cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influencing factors for abdominal surgery incision infections in department of obstetrics and gynecology and prevention countermeasures

OBJECTIVE To study the related factors for abdominal incision infections in department of obstetrics and gynecology and nursing interventions.METHODS Totally 50 cases with abdominal surgical incision infections in department of obstetrics and gynecology were set as observation group,and 50 patients without incision infections were set as the control group in a 1∶1 ratio.Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the related factors for abdominal incision infections was performed.RESULTS Single factor test showed that there were 12 related factors for incision infections(P0.05),including the age,high body mass index,the ward shared by many patients,the surgery in summer,long time of the skin preparation and surgery,inadequate psychological preparation,low seniority of the surgeon,the emergency operation,long incision,perioperative blood loss,long duration of the operation,and the implementation of rehabilitation education after the operation;logistic regression analysis indicated that there were 5 risk factors for abdominal incision infections,including long duration of surgical time,high body mass index,long time of the skin preparation and surgery,inadequate psychological preparation and insufficient rehabilitation education after operation(OR=3.72 3.57 3.24 2.98 2.58).CONCLUSION The related factors for the abdominal incision infections in department of gynecology and obstetrics are so complex that we should implement nursing interventions to reduce the abdominal incision infections.
VIIRS-derived chlorophyll-a using the ocean color index method

Abstract An implementation approach using the ocean color index (OCI)-based chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) algorithm for the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) has been developed. The OCI Chl-a algorithm for satellite-derived Chl-a data was originally developed by Hu, Lee, and Franz (2012) (J. Geophys. Res., 117, C01011, doi: 01010.01029/02011JC007395) for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). It uses two Chl-a algorithms, i.e., the color index (CI)-based (reflectance difference-based) algorithm for oligotrophic waters and the usual ocean chlorophyll-type (OCx)-based (reflectance ratio-based) algorithm (e.g., OC3M for MODIS and OC3V for VIIRS), and merges the two algorithms for different Chl-a range applications (named OCI algorithm). In this study, we use the in situ Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) optics data to demonstrate conclusively that using the CI-based Chl-a algorithm can significantly improve VIIRS Chl-a data over oligotrophic waters with much reduced data noise from instrument calibration and the imperfect atmospheric correction. Using the VIIRS-measured global Chl-a data derived from the Multi-Sensor Level-1 to Level-2 (MSL12) ocean color data processing system, we have developed the CI-based algorithm specifically for VIIRS, and further improved the two Chl-a algorithms merging method using the blue-green reflectance ratio values. Extensive evaluation results show that the new OCI Chl-a algorithm for VIIRS can produce consistent Chl-a data compared with those from the OC3V algorithm. In particular, the data transition between the CI-based and OC3V-based Chl-a algorithm is quite smooth, and there are no obvious discontinuities in VIIRS-derived Chl-a data. The new OCI-based Chl-a algorithm has been implemented in MSL12 for routine production of VIIRS global Chl-a data.
Effects of long-term high-altitude hypoxemia on alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in the ovine uterine artery

To elucidate the effects of chronic hypoxia on alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-mediated contractions of the uterine artery, we examined norepinephrine-induced contractions in tissues obtained from near-term (approximately 140 days gestation) pregnant ewes maintained near sea level (approximately 300 m) and at high altitude (3,820 m) from 30 days gestation. Compared with the sea-level controls, contractions induced by norepinephrine in main and fourth-branch uterine arteries of the high-altitude animals were significantly depressed. The norepinephrine dose-response curves were shifted to the right and the concentrations at which 50% of the maximal response was attained were increased 3.2- and 5.7-fold in the main and fourth-branch uterine arteries, respectively. The maximal responses were decreased 22 and 36% in main and fourth-branch uterine arteries, respectively. The dissociation constants of norepinephrine were increased from 0.77 to 1.53 microM and from 0.72 to 2.05 microM in main and fourth-branch uterine arteries, respectively. Radioligand binding studies with [3H]prazosin revealed a decrease in the density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in both vessels from high-altitude animals. We conclude that chronic hypoxia depresses alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-induced contractions of conduit- and resistance-type uterine arteries. The depressed contractility is mediated, at least in part, by decreases in alpha 1-adrenergic receptor density and agonist binding affinity.
Cryosurgery for psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the skin with various treatment options. Cryosurgery has been studied in only a limited number of case series for the treatment of small plaque psoriasis with variable results. Findings from these studies suggest cryosurgery can improve the induration, erythema, and scaling of small psoriatic plaques with one or just a few treatments. Furthermore, these studies suggest that cryosurgery is a safe treatment modality with hypopigmentation as the only major adverse effect. However, further studies are necessary to clarify the role of cryosurgery in the armamentarium of psoriasis therapy.
CREBH Couples Circadian Clock With Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

The circadian clock orchestrates diverse physiological processes critical for health and disease. CREB, hepatocyte specific (CREBH) is a liver-enriched, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-tethered transcription factor known to regulate the hepatic acute phase response and energy homeostasis under stress conditions. We demonstrate that CREBH is regulated by the circadian clock and functions as a circadian regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism. Proteolytic activation of CREBH in the liver exhibits typical circadian rhythmicity controlled by the core clock oscillator BMAL1 and AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) signaling pathway. GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of CREBH modulates the association between CREBH and the coat protein complex II transport vesicle and thus controls the ER-to-Golgi transport and subsequent proteolytic cleavage of CREBH in a circadian manner. Functionally, CREBH regulates circadian expression of the key genes involved in triglyceride (TG) and fatty acid (FA) metabolism and is required to maintain circadian amplitudes of blood TG and FA in mice. During the circadian cycle, CREBH rhythmically regulates and interacts with the hepatic nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and liver X receptor α as well as with the circadian oscillation activator DBP and the repressor E4BP4 to modulate CREBH transcriptional activities. In conclusion, these studies reveal that CREBH functions as a circadian-regulated liver transcriptional regulator that integrates energy metabolism with circadian rhythm.
Painful Hand Seizures

A 14-year-old boy with habitual painful seizures of the backs of both hands since age 4 is reported from the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Osaka Medical Center, Japan.
Enhanced Control of Cortical Pyramidal Neurons With Micromagnetic Stimulation

Magnetic stimulation is less sensitive to the inflammatory reactions that plague conventional electrode-based cortical implants and therefore may be useful as a next-generation (implanted) cortical prosthetic. The fields arising from micro-coils are quite small however and thus, their ability to modulate cortical activity must first be established. Here, we show that layer V pyramidal neurons (PNs) can be strongly activated by micro-coil stimulation and further, the asymmetric fields arising from such coils do not simultaneously activate horizontally-oriented axon fibers, thus confining activation to a focal region around the coil. The spatially-narrow fields from micro-coils allowed the sensitivity of different regions within a single PN to be compared: while the proximal axon was most sensitive in naive cells, repetitive stimulation over the apical dendrite led to a change in state of the neuron that reduced thresholds there to below those of the axon. Thus, our results raise the possibility that regardless of the mode of stimulation, penetration depths that target specific portions of the apical dendrite may actually be more effective than those that target Layer 6. Interestingly, the state change had similar properties to state changes described previously at the systems level, suggesting a possible neuronal mechanism underlying such responses.
When Trust in God Means Preemptive Refusal of C-Section.

Mrs. Ford, 20 weeks pregnant, preemptively refuses a C-section. Her lack of faith in God, she believes, led to the second-trimester miscarriage of her first child. She has seen Dr. Raymond twice. D...
Radiosynthesis and Biological Distribution of 18F-Labeled Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances

A novel method for radiolabeling perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) with fluorine 18 has been developed, and after purification, the stability and biological distribution in healthy mice were evaluated. Three PFAS, [18F]PFOA (C8), [18F]PFHxA (C6), and [18F]PFBA (C4), were readily labeled and isolated in average yields between 12 and 31%. The stability of each compound was monitored in 0.1% ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) in methanol, in saline, and in human, mouse, and rat sera. The amount of intact, radiolabeled PFAS was determined by radiometric instant thin layer chromatography and was calculated by the amount of free fluorine 18 observed over time. All compounds were highly stable in 0.1% NH4OH in methanol and saline, with <10% defluorination observed after 4 h. Interestingly, each compound had differing affinities for the serum proteins. In vivo biodistribution studies in mice showed uptake in all organs examined, with the highest uptake being exhibited in the liver for both [18F]PFOA and [18F]PFHxA a...
Academic Integrity as a Teaching & Learning Issue: From Theory to Practice

In 2008, I argued that a new approach to academic integrity in the 21st century was needed because the dominant approaches had been proven to be relatively ineffective (Bertram Gallant, 2008). This new approach, the teaching and learning approach, challenged educators to situate integrity practices within the goal of improving student learning, in essence shifting the focus from how educators could stop students from cheating to how they could ensure students are learning (Bertram Gallant, 2008, p. 112).I argued that this shift could be realized through “fostering a learning-oriented environment, improving instruction, enhancing institutional support for teaching and learning, and reducing institutional constraints to teaching and learning” (Bertram Gallant, 2008, p. 89). Although the latter 2 strategies are critical for realizing the teaching and learning approach, I do not address them here. Instead, I focus on applying empirical research to elucidate the practical methods faculty can use in the classro...
Mertk Activation During RPE Phagocytosis in Vivo Requires αVβ5 Integrin

Daily phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segment fragments (POS) is a key task of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the retina. Lack or inefficiency of daily POS clearance causes early onset, rapid, and complete retinal degeneration in experimental animals and likely contributes to human blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (Dowling and Sidman, 1962, Gal et al., 2000). The phagocytic mechanism of the RPE belongs to a group of conserved non-inflammatory clearance pathways that mediate recognition and engulfment of apoptotic cells in both non-professional and professional phagocytic cells, such as fibroblasts and macrophages, respectively (Finnemann and Rodriguez-Boulan, 1999). These pathways share the use of phagocyte cell surface receptors such as the lipid scavenger receptor CD36 (Ryeom et al., 1996), the integrin adhesion receptor αv β5 (Finnemann et al., 1997; Miceli et al., 1997; Lin and Clegg, 1998) and the receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (MerTK) (D’Cruz et al., 2000; Nandrot et al., 2000). In vitro phagocytosis assays studying primary or permanent RPE in culture fed with isolated POS suggest that CD36 and MerTK participate in the engulfment step of the phagocytic process (Chaitin and Hall, 1983; Finnemann and Silverstein, 2001), while αv β5 integrin promotes POS recognition/binding and initiates a downstream cytoplasmic signaling cascade in the RPE (Finnemann et al., 1997). However, the precise function of these receptors and their roles in the intact retina are so far only poorly understood. Most recently, we have begun to study phagocytosis and receptor activity in animal models that lack αv β5 integrin or MerTK to determine how these different plasma membrane receptors of the RPE functionally interact to coordinate particle uptake.
Cytochemical Analysis of Cell Wall Composition in Non-Articulated Laticifers

Non-articulated laticifers are long, coenocytic cells that contain latex, the conspicuous and often white fluid that oozes from many plants upon injury. As a first step to analyze the composition of laticifer walls, I have developed procedures to identify laticifers in tissue sections and to isolate laticifer fragments from Euphorbia heterophylla hypocotyls. Laticifers can be identified using nile red, a fluorescent dye that binds to neutral lipids present in the latex. Staining of hypocotyl cross sections with nile red revealed that laticifers are mainly present in the cortex, where they are distributed in a ring pattern. Various procedures were tested for their effectiveness in separating laticifer fragments from other cells. Of these procedures, the most successful one involved incubation of hypocotyls in a saturated solution of picric acid and subsequent separation of laticifers by micro-dissection. With hypocotyl sections and isolated laticifer fragments, I have begun the analysis of laticifer wall composition using various fluorescent dyes and colored stains that are often employed in the study of cell wall cytochemistry. Alcian blue, a colored stain used with bright-field microscopy to detect polyanions such as pectins, stained laticifer walls. Furthermore, after incubation with a fluorescein-conjugated pectate probe, laticifer walls were intensely fluorescent, indicating the presence of unesterified pectins. Laticifer walls also fluoresced with Calcofluor, but not with aniline-blue fluorochrome. These results indicate that β-D-glucans, probably cellulose, are abundant in laticifer walls, but (1→3)-β-D-glucans such as callose are absent. Staining with (β-D-Glc)3 Yariv phenylglycoside suggests that arabinogalactan-proteins are not abundant in laticifer walls. Hypocotyl sections and isolated laticifer fragments were incubated in 0.2% (β-D-Glc)3 Yariv phenylglycoside for 24 hours. After this incubation, no red coloration was observed in laticifer walls or other walls of the hypocotyl except for those of xylem vessels (Serpe and Nothnagel 1999). Lignin or other phenolics were not detected in laticifer walls, indicating that these walls are entirely primary.
Increasing complexity in oncology phase I clinical trials.

Clinical trials in oncology have become increasingly complex because of incorporation of predictive biomarkers and patient selection based on molecular profiling of tumors. We have examined the change in procedures and work intensity in phase 1 oncology trials over the years with several parameters used as surrogates of complexity. Categories that were included as events were clinical evaluations, pharmacokinetic (PK) laboratory tests, non-PK laboratory tests, specific molecular or histological characteristics, questionnaires and subjective assessments, routine clinical and physical examinations, imaging, invasive procedures and others. The information was extracted using a standardized form including study type, tumor type, information on agent, participant characteristics and study mandated events during the first 3 cycles of each protocol. A total of 102 phase I oncology and hematology study protocols that were active at a single institution in 1996, 2006 and 2016 were evaluated. In 2016, there were significantly more (P < 0.05) median number of procedures, outpatient tests, subjective assessments, PK’s, molecular profiling, biopsies and medication dispensing times. There were higher median numbers of procedures in studies in hematologic malignancies, testing immunotherapies and those with over 15 inclusion or exclusion criteria. These values also differed significantly (P < .005) when the median values were compared in nonparametric tests. Our results suggest that study related procedures in cancer phase I trials have substantially increased over the last two decades. The successful conduct of early-phase oncology clinical trials in future will require additional research resources.
Omission and Othering: Constructing Autism on Community College Websites

ABSTRACTStudents with autism attend two-year colleges at a significantly greater rate than four-year institutions. As these prospective and current students engage with two-year colleges, websites ...
Neural algorithms and computing beyond Moore's law

Advances in neurotechnologies are reigniting opportunities to bring neural computation insights into broader computing applications.
An Obsession with Definitions.

Many people seem to think that cryptography is all about creating and analyzing cryptographic schemes. This view ignores the centrality of definitions in shaping the character of the field. More than schemes or their analysis, it is definitions that most occupy my thoughts. In this paper, written to accompany an invited talk at Latincrypt 2017, I try to explain my own fascination with definitions. I outline a few of the definitions I’ve recently worked on—garbling schemes, online AE, and onion encryption—and provide some general advice and comments about the definitional enterprise.
Unsupervised Transformation Learning via Convex Relaxations

Our goal is to extract meaningful transformations from raw images, such as varying the thickness of lines in handwriting or the lighting in a portrait. We propose an unsupervised approach to learn such transformations by attempting to reconstruct an image from a linear combination of transformations of its nearest neighbors. On handwritten digits and celebrity portraits, we show that even with linear transformations, our method generates visually high-quality modified images. Moreover, since our method is semiparametric and does not model the data distribution, the learned transformations extrapolate off the training data and can be applied to new types of images.
Climate change, intergenerational justice, and the non-identity effect

Do we owe it to future generations, as a requirement of justice, to take action to mitigate anthropogenic climate change? This paper examines the implications of Derek Parfit’s notorious non-identity problem for that question. An argument from Jorg Tremmel that the non-identity effect of climate policy is “insignificant” is examined and found wanting, and a contrastive, difference-making approach for comparing different choices’ non-identity effects is developed. Using the approach, it is argued that the non-identity effect of a given policy response to climate change depends on the contrasting policy. Compared to a baseline scenario without further mitigation, the non-identity effect of choosing to limit climate change to 1.5°C would be highly significant.
Early neurologic decline in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving thrombolysis with large vessel occlusion and mild deficits

Background We sought to determine the rate of early neurologic decline (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who presented with mild deficits and received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IVtPA). Methods Among 1022 patients with AIS who received IVtPA from 2014 to 2019, we identified 313 (30.6%) with LVO, of which 94 (30%) presented with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤7. Thirteen patients were excluded, leaving 81 for analysis. END was defined as NIHSS worsening of ≥4 points within 24 hours. Results Among 81 patients with LVO and low NIHSS score, the mean age was 65.8 years (range 25–93) and 41% were female. The mean time to IVtPA from last known well was 2.5 hours (range 0.8–7). LVO sites were as follows: 5 (6%) carotid, 23 (28%) M1, and 53 (65%) M2 occlusions. Among the 81 patients, 28 (34.6%) had END, and these patients were older (70.8 vs 63.2 years, p=0.036). The mean change in NIHSS score at 24 hours in those with END was 10.4 (range 4–22). Patients with END were less likely to be discharged home (25% vs 66%, p=0.004). Conclusions Among patients with LVO AIS who received IVtPA, 30% presented with initial mild deficits. END occurred in one-third of LVO patients with initial mild deficits despite receiving IVtPA. Clinicians should be aware that the natural history of LVO with initial mild deficits is not benign and these patients are eligible for rescue thrombectomy in the 24-hour window if they deteriorate.
CHAPTER 2 – AIRPLANE MOTIONS

In this chapter the classical problem of airplane dynamics is presented. At the outset, the tie-in between the requirements of airplane handling qualities and the inherent dynamics of the airplane is discussed. The equations of motion of the airplane are presented but not developed or proved. The splitting of these equations into longitudinal and lateral phases is discussed and solutions to these equations for the control-fixed and control-free modes are described. Modern trends in airplane design and their influence on the natural motions of the airplane are discussed in some detail and critical design conditions pointed out. The advisability of flight-testing the airplane for these critical modes is discussed, and methods for performing the tests suggested.
Oxidative stress enhances the expression of 2',3'-cyclic phosphate-containing RNAs.

Eukaryotic cells equip robust systems to respond to stress conditions. In stressed mammalian cells, angiogenin endoribonuclease cleaves anticodon-loops of tRNAs to generate tRNA halves termed tRNA-...
High-Performance Trauma Centers in a Single-State Trauma System : Big Saves or Marginal Gains?

BackgroundTrauma centers with low observed:expected (O:E) mortality ratios are considered high performers; however, it is unknown whether improvements in this ratio are due to a small number of une...
Clinical diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type I in multiple family members due to cosegregation of a unique balanced translocation with disruption of the NF1 locus: Testing considerations for accurate diagnosis

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder that causes a predisposition to develop tumors along the peripheral nervous system. The NF1 gene, located at 17q11.2, has the highest mutation rate among known human genes and about half of NF1 patients have de novo pathogenic variants. We present a case of clinical NF1 diagnoses in multiple family members with phenotypes ranging from mild to severe. Chromosome analysis of the 3-year-old female proband with NF1 resulted in an abnormal karyotype that was inherited from her mother: 46,XX,t(4;17)(q21.3;q11.2) mat. However, no NF1 genetic variants were identified by either NGS analysis of NF1 DNA coding regions, deletion-duplication studies, or by cytogenomic microarray copy number analysis. Follow-up chromosome studies of the proband's two male siblings demonstrated cosegregation of the same balanced translocation and a clinical diagnosis of NF1. Based on the cosegregation of the translocation with the NF1 clinical presentation in this family, we hypothesized that the NF1 gene may have been disrupted by this unique rearrangement. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of the metaphase cells of an affected sibling revealed a disruption of the NF1 gene confirming the underlying basis of the clinical NF1 presentation in this family. The utilization of traditional cytogenetic as well as evolving molecular methods was not only pivotal in the diagnosis of NF1 and management for this family, but is also pertinent to other patients with a family history of NF1.
Genome-enabled exploration of microbial ecology and evolution in the sea: a rising tide lifts all boats.

As a young bacteriologist just launching my career during the early days of the ‘microbial revolution’ in the 1980s, I was fortunate to participate in some early discoveries, and collaborate in the development of cross‐disciplinary methods now commonly referred to as "metagenomics". My early scientific career focused on applying phylogenetic and genomic approaches to characterize ‘wild’ bacteria, archaea and viruses in their natural habitats, with an emphasis on marine systems. These central interests have not changed very much for me over the past three decades, but knowledge, methodological advances and new theoretical perspectives about the microbial world certainly have. In this invited ‘How we did it’ perspective, I trace some of the trajectories of my lab's collective efforts over the years, including phylogenetic surveys of microbial assemblages in marine plankton and sediments, development of microbial community gene‐ and genome‐enabled surveys, and application of genome‐guided, cultivation‐independent functional characterization of novel enzymes, pathways and their relationships to in situ biogeochemistry. Throughout this short review, I attempt to acknowledge, all the mentors, students, postdocs and collaborators who enabled this research. Inevitably, a brief autobiographical review like this cannot be fully comprehensive, so sincere apologies to any of my great colleagues who are not explicitly mentioned herein. I salute you all as well!
Quantifying an acceptable open-circuit corrosion current for aluminum–air batteries

Primary aluminum–air batteries achieve impressive specific-energy values but suffer from poor shelf life due to corrosion of the aluminum anode in aqueous electrolytes. To solve this problem, researchers investigate numerous corrosion-mitigation strategies. Few rigorously compare the performance of these strategies, and most fail to define a technologically acceptable open-circuit corrosion current. To compete with commercialized zinc–air batteries, aluminum–air batteries need open-circuit corrosion currents less than 0.01 mA cmgeo−2, which we derive by performing a sensitivity analysis on a corrosion model reported here. By conducting a meta-analysis using reported aluminum–air cells, we find that certain ionic-liquid electrolytes and oil-displacement systems enable corrosion currents that meet this metric. In contrast, values for commonly reported aluminum–air batteries using alkaline electrolytes are orders of magnitude too high. Once the aluminum–air community focuses on advancing appropriate corrosion-mitigation strategies, laboratory findings may become commercially relevant.
Computer Simulation of Pressure Waves in Anatomic Models

This chapter presents computer simulations of the thermoelastic pressure waves generated in anatomical human heads and whole-body models exposed to pulsed RF and microwave radiation by applying the numerical FDTD formulation. More precise descriptions of specific features and accurate information on the acoustic pressure waves generated inside the head and sound perceived by human observers are obtained. Computational simulations are examined for thermoelastic pressure waves generated in anatomic models exposed to near-zone sources and far-zone plane waves ranging in RF and microwave frequencies from 40 MHz to 3 GHz. It also includes anatomic head models exposed to localized 300- and 400-MHz magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil antennas driven by rectangular RF pulses.
Die Welt in der Nußschale

Speichern, also Sammeln und Aufbewahren, ist eine der Grundfunktionen des Lebens. Die Moglichkeit des Speicherns war Voraussetzung fur die Seshaftigkeit (und damit fur die Entwicklung der Zivilisation). Solange der Mensch „von der Hand in den Mund“ lebte, hatte er keine Aussicht, seine Arbeitstechnik zu verbessern. Speichern ist aber auch eine Grundvoraussetzung fur das Uberleben, fur das Uberdauern von Krisen.
A murine model of alcoholic cardiomyopathy: a role for zinc and metallothionein in fibrosis.

Chronic alcohol use in humans results in functional changes and pathology in multiple organ systems. Particularly affected are the liver, the heart, and the pancreas. Alcohol-induced disease of these organs often is a significant clinical problem, resulting in serious or fatal illness, particularly in cases of chronic alcohol abuse (defined as greater than 90 g of alcohol per day for 5 years or more). In humans, such exposure to alcohol typically results in a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that is characterized by reduced contractility, ventricular dilatation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and fibrosis, often progressing to heart failure.1 Cardiac fibrosis involves fibroblast proliferation and transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts, extracellular matrix remodeling, and stiffening of the ventricular wall. Because fibrosis exacerbates the decline of ventricular function and contributes to dilatation and progression to failure, it represents an attractive therapeutic target.2 To date, features of alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), notably fibrosis, are not reproducibly recapitulated in animal models. In this issue of The American Journal of Pathology, Wang and colleagues3 detail a novel model of ACM and investigate the effects of metallothionein (MT) and zinc on ACM and myocardial fibrosis.
Zero-field magnetic response functions in Landau levels

Abstract We present a fresh perspective on the Landau level quantization rule; that is, by successively including zero-field magnetic response functions at zero temperature, such as zero-field magnetization and susceptibility, the Onsager’s rule can be corrected order by order. Such a perspective is further reinterpreted as a quantization of the semiclassical electron density in solids. Our theory not only reproduces Onsager’s rule at zeroth order and the Berry phase and magnetic moment correction at first order but also explains the nature of higher-order corrections in a universal way. In applications, those higher-order corrections are expected to curve the linear relation between the level index and the inverse of the magnetic field, as already observed in experiments. Our theory then provides a way to extract the correct value of Berry phase as well as the magnetic susceptibility at zero temperature from Landau level fan diagrams in experiments. Moreover, it can be used theoretically to calculate Landau levels up to second-order accuracy for realistic models.
Radio Propagation at LF, MF, and HF

In this article, different modes of propagation are presented first. Factors affecting ground-wave propagation are discussed. Propagation models and available software are presented and compared. The solar–terrestrial system, which forms the sky-wave propagation environment, is described. Factors affecting sky-wave propagation are discussed in detail. Different propagation models are discussed qualitatively and compared quantitatively. Definitions of the most important terms relating to propagation are given in Section 6. Keywords: radio propagation; LF; MF; HF; ground-wave propagation; sky-wave propagation; performance prediction software
The Use and Misuse of Comparative Constitutional Law (The George P. Smith Lecture in International Law)

This article examines the extent and nature of the use offoreign law in constitutional adjudication in common law systems outside the United States, with special reference to Australia. Demonstrating that the courts of other common law jurisdictions use foreign case law readily, naturally, and for a variety ofpurposes, the article reaches two broad conclusions: (1) as a generalization, other common law countries do not share the concern about the legitimacy of comparative precedents that manifests itself in the United States, and (2) as a consequence, other common law countries necessarily share with the United States an interest in the methodology ofcomparative constitutional law, in order to avoid its misuse. Throughout this article, a series of three decisions handed down by the High Court ofAustralia over the course of the 1990s is used as a case study to give the arguments context and greater substance.
Robust wireless signal indoor localization

Localization is a key enabler of context awareness in computing environments. This paper presents a technique for indoor localization using wireless signal strength from mobile devices. The method described treats locations as fuzzy sets and fuzzifies signal strength-related features to define membership. Membership values are then fused from multiple sources using a rule engine to deduce objective location values. The principal benefits of this technique are that it requires little or no calibration and that it can be used with widely available commercial devices. Simulation shows that this technique is robust to errors and provides reasonable accuracy. Applications to collaborative workflow and human computer interaction are discussed. Copyright © 2015John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory and Practice of Lineage Tracing

Lineage tracing is a method that delineates all progeny produced by a single cell or a group of cells. The possibility of performing lineage tracing initiated the field of Developmental Biology and continues to revolutionize Stem Cell Biology. Here, I introduce the principles behind a successful lineage-tracing experiment. In addition, I summarize and compare different methods for conducting lineage tracing and provide examples of how these strategies can be implemented to answer fundamental questions in development and regeneration. The advantages and limitations of each method are also discussed.
Orientational ordering in films of molecular hydrogen on boron nitride: Thick (12-layer) films and bilayer films

We report NMR studies of the orientational ordering of molecular hydrogen in films physisorbed on hexagonal boron nitride (BN). The local orientational ordering of the molecular axes is determined for both thick films (12 layers) and thin films (bilayers). The ordering observed is in both cases very different from that observed for bulk solid hydrogen. Quadrupolar glass ordering occurs for intermediate layers in thick films at low ortho concentrations $0.25lXl0.40$ and $Tl~0.7\mathrm{K}$. The ortho molecules remain rotationally disordered in the outer layers of the thick films and invariant to small changes in thickness. In the bilayers one observes a long range ordering for $Tl~1.95 \mathrm{K}$ and $Xl~0.56$, and a quadrupolar glass ordering for intermediate concentrations $(0.37lXl0.55)$ and intermediate temperatures $(0.7lTl1.1 \mathrm{K})$.
Electroluminescence of Erbium Doped Silicon Nitride Films

Electroluminescence at 980nm and 1535nm from erbium-doped silicon nitride films was reported and the Er effective excitation cross section was measured under electrical pumping. .Erbium electroluminescence is observed at voltages as low as 5V.
Using an "unknown characterization" activity as the midterm lab practical in a large enrollment, multi-lab section microbiology course.

The characterization and identification of “unknowns” is an often-used laboratory activity in microbiology courses. As course enrollments become large, the logistics of providing unknown culture mixes, tubed and plated culture media, plus incubator and refrigerator space become quite daunting. A few years ago we discontinued the three-week Unknowns lab exercise when enrollment reached 240 or so students. In its place we have developed an hour long, midterm lab practical that incorporates smear preparation and the Gram stain, biochemical media, rapid tests, and a streak plate. This easy-to-grade laboratory assessment tool has taken the place of the more traditional station-to-station lab practical, and has worked well for the instructors responsible for administering practicals to 480 students in 13 lab sections over a two-day period.
Reply to "Properties of the intrinsic matrix elements of the interacting-boson-approximation E 2 operator in the rotational limit"

In this reply, we emphasize the importance of the results of Bijker and Dieperink, and point out several additional implications and applications of their approach, particularly with regard to the role of finite boson number in the interacting boson approximation.
Teratogenic effects of polychlorinated dibenzofurans in combination in mice

Abstract Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are highly toxic environmental contaminants which have been involved in several incidents of human poisoning. Two congeners, 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (4-PeCDF) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran (HCDF), have been shown to persist in the tissues of victims of accidental ingestion from Japan and Taiwan. The teratogenicity of these compounds, both alone and in combination, was assessed in C57BL 6N mice. Pregnant mice were treated with 10 ml/kg corn oil containing no PCDFs, 4-PeCDF (0–30 μg/kg), HCDF (0–300 μ/kg), or a combination of the two on gestation Days 10–13, followed by necropsy on gestation Day 18. Maternal and fetal toxicity were assessed and selected soft tissues were examined for abnormalities. Both chemicals caused hydronephrosis and cleft palate in the absence of any overt toxicity. Hydronephrosis occurred at doses approximately fivefold lower than those causing cleft palate. The combination of 4-PeCDF and HCDF was additive for terata based on responses predicted by probit analysis. In addition, the combination of 2,3,4,5,3′,4′-hexachlorobiphenyl (0–60 mg/kg), a structurally related compound also present in PCDF poisoning victims, and 4-PeCDF appears additive. Thus, these chemicals, which cause toxic effects similar to those of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin, are additive in the induction of fetal anomalies in the mouse.
Protein solubility and the lyotropic series of ions.

Abstract The surface tension of eight 1 m salt solutions with and without the addition of glycine and of valine have been measured and compared with solubilities of these amino acids. The interfacial tensions between decane and twelve 1 m salt soutions with and without the addition of egg albumin have been determined. A strong correlation exists between the interfacial tension of egg albumin adsorbed on decane and the salt solutions and the salting-out constants of acetyl tetraglycine ethyl ester as measured by D.R. Robinson and W.P. Jencks (1965 , J. Amer. Chem. Soc.87, 2470–2479) It is postulated that the lyotropic series of ions arises because of the effect of the ions on the interfacial tension between water and protein. A method is suggested for the estimation of the interfacial tension existing between protein molecules and water. The work of adhesion between a hydrated protein molecule of molecular weight 40,000 and undissolved hydrated protein is about 0.09 erg/cm2. The work of adhesion for hemoglobin molecules dissociating into dimers is about 3.1 ergs/cm2 in the T-state and about 2.4 ergs/cm2 in the R-state. The meaning of the term hydrophobicity is considered and it is pointed out that it is a misnomer; there exist significant attractive forces between water and hydrocarbon.
A new computing technique in system identification

In this paper we describe a new computing technique for the problem of identifying a dynamic system from a set of input-output measurements (observations). The new feature of the method is that it avoids having to solve any dynamic equations unlike the methods extant [1], [2]. The basic idea of the method can be stated quite simply. For convenience of notation we take advantage of the fact that the identification problem for a dynamic system can always be formulated as that of estimating the initial state of a nonlinear dynamic system. Thus (and we shall for the moment assume that the state space is finitedimensional) the problem can be expressed as follows (see [2] for elaboration):
Scaling of HfO2 dielectric on CVD graphene

Abstract The deposition of ultra-thin metal oxides on graphene is challenging due to the inert nature of the sp 2 bonded graphene lattice. The feasibility of e-beam deposition of hafnium and hafnium oxide layers as seeds for further growth by atomic layer deposition on graphene CVD graphene is presented here. It is shown that metallic hafnium deposited in an ultra high vacuum environment readily reacts with graphene, forming a metal-carbide, rendering it unsuitable as a seed layer for the deposition of gate oxide materials. The deposition of HfO 2 by reactive e-beam under an O 2 partial pressure on the other hand eliminates the reaction with the underlying graphene. The uniformity of the e-beam HfO 2 seed layers is found to control the uniformity of the subsequent films deposited by atomic layer deposition. Contrary to previous studies on graphite and exfoliated graphene substrates it is found that the uniformity and thickness scalability of atomic layer deposited thin films is limited on CVD graphene, most likely due to transfer induced residues on the graphene surface.
The characterization of tobacco mosaic virus strains by their productivity

Abstract Individual local lesions produced by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and its strains were homogenized and tested for their productivity, i.e., the number of lesions they could produce upon reinoculation on Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi, nc. Lesion productivity appeared to be a new criterion for the characterization of TMV strains. It was highest for common TMV and to a varying extent lower for natural strains and chemically evoked mutants
Analysis of Multi-Rate Filters and Signal Design for Projected Image Superimposition

A technique for increasing the addressable resolution of digital projectors is to rapidly move the projected images by fractions of pixel lengths, using optomechanical actuators. In order to achieve real resolution improvements it is necessary to pre-process each shifted version (subframes), to compensate for the interference between adjacent pixels. We show that when the ratio between pixel size and subframe shifts is a rational number the system can be partially characterized by a linear multi-rate system. Using this result we analyze the signal design problem, which is a type of multi-rate inverse filtering problem. We discuss the existence of exact solutions, and some solutions that can yield good approximations when the exact inverse does not exist.
Photometry of Type II Cepheid Candidates from the ROTSE-I Demonstration Project

We have obtained VR photometry of 205 Cepheid variable star candidates that were discovered in a small section of the Northern Sky Variability Survey. Given their locations and apparent magnitudes, any stars in this sample that are Cepheids are very likely to be type II Cepheids. On the basis of the regularity of variation, revised periods, light-curve morphology, slope of the color-magnitude relation, and color, we have identified 97 probable Cepheids and 17 possible Cepheids. While some of the photometric properties, particularly the colors, are consistent with the identification of these stars as Cepheids, the amplitudes are small compared to known type II Cepheids and the period distribution does not match that of known type II Cepheids.
On the electron impact excitation of the O - O band, N+2 3914 Å

Abstract The electron impact excitation rate coefficient of N + 2 3914 A from the ion ground state measured at T e = 3.8 eV was found to be much smaller than the value inferred from a measured cross-section.
Overview of the current attempts toward the medical treatment of cataract

A variety of agents are currently available that claim to either prevent, delay, or reverse cataracts associated with aging (senile cataracts), radiation, or diabetes and galactosemia (sugar cataracts). Senile cataract therapy includes formulation containing inorganic salts, nutritional supplements, natural product extracts, sulfhydryl, and sulfonic acid containing compounds and miscellaneous redox and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds. Agents associated with the treatment of radiation cataracts include anti oxidants and free radial scavengers. Aldose reductase inhibitors have been effective in the prevention of sugar cataracts. A summary of these agents and their potential ocular effects are presented.
The sub-micron scale energy dissipative deformation mechanisms of Kevlar fibrils

In this study, the energies to indent and scratch Kevlar 49 and Kevlar KM2 single fiber surfaces are investigated along with the associated deformation mechanisms of the fiber fibrillar network. For both indentation and scratching, values of energy are determined from the measured forces and displacements under a number of different contact conditions, which include variations in probe size, indentation/scratch depth, and scratch length. These values are correlated to the observed fibrillar deformation mechanisms. The total indentation energy is primarily recoverable for indentations made at low depths and/or by probes that impart low levels of effective strain. Indentations made to greater depths by probes imparting greater effective strains result in additional forms of deformation, which correlate with an increase in the percentage of the total energy that is absorbed and an increase in the total specific energy (energy per volume) of indentation. The energy of a constant depth scratch exceeds the energy of indentation for scratch lengths greater than ~1.5–3 times the indentation depth. The total specific energy of scratching decreases with the onset of microstructure failure, in the form of fibrillation, during scratching. The energies to indent and scratch Kevlar KM2 are generally lower than Kevlar 49, which is likely related to the decreased properties of the Kevlar KM2 shell and/or a difference in the local properties of the two fibers. The fibrillar deformation mechanisms critical to optimizing the specific energies of indentation and scratching, which depend on strain, are identified and discussed.
Negative Peer Evaluation in Adolescents: Effects of Tic Disorders and Trichotillomania

Fifty-one adolescents from a Midwestern junior high school viewed two videotape segments of actors portraying one of two habit conditions. While simulating a conversation, the four actors in the videotape segments exhibited a habit behavior (motor tic or trichotillomania) or exhibited no habit behavior. After viewing each segment, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire (Social Acceptance Scale) measuring the social acceptance of the person they just viewed. Results show that individuals who did not exhibit either habit were rated significantly higher in social acceptability than individuals who exhibited either habit. The results are mixed regarding the influence of gender on social acceptability ratings. Implications of the findings are discussed.
A Quantitative Study of the Growth of the Walker Rat Tumor and the Flexner-Jobling Rat Carcinoma

Many methods have been used for the quantitative study of tumor growth, but the fact that none of these methods has been generally accepted indicates the need for additional investigation. This study was undertaken in the hope of furthering the establishment of a standardized technic.