cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 324: Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) Mediates Microvascular Dysfunction Induced by High-fat Diet and Murine Cytomegalovirus (mCMV) Infection in a Mouse Model

Cardiovascular diseases are mediated by a variety of risk factors, e.g. obesity and infections. Complicated obesity and mCMV each induce microvascular dysfunction in mouse models. However, the impact of mild obesity on microvascular homeostasis and its possible synergism with cytomegalovirus infection remain unclear. We have shown that 8 wks high-fat diet (HFD) increases leukocyte recruitment in cremasteric post-capillary venules, and mCMV accelerates and sustains this response. We hypothesized that HFD and/or mCMV impair phenylephrine-mediated vasoconstriction in arterioles, and that the arteriolar and venular responses are mediated by an imbalance between TNF-α and leptin, vs. adiponectin. Mice were inoculated with mock or mCMV and at 4 wks post-infection (pi) started on HFD or left on normal diet (ND). At 12 wks pi, leukocyte recruitment and arteriolar vasoconstriction were assessed by intravital microscopy. Adiponectin and leptin were measured by ELISA. Some mice were treated with anti-TNF-α antibodies 2 days prior to observation. mCMV infection alone did not alter any parameter when compared to Mock-ND. Arteriolar vasoconstriction to phenylephrine was impaired in both HFD groups vs. Mock-ND mice. TNF-α inhibition partially restored this impaired vasoconstriction. Leukocyte adhesion was increased in both HFD groups vs. ND mice, and was ameliorated by anti-TNF-α antibody treatment in mCMV-HFD, but not Mock-HFD mice. Adiponectin levels in HFD vs. ND groups were slightly increased, and leptin levels were ~5-6-fold higher. Our results suggest that HFD-/+mCMV infection impairs arteriolar vasoconstriction via a TNF-α dependent mechanism. TNF-α independent HFD-induced leukocyte adhesion in venules is changed to a TNF-α dependent pathway by mCMV infection. Increased leptin levels in HFD groups correlate with previous findings linking obesity and increased leptin. Increased adiponectin levels in HFD animals are contrary to responses previously reported for complicated obesity and may represent an initial compensatory role for adiponectin in the response to HFD-induced weight gain and inflammation. However, the roles for leptin and adiponectin require future investigation.
WaitSuite: Productive Use of Diverse Waiting Moments

The busyness of daily life makes it difficult to find time for informal learning. Yet, learning requires significant time and effort, with repeated exposures to educational content on a recurring basis. Despite the struggle to find time, there are numerous moments in a day that are typically wasted due to waiting, such as while waiting for the elevator to arrive, wifi to connect, or an instant message to arrive. We introduce the concept of wait-learning: automatically detecting wait time and inviting people to learn while waiting. Our approach is to design seamless interactions that augment existing wait time with productive opportunities. Combining wait time with productive work opens up a new class of software systems that overcome the problem of limited time.In this article, we establish a design space for wait-learning and explore this design space by creating WaitSuite, a suite of five different wait-learning apps that each uses a different kind of waiting. For one of these apps, we conducted a feasibility study to evaluate learning and to understand how exercises should be timed during waiting periods. Subsequently, we evaluated multiple kinds of wait-learning in a two-week field study of WaitSuite with 25 people. We present design implications for wait-learning, and a theoretical framework that describes how wait time, ease of accessing the learning task, and competing demands impact the effectiveness of wait-learning in different waiting scenarios. These findings provide insight into how wait-learning can be designed to minimize interruption to ongoing tasks and maximize engagement with learning.
Voltage-dependent cluster expansion for electrified solid-liquid interfaces: Application to the electrochemical deposition of transition metals

The detailed atomistic modeling of electrochemically deposited metal monolayers is challenging due to the complex structure of the metal-solution interface and the critical effects of surface electrification during electrode polarization. Accurate models of interfacial electrochemical equilibria are further challenged by the need to include entropic effects to obtain accurate surface chemical potentials. We present an embedded quantum-continuum model of the interfacial environment that addresses each of these challenges and study the underpotential deposition of silver on the gold (100) surface. We leverage these results to parametrize a cluster expansion of the electrified interface and show through grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations the crucial need to account for variations in the interfacial dipole when modeling electrodeposited metals under finite-temperature electrochemical conditions.
Efficiency comparison of inductive and microwave power transfer for biomedical applications

In this paper two methods of wireless power transfer for implanted biomedical devices are compared: inductive coupling and radiative transmission. Simulation models for both methods were developed and comparison was made in terms of power transmission efficiency at different spacing between the transmitter and receiver. The simulation results show that inductive coupling is more efficient than radiative transmission for small distances, up to around 26 mm. For larger distances radiative transmission is more efficient.
Genomic models predict successful coral adaptation if future ocean warming rates are reduced

Population genomic surveys suggest that climate-associated genetic variation occurs widely across species, but whether it is sufficient to allow population persistence via evolutionary adaptation has seldom been quantified. To ask whether rapid adaptation in reef-building corals can keep pace with future ocean warming, we measured genetic variation at predicted warm-adapted loci and simulated future evolution and persistence in a high-latitude population of corals from Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Alleles associated with thermal tolerance were present but at low frequencies in this cooler, southerly locality. Simulations based on predicted ocean warming in Rarotonga showed rapid evolution of heat tolerance resulting in population persistence under mild warming scenarios consistent with low CO 2 emission plans, RCP2.6 and RCP4.5. Under more severe scenarios, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5, adaptation was not rapid enough to prevent extinction. Population adaptation was faster for models based on smaller numbers of additive loci that determine thermal tolerance and for higher population growth rates. Finally, accelerated migration via transplantation of thermally tolerant individuals (1 to 5%/year) sped adaptation. These results show that cool-water corals can adapt to warmer oceans but only under mild scenarios resulting from international emissions controls. Incorporation of genomic data into models of species response to climate change offers a promising method for estimating future adaptive processes.
Writing Effectively in Print and on the Web: A Practical Guide for Librarians: Blakiston, Rebecca. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2017, xvi+ 161pp., $65.00, ISBN 978-1-4422-7885-1.

Column description. Books reviewed in the Professional Reading column will fit one or more of the following topics: reference and research services, user education, information literacy, personnel management in public services, relevant technology topics, access services, online searching techniques, and marketing/outreach, including services to distance learners. Interested reviewers can contact Kirstin Duffin.
Anti-neuronal and anti-microbial immunity link CaMKII and autism spectrum disorder with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as tics, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and other symptoms characteristic of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). Abnormal anti-neuronal autoantibody responses against the basal ganglia are elevated in neuropsychiatric disorders such as PANDAS. Our study suggests that anti-neuronal autoantibodies in ASD may be associated with the presence of PANDAS and investigates microbial polysaccharides as potential inducers of anti-neuronal autoantibodies in children with confirmed ASD or ASD/PANDAS. Functional anti-neuronal autoantibodies which signal CaMKII and induce excess dopamine release were found in ASD/PANDAS serum. Autoantibody signaling or reactivity was inhibited by 3 common microbial antigens, by a group of neuronal antigens, or by anti-IgG beads which significantly reduced CaMKII activation in ASD/PANDAS sera. Interestingly, a CamKII mutation has recently been associated with autistic symptoms in animal models and also in ASD in humans. Children with ASD/PANDAS had significantly elevated anti-neuronal autoantibodies by ELISA, and strong IgG responses against the group A streptococcal epitope GlcNAc were observed in ASD/PANDAS. Our study links three common microbial antigens to anti-neuronal antibody responses in ASD/PANDAS and suggests that molecular mimicry between host and pathogen may play a role in development of the autoantibodies and potentially lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms in ASD/PANDAS. Thus, ASD may be complicated by anti-neuronal antibodies which can develop during infections and may contribute to the co-morbid symptoms of PANDAS in ASD.
Cactus Mucilage as an Emergency Response Biomaterial to Provide Clean Drinking Water

The development of effective and alternative water purification systems of low cost is extremely desired. There are several communities that could benefit from water purification methods that use renewable, sustainable, low-toxicity, and low-cost technology. This study investigates separation based on cactus mucilage as an emergency response biomaterial to provide clean drinking water for communities affected by natural disasters. The mucilage is extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus, commonly known as nopal or prickly pear. This readily available and inexpensive natural extract has been shown to remove sediments, bacteria, and arsenic from contaminated water, in previous studies. Samples of tap water (from a treatment center), well water, surface water, and distributed water (bottled water and water from tanker trucks) were collected from 10 different locations at Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A wide-range analysis of elements was performed on acidified samples to determine the water quality and type of contamination. Iron, boron, barium, and selenium were found at some sites with concentrations above the maximum contaminant level and provisional guidelines recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2009). Simple batch experiments were performed with two mucilage extracts from O. indica-ficus (gelling and nongelling extracts (GE, NE)). Analysis of samples from the topmost layer of water batches treated with the mucilage revealed that high metal-removal rates were achieved using both NE and GE. Cactus mucilage effectively decreased the hazardous metal content to levels acceptable to water quality agencies.
3D Virtual Worlds as Art Media and Exhibition Arenas: Students’ Responses and Challenges in Contemporary Art Education

3D virtual worlds (3D VWs) are considered one of the emerging learning spaces of the 21st century; however, few empirical studies have investigated educational applications and student learning aspects in art education. This study focused on students’ responses to and challenges with 3D VWs in both aspects. The findings show that most participants had positive learning experiences and attitudes toward 3D VWs as an art medium and an exhibition arena after overcoming a steep learning curve. They recognized that creating virtual art as well as viewing and critiquing it during art exhibits in a global virtual setting were great advantages for concept learning and art education. They also raised a concern about actual implementation in K-12 classrooms. The data shed light on how art educators and teachers can take advantage of the affordances of 3D VWs for teaching contemporary art in a digital age. Recommendations for future studies are provided.
Gene differences influencing visual system function and behavior.

Behavioral differences between albino (cc) and pigmented (C−) mice are mimicked by animals homozygous for a recessive allele (p) 13 map units from thec locus. Electroretinograms forcc andpp animals are similar, showing greatly enhanced a- and b-waves compared to normals (C−). The behavioral and retinal physiology similarities of albino (cc) and dilute pigmented (pp) mice probably result from increased sensitivity to illumination. Recently reported decreased ipsilateral retinogeniculate projections characteristic ofcc animals may result from genotype — visual environment interactions rather than from pleiotropic effects of thec locus.
Cosmic rays and magnetic fields in the galaxy

The Galactic distribution of cosmic rays and magnetic fields is accurately reflected in the Galactic non-thermal radio background. But models of the radio data only provide estimates of the Galactic variation of synchrotron emissivity, the product of cosmic ray intensity and the square of the magnetic field--one cannot derive either quantity uniquely from the radio data alone. Here we show how one can circumvent this problem by using knowledge of the distribution of thermal nucleons in the Galaxy to determine the Galactic magnetic field; once this is known the radio data can be used to map the Galactic cosmic rays. We stress the intimate relation that exists between interpretations of the radio background, the γ-ray background and the distribution of thermal material in the Galaxy.
Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation Before Aortic Surgery

Each year in the USA, nearly 30 million patients are estimated to undergo noncardiac surgery, and about one third of these patients have coronary artery disease (CAD) or risk factors for CAD.1 About one million of those patients have perioperative cardiac complications that result in more than $20 billion in health-care expenditures.1 The current standards for preoperative cardiac evaluation of these patients are the guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), initially in 19962 and updated in 2002 3 and again in 2007.4 These guidelines were developed based on a review of the then-available literature and the opinions of experts from the disciplines of anesthesiology, cardiology, electrophysiology, vascular medicine, vascular surgery, and noninvasive cardiac testing.
Toward an Integration of Cognitive, Interpersonal, and Experiential Approaches to Therapy

In this chapter, we will outline and illustrate some of the central principles of the integrative approach to psychotherapy being developed by Safran and colleagues (Safran 1984a,b, 1990a,b; Safran, Crocker, McMain, & Murray 1990; Safran & Segal 1990). This approach draws heavily on the cognitive therapy tradition. For example, a central emphasis consists in helping clients to examine their perceptions and to treat them as hypotheses to be tested. The approach, however, is also strongly influenced by both experiential and interpersonal frameworks.
CO-EXISTENCE OF PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM DUE TO MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA 1 IN A HYPERCALCEMIC PATIENT WITH GRAVES DISEASE

ABSTRACT Objective: Hypercalcemia in a patient with Graves disease can occur in up to 22% of cases. The mechanism is thought to be increased bone resorption. There are more rare causes of hypercalcemia in these patients with hyperthyroidism, such as hyperparathyroidism, which occurs in less than 1% of patients. We describe a rare occurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism due to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) in a Graves disease patient presenting with hyperthyroidism and hypercalcemia. Methods: The patient initially presented with a 3-week history of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. She also had an 8-week history of a 12-pound weight loss. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism secondary to Graves disease and was noted to have concurrent hypercalcemia. She was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. The patient underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation. Subsequent genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of MEN 1. Results: A review of the literature was conducted to identify previous studies pertaining to concurrent hypercalcemia in hyperthyroid patients, focusing on reports related to their diagnosis and management. Conclusion: Co-existing primary hyperparathyroidism due to MEN 1, although rare, should be considered in a patient with hyperthyroidism and hypercalcemia. A thorough evaluation is necessary to avoid a delay in the correct diagnosis and treatment of the underlying conditions. Clinicians should be aware of the rare occurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism due to MEN 1 in a Graves disease patient presenting with hyperthyroidism and hypercalcemia. Abbreviations: MEN 1 = multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1; PTH = parathyroid hormone
A 4096-Neuron 1M-Synapse 3.8-pJ/SOP Spiking Neural Network With On-Chip STDP Learning and Sparse Weights in 10-nm FinFET CMOS

A reconfigurable 4096-neuron, 1M-synapse chip in 10-nm FinFET CMOS is developed to accelerate inference and learning for many classes of spiking neural networks (SNNs). The SNN features digital circuits for leaky integrate and fire neuron models, on-chip spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) learning, and high-fan-out multicast spike communication. Structured fine-grained weight sparsity reduces synapse memory by up to 16 $\times $ with less than 2% overhead for storing connections. Approximate computing co-optimizes the dropping flow control and benefits from algorithmic noise to process spatiotemporal spike patterns with up to 9.4 $\times $ lower energy. The SNN achieves a peak throughput of 25.2 GSOP/s at 0.9 V, peak energy efficiency of 3.8 pJ/SOP at 525 mV, and 2.3- $\mu \text{W}$ /neuron operation at 450 mV. On-chip unsupervised STDP trains a spiking restricted Boltzmann machine to de-noise Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST) digits and to reconstruct natural scene images with RMSE of 0.036. Near-threshold operation, in conjunction with temporal and spatial sparsity, reduces energy by $17.4\times $ to 1.0- $\mu \text{J}$ /classification in a $236 \times 20$ feed-forward network that is trained to classify MNIST digits using supervised STDP. A binary-activation multilayer perceptron with 50% sparse weights is trained offline with error backpropagation to classify MNIST digits with 97.9% accuracy at 1.7- $\mu \text{J}$ /classification.
Studies on bio-flocculation with the flocculants produced by microorganisms. II. Purification and chemical analysis of microbial cell flocculant produced by Aspergillus sojae AJ7002.

A bio-flocculant was isolated from the culture broth of Asp. sojae AJ 7002. It was partially purified by acetone or ethanol precipitation, by ion-exchange and gel chromatography, and by dialysis. The isolated polymer possessed chemical characteristics of a poly-hexosamine and a protein. Glucosamine and galactosamine were not acetylated. The flocculant contained 2-ketogluconic acid, but sulfur or phosphorus was not detected. This flocculant was thermo-stable and its activity varied with pH. It was suggested that the hexosamine moiety in the polymer played a major role in bio-flocculation, assisted by protein portion in enlargement of the molecular weight of the flocculant, and by 2-ketogluconic acid in endowing it with amphoteric character.
ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF CORONARY ARTERIES IN CONSCIOUS DOGS

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the pressure-diameter, stiffness-stress, and stiffness-radius relationships of the circumflex coronary artery in the conscious dog in the absence of the complicating influences of anesthesia and recent surgery, both in the control state and after smooth muscle activation with alpha-adrenergic stimulation. This was accomplished by direct and continuous measurements of aortic root pressure and of circumflex coronary artery diameter using a modified, ultrasound technique in chronically instrumented animals. The unique feature of this study of coronary arterial wall mechanics is that it was conducted in conscious animals without the complicating influences of general anesthesia and recent surgery in acute animal studies. Moreover, vascular dimensions were measured instantaneously and continuously using an ultrasonic dimension gauge. The ultrasonic dimension gauge used in this study was modified to provide measurements of small dimensions, such as those of the circumflex coronary artery of the dog, and to obtain calibrations in steps of 0.5 μ sec, that is, 0.75 mm.
Stock-out severity index: tool for evaluating inequity in drug stock-outs

The United Nations (UN) urged acceleration efforts to tackle inequity through its Sustainable Development Goals set in 2015. The need for focusing on equity has been highlighted in the field of public health for improved health outcomes. Drug stock-outs at the last mile is a complex challenge that hinders the efforts of equitable pharmaceutical access and availability. Severity experienced due to drug stock-outs are not equal among a group of mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive populations. This paper proposes the stock-out severity index (SSI) to measure severity due to availability of drugs or lack thereof by incorporating risk factors and determinants of health from a combination of data sources. The spread of inequity among these groups of populations can be measured using the mean absolute deviation or the GINI coefficient on the SSI assigned to each population group. The paper demonstrates how the SSI can help define priority levels of varying population groups, rather than making decisions solely from an equality perspective that assumes uniformity across populations. It also demonstrates the impact on rearranging the priorities when the SSI is used. The paper presents guidelines for incorporating and implementing the SSI.
Seeds of change: characterizing the soil seed bank of a migrating salt marsh.

Background and aims The capacity for dispersal to promote or hinder species' responses to global change remains a major question in ecology. One ecosystem experiencing rapid change is the tidal marsh, which is migrating inland in response to accelerated sea level rise. Few studies to date have investigated the ecological dynamics that impact this large-scale migration. Seed dispersal and persistence in the soil seed bank is a component that can be strongly indicative of community trajectories. With this in mind, the aim of our study was to characterize the germinable seed bank across a marsh-forest ecotone in the Chesapeake Bay. Methods Soil samples were collected across transects that ran from the high marsh to the coastal loblolly pine forest in a brackish marsh in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD, USA. Samples were grown in a greenhouse and watered with either freshwater or 3 ppt seawater solution. We compared community composition across transects and between salinity treatments. Additionally, we compared the seed bank with standing vegetation and used seed trait data from the TRY Database to investigate changes in functional traits along this ecotone. Key results We found halophytic species dispersing up to 15 m into the forest and a general lack of obligate upland species, including near absence of Pinus taeda, the dominant species in the forest canopy. A majority of species detected in the seed bank were wetland species of various types, with species with wide salinity tolerance arising most frequently. Salinity addition had a significant negative influence on seed bank diversity. Conclusion Overall, our seed bank results suggest that dispersal and germination under the conditions of saltwater intrusion will limit forest regeneration and favour marsh plant dispersal. This indicates that the ecological processes that determine the soil seed bank community will support continued migration of marsh species into uplands.
Ojibwe Stories: “When the traditions are lost, it is like a person who has no identity”

Our Ojibwe interviewees’ past was steeped in a history of forced assimilation and degradation of identity that resulted in the most at-risk group for cardiovascular disease and one of the lowest life expectancies. Well-being was supported through a dining table that acted as a craft making station, valuing the wisdom of elders and supplementing income to provide for extended family; a bedroom closet that safeguarded a sacred necklace; walls that displayed Native objects, fostering transnational connections; the smell of burning sage that warded off bad spirits and re-instilled boldness and bravery; and the healing sounds of the jingle dress. Stressors included limited bedrooms and bathrooms; lack of storage that created clutter; tight kitchen spaces that restricted cooking, and regulations about who could live where and how.
New Data and Interpretations for the Precambrian, Midcontinent USA

A variety of data have been compiled in eastern Nebraska and adjacent areas that are pertinent to understanding the complex Precambrian history of the Midcontinent USA. Petrographie analysis has been done for samples from wells penetrating the Precambrian surface. Chemical analysis is available for rock types such as rift basalt, carbonatites, arch metamorphic and granitic plutons. A few isotopic ages are available to weave together the physical and chemical data and construct a general framework of Precambrian history. Superior Province gneiss and related rocks of Archean age (1950-3550 Ma) are the oldest rocks present in this region. Volcanic and granitoid rocks represent the Penokean orogen (1830-1890 Ma). Depending on the interpretation, gneiss representing the Trans-Hudson orogen (1800-1910 Ma) may extend into the region. Much of the eastern Nebraska region is underlain by metamorphic rocks of the Central Plains Orogen (1630-1800 Ma). Imposed on this framework of crystalline rocks are the volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Midcontinent rift system. Both the main trend of the rift and related volcanic and plutonic outliers reflect the pre-existing tectonic framework of the older orogens. Chemically the volcanic rocks of the rift are tholeiites. Isotopic ages of 1.1 Ga document the correlation of these volcanic rocks to those in the Lake Superior region outcrops. Several cores consisting of probably cogenetic, but slightly older (1.18 Ga), gabbro occur in southeastern Nebraska marginal to the main rift system. In the same general area, the presence of the Elk Creek carbonatite (Peterman-K/Ar - 544 ± 1 Ma: Ghazi-K/Ar - 464 ± 5 Ma and 484 ± 5 Ma) may also indicate reactivation of older tectonic trends. Several structural features in the Phanerozoic rocks of the region have been interpreted as controlled by the major structures in the basement rocks and also provide clues to the relationships between the major orogenic belts. The boundary between the Penokean Orogen and later Precambrian rocks is reinterpreted.
Integration of thought and action continued: Scale errors and categorization in toddlers

To further explore the effect of weighted arms on toddler's performance in problem solving (Arterberry et al., 2018, Infancy, 23(2), 173), the present study explored scale errors and categorization, two instances where infants appear to show more advanced knowledge than toddlers. Experiment 1 (N = 67) used a novel task for inducing scale errors among 24- to 29-month-olds. Results replicated rates of scale errors found in previous research that used different tasks. Experiment 2 used sequential touching (N = 31) and sorting measures (N = 23) to test categorization in 24-month-old children. In both measures, children showed categorization at the basic level when there was high contrast between the exemplars, but not at a basic level with low contrast or a subordinate level. In Experiments 1 and 2, half the participants were tested while wearing weighted wristbands. Weighting the arms did not affect error rates, in contrast to previous research showing that weights improved performance in search tasks. The findings are discussed in light of children's difficulty in integrating perception, cognition, and action.
Transparent Graphene/BN-Graphene Stacked Nanofilms for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

The fabrication of a carbon (C)-based, metal-free, efficient, and stable electrocatalyst at high oxygen evolution reaction (OER) overpotential is essential to advance the field of water splitting a...
Assessment of Blood Clot Composition by Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the potential for in vivo clot composition characterization in difficult mechanical embolectomy cases. We performed an in vitro study to determine the OCT characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) and fibrin rich clots. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analogues of 5 compositions of clots (5% to 95% RBCs from Group A to E) were created from human blood. The blood mixture was injected into the bifurcation of a 3D printed bifurcated silicone tube. The OPTISTM Integrated System (St. Jude Medical Inc.) was used to identify the magnitude of OCT signals from different compositions of clots. Martius Scarlett Blue trichrome (MSB) staining was performed to confirm the composition of RBCs and fibrin in each clot. RESULTS Group A and B showed less signal attenuation (less than 30%) from its surface to the inside, which indicated high penetration (low-back scattering). Group C indicated intermediate signal attenuation (60%) from its surface to inside the clots, in which signals were found even at the periphery of the clot. Group D and E were superficially signal rich with more signal attenuation (more than 80%) from its surface to the inside indicating low penetration (high-back scattering). Signal-free shadowing was shown in 3 clots in Group E. MSB staining indicated color change (from red in fibrin-rich clots to yellow in RBC-rich clots). CONCLUSION Different compositions of clots can be assessed using OCT. Fibrin-rich clots have homogeneous signals with high penetration, while RBC-rich clots can be recognized as superficially signal rich with low penetration.
Developing a Methodology for Testing of Hearing Protection Systems

Every day, individuals around the globe are exposed to noises that have devastating long-term effects on their hearing. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is the second most common form of sensorineural hearing decline behind the age-related loss. NIHL can result from continuous exposure to high-intensity sounds such as heavy machinery or instantaneous exposure to extremely loud sounds, like gunshots and explosions. While passive hearing protection currently exists, the characterization and testing are limited mainly to pressure attenuation levels. There is limited research and information as to the frequency damping characteristics along with the linear and nonlinear performance. Further, the measure of these protections is quantified after creation, with limited criteria on how to design earplugs with desired characteristics. Here, we describe our progress in the development of methods to characterize the linear and nonlinear performance, frequency response, and damping characteristics, as well as investigating the correlation between material properties and performance.
Justice on the Mountain: Travel, Security, and Native Authority in Colonial Oaxaca, Mexico

Objective/Context: This article analyzes how long-distance travel and struggles over highway security shaped the relationship between Native communities and Spanish civil and ecclesiastical authori...
Actigraphic and Self-reported Sleep Measures in Older Adults: Factor Analytic Study.

Actigraphy has been used to measure older adults’ sleep, but few studies have evaluated the factor structure among actigraphy-measured sleep parameters. Additionally, previous studies have reported...
The Physician-Patient Relationship in Light of Fetal Homicide Laws

After several cases in which pregnant women were forced to undergo cesarean sections under court order or where court orders were sought for cesarean sections, the medical community reaffirmed the principle of autonomy for pregnant women. Women are allowed to refuse care during pregnancy, even if that means harm to the fetus. In addition, it is inappropriate for medical personnel to seek legal assistance in forcing a woman to accept treatment. This article presents a case in which the medical community upheld the woman’s right to refuse care; however, the legal community then charged her with criminal homicide under the state’s fetal homicide law because the baby was stillborn after the patient delayed in obtaining a cesarean section. The differences between medical guidelines and state law must be addressed so that the patient’s autonomy is upheld and so that patients may be informed of all consequences, medical and otherwise, of refusing treatment.
Deposition of chromosomal protein HMG-17 during replication affects the nucleosomal ladder and transcriptional potential of nascent chromatin.

Abstract A cell-free system from Xenopus eggs was used to study the role of chromosomal protein HMG-17 in the generation of the chromatin structure of transcriptionally active genes. Addition of HMG-17 protein to the extracts, which do not contain structural homologs of the HMG-14/-17 protein family, indicates the protein is incorporated into the nascent template during replication, prior to completion of chromatin assembly. The protein binds to and stabilizes the structure of the nucleosomal core thereby improving the apparent periodicity of the nucleosomal spacing of nascent chromatin. Assembly of HMG-17 into the nascent chromatin structure significantly increased the transcription potential of the 5S RNA gene and satellite I chromatin. Kinetic studies indicate that the increase in transcriptional potential is observed only when HMG-17 is incorporated into nucleosomes during chromatin assembly.
Attribute-Based Architecture Styles

Architectural styles have enjoyed widespread popularity in the past few years, and for good reason: they represent the distilled wisdom of many experienced architects and guide less experienced architects in designing their architectures. However, architectural styles employ qualitative reasoning to motivate when and under what conditions they should be used. In this paper we present the concept of an ABAS (Attribute-Based Architectural Style) which includes a set of components and connectors along with their topology, but which adds to this a quality attribute specific model that provides a method of reasoning about the behavior of component types that interact in the defined pattern. We will define ABASs in this paper, show how they are used, and argue for why this extension to the notion of architectural style is an important step toward creating a true engineering discipline of architectural design.
Terrestrial Life--Fungal from the Start?

Fungi have been implicated in the early colonization of land by plants. As [Blackwell][1] explains in her Perspective, [ Redecker et al .'s ][2] discovery of a fossil fungus provides strong support for this hypothesis. The important role of symbiotic associations of fungi with plants and animals is increasingly being recognized, as is the fact that some of these associations date back to the origin of terrestrial life on Earth. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5486/1884 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/289/5486/1920
Link budget analysis for multistandard receiver architectures

As devices shrink, creating integrated circuits (ICs) that work with the required accuracy becomes more difficult due to issues related to device physics. Receivers are part of an area referred to as "mixed-signal design," meaning that both analog and digital circuitry will be on the same IC. This too presents many challenging issues, as the analog circuitry is highly sensitive to disruptions caused by the noisy digital circuitry. Therefore, accurate modeling and simulation is crucial in the design of wireless receivers to ensure the best possible operation of the fabricated IC. Through simulation and modeling a designer can determine if receiver architecture will meet the required specifications and pinpoint the possible problems before valuable time is spent developing the actual circuit. This article will present design issues for multistandard wireless receivers to give the reader an understanding of the challenges involved in link-budget analysis. TITAN (Toolbox for Integrated Transceiver Analysis), a link-budget analysis tool developed at The Ohio State University Analog VLSI Laboratory, will be presented as an example of a tool for receiver simulation. To determine design performance, various requirements must be translated to model parameters. Among the requirements for receivers are noise floor (NF), second- and third-order distortion (IP2 and IP3, respectively), reciprocal mixing, and phase noise. TITAN offers a graphical interface and encapsulated models to the designer, eliminating the possibility of formula corruption. The interface provides a more intuitive and sophisticated way of setting up the simulation and provides the designer with more readable results. Additionally, a blocking profile component allows the architecture to be tested across multiple standards.
On Scaling Performance Operating Characteristics: Caveat Emptor

Problems associated with scaling and normalizing empirical performance operating characteristics (POCs) are examined. Normalization methods proposed by Wickens (1980) and by Mountford and North (1980) are critically evaluated. Computer simulations are used to generate raw-score and normalized POCs. The interpretation of transformed empirical POCs (Wickens, Mountford, and Schreiner, 1981) is shown to contain inconsistencies. The normalization techniques reviewed fail to resolve POC scaling problems. Caution must be exercised when interpreting transformed POCs.
Reading Flaubert’s First and Second Éducation sentimentale

Gustave Flaubert wrote two distinct novels entitled Education sentimentale. The first, from 1845, features many characters and plot points similar to those in the more widely known masterpiece of 1869. This essay begins by surveying existing criticism of the early novel and of the relationship between the two novels, and it then turns to close examinations of paired passages from the two works. Comparing parallel passages from the 1845 and the 1869 Education underscores the development of Flaubert’s formal and thematic preoccupations and demonstrates, in particular, an important change in Flaubert’s narrative voice. As his writing evolves, Flaubert’s narrators and characters grow increasingly farther apart, and this move plays an important role in what become interconnected features of Flaubert’s mature works: narrative impersonality, irony, and style indirect libre.
The substorm current wedge in MHD simulations

[1] Using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of magnetotail dynamics, we investigate the build-up and evolution of the substorm current wedge (SCW) and its association with plasma flows from the tail. Three different scenarios are considered: the propagation of magnetic flux ropes of artificially reduced entropy (bubbles), and the formation and propagation of bubbles resulting from magnetic reconnection in the near and far tail. The simulations confirm the important role of the entropy reduction in the earthward penetration of bubbles, as well as in the build-up of field-aligned current signatures attributed to the SCW. Low-entropy flow channels can indeed propagate close to the Earth from the distant tail, as suggested recently. However, this requires substantial entropy reduction, presumably from progression of reconnection into the lobes. The major SCW and pressure build-up occurred when the low-entropy flow channels were braked and the flow diverted azimuthally in the near-Earth region. The flows commonly exhibit multiple narrow channels, separated in space and time, whereas the associated increases in Bz (dipolarization) accumulate over a wider spatial range, spreading both azimuthally and radially. This suggests a picture of the SCW as being composed of multiple smaller “wedgelets,” rather than one big wedge.
Uncertainty and Savings Decision

This paper examines the effects of income shock on savings decision of a household. In particular, it analyzes how an idiosyncratic income shock affects the asset portfolio held by a household. It shows that income volatility contributes to poverty of rural households by leading them to reduce stocks of productive assets in order to accumulate liquid assets. Health related income shocks are signifi cantly more likely to lead to this than weather related income shocks, thus suggesting that policy interventions in health infrastructure might have a substantial impact on income. The study also reveals important differences in savings behavior between nuclear and joint families.
OFDM multi-antenna designs with concatenated codes

This paper considers practical link designs that include different transmit, receive, and coding schemes for an OFDM system with two transmit and two receive antennas. In conjunction with studies on theoretical outage capacity, we compare link designs in terms of simulated frame error rate (FER) performance in different propagation environments. For channel coding, serial and parallel concatenated turbo-like codes are used and compared. For receive schemes, we compare maximum likelihood (ML) and linear MIMO receive algorithms and propose modifications to improve turbo decoding. For transmit schemes, we compare the Alamouti (1998) diversity scheme, a single-stream MIMO, and a multi-stream MIMO design. Interestingly, a 2/spl times/2 MIMO-OFDM design with ML receivers is found to under-perform the 2/spl times/2 Alamouti-OFDM design at low spectral efficiencies (e.g., 2, 4 b/subcarrier), even though MIMO has a slightly higher theoretical capacity. Also, the gap between the SNR required by the theoretical 1% outage capacity and that required by the single-stream MIMO-ML design at 10/sup -2/ FER is only 1-2 dB at spectral efficiencies of 2, 4 and 6 b/subcarrier, in an environment with rich spatial and frequency diversity.
Optimal Type Lifting

Modern compilers for ML-like polymorphic languages have used explicit run-time type passing to support advanced optimizations such as intensional type analysis, representation analysis and tagless garbage collection. Unfortunately, maintaining type information at run time can incur a large overhead to the time and space usage of a program. In this paper, we present an optimal type-lifting algorithm that lifts all type applications in a program to the top level. Our algorithm eliminates all run-time type constructions within any core-language functions. In fact, it guarantees that the number of types built at run time is strictly a static constant. We present our algorithm as a type-preserving source-to-source transformation and show how to extend it to handle the entire SML’97 with higher-order modules.
New constraints on isospin-violating dark matter

We derive bounds on the dark matter annihilation cross-section for low-mass (5--20 GeV) dark matter annihilating primarily to up or down quarks, using the Fermi-LAT bound on gamma-rays from Milky Way satellites. For models in which dark matter-Standard Model interactions are mediated by particular contact operators, we show that these bounds can be directly translated into bounds on the dark matter-proton scattering cross section. For isospin-violating dark matter, these constraints are tight enough to begin to constrain the parameter-space consistent with experimental signals of low-mass dark matter. We discuss possible models that can evade these bounds.
Open MPI: A High-Performance, Heterogeneous MPI

The growth in the number of generally available, distributed, heterogeneous computing systems places increasing importance on the development of user-friendly tools that enable application developers to efficiently use these resources. Open MPI provides support for several aspects of heterogeneity within a single, open-source MPI implementation. Through careful abstractions, heterogeneous support maintains efficient use of uniform computational platforms. We describe Open MPI's architecture for heterogeneous network and processor support. A key design features of this implementation is the transparency to the application developer while maintaining very high levels of performance. This is demonstrated with the results of several numerical experiments.
Estimating potentials for nitrate-N reduction and nitrogen transformations from field incubations

Abstract Fine-textured soil cores were saturated with KNO 3 solutions, withdrawn at periodic in tervals and examined for mineral N forms. Reduction of NO 3 − was correlated with time using a first-order rate function. Instantaneous initial NO 3 − -N reduction rates were determined by taking derivatives of the rate function and setting t = 0. Duplicate experiments gave maximum NO 3 − -N reduction rates of 1.0 μ N/g soil/h or ⩾ 100 kg NO 3 − -N/ha/day. Calculated NO 3 − reduction rates increased with depth down to 30 cm. Net NO 3 − -N reduction ceased between 48 and 96 h after which net NO 3 − -N production of 0.016 to 0.29 μg N/g soil/h (∼1.5 kg N/ha/day/0 to 20 cm) occurred. Net NH 4 + -N mineralization ranged from about 0.03 to 0.05 μg N/g soil/h (3.5 to 4.0 kg N/ha/day/0 to 30 cm). Both instantaneous initial NO 3 − -N loss rates and N mineralization rates are similar to results of laboratory studies elsewhere on similar soil types. This procedure for estimating N-transformations may be useful where other techniques are either not adequate or not feasible for field use.
Mechanical aspects of vascular graft-host artery anastomoses

For vascular graft implantation the mechanical stresses induced by abnormal flow dynamics as well as regions of stress concentration in the walls of the host artery and the graft appear to play an important role in neo-intimal fibrous hyperplasia formation and loss of patency. Detailed in vitro and in vivo experimental studies as well as theoretical analysis, will help delineate the factors responsible for hyperplasia formation and thus enable modifications in the design characteristics to minimize the problem. In the case of end-to-end anastomoses the compliance mismatch between the host artery and the vascular graft appears to be the dominant factor for the abnormal flow dynamics in the anastomotic region. However, in end-to-side anastomoses, the geometry at the anastomosis appears to be more important, with the compliance mismatch playing a secondary role. Further detailed experimental studies complemented by detailed three-dimensional unsteady flow analysis in realistic anastomotic geometries are needed to suggest possible solutions to minimize the problem of loss of patency, particularly with medium and small diameter vascular grafts. >