cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State, civil society, and the limits of NGO institutionalization in post-apartheid South Africa

While some civil society organizations (CSOs) initially embraced the state in post-apartheid South Africa, many became increasingly disappointed with the state’s incapacity to effect meaningful and long-lasting social change. This has resulted in a range of new CSO activity, including semi-autonomous non-governmental organizations, numerous basic needs organizations, and broad based social movements. Through in-depth interviews and participant observation, this article examines one CSO as a case study to highlight the emerging fractures in South Africa’s state–civil society configuration. Findings in this article suggest that some CSOs have successfully disengaged with the South African state due to its inefficient and corrupt funding practices, incapacity for effective leadership, and outright hostility towards CSOs. However, these data also indicate that problematic state–civil society relations may weaken South African CSOs’ potential to operate effectively or develop social movements which challenge t...
Regulatory element detection using correlation with expression

We present here a new computational method for discovering cis-regulatory elements that circumvents the need to cluster genes based on their expression profiles. Based on a model in which upstream motifs contribute additively to the log-expression level of a gene, this method requires a single genome-wide set of expression ratios and the upstream sequence for each gene, and outputs statistically significant motifs. Analysis of publicly available expression data for Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals several new putative regulatory elements, some of which plausibly control the early, transient induction of genes during sporulation. Known motifs generally have high statistical significance.
Characteristic relaxation times and their invariance to thermodynamic conditions

The dynamics of molecular liquids and polymers exhibit various “transitions”, associated with characteristic changes in properties. With decreasing temperature or increasing pressure, these transitions include (i) the onset of intermolecular cooperativity with consequent non-Arrhenius and non-Debye behavior; (ii) the dynamic crossover at which derivatives of the relaxation time and strength exhibit breaks; (iii) vitrification, corresponding to cessation of translational and rotational motions; and (iv) for anisotropic molecules the development of liquid crystallinity. At each of these transitions of a liquid, the structural or reorientational relaxation time is constant, independent of thermodynamic conditions; that is, while the temperature of the transition depends on pressure, the relaxation does not.
Time-domain characterization of bent coplanar waveguides

A comprehensive experimental study of the propagation of picosecond steplike transients on bent coplanar waveguides (CPWs) on GaAs substrates is presented. Bent CPWs with different degrees of bend-smoothing were investigated with the aid of a subpicosecond electrooptic sampling system. The observations indicated that the physical length of the bent CPW had to be taken into account in order to evaluate the signal propagation velocity correctly. Smoothing of the bends significantly improved the HF performance of the lines. The results demonstrate that transients with a bandwidth in excess of 100 GHz suffer only limited signal distortion when they are propagated over substantial distances on bent CPWs. >
Multinucleation in Metropolitan Economies

Abstract Metropolitan form has changed significantly over the past few decades; economic activities are increasingly concentrated in suburban nucleations. In this paper I specify models of the multinucleation process on the basis of the investment decisions of business firms in different economic sectors. Regression analysis is used to explain the changing density of business establishments with data for suburban municipalities in the Boston, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA's. Variables reflecting land costs, freeway access, market growth, and the effects of agglomeration and competition are important explanatory factors in many cases. I also specify a model of the number of suburban employment nucleations and test it using cross-sectional data for 31 metropolitan places. The metropolitan income base, suburban employment density, suburban share of MSA land area, and velocity of movement are important explanatory variables. The geographic spacing of nucleations is also explored; the results of time...
Power Semiconductor Equipment Cooling Methods and Application Criteria

A variety of factors including cost effectiveness, output rating, and reliability influence the choice of cooling method for semiconductor power conversion equipment. For this study, a number of representative cooling systems (air, water, immersion) were evaluated for a 700 V ac to adjustable voltage dc conversion equipment. A transient thermal model of an external pressure-mounted double-side cooled thyristor (such as a Press Pak, Hockey Puk, Disk Pac, etc.) was used to demonstrate the transient time frame over which changes in the cooling system affect the system rating. The systems evaluated provided a range of system performance and demonstrated the need for careful definition of application requirements.
Fast imaging with sparse sampling

Conventional imaging methods are based on Shannon-Nyquist sampling theory. This talk will provide an overview of recent developments on imaging theory/algorithms that enable signal sampling well below the classical Nyquist rate, thus much higher imaging speeds.
Grain Sorghum Response to Row Spacing, Plant Density, and Planter Skips

Adverse weather and soil conditions may prevent grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) growers from achieving an evenly spaced, optimum plant density. In these situations, growers must decide whether to replant or manage a grain sorghum crop with uneven and/or lower stands. Research indicated that grain sorghum grain yield response to row spacing was variable and dependent upon environment. In uniform stands, grain sorghum was able to partially compensate for densities below 60,000 plants per acre by producing additional grain heads per plant. Results also indicated that in uniform grain sorghum stands, N at 100 to 150 lb/acre produced the highest grain yield under both high and low plant density conditions. In non-uniform stands with frequent 6- to 9-ft skips, sorghum had significantly reduced grain yield when compared to a uniform stand or 3-ft skips. These results do not support reduced N rates in either uniform or uneven grain sorghum stands with less than optimal plant densities.
Patch Cramming Reveals the Mechanism of Long-Term Suppression of Cyclic Nucleotides in Intact Neurons

To understand cyclic nucleotide dynamics in intact cells, we used the patch-cramming method with cyclic nucleotide-gated channels as real-time biosensors for cGMP. In neuroblastoma and sympathetic neurons, both muscarinic agonists and nitric oxide (NO) rapidly elevate cGMP. However, muscarinic agonists also elicit a long-term (2 hr) suppression (LTS) of subsequent cGMP responses. Muscarinic agonists elevate cGMP by triggering Ca2+ mobilization, which activates NO synthase to produce NO, leading to the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). Here we examine the mechanism of LTS. Experiments using direct intracellular cGMP injection demonstrate that enhancement of phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, rather than depression of sGC activity, is responsible for LTS. Biochemical measurements show that both cGMP and cAMP content is suppressed, consistent with the involvement of a nonselective PDE. Application of pharmacological agents that alter Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and experiments involving injection of the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA show that Ca2+ mobilization is necessary and sufficient for LTS induction but also show that LTS maintenance is Ca2+-independent. Protein phosphatase injection reverses LTS, and specific inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) prevent induction and inhibit maintenance. The switch between the Ca2+ dependence of LTS induction to the Ca2+ independence of LTS maintenance is consistent with CaMKII autophosphorylation, similar to proposed mechanisms of hippocampal long-term potentiation. Because the molecular machinery underlying LTS is common to many cells, LTS may be a widespread mechanism for long-term silencing of cyclic nucleotide signaling.
C-C versus C-H Bond Activation of Alkynes by Early Second-Row Transition Metal Atoms

The reactions of Y (a2D), Zr (a3F), Nb (a6D), Mo (a7S), and electronically excited-state Mo* (a5S) with propyne (methylacetylene) and 2-butyne (1,2-dimethylacetylene) were investigated using crossed molecular beams. For all of the metals studied, reactions with propyne led to H2 elimination, forming MC3H2. For Y + propyne, C−C bond cleavage forming YCCH + CH3 also was observed, with an energetic threshold in good agreement with an earlier determination of D0(Y−CCH). For Y + 2-butyne, three reactive channels were observed: YC4H4 + H2, YC3H3 + CH3, and YC3H2 + CH4. The C−C bond cleavage products accounted for 21 and 27% of the total products at Ecoll = 69 and 116 kJ/mol, respectively. For Zr and Nb reactions with 2-butyne, competition between H2 and CH4 elimination was observed, with C−C bond cleavage accounting for 12 and 4% of the total product signal at Ecoll = 71 kJ/mol, respectively. For reactions of Mo and Mo* with 2-butyne, only H2 elimination was observed. The similarity between reactions involving...
Stimulation of fatty acid biosynthesis by dietary cholesterol and of cholesterol synthesis by dietary fatty acid

We reported previously that dietary cholesterol produces hypertriglyceridemia in the rat, accompanied by reduced oxidation and increased incorporation of exogenous fatty acid into hepatic triglyceride and increased secretion of very low density lipoprotein. We now report that dietary cholesterol also increases net hepatic fatty acid synthesis and the incorporation of newly synthesized fatty acid into hepatic triglyceride in vivo. Male rats were fed a cholesterol-free, semi- synthetic diet (5% (wlw) corn oil) for 7 days, or the same diet supplemented with 0.5% cholesterol. On the day of the experi- ments, fed animals received 5 mCi 3H20 intraperitoneally (i.p.) either at 1200 h (6 h into the light cycle) or at 2400 h (6 h into the dark cycle). Animals were killed 1 h after receiving the radi- oisotope. Feeding cholesterol increased hepatic triglyceride and cholesteryl ester concentrations, moderately elevated the content of free cholesterol, but did not affect phospholipid levels. In- creased net synthesis of fatty acids by livers of animals receiving cholesterol was observed during the dark period; a similar in- crease during the light period was also observed for incorpora- tion of newly synthesized fatty acid into hepatic phospholipid and cholesteryl ester, although incorporation into triglyceride was of borderline significance (P < 0.06). In other experiments male rats were fed similar diets for 3, 7, or 21 days. Fed animals received 10 mCi 3H20, i.p. (900-1000 h), and were killed 24 h later. Duration of feeding did not influence rates of net fatty acid synthesis or the stimulation by cholesterol of incorporation of newly synthesized fatty acid into hepatic triglyceride and cholesteryl ester. Increasing the fat content of the diet to 20% (w/w) and maintaining the cholesterol supplement at 0.5% diminished the net rate of hepatic lipogenesis, but the stimula- tory effect of cholesterol was still evident. Biosynthesis of cholesterol was stimulated when the fat content of the diet was increased in the absence or in the presence of added cholesterol. I These data indicate that dietary cholesterol stimulates the biosynthesis of fatty acids, while the addition of triglyceride to the diet stimulates synthesis of cholesterol. Fatty acid and cholesterol appear to stimulate each other's biosynthesis in the liver.-Fungwe, T. V., J. E. Fox, L. M. Cagen, H. G. Wilcox, and M. Heimberg. Stimulation of fatty acid biosynthe- sis by dietary cholesterol and of cholesterol synthesis by dietary fatty acid. J Lipid Res. 1994. 35: 311-318.
Outpatient Information Systems (OISs) for Ambulatory Care

Of the relatively few outpatient information systems (OISs) operational in the United States in the 1960s, most were in ambulatory clinics that shared time on mainframe computers with affiliated hospitals. In the 1970s some larger physician practices launched standalone OISs on minicomputers. With the advent of microcomputers in the 1980s, OISs began to diffuse rapidly, some as federally funded pilots. By the end of the 1980s, about 80 % of physicians had some type of computer in their offices, primarily for administrative and business functions; computer-based patient records and other OIS clinical applications were still infrequently used. When admitting a patient to the hospital, few physicians could transfer data from their OIS to the hospital information system. For the most part, lack of standardization made the interchange of data difficult or impossible. However, three OISs achieved notable success in the 1970s and 1980s. Each was developed in an academic environment and led by a committed physician; each developed a “chartless” record, continuously updated and stored in the computer; two of the three had linkages to large affiliated hospitals. Yet they were the exception. Few evaluations of OISs were convincing as to their benefits. Low physician adoption of OISs suggested computer-based records were not considered more efficient for office practice than paper-based records. Expectations for the 1990s were that OISs would change to support electronic claims reporting and quality of care monitoring. In the 2010s, federal funding became available for physicians who purchased electronic health record systems complying with “Meaningful Use.”
Upper crustal structure of the Rio Grande rift near Socorro, New Mexico, from inversion of microearthquake S-wave reflections

abstract The existence of impulsive S to S -wave ( S z S ) reflections off an extensive sillshaped magma body on many local microearthquake seismograms near Socorro, New Mexico, allowed a straight-forward least-squares inversion to determine an S -wave velocity crustal model. The data consisted of 163 microearthquakes recorded by a small aperture array during 316 recording days from May 1975 to January 1977. Two least-squares inversion models were attempted. M1 was used to calculate the overall average S -wave velocity for approximately 19 km of the crust and depths to 36 separate, horizontal rectangular surfaces representing the upper surface of the magma body. Due to lack of resolution in the data, the next model was simplified. M2 had as its initial unknown parameters an average S -wave velocity and depth to the reflector. M2 was then used to calculate the velocity of a lower 9.2-km-thick crustal layer starting just above the magma body. The data was then separated into different groups to search for local heterogeneities and anisotropy in the lower half of the upper crust. The best average S -wave velocity for the Rio Grande rift near Socorro was found to be 3.41 ± 0.03 km/sec. Depth to a horizontal magma body, based on a velocity of 3.41 km/sec was 19.2 ± 0.6 km. The data do allow a maximum northward dip of 2°, which places the magma body parallel to the Moho. The lower 9.2 km of the crust above the magma body appears to have a 3 per cent higher velocity than the upper layer and on the average, there are no differences between east-west and north-south S -wave velocities. One segment of the crust west of Socorro appears to have an anomalously low velocity.
Recent developments in serologic methods for the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis. 3. A soluble antigen fluorescent antibody test.

A rapid serologic test using a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC) anti-IgG serum has been evaluated. Human serum reacted with antigen (coccidioidin)-coated millipore disks provided the matrix for testing. Values were obtained from fluorometer readings. Results of testing more than 100 sera have indicated a close correlation with complement-fixation and agar gel precipitin inhibition (AGP1) titers. Sera tested were positive by either slide latex agglutination (SLA) or immunodiffusion (ID) tests, or both. The soluble antigen fluorescent antibody (SAFA) test appears to be worthy of consideration for use in laboratories not equipped to perform complement-fixation testing. As with the AGPI test, the SAFA procedure can be used with single serum specimens, with consequent earlier reporting of results. Preliminary studies suggest that varying the final FITC reagent might allow evaluation of the contribution of IgM and IgA to positive serology.
Factors That Will Determine Future Utilization Trends in Diagnostic Imaging

Radiologists are facing uncertain times, and in this kind of environment, strategic planning is important but difficult. In particular, it is hard to know whether future imaging volume will increase, decrease, or stay approximately the same. In this article, the authors discuss a variety of factors that will influence imaging use in the coming years. Some factors will tend to increase imaging use, whereas others will tend to curtail it. Some of these factors will affect individual groups differently, depending on their locations and the circumstances of their practices. Radiologists would be well advised to become aware of and consider these factors as they go about their planning processes.
Female Offenders’ Multiple Goals for Engaging in Desired Communication with Their Probation/Parole Officers

The multiple goals approach is used to assess whether or not women on probation or parole engaged in communication with their probation/parole officers (PO) regarding needs or issues they had and about which they wanted to talk. Interviews were conducted with 402 women on probation and parole across Michigan; 127 stated that there was a time when they wanted to talk to their PO about a difficult need or issue they were facing, including housing and illegal activity. Women who were concerned about threats to their freedom were less likely to have initiated the conversation. Findings highlight possible reasons that impact whether or not individuals engage in difficult conversations that are desired.
Technology’s Achilles Heel: Achieving High-Quality Implementation

AbstractAn inherent characteristic of technology education is the continual development of new technologies and creating innovative applications of already existing technologies. As exciting as these innovations can be, technology educators and school staffs are frequently challenged to accomplish high levels of implementation. The metaphor of the Implementation Bridge and four research-based constructs of the Concerns Based Adoption Model are introduced in this article. Each can be used to evaluate the extent of implementation and as diagnostic tools for facilitating implementation. Each also can be applied in studies of relationships between extent of implementation and student outcomes.
Raptor Acupuncture for Treating Chronic Degenerative Joint Disease.

A permanently captive 21-year-old male bald eagle was diagnosed with chronic degenerative joint disease in the right stifle with severe lameness (Grade 5) based on radiography. Clinical signs included decreased movement, vocalization, non weight-bearing on the affected limb, inappetence, depression, and pododermatitis on the left foot (bumblefoot, Grade 3). The eagle was treated with anti-inflammatory or analgesic drugs including carprofen and celecoxib. As there was no observed clinical improvement with any of the treatments, acupuncture treatment was provided. The eagle was treated with dry needle acupuncture once per week for 2 months and biweekly for another 2 months. The Traditional Eastern Medicine diagnosis of this eagle was Bony Bi syndrome. The selected acupuncture points were ST 36, LI 4, BL 40, BL 60, GB 34, and Ba Feng (Table 3). The lameness score improved from Grade 5 to Grade 1 after 4 months of acupuncture treatment. The observed pododermatitis improved from Grade 3 to Grade 0. Symptoms including inappetence and vocalizations were significantly reduced over the 4 month period. There was no significant improvement in the radiographic signs. In conclusion, acupuncture may be a potential medical option for permanently captive raptors having musculoskeletal conditions, such as degenerative joint disease.
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation as Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with and without CNS Involvement.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the standard of care for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with early bone marrow relapse. However, the role of HCT is less clear in patients with isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapse where intensive chemotherapy followed by craniospinal irradiation is often offered. To determine the potential role of HCT, we evaluated the transplant outcomes of 116 patients with relapsed ALL with and without CNS involvement, 1–18 years of age, treated at the University of Minnesota between 1991 and 2006. Patients not in remission at transplant, and those with isolated extramedullary disease not involving the CNS were excluded. Relapse site prior to HCT was CNS in 14 patients, bone marrow (BM) in 85 patients and both marrow and CNS (BM+CNS) in 17 patients. Forty-eight underwent HCT from 1991–1995, 39 from 1996–2000 and 29 from 2001–2006. There were no significant differences among groups in median age at diagnosis (CNS: 3.7 years, range 1.2–7.7; BM: 4.5, 1–16; BM+CNS 3.7, 1.4–17), median age at transplant (CNS: 8 years, range 3.2–17.3; BM: 8.3, 3.5–17.9; BM+CNS 7.8, 3–17.9), or length of CR1 (CNS: 22.8 months, range 8.6–58; BM: 26.9, 0.8–74; BM+CNS: 34.2, 3.3–74). Remission status was similar in all groups (CNS: 7 CR2, 14 CR3+; BM: 73 CR2, 92 CR3+; BM+CNS: 14 CR2, 17 CR 3+; p=.06). Graft source was also similar between groups with 44 patients (38%) having a related donor and 72 patients having an unrelated donor (36% marrow and 25% umbilical cord blood). The majority of patients received cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg and total body irradiation 1320–1375 cGy alone (n=69), or with etoposide (n=38) or fludarabine (n=8). Preparative regimen had no effect on outcomes. The incidence of grade II–IV GVHD (CNS 51%, 95% CI 24–68; BM 36%, 26–46; BM+CNS 18%, 1–35; p=.27) and grade III–IV GVHD (CNS 21%, 95% CI 0–42%; BM 16%, 8–24%; BM+CNS 0%; p=.21) was similar between groups. Hazard ratios using Cox multiple regression analysis demonstrated reduced survival in recipients with T cell leukemia or BCR-ABL gene rearrangement, history of marrow relapse, or receipt of HLA mismatched marrow from an unrelated donor. Patients with isolated CNS relapse had the least transplant related mortality at 2 years (CNS: 0%; BM: 35%, 95% CI 11–59%, BM+CNS: 34, 24–44; p=.05) and the lowest incidence of relapse (CNS: 0%; BM: 12%, 95% CI 0–27%, BM+CNS: 30%, 20–40; p=.01). The probability of leukemia-free survival at 5 years was greatest for patients with isolated CNS relapse (CNS: 91%, 95% CI 51–99; BM: 35, 25–45; BM+CNS: 46, 22–.68; p
Study of the attenuation and azimuthal dependence of seismic-wave propagation in the southeastern United States

abstract The Lg phases on seismograms of earthquakes which have occurred and were recorded in the southeastern United States are used to define the Lg phase amplitude of a zero-magnitude event as a function of distance in the range of 150 to 850 km. A segmented zero-magnitude function is fitted in the least-squares sense to the logarithm of the Lg phase amplitudes following the method of Richter. The resulting zero-magnitude function exhibits a nonuniform decrease with distance which includes zones of slight amplification at multiples of 200 to 250 km. The northeast regional strike of the geologic structures is observed to correlate with increases in the efficiency of propagation of the Lg phase. However, when the data are analyzed for azimuthal dependence within distinct regions, this correlation is observed only for waves propagating through the Folded Appalachians. Propagation in the Coastal Plain is most efficient in a direction perpendicular to the trend of the Folded Appalachians. Also, the Piedmont Province propagation is only slightly more efficient perpendicular to the trend of the Folded Appalachians.
A phase II study of combination of bortezomib, liposomal doxorubin, and dexamethasone (VDD) as first line therapy for multiple myeloma

17504 Background: We have recently reported that a combination of bortezomib (Velcade), liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil), and dexamethasone (VDD) is very active and well tolerated in relapsed/refracto...
Management of Neuroendocrine Tumor Liver Metastases: Long-Term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors from a Large Prospective Database

Liver-directed therapies have been used to treat neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM) for both symptomatic improvement and tumor growth control. We reviewed our experience with NELM to investigate the outcomes of available treatment modalities and to identify prognostic factors for survival. We identified all patients with NELM, who were managed at our institution, from a prospectively collected institutional database. Overall survival (OS) was determined for each treatment modality. Between 2003 and 2010, we identified 939 patients with neuroendocrine tumors, of whom 649 patients had NELM. The primary tumor site was the small intestine in 245 patients (38%) and pancreas in 194 patients (30%). With a median follow-up of 44 months, the median, 5 and 10 year OS for each treatment group was as follows: hepatic resection (n = 58, 9%), 160 months, 90%, 70%; radiofrequency ablation (n = 28, 4%), 123 months, 84%, 55%; chemoembolization (n = 130, 20%), 66 months, 55%, 28%; systemic therapy (n = 316, 49%), 70 months, 58%, 31%; and observation (n = 117, 18%), 38 months, 38%, 20%. Age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.0, p < 0.001), small bowel primary site (HR 0.5, p < 0.001), hepatic resection (HR 0.3, p = 0.001), well-differentiated tumors (HR 0.3, p < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase within normal limit (WNL) (HR 0.4, p < 0.001), and chromogranin A WNL (HR 0.5, p < 0.001) were significant independent prognosticators for OS. This series represents one of the largest single-institution studies of NELM reported. We found that hepatic resection was associated with highly favorable OS. Our observations support hepatic resection in appropriately selected patients.
Quantifying Market and Non-market Benefits and Costs of Hydraulic Fracturing in the United States: A Summary of the Literature

Abstract We quantify the monetary market and non-market environmental benefits and costs of hydraulic fracturing in the 14 U.S. states whose oil and gas production is dominated by hydraulic fracturing. By far the largest market benefit is $75 billion ($46–$95 billion) in consumer surplus from lower natural gas prices to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. There are also environmental benefits resulting from the switch by some electric utilities from coal to natural gas ($13.25 billion, range $3.9–$21.9 billion). However, there are also substantial environmental costs associated with hydraulic fracturing. These are dominated by $27.2 billion ($12.5–$41.95 billion) health damages from air pollution. Costs also include $3.8 billion ($1.15–$5.89 billion) in greenhouse gas emissions, $4 billion ($3.5–$4.45 billion) in wildlife habitat fragmentation, and $1 billion ($0.5–$1.6 billion) in pollution of private drinking water wells. Opportunity costs of water usage and property value losses are less than one-quarter of a billion dollars. The market and non-market benefits of hydraulic fracking are widespread geographically but many of the non-market costs are concentrated in the areas of drilling, creating a distributional disconnect that we believe drives much of the controversy over hydraulic fracturing.
A cardiovascular prescreening protocol for unmonitored in-office laryngology procedures.

Objectives Currently, there are no cardiovascular (CV) preprocedure screening parameters for patients undergoing in-office laryngeal procedures (IOLP). Studies have shown significant changes in CV measures for IOLP. The aim was to develop and evaluate a pre-IOLP CV screening protocol. Methods Review of IOLP literature and consultation with an anesthesiologist and cardiologist led to the development of CV parameters and questions related to four metabolic equivalents (METS) of work as a patient-screening tool before IOLP. A separate cohort was screened with only a modified CV protocol. All patients were screened for heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) elevation prior to the procedure. Need for further CV evaluation was characterized as systolic blood pressure BP >160, diastolic BP >100, and/or HR >110 beats/minute. Patients whose BP/HR exceeded these values were referred to their primary care physician (PCP) before re-screening. If parameters were exceeded again at the second screen, then the procedure was done under monitored anesthesia care. Results The first study phase included 56 patients. The fail rate was 40% largely related to four METS of work. The second study phase included 440 patients. The screen fail rate was 15 patients of 572 (2.6%). Of these, 12 patients of 132 (9.1%) failed the initial screen and were sent to their PCP for further evaluation, and five of 440 (1.4%) patients failed on the day of the procedure. Overall, five of 440 (1.5%) patients would qualify to have their site of service changed for their laryngology procedure from an unmonitored to a monitored setting due to the prescreening criteria. Conclusion Few patients needed further workup based upon the in-office CV parameters set in this study. Patients with CV risk factors were identified by the screening protocol. Having established hemodynamic parameters in place may improve the safety of IOLP with a very low physician burden. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 127:1845–1849, 2017
Cost of cultivation of Kharif groundnut in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat state

A study was conducted on 108 farmers of Talod and Himatnagar talukas of Sabarkantha district of Gujarat state for estimating the cost of groundnut production. Multistage stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the farmers. The requisite data were collected through personal interviews with the farmers with the help of pre-tested comprehensive schedules related to Kharif groundnut crop for the year 2012-13. Net income over cost-C2 was the highest for large farmers followed by medium farmers and small farmers. The total cost and gross return over cost-A, cost-B, cost-C1 and cost-C2 of small farmers was highest and decreased with increase in the size of holding.
Oxygen therapy and intraocular oxygenation

When delivered to the corneal surface of rabbits or monkeys, 100% oxygen can significantly increase the pO2 in the aqueous humor. Under hyperbaric conditions (two atmospheres), an observed rise in the aqueous pO2 in rabbits breathing room air can be increased further by exposing the rabbit cornea to 100% oxygen. The high oxygen levels under hyperbaric conditions are mediated by intravascular and transcorneal delivery of oxygen. The increase in the pO2 levels in the aqueous can prevent sickling of intracameral human erythrocytes containing sickle hemoglobin. Thus, oxygen therapy transcorneally or systemically could potentially be used to treat a sickle cell hyphema. The exposure of rabbit eyes to 100% oxygen at the corneal surface is followed by autoregulation (constriction) of the iris vasculature. We could demonstrate no constriction in the eyes of two normal human volunteers or of four patients with chronic stable rubeosis iridis. Preretinal vitreous pO2 levels can be significantly raised by exposing monkeys to hyperbaric 100% oxygen. This procedure may be of value in treating acute, reversible ischemic inner retinal diseases. Transcorneal or vascular delivery of oxygen to the eye under normobaric or hyperbaric conditions may be effective in treating ischemic diseases of the anterior segment, such as anterior segment necrosis or rubeosis iridis, or ischemic inner retinal diseases.
Optical and thermal properties of F and F aggregate centers in KF

A detailed investigation has been carried out of the optical and thermal properties of centers such as F, FA, M and MA in pure, Na-doped and Li-doped KF. Most centers exhibit properties which are qualitatively similar to those produced in other potassium halides with the notable exception of the FA (Na) center, which has both Type I and Type II behavior.
Knock-Outs: Learning and Memory

Knock-outs (gene deletions), knock-ins (point mutations), and traditional transgenics (gene additions) have had a considerable impact on studies of learning and memory. These genetic manipulations have generated a plethora of mutant mice with deficits, and more importantly enhancements, in specific forms of brain physiology and learning and memory. All together, these studies point to a core of highly convergent synaptic and nuclear signaling mechanisms that define the foundation stones of a new field in Neuroscience: Molecular and Cellular Cognition. We review key findings in this new field and explore their implications for the development of treatments for cognitive disorders.
The Effects of Perinatal Oxycodone Exposure on Behavioral Outcome in a Rodent Model

Opiate addiction is now a major public health problem. Perinatal insults and exposure to opiates such as morphine in utero are well known to affect development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis of the offspring adversely and are associated with a higher risk of developing neurobehavioral problems. Oxycodone is now one of the most frequently abused pain killers during pregnancy, however limited data are available regarding whether and how perinatal oxycodone exposure (POE) alters neurobehavioral outcomes of the offspring. We demonstrated that exposure to 0.5 mg/kg/day oxycodone in utero was associated with hyperactivity in adult rats in an open field. No significant effects of POE were detected on isolation induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the early postnatal period or on learning and memory in the water maze in adult offspring. Our findings are consistent with hyperactivity problems identified in children exposed to opiates in utero.
A self-powered glucose biosensor based on pyrolloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase and bilirubin oxidase operating under physiological conditions

A novel biosensing system capable of simultaneously sensing glucose and powering portable electronic devices such as a digital glucometer is described. The biosensing system consists of enzymatic glucose biofuel cell bioelectrodes functionalized with pyrolloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) at the bioanode and biocathode, respectively. A dual-stage power amplification circuit is integrated with the single biofuel cell to amplify the electrical power generated. In addition, a capacitor circuit was incorporated to serve as the transducer for sensing glucose. The open circuit voltage of the optimized biofuel cell reached 0.55 V, and the maximum power density achieved was 0.23 mW/ cm2 at 0.29 V. The biofuel cell exhibited a sensitivity of 0.312 mW/mM.cm2 with a linear dynamic range of 3 mM – 20 mM glucose. The overall self-powered glucose biosensor is capable of selectively screening against common interfering species, such as ascorbate and urate and exhibited an operational stability of over 53 days, while maintaining 90 % of its activity. These results demonstrate the system's potential to replace the current glucose monitoring devices that rely on external power supply, such as a battery.
Design and calibration of a wearable and wireless research grade air quality monitoring system for real-time data collection

We introduce the design, calibration, and validation of a wearable, wireless, and secure air quality monitoring sensor system that is integrated with a smartphone application and back-end server for realtime data collection. To this end, an Alphasense OPC-N2 optical air quality monitoring sensor was integrated with a wireless hardware platform and real-time smartphone application, which sent particulate matter data securely to a back-end server in real time for researchers to be able to monitor and perform in depth analyses. The particulate matter data of different sizes and concentrations was calibrated for temperature and humidity changes to achieve accurate airborne dust densities for indoor and outdoor applications. The sensor system was then tested for validity and reliability under real-world conditions using a professional grade Dylos DC Pro Air Quality Monitor and a wired version of itself. The high correlations between the wireless system and the professional sensor indicate that this system is highly accurate and reliable, and is thus suitable for use in future remote health and environmental monitoring research applications.
Enhancing integrity of modbus TCP through covert channels

CPS-enabled systems form the underlying support infrastructure that impact the efficient delivery of critical goods and services in our modern society. Failure to adequately protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of our critical infrastructure systems, like transportation, delivery of energy and water, and healthcare, could introduce vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. CPS networks originated from a number of proprietary protocols, built to operate without connections that extended beyond the plant walls. This “security through obscurity” approach did not reveal widespread security risks until these systems were interconnected with other information technology systems, including vulnerable business operations networks. The characteristics of the communications protocols used in operational technology systems, like Modbus, present a number of barriers to adopting security enhancements. When these systems are exploited, which can be easily demonstrated on a Modbus system, the impact of security failures can be severe. Covert channels have the potential to create an out-of-band communication path that would enable some level of integrity checking between devices. The Modbus Covert Channel Integrity Check is a proposed concept that would demonstrate the use of covert channels as a method of secure communication that would prevent a number of attacks, including man-in-the-middle.
Ketamine facilitates extinction of avoidance behavior and enhances synaptic plasticity in a rat model of anxiety vulnerability: Implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) share a common feature of pathological avoidance behavior. The Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat has been used as a model of anxiety vulnerability, expressing a behaviorally inhibited temperament, acquiring avoidance behavior more rapidly and displaying extinction-resistant avoidance compared to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Subanesthetic levels of ketamine have gained attention as a rapid antidepressant in treatment-resistant depression. While traditional antidepressants are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and PTSD, the therapeutic utility of ketamine for these disorders is much less understood. The hippocampus is critical for the actions of antidepressants, is a structure implicated in anxiety disorders and PTSD, and is necessary for extinction of avoidance in SD rats. WKY rats have impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), suggesting that persistent avoidance in WKY rats may be due to deficient hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In the present study, we hypothesized that ketamine would facilitate extinction of avoidance learning in WKY rats, and do so by enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity. As predicted, ketamine facilitated extinction of avoidance behavior in a subset of WKY rats (responders), with effects lasting at least three weeks. Additionally, LTP in these rats was enhanced by ketamine. Ketamine was not effective in facilitating avoidance extinction or in modifying LTP in WKY non-responders. The results suggest that subanesthetic levels of ketamine may be useful for treating anxiety disorders by reducing avoidance behaviors when combined with extinction conditions. Moreover, ketamine may have its long-lasting behavioral effects through enhancing hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Lithium borate gel films prepared from aqueous solution

Transparent, durable films of lithium diborate gel can easily be prepared on a variety of substrates from supersaturated aqueous solutions of lithium hydroxide monohydrate and boric acid by spin-coating. The gel to dried gel to glass to crystalline lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7) transformation has been studied by infrared spectroscopy of thin films cast on potassium bromide windows. Examination by scanning electron microscopy disclosed that distinctly different crystal morphology was associated with a difference in the transformation rate observed between gel and dried gel films. Films of 250 nm to 30 μm in thickness have been produced.
NH3 permeation through the apical membrane of MDCK cells is via a lipid pathway.

The pathway for NH3 permeation across the apical membrane of MDCK cells was determined by measuring the effect of membrane fluidizing agents, protein reactive agents, and temperature on cellular NH3 influx. The rate of NH3 influx was calculated from the time course of increase in intracellular pH (pHi), measured with 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, when MDCK cell monolayers were exposed to NH4Cl. The apical membrane NH3 permeability was 7.13 +/- 0.37 x 10(-3) cm/s (n = 12) at 37 degrees C and 1.23 +/- 0.07 x 10(-3) cm/s (n = 7) at 18 degrees C. In comparison, apical membrane permeability at 37 degrees C to the weak acids, valeric acid and acetic acid, were 1.39 +/- 0.11 x 10(-2) cm/s (n = 4) and 6.93 +/- 0.11 x 10(-3) cm/s (n = 4), respectively. The activation energy for NH3 permeation was 15.0 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol (17.5 degrees C-37.5 degrees C). In the presence of the membrane fluidizing agents, heptanol or chloroform, NH3 permeability increased in a dose-dependent manner. Heptanol (15 mM) sign...
Cytochalasin D Disrupts Outer Segment Disc Morphogenesis In Situ in Rabbit Retina

Exposure of rabbit retina to cytochalasin D (CD) via a single intraocular injection results in basal rod outer segment (ROS) and cone OS (COS) discs with abnormally large diameters; the overgrown OS membranes extend along either the cell outer or inner segment. Twenty-four hours after the injection, basal ROS and COS discs appear to have recovered their normal diameter, indicating the reversibility of this drug's effect. These data support both the evagination hypothesis for disc morphogenesis and the hypothesis that f-actin's role at the ROS base is to regulate the initiation of membrane evagination and disc diameter.
Globalization, Terrorism and Democracy: 9/11 and its Aftermath

Globalization has been one of the most hotly contested phenomena of the past two decades.1 It has been a primary attractor of books, articles and heated debate, just as postmodernism was the most fashionable and debated topic of the 1980s. A wide and diverse range of social theorists have argued that today’s world is organized by accelerating globalization, which is strengthening the dominance of a world capitalist economic system, supplanting the primacy of the nation-state by transnational corporations and organizations, and eroding local cultures and traditions through a global culture. Contemporary theorists from a wide range of political and theoretical positions are converging on the position that globalization is a distinguishing trend of the present moment, but there are hot debates concerning its nature, effects and future.2
Dynamic Binary Analysis Platform

Dynamic binary analysis has demonstrated its strength in solving a wide-spectrum of computer security problems, especially malware analysis. An extensible platform for dynamic binary analysis provides a foundation for solving these problems. To enable a variety of applications, we explore a unique design space. We aim to provide a whole-system view, take an external approach, facilitate fine-grained instrumentation, and have sufficient efficiency. These design goals bring about a new architecture, namely whole-system out-of-the-box fine-grained dynamic binary analysis. To further facilitate fine-grained dynamic binary analysis, we propose layered annotative execution as a core technique, which incorporates shadow flag analysis, taint analysis, and symbolic execution. We have implemented this new architecture and the core technique in an analysis platform called TEMU. Because of its extensibility and versatility, TEMU serves as the foundation for numerous malware analysis techniques.
Unusual Presentation of Giant Cell Arteritis in 2 Patients: Uterine Involvement.

To the Editor: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) has been associated with extracranial involvement, usually affecting large- and medium-sized vessels. Involvement of the female genitourinary tract is rare, with < 30 cases reported in the literature1,2,3. Here, we discuss 2 cases of incidentally discovered uterine GCA ultimately found to also involve the aorta on positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Ethics board approval was not required according to the authors’ institution (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA). Both patients gave written permission to publish the material. Case 1 involved a 73-year-old female with a history of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) 5 years prior and presented to rheumatology after surgical uterine pathology following hysterectomy for symptomatic uterine prolapse. The patient demonstrated GCA involving small and medium-sized vessels. In the months preceding hysterectomy, she … Address correspondence to Dr. R.R. Butendieck Jr., Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA. E-mail: butendieck.ronald{at}mayo.edu
Development and Implementation of Network-Resident Clinical Laboratory Tools in an Integrated Health Delivery System

The conceptual approach to a system of network resident-training tools for use in a clinical pathology laboratory is described and specific modules developed for use in an integrated health care delivery system. The modules have been developed to be accessible throughout an organization, are amenable to customization, are designed for use by personnel with varied knowledge of laboratory techniques, and can be updated readily. The modules designed are for dry slide clinical chemistry analyses, white blood cell maturation sequence, and flow cytometry. The concept can be applied to other laboratory functions including point-of-care testing service. The modules incorporate flexibility of integrating text with digital images, sound and animation. The core of the system is based on readily available software for Internet. Therefore, the system of laboratory tools can provide the means for rapidly accessible, current data resources for a variety of purposes for a laboratory to operate in an integrated delivery s...
Utilizing DNA metabarcoding to characterize the diet of marine-phase Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) in the eastern Bering Sea

To understand the marine feeding ecology of Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) in the eastern Bering Sea, visual observations and DNA metabarcoding of gut contents (N = 250) were used to ch...
Pressurized Cool-Down of a Cryogenic Liquid Transfer System Containing Vertical Sections

In missile-loading and certain other transfer systems, large quantities of cryogenic liquids must be transferred in a relatively short time. Such systems must be cooled to the point at which transfer is accomplished as a liquid rather than as a gas in a fraction of a minute, or, at most, in a few minutes. Four significant factors influence the cool-down time of a transfer system: (1) transfer pressure; (2) heat leak to the fluid from the environment; (3) line flow impedance; and (4) quantity of system mass that requires cooling. These factors have been studied experimentally by Burke et al., who have developed an equation for predicting cool-down times of horizontal lines.