cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unclassifiable pattern of hypopigmentation in a patient with mosaic partial 12p tetrasomy without Pallister-Killian syndrome.

Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS-#OMIM601803) is a multisystem developmental disorder typically due to the presence of an aneuploidy cell line, consisting of a supernumerary tetrasomic chromosomal marker (SCM) arisen from the short arm of chromosome 12 (12p isochromosome). The clinical phenotype, which is strictly related to the percentage and tissue distribution of aneuploid cells, is characterized by craniofacial dysmorphisms, pigmentary skin anomalies, limb shortening, congenital heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, hypotonia, intellectual disability, and epilepsy. We report on a 4 year-old girl harboring a 12p partial isochromosome, involving the PKS critical region, affecting about 70% of circulating lymphocytes, urine, and saliva cells and fibroblast from a hyperpigmented skin spot, and 100% of fibroblasts from a hypopigmented skin spot. Interestingly, despite the high proportion of affected cells this patient did not present with PKS, and a pattern of linear and patchy pigmentary mosaicism was the sole clinical manifestation. The present observation suggests that partial 12p SCM can also result in mild phenotypes, and its prevalence in the human population could have been underestimated. Accurate dermatologic evaluation could be a major handle for genetic testing.
Using characteristics of serious leisure to classify rock climbers: a latent profile analysis

ABSTRACTThe growth of the climbing industry enables more people to use this sport to promote a healthy lifestyle. Given this trend, it is important to understand the heterogeneity of rock climbers and differences in their attributes, motivations and behaviors. In this study, the characteristics of serious leisure (SL) were used to classify rock climbers. Four hundred and eighty-six rock climbers recruited in this study were classified into three groups: low commitment (LC; N = 82), high commitment (HC; N = 355) and dedicated groups (N = 49). A high mean on the financial return item distinguished the dedicated group (M = 7.52) from the other two. Subsequently, the results of multinomial logistic regression, with the dedicated group as the baseline category, showed that with increases in experiences (i.e. days of climbing in the past year and years of climbing) and internalized motivations (i.e. intrinsic, identified and introjected motivations), a climber is less relatively likely of being in the LC group....
Twenty-first century climate change and submerged aquatic vegetation in a temperate estuary: the case of Chesapeake Bay

Introduction: The Chesapeake Bay was once renowned for expansive meadows of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). However, only 10% of the original meadows survive. Future restoration efforts will b...
Focus on the Classroom: Using the Baldrige Award Criteria to Teach an MBA-Level TQM Course

The Council of Competitiveness (1995) asserts that the Malcolm Baldrige Award Criteria for Performance Excellence provide the best framework of total quality management (TQM). The criteria maintain...
Hybrid model predictive control based dynamic pricing of managed lanes with multiple accesses

Abstract We propose a hybrid model predictive control (MPC) based dynamic tolling strategy for high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes with multiple accesses. This approach preplans and coordinates the prices for different OD pairs and enables adaptive utilization of HOT lanes by considering available demand information and boundary conditions. It also addresses such practical issues as prevention of recurrent congestion in HOT lanes, ensuring no higher toll for a closer toll exit and fairness among different OD groups at each toll entry, as well as the fact that high occupancy vehicles (HOVs) have free access to the HOT lanes. Taking the inflows at each toll entry as the control, traffic densities and vehicle queue length as observed system states, and boundary traffic as predicted exogenous input, we formulate a discrete-time piecewise affine traffic model. Optimal tolls are then derived from a one-to-one mapping based on the optimal toll entry flows. By properly formulating the constraints, we show that the MPC problem at each stage is a mixed-integer linear program and admits an explicit control law derived by multi-parametric programing techniques. A numerical experiment is presented for a representative freeway segment to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results show that our control model can react to demand and boundary condition changes by adjusting and coordinating tolls smoothly at adjacent toll entries and drive the system to a new equilibrium that minimizes the total person delay. Under the optimal prediction horizon, the on-line computational cost of the proposed control model is only about 4% and 8% of the modeling cycle of 30 s, respectively, for two typical traffic scenarios, which implies a potential of real-time implementation.
Project-domain Science Traceability and Alignment Framework (P-STAF): Analysis of a payload architecture

Large science-focused space missions often have multiple instruments working together to address broad science goals. Systems engineers on these types of projects must work with the project scientists to evaluate trades and make decisions that result in a system that efficiently serves the mission science goals. This collaboration is more effective if the systems engineers understand both the traceability from the L1 customer requirements to the selected instruments and the contributions of each instrument in the context of the whole payload suite. These relationships might be understood implicitly by the science team on a project, but there is value in formally codifying them so this understanding can be accessed and formally analyzed by a broader systems engineering effort. We first described a framework for this communication, called the Project-domain Science Traceability and Alignment Framework (P-STAF), in the IEEE 2017 paper “A Framework for Extending the Science Traceability Matrix: Application to the Planned Europa Mission.” This paper shows how that basic framework can be leveraged to not only formally capture these relationships between the instruments and the customer needs, but also how that information can be codified in an analyzable graph that can be queried to provide a better understanding of mission risks and scope. This work was drawn from the application of P-STAF to the Europa Clipper mission, but generic example networks are used to illustrate the power of this technique.
The Pathologist Who Went Astray

Kurt Benirschke (Figure 11.1) started his mammalian cytogenetic work in an oblique way. His interest in cytogenetics began with the problem of twinning in man. He was a pathologist at the Boston Lying-in Hospital from 1956 to 1960, and was interested in the fact that more twins died than single babies. This led him to a greater interest in the twinning process per se, and he read a considerable amount of literature on this topic, including freemartinism. Since the marmosets and the armadillos were known to be polyembryonic, Benirschke was also interested in these animals. He and his co-workers found that many marmoset twins are indeed chimeras, that is, twin embryos that have exchanged cells. They proved this conclusion by examining the chromosomes of these animals: A certain proportion of cells in females have XY chromosomes and a certain proportion of cells in males have XX chromosomes. Kurt’s interest in armadillos later led him to an adventure from Brazil to the Paraguay jungle by illicit means, trying to catch a giant armadillo. He hired a fisherman to row him upstream to cross the border and almost went to prison on his way back. Result: no catch.
Performance of Annotation-Based Image Retrieval

As the proliferation of available and useful images on the web grows, novel methods and effective techniques are needed to retrieve these images in an efficient manner. Currently major commercial search engines utilize a process known as Annotation Based Image Retrieval (ABIR) to execute search requests focused on image retrieval. The ABIR technique primarily relies on the textual information associated with an image to complete the search and retrieval process. Using the game of cricket as the domain, we describe a benchmarking study that evaluates the effectiveness of three popular search engines in executing image-based searches. Second, we present details of an empirical study aimed at quantifying the impact of inter-human variability of the annotations on the effectiveness of search engines. Both these efforts are aimed at better understanding the challenges with image search and retrieval methods that purely rely on ad hoc annotations provided by the humans.
Package Co-design of a Fully Integrated Multimode 76-81GHz 45nm RFCMOS FMCW Automotive Radar Transceiver

The successful implementation, adoption, and proliferation of mmWave radar sensing technologies, to enabling future ADAS (advanced driver-assisted system) safety features, will require highly-integrated, high performance, and cost-effective packaged SoC (system on chip) solutions. This paper presents the co-design/simulation and measured results of a fully integrated 76-81GHz 45nm RFCMOS automotive transceiver packaged in a 0.65-mm pitch, 161-pin 10.4 mm × 10.4 mm flip chip BGA. Due to the complex process integration and mmWave operational frequency, electromagnetic interactions at system-level (viz. Silicon + Package + PCB) are exacerbated with potential impact to performance and functionality. We detail how package technology selection, via optimization of the package and system, was achieved through a coupled circuit-to-electromagnetic co-design modeling and simulation methodology. Laboratory measurements on TI AWR1243(TM), a fully integrated 76-81GHz FMCW (frequency modulated continuous wave) automotive transceiver, are presented that validate the integrity of the co-design modeling and simulation methodology.
Prevention of Prematurity: Advances and Opportunities

Preterm birth (PTB) rate varies widely and has significant racial and ethnic disparities. Although causal mechanisms are ill understood, socioenvironment, phenotype, and genotype provide insight into pathways for preventing PTB. Data suggest varied response to current medical interventions is explicable Approved by underlying pharmacogenomics. Currently, prevention focuses on minimizing iatrogenic PTB and risk reduction especially in those with prior PTB using proven medical and public health strategies. In the future, preventive approaches will be based on better understanding of sociodemography, nutrition, lifestyles, and underlying individual genetic and epigenetic variation. Statistical approaches and "big-data" models are critical in future study.
Abstract WMP112: A 3-s=step Process Improves the Performance of Dysphagia Screens and Reduces Aspiration Pneumonia Rates Among Stroke Inpatients

Background: Dysphagia occurs in up to 78% of stroke patients and is associated with poor patient outcomes. We have previously reported low concordance rates between dysphagia screens performed by n...
The recurrent evolution of extremely resistant xylem

Highly resistant xylem has evolved multiple times over the past 400 million years. Water is transported under tension in xylem and consequently is vulnerable to invasion by air and the formation of embolism. A debate has raged over whether embolism formation is non-reversible occurring at low water potentials or a regular diurnal occurrence that is non-lethal because of a capacity to refill embolised conduits. This commentary is on a recent article, which utilised new non-invasive imaging techniques for assessing the formation of embolism in xylem, finding that the xylem of Laurus nobilis was highly resistant to the formation of embolism. The recent results of this discovery are placed in the context knowledge from a diversity of species that has so far been identified with xylem similarly highly resistant to embolism formation. The discovery that L. nobilis has xylem highly resistant to embolism formation adds to a body of literature suggesting that the resistance of xylem to embolism formation is a key adaptation utilised by many species native to seasonally dry environments. Highly resistant xylem has evolved numerous times across the angiosperm clade. With more studies utilising similar observational and direct methods of assessing embolism resistance, further insight into the ecological and evolutionary relevance of this trait is imminent.
Trends in hospital length of stay and 30-day morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic ileocecal resection, 2012-2016.

Abstract Purpose To examine postoperative length of stay (LOS), hospital readmission, and 30-day complications in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic ileocecal resection in a contemporary cohort. Methods Retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Project, Pediatric (NSQIP-P) 2012–2016 participant user files for patients Results 348 patients were identified (range, 46–96 per year); 55.2–69.8% of these were admitted the day of operation, with a nonsignificant increase in frequency over the study period. Postoperative LOS ranged from 5.4 ± 2.9 days to 7.3 ± 9.1 days (p = 0.24). In subset analysis of only those patients admitted on the day of operation, postoperative LOS remained relatively long, ranging from 5.0 ± 3.0 days to 5.7 ± 4.0 days (p = 0.89). 30-day hospital readmission proportions rose insignificantly, from 6.9% in 2012 to 15.5% in 2016 (p = 0.41). Wound complication rates (including superficial, deep, and deep organ space infections, as well as wound dehiscence) ranged from 0.0% to 8.6%, but did not vary in a statistically significant manner. Nonwound complication rates were vanishingly small. Conclusions Postoperative LOS in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic ileocecal resection in a select group of patients cared for in hospitals participating in NSQIP-P has not decreased in the past 5 years despite emerging evidence of the safety and relevance of enhanced recovery after surgery programs. Opportunities for shortening LOS without compromising patient safety may still exist. Level-of-evidence III Retrospective comparative study.
Quality improvement initiative increases total paracentesis and early paracentesis rates in hospitalised cirrhotics with ascites

Objective Early paracentesis (EP) for rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is considered best practice in the care of admitted patients with cirrhosis and ascites, but inpatient paracentesis is frequently not performed or delayed. We developed a quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed at increasing the proportion of admitted patients with cirrhosis who undergo paracentesis and EP. Design Pre–post study of a QI initiative. Setting A tertiary care hospital in a major metropolitan area. Patients Hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Interventions We targeted care providers in the emergency department (ED) by raising awareness of the importance of EP, developing criteria to identify patients at highest risk of SBP who were prioritised for EP by ED providers and restructuring the ED environment to enable timely paracentesis. Results 76 patients meeting inclusion criteria were admitted during the postintervention 9-month study period. Of these, 91% (69/76) underwent paracentesis during admission versus 71 % (77/109) preintervention (p=0.001). 81% (56/69) underwent EP within 12 hours of presentation or after a predefined acceptable reason for delay versus 48% (37/77) preintervention (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality or length of stay before and after intervention. Conclusion A multidisciplinary QI intervention targeting care in the ED successfully increased the proportion of patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergoing diagnostic paracentesis during admission and EP within 12 hours of presentation.
A Power Adaptive, 1.22-pW/Hz, 10-MHz Read-Out Front-End for Bio-Impedance Measurement

This paper presents a read-out front-end application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for the measurement of tissue impedances. The 10 mm2 2-channel front-end ASIC is fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The measurement results show that the proposed ASIC operates over a frequency range of 100 Hz up to 10 MHz. The ASIC has 1.22 pW/Hz power performance, with an SNR over 72 dB for frequencies $\leq$ 1 MHz, and over 65 dB SNR for frequencies $\geq$ 1 MHz. The total measured power consumption of the read-out front-end is shown to range from 2.1 to 21.7 mW depending on the input frequency. To achieve a wide dynamic range, the instrumentation amplifier has an adaptive gain control feature, and it employs programmable bias currents and reconfigurable structure to save power while processing low-frequency signals. A dual digital-to-analog converter (DAC) hybrid SAR analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is presented that reduces the power consumption of the ADC driver by sevenfold for frequencies between 4 kHz and 1 MHz.
Privacy in Social Media Friendships With Direct Supervisors: A Psychological Contract Perspective:

Social media in modern companies can connect workers with their supervisors in myriad ways via multiple platforms. This study analyzes the perceived relationships between workers and their supervis...
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves short-term limb use after canine tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of postoperative extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hind limb use after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: Sixteen client‐owned dogs, 2 to 10 years old weighing 18 to 75 kg. METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment cohorts, TPLO with ESWT (ESWT, n = 9) or TPLO without ESWT (control, n = 7). Treatment consisted of 1000 pulses at 0.15 mJ/mm² immediately and 2 weeks after surgery. Subjective pain, stifle goniometry, stifle circumference, peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were measured before surgery, prior to ESWT, and 2 and 8 weeks after surgery. Measures were compared between treatments at each time point and among time points for each treatment (P < .05). RESULTS: The PVF (5.5 ± 1.0 N/kg, mean ± SD) and VI (0.67 ± 0.14 N‐s/kg) of surgically treated limbs in the ESWT cohort were higher 8 weeks after surgery compared with preoperative (3.8 ± 1.1 N/kg, P < .0001 and 0.47 ± 0.21 N‐s/kg, P = .0012, respectively) values. In the control cohort, PVF (2.9 ± 1.3 N/kg, P = .0001) and VI (0.33 ± 0.20 N‐s/kg, P = .0003) 2 weeks after surgery and VI (0.42 ± 0.2 N‐s/kg, P = .0012) 8 weeks after surgery were lower (4.59 ± 2.33 N/kg and 0.592 ± 0.35 N‐s/kg, respectively) than before surgery. Other parameters did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Weight bearing increased faster after TPLO in dogs treated with postoperative ESWT. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides evidence to consider adjunct ESWT after TPLO.
Hyperon polarization in relativistic heavy ion collisions and axial U(1) symmetry breaking at high temperature

Experiments at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider have measured the net polarization of $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}$ and $\overline{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}$ hyperons and attributed it to a coupling between their spin and the vorticity of the fluid created in heavy ion collisions, but how the spin comes to equilibrium with vorticity is an open problem. Recently, we found that vorticity fluctuations and helicity flip of strange quarks in quark-gluon plasma through perturbative QCD processes resulted in equilibration times far too long to be relevant. Here, we consider the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with the inclusion of the six-quark Kobayashi-Maskawa--'t Hooft interaction which breaks axial U(1). Using instanton inspired models for the temperature dependence of the axial symmetry breaking, we find that constituent strange quarks can reach spin equilibrium at temperatures below about 170 MeV, just before they hadronize to form hyperons.
Acute toxicity and clotting times of anticoagulant rodenticides to red-toothed (Odonus niger) and black (Melichthys niger) triggerfish, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Abstract Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used in rat eradication efforts on island wildlife refuges. AR bait pellets can get into coral reef areas during broadcasting and lead to exposure of non-target organisms, such as marine fishes. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of representative saltwater fishes, Red-toothed triggerfish (Odonus niger) and Black triggerfish (Melichthys niger), and common freshwater fishes, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to first generation ARs, diphacinone (DPN) and chlorophacinone (CPN), as well as a second-generation AR, brodifacoum (BROD). Acute toxicity of ARs was evaluated by single dose, intraperitoneal injections. The median lethal dose (LD50) ranges were 137−175 μg DPN/g, 155−182 μg CPN/g, and 36−48 μg BROD/g for Red-toothed triggerfish and 90−122 μg DPN/g, 125−164 μg CPN/g, and 50−75 μg BROD/g for black triggerfish. Laboratory surrogate test fish species fathead minnow and largemouth bass were of similar sensitivity toward AR-induced toxicity compared to triggerfish based on LD50 values. Sublethal effects on elevated clotting time occurred in dose-dependent fashion in all fish tested. Fish appear to have low sensitivity to AR chemicals as compared to other taxa, in particular mammals and birds, based on across-taxa comparisons of species sensitivity distributions of whole body, single dose acute lethality (LD50 values). The sensitivity of fish to waterborne exposures of ARs has yet to be fully evaluated and indeed may prove more hazardous to fish.
Portraying the Aztec past. The Codices Boturini, Azcatitlan, and Aubin; Trail of footprints: a history of indigenous maps from viceregal Mexico

Angela Herren Rajagopalan’s Portraying the Aztec past: The Codices Boturini, Azcatitlan, and Aubin and Alex Hidalgo’s Trail of footprints: a history of indigenous maps from viceregal Mexico exempli...
Proteus mirabilis Keratitis: Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Treatment Outcomes, and Microbiological Characteristics

Purpose:To characterize the risk factors, clinical presentations, management choices, and outcomes of Proteus mirabilis keratitis.Methods:In this retrospective study, 26 culture-proven cases of P. mirabilis infections were diagnosed and treated between 1998 and 2019 at the University of Pittsburgh M
Going Beyond the Blue: The Utility of Emergency Medical Services Data in Understanding Violent Crime:

National victimization data suggest less than 50% of violent crime incidents are reported to the police. Official reports of crime to police, however, are often the only type of data used for the a...
Building an HPC watering hole for boulder area computational science

Access to adequate computing resources is essential for any computational science initiative. Moreover, these resources can serve as a high-performance computing watering hole where ideas are exchanged, collaborations formed, and cycles drawn upon to support interaction. We describe our efforts to bolster computational science research and education in the Boulder area by providing a computational platform for the community. We provide an overview of the educational, research, and partnership activities that are supported by, or have resulted from, this effort.
Agricultural technology: International dimensions (with emphasis on rice)

Abstract It is well understood that the biological performance of agricultural crops is affected by soil, temperature, rainfall, and day length. As a consequence, genetic improvements in plants are location specific to a considerable extent. This, in turn, has implications for the design of agricultural research systems and for agricultural extension activities as well. An index for inter-location crop performance differences based on crop yield trial data is developed in this paper. This index measures the geo-climate “distance” or differential between two regions. An application to rice production, utilizing international yield trial data, is reported. The study of rice productivity in India indicates that a state or region in India benefits relatively little from rice research undertaken in another state or region when there is a significant geo-climate distance between the regions. Most technology transfer between regions is thus indirect in that it depends on the adaptive research capacity in the receiving regions.
On radiating solutions to the helmholtz equation and inverse scattering

This paper uses far field patterns to develop information about the location of the sources for radiating solutions of the Helmholtz equation.
A Unified Approach to Robust Stochastic and Deterministic Adaptive Control

This paper presents a new methodology for the global stability analysis, and consequently, for the design of robust deterministic and stochastic adaptive control, filtering and prediction. The methodology advocated herein represents a mathematical formalization of the self-stabilization mechanism which is a natural characteristic of every properly designed adaptive system. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by solving the robust deterministic and stochastic adaptive control problems. It is shown that very small algorithm gains ?, may produce very large signals in the adaptive loop, which are unacceptable for practical applications. The intensity of the admissible unmodelled dynamics does not depend on the algorithm design parameters and it is specified in terms of the corresponding H? norm.
A parametric study of condensation growth and nucleation scavenging over large fires

In this work we are concerned with nucleation scavenging of smoke particles over large fires, those of magnitudes associated with ignition due to nuclear blast. The amount of smoke injected into the atmospehre and the characterization of the smoke particle is uncertain. Some carbonaceous smoke particles act as efficient CCN although smoke from some kinds of petroleum fuels is not hygroscopic. The amount and nature of surface-active contaminants is unknown. To delineate the effects of the condensation and thermal accomodation coefficients, all processes of agglomeration, entrainment, and fallout are suppressed. Only early time nucleation and drop growth are considered in this study. 7 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Maintenance of iron status in healthy men during an extended period of stress and physical activity.

Body weight loss and iron status of 55 male soldiers were measured during 62 d of intense physical activity and sustained stress and sleep deprivation. Body weight declined from (mean +/- SD) 75.9 +/- 9.0 to 63.8 +/- 6.7 kg (P 0.05). Adequate dietary iron, initiation of training with adequate body iron stores, and physical activity not in excess of pretraining workloads contributed to the maintenance of iron status during prolonged physical activity and stress. Our results suggest that some acute phase-like disturbances in iron metabolism may be a normal component of adaptation to stress and physical activity in healthy men.
Mid-infrared light emission from a Fe2+:ZnSe polycrystal using quantum cascade laser pumping

We report the realization of light emission from a Fe2+ doped ZnSe polycrystal with efficient pumping from a quantum cascade (QC) laser. The QC laser photon energy is near the absorption edge of the Fe2+:ZnSe with less than ∼60 meV Stokes' shift. The Fe2+:ZnSe polycrystal shows an absorption band of ∼2.2 – 5 μm in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) at room temperature, which narrows down to ∼2.4–4.2 μm at 80 K. Clear photoluminescence (PL) from 4.5 μm to 6 μm are observed throughout the temperature range of 300 K to 80 K. At room temperature, the luminescence lifetime is about 0.38 ± 0.1 μs which increases up to 101 ± 2 μs at 118 K. This system transfers energy stored in the upper state of a QC laser with ∼ps lifetime to the Fe2+:ZnSe with 105 to 108 times longer lifetime, at the cost of minute photon energy losses.
Cloning and characterization of an actin depolymerizing factor gene from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) expressed during rooting in stem cuttings

Vegetative propagation relies on the formation of new roots on cuttings. We investigated the molecular basis of this process by using differential RNA display to identify genes that are induced in stem cuttings of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) during the rooting period. In this paper, one of these genes, VvADF, is characterized in detail. Based on sequence analyses, this gene encodes an actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) protein with significant identity to ADF proteins from various plant species. The VvADF gene is preferentially expressed in the roots and stems of grape plants, and its expression is rapidly induced in stem cuttings within 6 h after severing. Interestingly, the location of preferential VvADF expression shifts from the upper stem segment to the lower stem segment within the first 4 days. This corresponds to the location and timing of root emergence on the stem cuttings. Further, we found that cuttings treated with auxin (IAA) exhibited enhanced induction of VvADF during the first 48 h, suggesting that VvADF is an auxin-responsive gene during this period. The VvADF gene is weakly induced by wounding, but this does not contribute significantly to its increased expression in cuttings. These results suggest that the VvADF gene plays an important role in the initiation of new roots on grape stem cuttings, perhaps by modifying the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in cells that undergo changes in division or morphogenesis during root emergence.
The Effect of Improving Energy Resolution on Gamma Camera Performance: A Quantitative Analysis

The Modulation Transfer Functions (MTF) of two commercial cameras and of a single element germanium camera fitted with different collimator configurations have been studied theoretically and experimentally in order to separate the different elements which contribute to the imaging capabilities of a gamma camera. Effects due to size and shape of collimator holes, and to positron range at 511 keV have been treated as filtering functions, predicting the behavior of a camera quite accurately. The effect of energy resolution has then been studied by noting the changes in MTF and the corresponding changes in the computer generated image of a low contrast circularly symmetric phantom as a function of energy resolution. The possibility of excellent imaging under low contrast situations with high-energy resolution detectors is demonstrated, and the required penalty in camera speed is documented.
Mechanism study of base-catalyzed cyclization of 2-nitrophenylhydrazine in aqueous solution

The mechanism of cyelizalion of 2-nitrophenylhydrazine to 1-hydroxybenztriazole in alkaline aqueous solutions is studied. Kinetic parameters, product distribution and activation parameters are determined. A mechanism involving direct attack of the β-hydrazino nitrogen on the nitrogen ol the nilro group with elimination of water is postulated. Substituted 2-nitrophenylhydrazines are synthesized and studied under the same conditions.
Induced Spawning and Egg Quality Evaluation of Red Snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

Brood red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, were captured from the wild and induced to ovulate by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection; eggs and sperm were manually stripped; and the eggs were artificially fertilized. Eggs were evaluated by the following egg quality parameters: buoyancy, fertilization, egg size, and oil globule size and number. The relationship of these egg quality parameters and brood characteristics (female size, fecundity, time of year, and response time to ovulation) to 36 h posthatch larval survival was considered. Injection of wild-caught red snapper females with 1100 IU/kg of hCG resulted in 75% of the females ovulating. The average fecundity was 343,377 ± 30,805 eggs/kg, with a mean percent fertilization of 79.0 ± 1.74%. The mean percentage of floating eggs per spawn was 91.8 ± 1.75%. Mean egg diameter for floating eggs was 778.3 ± 2.09 μm, with a mean oil globule diameter of 117.5 ± 1.53 μm. Brood-related characteristics were a better predictor of larval survival than postovulation egg characteristics. The percentage of floating eggs in a spawn was not correlated to larval survival. Spawns with eggs having a single oil globule had a similar larval survival as those eggs where multiple globules were common. No clear relationships were found for any one factor and larval survival, but rather a combination of factors was more predictive of survival, most notably spawn date, fecundity, and response time following hCG injection.
Crystallization kinetics and anisotropic properties of polyethylene oxide/magnetic carbon nanotubes composite films

Abstract Magnetic carbon nanotubes (m-CNTs) were tethered with γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles that were formed via a novel modified sol-gel approach. These nanohybrid materials were readily aligned parallel to the direction of a magnetic field in polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrices under a relatively weak magnetic field. The composite films were characterized by XRD, and the crystallization kinetics of PEO in the presence of m-CNTs was measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that the surface-tethered magnetic nanoparticles provided nucleation sites for the PEO crystal growth, while maintaining the spherulitic-shaped crystal morphology. The conductivity of the PEO-m-CNTs composite films increased with increasing m-CNTs content in the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the conductivities parallel to the direction of m-CNT alignment were higher than those in the perpendicular direction, indicating that the alignment of the m-CNTs contributed to the enhancement of the anisotropic electrical properties of the composites in the direction of alignment. The mechanical properties of the samples also show anisotropic behavior similar to that of the electrical properties.
Effects of caffeine and isoprenaline on mammalian ventricular muscle

1. Caffeine, 0.6-20.0 mM, altered the duration of the action potential recorded from kitten papillary muscles; low concentrations shortened and high concentrations prolonged the action potential.2. Caffeine, 20 mM, prolonged the action potential by delaying the final phase of repolarization.3. Caffeine, 2.0-20.0 mM increased the tension developed and the duration of the isometric contraction.4. When large stimulating electrodes were used, all concentrations of caffeine increased the duration of the action potential; this effect was probably due to the interactions of caffeine and released endogenous catecholamines.5. Concentrations of caffeine and isoprenaline, which separately caused little change in the duration of the action potential, greatly prolonged the action potential when used together.6. The effects of caffeine may be due to an increase in membrane calcium current in addition to an action on intracellular calcium stores.
Paratill effects on loosening of a Torrertic Paleustoll

Abstract Paleustolls occur on extensive areas of the central and southern Great Plains of the USA. These oils are characterized by a thick argillic horizon or, more commonly, a clayey horizon with an abrupt upper boundary. They are slowly permeable and plant rooting in them is limited because of dense B horizons. Paleustolls, which are Mollisols, have characteristics similar to other Mollisols and some Vertisols, both of ehich occur on extensive areas throughout the world. Hence, practices applicable to Paleustolls should be applicable also to the other soils. Using a Paratill ® loosens a soil without causing major cloddiness and retains surface residues that aid soil and water conservation efforts. This study was conducted to determine the cross-sectional area of a Torrertic Paleustoll loosened by Paratill operations performed at shallow (0.15 – 0.20 m) or deep (0.25 – 0.30 m) depths at normal (0.6 m) or wide (0.8 m) point spacings with a four-point implement in relatively wet and relatively dry soil. Soil water content at the different times of using the Paratill did not affect areas of loosened soil. The cross-sectional area of loosened soil below the original soil surface was least (0.412 m2) with the normal spacing, shallow depth treatment. When the Paratill was operated deeply, the area of loosened soil beneath the original surface was similar with normal and wide point spacings (0.519 and 0.491 m2, respectively). The total resultant loosened soil area also was similar with deep Paratill passes at narrow and wide spacings (0.763 and 0.788 m2, respectively). However, when adjusted to a unit width of loosened soil, the loosened area was 32% less with wide point spacing than with normal point spacing for the deeper operation of the Paratill. The normal spacing, deep Paratill treatment resulted in the greatest calculated water equivalency of pore space in loosened soil, namely, 130 mm in the area below the original surface and 191 mm for the total area, which could be of major value for improving water conservation and crop rooting in this soil.
Partitioning algorithms for multi-agent systems based on finite-time proximity metrics

We address a generalized Voronoi partitioning problem for a team of mobile agents with nonlinear dynamics with respect to a state-dependent proximity metric. In particular, the proximity (pseudo-) metric corresponds to the reduction of a generalized energy metric that occurs during the transfer of an agent to an arbitrary destination with zero terminal velocity, in finite time. The realization of every finite-time state transition takes place by means of a class of continuous feedback control laws that render the closed loop dynamics of each mobile agent non-Lipschitzian. The arrival time also turns out to be a state-dependent quantity, whose functional description is not prescribed a priori. We show that the partitioning problem studied in this work can admit a decentralized solution, that is, each agent can compute its own cell independently from its teammates provided that is aware of the positions and velocities of its neighboring agents. Numerical simulations that illustrate the theoretical developments are also presented.
An optimized wild bootstrap method for evaluation of measurement uncertainties of DTI-derived parameters in human brain

Evaluation of measurement uncertainties (or errors) in diffusion tensor-derived parameters is essential to quantify the sensitivity and specificity of these quantities as potential surrogate biomarkers for pathophysiological processes with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Computational methods such as the Monte Carlo simulation have provided insights into characterization of the measurement uncertainty in DTI. However, due to the complexity of real brain data as well as different sources of variations during the image acquisition, a robust estimator for DTI measurement uncertainty in human brain is required. Recent studies have shown that wild bootstrap, a novel nonparametric statistical method, can potentially provide effective estimations of DTI measurement uncertainties in human brain DTI data. In this study, we further optimized the DTI application of the wild bootstrap method for typical clinical applications. We evaluated the validity of wild bootstrap utilizing numerical simulations with different combinations of DTI protocol parameters and wild bootstrap experimental designs, and quantitatively compared estimates of uncertainties from wild bootstrapping with those from Monte Carlo simulations. Our results demonstrate that a wild bootstrap implementation using at least 1000 wild bootstrap iterations with a type II or type III heteroskedasticity consistent covariance matrix estimator provides robust evaluations of most DTI protocols.
Opto-Mechanical Actuation of Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composite Membranes for Microfluidic Pumping Applications

In this work, we characterize the laser induced, opto-mechanical actuation of carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composite membranes for use in microfluidic pumping applications. Until recently, the use of opto-mechanical actuation in the field of microfluidics had not been realized [1]. This novel form of actuation offers distinct advantages over conventional external and integrated microfluidic pump actuators. Of particular interest are the abilities to decouple the pump and actuation mechanisms and wirelessly actuate microfluidic pumps. This research utilizes previously demonstrated fabrication methods to produce and test CNT/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer pump membranes [1]. By varying the thickness of the CNT film layer within composite pump membranes, and by adjusting the laser intensity used to actuate the membranes, the deflection of microfluidic pump membranes can be tuned to achieve precise volume displacement and pumping volumes.© 2012 ASME
Empirical Note: Self‐Report Versus Recorded Sleep in Healthy Seniors

Although insomnia is a major public health problem in the elderly, little information concerning the relation between subjective reports of sleep and laboratory measures in the elderly has been published. Also, while laboratory studies of the healthy elderly typically show that women steep better than men, epidemiologic studies suggest that women complain more often than men about disturbed sleep. We report here a study of 20 healthy elderly subjects without sleep complaints (10M. 10F), in which relations between subjective and objective measures of sleep were explored. Both men and women showed significant correlations between objective measures of Sleep Latency (SL) and subjective estimates of fall asleep time; similarly, in both groups, subjective estimates of sleep duration were significantly and positively correlated with Time Spent Asleep (TSA). However, in the women, but not in the men, “restlessness” of sleep was significantly correlated with WASO (wake time after sleep onset), while “soundness” of sleep was positively related to amount of slow wave sleep. In general, women showed a higher proportion of significant and more stable correlations between subjective and objective measures than did men. These findings suggest that elderly women may report sleep loss more accurately than elderly men.
Engineering software-designing mixed-signal ICs

Problems confronting designers when they include both analog and digital components on the same substrate are described. The use of hardware description languages and physical design tools is discussed. Future directions for CAD tool development are indicated. >
Analysis of venous thromboembolic events after saphenous ablation.

Background Venous thromboembolic events after saphenous vein ablation procedures for varicose veins have been reported. Current knowledge of these events is based on single-institution studies or studies with small numbers of patients. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2005-2009) was used to identify 3874 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the saphenous veins with or without stab phlebectomy. Outcome variables included documented postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with venous thromboembolic events after ablation procedures. Results Procedures for lower extremity varicose veins included RFA in 2897 patients (74.8%) and EVLA in 977 (25.2%). Patients who underwent RFA were more likely to be older, obese, diabetic, hypertensive, and to have undergone procedures involving more than one vein (24% vs 4%; P P P P = .63) and pulmonary embolus (0.07% vs 0%; P >.99) were similar between EVLA and RFA. No significant predictors of DVT in the postoperative period were identified on bivariate or multivariate analyses. In the subgroup of 2514 patients who underwent ablation procedures without stab phlebectomy, those undergoing EVLA showed a trend toward a higher incidence of DVT (2.6% vs 1.4%; P = .057). After adjusting for patient demographics, DVT was 2.4 times more likely to develop in patients presenting with lower extremity ulcers than in those without ulcers (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-6.11; P = .04). Although not statistically significant, the multivariate model found that when only ablation procedures were performed, EVLA was associated with an 83% increase in odds of DVT compared with RFA (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-3.52; P = .06). Conclusions The incidence of venous thromboembolic events after saphenous ablation is low. However, given that patients with lower extremity ulcers experienced an increased risk of DVT, care should be taken to ensure that the ablation catheter is positioned an appropriate distance from the saphenofemoral or sapheno-popliteal junction and that periprocedural preventative measures, such as anticoagulation prophylaxis, early ambulation, and lower extremity compression, are emphasized. The finding of a trend toward increased venous thromboembolic events in patients undergoing EVLA warrants further investigation in a large patient population.
Thermal Synthesis of Amino Acids from a Simulated Primitive Atmosphere

IT has been suggested that thermal energy was readily available for the prebiotic synthesis of organic compounds as evidenced by lava remnants from earlier volcanic activity and by the present widespread occurrence of regions of elevated temperatures on the Earth1,2. In previous chemical evolution thermal experiments, the predominant amino acids reported were those commonly found in present-day protein1,3,4. It was implied from these results that thermal energy may have played an important part in the prebiotic synthesis of protein amino acids. It would certainly be significant if thermal energy could produce only these amino acids and not the unusual amino acids of the type identified in simulated primitive atmosphere discharge experiments5,6 and in meteorite extracts7,8, a presumed extraterrestrial abiotic synthesis. Also, previous studies have relied on the identification of amino acids by ion exchange chromatography1,4 (amino acid analyser) and electrophoresis3, which is not sufficient for the unequivocal identification of an amino acid, particularly when materials other than the common amino acids may be present5,9. For these reasons we have applied the recently developed techniques of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for identification of the compounds produced by thermal synthesis.
INFRASTRUCTURAL MECHANISMS LEADING TOWARD PRO-ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANISATION ORIENTATION: A SURVEY OF HOSPITAL MANAGERS

Organisations across the country are transforming the way they deliver care, in ways similar to the accountable care organisation (ACO) model supported by Medicare. ACOs modalities are varying in size, type, and financing structure. Little is known about how specific infrastructural mechanisms influence hospital managers' pro-ACO orientation. Using an electronic-survey of hospital managers, this study explores how pro-ACO orientation, as a latent construct, is captured from the perceptions of hospital managers; and identify infrastructural mechanisms leading to the formation of pro-ACO orientation. Of the total hospital respondents, 58% are moving toward the establishment of ACOs; 56% are planning to join in the next two years; 48% are considering joining ACOs; while 25% had already participated in ACOs during 2012. Urban hospitals are more likely than rural hospitals to be engaged in ACO development. The health provider network size is one of the strongest indicators in predicting pro-ACO orientation.