cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biloma: A Delayed Complication of Blunt Hepatic Injury

We present the case of a patient who sustained blunt liver trauma after a motor vehicle crash that was subsequently complicated by the development of a large biloma. Early use of computed tomography (CT) scan and HIDA (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid) imaging enabled the prompt identification and management of the problem.
Simulating pad-electrodes with high-definition arrays in transcranial electric stimulation

Objective. Research studies on transcranial electric stimulation, including direct current, often use a computational model to provide guidance on the placing of sponge-electrode pads. However, the expertise and computational resources needed for finite element modeling (FEM) make modeling impractical in a clinical setting. Our objective is to make the exploration of different electrode configurations accessible to practitioners. We provide an efficient tool to estimate current distributions for arbitrary pad configurations while obviating the need for complex simulation software. Approach. To efficiently estimate current distributions for arbitrary pad configurations we propose to simulate pads with an array of high-definition (HD) electrodes and use an efficient linear superposition to then quickly evaluate different electrode configurations. Main results. Numerical results on ten different pad configurations on a normal individual show that electric field intensity simulated with the sampled array deviates from the solutions with pads by only 5% and the locations of peak magnitude fields have a 94% overlap when using a dense array of 336 electrodes. Significance. Computationally intensive FEM modeling of the HD array needs to be performed only once, perhaps on a set of standard heads that can be made available to multiple users. The present results confirm that by using these models one can now quickly and accurately explore and select pad-electrode montages to match a particular clinical need.
Redescription of Two Often-Confused Noctuid Pests, Copitarsia decolora and Copitarsia incommoda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Cuculliinae)

Members of the genus Copitarsia Hampson (Noctuidae) are widespread pests of many agricultural commodities in Central and South America. Two species, Copitarsia incommoda (Walker) and Copitarsia turbata (Herrich-Schaffer), are of particular concern. This misidentification has affected life history studies, risk assessments, and biological control of these pest species. This article redescribes these species and distinguishes them from each other by using adult morphology. C. turbata is placed as a NEW SYNONYM of Copitarsia decolora (Guenee), Copitarsia margaritella (Dognin) is placed as a junior synonym of C. decolora (REVISED SYNONYM), and Copitarsia hampsoni (Brethes) is designated as a NEW SYNONYM of C. incommoda.
Exploring Best Practice Teaming Strategies among School-Based Teams: Implications for School Mental Health Practice and Research.

School-based teams are central to referrals, problem solving and decision-making in school mental health (SMH). Although the use of teams in SMH appears commonplace, research on these teams, however, is much more limited in scope. Using best practice teaming principles as a conceptual framework, this exploratory study examined the purpose, structure and function of 41 school-based service-delivery teams from 19 schools. Descriptive analyses revealed wide variations in teaming practices. Challenges related to youth and family members being involved in teams, as well as varied team leadership, were noted. In addition, teams discussed numerous topics as part of meetings. The discussion of data, however, was a topic that a limited number of teams discussed. Implications for SMH practice and research are offered.
A millimeter-wave monolithic matrix distributed amplifier

A millimeter-wave monolithic two-stage matrix distributed amplifier with greater than 11-dB gain from 16 to 38 GHz has been demonstrated. The two-stage matrix amplifier described here extends the matrix amplifier to millimeter-wave frequencies. The matrix amplifier topology yields a compact circuit with higher gain per unit area than a conventional distributed amplifier. >
Fine gravel controls hydrologic and erodibility responses to trampling disturbance for coarse-textured soils with weak cyanobacterial crusts.

article i nfo We compared short-term effects of lug-soled boot trampling disturbance on water infiltration and soil erodibility on coarse-textured soils covered by a mixture of fine gravel and coarse sand over weak cyanobacterially-dominated biological soil crusts. Trampling significantly reduced final infiltration rate and total infiltration and increased sediment generation from small (0.5 m 2 ) rainfall simulation plots (pb0.01). Trampling had no effect on time to runoff or time to peak runoff. Trampling had similar effects at sites with both low and very low levels of cyanobacterial biomass, as indicated by chlorophyll a concentrations. We concluded that trampling effects are relatively independent of differences in the relatively low levels of cyanobacterial biomass in this environment. Instead, trampling appears to reduce infiltration by significantly reducing the cover of gravel and coarse sand on the soil surface, facilitating the development of a physical crust during rainfall events. The results of this study underscore the importance of carefully characterizing both soil physical and biological properties to understand how disturbance affects ecosystem processes. Published by Elsevier B.V.
BIND: a fine-grained attestation service for secure distributed systems

In this paper we propose BIND (binding instructions and data), a fine-grained attestation service for securing distributed systems. Code attestation has recently received considerable attention in trusted computing. However, current code attestation technology is relatively immature. First, due to the great variability in software versions and configurations, verification of the hash is difficult. Second, the time-of-use and time-of-attestation discrepancy remains to be addressed, since the code may be correct at the time of the attestation, but it may be compromised by the time of use. The goal of BIND is to address these issues and make code attestation more usable in securing distributed systems. BIND offers the following properties: (1) BIND performs fine-grained attestation. Instead of attesting to the entire memory content, BIND attests only to the piece of code we are concerned about. This greatly simplifies verification. (2) BIND narrows the gap between time-of-attestation and time-of-use. BIND measures a piece of code immediately before it is executed and uses a sandboxing mechanism to protect the execution of the attested code. (3) BIND ties the code attestation with the data that the code produces, such that we can pinpoint what code has been run to generate that data. In addition, by incorporating the verification of input data integrity into the attestation, BIND offers transitive integrity verification, i.e., through one signature, we can vouch for the entire chain of processes that have performed transformations over a piece of data. BIND offers a general solution toward establishing a trusted environment for distributed system designers.
Transforming Growth Factor-beta Superfamily in Meningiomas: Targets for Novel Therapy in eningiomas

Meningiomas are central nervous system tumors with a high recurrence rate. In the absence of effective chemotherapies, inoperable, recurrent and metastatic tumors remain a therapeutic challenge. Members of the TGF- super-family play an integral role in the development, progression and metastases of many malignancies yet may be underappreciated participants in the biology of meningiomas. This paper reviews the common abnormalities in TGF- or BMP signaling in neoplasias with a focus on meningiomas. Sites of potential targeting for new chemotherapies are also noted.
Measurements and simulations of VUV emissions from plasma flat panel display pixel microdischarges

This paper reports on measurements of the principal vacuum ultra-violet emission lines from micro discharges operating with helium/xenon gas mixture used in full color plasma driven flat panel display pixels. The principal emission lines observed are the 147 and 129 nm lines from atomic xenon transitions and the relatively broad emissions from xenon dimers centered near 173 nm. We report on the changing intensities of these lines with variation in xenon concentration in the pixel gas mixtures, which affect the overall luminous efficiency of the display. A one-dimensional computer model has been used to simulate the discharge evolution. The model tracks the populations of twelve different representative quantum energy levels of the helium and xenon atoms, as well as the production and decay of the xenon dimers. The atomic physics description is sufficiently detailed to allow prediction of the relative intensities of the dominant emission lines. We find that model predicted intensities for xenon atomic and dimer emission lines agree well with experimental measurements.
Impact of a Vertical Vorticity Constraint in Variational Dual-Doppler Wind Analysis: Tests with Real and Simulated Supercell Data

AbstractOne of the greatest challenges to dual-Doppler retrieval of the vertical wind is the lack of low-level divergence information available to the mass conservation constraint. This study examines the impact of a vertical vorticity equation constraint on vertical velocity retrievals when radar observations are lacking near the ground. The analysis proceeds in a three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) framework with the anelastic form of the vertical vorticity equation imposed along with traditional data, mass conservation, and smoothness constraints. The technique is tested using emulated radial wind observations of a supercell storm simulated by the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS), as well as real dual-Doppler observations of a supercell storm that occurred in Oklahoma on 8 May 2003. Special attention is given to procedures to evaluate the vorticity tendency term, including spatially variable advection correction and estimation of the intrinsic evolution. Volume scan times ...
Genetic basis of human brain evolution

Human evolution is characterized by a rapid increase in brain size and complexity. Decades of research have made important strides in identifying anatomical and physiological substrates underlying the unique features of the human brain. By contrast, it has become possible only very recently to examine the genetic basis of human brain evolution. Through comparative genomics, tantalizing insights regarding human brain evolution have emerged. The genetic changes that potentially underlie human brain evolution span a wide range from single-nucleotide substitutions to large-scale structural alterations of the genome. Similarly, the functional consequences of these genetic changes vary greatly, including protein-sequence alterations, cis-regulatory changes and even the emergence of new genes and the extinction of existing ones. Here, we provide a general review of recent findings into the genetic basis of human brain evolution, highlight the most notable trends that have emerged and caution against over-interpretation of current data.
The mode of action of antimalarial endoperoxides

The mechanism of action of artemisinin appears to involve two steps. In the first step, activation, intra-parasitic iron catalyses the cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge and the generation of free radicals. In the second step, alkylation, the artemisinin-derived free radical forms covalent bonds with parasite proteins.
ICANN and Internet governance: Leveraging technical coordination to realize global public policy

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was created in 1998 to perform technical coordination of the Internet. ICANN also lays the foundations for governance, creating capabilities for promulgating and enforcing global regulations on Internet use. ICANN leverages the capabilities in the Internet domain name system (DNS) to implement four mechanisms of governance: authority, law, sanctions, and jurisdictions. These governance-related features are embodied in seemingly technical features of ICANN's institutional design. Recognition of ICANN's governance mechanisms allows us to better understand the Internet's emerging regulatory regime.
Using triaxial magnetic fields to create optimal particle composites

The properties of a particle composite can be controlled by organizing the particles into assemblies. The properties of the composite will depend on the structure of the particle assemblies, and for any give property there is some optimal structure. Through simulation and experiment we show that the application of heterodyned triaxial magnetic or electric fields generates structures that optimize the magnetic and dielectric properties of particle composites. We suggest that optimizing these properties optimizes other properties, such as transport properties, and we give as one example of this optimization the magnetostriction of magnetic particle composites formed in a silicone elastomer.
On The Discursive Construction Of Jewish “Racialization” And “Race Passing:” Jews As “U-boats” With A Mysterious “Queer Light”

The Nazi Gestapo referred to Jews in hiding as “U-Boats” to survive under the Third Reich. Like the seagoing vessels, they traveled a fluid sea. Some navigated below the depths, while others floated on the surface in plain view, artfully (and not so artfully) disguised to conceal their actual identities. The article profiles the author’s family, the Mahlers of Antwerp, Belgium, during the Nazi occupation through an investigation of the historical, theoretical, and discursive categories of “race” and “race passing,” specifically as it relates to European-heritage Jewish people.
UP-TORR: Online Tool for Accurate and Up-to-Date Annotation of RNAi Reagents

RNA interference (RNAi) is a widely adopted tool for loss-of-function studies but RNAi results only have biological relevance if the reagents are appropriately mapped to genes. Several groups have designed and generated RNAi reagent libraries for studies in cells or in vivo for Drosophila and other species. At first glance, matching RNAi reagents to genes appears to be a simple problem, as each reagent is typically designed to target a single gene. In practice, however, the reagent–gene relationship is complex. Although the sequences of oligonucleotides used to generate most types of RNAi reagents are static, the reference genome and gene annotations are regularly updated. Thus, at the time a researcher chooses an RNAi reagent or analyzes RNAi data, the most current interpretation of the RNAi reagent–gene relationship, as well as related information regarding specificity (e.g., predicted off-target effects), can be different from the original interpretation. Here, we describe a set of strategies and an accompanying online tool, UP-TORR (for Updated Targets of RNAi Reagents; www.flyrnai.org/up-torr), useful for accurate and up-to-date annotation of cell-based and in vivo RNAi reagents. Importantly, UP-TORR automatically synchronizes with gene annotations daily, retrieving the most current information available, and for Drosophila, also synchronizes with the major reagent collections. Thus, UP-TORR allows users to choose the most appropriate RNAi reagents at the onset of a study, as well as to perform the most appropriate analyses of results of RNAi-based studies.
Preventing Obesity and Promoting Fitness: An Ecological Perspective

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth has increased markedly in the past 2 decades in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, more than one-third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. A number of obesity prevention and intervention programs focus on the individual by utilizing intrapersonal theories to encourage the individual to eat healthy and participate in physical activity. The purpose of the current article is to go beyond the individual level and approach obesity with an ecological perspective because it may prove to have a larger influence. The ecological systems theory (EST) by Bronfenbrenner postulated that human development is influenced by a reciprocal relationship between the individual and their social system. In the context of physical activity, health behaviors occur within and are influenced by the multiple systems within which youth reside. This manuscript explores Bronfenbrenner’s EST framework comprising 4 ...
The effect of lossy image compression on image classification

The authors have classified four different images, under various levels of JPEG compression, using the following classification algorithms: minimum-distance, maximum-likelihood, and neural network. The training site accuracy and percent difference from the original classification were tabulated for each image compression level, with maximum-likelihood showing the poorest results. In general, as compression ratio increased, the classification retained its overall appearance, but much of the pixel-to-pixel detail was eliminated. The authors also examined the effect of compression on spatial pattern detection using a neural network.
The Possibility of Popular Justice: A Case Study of Community Mediation in the United States

Merry. Sally Engle and Neal Milner. eds. The Possibility of Popular Justice:. Case Study of Community Mediation in the United States. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1993.
Maritime health emergencies

BACKGROUND: Commercial ships flying the US flag must conform to Coast Guard standards and have medical care available onboard. Consultation with a physician is required if medication is to be prescribed. AIM: To evaluate the epidemiology of medical contacts for US ships at sea. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of cases where shipboard caregivers made contact with US emergency medicine physicians for advice. RESULTS: There were 866 cases and 1720 contacts in 48 consecutive months of study. Eighty-eight per cent of cases were men with a mean age of 43.7 years (SD 13.7). Eighty-four per cent of cases were medical, 14% were injuries and 2% were purely psychiatric. Fifty-eight per cent of medical cases, 50% of psychiatric cases and 42% of injury cases were handled with a single contact. Injuries and psychiatric cases required a higher number of contacts per case compared with medical cases (P Language: en
Injury induced neointima formation and its inhibition by retrovirus-mediated transfer of nitride oxide synthase gene in an in-vitro human saphenous vein culture model

Human saphenous veins were cultured to characterize neointima formation and feasibility of gene transfer to inhibit the intimal proliferative response to injury. Mechanical injury was introduced by abrading the luminal surface of the vein patch with a sterile cotton bud. Both injured and non-injured vein patches were cultured and transduced with retroviral vectors carrying marker or therapeutic genes. After a 14-day culture, the thickness of the intimal layer of non-injured vein patches reached 90+/-28 microm at the edge and 61+/-22 microm at the center (n=29) from the original 22+/-12 microm at harvest (n=6, P=0.02). Mechanical injury to the intimal surface prior to culture resulted in an exaggerated proliferative response. The intimal thickness of injured vein patches increased from 3.4+/-1 microm right after injury to 128+/-23 microm (n=12, P<0.001) at the edge after 14-day culture. Genes were transduced efficiently into a luminal layer of cultured veins using a pseudotyped murine leukemia viral vector. Transduction of gene encoding nitric oxide synthase resulted in reduction of neointima formation to 33+/-7 microm (n=12) at the edge after 14-day culture compared to 90 microm (P<0.01) seen in untransduced non-injured vein patches. Marker gene transduction did not alter intimal proliferative response or its immunohistochemical profile. The data suggest that cultured vein can be used as a model for studying the effects of injury to blood vessels and to evaluate the effects of candidate therapeutic genes.
A flap for naso-labial defects, or, "save the dog-ear".

Summary A new technique is presented which saves the dog-ear for use as a triangular pedicle flap in the closure of naso-labial defects. The flap can be based superiorly or inferiorly. A modification of the technique is suggested, saving the usually discarded dog-ears for closure of a circular defect where two triangular pedicle flaps, made from the pieces usually thrown away, are transposed towards one another.
A microfluidic device for the automated derivatization of free fatty acids to fatty acid methyl esters.

Free fatty acid (FFA) compositions are examined in feedstock for biodiesel production, as source-specific markers in soil, and because of their role in cellular signaling. However, sample preparation of FFAs for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis can be time and labor intensive. Therefore, to increase sample preparation throughput, a glass microfluidic device was developed to automate derivatization of FFAs to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). FFAs were delivered to one input of the device and methanolic-HCl was delivered to a second input. FAME products were produced as the reagents traversed a 29 μL reaction channel held at 55 °C. A Design of Experiment protocol was used to determine the combination of derivatization time (Tder) and ratio of methanolic-HCl:FFA (Rder) that maximized the derivatization efficiencies of tridecanoic acid and stearic acid to their methyl ester forms. The combination of Tder = 0.8 min and Rder = 4.9 that produced optimal derivatization conditions for both FFAs within a 5 min total sample preparation time was determined. This combination of Tder and Rder was used to derivatize 12 FFAs with a range of derivatization efficiencies from 18% to 93% with efficiencies of 61% for tridecanoic acid and 84% for stearic acid. As compared to a conventional macroscale derivatization of FFA to FAME, the microfluidic device decreased the volume of methanolic-HCl and FFA by 20- and 1300-fold, respectively. The developed microfluidic device can be used for automated preparation of FAMEs to analyze the FFA compositions of volume-limited samples.
The role of somatostatin in the treatment of persistent chylothorax in children.

Objective: To analyze the success rate of somatostatin in children with persistent chylothorax who failed dietary treatment options (fat-free nutrition, total parenteral nutrition) and to work out predictive factors for a successful therapy with somatostatin. Methods: Retrospective cohort study over a 5-year period (2000—2004) in a neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary university hospital. We analyzed the data of 85 neonatal and pediatric patients. Treatment of chylothorax occurred according to a multistage protocol with progressing invasiveness: (1) fat-free enteral nutrition, (2) total parenteral nutrition, (3) somatostatin infusion, (4) surgery. The percentages of patients successfully treated at the progressing steps were recorded. The somatostatin group was analyzed regarding to physiologic, diagnostic, treatment and outcome parameters. Somatostatin-responders were compared with non-responders. Results: Seventy-six of the 85 patients had chylothorax after cardiac surgery. Sixty-six percent could be treated with fat-free nutrition alone, 19% needed treatment with total parenteral nutrition and in 15% somatostatin was added. Of the whole sample, 4.7% required a surgical intervention. Of the 13 patients treated with somatostatin, all had bilateralchylothorax.Sixpatients(46%)respondedtosomatostatin.Respondersandnon-respondersdidnot differsignificantlyregardingage,day of postoperative diagnosis of chylothorax, amount of chylous effusion before somatostatin infusion, triglyceride concentration and lymphocyte percentage in chylous, and central venous pressure (p = 0.066). Conclusions: Somatostatin, integrated in a treatment algorithm, was successful in resolving persistent chylothorax in around 50% of patients. With this strategy, some children may be prevented from undergoing an operation.
African Immigrant Families in the United States: Surviving the Sociocultural Tide

There exists a significant yet unique level and magnitude of problems that immigrants of African descent have to grapple with in their efforts to settle down into their new American lives. This fact makes the continuity of the natal culture very difficult. However, in spite of their many problems, African immigrants never lose touch with their African homes altogether. As it stands, many African immigrants see education as the key toward achieving their American dream. Thus, in raising their children and in surviving the cultural shocks, they still manage to succeed. In this article, the authors discuss how and why they survive the sociocultural tide and what counselors and service providers can do to help them.
Influence of Parent Company’s Organizational Dimensions on Its JV Performances – Opportunism Occurrence and Control Efficacy

How does a parent company organizational dimension affect its joint ventures’ performance in a transitional economy? We explored that question through an analytical inductive case study. Our findings indicate that the confluence of a function-oriented matrix form and lack of formal procedures at the strategic level led to a fief-like organization in which its functional departments hold high power and low accountability while its JVs’ management team hold low power but high accountability. Such a fief-like organizational parent makes a negative contribution to its JV performance by adding difficulty to its JV formal control, introducing department-driven opportunism through imposing inside hierarchical goals upon its JV, leading to a low opportunism control efficacy as the result of the separation of opportunism beneficiary from the costs. The negative contribution from the fief-like organization is due to its organizational injustice and a reverse arrangement between authority power and accountability.
THE CONSERVATIVE AND OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF FRACTURES OF THE CARPAL SCAPHOID (NAVICULAR)

1. Success in the treatment of fractures of the carpal navicular depends upon the recognition of the fracture within two or three weeks of injury, and upon adequate and prolonged immobilization. Under these favorable conditions osseous union may be anticipated in a very high percentage of cases. 2. Excision of one or both fragments of the navicular is reserved for a limited number of cases, including those showing marked comminution and those in which other measures have failed. 3. From further experience in the operative treatment of non-union, it would seem that the drilling operation has a limited value; and that a procedure is indicated which combines the excision of the interposed fibrous tissue, the drilling of the bone, and the insertion of a bone graft from the radius. This procedure materially reduces the period of necessary immobilization and increases the chances of union.
Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

This chapter provides a summary of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and the biosocial theory of BPD are reviewed. DBT provides a clear structure for the treatment of BPD using individual psychotherapy, group skills training, and telephone coaching. An overview of the treatment is provided, with particular attention to constructs added to standard CBT such as dialectics, validation, mindfulness, skills training, and the importance of consultation. This chapter also provides a case example to illustrate key aspects of DBT.
Deep Conceptual Learning in Science and Mathematics: Perspectives of Teachers and Administrators

Research suggests deep conceptual learning (DCL) is distinctly different than surface learning (Chang & Chang, 2008; Biggs, 1999; Marton, Dall’Alba, & Beatty, 1993). Deep conceptual learners tend to think, discuss, and question more, seeking to understand rather than only memorize (Lyke & Young, 2006). A commonality of the Common Core standards in mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards is greater focus on depth rejecting superficial survey curricula. The Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth (Clarke & Hollingsworth, 2002) describes domains influencing teacher enactment of new initiatives. Information about teachers and administrators’ Personal Domains and Domains of Practice were gathered and analyzed through an adaptive questionnaire on mathematics and science education at the middle school and high school levels. The questionnaire items included the extent to which DCL methods are put into practice, the perceived importance of DCL, the status of DCL in schools, and which instructional methods embody DCL. Survey results (N= 425) indicate respondents believe that DCL is very important for preparing students for careers and college. Both administrators and teachers generally believe that DCL is very important for mastering the new standards and there was strong agreement that (a) the learning environment influences student DCL behaviors and (b) DCLs are more likely to become lifelong learners.
Index of Suspicion in the Nursery: Neonate With Respiratory Distress and Shock

A female infant born at 36 weeks to a 25-year-old G2P2 mother by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery after an uncomplicated pregnancy, presents with respiratory distress and shock at 1 month of age. She has had 2 days of increased work of breathing with tachypnea and tracheal tugging; 2 weeks of cough, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion; and currently an episode of cyanosis lasting 2 minutes. Weight gain has been appropriate since birth. On physical examination, rectal temperature is 34°C, heart rate is 126 beats per minute, blood pressure is 58/31 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation is 40% in room air. The patient has prolonged capillary refill indicative of poor peripheral perfusion, coarse breath sounds with rhonchi bilaterally, and hepatosplenomegaly. A chest radiograph shows diffuse coarse bilateral interstitial opacities with lucency over the right middle lobe (Fig 1). Figure 1. Chest radiograph demonstrating bilateral diffuse coarse interstitial markings with subsegmental left lower lobe opacity, right mid-lobe lucency, and small right-sided pleural effusion. Initial laboratory studies include an arterial blood gas with pH of 7.03, a Pco2 of 70 mm Hg, calculated bicarbonate of 18 mEq/L, and a base excess of –13; the patient’s serum lactate level was 6.7 mmol/L. The white blood cell count is 25.6 × 103/μL (25.6 × 109/L) with 41% neutrophils and 38% band forms. The C-reactive protein level is 107 mg/L. The serum total bilirubin is 1.3 mg/dL, alanine aminotransferase is 22 U/L, and aspartate aminotransferase is 88 U/L. Her prothrombin time (PT) is 31.9 seconds (international normalized ratio: 3.1), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is 51.9 seconds. The cerebrospinal fluid cell count (CSF) cell count, differential, protein, and glucose are normal. Samples of blood, urine, CSF, and endotracheal tube aspirate were sent for viral and bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction assays. Quantitative …
Use of the Y Chromosome in the Wistar/Furth Rat as a Cellular Marker.

SummaryThese studies establish that the heteropycnotic Y chromosome in the Wistar/ Furth rat is a distinctive cellular marker in this inbred histocompatible strain.
Evaluation of user-centric optical see-through head-mounted display calibration using a leap motion controller

Advances in optical see-through head-mounted display technology have yielded a number of consumer accessible options, such as the Google Glass and Epson Moverio BT-200, and have paved the way for promising next generation hardware, including the Microsoft HoloLens and Epson Pro BT-2000. The release of consumer devices, though, has also been accompanied by an ever increasing need for standardized optical see-through display calibration procedures easily implemented and performed by researchers, developers, and novice users alike. Automatic calibration techniques offer the possibility for ubiquitous environment independent solutions, un-reliant upon user interaction. These processes, however, require the use of additional eye tracking hardware and algorithms not natively present in current display offerings. User dependent approaches, therefore, remain the only viable option for effective calibration of current generation optical see-through hardware. Inclusion of depth sensors and hand tracking cameras, promised in forthcoming consumer models, offer further potential to improve these manual methods and provide practical intuitive calibration options accessible to a wide user base. In this work, we evaluate the accuracy and precision of manual optical see-through head-mounted display calibration performed using a Leap Motion controller. Both hand and stylus based methods for monocular and stereo procedures are examined, along with several on-screen reticle designs for improving alignment context during calibration. Our study shows, that while enhancing the context of reticles for hand based alignments does yield improved results, Leap Motion calibrations performed with a stylus offer the most accurate and consistent performance, comparable to that found in previous studies for environment-centric routines. In addition, we found that stereo calibration further improved precision in every case. We believe that our findings not only validate the potential of hand and gesture based trackers in facilitating optical see-through calibration methodologies, but also provide a suitable benchmark to help guide future efforts in standardizing calibration practices for user friendly consumer systems.
Living Situation of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Taian City

Objective By understanding the living situation of people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) in Taian city and to provide scientific evidence for developing relevant health care policies and intervention strategies.Methods Face-to-face interviews were conducted among PLWHA being followed-up by using self-designed questionnaire,self-rating anxiety scale,self-rating depression scale and social support rating scale.Results A total of 36 PLWHA were interviewed,in which 22.22%(8/36)of objectives considered their quality of life was great or good.Four of 36 were assessed as anxiety,and 13 were assessed depression.Family income of PLWHA was lower than average income of local farmer.HIV/AIDS patients aged under 30 years old,participated social activities during last month and had a high CD4 count in the latest test,had not received antiretroviral treatment felt good about living conditions,with the difference statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion The self-reported quality of life among PLWHA was bad,and part of PLWHA had psychological problems,while the family income of them was low.Therefore,psychological support and social assistance for PLWHA should be further enhanced.
The Impact and Countermeasure of Large Scale Wind Power on Power System

A summarization of the impact of large scale wind power on power systems. The characteristic of wind power development is concluded, The impact includes reactive power and voltage problem, transient stability problem, frequency stability problem, power quality problems. Some solution and research direction is presented for different questions. Two important research areas are discussed, one is wind farm integration control technology, the other one is wind power prediction technology.
Changes in plasma calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and hydroxyproline concentrations in ewes from twelve weeks before until three weeks after lambing.

SUMMARY In 51 Herdwick ewes the mean plasma calcium concentrations reached a minimum three to four weeks before lambing and then increased up to and after lambing. The mean plasma phosphorus concentrations were lower during the last six weeks of pregnancy than earlier in pregnancy but increased after lambing. Plasma magnesium concentrations were higher during the last three weeks of pregnancy but decreased at lambing and for three weeks after lambing. Plasma hydroxyproline concentrations started to increase four weeks before lambing, increased sharply at lambing and remained at this high level for another week. These changes in the blood composition of ewes are contrasted with the changes which occur at similar times in the blood composition of dairy cows.
Recent progress in instrumentation for dielectric measurements at the laboratory for insulation research, M.I.T.

A. In the device described below, two phase motors are used as discriminating elements. Basically, the scheme of operation of this self-tracking detector is as follows. The driving signal is applied to one winding of a two-phase motor, arid the output signal of the bridge is applied to the second winding.
Web-based mobile robot simulator

Many roboticists rely on simulation during the early phases of developing navigation algorithms for their autonomous mobile robots. While many commercial robots now come with robust development environments that include visual simulators, these tools aren’t available to robotics researchers who are working with a custom-built robot or who have not yet determined which commercial robot will satisfy their requirements. Even researchers using one of the commercial development environments will have difficulty sharing their simulation results with colleagues or others who do not have access to the commercial development tools. Believing that the ability to share simulation results visually with the greatest number of people would be an important capability to have led to the development of the web-based simulation approach described in this paper.
How to Participate in Ethics Committees

If you are considering serving on an ethics committee, whether by invitation or your own initiative, it is important that you first understand the role of an ethics committee. Confusion regarding the role of ethics committees, as well as a perception of “uselessness” of ethics committees, stems from a misunderstanding of the committee’s basic purpose. The misunderstanding is that ethics committees “tell people what to do” and usurp the autonomy of the caregiving team. It is erroneous to believe that ethics committees direct patient care and that clinicians are obliged to follow the recommendations of the committee. An ethics committee is not the “ethics police.” Indeed, nothing could be further from the truth.
Hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline media: Relationship between electrocatalysis and electrochemical double-layer structure

Abstract Enhancing the sluggish kinetics of electrochemical hydrogen-oxidation reaction in high pH environments is of crucial importance considering its applications in alkaline-membrane fuel cells (AMFC) and regenerative hydrogen electrodes for energy storage. Alkaline H 2 -oxidation to form water involves reaction between H-adsorbed intermediates and hydroxide anions wherein the nature/source of the latter plays a crucial role. Here, we take a systematic approach to understand why H 2 -oxidation kinetics is slower in alkaline media compared to acid. While recently reported models focus on surface-adsorbate bond strength optimization, we herein show that the alkaline H 2 -oxidation mechanism is fundamentally different due to a complex interplay between electrocatalysis and electrochemical double-layer structure. A heretofore unknown modern rendition of the double-layer structure is proposed wherein specifically adsorbed (M-OH ad ) and quasi-specifically adsorbed (M-H ad/upd … OH q-ad ) reactive hydroxide-species localized in the compact part of the electrochemical double-layer is shown to define H 2 -oxidation kinetics on monometallic and bimetallic catalyst surfaces at high pH.
Genetic architecture of atherosclerosis dissected by QTL analyses in three F2 intercrosses of apolipoprotein E-null mice on C57BL6/J, DBA/2J and 129S6/SvEvTac backgrounds

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of intercross populations between widely used mouse inbred strains provide a powerful approach for uncovering genetic factors that influence susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Epistatic interactions are common in complex phenotypes and depend on genetic backgrounds. To dissect genetic architecture of atherosclerosis, we analyzed F2 progeny from a cross between apolipoprotein E-null mice on DBA/2J (DBA-apoE) and C57BL/6J (B6-apoE) genetic backgrounds and compared the results with those from two previous F2 crosses of apolipoprotein E-null mice on 129S6/SvEvTac (129-apoE) and DBA-apoE backgrounds, and B6-apoE and 129-apoE backgrounds. In these round-robin crosses, in which each parental strain was crossed with two others, large-effect QTLs are expected to be detectable at least in two crosses. On the other hand, observation of QTLs in one cross only may indicate epistasis and/or absence of statistical power. For atherosclerosis at the aortic arch, Aath4 on chromosome (Chr)2:66 cM follows the first pattern, with significant QTL peaks in (DBAx129)F2 and (B6xDBA)F2 mice but not in (B6x129)F2 mice. We conclude that genetic variants unique to DBA/2J at Aath4 confer susceptibility to atherosclerosis at the aortic arch. A similar pattern was observed for Aath5 on chr10:35 cM, verifying that the variants unique to DBA/2J at this locus protect against arch plaque development. However, multiple loci, including Aath1 (Chr1:49 cM), and Aath2 (Chr1:70 cM) follow the second type of pattern, showing significant peaks in only one of the three crosses (B6-apoE x 129-apoE). As for atherosclerosis at aortic root, the majority of QTLs, including Ath29 (Chr9:33 cM), Ath44 (Chr1:68 cM) and Ath45 (Chr2:83 cM), was also inconsistent, being significant in only one of the three crosses. Only the QTL on Chr7:37 cM was consistently suggestive in two of the three crosses. Thus QTL analysis of round-robin crosses revealed the genetic architecture of atherosclerosis.
Effects of Global Payment and Accountable Care on Medication Treatment for Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders.

Objectives The Alternative Quality Contract (AQC) implemented in 2009 by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) is intended to improve quality and control costs by putting providers at risk for total medical spending and tying payment to performance on specified quality measures. We examined the AQC's early effects on use of and spending on medication treatment (MT) for addiction among individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and opioid use disorders (OUDs), conditions not subject to any performance measurement in the AQC. Methods Using data from 2006 to 2011, we use difference-in-difference estimation of the effect of the AQC on MT using a comparison group of enrollees in BCBSMA whose providers did not participate in the AQC. We compared AQC and non-AQC enrollees with AUDs (n = 37,113 person-years) and/or OUDs (n = 12,727 person-years) on any use of MT, number of prescriptions filled, and MT spending adjusting for demographic and health status characteristics. Results There was no difference in MT use among AQC enrollees with OUD (38.7%) relative to the comparison group (39.1%) (adjusted difference = -0.4%, 95% confidence interval -3.8% to 3.0%, P = 0.82). Likewise, there was no difference in MT use for AUD between the AQC (6.3%) and comparison group (6.5%) (P = 0.64). Similarly, we detected no differences in number of prescriptions or spending. Conclusions Despite incentives for improved integration and quality of care under a global payment contract, the initial 3 years of the AQC showed no impact on MT use for AUD or OUD among privately insured enrollees with behavioral health benefits.
Increased Neutrophil Secretion Induced by NLRP3 Mutation Links the Inflammasome to Azurophilic Granule Exocytosis.

Heterozygous mutations in the NLRP3 gene in patients with cryopyrin associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) lead to hyper-responsive inflammasome function. CAPS is a systemic auto-inflammatory syndrome characterized by the activation of the innate immune system induced by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, but the involvement of selective innate immune cells in this process is not fully understood. Neutrophil secretion and the toxic components of their granules are mediators of inflammation associated with several human diseases and inflammatory conditions. Here, using the Nlrp3A350V inducible mouse model (MWS CreT) that recapitulates human patients with the A352V mutation in NLRP3 observed in the Muckle-Wells sub-phenotype of CAPS, we studied the relationship between hyper-activation of the inflammasome and neutrophil exocytosis. Using a flow cytometry approach, we show that Nlrp3A350V (MWS) neutrophils express normal basal levels of CD11b at the plasma membrane and that the upregulation of CD11b from secretory vesicles in response to several plasma membrane or endocytic agonist including the bacterial-derived mimetic peptide formyl-Leu-Met-Phe (fMLF) and the unmethylated oligonucleotide CpG is normal in MWS neutrophils. Significant but modest CD11b upregulation in MWS neutrophils compared to wild type was only observed in response to GM-CSF and CpG. The same pattern was observed for the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) from gelatinase granules in that MMP-9 secretion in MWS neutrophils was not different from that observed in wild-type neutrophils except when stimulated with GM-CSF and CpG. In contrast, azurophilic granule secretion, whose cargoes constitute the most toxic secretory and pro-inflammatory factors of the neutrophil, was markedly dysregulated in MWS neutrophils under both basal and stimulated conditions. This could not be attributed to paracrine effects of secretory cytokines because IL-1β secretion by neutrophils was undetectable under these experimental conditions. The increased azurophilic granule exocytosis in MWS neutrophils was attenuated by treatment with the neutrophil exocytosis inhibitor Nexinhib20. In agreement with a possible neutrophil contribution to systemic inflammation in CAPS, the levels of neutrophil secretory proteins were significantly elevated in the plasma from Nlrp3A350V mice. Altogether, our data indicates an azurophilic granule-selective dysregulation of neutrophil exocytosis in CAPS.
Survival of Female White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileusvirginianus) in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Abstract. Wildlife biologists require demographic estimates to manage white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. However, such data are sparse for deer in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. During 2005–2008, we radiomarked 105 female white-tailed deer (62 adults and 43 fawns) in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan to quantify rates of survival and determine causes of mortality. Annual adult survival was 0.64±0.06 (mean ± SE) and similar to other northern deer studies, with most mortalities (n = 14 of 31) caused by hunting and deer-vehicle collisions (n = 5). Adult survival was the highest during winter (1.00) and lowest in fall (0.70±0.07). Survival of fawns during the winter–spring period was 0.74 ± 0.06 and within ranges of other northern deer studies, with all mortalities caused by predation (n = 4) and starvation (n = 3). These survival rates indicate the local deer population may be able to achieve higher densities and provide current information to parameterize population mo...