion of the cells with LPC or palmitoylcarnitine (2–10 μM) induced sustained tachyrhythmia with episodes of spasmodic contractures and fibrillation. Free PUFA (10–15 μM) including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3), α-linolenic acid (18:3n−3), arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n−6) and linoleic acid (18:2n−6) were able to effectively prevent as well as terminate the LPC or acylcarnitine-induced arrhythmias. In contrast, monounsaturated oleic acid (18:1n−9) and saturated stearic acid (18:0) did not have such effects. The protective effects of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could be reversed by cell perfusion with delipidated bovine serum albumin. To determine the potential primary action by which the PUFA exert the antiarrhythmic effects, measurements of intracellular Ca2+ levels and the response of the cells to electrical pacing in the absence or presence of the PUFA were performed and the effects of verapamil (a L-type Ca2+ channel blocker), tetrodotoxin (a Na+ channel blocker) and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 on the cell contraction and the cytosolic Ca2+ levels were compared with that of the PUFA. Results suggest that an inhibitory effect on the electrical automaticity/excitability of the cardiac myocyte rather than a reduction in cytosolic Ca2+ underlie the protective effects of PUFA. In conclusion, free PUFAs are able to effectively protect the cardiac myocytes against the arrhythmias induced by low concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholine or palmitoylcarnitine.
Will This Patient Develop Persistent Disabling Low Back Pain

Context Low back pain is extremely common. Early identification of patients more likely to develop persistent disabling symptoms could help guide decisions regarding follow-up and management. Objective To systematically review the usefulness of individual risk factors or risk prediction instruments for identifying patients more likely to develop persistent disabling low back pain. Data Sources Electronic searches of MEDLINE (1966-January 2010) and EMBASE (1974-February 2010) and review of the bibliographies of retrieved articles. Study Selection Prospective studies of patients with fewer than 8 weeks of low back pain from which likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated for prediction of persistent disabling low back pain for findings attainable during the clinical evaluation. Data Extraction Two authors independently assessed studies and extracted data to estimate LRs. Data Synthesis A total of 20 studies evaluating 10 842 patients were identified. Presence of nonorganic signs (median [range] LR, 3.0 [1.7-4.6]), high levels of maladaptive pain coping behaviors (median [range] LR, 2.5 [2.2-2.8]), high baseline functional impairment (median [range] LR, 2.1 [1.2-2.7]), presence of psychiatric comorbidities (median [range] LR, 2.2 [1.9-2.3]), and low general health status (median [range] LR, 1.8 [1.1-2.0]) were the most useful predictors of worse outcomes at 1 year. Low levels of fear avoidance (median [range] LR, 0.39 [0.38-0.40]) and low baseline functional impairment (median [range] LR, 0.40 [0.10-0.52]) were the most useful items for predicting recovery at 1 year. Results were similar for outcomes at 3 to 6 months. Variables related to the work environment, baseline pain, and presence of radiculopathy were less useful for predicting worse outcomes (median LRs approximately 1.5), and a history of prior low back pain episodes and demographic variables were not useful (median LRs approximately 1.0). Several risk prediction instruments were useful for predicting outcomes, but none were extensively validated, and some validation studies showed LRs similar to estimates for individual risk factors. Conclusion The most helpful components for predicting persistent disabling low back pain were maladaptive pain coping behaviors, nonorganic signs, functional impairment, general health status, and presence of psychiatric comorbidities.
Pediatric Renal Artery Occlusive Disease and Renovascular Hypertension: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Operative Treatment

• Forty pediatric patients (16 girls and 24 boys) 22 months to 17 years old underwent operation for renovascular hypertension. Ostial stenoses were present in 20 children; midrenal lesions were present in eight; and isolated segmental disease was present in 12 patients and was combined with main renal artery stenoses in three patients. Neurofibromatosis affected ten patients, including three having abdominal aortic anomalies. Abdominal aortic coarctation affected five other children. Hypertensive urograms were abnormal only 27% of the time. Renin assays were helpful in identifying functionally important renal ischemia. Fifty-one primary surgical procedures were undertaken, including one simultaneous and nine staged operations for bilateral disease. There were two primary nephrectomies. Six patients underwent later secondary operations. Thirty-four patients (85%) were cured of hypertension, the conditions of five (12.5%) were improved, and one (2.5%) was classified a therapeutic failure. Carefully performed arterial reconstructive surgery will benefit most pediatric patients with renovascular hypertension. (Arch Surg 1981;116:669-676)
Lean Manufacturing Institute at Onondaga Community College

The Lean Manufacturing Institute (LMI) is a collaborative effort between Onondaga County government, the manufacturing/business community, and Onondaga Community College (OCC). Housed on OCC's camp...
Development of the Descent Brake Mechanism for the Mars Science Laboratory

This paper describes the design and testing of an electromechanical damper assembly for the Mars Science Laboratory and provides the current program status. Unique test equipment developed for verification of flight requirements is presented. This paper includes the problems that arose during design and testing that are peculiar to a device intended to dissipate energy. The lessons learned relating to assembly and test anomalies and the resulting corrective actions are discussed.
AC Conduction in Impregnated Polymer Insulating Systems

Experimental data are presented describing the relationship between the dissipation factor of capacitors containing polypropylene film impregnated with trichlorodiphenyl and the applied voltage, the duration of the applied voltage, and the thickness of the liquid layer adjacent to the polymer film. A general theoretical treatment based on the equivalent circuit representation of a low-loss polymer capacitor in series with a high-loss liquid capacitor provides a qualitative explanation of the experimental data. The results demonstrate that ion conduction in the thin liquid layers between the impregnated polymer and the electrodes can account for the observed dissipation factor. The ion transit time across the liquid layer is very short compared to the period of a half-cycle so the ions are immobilized on the film or foil surfaces for a large fraction of each half-cycle. The ion transit time and consequently the dissipation factor are strong functions of the applied field and the thickness of the liquid layer. These factors as well as a trapping of the ions by the film causing the dissipation factor to decrease with time on voltage must be considered in interpreting the dissipation factor data of impregnated polymers and in attaining the potentially low losses possible in these systems.
The Social Significance of the Environmental Crisis Barry Commoner’s The Closing Circle

Among the many monographs written on the environmental crisis during the 1960s and 1970s, Barry Commoner’s The Closing Circle (1971) has arguably maintained its immediate relevance more than any other because of Commoner’s ability to articulate the social ramifications of environmental decline. This close reading of The Closing Circle proposes to situate Commoner’s most important book in its social and historical context. Particular attention is paid to the significance of Commoner’s four laws of ecology and to his role in changing the fight for the environment from a scientific debate to a public one.
Evolution of somatic hypermutation and gene conversion in adaptive immunity

Examples of somatic hypermutation of antigen receptor genes can be seen in most lineages of vertebrates, including the cartilaginous fish. Analysis of the phylogenetic data reveals that two distinctive features of the mechanism are shared by most species studied: the mutation hot spot sequence AGY, and a preponderance of point mutations. These data suggest that some of the components of the machinery are shared between ectotherms and mammals. However, unique characters in particular species may have occurred by independent recruitment of novel factors onto the mechanism. A spotty phylogenetic distribution of gene conversion has also been revealed and can be explained if the two mechanisms share some characteristics. Both mutation and conversion require transcription-related sequences and/or factors. We theorized that targeting to V genes can be attained by a paused replication fork that has collided with a transcription complex stalled by a defective Ig transcription activator; the paused replication fork results in recruitment of an error-prone translesion synthesis DNA polymerase (somatic hypermutation) or of DNA repair mechanisms with homologous recombination (gene conversion). In addition, the pathway recruited in different species may be directed by the degree of homology among V genes.
Past and projected future changes in snowpack and soil frost at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA

Long-term data from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire show that air temperature has increased by about 1 °C over the last half century. The warmer climate has caused significant declines in snow depth, snow water equivalent and snow cover duration. Paradoxically, it has been suggested that warmer air temperatures may result in colder soils and more soil frost, as warming leads to a reduction in snow cover insulating soils during winter. Hubbard Brook has one of the longest records of direct field measurements of soil frost in the United States. Historical records show no long-term trends in maximum annual frost depth, which is possibly confounded by high interannual variability and infrequency of major soil frost events. As a complement to field measurements, soil frost can be modelled reliably using knowledge of the physics of energy and water transfer. We simulated soil freezing and thawing to the year 2100 using a soil energy and water balance model driven by statistically downscaled climate change projections from three atmosphere-ocean general circulation models under two emission scenarios. Results indicated no major changes in maximum annual frost depth and only a slight increase in number of freeze-thaw events. The most important change suggested by the model is a decline in the number of days with soil frost, stemming from a concurrent decline in the number of snow-covered days. This shortening of the frost-covered period has important implications for forest ecosystem processes such as tree phenology and growth, hydrological flowpaths during winter, and biogeochemical processes in soil.
Inexpensive Immersive Projection

Most projector-based immersive displays have numerous problems relating to complexity, space, and cost. We present a technique for rendering perspectively correct images using a casual arrangement of a projector, a mirror and a display surface. Our technique renders an arbitrarily wide field of view using an efficient GPU-based single-pass rendering algorithm. The rendering algorithm is preceded by a one-time camera-based geometric correction calibration step. As we will describe, this technique can be implemented with inexpensive, commodity hardware and using readily available display surfaces. Thus, this technique enables immersive projection systems to be used in casual locations, such as a classroom or even in the home.
The Role of Female Behavior and Attributions in Predicting Behavioral Responses to Hypothetical Male Aggression

Research suggests that situational characteristics influence attributions for violent events. The present study examined the effect of confrontational female behavior on women’s positive and negative attributions for their boyfriends’ abusive behavior and the influence of confrontational behavior and attributions on intentions to remain involved with those partners. College women (N = 293) read descriptions of scenes that involved dating conflict and provided attribution ratings and stay/leave intentions. Results showed that female behavior predicted positive and negative attributions as well as behavioral intentions. Individual differences were less critical to the prediction of attributions or intentions. Limitations, future directions, and clinical implications are discussed.
Materials Science Acceleration of Corrosion of Dental Amalgam by Abrasion

Dental amalgam shows passive behavior, but the protective film can be destroyed by abrasion. In this study, specimens of both low- and high-copper amalgam were abraded, and the effect on the corrosion behavior was examined. The electrochemical measurements showed that the corrosion rate was substantially increased, and that re-passivation was relatively slow.
A novel test article for validation of EMC codes for antenna-to-antenna coupling and antenna isolation: the Transformable Scale Aircraft-Like Model

A novel all-metal test article, the Transformable Scale Aircraft-Like Model (TSAM) has been constructed to obtain measured antenna pattern and isolation data for validating electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and computational electromagnetics (CEM) analysis codes used to analyze antenna-to-antenna coupling and platform effects on antenna radiation patterns. TSAM makes use of a changeable configuration to identify those parts of the platform that affect the radiation performance and coupling properties of mounted antennas. All components and antennas are removable allowing TSAM complexity to be modified gradually in stages. As platform complexity changes, the measured data of electromagnetic observables changes correspondingly. Computed results from electromagnetics codes then should track the measured results as the TSAM computer geometry model changes. If they do not then information has been obtained to help identify where in the codes the shortcomings are located. This paper presents and discusses a set of antenna pattern and isolation measurements made on TSAM in the 4-8 GHz range involving several different TSAM configurations that are useful to validate EMC and CEM codes. The TSAM test article and antenna measurement process are discussed and the applicability to validating electromagnetics analysis codes is explained.
Magnetic source MRI: A new quantitative imaging of magnetic biomarkers

A new approach to generating MRI contrast by solving the magnetic field to susceptibility source inverse problem is presented to address the quantification difficulties associated with traditional T1/T2 relaxation and susceptibility weighted T2∗ methods. The forward problem from source to field is reviewed. Its inverse field to source problem is ill posed. Accurate solutions are found by conditioning the data acquisition or regularizing the solution. Preclinical and clinical applications using this magnetic source MRI are discussed for quantitative mapping magnetic biomarkers such as contrast agents in molecular MRI and iron deposits in diseases.
Hemodynamic consequences of atrioventricular and ventriculoatrial pacing.

The effect of atrialventricular versus ventricular pacing and contraction were studied in seven open-chest dogs. Cardiac output, left ventricular, left atrial, right atrial and pulmonary artery pressures were recorded. The right or left ventricular apical areas were consistently superior as ventricular pacing sites. Appearance of cannon A waves within the pre- or ejection period produced a significant decrease in left ventricular and systemic blood pressure, and cardiac output with a concomitant increase in right atrial, ventricular and pulmonary pressures. Prominent “v” waves were also observed during these periods. Reducing the basic driving cycle length from 400 to 300 msec caused a marlted deterioration of all hemodynamic parameters with the appearance of mechanical alternans. Random VA conduction or ventricular pacing in the presence of com-plete AV and VA heart block appeared to offer a more favorable hemodynamic result than constant 1:1 VA conduction. It is concluded that maintenance of a physiologic AV interval permitting atrial contraction to appear outside of pre- or ejection period of ventricular systole is an important determinant or ventriculor function during cardiac pacing.
Use of Brooks-Corey Parameters to Improve Estimates of Saturated Conductivity from Effective Porosity

tating a large number of samples. For this reason indirect methods have held promise as an alternative to making Effective porosity, defined here as the difference between satiated direct measurements. A further advantage of indirect total porosity and water-filled porosity at a matric potential of 33 kPa, has been shown to be a good predictor for saturated hydraulic methods is that they allow researchers to obtain an conductivity (Ks) using a modified Kozeny-Carman equation. This estimate of the variability of saturated conductivities equation is of the form of a coefficient (B ) multiplied by effective based on the variability of an easily measured predictor porosity raised to a power (n ). The purpose of this study was to variable (Ahuja et al., 1989). improve the predictive capability of the modified Kozeny-Carman A number of relationships have been developed that equation by including information from moisture release curves (soil can be used to calculate Ks with easily measured soil water content vs. matric potential relation). We fitted the Brooks- properties. Some are purely empirical and are often Corey (B-C) equation parameters (pore size distribution index and related to soil texture (Rawls et al., 1992; Puckett et al., air entry potential) to moisture release data from a large database 1985). Other relationships use physically based equa(.500 samples). Values of Ks were also available from the same tions. Ahuja et al. (1984, 1989) showed that a modified source. Inclusion of the pore size distribution index into the KozenyCarman equation improved the Ks estimation over using only effective Kozeny-Carman equation porosity, but only slightly. The improvement came through a better Ks 5 B1f n e [1] estimation of large values of Ks. We also fit a relationship for the coefficient (B) of the Kozeny-Carman equation as a function of the was applicable to a wide range of soils from the Southern two B-C parameters with a constant value of n 5 2.5 for the exponent. Region of the USA, Hawaii, and Arizona. Here fe is Overall the use of Brooks-Corey parameters from moisture retention the effective porosity calculated as saturated water condata improved estimates of Ks over using effective porosity (fe) alone. tent (us) minus the water content at 33 kPa matric potenThere is still considerable error in predicting individual Ks values, tial, and B
Dementia in Relation to Family Caregiver Involvement and Burden in Long-term Care

To better understand the process and outcomes of family involvement for long-term care residents with varying stages of dementia, we analyzed family and staff data for 467 residents of 24 residential care/assisted living and nursing-home settings. Adjusted analyses found that although the amount of family visitation did not significantly vary by resident cognitive status (15 versus 20 visits/month to persons with and without dementia, respectively), the nature of the visit did. Families of cognitively intact residents spent more time in activities related to social and community engagement, such as taking residents on trips and calling and writing letters (p<.001), while families of more impaired residents spent more time on care-related activities, including tasks related to nutrition (p<.027), mobility (p=.001), and discussing care with staff (p=.007), the latter of which was associated with greater burden (p<.001). Staff identified similar patterns but perceived less family involvement.
Impacts of feeding several components of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on transported lambs

Feeding the seaweed Ascophylum nodosum (ANOD) has been previously shown to mediate the body temperature of lambs during transport in hot weather while also negatively impacting antibody production. The aim of this study was to determine if fucoidan, salt (NaCl plus potassium gluconate) or betaine, were the causative agents for the effects seen in previous studies. Each compound was fed at a rate to approximate the intake when consuming 30 g of ANOD per day. Two additional groups were fed either 30 g of ANOD per day or capsules filled with grain (i.e., controls). Fifty-five lambs (19 ewes and 34 wethers) averaging 25 ± 7 kg were used. Each lamb swallowed three gelatin capsules twice daily filled with the appropriate amount of treatment compound for 14 days. Prior to supplementation, all lambs had similar plasma cortisol and aldosterone concentrations. ANOD-supplemented lambs had suppressed (P<0.05) IgG and IgM antibody titers in response to administration of ovalbumin, and tended (P=0.10) to have higher white blood cell counts and more eosinophils (P=0.10) and lymphocytes (P=0.06) than the controls post-supplementation. Salt-fed lambs showed an increase in lymphocyte (P=0.06) counts while betaine-fed lambs had higher (P<0.05) packed cell volume and hemoglobin relative to the controls. Post-supplementation ANOD-fed and salt-fed lambs tended to have lower cortisol concentrations (P=0.08 and 0.12) than controls and all treatments had a trend (P=0.10, 0.07, 0.14, and 0.09) to lower aldosterone concentrations relative to controls. All lambs had similar mean, minimum, maximum, and range of body temperature during transport, although ANOD-fed lambs had less fluctuation in their body temperature than controls. During transport the salt-fed lambs had lower (P<0.05) cortisol concentrations than controls. Control lambs tended to have higher plasma sodium and chloride concentrations (P<0.10) post-transport than ANOD-fed lambs. All lambs lost a similar amount of body weight due to transport. Post-transport, no differences occurred in the latency of lambs to drink, eat or lie down. None of the components studied appeared to be impacting the mediation of body temperature that ANOD exhibits. The salts in ANOD appears to affect both adrenal and immune function, although further studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which it caused such large physiological impacts.
Ensemble tracking for 2D vector velocity measurement: Experimental and initial clinical results

We describe a new method, called ensemble tracking, for estimating two-dimensional velocities with ultrasound. Compared to previous speckle tracking techniques, ensemble tracking measures motion over smaller times and distances, increasing maximum velocities and reducing errors due to echo decorrelation. Ensemble tracking uses parallel receive processing, 2D pattern matching, and interpolation of the resulting tracking grid to estimate sub-pixel speckle translations between successive ultrasonic acquisitions. In this study, small translations of a tissue mimicking phantom were quantified at transducer angles of 0/spl deg/, 45/spl deg/, and 90/spl deg/. Measurements over three parallel beam spacings and all transducer angles had mean errors from -4% to +11%, when parallel beam amplitudes were normalized. Such amplitude normalization substantially improved results at 45/spl deg/ and 90/spl deg/. The amplitude, spacing, and correlation between the parallel beams were quantified, and their effects on the accuracy and precision of estimates are discussed. Finally, initial clinical results demonstrate the ability to track and display blood flow in the carotid artery.
Design of WDM PON With Tunable Lasers: The Upstream Scenario

Tunable lasers are potential upstream optical light generators for wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) passive optical network (PON), which is a promising solution for next-generation broad-band optical access. The wavelength provisioning flexibility of tunable lasers can increase the admissible traffic in the network as compared to wavelength-specific lasers. Generally, the broader the lasers' tuning ranges, the more the traffic can be admitted to the network. However, broad tuning range requires sophisticated technology, and probably high cost. To achieve the optimal tradeoff between the admissible traffic and the cost, we investigate the relationship between lasers' tuning ranges and the network's admissible traffic and then design WDM PON by selecting lasers with proper tuning ranges for the upstream data transmission. Specifically, we focus on addressing two issues under three scenarios. The two issues are: how to admit the largest traffic by properly selecting lasers, and how to admit given upstream traffic using lasers with tuning ranges as narrow as possible. The three scenarios are: full-range tunable and wavelength-specific lasers are available, limited-range tunable lasers are available, and the exact number of lasers with specific tuning ranges are given.
Nepal and Bhutan in 2010: At an Impasse

Nepal made little headway in its peace process in 2010. The Constituent Assembly missed the May deadline for completing the new Constitution, and a crisis in governance followed the prime minister's resignation in June. Repeated rounds of voting failed to elect a new leader. Meanwhile, democratization in Bhutan progressed slowly because local elections were delayed.
Beyond Massing: Working with Plant Populations and Communities

So far we have discussed how factors such as climate, microclimate, and place of origin influence why individual plants grow where they do in nature and how those factors should influence our selection of plants for the landscape. Of course, in nature and in the built environment plants rarely grow alone. They grow with other plants, both from their own species and from others.
New Ferro L8 LTCC System Ready for High Reliability Electronic Packaging Applications

Ferro glass and conductor core competencies have combined to develop a unique and superior electronic packaging system. Recent advances have resulted in a new mechanically robust packaging system for high frequency packaging applications. The new system is called L8 and is the result of Ferro glass technology combined with Ferro expertise in conductive pastes. Packaging of complex, high reliability electronic devices require ceramic multilayer systems that can be co- fired with low loss conductors to form a hermetic environment. This is necessary as the device will be required to perform reliably in harsh environments for extended periods of time. Devices used in satellite, avionics and shipboard applications are just a few examples of applications where packaging of this type is a requirement. L8 is based on a ceramic filled glass system with excellent low loss characteristics that have been measured up to 30 GHz. L8 has the further advantages of excellent tensile and flexural strength. The newly develop...
Shock wave synthesis and characterization of Nnb3Sn

Abstract The synthesis of Nb 3 Sn, a hard superconductor, has been accomplished by the use of a converging shock wave arrangement. The irreversible phase formation for stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric powder mixtures was studied by changing the shock wave intensity. Evidence of compound formation was obtained by quantitative metallography, microhardness, X-ray diffraction, and superconductivity measurements. It is concluded that tin, due to its high compressibility and low specific heat, acts as the main source of heat while the use of powder materials favours ready achievement of the reaction temperature. The same procedure, when applied to the formation of the isostructural Nb 3 Al phase, resulted in NbAl 3 instead.
Observations on the Biology of Solierella peckhami, S. blaisdelli (Sphecidae), and Two Species of Chrysididae (Hymenoptera)

The sphecids Solierella peckhami (Ashmead) and S. blaisdelli (Bridwell) nest in hollow stems of plants like sumac, elderberry, raspberry, and in other protected places like the cavity between hulls and shells in almond nuts. Each nest consists of some 3–5 cells. The adult females provision their nests with nymphs of the lygaeid bugs Nysius raphanus Howard or N. tenellus Barber which serve as food for larvae of the wasps. Prior to being placed in the nest the bugs are paralyzed. Paralysis is irreversible. Each cell is provisioned with some six 4thor 5th-stage bug nymphs. One nymph in each cell is selected by the female wasp for oviposition. A single egg is laid crosswise on the venter of the thorax. The wasp larva begins feeding on the prey on which the egg was laid, and then indiscriminately on the other nymphs in the cell. The chrysidids Pseudolopyga taylori (Bodenstein) and Hedychridium solierellae R. Bohart & Brumley develop at the expense of the immature stages of Solierella and their prey. P. taylori oviposits in 1st- or 2nd-stage nymphs of Nysius while the latter are active in the field; the 1st-stage larva hatches in about 10 days. Nymphs parasitized by these larvae may be taken by Solierella to their nests along with unparasitized ones. Paralyzation of a parasitized nymph induces further development of the chrysidid larva, which soon emerges from the host, deliberately kills the larva of Solierella , and completes its development by feeding on the nymphs stored in the nest. Only 1 larva of P. taylori will develop in each cell. Other larvae emerging from different nymphs in the same cell will be killed by the first one to emerge. If a nymph containing a 1st-stage larva of P. taylori is not paralyzed, the parasite will eventually die without developing any further, while the bug will develop normally. H. solierellae oviposits in nests provisioned by Solierella . Usually 1 egg is laid in each cell. The larva feeds on the paralyzed Nysius nymphs, and commonly also on the Solierella larva. Even if not attacked directly, the larva of Solierella dies of starvation since H. solierellae develops faster.
High Altitude Flights of the Free-Tailed Bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, Observed with Radar

Both search and height-finding radars were used to observe the airborne behavior of free-tailed bats, Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana , near several caves in the southwestern United States. Radar echoes from dense groups of bats covered areas as large as 400 square kilometers and rose to altitudes of more than 3000 meters. The presence of large numbers of bats within these areas was confirmed by visual observation from a helicopter. Bat flights appeared on radar at dusk and at dawn as a slowly expanding or contracting target, usually located near a known roost. The direction in which the echo expanded most rapidly was not due to drift of the bats by winds. This leading edge often moved at more than 40 kilometers per hour, indicating the capacity for rapid, well-directed, high altitude flight in these animals. Bats flying at such high altitudes must employ sensory systems other than echolocation for orientation and navigation.
Seeds, Seasons, and Ecosystems: Sedentary Hohokam Groups in the Papaguería

ABSTRACTVariability and seasonality in archaeobotanical and archaeological remains from three adjacent ecosystems in the Papagueria of south-central Arizona are examined in relation to settlement-subsistence hypotheses. A three ecosystem model is developed which indicates that the Hohokam in the Papagueria were able to maintain sedentary villages by utilizing, in different manners, three distinct ecosystems. It is suggested that the Hohokam in this desert region intermittently maintained agricultural field houses in the creosote plains, cacti gathering camps on mountain slopes, and permanent villages and fields on major wash flood plains. To some extent, sedentarism in the Papagueria depended upon exploitation of non-flood plain ecosystems.
Parallel methodology to capture cyclic variability in motored engines

Numerical prediction of cycle-to-cycle variability in spark ignition engines is extremely challenging for two key reasons: (1) high-fidelity methods such as large eddy simulation are required to ac...
Ca2+-calmodulin binding to mouse alpha1 syntrophin: syntrophin is also a Ca2+-binding protein.

Syntrophins are peripheral membrane proteins which have been found associated with dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene locus. Mouse alpha1 syntrophin binds the COOH-terminal domain of dystrophin, and calmodulin inhibits this interaction in a Ca2+-dependent fashion. Where calmodulin binds to syntrophin was investigated by constructing fusion proteins containing different regions of syntrophin's sequence. Syntrophin contains at least two regions which bind calmodulin in different ways. The COOH-terminal 24 residues contain a Ca2+-calmodulin binding site, named CBS-C, which binds calmodulin with an apparent affinity of 18 nM and which is highly conserved in all syntrophins. The amino-terminal 174 residue section of syntrophin contains other calmodulin binding, and binding occurs in either the presence or absence of Ca2+ with an apparent affinity of 100 nM. Syntrophin was shown to bind Ca2+ at two or more sites residing in the amino-terminal 274 residues, and Ca2+ binding to syntrophin affects calmodulin binding at high concentrations of syntrophin. Syntrophin A (residues 4-274) is predominantly a dimer in EGTA. A model of syntrophin's complex interactions with itself (i.e., oligomerization), calmodulin, and Ca2+ is presented.
Creating Readiness for Response to Intervention: An Evaluation of Readiness Assessment Tools

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a promising approach for meeting the needs of all students in our nation’s schools. However, attempts to shift to an RtI model are likely to be ineffective if the unique features of a school as a system are not considered prior to implementation. Therefore, it is important that school teams assess readiness for initial implementation in order to foster a school climate receptive to change. In light of this need, the primary goals of the present study were to describe the components of readiness for implementation of RtI and to evaluate the alignment of commonly used RtI readiness assessment tools to these components. From a comprehensive literature review, the authors identify six interrelated components of RtI readiness: stakeholder readiness, resource readiness, systems readiness, data readiness, evaluation readiness, and student supports readiness. From content analyses of 21 RtI readiness assessment tools, the authors identify five tools that most effectively assess readiness across these six domains. Initial recommendations for school professionals on the selection and use of readiness tools and a call for development of research-validated practices in RtI readiness assessment are also presented.
Psychometrics of Behavioral Health Screening Scales in Military Contexts

A major task for military and civilian mental health practitioners is to screen United States service members/military personnel for an array of mental health problems (e.g., depression, alcohol ab...
Religion in the Public Square

Political discourse often borrows constitutional doctrine to twist it to serve the political speaker’s own ends. It is up to academics and the courts to illuminate how constitutional values have been warped or transformed in the political process and to steer public discourse onto a more reliable course. In this chapter, I will discuss how those advocating for religious entities have borrowed the term ‘public square’ from the Supreme Court’s free speech doctrine in an attempt to gain leverage for their public policy positions. By using ‘public square’ as they do, they are not only misrepresenting the actual constitutional value of their position, but also exaggerating its moral appeal.
Association of global and disease-specific health status with outcomes following continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

The prognostic value of heart failure specific and global health status before and after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in the usual care setting is not well studied. We included 3,836 continuous-flow LVAD patients in the INTERMACS registry. Health status was measured pre-operatively and 3 months post-LVAD using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) and EuroQol visual analog scale (VAS). Primary outcomes were mortality/rehospitalization. Inverse propensity weighting was used to minimize bias from missing data. Pre-operative global and heart failure-specific health status were very poor: KCCQ median 34.6 (IQR 21.4-50.5); VAS median 43 (interquartile range (IQR) 25–65). Health status measures improved 3 months after LVAD placement: KCCQ median 69.3 (IQR 54.2-82.3); VAS median 75 (IQR 60–85). Pre-operative health status was not associated with death (unadjusted HR for lowest vs. highest score quartiles: 1.09 (0.85-1.41) KCCQ; 1.12 (0.85-1.49) VAS) or rehospitalization (unadjusted HR 0.83 (0.72-0.96) KCCQ; 0.99 (0.85-1.16) VAS). Three-month KCCQ was associated with mortality (unadjusted HR 2.17 (1.47-3.21); VAS was not (1.43 (0.94-2.17). Three-month KCCQ added incremental discriminatory value to the HeartMate II Risk Score for death (c-stat 0.60 to 0.66); VAS did not (c-stat 0.59 to 0.60). Three-month health status was associated with rehospitalization (unadjusted HR 1.31 (1.15-1.57) KCCQ; 1.24 (1.05-1.46) VAS), but did not add incremental discriminatory value (c-stat 0.52 to 0.55 and 0.54, respectively). These real-world data suggest that pre-operative health status has limited association with outcomes after LVAD. However, persistently low health status after surgery may independently signal higher risk for subsequent death. Further study is needed to determine the clinical utility of routinely collected health status data after LVAD implantation.
Analysis of a new concept in power plants for electric vehicles

This paper reports on growing research efforts in the area of advanced heat engines. In particular, an engine is currently being investigated which operates much as a Stirling engine but uses a working fluid with a phase–changing component, which increases pressure variations for a given temperature difference and thus allows a much higher power for a given engine size. Applications for such an engine range from direct conversion of solar or nuclear energy to powering an artificial heart. This paper discusses how this engine may be applied to replacing the battery/electric motor system of an electric car with a thermal energy storage system and a Stirling engine which utilizes a phase–changing component in the working fluid. As a part of this discussion, the effect on total energy and oil consumption in the US is presented, if all of the cars were to utilize such a method of power. Also, the most recent results of the current research pertaining to the engine is presented, including the effects of water in the working fluid of a Stirling engine and the further effects of modifying the regenerator with a hydrated salt.
Building Bridges: How the Southeast is Increasing the Representation of Students with Disabilities in STEM (Abstract Only)

As part of the new and bold NSF INCLUDES initiative, we introduce the SouthEast Alliance for Persons with Disabilities in STEM (SEAPD-STEM) whose goal is to increase the representation of students and faculty with disabilities in all STEM fields. The SEAPD-STEM is an alliance consisting of 22 higher ed institutions including community colleges, four-year institutions, and universities with graduate programs. The primary methodology utilized by the SEAPD-STEM is to build bridges of support and mentorship between various levels of academia: in undergraduate institutions, upperclassmen will support lowerclassmen; graduate students will support upperclassmen; junior faculty will mentor graduate students; and senior faculty will mentor junior faculty. Moreover, there will be bridges from undergraduate/graduate to the workplace aiming to assist persons with disabilities in acquiring a position working in a STEM field. This poster presents how the bridges are formed in addition to preliminary data including statistics concerning students with disabilities studying STEM fields, professors with disabilities in STEM, and survey data completed by intervention participants. In total, there are 19 proposed interventions to be implemented including Saturday and Summer academies, research experiences, GRE prep workshops, and various levels of mentoring/advising from high school to workforce. It is the intention of the SEAPD-STEM to increase the alliance each year in order to reach as many students with disabilities as possible.
Impacts of urbanization: diversity and the symbiotic relationships of rural, urban, and spaces in-between

This Impacts article proposes strategies for mitigating negative impacts of urbanization in rural locations in the United States. Issues addressed include impacts of population growth and developme...
Abstract TMP51: Ischemic Stroke in Patient with Primary Brain Tumors: Mechanisms and Risk of Recurrence

Introduction: Patients with systemic cancer often develop acute ischemic stroke from unique mechanisms, including cancer-mediated hypercoagulability, and their risk of recurrence is high. Conversel...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa pyocyanin production reduced by quorum-sensing inhibiting nanocarriers

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic gram-negative pathogen that causes a wide range of infections; it is becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance. Quorum-sensing (QS) based therapeutics, which function by disabling pathogen virulence without killing pathogens, are a promising class of drugs that may be used to treat bacterial infections without eliciting resistance development. The use of QS drugs to treat pulmonary P. aeruginosa infections, however, has been greatly limited due to the inability to deliver QS drugs at sufficiently high concentrations past physiological barriers such as pulmonary mucus. Here we apply a block copolymer-directed self-assembly process, Flash NanoPrecipitation, to develop a series of QS-active formulations that are fully water dispersible, stable, and mucus-penetrating. These formulations inhibit P. aeruginosa virulence without inhibiting cell growth. Particle size (70 nm–400 nm) and release rate (1 h–14 days) can be tuned by altering constructs’ physical properties and formulation excipients. We also demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, the first instance of a QS nanocarrier platform technology that can penetrate through human cystic fibrosis pulmonary mucus. This work highlights the need to incorporate nanoformulation strategies into the development of next-generation antimicrobial therapeutics.
Posttraumatic growth profiles and their relationships with HEXACO personality traits

Abstract People sometimes realize personal growth as a result of experiencing highly challenging stressful life events, a phenomenon referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study investigated the relationships between personality traits and PTG from a person-centered approach. Specifically, we investigated PTG profiles by looking at distinct levels of the five PTG domains, Personal Strength, Relating to Others, New Possibilities, Appreciation of Life, and Spiritual and Existential Changes, using latent profile analysis. In Study 1, we identified five latent patterns of PTG profiles. In Study 2, we examined the replicability of the PTG profiles by applying the expanded version of the PTG Inventory and tested their relations with the HEXACO personality inventory. The structures of PTG profiles were replicated and the profile showed differential patterns of relationships with personality. Implications of this study, and the applicability of PTG profiles and the use of person-centered approaches for studying PTG are discussed.
Multiple realization and compositional variation

It has often been thought that compositional variation across systems that are similar from the point of view of the special sciences provides a key point in favor of the multiple realization of special science kinds and in turn the broadly nonreductive consequences often thought to follow from multiple realization. Yet in a series of articles, and culminating in The Multiple Realization Book, Tom Polger and Larry Shapiro argue that an account of multiple realization demanding enough to yield such nonreductive consequences implies that compositional variation is far less significant for the multiple realization of special science kinds than many have supposed. I argue, in contrast, that even on this demanding account, lower-level compositional variation may frequently support the multiple realization of special science kinds across the systems of interest, and that there is a good explanation for where Polger and Shapiro go wrong in drawing the contrary conclusion. I consider but reject Carl Gillett’s claim that different views about the significance of compositional variation for multiple realization phenomena should be traced to implicit disagreement about the metaphysics of realization.
Intestinal Infections: Overview

Gastrointestinal infections, especially diarrheal diseases, are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. A wide array of bacterial, protozoal, and viral pathogens is responsible for gastrointestinal tract infections. Young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients are at greatest risk for more severe disease and complications. Poor sanitation, inadequate water supplies, and increasing globalization of food transport systems all predispose to the development of large epidemics of food- and waterborne outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease. Success of treatment, when clinically indicated, is increasingly threatened by rising rates of antimicrobial resistance among gastrointestinal pathogens.
Soliton Perturbations and Nonlinear Focussing

A method for analyzing equations which are close to soliton equations is given and several physical examples are discussed in detail. The possible connection between certain focussing properties on nonlinear waves and turbulent bursts observed in many fluid dynamical situations is discussed.
Treatment of Sodium Balance Disorders: Water Intoxication and Salt Toxicity

Electrolyte disorders are commonly identified in food animal medicine. Some of these electrolyte disturbances require that the veterinarian be aware of the potential for causing harm during routine fluid therapy. Hyponatremia (water intoxication) and hypernatremia (salt toxicity) are two such disorders. Both create osmolar disturbances that effect changes in the brain's osmolar state. During fluid resuscitation it is possible to cause iatrogenic central nervous system damage in these cases. It is important to recognize those cases where sodium imbalance may complicate routine therapy, understand the underlying mechanisms for osmolar changes in the plasma and brain, and know the appropriate steps to take for safe correction of the sodium disturbance.
El espectador cautivo: Cervantes comunica con el público

En este ensayo se analiza la comedia cervantina El gallardo espanol , y se enfoca en la relacion entre el actor-personaje y el espectador. Por los recursos dramaticos, entre ellos, el aparte, el monologo, el soliloquio, y el metateatro, los actores comunican con el publico. En El gallardo espanol , estos recursos dramaticos crean un espacio intercesor y comunicativo entre el actor y el espectador: acortan la distancia, o rompen la “cuarta pared”, entre el actor y el espectador, y crean un ambiente mas abierto en la obra, forzandole al espectador a sentirse como si fuera cautivo en el mundo dramatico.