cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Quantum Graphs

A "quantum graph" is a graph considered as a one-dimensional complex and equipped with a differential operator ("Hamiltonian"). Quantum graphs arise naturally as simplified models in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering when one considers propagation of waves of various nature through a quasi-one-dimensional (e.g., "meso-" or "nano-scale") system that looks like a thin neighborhood of a graph. Works that currently would be classified as discussing quantum graphs have been appearing since at least the 1930s, and since then, quantum graphs techniques have been applied successfully in various areas of mathematical physics, mathematics in general and its applications. One can mention, for instance, dynamical systems theory, control theory, quantum chaos, Anderson localization, microelectronics, photonic crystals, physical chemistry, nano-sciences, superconductivity theory, etc. Quantum graphs present many non-trivial mathematical challenges, which makes them dear to a mathematician's heart. Work on quantum graphs has brought together tools and intuition coming from graph theory, combinatorics, mathematical physics, PDEs, and spectral theory. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic, collecting the main notions and techniques. It also contains a survey of the current state of the quantum graph research and applications.
A cell loss equalization protocol for video multiplexers

A serious fairness problem occurs whenever homogeneous, variable bit-rate, video traffic streams are multiplexed at a finite buffer statistical multiplexer. Namely, the cell loss ratio performance varies widely across individual traffic streams. The cause of the problem is the particular random relation of the periodic frame transmission epochs of the video sources that feed the multiplexer. In this paper a protocol is presented which controls the frame transmission epochs, in order to achieve fair distribution of losses among the admitted connections. The protocol operates with the participation of the sources by imposing an additional per-source delay on the traffic entering the network. These additional delays are calculated whenever a connection is accepted or terminated. The overall additional delay imposed by the protocol is guaranteed to be minimal through the use of an appropriate optimization algorithm. The performance of the proposed protocol, operating in conjunction with the optimization algorithm, is simulated and evaluated. A basic framework is given for its implementation on an ATM network. Finally, the issues of buffer overhead and the impact of the protocol on the delay experienced at the multiplexer are also discussed.
Eubacterial communities in different soil macroaggregate environments and cropping systems

Different positions within soil macroaggregates, and macroaggregates of different sizes, have different chemical and physical properties which could affect microbial growth and interactions among taxa. The hypothesis that these soil aggregate fractions contain different eubacterial communities was tested using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) of the 16S ribosomal gene. Communities were characterized from two field experiments, located at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), MI, USA and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Wooster, OH, USA. Three soil management regimes at each site were sampled and management was found to significantly affect T-RFLP profiles. The soil aggregate erosion (SAE) method was used to isolate aggregate regions (external and internal regions). Differences between eubacterial T-RFLP profiles of aggregate exteriors and interiors were marginally significant at KBS (accounting for 12.5% of total profile variance), and not significant at OARDC. There were no significant differences among macroaggregate size classes at either site. These results are in general agreement with previous studies using molecular methods to examine microbial communities among different soil macroaggregate size fractions, although further study of communities within different aggregate regions is warranted. Analysis of individual macroaggregates revealed large inter-aggregate variability in community structure. Hence the tertiary components of soil structure, e.g. arrangement of aggregates in relation to shoot residue, roots, macropores, etc., may be more important than aggregate size or intra-aggregate regions in the determination of the types of microbial communities present in aggregates. Direct microscopic counts were also used to examine the bacterial population size in aggregate regions at KBS. The proportion of bacterial cells with biovolumes O0.18 mm 3 was higher in aggregate interiors than in exteriors, indicating potentially higher activity in that environment. This proportion was significantly related to percent C of the samples, while total bacterial cell counts were not. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A developmental defect in Plasmodium falciparum male gametogenesis

Asexually replicating populations of Plasmodium parasites, including those from cloned lines, generate both male and female gametes to complete the malaria life cycle through the mosquito. The generation of these sexual forms begins with the induction of gametocytes from haploid asexual stage parasites in the blood of the vertebrate host. The molecular processes that govern the differentiation and development of the sexual forms are largely unknown. Here we describe a defect that affects the development of competent male gametocytes from a mutant clone of P. falciparum (Dd2). Comparison of the Dd2 clone to the predecessor clone from which it was derived (W2'82) shows that the defect is a mutation that arose during the long-term cultivation of asexual stages in vitro. Light and electron microscopic images, and indirect immunofluorescence assays with male-specific anti-alpha-tubulin II antibodies, indicate a global disruption of male development at the gametocyte level with at least a 70-90% reduction in the proportion of mature male gametocytes by the Dd2 clone relative to W2'82. A high prevalence of abnormal gametocyte forms, frequently containing multiple and unusually large vacuoles, is associated with the defect. The reduced production of mature male gametocytes may reflect a problem in processes that commit a gametocyte to male development or a progressive attrition of viable male gametocytes during maturation. The defect is genetically linked to an almost complete absence of male gamete production and of infectivity to mosquitoes. This is the first sex-specific developmental mutation identified and characterized in Plasmodium.
Phase plane analysis of post extra-systolic potentiation

Improved cardiac function after a spontaneous extrasystole in an anesthetized mongrel dog preparation was analyzed based on left ventricular pressure measurement only. Experiments were performed on open-chest anesthetized dogs. Left ventricular pressure (LVP) was measured with a Millar type catheter-tip pressure transducer inserted through an isolated femoral artery and advanced to the left ventricular chamber. In addition, a standard electrocardiogram was recorded continuously. An extrasystole in this study was defined as a spontaneous premature ventricular contraction beat (PVC) such that the premature contraction did not generate enough pressure to open the aortic valve. Phase planes were constructed from left ventricular pressure (abscissa) and its first time derivative (ordinate). Results from the phase plane analysis show that the potentiation is indeed a systolic event, with little alteration in left ventricular relaxation and diastolic function. >
Effect of Color-Coded Notation on Music Achievement of Elementary Instrumental Students.

In this study, the researcher attempted to determine whether the use of color-coded notation in instructional materials affected students' performance on tasks of performing music from memory, sigh...
A Measure of Effectiveness for a Barrier Type of Surface-to-Air Defense

Two criteria, effectiveness and uncertainty, for a surface-to-air missile defense against enemy air attack are defined and examined. It is shown how they may serve as criteria for choice of defensive deployments of a limited number of batteries in a limited region.
Depth-bounded computation

A programming language designed for studies of parallelism and based on Wagner'suniformly reflexive structures is introduced. The measure of depth of computation in the language is studied. The partial recursive functions are shown to be computable in uniformly bounded depth. A comparison of the measure with other proposed measures of computational complexity leads to the suggestion of a list of properties to be checked in classifying such measures.
Separase Biosensor Reveals that Cohesin Cleavage Timing Depends on Phosphatase PP2ACdc55 Regulation

Summary In anaphase, sister chromatids separate abruptly and are then segregated by the mitotic spindle. The protease separase triggers sister separation by cleaving the Scc1/Mcd1 subunit of the cohesin ring that holds sisters together. Polo-kinase phosphorylation of Scc1 promotes its cleavage, but the underlying regulatory circuits are unclear. We developed a separase biosensor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that provides a quantitative indicator of cohesin cleavage in single cells. Separase is abruptly activated and cleaves most cohesin within 1 min, after which anaphase begins. Cohesin near centromeres and telomeres is cleaved at the same rate and time. Protein phosphatase PP2A Cdc55 inhibits cohesin cleavage by counteracting polo-kinase phosphorylation of Scc1. In early anaphase, the previously described separase inhibition of PP2A Cdc55 promotes cohesin cleavage. Thus, separase acts directly on Scc1 and also indirectly, through inhibition of PP2A Cdc55 , to stimulate cohesin cleavage, providing a feedforward loop that may contribute to a robust and timely anaphase.
Employment Outcomes from Secondary School Programs

This article focuses on a number of employment-related outcomes that can be used to evaluate the effects of secondary school employment programs, describe a person's quality of life, and reflect special education's goals of increasing a person's independence, productivity, and community integration. A recent study is also summarized that determined among special education graduates the relationships among several employent-related outcome measures and 19 predictor variables, including student characteristics, school variables, and economic characteristics. The article concludes with a discussion of two catalysts---financial incentives and the Individual Transition plan---that will facilitate the change to an employment outcome orientation in special education.
Anonymity, Sex, and Weight-Preoccupation as Variables on the Eating Disorders Inventory with Normal College Students

The Eating Disorders Inventory was administered to 595 nonclinical male and female undergraduate college students in response to observations at the counseling center that an increasing number of students were seeking assistance for problems associated with binge eating. The purpose of the study was to identify a group with bulimic characteristics, and since secrecy is associated with bulimia, to compare students' responses when anonymous vs name-identified. Statistical analyses of the eight subscales of the inventory showed no significant differences by anonymity vs identification, but significant differences by sex and by weight-preoccupation existed.
Compatibility of Insect Growth Regulators with Eretmocerus eremicus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) for Whitefly (Homoptera: Alyerodidae) Control on Poinsettias: II. Trials in Commercial Poinsettia Crops

Abstract The efficacy and cost of reduced release rates of the parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus Rose and Zolnerowich (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) when combined with application of the insect growth regulator buprofezin were compared to those of a higher parasitoid release rate used alone for whitefly control (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Koltz.). The trial was conducted in seven greenhouses in Methuen, Massachusetts from August through December 1997 and employed commercial poinsettia production practices. Two whiteflies species, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and Bemisia argentifolii Bellows and Perring (= Bemisia tabaci [Gennadius] strain B), were present. Three treatments were examined: (1) E. eremicus used alone at a release rate of three females per plant per week (two greenhouses); (2) E. eremicus at an intermediate release rate of two females per plant per week, combined with mid-season use of buprofezin (two applications, spaced 1 week apart, applied in weeks 9 and 10) (two greenhouses); and (3) E. eremicus at a low release rate of one female per plant per week, combined with mid-season use of buprofezin, applied as in treatment 2 (two greenhouses). In addition, observations were made in one additional greenhouse at the site, in which the grower used pesticides for whitefly control. Prior to the start of the trial, cuttings used for all treatments experienced some pesticide use, first abamectinduring rooting and later buprofezin at potting to reduce whitefly numbers, which were initially very high. At harvest, densities of live whitefly nymphs were not statistically different among the biological control treatments, indicating that a low parasitoid release rate combined with buprofezin was as effective as a higher release rate of the parasitoid used alone. Nymphal densities in separate market samples (based on smaller sample sizes) showed differences among treatments, but all treatments, including the low parasitoid release rate + buprofezin maintained densities of live nymphs + pupae at or below approximately two per leaf, a level commercially acceptable in local markets. Control costs per single-stemmed poinsettia plant were $1.18 for the high parasitoid release treatment, $0.75 for the treatment of weekly releases of two female parasitoids per plant per week + buprofezin, $0.38 for the treatment of releases of one female parasitoid per plant per week + buprofezin, and $0.14 for the chemical control greenhouse.
Clinical characteristics associated with readmission among patients undergoing vascular surgery

Objective Readmission after a vascular surgery intervention is frequent, costly, and often considered preventable. Vascular surgery outcomes have recently been scrutinized by Medicare because of the high rates of readmission. We determined patient and clinical characteristics associated with readmission in a cohort of vascular surgery patients. Methods From 2009 to 2013, the medical records of all patients (n = 2505) undergoing interventions by the vascular surgery service at a single tertiary care institution were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were examined for association with 30-day readmission to the same institution. Results The 30-day readmission rate to the same institution was 9.7 % (n = 244). Procedures most likely to result in readmission were below-knee (25%), foot (22%), and toe amputations (19%), as well as lower extremity revascularization (22%). Patients covered by Medicaid (16.8%) and Medicare (10.0%) were most likely to be readmitted, followed by fee-for-service (9.5%), self-pay (8.0%), and health maintenance organizations (5.5%; P P P P P P P Conclusions To reduce readmission rates effectively, institutions must identify high-risk patients. Efforts should focus on subgroups undergoing selected interventions (amputations, lower extremity revascularization), those with urgent admissions, and patients with extended hospital stays. Patients in need of postacute care upon discharge are especially prone to readmission, requiring special attention to discharge planning and coordination of postdischarge care. By focusing on subgroups at risk for readmission, preventative resources can be efficiently targeted.
No evidence for active sparsification in the visual cortex

The proposal that cortical activity in the visual cortex is optimized for sparse neural activity is one of the most established ideas in computational neuroscience. However, direct experimental evidence for optimal sparse coding remains inconclusive, mostly due to the lack of reference values on which to judge the measured sparseness. Here we analyze neural responses to natural movies in the primary visual cortex of ferrets at different stages of development and of rats while awake and under different levels of anesthesia. In contrast with prediction from a sparse coding model, our data shows that population and lifetime sparseness decrease with visual experience, and increase from the awake to anesthetized state. These results suggest that the representation in the primary visual cortex is not actively optimized to maximize sparseness.
TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS FOR FREQUENCY OF RESPIRATORY MOVEMENTS IN YOUNG MAMMALS

The internal temperature of 2 day old mice deviates by +0.01° to +3.0°C. from the environmental temperature over a range of 24°. The undeveloped temperature control allows rhythmic activities in this mammalian material to be readily subjected to the analysis afforded by temperature characteristics, and thus makes possible some insight into the physicochemical events controlling vital processes in entire uninjured mammals. The thermal increments and critical temperatures obtained point to a similarity in the controlling system of reactions for both homothermic and poikilothermic organisms. For frequency of respiratory movements the increments 12,340 (19.6° to 35.2°C.); 28,340 or 36,500 (15.5° to 19.6°C.) are most frequently found (thirteen cases). Rarely µ = 8,450, 33,000, or 18,340 (two cases). The last increment is either associated with µ = 36,000 below 20°, or extends unbroken throughout the whole range (one case).
Effects of Orography on the Generation and Propagation of Mesoscale Convective Systems in a Two-Dimensional Conditionally Unstable Flow

Abstract Effects of orography, cold-air outflow, and gravity waves on the generation and propagation of convective systems in a conditionally unstable airstream over a mesoscale mountain are studied using a two-dimensional cloud model. Based on the propagation of convective systems, three regimes are identified: (I) an upstream propagating convective system, (II) a quasi-stationary convective system, and (III) quasi-stationary and downstream propagating systems. In regime I [low moist Froude number (Fw)], the convective cells are generated by upstream deceleration associated with orographic forcing, by gravity waves associated with convective cells over the upslope area at earlier stages, and by the upstream propagating density current at later stages when the density current is fully developed. In this flow regime, quasi-continuous and heavy rainfall is produced over the upslope and plain areas as individual convective cells develop farther upstream at the head of the density current and then propagate d...
Medication beliefs and structural barriers to treatment adherence among people living with HIV infection

Background: People living in poverty face multiple structural challenges to medication adherence including lack of transportation, inadequate housing and food insecurity. The degree to which individuals’ motivations to remain adherent may overcome structural barriers has received limited attention.Purpose: To examine whether medication necessity and concerns beliefs predict antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence over and above structural adherence barriers associated with poverty.Methods: People living with HIV in a southern US city (N = 942) completed computerised interviews, an objective measure of adherence and HIV viral suppression obtained from medical records. Hierarchical logistic regression models were constructed to examine demographic and illness characteristics, structural barriers, mental health, substance use and medication necessity and concerns beliefs as predictors of ART adherence.Results: In multivariable models, current drug use and medication necessity and concerns beliefs predicted tr...
Short-term Changes in Upper Extremity Dynamic Mechanical Properties Associated with Power Hand Tool Use

This study investigated the relationship between repetitive eccentric exertions in power hand tool operation and upper limb mechanical properties including stiffness and inertial mass, and physiologic measures including localized pain, discomfort, and swelling. Tool parameters, including peak torque (3 Nm and 9 Nm) and torque build up time (50 ms and 250 ms), were controlled in a full-factorial design. Twenty-nine participants were randomly assigned to one of the four conditions and operated a pistol grip nutrunner four times per minute for one hour in the laboratory. An average decrease in stiffness (48%) and mass moment of inertia (60%) of the upper limb was observed immediately following pistol grip nutrunner operation. A previously developed dynamic tool operator model was used to predict resulting handle force and displacement, and the conditions associated with the greatest handle force and displacement demonstrated the greatest decrease in mechanical stiffness and inertial mass, and the greatest in...
Vesicoureteral reflux in children: surgical management.

Careful selection of patients for operation for vesicoureteral reflux prevents an inexorable trend toward severely scarred kidneys and uremia. Operation may be necessary in reflux causing considerable dilatation and ballooning of ureters, in complete duplication of a double kidney, in ureters with ectopic openings, and after injury to the ureteral orifice, ureteral meatotomy, or unroofing of ureteroceles. Medical treatment alone is preferable for reflux that is mild, intermittent or difficult to demonstrate or disappears with antimicrobial therapy.
Policy Change of the World Bank Loan and the Countermeasures of Forestry in China

This paper analyzed the policy change of the World Bank loan and its effect on the development of forestry in China,and raised the countermeasure thinking of developing the cooperative relations between forestry and the World Bank with the World Bank loan fully.
THE MEASUREMENT OF SPECIFIC CONTACTRESISTANCE OF M-S BY PROBE HEADSOF THE IN-LINE FOUR PROBES

In this paper, a simple method to measure the specific contact resistance of metal-semiconductor ohmic contact is developed, using the probe heads of the inline four probes. The equations to measure the specific contact resistance for a thin semiconductor layer have been derived. The experimental results are in good agreement with the in-line geometry transmission line model.
Strategies in diabetes mellitus. Start of a new era.

PreviewImportant research advances during the last 10 years have improved the quality of life for many patients with diabetes mellitus. The aim at present is not only to further improve glycemic control but also to comprehend basic mechanisms of the disease, define genetic risks, and understand the origins of complications. In this article, Dr Skyler examines current research strategies that may soon become therapeutic options.
On the Road: The Appeal of Buddhism to Travellers

AbstractBuddhism has been associated with travel and transportation since its inception. The Buddha himself led a peripatetic life wandering from town to town preaching his dharma, and King Aśoka sent missionaries travelling far and wide. Travelling merchants were the most prominent early converts to Buddhism and their prominence in the religion continued for a long time. This article explores the importance of travel in the acceptance of Buddhist ideas, and will show that the changes in worldview undergone by one travelling from place to place, encountering along the road different ways of thinking, dressing, speaking and living are likely to foster in such a person an interest in some of the seminal ideas embodied in Buddhism. The psychological effects of travel force people to wrestle with their previously accepted local truths, drawing them instead to Buddhism’s universal outlook, its teaching of compassion for all beings and rejection of culturally specific social restrictions.
Consistent Spatial-Temporal Longitudinal Atlas Construction for Developing Infant Brains

Brain atlases are an essential component in understanding the dynamic cerebral development, especially for the early postnatal period. However, longitudinal atlases are rare for infants, and the existing ones are generally limited by their fuzzy appearance. Moreover, since longitudinal atlas construction is typically performed independently over time, the constructed atlases often fail to preserve temporal consistency. This problem is further aggravated for infant images since they typically have low spatial resolution and insufficient tissue contrast. In this paper, we propose a novel framework for consistent spatial-temporal construction of longitudinal atlases for developing infant brain MR images. Specifically, for preserving structural details, the atlas construction is performed in spatial-temporal wavelet domain simultaneously. This is achieved by a patch-based combination of results from each frequency subband. Compared with the existing infant longitudinal atlases, our experimental results indicate that our approach is able to produce longitudinal atlases with richer structural details and also better longitudinal consistency, thus leading to higher performance when used for spatial normalization of a group of infant brain images.
Trace Formula for the Perturbation of Partial Differential Operator and Cyclic Cocycle on a Generalized Heisenberg Group

A trace formula related to the operator \( P\left( {i\frac{\partial }{{\partial {{x}_{1}}}}, \ldots ,i\frac{\partial }{{\partial {{x}_{n}}}}} \right) + Q \) +Q is established, where P(·) is a homogeneous real polynomial of degree m and Q is a bounded self-adjoint operator satisfying e itx Qe -itx — Q ∈ L 1 and e iR Qe -iR - Q ∈L 1 for every R ∈ D m where D m is the set of all partial differential operator R of order ≤ m with real constant coefficients. The form of the related cyclic one-cocycle on the group of all the elements of e iR e ixt e tθ for R ∈D m ,t ∈ R n ,θ ∈ R1 is determined.
Cross-Sectional Assessment of Factors Related to Pain Intensity and Pain Interference in Lower Limb Prosthesis Users

Abstract Objective To determine relationships between pain sites and pain intensity/interference in people with lower limb amputations (LLAs). Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Community. Participants Lower limb prosthesis users with unilateral or bilateral amputations (N=1296; mean time since amputation, 14.1y). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain intensity (1 item to assess average pain), PROMIS pain interference (4-item short form to assess the consequences of pain in desired activities), and questions that asked participants to rate the extent to which each of the following were a problem: residual limb pain (RLP), phantom limb pain (PLP), knee pain on the nonamputated side, back pain, and shoulder pain. Results Nearly three quarters (72.1%) of participants reported problematic pain in 1 or more of the listed sites. Problematic PLP, back pain, and RLP were reported by 48.1%, 39.2%, and 35.1% of participants, respectively. Knee pain and shoulder pain were less commonly identified as problems (27.9% and 21.7%, respectively). Participants also reported significantly ( P P P Conclusions Problematic pain symptoms, especially RLP, PLP, and back pain, affect most prosthetic limb users and have the potential to greatly restrict participation in life activities.
Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels as Detecting Tools of Psychoactive Drugs

The dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters are important determinants of monoaminergic neurotransmission. The pharmacological manipulation of these systems contributes not only to drug addiction, but also to the treatment of many mental diseases. The development of novel tools to expedite the identification of drug-effect profiles on monoamine transporters can benefit efforts to discover new psychotherapeutics.Monoamine transporters are natively expressed in the plasma membranes of presynaptic neurons, where they mediate the uptake of monoamine neurotransmitters. When expressed in heterologous expression systems, the uptake of substrates is associated with an inward current that depolarizes the cell membrane. In addition, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels modulate Ca2+ permeability as a function of the membrane potential. We took advantage of these two elemental principles to develop a new assay to detect and characterize ligands of monoamine transporters.Using the Flp-In T-REx expression system, we established permanent cell lines expressing the human dopamine or serotonin transporters. We studied the ability of these cells to produce Ca2+ signals in response to monoamine transporters’ substrates after transient transfection with different voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. In addition we studied the dynamic range and sensitivity of two genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. Our results show that the co-expression of CaV1.2 and GCamp6s in monoamine transporter-expressing cells generates significant Ca2+ signals in response to monoamine transporter substrates. Moreover monoamine transporter blockers can inhibit these Ca2+ signals. Preliminary experiments measuring our optimized cell system in a Flex Station 3 plate reader suggest that the co-expression of a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, a monoamine transporter and a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor constitute a rapid screening biosensor to identify active drugs at monoamine transporters. Supported by R01 DA033930 and R01 AR067738.
Solar-powered flow-through system for aquatic field studies

Summary 1 Laboratory-based research provides great control over individual experimental replicates, but lacks the ecological realism of field work. Therefore, results from lab-based work may not reflect natural processes. Field-based studies have the advantage of ecological realism but often lack control over environmental variables and have low rates of within-experiment replication and as a result can have low statistical power to detect effects. 2 Here, we present a method for creating a standardized system for experimental replicates in the field using solar-powered water pumps to run a modified zebrafish aquatic habitat system with recirculating water in situ. In our pilot study we used this apparatus to test the effects of naturally-occurring parasites on the behavior of individual fathead minnows, but this experimental set-up has potential for broad application to field-based research in aquatic ecology. 3 We constructed a simple frame from conventional 2” x 4” lumber to support rows of 1-L tanks in the littoral zone of a small lake. Lake water is pumped to an overhead manifold from a PVC pipe drilled with one hole over each tank. A short length of airline tubing directs the water flow into each individual tank. Water entering each tank passes through the manufacturer's grate at the rear of each tank and returns to the lake. We stocked one fish per tank, therefore the lack of water flow during the night did not cause duress or mortality. 4 This system allowed control over individual test subjects while housing them in semi-natural conditions with a steady supply of lake water at a field site far removed from any source of electricity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Robotic Salvage Pyeloplasty With Buccal Mucosal Onlay Graft: Video Demonstration of Technique and Outcomes.

Objective To present the use of buccal mucosal graft (BMG) in a salvage robotic laparoscopic pyeloplasty as an alternative in the management of a recurrent ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction. Methods We present 2 patients with a recurrent UPJ obstruction who had previously undergone 2 prior open or robotic pyleoplasties, followed by endoscopic management. Preoperative imaging was obtained before surgical repair. The UPJ was incised and the incision extended to reveal margins of a healthy normal-caliber ureteral tissue. Single BMGs were harvested from the inner cheek of each patient. The grafts were of sufficient caliber and size to cover the entire defect as an onlay graft, and to maintain a tension-free and watertight anastomosis. Results The operative time was between 188 and 284 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 25-50 mL. The hospital stay was 2 days for each patient. Foley catheters were removed before discharge and the Jackson-Pratt drains were removed in the immediate postoperative period. The ureteral stents were removed at 6 and 9 weeks, with retrograde pyelograms confirming patency at the UPJ. Lasix renograms were obtained after 4 months and either demonstrated a resolution or were equivocal for obstruction, with a preservation of renal function. Both patients have been without complication since the stent removal. Conclusion Robotic pyeloplasty with BMG is an alternative in the management of recurrent UPJ obstructions. Short-term follow-up has demonstrated that it is an effective and attractive approach compared with more extensive and invasive surgeries such as a renal autotransplant and an ileal ureter.
Colistin Susceptibility Testing Using the MicroScan® Colistin Well

AbstractBackgroundAntimicrobial resistance is a threat to public health. As carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii have increased in prevalence, interest has increased in using colistin as a therapeutic option. However, testing for colistin susceptibility is problematic for most clinical microbiology laboratories. Also, there is a paucity of surveillance data on the prevalence of colistin resistance in the United States. MicroScan® Gram-negative panels include a colistin well (4 μg/mL) to aid in the identification of bacteria, but it is not known whether this well can be used to assess the prevalence of colistin resistance.MethodsAll Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, E. aerogenes, P. aeruginosa, or A. baumannii identified at the Emory University clinical microbiology laboratory between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 were included in the study. Routine bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the MicroScan WalkAway 96 plus® and the Neg Breakpoint Combo Panel Type 41 or 44 (transition from 41 to 44 was made in March 2016). When these isolates were susceptible to three or fewer charted drugs, or upon provider request, a colistin ETEST® was performed.ResultsThere were 288 out of 9296 isolates (3.1%) that had growth in the colistin MicroScan® well, suggesting colistin resistance. This included 79 E. coli (1.5%), 90 Klebsiella spp. (4.2%), 91 Enterobacter spp. (15.1%), 24 P. aeruginosa (1.9%), and 4 A. baumannii (3.7%). ETEST® was performed on 40 of the 288 isolates (13.9%). The MicroScan® colistin well result was confirmed (defined as an ETEST® MIC>2) in 27 out of 40 cases (67.5%).ConclusionResistance to colistin, at this single academic medical center, may be higher than was previously appreciated. This is a concerning finding. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the MicroScan® colistin well can be used as a reliable surrogate for detecting colistin resistance because in this study there was a low rate of categorical agreement between the MicroScan® colistin well and ETEST®. A future study is planned comparing these two testing methodologies with reference broth microdilution.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
Task-dependent cold stress during expeditions in Antarctic environments

This study seeks to understand the degree of body cooling, cold perception and physical discomfort during Antarctic tour excursions. Eight experienced expedition leaders across three Antarctic cruise voyages were monitored during occupational tasks: kayaking, snorkelling and zodiac outings. Subjective cold perception and discomfort were recorded using a thermal comfort assessment and skin temperature was recorded using a portable data logger. Indoor cabin temperature and outdoor temperature with wind velocity were used as measures of environmental stress. Physical activity level and clothing insulation were estimated using previous literature. Tour leaders experienced a 6°C (2°C wind chill) environment for an average of 6 hours each day. Leaders involved in kayaking reported feeling colder and more uncomfortable than other leaders, but zodiac leaders showed greater skin temperature cooling. Occupational experience did not predict body cooling or cold stress perception. These findings indicate that occupational cold stress varies by activity and measurement methodology. The current study effectively used objective and subjective measures of cold-stress to identify factors which can contribute to risk in the Antarctic tourism industry. Results suggest that the type of activity may moderate risk of hypothermia, but not discomfort, potentially putting individuals at risk for cognitive related mistakes and cold injuries.
Quantum Tunneling of ^3He in Solid ^4He: A New Analysis

We discuss the analysis of the experimental values of the nuclear spin–lattice and spin–spin relaxation times for the tunneling of $$^3$$ He as isotopic impurities in solid $$^4$$ He. These two relaxation times cannot be described quantitatively using a unique correlation time although it is often presented as such in the literature. In this paper, we discuss how to distinguish the high-frequency portion of the spectral densities that determine the spin–lattice relaxation rates from the low-frequency components which determine the spin–spin relaxation rates.
Political Science and the Work of Democracy

The study of democratic theory and democratic politics is at the core of the discipline of political science. Yet the very centrality of democracy to the discipline may be what makes it difficult to sort out whether political science is doing the work of democracy rather than simply the analysis of it. Political science’s origins were civic minded but it has evolved into a more professionalized observer of politics than a promoter or creator of democracy. Nonetheless, in recent years there has been, as in many disciplines, a renewed interest in the civic component of our work and a challenge to the dominant paradigms of disinterested analysis and formal modeling. There are promising developments in political science that are contributing to the deliberative democracy “movement,” both in research and pedagogy.
Community Engagement and Venue-Based Sampling in Adolescent Male Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Research.

Abstract Objectives Middle adolescent males are a difficult group to recruit for community sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention research. We describe a process of community engagement, and venue-based sampling of 14–17-year-old adolescent males, and compare rates of STIs and STI risk behaviors by venue. Methods Community engagement consisted of (1) informational meetings with organizations; (2) participation in community meetings and events; (3) hiring community members as study personnel; and (4) an adolescent advisory board recruited from the community. Venues were identified and assessed at different times of the day and days of the week using a structured tool. At selected venues, males ages 14–17 years were invited to participate in a brief survey and provide a urine sample and an optional anal swab for DNA-based STI testing. Results Venues were assessed (n = 249), and 31 were selected for recruitment, including parks, apartment complexes, community events, entertainment venues, a community school, and community programs for LGBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) and adjudicated youth. We enrolled 667 participants, average age 15.7 years. Participants reported high rates of sexual and STI risk behaviors, but had low rates of STIs. These rates differed by venue, with more structured venues recruiting youth reporting fewer STI risk behaviors and less structured venues within the highest STI prevalence zip code recruiting youth reporting more STI risk behaviors. Conclusion Venue-based sampling is a feasible mechanism to target recruitment and enrollment adolescent males with high STI risk behaviors in community settings, with risk profiles varying by setting.
Talking about global migration: Implications for language teaching

The growth of transnational migrants who cross linguistic, cultural, and geographic boundaries has transformed classroom environments and student bodies in many countries into more linguistically a...
Fläche eines Parabelsegments

AC und BC seien zwei Tangenten an eine Parabel; die Beruhrungspunkte seien A und B. Ist AD = DC und BE = EC, so ist DE eine weitere Tangente an die Parabel und es ist A B = 2·E D; somit ist die Flache des Dreiecks ABF das Doppelte von der Flache des Dreiecks EDC (Abb. 56).
Negative Life Events (NLEs) Contributing to Psychological Distress, Pain, and Disability in a U.S. Military Sample.

Introduction The objective was to explore how negative life events (NLEs, e.g., litigation related to pain and disability, failing most recent physical fitness test, and financial difficulties) are related to pain coping and psychological adjustment to pain in active duty military personnel. Materials and methods Data were gathered as part of the Evaluation of Suicidality, Cognitions, and Pain Experience study, a DoD-funded cross-sectional assessment of chronic pain and emotional coping among a cohort of military members. The investigators examined data from 147 respondents with complete survey and pain assessment data. Results The sample was active duty, male (62.6%), in a relationship or married (83.0%), and had children (68.7%). The majority of the sample endorsed zero NLEs (72.0%); 23.8% endorsed one NLE, 4.2% endorsed two NLEs, and no one endorsed all three NLEs. A significantly higher proportion of participants endorsing one or more NLEs reported suicidal ideation compared to those who reported no NLEs (χ2(2) = 8.61, p = 0.014). A higher number of endorsed NLEs coincided with higher symptom severity related to psychosocial distress (depression, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, PTSD, and suicide cognitions) and poor pain coping (rumination, helplessness, and less acceptance of chronic pain). Conclusions Findings revealed that NLEs may impart a significant burden on military pain sufferers. Greater numbers of endorsed NLEs are associated with increased psychosocial distress and poor pain coping. Future longitudinal studies examining long-term psychosocial distress/poor pain coping as related to NLEs would help to elaborate the long-term consequences of NLEs on pain coping and psychosocial distress.
Temporal Variations in Methane Emissions from an Unconventional Well Site

Studies have aimed to quantify methane emissions associated with the growing natural gas infrastructure. Quantification is completed using direct or indirect methods—both of which typically represent only a snapshot in time. Most studies focused on collecting emissions data from multiple sites to increase sample size, thus combining the effects of geospatial and temporal variability (spatio-temporal variability). However, we examined the temporal variability in methane emissions from a single unconventional well site over the course of nearly 2 years (21 months) by conducting six direct quantification audits. We used a full flow sampling system that quantified methane mass emissions with an uncertainty of ±10%. Results showed significant temporal variation in methane mass emissions ranging from 86.2 to 4102 g/h with a mean of 1371 g/h. Our average emissions rate from this unconventional well pad tended to align with those presented in the literature. The largest contributor to variability in site emission...
ADVANCE: Promoting Success of Women Faculty Through a Psychologically Healthy Workplace

The mission of the Texas A&M University ADVANCE IT project is to double the percentage of tenured women faculty in STEM disciplines in the next five years and increase the number and diversity of women STEM faculty at all levels at the institution. To this end, the project will organize activities related to gender equity around three major themes that include climate change activities, success enhancement activities and recruitment and retention activities. Collectively, these activities will be implemented with significant input from campus leaders who have formed a strategic collaboration that bridges engineering, science and social science disciplines and builds on previous ADVANCE accomplishments at other institutions. Intellectual Merit. The Texas A&M ADVANCE IT proposal is based on the psychologically healthy workplace model, which was established by the American Psychological Association and is expected to improve recruitment, reduce attrition and promote the success of STEM women faculty. Broader Impact. As a result of the proposed collaborative activity between this project and that at Prairie View A&M, the Texas A&M ADVANCE IT project has the potential to broadly impact women faculty in the STEM disciplines beyond its own campus to other campuses within the same system. Additionally, this project also focuses on raising awareness of implicit bias with students and staff at the institution. In doing so, this project will serve to impact new audiences that have been underserved by the ADVANCE community.
Medical School Home Page Library Links: What Has Changed Since 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the visibility and placement of links to the library on home pages of 165 American Association of Medical Colleges member medical schools with the results from a study performed in 2010. Visibility on the home page declined from 50.7% to 41.2%, and one-click pathways declined from 61% to 44.8%. On 14 medical school websites, no discoverable navigation to the library could be found, including use of the search function. During the same time period, librarian partnerships with health care professionals and biomedical researchers have increased and expanded.
Developmental and behavioral characteristics of children with Dup15q syndrome (P1.6-041)

Objective: To systematically assess developmental and behavioral characteristics in a large cohort of children with dup15q syndrome to identify clinical endpoints for future clinical trials. Background: Duplication of 15q11.2–q13.1 (dup15q syndrome) is one of the most common copy number variations associated with autism and intellectual disability. As with many neurogenetic conditions, gathering accurate developmental and behavioral assessments is challenging. Large-scale phenotyping studies are necessary in order to inform participant selection and clinical endpoints for future clinical trials. Design/Methods: Participants included 60 children with dup15q syndrome ages 30 months – 18 years, recruited from the national Dup15q Alliance, family meetings, and the UCLA Dup15q clinic. We evaluated multiple domains of development through both direct assessment and parent report, and we examined overall group phenotype as well as profiles based on duplication type and epilepsy status Results: Children with isodicentric 15q duplication (idic15) and epilepsy showed the greatest level of impairment, while children with interstitial duplications (int15) showed the least. Three participants had developmental scores in the average range, while the remaining participants scored in the mild to severely impaired range. Adaptive behavior scores were significantly different across domains (F=14.69, p Conclusions: Findings confirmed that both duplication type and epilepsy contribute to the level of impairment observed, although there is still substantial heterogeneity across individuals. Clinical trials in intellectual disability syndromes should employ a flexible set of assessments that allow each participant to receive the assessment that is the best fit for their skills Disclosure: Dr. Distefano has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wilson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jeste has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Hoffmann-La Roche Pharmaceuticals.