cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Prolonged Exposure to Perchlorate on Thyroid and Reproductive Function in Zebrafish

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to perchlorate on (1) thyroid status and reproductive performance of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) and (2) F1 embryo survival and early larval development. Using a static-renewal procedure, mixed sex populations of adult zebrafish were exposed to 0, 10, and 100 mg/l nominal concentrations of waterborne perchlorate for 10 weeks. Thyroid histology was qualitatively assessed, and females and males were separated and further exposed to their respective treatments for six additional weeks. Eight females in each tank replicate (n = 3) were paired weekly with four males from the same respective treatment, and packed-egg (spawn) volume (PEV) was measured each of the last five weeks. At least once during weeks 14-16 of exposure, other end points measured included fertilization rate, fertilized egg diameter, hatching rate, standard length, and craniofacial development of 4-day-postfertilization larvae and thyroid hormone content of 3.5-h embryos and of exposed mothers. At 10 weeks of exposure, perchlorate at both concentrations caused thyroidal hypertrophy and colloid depletion. A marked reduction in PEV was observed toward the end of the 6-week spawning period, but fertilization and embryo hatching rates were unaffected. Fertilized egg diameter and larval length were increased by parental exposure to perchlorate. Larval head depth was unaffected but the forward protrusion of the lower jaw-associated cartilage complexes, Meckel's and ceratohyal, was decreased. Exposure to both concentrations of perchlorate inhibited whole-body thyroxine content in mothers and embryos, but triiodothyronine content was unchanged. In conclusion, prolonged exposure of adult zebrafish to perchlorate not only disrupts their thyroid endocrine system but also impairs reproduction and influences early F1 development.
A reservation-based algorithm for scheduling both periodic and aperiodic real-time tasks

This paper considers the problem of scheduling both periodic and aperiodic tasks in real-time systems. A new algorithm, called reservation-based (RB), is proposed for ordering the execution of real-time tasks. This algorithm can guarantee all periodic-task deadlines while minimizing the probability of missing aperiodic-task deadlines. Periodic tasks are scheduled according to the rate monotonic priority algorithm (RMPA), and aperiodic tasks are scheduled by utilizing the processor time left unused by periodic tasks in each unit cycle. The length, u, of a unit cycle is defined as the greatest common divisor of all task periods, and a task is assumed to be invoked at the beginning of a unit cycle. For a set S of periodic tasks, the RB algorithm reserves a fraction R/sub s/ of processor time in each unit cycle for executing aperiodic tasks without missing any periodic-task deadline. The probability of meeting aperiodic-task deadlines is proved to be a monotonic increasing function of R/sub s/. We derive the value of R/sub s/ that maximizes the processor time reservable for the execution of aperiodic tasks without missing any periodic-task deadline. We also show that if the ratio of the computation time to the deadline of each aperiodic task is bounded by R/sub s/, the RB algorithm can meet the deadlines of all periodic and aperiodic tasks. Our analysis and simulation results show that the RB algorithm outperforms all other scheduling algorithms in meeting aperiodic-task deadlines.
Motion planning for dynamic eel-like robots

We investigate basic issues of motion planning for a class of dynamic mobile robots, focusing on eel-like swimming robots. A primary characteristic of this class of robots is that drift plays a significant role in the generation of motion. We build on previous work (1999) in which we explored generic gait patterns that could be used to drive an eel-like robot. We make an analogy with kinematic car-like robots to develop a nominal path from an initial state to a goal state, and then develop feedback algorithms to perform trajectory tracking around this nominal path. We also address the central issues that arise when using cyclic gaits as the basis for control strategies.
False consensus on sexual behavior among college women: Comparison of four theoretical explanations

False consensus refers to the tendency of people to overestimate the population prevalence of their own opinions, preferences, and behaviors. Four explanations have been proposed for this phenomenon: selective exposure to others who believe and act similarly, the salience of one's own beliefs and behaviors, logical information processing about the perceived causes of behavior, and motivation to justify nonnormative beliefs and behaviors. Female participants (n = 260) completed a questionnaire regarding their sexual experiences and perceptions of their peers' sexual activity. They also completed measures of selective exposure, salience of their own sexual behaviors, information processing, and motivation for false consensus. The results replicated previous findings of overestimation of the level of peer sexual activity and of false consensus on sexual behavior among young women: Sexually experienced women made higher estimates of peer sexual activity than did sexually inexperienced women. In addition, the ...
Treatment of trigger finger by steroid injection

A retrospective study of 235 patients with 338 primary trigger fingers determined the efficacy and safety of steroid injection. Initial treatment consisted of one to three injections of corticosteroid mixed with local anesthetic. Those fingers that failed injection therapy had conventional release of the first annular pulley. Seventy-seven percent of all fingers showed resolution or improvement; 49% after a single injection, 23% after two injections, and 5% after three injections.
A comparative analysis of silicon phthalocyanine photosensitizers for in vivo photodynamic therapy of RIF-1 tumors in C3H mice.

Photofrin® photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently received FDA approval for the palliative treatment of to-tally and partially obstructing esophageal malignancies. However, there is a need for new PDT photosensitizers because Photofrin has a number of undesirable features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of four amine-bearing silicon phthalocyanines—Pc4, Pc10, Pc12 and Pc18—as potential PDT photosensitizers. Equimolar concentrations of these Pc were found to be highly effective at causing the regression of RIF-1 tumors trans-planted to C3H/HeN mice. The amount of Pc4 necessary to cause an equivalent amount of tumor regression in this model system was substantially less than the amount of Photofrin. The cutaneous phototoxicity of the silicon Pc photosensitizer was assessed by the utilization of the murine ear-swelling model. When C3H mice were exposed to 167 J/cm2 of polychromatic visible light from a UVB-filtered solar simulator, which emitted UV radiation and visible light above 320 nm, the Pc produced little, if any, cutaneous photosensitivity. These results indicate that Pc4, Pc10, Pc12 and Pc18 are at least as effective as Photofrin in PDT protocols, while at the same time addressing many of the drawbacks of Photofrin.
Facies, Architecture, and Origin of a Reservoir-Scale Sand-Rich Succession Within Submarine Canyon Fill: Insights from Wagon Caves Rock (Paleocene), Santa Lucia Range, California, U.S.A.

Abstract Large submarine canyons incise most continental margins, but outcrops of comparably sized ancient examples are relatively rare. A preserved cross section of a filled Cretaceous–Paleocene submarine canyon, tens of kilometers wide by hundreds of meters deep and cut into granitic basement of the Salinian block, is exposed in the Santa Lucia Range of central coastal California. The exposure allows an opportunity for the detailed analysis of associated sand-rich deposits analogous to one type of petroleum reservoir. A succession of coarse-grained high-density turbidity current deposits present at Wagon Caves Rock (WCR), a 0.5 km2 mesa in the Indians Ranch area, is part of a lenticular sandstone body up to 75 m thick and several kilometers wide that accumulated within the confines of the submarine canyon. The facies architecture of the outcrop records canyon axial channel deposition in the middle reaches of the submarine canyon system. The uppermost beds at WCR record the catastrophic failure of the submarine-canyon wall, which was associated with the termination of coarse clastic deposition in the area. The modern Monterey submarine canyon, which incises Salinian block basement identical to that cut by the ancient canyon, provides a close analog for the depositional setting of the canyon deposits of the Indians Ranch area. The architectural analysis provides insight into facies and stratal architecture within a part of the deep-water slope environment that is relatively poorly known due to limited rock data from canyon successions and the inherent difficulty of recognizing large-scale submarine-canyon deposits in outcrop.
Global Optimization of Econometric Functions

Estimating the values of the parameter estimates of econometric functions (maximum likelihood functions or nonlinear least squares functions) are often challenging global optimization problems. Determining the global optimum for these functions is necessary to understand economic behavior and to develop effective economic policies. These functions often have flat surfaces or surfaces characterized by many local optima. Classical deterministic optimization methods often do not yield successful results. For that reason, stochastic optimization methods are becoming widely used in econometrics. Selected stochastic methods are applied to two difficult econometric functions to determine if they might be useful in estimating the parameters of these functions.
Using research literature to develop a perceptual retraining treatment protocol.

Objectives. Treatment protocols derivedfrom research literature can help therapists provide more rigorous treatment and more systematic assessment ofclient progress. Method. This study applied researchfindings about the influence of task, suNect, andfeedback pa­ rameters on adult performance with block designs to an occupationaltherapy treatment protocolfor par­ quet})' block assembly-an aetiuity occupational therapists use to remediate constructional deficits. Task parameter research suggests that parquetry tasks can be graded according to the features ofthe design cards, with cards haVing all block boundaries drawn in being easier than those with some block boundaries omitted. Results. Subject parameterfindings suggest that clients' lesions and initial constntctional competence can injluence their approaches to parquet}]' tasks. Conclusion. Feedback parameterresearch sug­ gests that a combination a/perceptual and planning cues is most effective for parquetry tasks Methods to help clients transfer constructional skills from parque­ try to functional tasks are also discussed.
The Proteogenomic Mapping Tool

High-throughput mass spectrometry (MS) proteomics data is increasingly being used to complement traditional structural genome annotation methods. To keep pace with the high speed of experimental data generation and to aid in structural genome annotation, experimentally observed peptides need to be mapped back to their source genome location quickly and exactly. Previously, the tools to do this have been limited to custom scripts designed by individual research groups to analyze their own data, are generally not widely available, and do not scale well with large eukaryotic genomes. The Proteogenomic Mapping Tool includes a Java implementation of the Aho-Corasick string searching algorithm which takes as input standardized file types and rapidly searches experimentally observed peptides against a given genome translated in all 6 reading frames for exact matches. The Java implementation allows the application to scale well with larger eukaryotic genomes while providing cross-platform functionality. The Proteogenomic Mapping Tool provides a standalone application for mapping peptides back to their source genome on a number of operating system platforms with standard desktop computer hardware and executes very rapidly for a variety of datasets. Allowing the selection of different genetic codes for different organisms allows researchers to easily customize the tool to their own research interests and is recommended for anyone working to structurally annotate genomes using MS derived proteomics data.
A phase I study of rebeccamycin analog in combination with oxaliplatin in patients with refractory solid tumors.

Rebeccamycin analog (RA) is an antitumor antibiotic with both topoisomerase I and II inhibiting activity. Topoisomerase inhibitors have demonstrated synergy with platinum agents. We performed a phase I trial of combination RA with oxaliplatin in patients with refractory solid tumors. RA was administered as a 1-hour infusion daily on days 1–5 with oxaliplatin administered on day 5. Cycles were repeated every 21 days. A total of 17 patients were enrolled. The MTD for RA was 80 mg/m2/d for five days along with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 on day 5. Myelosuppression was a common occurrence but was mild except in one instance. Dose limiting toxicities included atrial fibrillation and hypophosphatemia. There was evidence of antitumor activity including 3 partial responses in patients with esophageal, gallbladder and hepato-cellular carcinoma; 5 additional patients had stable disease. Thus, the combination of RA and oxaliplatin is both tolerable and has evidence of clinical activity, but given the lack of significant activity for single agent RA across a variety of disease sites, it is unlikely to proceed to phase II development.
Are changes in breast self-exam recommendations and early misperceptions of breast cancer risk increasing women's future risks?

Objective Young women, high school age, are exposed to breast cancer messages targeting adult women that can result in misperceptions, increasing future risks. Changes in breast self-exam screening recommendations may reduce nurse practitioner (NP) time addressing breast health. This study characterized misperceived knowledge of breast cancer risk in younger women. Method A survey (338 high school students aged 14 to 19) was conducted to assess their perceptions of breast cancer etiologies and risk behaviors. Results Survey results indicated 20% to 50% of students had misperceptions about breast cancer risk, and the mean knowledge score for all items was 65.47%. There were no differences in students with familial breast cancer histories or those instructed in breast self-exam. Approximately 12% reported being fearful, avoiding public health messages, and approximately 20% thought breastfeeding increased breast cancer risk. Implications for practice The findings suggest that school-based programs are not addressing misperceptions related to breast health effectively. A National Cancer Institute survey found that NPs and other providers are the most trusted sources of health information. Given the low rates of breast cancer in young women and recommendations against teaching breast self-exam, it is important for NPs to be knowledgeable about common misperceptions and address them with their patients.
Who Invokes the Escape Clause: The Political Determinants of the European Monetary System Realignments

The European Monetary System (EMS) was set up in 1979 as a step in the monetary integration of the European Community. At its core, the EMS worked as fixed but adjustable exchange rates and, despite its success in retaining country membership, it experienced a series of currency realignments against the German currency. This paper links the use of realignments to escape clauses in a monetary cooperation agreement and derives hypotheses about who and when is more likely to invoke such clauses. I argue that realignment behaviour is driven by credibility considerations for domestic monetary policy; implications for European trade; the institutional structure of the EMS and its centrality to the larger process of European integration; as well as the behaviors of the core nations – Germany and France. Using monthly data on exchange rate realignments for all EMS members from 1979 to 1993, I find strong support for the hypotheses.
CYCLICITY IN PRECIPITATION AND STREAM DISCHARGE IN GEORGIA AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SOUTHERN OSCILLATION

Maximum entropy spectrum analysis of 10 stream discharge time series from four physiographic provinces in Georgia has revealed clear and statistically significant cycles in water-year discharge (October to September) over the period 1938 to 1994 at 15 to 17 and 5 to 6 years in all 10 series, and at 8 to 9 years in 9 series. Analysis of 13 precipitation records uncovered cycles at 15 to 18 years (10 stations), 8 to 10 years (8 stations), and 5 to 6 years (13 stations). The cycles are much more consistent and better defined in the stream discharge time series suggesting that large intra-annual variations in precipitation, possibly caused by spatial variations in summer convectional rainfall, are filtered in the stream records. Spectrum analysis of the Southern Oscillation (SO) for the 98-year period from 1897 to 1994 revealed water-year cycles at about 18, 10, and 6 to 7 years, which are not in phase with the stream-flow and precipitation cycles. However, a strong relationship is apparent between cool-seaso...
Fully Bayesian Approach

In Chap. 4, we analyzed the conditions under which near-optimal prediction can be achieved using only truncated observations.
Nano and micro scale analysis of dentin with in vitro and high speed atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has proven useful in the investigation of porous surfaces due to its nanoscale spatial resolution, micron scale range, compatibility with nonconducting materials, and even applicability ability to biological systems since it can operate in fluids. Since AFM directly measures the surface by contact, it is particularly suited for quantifying the roughness, and more appropriately for porous and particulate materials, the surface area. In this work, a multi-scale porous material, human molar dentin, was studied with AC mode AFM (both in-air and in-liquid), enabling extensive analyses both for plain dentin as well as specimens exposed to nanoparticle TiO2 containing toothpaste to approximate personal dental hygiene. Finally, high speed AFM is also demonstrated in vitro with equivalent results, except that the time required per image is reduced by several orders of magnitude from tens of minutes to as little as 6 s. Careful implementation of AFM, both at standard and high speeds, is therefore effective for investigating highly porous materials, including biological tissue, in environmentally or physiologically relevant conditions.
Direct Observation of Purchasing Behavior

> Much market research relies on consumers' retrospective reports of purchasing behavior. This article shows that it is possible to supplement and enrich questionnaire results by making direct observations of purchasing. It describes the observation technique, discusses advantages and limitations, and presents some specimen results.
P-type Nitrogen Doped ZnO Films Grown By Thermal Evaporation

We report the formation of p-type nitrogen doped ZnO (ZnO:N) grown by thermal-evaporation deposition. The effects of nitrogen precursors on the electrical and optical properties of ZnO:N were investigated. This study shows that growth process plays a critical role in the electrical properties of ZnO:N. The chemical reaction mechanism was analyzed.
Assessment of the Composition and Distillation Properties of Thermally Stressed RP-1 and RP-2: Application to Fuel Regenerative Cooling

In this work, we measured the volatility of thermally stressed samples of RP-1 and RP-2 rocket propellant kerosenes by use of the advanced distillation curve method. This work is part of a large program at NIST and other laboratories geared toward improving the operability of the hydrocarbon component of liquid fuel packages. Measuring the properties of thermally stressed rocket propellant kerosene is a necessary component of this overall effort. This is motivated by the use of the kerosene as a coolant before combustion in the engine. Samples of RP-1 and RP-2 were stressed at 475 and 510 °C, at a pressure of 17 kPa (2500 psi), for residence times of 0.5 min. Volatility measurements revealed significant changes early in the distillation curves, becoming very pronounced at the higher temperature. The volatility measurements were supplemented with chemical analyses and a calculation of the enthalpy of combustion as a function of distillate volume fraction. We note that the increase in volatility is explaine...
Insulin suppression is associated with hypersomatostatinemia and hyperglucagonemia in glucose-injected rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were used to evaluate the effects of carbohydrate loading on plasma levels of pancreatic hormones and associated changes in metabolic indexes in a carnivorous fi...
The legend of Texas Western: journalism and the epic sports spectacle that wasn’t

ABSTRACTThis essay interrogates journalistic accounts of Texas Western College’s 1966 college basketball championship, a game in which an all-Black team defeated an all-White team. The analysis traces the evolving portrayals of the game over 45 years. In 1966 American journalists did not emphasize the racial aspects of the game and it was largely forgotten. Twenty-five years later, however, journalists reconstructed the game as a racialized legend, and this account evolved into an epic American narrative. The author argues that the epic portrayals, although aesthetically appealing, reflect problems with accuracy, appropriation, and commercial exploitation. The latter factor led to the legend’s motion picture adaptation as part of a troublesome “White Savior” cinema genre.
Research on Robustness Phase Scheduled Drawing System in Railway Marshalling Station

Through analyzing the technical characteristics of scheme information in marshalling station,this paper expounds that the in-phase scheme drawing such as arrival-departure information,train ? ow information and shunting operation time,etc.which depend on information have uncertain factors,so targeting on the influence of uncertain factors of different information on the drawing and implement of in-phase scheme,the paper puts forward the Robustness phase scheme drawing system with three level,which includes the technical characteristic study based on dispatching information,Robustness optimization method of phase scheme and adjusted optimization method of phase scheme,then the paper provides the technical method with different-level research content,and establishes the scheduled drawing mode for marshalling station,which accorded with Robustness scheme marshalling and data-based scheduled adjustment model.
Measuring code behavioral similarity for programming and software engineering education

In recent years, online programming and software engineering education via information technology has gained a lot of popularity. Typically, popular courses often have hundreds or thousands of students but only a few course staff members. Tool automation is needed to maintain the quality of education. In this paper, we envision that the capability of quantifying behavioral similarity between programs is helpful for teaching and learning programming and software engineering, and propose three metrics that approximate the computation of behavioral similarity. Specifically, we leverage random testing and dynamic symbolic execution (DSE) to generate test inputs, and run programs on these test inputs to compute metric values of the behavioral similarity. We evaluate our metrics on three real-world data sets from the \pexforfun platform (which so far has accumulated more than 1.7 million game-play interactions). The results show that our metrics provide highly accurate approximation to the behavioral similarity. We also demonstrate a number of practical applications of our metrics including hint generation, progress indication, and automatic grading.
Truncation of the scattering phase matrix for vector radiative transfer simulation

Abstract This short communication interprets the delta-fit technique in a context of similarity transformation and the correction to the source function, and derives the analogous form of the method to be applied for the scattering phase matrix. To adapt the delta-fit method to vector radiative transfer, the mathematically exact form of the similarity principle is used in the theoretical development. Some examples of relevant radiative transfer simulations are also presented for atmospheric ice particles. The performance of the adopted delta-fit method is comparable to the delta-M method with single scattering correction except for worse delta-fit performance for polarized radiance calculations in forward directions.
Insulin and glucagon

As discussed by Steiner in this volume (p. 49), insulin is synthesised within the beta-cell of the pancreas as a single-chain proinsulin of 86 amino acids (human), which then folds back on itself followed by closure of sulphur bridges (see figure 6.1). As shown by Steiner in the mid-1960s, the ‘connecting peptide’ is then split out, leaving two amino acid chains of 21 and 30 amino acids (A- and B-chains, respectively) connected by sulphur bridges. This splitting out of the connecting peptide occurs as the proinsulin is packaged into vesicles in the Golgi apparatus. Thus, when the beta-cell is stimulated to release insulin and secretory granules are brought to its surface for discharge, the hormonally inert connecting peptide passes together with insulin into the adjacent capillary. Normally a small amount of proin­sulin is also released, but this prohormone is much less active than insulin itself. In abnormal states such as islet cell tumour or in diabetes, the pro­portion of proinsulin which is secreted may be increased, and this has been of help in diagnosis.
Retinal Dystrophies: Clinical Work-Up and Selected Examples

Childhood retinal dystrophies may be isolated or represent one sign of serious systemic diseases. Because of the variety of ways they manifest themselves, retinal dystrophies may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. A thorough patient history, family history, ophthalmologic examination, ancillary testing, and complete review of systems and physical examination are imperative to detect and to accurately diagnose disease. The diagnosis can be confirmed using genetic testing in a large proportion of cases. This chapter discusses a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with a suspected retinal dystrophy and provides case examples of a few disorders. The reader is also referred to the chapter on genetic counseling in this book for additional discussion and other case examples.
KINETICS OF THE REACTION OF SODIUM WITH ETHANOL IN LIQUID AMMONIA

The kinetics of the reaction of sodium with ethanol in liquid ammonia has been studied conductometrically. The kinetic data are consistent with the mechanism: Values of δH‡ and δS‡ appropriate to k1 were found to be 7.3 ± 0.5 kcal/mole and —49 ± 3 e.u., respectively at —33.9°.
Religion, Rights and Change

What, then, may one say of the Bangladeshi women with whose story this study began, whose morality in their community firmly depends upon their helplessness? Can the theoretical, legal, theological, and practical challenges to the implementation of rights norms be surmounted? Might the human rights idea ever be of practical assistance to them as they struggle to keep themselves and their children alive?
Experiences of teacher evaluation systems on high school physical education programs

ABSTRACTPrimary objective: Teacher evaluation is being revamped by policy-makers. The marginalized status of physical education has protected this subject area from reform for many decades, but in our current era of system-wide, data-based decision-making, physical education is no longer immune. Standardized and local testing, together with structured observation measures, are swiftly being mandated in the USA as required elements of teacher evaluation systems in an effort to improve school programs and student achievement. The purpose of this investigation was to document how this reform was initiated and the experiences of teachers, students and administrators, from three high school physical education programs, during initiation of this reform. Documenting how physical education programs respond to such reforms develops our understanding of top-down reform efforts and helps to identify conditions under which such reforms have the intended effect on physical education teachers and student learning in ph...
Energy-triggered drug release from polymer nanoparticles for orthopedic applications

Sequestra, present in many cancers and orthopedic infections, provide a safe harbor for the development of drug resistance. In the face of burgeoning drug resistance, the importance of nanoscale, microenvironment-triggered drug delivery cannot be overestimated. Such strategies may preserve pharmaceutical efficacy and significantly alter the etiology of many orthopedic diseases. Although temperature-, pH- and redox-responsive nanoparticle-based systems have been extensively studied, local drug delivery from polymeric nanoparticles can be triggered by a variety of energy forms. This review offers an overview of the state of the field as well as a perspective on the safety and efficacy of ultrasound, hyperthermia and radio frequency-triggered internal delivery systems in a variety of applications.
The Bombay Boys of Mira Nair, Firdaus Kanga and Ardashir Vakil

(2001). The Bombay Boys of Mira Nair, Firdaus Kanga and Ardashir Vakil. South Asian Review: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 40-56.
The Role Of Technetium-99m STannous Pyrophosphate In Myocardial Imaging To Recognize, Localize And Identify Extension Of Acute Myocardial Infarction In Patients

The ability of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigrams to aid diagnostically in recognizing, localizing, and identifying extension of acute myocardial infarction in patients was evaluated. The present study is an extension of previous animal and patient evaluations that were recently performed utilizing this myocardial imaging agent.
A Novel Method to Model Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Drosophila.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is an established neurodegenerative disease that is closely associated with exposure to repetitive mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). The mechanisms responsible for its complex pathological changes remain largely elusive, despite a recent consensus to define the neuropathological criteria. Here, we describe a novel method to develop a model of CTE in Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila ) in an attempt to identify the key genes and pathways that lead to the characteristic hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation and neuronal death in the brain. Adjustable-strength impacts to inflict mild closed injury are delivered directly to the fly head, subjecting the head to rapid acceleration and deceleration. Our method eliminates the potential problems inherent with other Drosophila mTBI models (e.g.,animal death might be induced by damage to other parts of the body or to internal organs). The less labor- and cost-intensive animal care, short life span, and extensive genetic tools make the fruit fly ideal to study CTE pathogenesis and make it possible to perform large-scale, genome-wide forward genetic and pharmacological screens. We anticipate that the ongoing characterization of the model will generate important mechanistic insights on disease prevention and therapeutic approaches.
Early and mid-term results of autograft rescue by Ross reversal: A one-valve disease need not become a two-valve disease.

Abstract Objectives Risk of reoperation and loss of a second native valve are major drawbacks of the Ross operation. Rather than discarding the failed autograft, it can be placed back into the native pulmonary position by "Ross reversal." We review our early and mid-term results with this operation. Methods From 2006 to 2017, 39 patients underwent reoperation for autograft dysfunction. The autograft was successfully rescued in 35 patients: by Ross reversal in 30, David procedure in 4, and autograft repair in 1. Medical records were reviewed for patient characteristics (mean age was 46 ± 13 years, range 18-67 years, and 23 were male), previous operations, indications for reoperation, hospital outcomes, and echocardiographic findings for the 30 patients undergoing successful Ross reversal. Follow-up was 4.1 ± 3.5 years (range 7 months-11 years). Results Median interval between the original Ross procedure and Ross reversal was 12 years (range 5-19 years). Eight patients also had absolute indications for replacement of the pulmonary allograft. There was no operative mortality. One patient required reoperation for bleeding. Another had an abdominal aorta injury from use of an endoballoon clamp. There was no other major postoperative morbidity, and median postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 days (range 4-41 days). No patient required reoperation during follow-up. Twenty-four patients had acceptable pulmonary valve function, and 6 had clinically well-tolerated moderate or severe pulmonary regurgitation. Conclusions Ross reversal can be performed with low morbidity and acceptable pulmonary valve function, reducing patient risk of losing 2 native valves when the autograft fails in the aortic position.
Integrating Scaffolding and Deliberate Practice Into Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Training: A Simulator Curriculum.

Introduction Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is widely used for the point-of-care evaluation of basic cardiac pathology, and there is a need for efficient and consistent training in this modalit...
Mitochondrial uncoupling: role of uncoupling protein anion carriers and relationship to thermogenesis and weight control "the benefits of losing control".

Uncoupling proteins, a subgroup of the mitochondrial anion transporter superfamily, have been identified in prokaryotes, plants, and mammalian cells. Evolutionary conservation of these molecules reflects their importance as regulators of two critical mitochondrial functions, i.e., ATP synthesis and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although the amino acid sequences of the three mammalian uncoupling proteins, UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3, are very similar, each homolog is the product of a unique gene and important differences have been demonstrated in their tissue-specific expression and regulation. UCP1 and UCP3 appear to be key regulators of energy expenditure, and hence, nonshivering thermogenesis, either in brown adipose tissue (UCP1) or skeletal muscle (UCP3). UCP2 is expressed more ubiquitously, although generally at low levels, in many tissues. There is conflicting evidence about its importance as a regulator of resting metabolic rate. However, evidence suggests that this homolog might modulate the mitochondrial generation of ROS in some cell types, including macrophages and hepatocytes. While the induction of various uncoupling protein homologs provides adaptive advantages, both to the organism (e.g., thermogenesis) and to individual cells (e.g., reduced ROS), increased uncoupling protein activity also increases cellular vulnerability to necrosis by compromising the mitochondrial membrane potential. This narrow "risk-benefit" margin necessitates tight control of uncoupling protein activity in order to preserve cellular viability and much remains to be learned about the regulatory mechanisms involved.
On tuning the symmetric sparse matrix vector multiplication with CSR and TJDS

In this work we present a heuristic to select the appropriate compressed storage format when computing the symmetric SpMV multiplication sequentially. A subset of symmetric sparse matrices were selected from the SPARSITY benchmark suite and extended with other matrices we consider complement them. All matrices were collected from Matrix Market and UF matrix collection. Experimental evidence shows that given a symmetric sparse matrix, predicting what is the more convenient format to use for computing the symmetric SpMV multiplication could be possible. According to our findings, and good rule of thumb, if the average number of non zero coefficients per column (row) is less than 3.5, then the symmetric SpMV multiplication runs up to 1.6x faster using the TJDS format compared to CSR.
A Fractional Pressure-Volume Model of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological disorder characterized by abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation, resulting in an excessive accumulation of CSF in the ventricles of the brain, brain compression and sometimes an increase in the intracranial pressure. It is believed that hydrocephalus may be caused by increased CSF production, or by obstruction of CSF circulation or of the venous outflow system. Therefore, the treatment is based on CSF flow diversion. Given that the response of patients who have been treated continues to be poor, there is an urgent need to design better therapy protocols for hydrocephalus. An important step in this direction is the development of predictive mathematical models that better explain the fundamental science behind this clinical condition. One of the first mathematical models of CSF pressure-volume compensation introduced by Marmarou in the 1970s provides a theoretical basis for studying hydrocephalus. However, the model fails to fully capture the complex CSF dynamics. In this paper we propose a generalization of Marmarou’s model using fractional calculus. We use a modified Adomian decomposition method to solve analytically the proposed fractional order nonlinear differential equation. Our results show temporal multi-scaling behavior of the CSF dynamics.
DELAMINATION AND TRANSVERSE FRACTURE IN GRAPHITE/EPOXY MATERIALS

ABSTRACT Four graphite/epoxy composite materials systems have been studied to determine the transverse and delamination fracture behavior. Measured critical energy release rates have been correlated with micromechanisms of fracture determined using in-situ fracture in a SEM and post-mortem fractographic examinations.
FUEL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR REMOTE AREAS VIA AN ALUMINUM ENERGY VECTOR

Autonomous fuel synthesis in remote locations remains the Holy Grail of fuel delivery logistics. The burdened cost of delivering fuel to remote locations is often significantly more expensive than the purchase price. Here it is shown that newly developed solid aluminum metal fuel is suited for remote production of liquid diesel fuels. On a volumetric basis, aluminum has more than twice the energy of diesel fuel, making it a superb structural energy vector for remote applications. Once aluminum is treated with gallium, water of nearly any purity is used to rapidly oxidize the aluminum metal which spontaneously evolves hydrogen and heat in roughly equal energetic quantities. The benign byproduct of the reaction could, in theory, be taken to an off-site facility and recycled back into aluminum using standard smelting processes or it could be left on-site as a high-value waste. The hydrogen can easily be used as a feedstock for diesel fuel, via Fischer–Tropsch (FT) reaction mechanisms, while the heat can be l...
Venographic Analysis of Portal Flow After TIPS Predicts Future Shunt Revision.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate a new method-the portal vein enhancement curve-for quantifying portal vein blood flow immediately at transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation using digital subtraction angiography images and its potential usefulness as a predictor of TIPS revision. Conclusion The portal vein flow time constant, Qτ, was significantly different (p = 0.002) between patients grouped by 12-month revision (TIPS angioplasty, TIPS reduction, no revision); Qτ was higher in patients who required TIPS reduction.
Evidence-Based Practice Methodology: Use the Correct Approach.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is discussed and displayed as a desirable hallmark of excellent professional practice in health care. Published literature in nursing and medicine often reinforces the notion that EBP contributes to attaining the best health outcomes by improving care processes, enhanci
Improving the Time to Activation of New Clinical Trials at a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

PURPOSE:The time it takes a performing site to activate a clinical trial can directly affect the ability to provide innovative and state-of-the-art care to patients. We sought to understand the pro...
Audiovisual Enhancement of Speech Perception in Noise by School-Age Children Who Are Hard of Hearing.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine age- and hearing-related differences in school-age children's benefit from visual speech cues. The study addressed three questions: (1) Do age and hearing loss affect degree of audiovisual (AV) speech enhancement in school-age children? (2) Are there age- and hearing-related differences in the mechanisms underlying AV speech enhancement in school-age children? (3) What cognitive and linguistic variables predict individual differences in AV benefit among school-age children? Design Forty-eight children between 6 and 13 years of age (19 with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss; 29 with normal hearing) and 14 adults with normal hearing completed measures of auditory and AV syllable detection and/or sentence recognition in a two-talker masker type and a spectrally matched noise. Children also completed standardized behavioral measures of receptive vocabulary, visuospatial working memory, and executive attention. Mixed linear modeling was used to examine effects of modality, listener group, and masker on sentence recognition accuracy and syllable detection thresholds. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between individual differences in children's AV enhancement (AV-auditory-only) and age, vocabulary, working memory, executive attention, and degree of hearing loss. Results Significant AV enhancement was observed across all tasks, masker types, and listener groups. AV enhancement of sentence recognition was similar across maskers, but children with normal hearing exhibited less AV enhancement of sentence recognition than adults with normal hearing and children with hearing loss. AV enhancement of syllable detection was greater in the two-talker masker than the noise masker, but did not vary significantly across listener groups. Degree of hearing loss positively correlated with individual differences in AV benefit on the sentence recognition task in noise, but not on the detection task. None of the cognitive and linguistic variables correlated with individual differences in AV enhancement of syllable detection or sentence recognition. Conclusions Although AV benefit to syllable detection results from the use of visual speech to increase temporal expectancy, AV benefit to sentence recognition requires that an observer extracts phonetic information from the visual speech signal. The findings from this study suggest that all listener groups were equally good at using temporal cues in visual speech to detect auditory speech, but that adults with normal hearing and children with hearing loss were better than children with normal hearing at extracting phonetic information from the visual signal and/or using visual speech information to access phonetic/lexical representations in long-term memory. These results suggest that standard, auditory-only clinical speech recognition measures likely underestimate real-world speech recognition skills of children with mild to severe hearing loss.
Underconnectivity Between Visual and Salience Networks and Links With Sensory Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Objective The anterior insular cortex (AI), which is a part of the salience network, is critically involved in visual awareness, multisensory perception, and social and emotional processing, among other functions. In children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), evidence has suggested aberrant functional connectivity (FC) of AI compared with typically developing peers. While recent studies have primarily focused on the functional connections between salience and social networks, much less is known about connectivity between AI and primary sensory regions, including visual areas, and how these patterns may be linked to autism symptomatology. Method The current investigation implemented functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine resting-state FC patterns of salience and visual networks in children and adolescents with ASDs compared with typically developing controls, and to relate them to behavioral measures. Results Functional underconnectivity was found in the ASD group between left AI and bilateral visual cortices. Moreover, in an ASD subgroup with more atypical visual sensory profiles, FC was positively correlated with abnormal social motivational responsivity. Conclusion Findings of reduced FC between salience and visual networks in ASDs potentially indicate deficient selection of salient information. Moreover, in children and adolescents with ASDs who show strongly atypical visual sensory profiles, connectivity at seemingly more neurotypical levels may be paradoxically associated with greater impairment of social motivation.
SPICE Behavioral Modeling of TiO2 Memristors for Digital Logic Applications

This work presents a behavior-based memristor model for the simulation of novel digital logic architectures. This model exhibits the nonvolatile hard switching current–voltage curves of the experim...
Scalable generation of high concentration aerosol in the size range of 0.1–10 μm from commercial powders using ultrasonic dispersion

Abstract In this article, we describe an improvement of the ultrasonic aerosol generator published by Pokharel et al. (Aerosol Science and Technology 53(3): 321–331) to extend the aerosol number concentration achievable from ~ 6 × 10 3 # c m 3 to > 10 7 # c m 3 from commercially available TiO2 powder. We demonstrate the scalability of the ultrasonic aerosol generation by using multiple ultrasonic transducers to increase the stability and concentration of the aerosol output. Using three ultrasonic transducers, aerosol concentrations in the range of ~ 10 7 # c m 3 from raw TiO2 powder and ~ 10 7 − 10 8 # c m 3 for milled powder were generated. The mass concentration of particles >0.3μm is of the order of ~ 500 mg m 3 . The superior dispersibility of the milled powder compared to raw powder is explained based on the coating of ultrafine particles on the surface of fine and coarse powder particles. The conclusions derived herein are supported with upper bound estimates of number concentration and size distribution of aerosols.