cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selection of transgenic citrus plants based on glyphosate tolerance conferred by a citrus 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase variant

We have defined the conditions for citrus transformations using glyphosate as selection agent. This protocol results in high transformation rate and low incidence of chimeric shoots. Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, specifically inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), an essential enzyme of the shikimate pathway. Various laboratory-generated or naturally evolved glyphosate-resistant EPSPS variants have been used to produce glyphosate-tolerant transgenic crops, enabling highly effective weed control in agriculture. In this study, we explored the potential of using a citrus EPSPS variant that mimics the previously reported Eleusine indica glyphosate-resistant TIPS (T102I + P106S) mutant for selection of transgenic citrus plants in the presence of glyphosate. We found that glyphosate did not suppress bud formation on ‘Duncan’ grapefruit seedling explants, but inhibited non-transgenic bud outgrowth to produce shoots in a concentration-dependent manner. At certain concentrations, glyphosate had dramatic effect on the transformation rate and the percentage of non-chimeric transgenic shoots in this newly developed selection system. Specifically, at 0, 10, 20, and 50 μM of glyphosate, the citrus TIPS EPSPS-based selection resulted in transformation rates of 4.02, 5.04, 14.46, and 40.78%, respectively, and 6.41, 23.96, 42.94, and 40.17% of non-chimeric transgenic shoots, respectively. These results indicate that the citrus TIPS EPSPS-glyphosate selection system is highly efficient and can be used as an alternative to antibiotic-based selection methods in citrus genetic transformation. Furthermore, the selection conditions defined in this study are expected to greatly facilitate the production of genetically modified, market-friendly citrus plants, such as cisgenic and intragenic plants.
The Canada-US Air Quality Agreement and its Impact on Air Quality Management in Canada

Canada and the United States entered into the Canada-US Air Quality Agreement (Agreement) in 1991, focusing primarily on a single air pollution problem: acid rain in the eastern parts of both countries. The intent of the Agreement, however, was broad and ambitious. In addition to establishing specific objectives relating to emission limits and the reduction of air pollutants, the Agreement establishes an ongoing bilateral system of prior notification and impact assessment, coordinated scientific and economic research, ongoing progress reviews, and a dispute resolution procedure. This broader purpose has allowed the parties to expand the Agreement’s scope to establish specific objectives for the constituents of ground-level ozone, a precursor of smog. It has also promoted cooperation and communication and the sponsorship of regional air quality initiatives. This chapter first discusses the reasons that the Canada and the United States found it necessary and beneficial to sign an international agreement addressing air quality issues. It then summarizes the Agreement, providing examples of some of the ways that its provisions have been used and discussing possible future initiatives. The last section assesses the effectiveness of this bilateral framework and its influence on Canada’s air quality management.
Deciding the Vapnik-Cervonenkis dimension is /spl Sigma//sub 3//sup p/-complete

Linial et al. (1988) raised the question of how difficult the computation of the Vapnik-Cervonenkis dimension of a concept class over a finite universe is. Papadimitriou and Yannakakis (1993) obtained a first answer using matrix representations of concept classes. However, this approach does not capture classes having exponential size, like monomials, which are encountered in learning theory. We choose a more natural representation, which leads us to redefine the VC DIMENSION problem. We establish that VC DIMENSION is /spl Sigma//sub 3//sup p/-complete, thereby giving a rare natural example of a /spl Sigma//sub 3//sup p/-complete problem.
Causal learning in children

How do children learn the causal structure of the environment? We first summarize a set of theories from the adult literature on causal learning, including associative models, parameter estimation theories, and causal structure learning accounts, as applicable to developmental science. We focus on causal graphical models as a description of children's causal knowledge, and the implications of this computational description for children's causal learning. We then examine the contributions of explanation and exploration to causal learning from a computational standpoint. Finally, we examine how children might learn causal knowledge from others and how computational and constructivist accounts of causal learning can be integrated. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:413–427. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1291 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.
Clara Cell Secretory Protein Modulates Lung Inflammatory and Immune Responses to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions in the lung. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of respiratory infection in infants and young children. RSV usually infects small airways and likely interacts with the Clara cells of bronchioles. To determine a possible role for CCSP during acute RSV infection, CCSP-deficient (CCSP −/− ) and wild-type (WT) mice were intratracheally infected with RSV and the lung inflammatory and immune responses to RSV infection were assessed. RSV-F gene expression was increased in the lungs of CCSP −/− mice as compared with WT mice following RSV infection, consistent with increased viral persistence. Lung inflammation was significantly increased in CCSP −/− mice as compared with WT mice after infection. Moreover, although the levels of Th1 cytokines were similar, the levels of Th2 cytokines and neutrophil chemokines were increased in the lungs of CCSP −/− mice following infection. Physiologic endpoints of exacerbated lung disease, specifically airway reactivity and mucus production, were increased in CCSP −/− mice after RSV infection. Importantly, restoration of CCSP in the airways of CCSP −/− mice abrogated the increased viral persistence, lung inflammation, and airway reactivity. These findings suggest a role for CCSP and Clara cells in regulating lung inflammatory and immune responses to RSV infection.
Teaching to foster critical and creativing TH!NKing at North Carolina State University

The TH!NK initiative at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is part of the university's five year Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). This initiative is designed to train faculty to utilize more strategies that cultivate critical and creative thinking in their classroom. TH!NK provides a comprehensive framework for implementing strategies that support higher order thinking skills through faculty training, mentoring, and formal assessment of program goals. TH!NK will begin its second year in August 2015 with a cohort of approximately 30 faculty participating from across the university including computer science and freshman engineering. Student learning outcomes include the application of critical and creative thinking skills and intellectual standards in the process of solving problems. In addition, students are provided with increased opportunities to reflect on their own thinking and the thinking of others.
The Development of Advertising-Centered versus Individual-Centered Scales

Abstract Most scale development in advertising research is based on classic test theory. However, classic test theory is appropriate only when the researcher is interested in differentiating people. Much of advertising research is actually trying to differentiate advertisements rather than people. The present paper argues that advertising researchers should explicitly consider whether their research is intended to differentiate people or advertisements. If advertisements are being differentiated, then using classic test theory to evaluate the advertisement may mislead the researcher. The current paper discusses the use of generalizability theory in evaluating stimulus-centered scales and presents an empirical illustration where generalizability theory was far superior to classic test theory in determining whether a specific scale was appropriate.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Continuous Quality Improvement Program on the Positive Surgical Margin Rate after Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Objective Outcome after radical prostatectomy is highly sensitive to fine nuances in the surgical techniques. We sought to determine the impact of a process of continuous control and monitoring on the positive surgical margin rate in a contemporary series of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
Controls of soil hydraulic characteristics on modeling groundwater recharge under different climatic conditions

Summary To meet the challenge of estimating spatially varying groundwater recharge (GR), increasing attention has been given to the use of vadose zone models (VZMs). However, the application of this approach is usually constrained by the lack of field soil hydraulic characteristics (SHCs) required by VZMs. To tackle this issue, SHCs based on the van Genuchten or Brooks–Corey model are generally estimated by pedotransfer functions or taken from texture based class averages. With the increasing use of this method, it is important to elucidate the controls of SHCs on computing GR mostly due to the high nonlinearity of the models. In this study, it is hypothesized that the nonlinear controls of SHCs on computing GR would vary with climatic conditions. To test this hypothesis, a widely used VZM along with two SHCs datasets for sand and loamy sand is used to compute GR at four sites in the continental Unites States with a significant gradient of precipitation (P). The simulation results show that the distribution patterns of mean annual GR ratios ( GR ‾ / P ‾ , where GR ‾ and P ‾ are mean annual GR and P, respectively) vary considerably across the sites, largely depending on soil texture and climatic conditions at each site. It is found that GR ‾ / P ‾ is mainly controlled by the shape factor n in the van Genuchten model and the nonlinear effect of n on GR ‾ / P ‾ varies with climatic conditions. Specifically, for both soil textures, the variability in GR ‾ / P ‾ is smallest at the Andrews Forest with the highest P ‾ (191.3 cm/year) and GR ‾ / P ‾ is least sensitive to n; whereas, the variability in GR ‾ / P ‾ at the Konza Prairie ( P ‾ = 84.2 cm/year) is the largest and GR ‾ / P ‾ is most sensitive to n. With further decreasing P ‾ , the nonlinear effect of n weakens at the Barta Brothers ( P ‾ = 57.3 cm/year) and Sevilleta ( P ‾ = 20.3 cm/year), leading to smaller GR ‾ / P ‾ variability at those two sites than at the Konza Prairie. The results also reveal that GR ‾ / P ‾ in finer soils with smaller n values decreases more rapidly with decreasing P ‾ .
Allowable use estimates for tracked vehicular training on Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, USA

A method is presented for calculating allowable use of tracked vehicles on the US Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado. The first step in this process is to determine the sheet and rill erosion rate on each soil series using the revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Soil series are then ranked according to their trainability (e g., ranked based on how much vegetative cover can be lost without exceeding soil loss tolerance) Maximum onetime surface use, allowable surface use per year, usable hectares per year, and tracked vehicle days per year can then be calculated Examples are given to illustrate how these values can be manipulated to assist land managers and military trainers to better plan and match training missions to available land. Also, short- and long-term monitoring schemes are presented that can be used to verify or adjust estimates of allowable use. The methods presented can be converted to determine allowable use of other types of activities that disturb the vegetation and expose the soil surface to the erosive forces of wind and water (e g, recreational and off-road vehicles).
Molecular Mechanism of Scanning and Start Codon Selection in Eukaryotes

SUMMARY The correct translation of mRNA depends critically on the ability to initiate at the right AUG codon. For most mRNAs in eukaryotic cells, this is accomplished by the scanning mechanism, wherein the small (40S) ribosomal subunit attaches to the 5′ end of the mRNA and then inspects the leader base by base for an AUG in a suitable context, using complementarity with the anticodon of methionyl initiator tRNA (Met-tRNAiMet) as the key means of identifying AUG. Over the past decade, a combination of yeast genetics, biochemical analysis in reconstituted systems, and structural biology has enabled great progress in deciphering the mechanism of ribosomal scanning. A robust molecular model now exists, describing the roles of initiation factors, notably eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) and eIF1A, in stabilizing an “open” conformation of the 40S subunit with Met-tRNAiMet bound in a low-affinity state conducive to scanning and in triggering rearrangement into a “closed” conformation incompatible with scanning, which features Met-tRNAiMet more tightly bound to the “P” site and base paired with AUG. It has also emerged that multiple DEAD-box RNA helicases participate in producing a single-stranded “landing pad” for the 40S subunit and in removing the secondary structure to enable the mRNA to traverse the 40S mRNA-binding channel in the single-stranded form for base-by-base inspection in the P site.
Model functions for carbon in calculating properties of small clusters

Abstract Different properties of small carbon clusters, C n , with n =6–9 were calculated using recently developed model functions for carbon. Limitations of these potential functions in predicting various characteristics of small clusters were delineated and calculated. The values for energies, structure and harmonic frequencies were compared with reported values from high level calculations. Results indicate that these model functions are able to predict the general trend and produce some consistent values for energy- and structure-related properties. However, some fine tuning for these functions is recommended if more quantitative results are desired.
Motor function of the ileal J pouch and its relation to clinical outcome after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

The motor function of the ileal J pouch after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis has a key role in the clinical outcome. The pouch forms a neorectum that aids in the maintenance of reasonable continence. The maximum capacity of the pouch (mean, 320 ml) is similar to that of the healthy rectum (330 ml). The pouch accommodates to distension, keeping intrapouch pressure low as the pouch gradually fills with stool. The change in pouch volume with each change in pressure (15 ml/mm Hg) approximates that of the healthy rectum (19 ml/mm Hg). When a threshold volume of about 150 ml is reached, large-amplitude (>25 mm Hg), prolonged (40–60 sec), propulsive waves appear in the pouch. They initiate the call to stool. With continuing distention of the pouch to its functional capacity, which is about 200 ml, reflux of stool into the distal ileum begins, the large pressure waves become more frequent, and the urge for defecation more intense. Defecation is voluntary, spontaneous, and rapid (11 ml/sec), with the pouch and distal ileum emptying concurrently. About 60% of the pouch content, a volume of about 100 ml of stool, is discharged with each bowel movement. The greater the threshold volume and the more complete the evacuation, the fewer the bowel movements per day. After evacuation, the large pressure waves subside, and the next cycle of pouch filling and emptying begins.
Abstract 393: The chemokine receptor, CXCR2/IL8RB, contributes to the survival of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and may play a role in stroma-tumor communication

The failure of most chemotherapeutic agents to treat pancreatic cancer could be related to poor delivery of drug due to the physical barrier of dense fibrosis surrounding the tumor. Targeting and attenuating the fibrotic stroma may result in better access of drug to tumor. Our current studies show that CXCR2/IL8RB is over-expressed in the surrounding stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors. CXCR2/IL8RB and its ligands are well known to be involved in fibrosis, and recently published papers suggest a role for CXCR2 in tumor proliferation, as well. Therefore, CXCR2 is a good target for pancreatic cancer therapy, because it has the potential to target both the stroma surrounding the tumor, as well as the tumor itself. When comparing matched samples of patient tumor and adjacent normal tissue, the mean IHC score of stroma surrounding normal pancreatic ducts is 0.61 (95% CI 0.38-0.84), while the mean IHC score of stroma surrounding ductal adenocarcinoma is 1.6 (95% CI: 1.3-1.9; Mann-Whitney test p This work was supported by NIH P01 Grant CA109552. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 393. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-393
Growth of cubic silicon carbide on oxide using polysilicon as a seed layer for micro-electro-mechanical machine applications

Abstract The growth of highly oriented 3C–SiC directly on an oxide release layer, composed of a 20-nm-thick poly-Si seed layer and a 550-nm-thick thermally deposited oxide on a (1 1 1)Si substrate, was investigated as an alternative to using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates for freestanding SiC films for MEMS applications. The resulting SiC film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with the X-ray rocking curve of the (1 1 1) diffraction peak displaying a FWHM of 0.115° (414″), which was better than that for 3C–SiC films grown directly on (1 1 1)Si during the same deposition process. However, the XRD peak amplitude for the 3C–SiC film on the poly-Si seed layer was much less than for the (1 1 1)Si control substrate, due to slight in-plane misorientations in the film. Surprisingly, the film was solely composed of (1 1 1) 3C–SiC grains and possessed no 3C–SiC grains oriented along the 〈3 1 1〉 and 〈1 1 0〉 directions which were the original directions of the poly-Si seed layer. With this new process, MEMS structures such as cantilevers and membranes can be easily released leaving behind high-quality 3C–SiC structures.
Anti-inflammatory properties of statins in the dextran sodium sulfate mouse model of colitis

Anti-inflammatory properties of statins in the dextran sodium sulfate mouse model of colitis
A fast method to generate collisional excitation cross-sections of highly charged ions in a hot dense matter

Abstract A method to compute collisional excitation cross-sections in jj-averaged configuration sets is presented in the framework of plane-wave Born approximation using Dirac–Hartree–Slater wave functions with appropriate low-energy corrections. When averaged into the ls configuration or hydrogenic superconfiguration sets, the results are found to compare with distorted wave calculations well within 30% on average. The cross-sections are averaged into hydrogenic cross-sections and fitted using the Gaunt factor formalism. We present analytic fit coefficients of Gaunt factors for 12 atoms of Z between 5 and 79 for hydrogenic transitions.
Evolutionarily conserved pattern of gene segment usage within the mammalian TCRβ locus

Antigen receptor gene rearrangement is mediated by interactions between the VDJ recombinase and the recombination signal sequences that flank the antigen receptor gene segments. In this report I present phylogenetic analyses that suggest a remarkable evolutionary conservation of the recombination signal sequences flanking some of the orthologous T-cell receptor-β locus gene segments between human and mouse. Comparison of published data on the usage of the same gene segments between human and mouse indicates similar conservation in the shape of the primary T-cell receptor-β repertoire. I propose that interactions between the recombinase and its cognate recognition sequences play a hitherto underestimated role in the formation of the specific pattern of the primary, combinatorial antigen receptor repertoire and that this pattern appears to be conserved in diverse mammalian species. Generation of a conserved pattern of the primary T-cell receptor repertoire may be critical for efficient selection of immature T lymphocytes.
Thy-1 functions as a signal transduction molecule in T lymphocytes and transfected B lymphocytes.

Thy-1, a glycoprotein of relative molecular mass 25,000 (25K), is a major constituent of the cell surface of mouse thymocytes, peripheral T cells and neurones1. In man, Thy-1 is present on neurones and on a small percentage of thymocytes, but is absent from peripheral T cells2. The amino-acid3,4 and complementary DNA5–7 sequences of Thy-1 indicate that it has a structure similar to an isolated V (variable region) domain of immunoglobulin4. Although the function of Thy-1 is unknown, the ability of different anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibodies to activate murine T cells8,9 or induce functional changes in neuronal cells in vitro10 suggests that Thy-1 is involved in transmembrane signalling. We now show that crosslinking of murine Thy-1 triggers a rapid rise in the cytoplas-mic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), not only in murine T cells and Thy-1.2-transfected human T cells, but also in murine B-lymphoma cells transfected with the murine thy-1.2 gene. These results indicate that the generation and transduction of the signal leading to the rise in [Ca2+]i is independent of the T-cell receptor and other T-cell-spec i fie molecules. The preservation of the [Ca2+]i-modulating function of Thy-1 in various lymphoid cells of two species further suggests that the necessary signal either originates in the Thy-1 molecule itself or is generated in concert with a highly conserved molecules(s) associated with Thy-1.
The hepatitis C cascade of care: identifying priorities to improve clinical outcomes.

Background As highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies emerge, data are needed to inform the development of interventions to improve HCV treatment rates. We used simulation modeling to estimate the impact of loss to follow-up on HCV treatment outcomes and to identify intervention strategies likely to provide good value for the resources invested in them.
Opioid neurotoxicity: neuropathologic effects in rats of different fentanyl congeners and the effects of hexamethonium-induced normotension.

We tested the hypotheses that convulsant doses of opioids would produce limbic system damage exacerbated by hexamethonium. Ventilated paralyzed rats received intravenous (IV) isovolumic infusion of fentanyl loading dose (LD) 1000 micrograms/kg, maintenance dose (MD) 40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 (n = 10), sufentanil LD 400 micrograms/kg, MD 13.3 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 (n = 10), alfentanil LD 1500 micrograms/kg, MD 150 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 (n = 10), or 0.9% saline control LD 4 mliter/kg, MD 4 mliter.kg-1.h-1 (n = 10), with O2/N2 30%/70% during opioid infusion and O2/N2O in controls during saline infusion. Hexamethonium (LD 20 mg/kg, MD 40-120 mg.kg-1.h-1) was given IV during opioid infusion to half of the rats. Cerebral perfusion-fixation with formalin was performed 24 h later, followed by histopathologic assessment. None of the control rats showed any histologic abnormalities. Overall summed neuropathologic severity was worse in opioid treated groups (P = 0.01). Lesions occurred primarily in cortical regions and limbic system structures. When arterial blood pressure was controlled to a lower level with hexamethonium (147 vs 100 mm Hg), rats had less severe lesions (P = 0.02). These data indicate that fentanyl, sufentanil, and alfentanil all can produce histopathologic evidence of brain injury in rats mitigated by hexamethonium.
Investigation of wine glass mode resonance in 200-µm-diameter cenosphere-derived borosilicate hemispherical shells

Cenospheres are lightweight, inert hollow spheres which are useful in a large number of applications, particularly as fillers. This paper describes the mechanical resonant characteristics of miniature hollow hemispheres fabricated from sodium borosilicate cenospheres for potential use as sensing elements in inertial sensors, biochemical detectors and other devices. The tested structures are approximately 200 µm, 150 µm and 1.8 µm in diameter, height and thickness, respectively, with the dome anchored and the rim free. The lowest order wine glass modes of these structures are experimentally determined (and confirmed by modeling) to be in the range of 300–600 kHz-–in the range of those of planar micro-resonators that have been explored for sensing applications.
Flow-induced vibrations of a deformable ring

To understand flow-induced vibrations of deformable objects, we numerically investigate dynamics of a pressurized elastic ring pinned at one point within a uniform flow by using an immersed-boundary algorithm. The boundary of the ring consists of a fibre with no bending stiffness, which can be modelled as a linear spring with spring constant k and zero unstretched length. The vibration of the ring is decomposed into two parts: a pitching motion that includes a rigid-body rotation and a flexible bending motion in the transverse direction, and a tapping motion in the longitudinal direction. The pitching motion is dominated by the frequency of vortex shedding, whereas the primary frequency of the tapping motion is twice the frequency of vortex shedding. At the Reynolds number of 100, resonance is observed when k ~ 0.2 (k is normalized by the diameter of the undeformed ring, the speed of the upcoming flow and the fluid density). Across the resonance region, abrupt jumps in terms of the motion amplitudes as well as the hydrodynamic loads are recorded. Within the resonance region, the lift force demonstrates a beating phenomenon reminiscent of findings through reduced models and low-degree-of-freedom systems.
Complexities in the Study of Infant Emotional Facial Expressions

In the target article, we reviewed empirical evidence regarding the relationship between facial expressions and emotion in infancy. In our response to commentators, we make three main points. First, we concur with Hertenstein that the field has thus far relied too heavily on deductive reasoning, and suggest that future research strike a balance between inductive and deductive reasoning. Second, we maintain that infant recognition of discrete emotions remains an open question. Third, we state our position regarding the revised version of DET.
Unfavorable prognosis of acute leukemia in infancy.

Pretreatment characteristics of 48 infants (under 2 years of age) with leukemia treated over a period of 18 years at a single institution were studied in relation to response to therapy, extramedullary involvement, and survival. In order to provide a basis of comparison, 45 of the infants were each paired with an older (2–9 years of age) leukemic child, who had the same race, and disease type, who was treated within the same period of time and received similar suportive care and chemotherapy, and when possible, was of the same sex. The overall median survival times of infants and their pairmates were 211 days and 445 days, respectively. Initial status of the spleen was the single significant factor in relation to the length of survival. Median survival time for infants with splenomegaly was 186 days compared to a median survival time of 414 days for infants without splenomegaly. The complete response rate was 75% for infants and 80% for the pairmates. Median duration of remission was 84 days for infants and 280 days for their pairmates. Initial peripheral leucocyte count was significantly related to the duration of remission; patients with very high leucocyte counts had the shortest remissions. The duration of remission increased throughout the period covered by this study, however, prognosis relative to pairmates remained poor. Central nervous system leukemia occurred in 44% of infants and 40% of the pairmates; incidence of CNS leukemia was much higher (70%) in infants under one year of age than in infants one year old (37%). Extramedullary leukemia occurred at other sites in 46% of the infants and 31% of the pairmates. The only pretreatment characteristic of prognostic importance for predicting extramedullary involvement was the patient's age at diagnosis.
Current practice in the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing major vascular surgery: A survey of cardiovascular anesthesiologists

Various cardiovascular testing modalities have been proposed as a means of reducing perioperative risk in patients undergoing vascular surgery. It is currently unknown with what frequency and under what conditions these tests are used in clinical practice. In an attempt to determine the spectrum of current clinical practice, the authors surveyed anesthesiologists who attended the 1992 Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting. A total of 77 of 100 surveys were returned, representing 58 institutions in the United States: 26 university hospitals, 29 private hospitals, 2 Veterans Administration hospitals, and 1 military hospital. The incidence of preoperative testing was not significantly different between private and university institutions, and ranged from a mean of 54% of patients undergoing lower extremity procedures to 73% of patients undergoing aortic surgery, with a wide disparity among institutions. Dipyridamole or exercise thallium imaging was the most common test used, and Holter monitoring was the least common. The testing led to revascularization in 52% of university and 72% of private hospitals. Testing was thought to result in modification of perioperative monitoring in 85% of the institutions and in modification of other aspects of care in a significant percentage of institutions. In conclusion, in this random population, preoperative testing was reported to be used in a significant percentage of patients, and similar practices were found between university and private institutions. The practices at the individual institutions and types of tests ordered varied greatly, and suggest the need for further research to determine optimal preoperative strategies.
Pile construction productivity assessment

Bored piles are vital elements for highway bridge foundation. A large number of factors oversees productivity and cost estimation processes for piles, which creates many problems for the time and cost estimators of such process. Therefore, current study is designed to diagnose these problems and assess productivity, cycle time, and cost for pile construction using the artificial neural network (ANN). Data were collected for this study through designated questionnaires, site interviews, and telephone calls to experts in different construction companies. Many variables have been considered to manage the piling construction process. Three-layer, feed forward, and fully connected ANNs were trained with an architecture of seven input neurons, five output neurons, and different hidden layer neurons. The ANN models were validated and proved their robustness in output assessments. Three sets of charts have been developed to assess productivity, cycle time, and cost. This research is relevant to both industry practitioners and researchers. It provides sets of charts for practitioners' usage to schedule and price out pile construction projects. In addition, it provides researchers with a methodology of applying ANN to pile construction process, its limitation, and future suggestions.
Chronic ethanol exposure results in increased acute functional tolerance in selected lines of HAFT and LAFT mice.

Rationale and objectives: Functional (pharmacodynamic) ethanol tolerance can be evidenced within a single session of exposure to ethanol (acute or within-session tolerance), or after repeated ethanol exposures (chronic or between-session tolerance). To investigate whether acute and chronic tolerance to ethanol are interrelated phenomena, the effect of chronic ethanol exposure was evaluated in mice selectively bred for high (HAFT) or low (LAFT) acute functional tolerance to an ataxic effect of ethanol, i.e., loss of balance on a stationary dowel. Methods: Mice were tested for sensitivity (threshold ethanol concentration for loss of balance on the stationary dowel) and acute functional tolerance to ethanol before and after a regimen of chronic ethanol exposure (twice-daily ethanol injections for 6 days). Results: Chronic ethanol treatment did not alter the threshold for ethanol's ataxic effect (i.e., produced no change in sensitivity). However, this treatment, in a dose-dependent manner, resulted in an increase in the magnitude and rate of development of acute functional tolerance. Conclusions: This finding supports previous postulates that chronic ethanol tolerance can be characterized by a more rapid acquisition or a greater magnitude of acute (within-session) tolerance. However, the increase in acute tolerance that occurred after chronic ethanol exposure was similar in both selected lines of mice, indicating little or no genetic correlation between acute tolerance and chronic tolerance.
The devil is in the details.

Patients with a diagnosis of clinically localized prostate cancer face a daunting variety of treatment choices, including conservative management (watchful waiting or active surveillance), cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, brachytherapy and/or external-beam radiation therapy with or without concurrent hormonal therapy, and surgery. To make an appropriate treatment choice, a patient must weigh the threat posed by the cancer, the effectiveness of the treatment in rendering him cancer-free, his life expectancy, and the potential side effects of the treatment. An appropriate decision can be made only by having an accurate estimate of each of these factors.
Hierarchical shadow detection for color aerial images

A hierarchical shadow detection algorithm for color aerial images is presented in this paper to meet two challenges for static shadow detection in the literature: different brightness and illumination conditions in different images and the complexity of aerial images. The hierarchical algorithm consists of two levels of processing: the pixel level classification, achieved through modelling an image as a reliable graph (RG) and maximizing the graph reliability using the EM algorithm, and the region level verification, achieved through minimizing the Bayesian error by further exploiting the domain knowledge. Further analyses show that MRF model based segmentation is a special case of the RG model. The relationship between the RG model and the relaxation labeling model is also discussed. A quantitative comparison between this method and a state-of-the-art shadow detection algorithm clearly indicates that this method is promising for delivering effective shadow detection performance under different illumination and brightness conditions.
False aneuploidy in benign tumors with a high lymphocyte content : a study of Warthin's tumor and benign thymoma

The quality of results of flow cytometric DNA content analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue may be affected by a number of preanalytical variables. We performed flow cytometric DNA content analysis on two types of benign tumors to investigate the effect of a prominent lymphocytic component: Warthin's tumor (N = 20) and benign thymoma (N = 8). Malignant tumors (N = 23) were included as DNA aneuploid controls. All tissues studied were archival material processed using Hedley's technique either without prolonged rehydration in water (day 0 samples) or with 24- or 48-hour rehydration (day 1 and day 2 samples, respectively). Image cytometric DNA ploidy analysis was also performed on most cases. Eight cases (40%) of Warthin's tumor and five cases (63%) of benign thymoma showed either hyperdiploid peaks or marked asymmetry on the day 0 DNA histograms; nine of the malignant tumors were aneuploid. The DNA histogram abnormalities of the benign tumors could be gated out by excluding the lymphocyte nuclei. None of the DNA indices of the benign tumors corresponded with expected deviations based on published chromosomal studies. All of the DNA histogram abnormalities of the benign tumors disappeared and/or fused with the main peaks on the day 1 or day 2 samples, except for one case of benign thymoma. All the DNA aneuploid peaks on the malignant tumors persisted with prolonged rehydration. Image cytometric DNA analysis showed a diploid pattern in all benign tumors. We conclude that a high lymphocyte content may be a cause of false aneuploidy in these benign tumors. Furthermore, the degree of rehydration appears to be an important factor in achieving optimum fluorochrome staining of DNA.
Deep high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of full organs: the benefit of ultraminiature confocal miniprobes

ABSTRACT Background Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) based on ultraminiature miniprobes (Cellvizio ® , Mauna Kea Technologies, Paris, France) is able to image the inner microstructure of retroperitoneal full organs punctured during EUS-FNA procedures, such as pancreas, liver or lymph nodes. Therefore, pCLE can provide an easy-to-use and precise adjunct tool to ultrasonographic interventions in order to targ et suspicious areas for biopsies in EUS-FNA. Material and Methods Probe-based CLE (pCLE) was performed on ex-vivo surgically resected specimens after topical application of fluorophores in standard 19G and 22G needles. Two prototype miniprobes (S-probe 300 microns diameter, field of view 400*280 microns, and S-probe 650 microns diameter, field of view 500*600 microns) were then inserted into the needles and enabled visualization of the inner microstructures of uterus, lung, kidney, stomach and esophagus, in both healthy and cancerous conditions. Then, pCLE was performed in-vivo on four pigs during three NOTES and one EUS-FNA procedures after intravenous injection of 2-7mL fluorescein 1-10% using the prototype S-probe 350 microns diameter inserted in 19G FNA needles. Liver, pancreas and spleen were imaged. Results During the ex-vivo experiments, pCLE made it possible to distinguish microstructures, such as alveoli and macrophages in the lungs. During the in-vivo experiments, Cellvizio
Long-term complications associated with the Indiana pouch urinary diversion in patients with recurrent gynecologic cancers after high-dose radiation

Few studies have assessed the long-term risks associated with the Indiana pouch continent urinary diversion after high-dose radiation therapy. A retrospective review of consecutive female patients who underwent cystectomy and Indiana pouch urinary diversion identified 12 with a history of high-dose pelvic irradiation (mean total 78.1 Gy). Long-term complications and outcomes in this group were compared to a synchronous group of patients (n = 14) with no history of radiation. Mean follow-up in the radiation therapy (RT) and nonirradiated comparison group (CG) were 48.5 and 40.8 months, respectively, with all patients having over 12 months of outcomes assessed. In the RT group, 83% of patients experienced a one or more complications (n = 29) while 57% of the CG did (n = 15; P = 0.2). Complications seen more commonly in the RT group included ureteral stricture/obstruction (5 vs. 2), renal insufficiency (3 vs. 1) and severe incontinence (3 vs. 0). Notably, 23 secondary operative procedures were required in the RT group versus CG (n = 11, P = 0.2). Percutaneous nephrostomy (6 vs. 1; P = 0.03) and ureteral reimplantation (4 vs. 0; P = 0.03) were seen significantly more commonly in the RT group than the CG. Long-term follow-up is critical to assess the complications associated with urinary diversions. We conclude that frequent complications and a significant increase in specific operative procedures are observed in heavily irradiated patients with recurrent gynecologic cancers receiving an Indiana Pouch urinary diversion. Given the risk of renal insufficiency, close monitoring of renal drainage and function is recommended. These considerable long-term complications should be considered when counseling patients contemplating Indiana Pouch urinary diversion after radiation therapy.
Political Theory as Profession and as Subfield

How does the enterprise of political theory create and sustain the borders that account for its appearance as a distinguishable profession? In this article, the author considers and criticizes a recent effort to defend political theory’s right to exist in the form of one of several subfields constitutive of the academic discipline of professional political science in the United States. The author closes by suggesting that theorists might be better positioned to think critically about politics, and the politics of liberalism more particularly, if this self-representation were to be unsettled and possibly jettisoned altogether.
Catalytic dioxygen activation by (nitro)(meso-tetrakis(2-n-methylpyridyl)porphyrinato)cobalt(III) cation derivatives electrostatically immobilized in nafion films: an experimental and DFT investigation.

Complexes of the (nitro)(meso-tetrakis(2-N-methylpyridyl)porphyinato)cobalt(III) cation, [LCoTMpyP(2)(NO2)]4+, in which L = water or ethanol have been immobilized through ionic attraction within Nafion films (Naf). These immobilized six-coordinate species, [LCoTMPyP(2)(NO2)/Naf], have been found to catalyze the oxidation of triphenylphosphine in ethanol solution by dioxygen, therefore retaining the capacity to activate dioxygen catalytically without an additional reducing agent as was previously observed in nonaqueous solution for the non-ionic (nitro)cobalt porphyrin analogs. Heating these immobilized six-coordinate species under vacuum conditions results in the formation of the five-coordinate nitro derivatives, [CoTMPyP(2)(NO2)/Naf] at 85 °C and [CoTMPyP(2)/Naf] at 110 °C. The catalytic oxidation of gas-phase cyclohexene with O2 is supported only by the resulting immobilized five-coordinate nitro complex as was previously seen with the corresponding solution-phase catalyst in dichloromethane solution. ...
Differences between taiwanese and U.S. cultural beliefs about ideal adult attachment

Some researchers believe that important tenets of attachment theory are culturally universal, whereasothers claim that key constructs are rooted in Western values and should not be generalized further. Toexplore possible cultural differences in adults, undergraduates from Taiwan ( n 280) and the UnitedStates ( n 268) were asked in the present study to complete a self-report measure of adult attachment,the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (K. A. Brennan, C. L. Clark, & P. R. Shaver, 1998), as theybelieved an ideally emotionally and psychologically healthy person of your own gender in your culturewould respond. Findings suggested significant differences by cultural group, gender, and Gender Culture interactions. Taiwanese women and men endorsed more avoidance in beliefs about ideal adultattachment than their U.S. counterparts, and Taiwanese men endorsed more anxiety than U.S. men. Thesecultural differences were not explained by group differences in independent and interdependent self-construal.Keywords: adult attachment, cross-cultural comparison, gender differences, individualism, collectivism
Childhood maltreatment and maltreatment-specific inferences: A test of Rose and Abramson's (1992) extension of the hopelessness theory.

In extending the etiological chain of the hopelessness theory of depression (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989), Rose and Abramson (1992) proposed a developmental model by which childhood maltreatment may contribute to the development of a negative inferential style. Once developed, this negative inferential style leaves the individual vulnerable to developing hopelessness and symptoms of hopelessness depression. In the current cross‐sectional study, reports of childhood emotional, but not physical or sexual, maltreatment were significantly related to undergraduates' inferential styles. In addition, results from path analyses indicated that inferences about specific experiences of childhood emotional maltreatment mediated this relationship. Testing Rose and Abramson's entire model, results from path analyses supported a partial, but not full, mediation model.
TWEAK-Fn14 pathway activation after exercise in human skeletal muscle: insights from two exercise modes and a time course investigation.

The cell surface receptor Fn14/TWEAKR was recently reported by our laboratory to be a prominent marker in the resistance exercise (RE) induced Transcriptome. The purpose of the present study was to...
Randomized stress-testing of link-time optimizers

Link-time optimization (LTO) is an increasingly important and adopted modern optimization technology. It is currently supported by many production compilers, including GCC, LLVM, and Microsoft Visual C/C++. Despite its complexity, but because it is more recent, LTO is relatively less tested compared to the more mature, traditional optimizations. To evaluate and help improve the quality of LTO, we present the first extensive effort to stress-test the LTO components of GCC and LLVM, the two most widely-used production C compilers. In 11 months, we have discovered and reported 37 bugs (12 in GCC; 25 in LLVM). Developers have confirmed 21 of our bugs, and fixed 11 of them. Our core technique is differential testing and realized in the tool Proteus. We leverage existing compiler testing tools (Csmith and Orion) to generate single-file test programs and address two important challenges specific for LTO testing. First, to thoroughly exercise LTO, Proteus automatically transforms a single-file program into multiple compilation units and stochastically assigns each an optimization level. Second, for effective bug reporting, we develop a practical mechanism to reduce LTO bugs involving multiple files. Our results clearly demonstrate Proteus’s utility; we plan to make ours a continuous effort in validating link-time optimizers.
Thermal transport: Naturally glassy crystals

Spontaneously formed natural nanostructures are responsible for a glass-like thermal conductivity in a perfectly crystalline semiconductor.
Current approaches for reconditioning process water and its use in food manufacturing operations

Water is perhaps the most critical component in the processing of most food products. Supplies of water that is suitable for use in food processing operations are becoming limited. Three aspects of water as they relate to food processing will be discussed: water as a vehicle for various foodborne disease agents (bacterial, viral and parasitic); an overview of wastewater treatment processes, including the agents used in the final phase to disinfect water; and approaches to reconditioning food plant processing water for reuse within the food processing plant and in other areas of food production. Although the potential for the use of reconditioned water is vast, actual applications are currently very few.
The meteorite flux at the lunar surface

Abstract The relative meteorite flux values at the lunar surface as a function of position and Earth-Moon distance are of prime importance in applications of crater counting. A general method for obtaining these values from an assumed distribution function far from the Earth is proposed, and solved numerically in the case where the Moon's mass is neglected. Flux values are higher on the Moon's leading edge, with the degree of concentration increasing with decreasing Earth-Moon distance. Some implications of these results for lunar history are explored