cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crowding and Protein Dimerization

In cells, proteins are surround by macromolecules at concentrations of greater than 100 g/L, yet the majority of our knowledge comes from experiments conducted in dilute buffer solutions. The structure and stability of proteins in cells is influenced by two interactions, hard core repulsions, which arise from excluded volume effects, and transient chemical interactions with surrounding molecules. High concentrations of inert polymers, small molecule cosolutes, and proteins are often used to mimic cellular conditions. Here, we describe the effects of crowding on a protein-protein interaction by using 19F NMR spectroscopy and a variant of the 6 kDa globular B1 domain of protein G. The A34F variant was previously shown to form a side by side dimer in buffer. Using the 3-flourotyorsine labeled variant we measured a dissociation constant of 59 ± 5 μM, consistent with previous the study. We then proceed to show the influences of co-solutes on dimer dissociation. Crowding agents such as sucrose, Ficoll-70, glycine betaine, trimethylamineoxide, and bovine serum albumin stabilize the dimer, whereas urea, ethylene glycol, 8 kDa polyethylene glycol and lysozyme destabilize the dimer. Measuring the temperature dependence of dimerization allows for us to measure the van’t Hoff enthalpy of dimer formation. We are now extending this methodology to in-cell NMR studies of the dimer.
The Road to WTO Membership

The GATT was not a formal international organization and therefore it had contracting parties and not members. Given that the WTO has been established as an international organization, states or separate customs territories may become its members in accordance with the rules contained in Articles XI and XII of the Marrakech Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO Agreement). Of course, accession to the WTO is more complex than it was to the GATT, requiring the acceptance of the WTO Agreement and all the multilateral agreements which extend the scope of obligations beyond trade in goods to such new areas as trade in services, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, a more stringent dispute settlement system and the trade policy review mechanism.244 Accession, however, does not require the acceptance of the plurilateral trade agreements (Agreements on Trade in Civil Aircraft and Government Procurement), which are included in Annex 4 of the WTO Agreement.245 As a result of the Uruguay Round, the WTO has become a global organization which administers trade institutions in the areas mentioned above.
Light-based theranostics using hybrid structures derived from biological and organic materials

We have engineered hybrid nanostructures derived from erythrocytes, which can be doped with various near infrared (NIR) organic chromophores, including the FDA-approved indocyanine green (ICG). We refer to these vesicles as NIR erythrocyte-mimicking transducers (NETs), as they are capable of generating heat, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or emit fluorescence light. We present preliminary results that demonstrate the effectiveness of NETs for fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapeutic destruction of breast cancer cells, upon photo-excitation using NIR light. These hybrid nanostructures present a promising platform with theranostic capability for future biomedical clinical applications.
The Weather Dependency Framework (WDF): A tool for assessing the weather dependency of outdoor recreation activities☆

Abstract This paper describes the creation of a Weather Dependency Framework (WDF) and its potential usefulness for managers and researchers. The WDF is a mechanism for understanding the multi-dimensional variables that influence the weather dependency of outdoor recreation activities. The need for this work was evident because of the growing number of studies probing the general influence of weather on outdoor recreation without an organizing framework for making sense of those influences. A modified Internet-based Delphi process employing a panel of 27 experts in the areas of weather, climate, outdoor recreation, and natural resource management was facilitated in the summer of 2015 to develop the WDF. Additionally, the panel of experts tested the WDF's potential usefulness by applying it to three outdoor recreation activities that represent a likely spectrum of weather dependency. The paper concludes by considering other possible applications as well as recommendations for the WDF's future development. Management implications The article suggests a new tool for the interpretation and consideration of weather dependency of outdoor recreation activities. The application could enhance the management and contribute To assess the weather related needs and behaviors of recreationists by activity type, To predict recreation participation under specific weather conditions and for specific activities, To inform about potential risks under certain weather conditions and for specific activities, To plan site infrastructure improvements and adaptation, To aid festival and event planning and the respective site selection. Overall, managers' resulting use of the WDF may lead to reconsidering programs and policies, recreation impact mitigation, inspire weather-based planning initiatives and predict land access trends.
Acute Type B Dissection Causing Collapse of EVAR Endograft and Iliac Limb Occlusion.

We describe a rare case of acute type B dissection (ATBDs) causing collapse of a previously placed infrarenal stent graft, resulting in acute limb ischemia due to left iliac limb thrombosis in a 59-year-old male. The patient presented with acute back and abdominal discomfort radiating to his back, bilateral buttock stabbing discomfort and left > right thigh and calf rest pain. CT angiography showed a spiral type B dissection with collapse of the proximal portion of the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm (EVAR) device and left limb occlusion. Urgent treatment with thoracic endovascular aortic repair distal to the left subclavian covered the entry tear and redirected the majority of the flow to the true lumen leading to near immediate expansion of the proximal portion of the EVAR device. After surgical femoral control, balloon embolectomy of the occluded iliac limb was performed and the limb relined. His lower extremity ischemic symptoms resolved, and his abdominal and back pain dissipated. At latest 6-month follow-up, CT angiography shows an intact thoracic endovascular aortic repair stent graft and a widely patent EVAR stent graft, and the patient has no further abdominal, back, or leg symptoms. ATBD causing proximal abdominal EVAR collapse is an extremely rare presentation of false lumen pressurization and can be treated similarly to complicated type B dissection with the goal of restoring true lumen patency.
Influence of age and housing systems on properties of tibia and humerus of Lohmann White hens1: Bone properties of laying hens in commercial housing systems.

This study was aimed at analyzing bone properties of Lohmann White hens in different commercial housing systems at various points throughout production. Pullets reared in conventional cages (CC) were either continued in CC or moved to enriched colony cages (EN) at 19 weeks. Pullets reared in cage-free aviaries (AV) were moved to AV hen houses. Bone samples were collected from 60 hens at each of 18 and 72 wk and 30 hens at 26 and 56 wk from each housing system. Left tibiae and humeri were broken under uniform bending to analyze mechanical properties. Cortical geometry was analyzed using digital calipers at the fracture site. Contralateral tibiae and humeri were used for measurement of ash percentage. AV pullets' humeri had 41% greater cortical areas, and tibiae had 19% greater cortical areas than the CC pullets (P < 0.05). Average humeri diameter was greater in AV pullets than in CC pullets (P < 0.05), whereas the tibiae outer dimensions were similar. Aviary pullet bones had greater stiffness (31 and 7% greater for tibiae and humeri, respectively) and second moment of inertia (43 and 13% greater for tibiae and humeri, respectively) than CC pullets (P < 0.05). The differences between bones of AV and CC hens persisted throughout the laying cycle. Moving CC pullets to EN resulted in decreased endosteal resorption in humeri, evident by a 7.5% greater cortical area in the EN hens (P < 0.05). Whole-bone breaking strength did not change with age. Stiffness increased with age, while energy to failure decreased in both the tibiae and humeri. These results indicated that tibiae and humeri of laying hens become stiffer but lose toughness and become brittle with age. Furthermore, AV and EN systems can bring positive changes in mechanical and structural properties that are more pronounced in the humerus than the tibia.
Exploring the Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Body Image, Body Satisfaction, and Body Competence

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been linked to bodily disorders (anorexia nervosa, obesity), and individuals with ASD are known to experience unique bodily states (e.g., exaggerated interocept...
Not a Death Sentence: Perspectives of African American Women Living With Lung Cancer .

Purpose To conduct a descriptive, qualitative study to describe the experience of female African American lung cancer survivors, their perception of living with lung cancer, and their desire and ability to adopt positive health-related behaviors. . Participants & setting The sample consisted of 18 African American women with a history of stages I-IIIa lung cancer. Three focus groups were conducted in a private conference center in two community hospitals in the southeastern United States. . Methodologic approach A 20-item questionnaire was used to collect demographic, health status, and behavior information. A trained moderator led the audio-recorded focus group discussions using a semistructured interview guide. . Findings Thematic analysis of the professionally transcribed data resulted in identification of four major themes. In addition, participants experienced stigma that influenced their perspectives on living with lung cancer. . Implications for nursing Healthcare professionals should provide culturally tailored communication and support for female African American lung cancer survivors. Additional research is needed to inform the development of interventions focused on health behavior change to enhance lung cancer survivorship in this vulnerable and understudied group.
Land-use and land-cover change shape the sustainability and impacts of protected areas.

Protected areas (PAs) remain the dominant policy to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services but have been shown to have limited impact when development interests force them to locations with lower deforestation pressure. Far less known is that such interests also cause widespread tempering, reduction, or removal of protection [i.e., PA downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD)]. We inform responses to PADDD by proposing and testing a bargaining explanation for PADDD risks and deforestation impacts. We examine recent degazettements for hydropower development and rural settlements in the state of Rondonia in the Brazilian Amazon. Results support two hypotheses: (i) ineffective PAs (i.e., those where internal deforestation was similar to nearby rates) were more likely to be degazetted and (ii) degazettement of ineffective PAs caused limited, if any, additional deforestation. We also report on cases in which ineffective portions were upgraded. Overall our results suggest that enhancing PAs' ecological impacts enhances their legal durability.
Social Justice and the Legitimacy of Slavery: The Role of Philosophical Asceticism from Ancient Judaism to Late Antiquity

(2017). Social Justice and the Legitimacy of Slavery: The Role of Philosophical Asceticism from Ancient Judaism to Late Antiquity. Journal of Early Christian History: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 106-111.
The role of language, appearance, and smile on perceptions of authenticity versus rapport

Abstract Today’s environment is multiethnic and businesses try to attract customers to ethnic services. Both verbal elements, such as language spoken, and nonverbal elements, such as appearance and smile, influence customer perceptions. While some elements may be seen to increase perceptions of authenticity, others may come at the expense of perceived rapport. Therefore, this research investigates language spoken, ethnic appearance, and smile on customer perceptions of authenticity and rapport using two between-subjects experimental design studies. In addition, as employees and other customers in the social servicescape can affect the focal customers’ experience, this research examines both employee and other customer perceptions in the two separate studies. Results from the two studies find that ethnic appearance and smile significantly affect customer perceptions of authenticity and satisfaction. Language spoken by employees also significantly affects customers’ authenticity perceptions. Surprisingly, language use and ethnic appearance do not negatively affect perceptions of rapport.
Health Insurance Reforms: Unintended Consequences

With comprehensive health reform stalled, there is growing pressure to enact more modest health insurance reforms. These efforts have an understandable practical and political appeal. Denials of coverage, cancellations of policies, preexisting condition exclusions, lifetime caps on benefits, and other practices have the effect of denying coverage to many individuals who need health insurance. Legislation prohibiting these practices is a seemingly easy way to fix obvious injustices without tackling the entire range of contentious issues. Unfortunately, enacting “health insurance reform” is likely to lead to severe unintended consequences.
Pediatric Endocrine Surgery

The pediatric surgeon is in a unique position to understand endocrine surgery and, therefore, is expected to develop considerable expertise in this area. In recent years numerous advances and changes have occurred in pediatric endocrine surgery that have led to greater understanding of the disease processes and syndromes and the development of new diagnostic techniques and surgical approaches.
Immunocytochemical Localization of Intrinsic Factor-Cobalamin Bound to the Guinea Pig Ileum In Vivo

Abstract The absorption of dietary cobalamin requires that a complex of intrinsic factor-cobalamin bind to specific receptors in the distal small intestine. The cellular location of these binding sites is unknown. To localize the intrinsic factor-cobalamin binding site, homogeneously purified hog intrinsic factor (7 pmol) and cobalamin (7 pmol) were instilled into ileal loops (n = 10) in anesthetized guinea pigs. Tissue controls for binding specificity were intrinsic factor-cobalamin in colon (n = 3) and jejunal (n = 3) loops, as well as intrinsic factor alone in ileal loops (n = 3). Intrinsic factor-[ 57 Co]cobalamin was instilled in three ileal loops maintained for 90 min, and the radioactivity in the liver and kidneys was measured. Portions of each loop were washed in Krebs-Ringer buffer + Ca ++ , pH 7.4, or in either 1 mM Na 2 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or in pH 4.5 acetate buffer. All tissue was processed for ultrastructural immunocytochemistry using a monospecific antisera to hog intrinsic factor as part of a well-characterized indirect immunoperoxidase method. Essentially all immunoreactive intrinsic factor-cobalamin was associated with the microvillous pits on mature ileal absorptive cells. Intrinsic factor binding was not present in colon or jejunum, or in the ileal loops instilled with intrinsic factor alone. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and acid pH decreased intrinsic factor-cobalamin binding but caused severe disruption of the microvillous architecture. Absorption of [ 57 Co]cobalamin was demonstrated, but intrinsic factor was not identified within enterocytes. The localization of specific intrinsic factor-cobalamin binding sites to the microvillous pit suggests that the intrinsic factor-cobalamin receptor may maintain a relatively fixed position within the surface membrane, and although alternative explanations are possible, our findings support the hypothesis that intrinsic factor is not internalized into the enterocyte during cobalamin absorption.
A data-driven approach to the automated study of cross-species homologies

Behavioral neuroscience has made great strides in developing animal models of human behavior and psychiatric disorders. Animal models allow for the formulation of hypotheses regarding the mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, and the opportunity to test these hypotheses using procedures that are too invasive for human participants. However, recent scientific reviews have highlighted the low success rate of translating results from animal models into clinical interventions in humans. A potential roadblock is that bidirectional functional mappings between the human and rodent brain are incomplete. To narrow this gap, we created a framework, Neurobabel, for performing large-scale automated synthesis of human neuroimaging data and behavioral neuroscience data. By leveraging the semantics of how researchers within each field describe their studies, this framework enables region to region mapping of brain regions across species, as well as cross-species mapping of psychological functions. As a proof of concept, we utilize the framework to create a functional cross-species mapping between the amygdala and hippocampus for fear-related and spatial memories, respectively. We then proceed to address two open questions in the field: (1) Do rodents have a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex? (2) Which human brain region corresponds to the rodent prelimbic cortex?
Gray matter volume covariance networks associated with social networks in older adults

ABSTRACTExtensive social networks are associated with better physical, mental, and cognitive health in aging, but the underlying brain substrates remain largely unexplored. Voxel-based morphometry ...
Cavo-atrial endocarditis: A case of non-valvular endocarditis in a hemodialysis patient.

The incidence of infectious endocarditis (IE) is significantly higher for patients who are on chronic hemodialysis (HD) compared to the general population for a number of reasons [1]. Even with a higher incidence, right sided, specifically cavo-atrial, endocarditis is extraordinarily rare [2,3]. This case examines a 54 year old male with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who was receiving HD with an Ash Split Catheter and was subsequently diagnosed with cavo-atrial endocarditis.
Physical nature of electrically detected magnetic resonance through spin dependent trap assisted tunneling in insulators

We show that electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR), through spin dependent trap assisted tunneling (SDTT) in amorphous SiC, exhibits approximately equal amplitudes at very high (8.5 T) and very low (0.013 T) magnetic fields at room temperature. This result strongly supports an SDTT/EDMR model in which spins at two nearby sites involved in a tunneling event are coupled for a finite time in circumstances somewhat analogous to spin pair coupling in the spin dependent recombination/EDMR model of Kaplan, Solomon, and Mott (KSM) [Kaplan, Solomon, and Mott, J. Phys. Lett. 39, 51 (1978)]. Since a comparable near zero magnetic field change in resistance is also observed in these samples, our results support the idea that this magnetoresistance response is also the result of a KSM-like mechanism involving SDTT. Additionally, we observe a large enhancement in SDTT/EDMR at high field (8.5 T) for temperatures below 50 K, which suggests the potential utility of SDTT in spin based quantum computation and other spintronic applications.
MEMOCODE 2008 Co-Design Contest

The second MEMOCODE hardware/software codesign contest invites participants to solve a practical hardware/software codesign problem within the time span of one month. The larger objective for this contest is to be a showcase of advances in co-design tools and methodologies, in combination with design ingenuity and creativity. In the second installment of the contest, we received 9 submissions. In this short writeup, we review this year's design problem, and we consider relevant contest statistics.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS OF THE IMPACT OF ACTORS OF SOCIAL RELATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LABOUR MARKET IN UKRAINE

The relational perspective of state-business-society relations has been outlines, what allows rethinking the approaches to an alternative understanding of the role of the state at the current level of its development. It has been defined that the institutional approach in solving socio-economic problems of the society not always meet the interests and needs of such actors as the state, business and society. Market transformations, new forms of economic groups, development of corporations require another format of relations between employers and employees.In the process of studying the activities of different actors in the labour market, there is a firm assumption that the corporate activities of the state and society make their joint decisions more efficient in solving socio-economic problems. The prominent role of the civil society influence on the processes, which occur directly in the economy due to the joint efforts of the state and business in the labour market, has been determined.The problems of employment through employment center sand private recruitment agencies have been studied. The activities of the public employment services in comparison with leading recruitment agencies have been characterized; the competitive benefits of the latter in Ukraine have been outlined. On the basis of this, it has been suggested to narrow down some functions of the public institutions as those which lost their relevance, what will contribute to sufficient savings in public funds. The activities of the employment centers, the employment processes, and socio-economic role of business in the area have been characterized. It has been concluded that in the strategy of managing various processes both in the state and business there are more common than opposite features, what should be taken into consideration while creating joint programs, projects or scenarios when the state and market unite into a more efficient team. It will result in making the social projects more efficient. The areas of competence of the state have been determined. It has also been indicated that the work of the employment centers should focus on the employment of people in need of additional social protection, namely youth, women with children, citizens of pre-retirement age and other priority social groups.Mechanisms for resolving complex social and economic controversies that would make social projects more effective have been further developed.Those areas of socio-economic policy that considered monopoly of the state influence and regulation have been defined as regressive what require immediate reforms.
Longitudinal Growth Trajectories of Written Syntactic Complexity: The Case of Turkish Learners in an Intensive English Program

This longitudinal study examined growth patterns of written syntactic complexity of Turkish learners of English. Using a nonexperimental corpus of 852 writing samples by 284 English as a foreign language (EFL) learners over three semesters, the study addressed the following questions: which indices of syntactic complexity characterize the writing of EFL learners most saliently at elementary, pre-intermediate, and intermediate levels? How do levels of the indices of syntactic complexity change over time as learners progress from elementary to pre-intermediate and intermediate levels? Results suggested that lower proficiency level (levels 1 and 2) writers produced similar patterns of written syntactic complexity (reliance on phrasal coordination), while at proficiency level 3, they demonstrated constructions that were more complex and of greater variety. Findings revealed that over time, learners experienced significant syntactic changes in multiple aspects of complexity; however, these changes were not necessarily straightforward or incremental across the three levels. These findings underscore issues of unpredictability and linearity in second language acquisition, while also cautioning us about the role of intensity of classroom instruction in L2 development.
Signal encryption strategies based on acoustooptic chaos and mitigation of phase turbulence using encrypted chaos propagation

The phenomenon of acousto-optic (A-O) diffraction, first studied extensively in the late 1920s and 1930s, is used in many areas of signal processing, although this behavior is complex, and despite extensive generalized analyses and applications, comprehension of the phenomenon in its entirety is still incomplete. A-O diffraction refers to the interaction of light and sound waves, and it is used to controllably diffract light beams. The behavior of an A-O cell depends on several system parameters, and, in particular, the thickness of the crystal L and the wave numbers of both sound (K) and light (k). These quantities are summarized as a figure-of-merit by the Klein-Cook parameter (Q) which is used to characterize the regimes of A-O operation. For strict Bragg operation, which finds the most applications for these devices in practice, Chatterjee and Chen showed that Q should be larger than 8π. In this regime, under perfect Bragg-matching, there is only one diffracted order. If Q is much smaller than one, the mode of operation is called the Raman-Nath regime, which is characterized by multiple diffracted orders with intensities given by Bessel functions. Weak interaction theory is used in the analyses of AO diffraction, and this theory rests upon the assumption of uniform plane waves of sound and light. These assumptions, though not physically realistic, allow for tractable analyses and lead to observable results. The transfer function approach utilizes a plane wave angular spectrum of the field distribution (valid for small deviations from the exact Bragg angle), which allows the scattered fields to be represented by Fourier integrals in the angular domain. This makes it possible to apply the FFT algorithm to numerically generate the scattered fields of arbitrary inputs. Transfer function expressions for both Bragg orders are developed and may be readily applied in the Fourier transform domain. These expressions are convenient for modeling the effects of various parameters (such as phase shift and Q), as well as arbitrary input profiles.
Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Complicated with Ventricular Rupture.

Patients with cardiomyopathy (CM) are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD), specifically, secondary to ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Those that have CM are further stratified based on risk of death from ventricular arrhythmias. If determined high risk, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), anti-arrhythmic medication or even ablation procedures are considered in order to minimize the risk of SCD. Ablation procedures have increased in number over the years, along with the recognition of high-risk CM patients. Along with the increase in number of ablation procedures, complications from such procedures have decreased in number and the ventricular arrhythmia ablation remains a relatively low-risk procedure. Here we describe a patient with known CM, specifically hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with a relatively rare and high-risk complication, being ventricular aneurysm. HCM patients with ventricular aneurysm are often referred for ablation procedures as they are at a significantly higher risk for SCD due to arrhythmias. Our patient not only underwent an ablation procedure, but suffered from the rare complication of tamponade, which occurs on average <2% annually. Although, risk assessments exist for stratifying CM as high-risk prior to invasive procedures, risk assessments are lacking for the specific population of HCM patients with LV aneurysm, thus presenting us with an area for further research.
Metabolomic Profiling to Identify Molecular Biomarkers of Cellular Response to Methotrexate In Vitro.

Variation in methotrexate (MTX) efficacy represents a significant barrier to early and effective disease control in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis. We hypothesize that the utilization of metabolomic techniques will allow for an improved understanding of the biochemical basis for the pharmacological activity of MTX, and can promote the identification and evaluation of novel molecular biomarkers of MTX response. In this work, erythroblastoid cells were exposed to MTX at the physiologic concentration of 1,000 nM and analyzed using three metabolomic platforms to give a broad spectrum of cellular metabolites. MTX pharmacological activity, defined as cellular growth inhibition, was associated with an altered cellular metabolomic profile based on the analysis of 724 identified metabolites. By discriminant analysis, MTX treatment was associated with increases in ketoisovaleric acid, fructose, galactose, and 2-deoxycytidine, and corresponding reductions in 2-deoxyuridine, phosphatidylinositol 32:0, orotic acid, and inosine monophosphate. Inclusion of data from analysis of folate metabolism in combination with chemometric and metabolic network analysis demonstrated that MTX treatment is associated with dysregulated folate metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis, which is in line with its known mechanism of action. However, MTX treatment was also associated with alterations in a diversity of metabolites, including intermediates of amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. Collectively, these findings support a robust metabolic response following exposure to physiologic concentrations of MTX. They also identify various metabolic intermediates that are associated with the pharmacological activity of MTX, and are, therefore, potential molecular biomarker candidates in future preclinical and clinical studies of MTX efficacy in autoimmune arthritis.
The Effects of Multicultural and Bilingual Training on Preservice Students' Self-Reported Level of Competency

The differences in preservice students' self-reported level of multicultural/bilingual competencies were investigated. Their scores were determined by the Teaching Competencies for Bilingual/Multicultural Exceptional Children, (TCBMEC), an instrument developed by Prieto, Rueda, and Rodriguez (1981). The results indicated that participants who received in-class experiences perceived their level of competency to be higher than those who received practicum experiences only or no treatment at all. Furthermore, participants who received practicum experiences or no treatment at all, perceived their level of competency to be lower than those who received in-class treatment with practicum experiences. Finally, there were no statistically significant differences between participants who received in-class treatment with practicum experiences and participants who received only in-class treatment.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging of normal foveae: A pilot study in 17 diurnal birds of prey.

OBJECTIVE To describe and to establish normative data for the foveae of diurnal birds of prey using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS All animals (9 red-tailed hawks, 3 Cooper's hawks, 3 American kestrels, 1 sharp-shinned hawk, and 1 broad-winged hawk) had an ophthalmic examination performed with slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Following ophthalmic examination, SD-OCT was performed in each eye that had a visible fundus and normal fovea on SD-OCT. Temporal foveae depth, central foveae depth, pecten-temporal foveae distance, and pecten-central foveae distance (PCFD) were measured using SD-OCT. Differences in measured outcomes between species were determined using generalized linear mixed effects models. RESULTS The central foveae (mean ± SD) displayed a small but significant depth variation between species (P = .002) and was deepest in red-tailed hawks (293 ± 16 µm), followed by American kestrels (260 ± 12 µm), broad-winged hawks (256 ± 16 µm), Cooper's hawks (250 ± 9 µm), and sharp-shinned hawks (239 ± 16 µm). The temporal foveae were shallower than the central foveae in all species tested, and there was a significant variation between species (P < .001). The temporal foveae (mean ± SD) were deepest in American kestrels (137 ± 8 µm), followed by red-tailed hawks (129 ± 3 µm), broad-winged hawks (59.5 ± 3.5 µm), Cooper's hawks (20.3 ± 6.4 µm), and sharp-shinned hawks (17.5 ± 0.7 µm). Pecten-temporal foveae distance was approximately 30% shorter than PCFD in all species. There were no differences in the parameters tested between the eyes within each species (P ≥ .47). CONCLUSION Normative foveae SD-OCT data were obtained in four species of diurnal birds of prey. Further studies are warranted to provide structural and functional information regarding normal and pathologic changes that can affect the foveae.
Sensing by Leveraging Millimeter Wave Communication Networks

Millimeter wave (mmWave) has found substantial applications in wireless communications and sensing systems. However, mmWave communications and sensing are studied and designed separately. In this paper, it is proposed to leverage the mmWave communication infrastructure in 5G cellular systems for the purpose of sensing, with marginal extra cost, due to its large number of antennas, small wavelength and expected deployment of cloud radio access. In this scheme, a certain region/object is illuminated by transmitting base stations, and its image is reconstructed by using the reflected/scattered signals intercepted by receiving base stations. The sensing algorithms are proposed in this paper, for both 2- dimensional and 3-dimensional sources, and then evaluated using theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. It is shown that the proposed scheme can reconstruct the image with reasonable precisions given typical scenarios of 5G systems.
What obese and healthy weight preschoolers believe and know about food

Abstract Little is known about what 4- to 6-year-old preschoolers believe or know about food, and whether their beliefs and experiential knowledge about food differ depending on body mass index (BMI). Our mixed-methods study guided by theory of mind aimed to describe what 4- to 6-year-old preschoolers who were obese or of healthy weight 1) believe and 2) know about food, and 3) the similarities, differences, and patterns in their beliefs and experiential knowledge about food. Preschoolers (n = 30 obese; n = 30 healthy weight) generated two free lists (foods they think of and eat) and performed an unconstrained card sort. Foods known to preschoolers in each BMI group were modestly different as was their experiential knowledge of food. These findings suggest that obese and healthy weight children may think about food differently. This insight is necessary when designing interventions to modify preschoolers’ metacognitions that motivate eating behaviors contributing to childhood obesity.
Research methods, data collection, and data analysis in meetings, expositions, events, and conventions journals

There are many niche areas of research in hospitality and tourism, including meetings, expositions, events, and conventions (MEEC). Within such niche areas an assessment of the current status of th...
Feasibility of ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* cartilage mapping in the hip: a pilot study

BackgroundUltrashort echo time (UTE) T2* is sensitive to molecular changes within the deep calcified layer of cartilage. Feasibility of its use in the hip needs to be established to determine suita...
Analysis of an Annular Coupled Patch Using Characteristic Mode Analysis and Coupled Mode Theory

This work analyses a low-profile, broadband monopolar patch antenna (which we call the Annular Coupled Patch) using Characteristic Mode Analysis. The full structure is divided into two resonators: a cylindrical cavity and shorted annular patch, which are electromagnetically coupled by the fringing fields about the annular ring of vias separating the two resonators. The analysis shows that Coupled Mode Theory accurately models the resonances of the full, coupled structure. The modal behavior is compared and contrasted with several other antennas that are also well-modeled by Coupled Mode Theory.
Funding and college-provided nutritional resources on diet quality among female athletes.

OBJECTIVE To examine funding and college-provided nutritional resources and to assess whether these are associated with diet quality and subsequent dietitian referral among female collegiate athletes of different sports levels. Participants: Female athletes (N = 120) from NCAA, NJCAA, and Club sports. Methods: Differences in questionnaire-based demographics, diet quality, and dietitian referrals were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-Square tests, with p < 0.05. Factors associated with diet quality and dietitian referral were examined using regression. Results: NCAA reported more funding than Club and NJCAA (p < 0.05). NJCAA expressed insufficient funds for purchasing food and reported fewer college-provided nutritional resources (p < 0.05) while showing lower diet quality scores and higher subsequent dietitian referrals than NCAA and Club. No significant associations for dietary quality and dietitian referrals were found. Conclusions: Athletes across all sports levels reported insufficient funds for purchasing food and low diet quality, with NJCAA, showing the least funding and fewest nutritional resources.
Translational Control of Protein Synthesis in Reticulocyte Lysates by eIF-2α Kinases

The initiation of protein synthesis in reticulocyte lysates is inhibited by heme deficiency, double-stranded RNA, or oxidized glutathione (Zucker and Schulman 1968; Rabinovitz et al. 1969; Hunt et al. 1972; Ehrenfeld and Hunt 1971; Kosower et al. 1972). In lysates, the inhibitions are all characterized by a brief period of control linear synthesis, followed by an abrupt decline in this rate as protein synthesis shuts off. The inhibitions are due primarily to the activation of cAMP-independent protein kinases that specifically phosphorylate the 38000 mol. wt. α-subunit of the eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) (Levin et al. 1976; Kramer et al. 1976;Ranu and London 1976; Farrell et al. 1977; Gross and Mendelewski 1977; Levin and London 1978; Ernst et al. 1978a). Similar inhibitions of protein synthesis are produced by adding the purified inhibitors, the heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase (HRI), or the double-stranded RNA-activated eIF-2α kinase (dsI), to reticulocyte lysates. The inhibition of protein synthesis is a result of a block in the early steps of protein chain initiation and is immediately preceded by a decrease in the formation of the [eIF-2 Met-tRNAf·GTP] ternary complex and the [40S-eIF-2-Met-tRNAf·GTP] 43S initiation complex (de Haro et al. 1978; Ranu et al. 1978; de Haro and Ochoa 1978; Ranu and London 1979; de Haro and Ochoa 1979; Das et al. 1979). Studies by Cherbas and London (1976) suggested that the principal effect of HRI was the impairment of the recycling of eIF-2. In vitro studies have suggested that the recycling of eIF-2 requires the presence of an additional multipolypeptide factor, whose function is inhibited by the phosphorylation of eIF-2.
The effect of healthcare provider education on diabetes management of hospitalised patients

Summary Background: The importance of optimising blood glucose (BG) control in hospitalised patients is widely accepted. To determine whether focused education of physicians and nurses would result in measurable changes in glycaemic control, the effect of a diabetes-focused educational programme on point of care (POC) BG measures was monitored. Methods: This programme included 2 h symposium and 2 h interactive session. The POC BG measures were determined at 2-month period prior to implementing the programme and the ensuing 7 months after. Outcome parameters included the mean BG values, the incidence of hyperglycaemia (BG > 180 mg/dl) and hypoglycaemia (BG < 60 mg/dl). The outcome parameters were analysed by comparing the Internal Medicine (target service) to other such as Neurology and Surgical Trauma where no programme was offered. Results: On Internal Medicine, the mean BG decreased soon after implementing the programme and stayed lower than the baseline values over 7 months. The changes were significant at the third, fourth, seventh and the ninth month of the study. Hyperglycaemia decreased significantly (p < 0.05) on the third, fourth, seventh and eighth month, while hypoglycaemia increased following the education programmes. On Neurology and Surgical Trauma, the mean BG values were significantly higher, and hypoglycaemia was significantly lower during the same time frame. Conclusions: Implementing an educational programme for healthcare providers had significant effects on the lowering of mean BG values and the incidence of hyperglycaemia, but increased the risk of hypoglycaemia. The merits of such programmes need to be tested before their widespread implementation.
A generalization of Sturmian sequences: Combinatorial structure and transcendence

We investigate a class of minimal sequences on a finite alphabet Ak = {1,2,...,k} having (k - 1)n + 1 distinct subwords of length n. These sequences, originally defined by P. Arnoux and G. Rauzy, are a natural generalization of binary Sturmian sequences. We describe two simple combinatorial algorithms for constructing characteristic Arnoux-Rauzy sequences (one of which is new even in the Sturmian case). Arnoux-Rauzy sequences arising from fixed points of primitive morphisms are characterized by an underlying periodic structure. We show that every Arnoux-Rauzy sequence contains arbitrarily large subwords of the form V^2+e and, in the Sturmian case, arbitrarily large subwords of the form V^3+e. Finally, we prove that an irrational number whose base b-digit expansion is an Arnoux-Rauzy sequence is transcendental.
Detection of BGP routing misbehavior against cyber-terrorism

Attacks at the control and routing plane may be the next generation of threats for the Internet. Manipulation of the routing layer could originate from profiteering, malice, or simply human error. The community has recognized this danger and several promising approaches have been proposed to capture and block routing anomalies. In practice, the difficulty of deploying such approaches limits their usefulness. Our goal is to develop a scheme that can have immediate impact today. In this light, we propose a reactive approach that can help reduce the extent and impact of routing misbehaviors. We develop an approach and a tool to act as an expert advisor that will flag suspicious updates. Our main motivation is that problems spread quickly, so quick reaction is imperative. Additionally, the volume of routing updates makes it impossible for humans operators to manually identify malicious updates. Our approach uses the policies that autonomous systems register in the Internet routing registries. We use the policy of an AS as found in these registries to detect deviations between the intended policy and the actual policy seen in BGP. As a proof of concept, we use the RIPE registry to monitor the European Internet routing for ten days. With our approach, we are able to confirm the validity of the origin AS of 97% of the updates, while suggesting the need for further analysis of the remaining 3% of the updates
Dietary Fatty Acids and the Control of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase and Malic Enzyme in the Starved-Refed Rat

The role of dietary unsaturated fat in the control of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) (EC 1.1.1.49) and malic enzyme (ME) (EC 1.1.1.40) was studied in rats subjected to one or two cycles of starvation-refeeding. Rats starved and refed a control (5% corn oil) diet showed a threefold increase in G6PD activity and a twofold increase in ME activity compared to ad libitum-fed rats. After a second cycle of starvation-refeeding G6PD and ME activities showed fourfold and threefold increases, respectively, as compared to ad libitum-fed rats. Feeding rats diets containing 8% linoleic acid (as triglycerides) prevented the increase in G6PD and ME activities upon starvation-refeeding, diets with oleic, palmitic, and stearic acis when fed did not prevent this increase. Feeding rats various combinations of linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids following starvation prevented the additional increase in G6PD and ME activities after a second starvation-refeeding cycle; however, linoleic acid fed alone during the first refeeding prevented the additional increase in ME activity but not in G6PD activity. It is suggested that the dietary control of these enzymes involves one or more specific polyunsaturated fatty acids.
An Application-Oriented Virtual Microsensor Integration Platform

The availabilities of low-cost microsensors and wireless communication networks have extended the applications of sensor network into a broad spectrum. Currently available microsensor nodes such as Mote from Crossbow and sGate from Sensoria integrate many 1-D sensing devices and processing on one platform. However, 1-D signal in most time can not provide sufficient information for monitoring or detection purpose. Visual sensor network (VSN) that is a network including visual sensors provide an approach for 2-D signal demand. But the requirement of huge communication bandwidth, together with high power consumption, brings new challenges to real implementation. The ideal solution to these problems is system integration for on-site image processing. In this paper, we propose an image processing oriented virtual microsensor platform and target at system-on-chip (SoC) with embedded FPGA. The virtual microsensor platform does not provide a final microsensor but a design environment where a set of image processing intellectual property (IP) blocks can be selected with pre-defined metrics. The user-specified design is then integrated with pre-defined architectures, therefore meeting performance requirements of low power, high density, and sufficient processing capabilities at the same time. The IP library consisting of image pre-processing and processing blocks is the focal point of the virtual microsensor platform. Each IP block addresses earlier validation of various applications in both regular and faulty conditions. This paper presents the IP designs of polynomial approximation based geometric correction and independent component analysis (ICA) as pre-processing and processing examples. Several testbeds are also compared for prototyping and implementing the designs generated from the virtual microsensor platform
Epilogue: Comments and Future Directions

The preceding 39 chapters concern a vast amount of information in a synoptic fashion. Obviously, much has been omitted or reduced in order to have brevity. For those needing more, 1,500 references are in the back which will in turn lead to other papers. The studies quoted provide at least some level of detail in order to be initially evaluated for validity and reliability. What follows in the epilogue is a synopsis of some important features and key points which were stressed in the full text. Promising directions and concepts are indicated.
Electromagnetic formation flight for sparse aperture telescopes

The use of propellant to maintain the relative orientation of multiple spacecraft in a sparse aperture telescope such as NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) poses several issues. These include fuel depletion, optical contamination, plume impingement, thermal emission, and vibration excitation. An alternative is to eliminate the need for propellant, except for orbit transfer, and replace it with electromagnetic control. Relative separation, relative attitude, and inertial rotation of the array can all be controlled by creating electromagnetic dipoles on each spacecraft and varying their strengths and orientations. This paper not only discusses optimized designs for a generic system but also shows that feasible designs exist for a five spacecraft, seventy-five meter baseline architecture for TPF.