cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct direction measurements of noise in CW magnetrons

For some time the subject of noise generation in magnetrons has been under study in our laboratory. The unmodulated CW magnetron was chosen as the first subject for investigation, because some of the complications of pulsed or modulated tubes are thus avoided. Since any heterodyning method introduces the noise of another microwave oscillator, a method of direct detection has been employed. This method involves the use of a crystal-video receiver for both AM and FM detection.
A new reactor system for MOCVD of ZaSe: Modelling and experimental results for growth from dimethylzinc and diethylselenide

Abstract The performance of a new vertical reactor for metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of ZaSe has been characterized and optimized through combined numerical modelling and experimental investigations. Finite element computations of the flow field in the reactor are used to identify transport mechanisms of impurities and to optimize the reactor inlet to susceptor distance. The quality of the as-grown ZnSe in terms of photoluminescence characteristics is shown to deteriorate with increasing strength of flow recirculation cells in the reactor. The ZnSe films have been grown on (100)GaAs substrates by using diethylselenide and dimethylzinc. The dependence of the growth rate on substrate temperature, reactor configuration is reported. For temperatures above 500°C the growth is mass transfer limited. Photoluminescence spectra of films grown at optimal conditions show dominant free excitonic emission with weak donor and acceptor bound excitonic transitions. Weak and broad deep-level transitions are also detected. Carbon incorporation is observed to occur at high values of the [VI/II] ratio. Although the films are highly resistive, the photoluminescence spectra indicate that the overall quality of the as-grown ZnSe films is very good.
THE REVENUE RISK OF VALUE-BASED PRICING FOR FED CATTLE: A SIMULATION OF GRID VS. AVERAGE PRICING

Abstract The reluctance to adopt value-based pricing stems from a fundamental problem created by the system: increased revenue uncertainty and variability. The literature suggests that inconsistent carcass characteristics cause revenue variability under grid pricing. The possibility that the grid pricing structure, regardless of cattle quality variations, also causes revenue variability has been recognized but not fully analyzed. This study quantifies the impact of grid variability over time, pen quality differentials, and quality grade price discounts on average revenue per head for a pen of fed cattle. Grid pricing revenue results are compared to average pricing results.
An Improved Agar Plate Method for Rapid Assessment of Chemical Inhibition to Microbial Populations

Assessment of chemical toxicity is essential for effective management of the pollutants in the total environment. To meet such a demand, numerous bioassay procedures employing fish (SASTRY & AGRAWAL 1979), invertebrates (van DIJK et al. 1977), algae (WONG et al. 1979, JOUBERT 1980), protozoans (HONIG et al. 1977), and bacteria (MOWAT 1976, BABICH & STOTZKY 1977) have been developed. Bacteria have several attributes which make them attractive for use in such studies; for example, they are easily handled and require relatively little space. In addition, their short life cycle also means the readily availability of experimental results enabling the laboratory to process more samples. Consequently, bacteria are well suited for use as a primary biological monitoring system for detecting chemical toxicity (MOWAT 1976).
Insecticides affect predatory arthropods and predation on Japanese beetle (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae) eggs and fall armyworm (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae) pupae in turfgrass

The relative short-term effect of three insecticides on predatory arthropods and their potential to interfere with natural predation on pest insects or to induce resurgences of white grubs were evaluated in Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis L., turf. A single surface application of isazofos in mid-June caused significant short-term reductions in abundance of spiders, ants, staphylinids, carabid larvae, histerids, and other predominantly predatory groups. Carbaryl and cyfluthrin also affected some groups of predators, but their impact was generally less severe than for isazofos. Pupae of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and eggs of Japanese beetle, Popilliajaponica Newman, implanted into treated or control plots 1-2 wk after treatment sustained predation losses as high as 60 and 74%, respectively, within 48 h. Predation on pupae was not significantly affected by the insecticides, but predation on Japanese beetle eggs was reduced by as much as 70% in plots that had been previously treated with isazofos or carbaryl. Predatory Coleoptera, including Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Cicindelidae, and Histeridae, collected from turfgrass readily consumed Japanese beetle eggs or first-instars in laboratory trials. Plots treated with isazofos during the Japanese beetle oviposition period incurred Significantly higher natural populations of white grubs than did control plots. These findings suggest that by disrupting predation on eggs and young larvae, insecticides applied to turfgrass before scarabaeid eggs have hatched could predispose lawns or golf courses to higher densities of white grubs and possibly other pests.
Feeding elicited by dynorphin (1–13) microinjections into the ventral tegmental area in rats

Both the endogenous opioid peptide, dynorphin (1-13) (DYN), and morphine elicited dose-dependent feeding when microinjected into the ventral tegmental area of food-satiated rats. DYN was 50,000 times more potent than morphine in producing feeding. Whereas the ED50 for morphine was in the nanomole range, the ED50 for DYN was in the femtomole range. Administration of a narcotic antagonist attenuated DYN-elicited feeding. These data suggest a possible role for DYN in the VTA in opioid modulation of feeding behavior.
Kulanaokuaiki Tephra (ca, A.D. 400-1000): Newly recognized evidence for highly explosive eruptions at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i

Kīlauea may be one of the world9s most intensively monitored volcanoes, but its eruptive history over the past several thousand years remains rather poorly known. Our study has revealed the vestiges of thin basaltic tephra deposits, overlooked by previous workers, that originally blanketed wide, near-summit areas and extended more than 17 km to the south coast of Hawai‘i. These deposits, correlative with parts of tephra units at the summit and at sites farther north and northwest, show that Kīlauea, commonly regarded as a gentle volcano, was the site of energetic pyroclastic eruptions and indicate the volcano is significantly more hazardous than previously realized. Seventeen new calibrated accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon ages suggest these deposits, here named the Kulanaokuaiki Tephra, were emplaced ca. A.D. 400–1000, a time of no previously known pyroclastic activity at the volcano. Tephra correlations are based chiefly on a marker unit that contains unusually high values of TiO 2 and K 2 O and on paleomagnetic signatures of associated lava flows, which show that the Kulanaokuaiki deposits are the time-stratigraphic equivalent of the upper part of a newly exhumed section of the Uwēkahuna Ash in the volcano9s northwest caldera wall. This section, thought to have been permanently buried by rockfalls in 1983, is thicker and more complete than the previously accepted type Uwēkahuna at the base of the caldera wall. Collectively, these findings justify the elevation of the Uwēkahuna Ash to formation status; the newly recognized Kulanaokuaiki Tephra to the south, the chief focus of this study, is defined as a member of the Uwēkahuna Ash. The Kulanaokuaiki Tephra is the product of energetic pyroclastic falls; no surge- or pyroclastic-flow deposits were identified with certainty, despite recent interpretations that Uwēkahuna surges extended 10–20 km from Kīlauea9s summit.
A Proteomics Approach to Cloning Fenestrin from the Nuclear Exchange Junction of Tetrahymena

We set out to find the "fenestrin" gene, a gene whose protein is associated with numerous cellular apertures, including the nuclear exchange junction in mating Tetrahymena thermophila. First we developed protocols for imaging and isolating intact nuclear exchange junctions from conjugating cells. Proteins from these junctions were purified using SDS-PAGE, subjected to limited proteolysis, and precise molecular weights were determined by mass spectrometry. Using Protein Prospector software and the published Tetrahymena Genome Database, genes for 15 of the most abundant proteins found in our extracts were identified. The most promising candidate was cloned by PCR, fused to yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), and placed under the control of an inducible metallothionein promoter. YFP-localization within live Tetrahymena transformants strongly suggested that one of these genes encoded the fenestrin protein, a result that was subsequently confirmed by Western blotting.
Chirped Pulse Optical Ranging

An approach for time bandwidth product maximization in chirped pulse optical ranging systems is treated theoretically and accompanied by experimental demonstrations. Signal processing offers a route to a straight-forward, low-cost implementation.
Parallel coarse‐grid selection

Algebraic multigrid (AMG) is a powerful linear solver with attractive parallel properties. A parallel AMG method depends on efficient, parallel implementations of the coarse-grid selection algorithms and the restriction and prolongation operator construction algorithms. In the effort to effectively and quickly select the coarse grid, a number of parallel coarsening algorithms have been developed. This paper examines the behaviour of these algorithms in depth by studying the results of several numerical experiments. In addition, new parallel coarse-grid selection algorithms are introduced and tested. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On packet loss estimation for virtual private networks services

When provisioning the quantitative QoS based VPN services over packet switched networks, parameters such as packet loss, delay and delay jitter, besides the required bandwidth, have to be guaranteed. While the bandwidth is easier to guarantee during the lifetime of a VPN service, maintaining a value of the loss parameter below a preset value presents serious difficulties. Thus one of the main issues to be solved is to estimate the packet loss parameter effectively and accurately. Linking the stochastic characteristics of the traffic process to the loss probability has been examined as a solution under various contexts. Based on the large deviation theory (LDT), two types of asymptotic loss estimators have been studied extensively: the large buffer asymptotic and the large number of source asymptotic. This paper explores the application of the above estimators to the core links which aggregates lots of VPN services. To reduce the computational complexity, aggregate traffic approximation estimator is employed instead on the latter of the study. Firstly, the two practical estimators are derived based on LDT and Gaussian traffic model. Then their performances are evaluated in the live MPLS VPN network. Conclusion and suggestion for future research are formulated at the end of this paper
Inadequate nutrient intakes are common and are associated with low diet variety in rural, community-dwelling elderly.

Poor dietary habits and inadequate nutrient intakes are of concern in the elderly. The nutritional characteristics of those who survive to become the oldest are not well defined. Our goal was to describe dietary habits, nutrient intakes and nutritional risk of community-dwelling, rural Iowans, 79 y of age and older. Subjects were interviewed (n 5 420) using a standardized format on one occasion in their homes and instructed to complete 3-d diet records (n 5 261) after the in-home interview. Standardized interviews assessed demographic information, cognitive function and dietary habits (Nutrition Screening Initiative Checklist). Adequate nutrient intake was defined as consumption of the nutrient's estimated average requirement, 67% adequate intake or 67% recommended dietary allowance. Mean age was 85.2 y, 57% lived alone and 58% were widowed. Subjects completing 3-d diet records were younger, more cognitively intact and less likely to be at nutritional risk than subjects not completing diet records. The percentage of subjects with inadequate intakes of selected nutrients was 75% for folate, 83% for vitamin D and 63% for calcium. Eighty percent of subjects reported inadequate intakes of four or more nutrients. Diet variety was positively associated with the number of nutrients consumed at adequate intakes (r 5 0.498), total energy (r 5 0.522) and dietary fiber (r 5 0.421). Our results suggest that rural, community-dwelling old have inadequate intakes of several nutrients. Recommendations to increase diet variety and consume a nutrient supplement may be necessary for elderly people to achieve adequate nutrient intakes. J. Nutr. 131: 2192-2196, 2001.
Primary Elections and the Quality of Elected Ocials

In this paper we argue that the literature underestimates the value of primaries, because it focuses on overall average eects. We argue that primary elections are most needed in safe constituencies, where the advantaged party’s candidate can usually win the general election { even if she is \low quality." If the main role of elections is to select good candidates, then advantaged party primaries in open seat races are particularly consequential. We provide evidence that these primaries are especially eective at selecting \high quality" types. This appears to be driven both by dierences in the proportion of high-quality candidates competing in the primaries and also by voter
Rb-Sr and U-Pb geochronology and distribution of rock types in the Precambrian basement of Missouri and Kansas

Most of what we know about basement rocks in Kansas and Missouri is derived from cores and cuttings from deep drilling. These rocks may be divided into a northern terrane, underlain by rocks consisting of abundant granite commonly showing cataclastic textures and by metavolcanic to metasedimentary rocks; and a southern terrane, underlain almost exclusively by rhyolitic flows and ash-flow tuffs and epizonal granite plutons. The northern terrane is interrupted in central Kansas by mafic igneous rocks and flanking arkosic sedimentary rocks of the Central North American Rift System. Data from 63 Rb-Sr whole-rock analyses yield ages ranging from 1,153 to 1,748 m.y., but these are considered to represent only the minimum ages of the rocks. Ages derived from U-Pb analyses of suites of cogenetic zircons from 22 rock samples indicate that some rocks of the northern terrane were formed 1,610 to 1,650 m.y. ago. These are apparently intruded by younger granite plutons formed 1,450–1,470 m.y. and 1,340–1,380 m.y. ago. Rocks of the southern terrane were formed 1,460–1,480 m.y. ago in the St. Francois Mountains terrane of southeastern Missouri and its buried equivalents, but these are about 1,380 m.y. old in southwestern Missouri and southern Kansas. Rocks of the Central North American Rift System in Kansas are assumed to be about 1,100 m.y. old by geophysical and drill-hole extension to their outcrop in the Lake Superior region, where they have been dated. Both the northern and southern terranes are notable for the great abundance of granitic rocks and the scarcity of intermediate to mafic igneous rocks. Quartzite is the most abundant metamorphic rock. Although the decrease in ages from north to south in the mid-continent region suggests their sequential accretion at the edges of a pre-existing continent, the rock assemblages are not consistent with convergent plate-margin suites of the Andean type. The great volumes of rhyolite and epizonal granite of the southern terrane may represent melting of thickened, somewhat older crust following accretion at the continental margin. Major-element chemical data are presented for basement rocks from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and these are compared with the compositions of similar rocks from the St. Francois Mountains. Names and locations are given for wells from which samples were obtained.
Optimal distributed estimation in wireless sensor networks with spatially correlated noise sources

A sensor network's motes observe the environment, make estimates based on observations with spatially correlated noise sources, and then send/relay these estimates to a Cluster-Head (CH). A novel scheme based on dithered quantization and channel compensation is used to ensure that each mote's local estimate received by the CH is unbiased. Based on an upper bound of the noise covariance matrix, the CH fuses these unbiased local estimates into a global one using a Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE). We evaluate the mean square error(MSE) of the final estimate by both analysis and simulation.
Electrical resistivity structure of the Valu Fa Ridge, Lau Basin, from marine controlled‐source electromagnetic sounding

SUMMARY In December 1995 we carried out a comprehensive controlled-source electromagnetic survey of the Valu Fa Ridge at 22u25k Si n the Lau Basin. The Valu Fa Ridge is ab ack-arc spreading centre of intermediate spreading rate and is a site of extensive hydrothermal activity. Seismic studies have imaged a melt lens at an average depth of 3.2 km below the seafloor, surrounded by a zone of lowered seismic velocity, interpreted as a region of partial melt in the crust. The electromagnetic experiment was part of a multidisciplinary study which included wide-angle and reflection seismics, bathymetry and potential field measurements. Electromagnetic signals at frequencies between 0.25 and 40 Hz were transmitted from a horizontal electric dipole towed close to the seafloor and were recorded by an array of 11 sea-bottom receivers at ranges of up to 20 km from the source. Over 80 hr of data, consisting of the magnitude of the horizontal electric field at the seafloor, were collected. These data have extremely low scatter compared to similar data from previous surveys. The data were interpreted using a combination of 1- and 2-D forward modelling and inversion. The vertical resistivity gradient in the upper crust at the Valu Fa Ridge is abnormally low, with resistivities of less than 10 V m observed throughout layer 2 of the crust to a depth of 3 km. This is significantly more conductive at depth than the axis of the slow-spreading Reykjanes Ridge at 57u45kN, and the fastspreading East Pacific Rise at 13uN, where similar data sets have been collected in the past. Although the structure of layer 2 is well constrained by the electromagnetic data, its extremely low resistivity causes rapid attenuation of electromagnetic signals diffusing through it, and hence the data are not sensitive to the structure in layer 3, in particular the structure of the melt lens or surrounding low-velocity zone. The seismic velocity structure of the Valu Fa Ridge, determined from the coincident wide-angle seismic study, is similar to that observed at other mid-ocean ridges, with a steep seismic velocity gradient through layer 2 (although overall velocities are slightly lower). The seismic velocity anomaly calculated relative to an average off-axis structure is also small. This suggests that the very low resistivities observed at the axis are not caused by an upper crust of abnormally high porosity. However, hot and/or saline fluids permeating the crust can explain the low resistivities without affecting the seismic velocity. Since the conductive region extends unbroken from 3 km depth to the seafloor, it is probable that these fluids circulate to (or close to) the magma chamber itself.
A practice approach for identifying previously unsuspected environmental contributors to systemic lupus erythematosus and other complex diseases

Existing medical records and health surveys provide insights into potential environmental contributors to complex chronic diseases. Those recognizable risks (e.g., workplace exposures and behaviors including smoking) do not, however, exhaust the domain of potential environmental contributors. Qualitative ethnographic investigation can be used to generate statistically testable hypotheses about environmental contributors to complex disease that otherwise would not be recognized as such. Consequently, we can empirically specify lifestyle beliefs and behaviors usually summarized by proxy identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, and culture. The investigation of potential environmental contributors to complex diseases may be particularly useful in confirming or disconfirming suggestive or established linkages and for indicating the kind of gene-environment interaction that may be involved.
Visual grouping and object recognition

We develop a two-stage framework for parsing and understanding images, a process of image segmentation grouping pixels to form regions of coherent color and texture, and a process of recognition - comparing assemblies of such regions, hypothesized to correspond to a single object, with views of stored prototypes. We treat segmenting images into regions as an optimization problem: partition the image into regions such that there is high similarity within a region and low similarity across regions. This is formalized as the minimization of the normalized cut between regions. Using ideas from spectral graph theory, the minimization can be set as an eigenvalue problem. Visual attributes such as color, texture, contour and motion are encoded in this framework by suitable specification of graph edge weights. The recognition problem requires us to compare assemblies of image regions with previously stored proto-typical views of known objects. We have devised a novel algorithm for shape matching based on a relationship descriptor called the shape context. This enables us to compute similarity measures between shapes which, together with similarity measures for texture and color, can be used for object recognition. The shape matching algorithm has yielded excellent results on a variety of different 2D and 3D recognition problems.
The Diagnosis of Schizophrenia: A Review of Recent Developments

Empirical research on the diagnosis of schizophrenia during the late 1970s is reviewed. This period covers work carried out just before the introduction of DSM-III. Two trends are apparent. First, the concept of schizophrenia is narrowing as a result of a decreased emphasis on "classic" schizophrenic symptoms, an increased reliance on affective symptoms as more diagnostically useful, a shift toward classifying schizoaffective disorder as more similar to affective diagnoses, and an increase in the use of explicitly defined operational criteria derived with an emphasis on reliability. Second, the concept of schizophrenia as a unitary disease is diminishing. Heterogeneity is becoming a focus of study, and biological variables may define subtypes. As definition and reliability have been the nosological problems of the 1970s, subtyping and comparative validity among diagnostic systems may be the problems for the 1980s.
Pulmonary Cystic Disease: Observations in Cases Treated by Exploratory Thoracotomy*

1. Respiratory embarrassment resulting from spontaneous pneumothorax is a frequent occurrence in this disease. The patient may have numerous cysts, even bilaterally, yet he will present little if any respiratory distress unless a large cyst compresses normally functioning lung, in which case dyspnea is an outstanding symptom. 2. Roentgenological abnormalities encountered in cystic disease can readily obscure the underlying cystic pathology which was noted in over one-half of the cases described in this paper. 3. Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common manifestation of cystic disease. It can recur numerous times. 4. Diffuse unilateral or bilateral emphysema as an accompaniment of localized cystic disease was not found in this series of cases. 5. Although generally not thought of or known, infection and hemorrhage occur in cystic disease, and the basic pathology can readily be missed. 6. Exploratory thoracotomy is proving to be a realistic and fruitful approach to the problem of spontaneous pneumothorax, as well as the arrest of continuous dyspnea that is associated with cyst formation which is accompanied by compression of normal lung parenchyma.
Accidental Degeneracy in Crystalline Aspirin: New Insights from High-Level ab Initio Calculations

We perform the first high-level ab initio calculations (MP2) on crystalline aspirin using a newly developed fragment-based QM/MM method. Contrary to earlier density functional theory predictions, the two polymorphs are virtually degenerate, which is consistent with experimentally observed intergrowth structures. This near-degeneracy arises “accidentally” from a competition between intramolecular relaxation (form I) and intermolecular hydrogen bonding (form II).
Secretion of Enzymes by Neoplastic Cells and Macrophages

The secretion of specific products is a well documented and fundamental property of both pro- and eukaryotic cells. This process, which is involved in many biologically important phenomena and cellular responses to the environment, includes secretion of specific degradative enzymes, antibiotics, hormones of all kinds, neural transmitters, growth factors, immunoglobulins, and structural proteins, to name but a few. It is now taken for granted that the properties of the body fluids, whose maintenance is critical for the survival of most metazoa, are tightly controlled by the actions of hormonal secretions; the same is true for the growth and activity of numerous cells, organs and tissues, such as those of the blood and the reproductive tracts, and for many other phenotypic properties of organisms. Most of the hormonally active cellular secretion products that are important for maintaining the internal milieu are proteins and they exert their effects by a variety of mechanisms; only a minority have so far been shown to act as enzymes. One interesting example of the latter is the enzyme renin; renin is secreted by the kidney, and helps to determine a vital physiological parameter of mammals — the blood pressure. That cellular secretions determine and condition the general properties of the body fluids is therefore established beyond doubt. What is less certain is whether, and to what extent, secretions may be of importance in modifying the local micro-environment and thereby affecting cellular behavior.
Neural stem cells for CNS repair: state of the art and future directions.

Approximately 10-15 years ago, we and a small group of other investigators recognized cells with an unanticipated degree of plasticity and multipotency existed in the CNS. These cells are now called neural stem cells (NSCs). They probably represented the cellular basis for a great deal of unrecognized plasticity programmed into the developing and post-developmental CNS. It is likely that therapeutic advantage might be realized by harnessing this plasticity. Two complementary goals drive the motivation to study NSCs both in situ and following their isolation and propagation ex vivo. The first is to understand the processes of commitment, differentiation, migration and plasticity in the mammalian nervous system during development and degeneration. The second is to use such cells for therapeutic purposes (at all ages). The pursuit of one goal typically nurtures the other, and our lab pursues these two overlapping areas of investigation. In fact, our hypothesis has been that, by first understanding the fundamental biology of pluripotent NSCs (whose role is to mediate organogenesis, homeostasis and reconstitution), and then exploiting those novel molecular and/or cellular replacement clinical therapies for some developmental, degenerative and acquired human neurological dysfunctions. In fact, these actual hNSCs may have the potential for direct human application.
Study on smoking status in families and its influence on children in Shandong province

Objective To study the smoking status and influence of the families on pupils regarding smoking-related knowledge, attitudes and behavior, in Shandong province. Methods A multi-stage stratified-cluster random sampling method was used to investigate 6 050 students and their families in 3 different cities. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted by trained investigators. Results The overall passive smoking rate at households of the pupils was 49.7% in Shandong province and appeared the highest in separate families, followed by in re-organized families and multiple-generation families under the same roofs. Major smokers in the families were fathers and grandfathers, with 43.4% of the fathers and 74.0% of the grandfathers had smoking histories for more than 10 years. The main smoking places at home were "elsewhere" or in the "living room". Attempting and current smoking rates of the families were 7.7% and 1.7% respectively, significantly higher than those families with no smokers. There was significant difference in smoking associated behavior and attitude between pupils whose family members with smoking habits or without. Conclusion The status of smoking in the families of the pupil's family was not optimistic in Shandong province, especially in the families of the male students. Since smoking status of the families played an important role on their children, it is necessary to explore suitable health education model to improve the smoking associated behaviors in the families. Key words: Smoking; Pupil; Family
Ultrasonography for Blighted Ovum (Anembryonic Gestation)

A blighted ovum or anembryonic gestation is a pregnancy in which the embryo never develops in the gestational sac (Fig. 112.1).
Gene therapy for inflammatory diseases — basic concepts

Although inflammatory diseases vary widely in the organs they affect and the symptoms they produce, as well as in their chronicity, morbidity and mortality, they share common pathophysiological pathways [1]. These pathways are illustrated in Figure 1.
Impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET on Management in Patients with Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to estimate the effect of 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 PET on intended management of patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Methods: Pre- and post-imaging surveys were filled out by referring providers in patients with biochemical recurrence who were imaged using 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET. Inclusion criteria for this study required a PSA doubling time of less than 12 months after initial treatment (NCT02611882). Of the 150 consecutive patients imaged, 126 surveys were completed (84% response rate). Responses were categorized as major, minor, no change or unknown change. Results: 103 (82%) of patients had disease detected on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET. Based on survey results, there were 67 (53.2%) patients with major changes, and 8 (6.4%) patients with minor changes in management. The proportion of cases resulting in a change in management did not significantly differ by baseline PSA level. In patients with PSA levels below 0.2 ng/dL, 7 of 12 patients had disease detected on PSMA PET scan, five of whom had a major change in management. Conclusion:68Ga-PSMA-11 PET resulted in a major change in management in 53% of patients with biochemical recurrence. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether PSMA-based management strategies result in improved outcomes for patients.
Examining Nanoparticle Adsorption on Electrostatically “Patchy” Glycopolymer Brushes using Real-time ζ-potential Measurements

Biomaterial surfaces can possess chemical, topographical, or electrostatic heterogeneity, which can profoundly influence their performance. By developing experimental models that reliably simulate this nanoscale heterogeneity, we can predict how heterogeneous surfaces are transformed by their interactions with the dynamic physiological environment. In this work, we present a model surface where well-defined glycopolymer brushes are interspersed with positively charged binding sites, giving rise to an interface presenting a mixture of repulsive and adhesive cues to an approaching virus particle. We show that the density of the affinity sites relative to the glycopolymer brushes can be tuned precisely by modifying the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) copolymerization conditions. Further, we examined the effects of binding site density and glycopolymer brush architecture on the adsorption kinetics of virus-like nanoparticles through a novel approach employing time-resolved ζ-potential measurements. Most mater...
Library Technology Buying Strategies, Edited by Marshall Breeding

While the title is quite broad, seven of the eight chapters of this delightfully portable, slim volume serve as an aid to purchasing a next-generation integrated library system (ILS) or library ser...
Genomics-informed weight management in primary care: anticipated public interest.

AIM An exploratory survey assessed the influence of current and potential future genomic applications for weight management on individuals' desires to address weight management within primary care. Materials & methods: A convenience sample of 714 US adults aged 18-70 completed an online survey that presented three scenarios: no genomic information; current genomic capabilities; and potential future applications of genomics for weight management. RESULTS Participants had increased interest in weight management assistance through primary care when considering genomic applications in weight management, p (1,1.68) = 24.66, p < 0.001; this increase was more robust among individuals who felt their weight was important for their health, p (1,1.68) = 20.85, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION Primary care systems may need to accommodate a rise in the volume of patients seeking weight management assistance as genomic approaches come to fruition.
Complications of Cirrhosis in Primary Care: Recognition and Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Approximately 3.7% of patients in primary care settings have chronic liver disease, and 18% with chronic liver disease in the specialty care setting have cirrhosis. For cirrhotic patients without complications, prognosis is generally favorable; increased morbidity and mortality are observed when complications (i.e., hepatic encephalopathy [HE]) occur. HE occurs in up to 70% of patients with cirrhosis. Neurologic signs in HE span a wide spectrum, from those not easily apparent (covert) to more clinically obvious signs (overt). Providers should consider overt HE in patients with cirrhosis and signs of impaired cognition, confusion, consciousness and/or personality changes, and/or impaired memory. Overt HE treatment includes identifying and treating precipitating factors and reducing bacterial-derived toxin loads. For acute overt HE, lactulose is first-line treatment. To prevent HE recurrence, lactulose plus rifaximin is recommended. Patients with cirrhosis and HE often present in primary care; recognizing and properly managing HE are important in this setting.
CHAPTER 45 – Astrobiology

Life on Earth is widespread and appears to have been present on the planet since early in its history. Biochemically all life on Earth is similar and seems to share a common origin. Throughout geological history, life has significantly altered the environment of the Earth while at the same time adapting to this environment. It would not be possible to understand the Earth as a planet without the consideration of life. Thus life is a planetary phenomenon that is arguably the most interesting phenomenon observed on planetary surfaces.
Implementation and evaluation of real-time model predictive control for load fluctuations mitigation in all-electric ship propulsion systems

Abstract Electrification is a clear trend for both commercial and military ship development. Shipboard load fluctuations, such as propulsion-load fluctuations and pulse power loads, can significantly affect power system reliability. In order to address this issue, this paper explores a real-time model predictive control based energy management strategy for load fluctuation mitigation in all-electric ships. A battery combined with ultra-capacitor hybrid energy storage system (HESS) is used as a buffer to compensate load fluctuations from the shipboard network. In order to implement the proposed real-time MPC-based energy management strategy on a physical testbed, three special efforts have been made to enable real-time implementation: a specially tailored problem formulation, an efficient optimization algorithm and a multi-core hardware implementation. Given the multi-frequency characteristics of load fluctuations, a filter-based power split strategy is developed as a baseline control to evaluate the proposed MPC. Compared to the filter-based strategy, the experimental results show that the proposed real-time MPC achieves superior performance in terms of enhanced system reliability, improved HESS efficiency, long self-sustained time, and extended battery life. The bus voltage variation and hybrid energy storage losses can be reduced by up to 38% and 65%, respectively.
Super Charge Separation and High Voltage Phase in Na x MnO 2

Na x MnO2 shows Mn3+ and Mn4+ charge separation with the charge stripe ordering upon Na deintercalation at x = 5/8. In this paper it is shown that, surprisingly, at lower Na compositions of 5/8 > x ≥ 1/18 the phase evolution pathway of Na x MnO2 upon Na deintercalation shows a unique phenomenon of super charge separation, where the Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions fully charge-separate into charge superplanes formed by succession of charge stripes in the third dimension. The Mn3+ superplanes attract Na ions electronically, and dominate the antiferromagnetic interactions in NaMnO2. Na ions in Mn3+ superplanes also naturally pillar the MnO2 layers to form the unusual O1 phases with large interlayer distances at x < 1/3, which dominates the unique electrochemical behavior of NaMnO2.
Influence of Experimental Conditions on the Ratio of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Conformers for Validating a Liquid Chromatography/Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Method for Routine Quantitation.

The utility of adding ion mobility (IM) to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for quantitation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) is evaluated. Sodiated 25OHD3 ions adopt both closed and open conformations, whereas the stereoisomer 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D (epi25OHD), when sodiated, adopts only a closed gas-phase conformation. The unique open conformation for sodiated 25OHD3 permits unambiguous quantitation. Nonetheless, the ratio of open versus closed gas-phase conformations for sodiated 25OHD3 can vary with instrumental conditions; conversion from the open to the closed conformer is attributed to radio frequency (rf) heating within the ion accumulation trap. Ion heating becomes significant when space charge in the trap forces ions to larger radii where the rf field is higher. To avoid biasing quantitation, an isotopically labeled internal standard must be used to account for changes in conformer ratio. Thirty-three serum extract samples were evaluated by LC/IM-MS and were found to not be bia...
Beyond Single Run Simulations

In many applications multiple run simulations are required to provide a solution. Multiple run simulations may be required to adjust or optimize the value of a model parameter, to obtain statistical data (for example in Monte-Carlo simulation), or obtain parameter dependent characteristics such as sensitivity and performance properties.
Intraperitoneal treatment with antimicrobial peptide rescues mice from a pulmonary Francisella infection

Abstract Our long-term goal is to identify new antimicrobial peptides that might be effective against pneumonic Francisella infection in mice. Previously, our group searched the peptidome of the American alligator for novel cationic antimicrobial peptides and identified a naturally-occurring C-terminal fragment of apolipoprotein C-1, which we called Apo6. This peptide was found to have antibacterial activity against the ESKAPE pathogens, including those exhibiting multi-drug resistance. In this work, we tested Apo6 and synthetic derivatives for antibacterial activity against Francisella tularensis including the virulent strain F. tularensis SchuS4. Francisella is inherently highly resistant to the cyclic peptide polymyxin antibiotics and beta-lactam antibiotics. We found that our synthetic peptide derivatives (called GATR peptides), designed with increased hydrophobicity and charge, had generally stronger in vitro antimicrobial activity against Francisella than the parent peptide Apo6. The GATR peptides had a greater effect on the bacterial membrane than the Apo6 peptide and were able to bind Francisella LPS, suggesting their mechanism of action against Francisella. Cytotoxicity experiments showed low cytotoxicity for most of the GATR peptides, and whole organism toxicity studies in the waxworm allowed us to down-select to two our lead peptides, GATR-3 and GATR-6. These peptides were tested in a murine pulmonary tularemia model. We found that the GATR-3 peptide rescued 50-60% of mice from lethal tularemia infection when administered systemically through the intraperitoneal route. This peptide is a candidate for further pre-clinical studies for a potential peptide-based approach to tularemia.
Indications for stent omission after ureteroscopic lithotripsy defined: A single-institution experience with cost analysis.

Objectives: To report on our experience with the use of an evidence-based algorithm defining specific indications for stent omission (SO) after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL), as stent placement ...
The Use of Gamification to Support the Process of Teaching Scrum

This poster presents our work in progress using gamification principles to create a game for supporting the process of teaching Project Management concepts. We created the Scrum Simulator, a game that is focused on promoting the engagement of students in the learning process of agile concepts and the Scrum methodology. This game is based on CRPG ? Computer Role-Playing game, where the student controls the actions of a character immersed in a well-defined world. Our game simulates different circumstances where the student can "live" the different Scrum phases and roles. We will describe the details of the implementation of the project and how students can experience real situations in software development.
Focusing on basic needs as a mechanism to address threats to adolescents' personal security

Overarching federal legislation and policies are needed that facilitate the integration of resources and interventions for runaway and abandoned adolescents. Despite legislative and public policy initiatives designed to address the needs of this population, implementation is inconsistent across jurisdictions and departments. The goal of this article is to highlight the details that impede forward-thinking mechanisms pertaining to runaway and abandoned youths. We summarize the epidemiology of adolescent maltreatment outcomes as precursors to runaway and abandoned status. We review the societal choices at stake. We describe the contrast between (a) initiatives that promote assurance of fulfillment of adolescents’ basic needs for food and shelter, safety, education, vocational training, and intervention access and (b) sanctions for adolescent misbehavior issued by representatives of juvenile and social service systems. The main priority should be assurance of fulfillment of needs.
Nerve cuff electrode pressure estimation via electrical impedance measurement

Objective Implantable neuromodulation devices that have cuff electrodes are known to exert mechanical pressure on the target nerves. The amount of pressure exerted by cuff enclosures is one of the key determinants of physiological safety of these devices since excess pressures can cause neural damage. Because direct measurements of pressure on a nerve are challenging, the current cuff design approaches rely heavily on theoretical models or numerical computations for pressure predictions. An experimental approach to test these devices for pressure can complement existing theoretical models and can also serve as a quality control step to screen cuff electrode designs before implantation. Approach We hypothesize that the pressure exerted on a nerve by a cuff can be estimated by measuring the resulting changes to the nerve's electrical impedance. Main results We investigated ten 1 cm-long explanted rat sciatic nerves: five that were used within an hour after surgery, and five after 50 h of storage in physiological saline. For each experiment we applied variable pressure on the nerve ex vivo and measured the resulting changes in its impedance. We found a strong correlation between the external pressure on the nerve and its impedance and generated a pressure-impedance calibration curve. At the upper limit of physiologically safe pressure, the nerve impedance increased by ~2 kΩ, whereas, a rise of ~3 kΩ corresponded to pressure value that onsets irreversible nerve damage. Significance As a proof-of-concept, we used this protocol to generate a pressure-impedance calibration curve for a monkey tibial nerve and estimated pressure exerted by a commercial silicone cuff electrode on the explanted nerve. This single-point measurement was in an agreement with an independent estimate of the pressure measured using a mechanical pull test within 3 mmHg.
Changes in Bone Marrow Plasma Cell Surface Markers Following CD138-Magnetic Bead Based Positive Selection.

Background: Isolation of malignant plasma cells from bone marrow of patients with monoclonal gammopathies is critical for studies into the disease biology. The isolation of plasma cells have generally been performed by positive selection using plasma cell markers such as CD138 or by negative selection by removing other marrow cells using a cocktail of antibodies. We have previously demonstrated differences in apoptotic rates in plasma cells with and without this enrichment step. Here we have examined the effect of CD138 magnetic bead selection on the surface phenotype of plasma cells by flow cytometry. Methods: Bone marrow aspirates from patients with myeloma (n=12) were first washed, and then lysed with ACK to eliminate red cells. The samples were split with a portion of the cells further processed for CD138 selection. ACK lysed only whole bone marrow (WBM) and sorted cells were stained with CD38, CD45, CD56, activation markers CD71 and CD69, adhesion markers CD49d, CD11b, and CD66, B cell markers CD19 and CD20, and clonality (kappa and lambda). Gates were drawn around the plasma cells and plasma cell subsets on the basis of CD38/45 expression for both sorted and unsorted samples. In addition, an aliquot of the sorted preparation was examined by immunohistochemistry to calculate the purity of the sorted sample. Results: Significant differences were observed in terms of the percentage of plasma cells expressing the different antigens when the cells were selected using CD138. This difference included a greater than 10% difference in expression between the two preparations as well as a change from positive to negative in several cases. There was a substantial loss in the expression of CD20, CD71 and CD11b on plasma cells following CD138 based sorting (Table). Among the other markers, CD49d remains unchanged and changes are variable for the other markers. In addition, in 8 of the 12 cases, there was a nearly complete loss of the CD45 positive subset with a loss of discrimination between CD45 negative and CD45 positive plasma cell subsets in the remaining CD138 sorted preparations (figure: unsorted left, sorted right). Conclusion: In conclusion, the process of CD138 sorting of plasma cells appears to change important markers on the plasma cells and may even eliminate a key subset from further analysis. This should be kept in mind when isolating plasma cells using CD138 positive selection for analysis such as gene expression profiling. Consideration should be given to negative selection using antibodies against other cell types to deplete them.