cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes after circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy versus Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy.

We aimed to compare long-term outcomes and quality of life in patients undergoing circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy to those who had Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy. Patients who underwent Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy and circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Long-term follow-up was assessed with questionnaires. Two hundred seventeen patients completed the questionnaires. Mean follow-up was longer in the Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy subgroups (7.7 ± 3.4 vs. 6.3 ± 2.9 years, p = 0.003). Long-term need for additional surgical or medical treatment was similar in the Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy and circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy groups (3 vs. 5 %, p = 0.47 and 3 % in both groups, p > 0.99, respectively). Eighty-one percentage of Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy and 83 % of circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy patients stated that they would undergo hemorrhoid surgery again if needed (p = 0.86). The symptoms were greatly improved in the majority of patients (p = 0.06), and there was no difference between the groups as regards long-term anorectal pain (p = 0.16). The Cleveland global quality of life, fecal incontinence severity index, and fecal incontinence quality of life scores were similar (p > 0.05). This is one of the longest follow-up studies comparing the outcomes after circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy and Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy. Patient satisfaction, resolution of symptoms, quality of life, and functional outcome appear similar after circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy and Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy in long term.
Infectious Disease Consultation and Microbiologic Surveillance for Intensive Care Unit Trauma Patients: A Pilot Study

Infection remains a major cause of posttrauma morbidity. We retrospectively reviewed 2 cohorts of trauma patients admitted to a regional trauma center before and after a policy change integrating prospective microbiologic surveillance and infectious disease (ID) consultation into management of trauma admissions. Primary interests were effects of this policy change on antimicrobial use and diagnostic precision (particularly differentiation of infection from colonization). Associated costs, microflora, survival, and disability were also compared. Patients were stratified for risk of infection. ID consultation was associated with a 49% increased odds that an infection diagnosis was microbiologically based (P=.006) and 57% reduction of antibiotics costs per hospitalized day (P=.0008). Costs of consultation and an 86% increase (P<10(-6)) in total cultures combined to minimally exceed that financial saving. The observed improvements in diagnostic precision and antimicrobial usage, however, suggest consideration of prospective microbiologic surveillance and multidisciplinary physician teams including ID physicians for high-risk trauma patients.
Falls, older adults, and the trend in utilization of CT in a level I trauma center.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the trend in the utilization of CT for fall victims older than 55 years admitted to a level I trauma center. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We used trauma registry data (1996–2006) of a level I trauma center. By using the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision (Clinical Modification) codes, we identified the type and frequency of CT examinations for each patient. We used negative binomial regression to evaluate the association between CT utilization rates and age, year of admission, sex, insurance status, ethnicity, ICU admission status, injury severity score, and final disposition (i.e., deceased vs alive). We used logistic regression to evaluate predictors of repeat (i.e., ≥ 2) CT scans. RESULTS. During the study period, the utilization rate of head, abdomen, thorax, and other body region (including spine and extremities) CT examinations increased, on average, by 7%, 16%, 14%, and 15% per year, respectively. Older age was associated with a h...
On the use of Capability Functions for Cooperative Objective Coverage in Robot Swarms

In this paper, we present a new abstraction method by which functional capabilities of a swarm of robots can be automatically distributed across a number of objectives. To demonstrate the framework, we provide a simulation study for a swarm of autonomous aerial vehicles performing a reconnaissance mission. The framework developed provides a novel methodology for real-time resource allocation for a wide variety of missions.
Phase Equilibria in the System SrO‐PbO‐SiO2

Phase relations in the ternary system were determined by solid-state reaction, quenching, and electron microscopy of the immiscible liquid region. The limits of the stable 2-liquid region and the approximate limits of the metastable 2-liquid region were determined. Relations in the region of homogeneous glass formation in the system, which included the joins SrSiO3-PbSiO3, SrSiO3-Pb2SiO4, and SrSiO3-Pb4SiO6, were determined by quenching. The solid-solution limits of SrSiO3 in Pb2SiO4 and Pb4SiO6 and of PbSiO3 in SrSiO3 were established. Two new compounds were discovered, 3SrO.2PbO.SiO2 and 2SrO.3PbO.SiO2, and extensive solid-state trials permitted the compatibility triangles to be established. The accumulated data were assembled in the form of an equilibrium diagram for the system, including joins, boundary lines, and isotherms.
The View of the Courts from the Hill: Governance as Dialogue

Scholars who study American political institutions have tended to specialize in a single body such as the U.S. Congress or the federal courts. However, a growing movement among judicial scholars argues that the courts cannot be understood in isolation, but instead must be understood as a part of the larger system of government. As Neustadt (1980, 26) has reminded us, in reality the U.S. system of government features “separated institutions sharing powers.” Alexander Bickel (1962) was one of the first voices in what one could label the Governance as Dialogue movement. Bickel said that the courts must engage in a “continuing colloquy” with the more political branches of government and with other political actors, refuting the judicial supremacy approach that was popular at that time. In Constitutional Dialogues (1988) and in his other writings, Louis Fisher has argued that the courts, and especially the U.S. Supreme Court, do not have the sole responsibility of interpreting the U.S. Constitution, but that constitutional interpretation involves a very complicated dialogue among various political actors. Others, such as William N. Eskridge (1991a; 1991b), have argued that the interactions between the courts, the executive, and Congress are a highly complex multiple-player game. Recent literature on the interactions between courts and Congress has been growing steadily, and includes, among others, works by Geyh (2006); Devins and Whittington (2005); Barnes (2004); Pickerill (2004); Miller and Barnes (2004); and Lovell (2003).
Calibration and Verification of SHAKER, a Deterministic Toll Plaza Simulation Model

A great deal of research has been conducted on Central Florida toll roads to better understand the characteristics of the tolling operation. In this paper, the use of the toll plaza queuing model SHAKER is calibrated to replicate real life toll facility traffic conditions. SHAKER is a deterministic queuing model based on classical physics equations that determines a plaza's maximum hourly throughput by assigning vehicles to lanes based on queuing conditions. An extensive field study on the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise network is conducted to determine the parameters affecting toll lane capacities. Data including traffic characteristics, vehicle characteristics, and toll plaza characteristics was collected and extracted at different toll locations, configurations, and pricing. From this data, periods of constant queuing were pinpointed and from those periods, factors such as demand, throughput, service time, etc., were extracted. Using the extracted parameters, SHAKER was then calibrated and validated to estimate the capacity of four different toll plazas along the Florida Turnpike Network.
Smooth Implementation of Critical Congenital Heart Defect Screening in a Newborn Nursery

In January of 2012, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences began implementation of a critical congenital heart disease screening program to identify newborns with structural heart defects. The screening used motion tolerant pulse oximeters in direct sequence to measure the oxygen levels in the right hand and either foot of eligible newborns. Exclusion criteria included echocardiogram prior to discharge, age greater than 7 days with continuous neonatal intensive care unit monitoring, or death or transfer prior to discharge. Of the 1905 infants screened, 3 infants failed screening. Two of the infants had atrial septal defects, and 1 had a patent foramen ovale, which was considered a false positive. After planning and education, the implementation of critical congenital heart disease pulse oximetry screening was successful. With only 1 false positive in our high-risk population, this should encourage other institutions to begin screening eligible infants.
Polymer Blends Containing Liquid Crystals: A Review

This paper reviews the literature of polymer blends containing low and high molar mass liquid crystals. Low molar mass liquid crystals have been used as plasticizers for thermoplastic polymers and in applications such as electro-optics, optical recording media, and membranes. High molar mass liquid crystalline polymers have been primarily used in polymer blends as processing aids and as an incipient reinforcing phase for “self-reinforced” materials. This review discusses the phase behavior, rheology, and mechanical properties of these blends.
Haemodynamic responses to varying postural stress

The authors present data demonstrating early cardiovascular responses to simulated gravity levels between 1G and -1G. A noninvasive, cardiac impedance cardiography system (the IQ System) was used to evaluate cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), ventricular ejection time (VET), ejection fraction (EF), and pre-ejection period (PEP). Seven subjects were positioned at selected angles of +90/spl deg/, +45/spl deg/, 0/spl deg/, -45/spl deg/, and -90/spl deg/ for five minutes at each angle. These postural changes simulate different gravitational forces on the human body ranging from +1G to -1G. This study's findings demonstrate an overall increasing trend in CO, SV, VET and EF, and a slight decrease in PEP with postural changes from +90/spl deg/ to -90/spl deg/. Findings may aid responses to low and negative gravity environments. >
Continuous detection of weak sensory signals in afferent spike trains: the role of anti-correlated interspike intervals in detection performance

An important problem in sensory processing is deciding whether fluctuating neural activity encodes a stimulus or is due to variability in baseline activity. Neurons that subserve detection must examine incoming spike trains continuously, and quickly and reliably differentiate signals from baseline activity. Here we demonstrate that a neural integrator can perform continuous signal detection, with performance exceeding that of trial-based procedures, where spike counts in signal- and baseline windows are compared. The procedure was applied to data from electrosensory afferents of weakly electric fish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus), where weak perturbations generated by small prey add ~1 spike to a baseline of ~300 spikes s−1. The hypothetical postsynaptic neuron, modeling an electrosensory lateral line lobe cell, could detect an added spike within 10–15 ms, achieving near ideal detection performance (80–95%) at false alarm rates of 1–2 Hz, while trial-based testing resulted in only 30–35% correct detections at that false alarm rate. The performance improvement was due to anti-correlations in the afferent spike train, which reduced both the amplitude and duration of fluctuations in postsynaptic membrane activity, and so decreased the number of false alarms. Anti-correlations can be exploited to improve detection performance only if there is memory of prior decisions.
The Contagion of Women Candidates in Single-Member District and Proportional Representation Electoral Systems: Canada and Norway

There is a distinct gap in women's representation in national legislatures between countries with single-member district electoral systems and those with proportional representation electoral systems. While this gap has been well documented, there have been only limited attempts at explaining its existence. After reviewing the literature on the representation gap, we turn to the party change literature and propose a modified contagion theory as one possible explanation for the gap. Contagion theory suggests that traditional parties will feel pressured to nominate more women if one of their political rivals, usually a smaller party farther to the left, starts to promote representation of women. We distinguish between macrocontagion and microcontagion and argue that especially microcontagion is more likely to occur in party list proportional representation systems than in single-member district systems. This should be true because contagion pressures are more likely to develop, and the costs of adapting to ...
Combined panofsky quadrupole & corrector dipole

Two styles of Panofsky Quadrupoles with integral corrector dipole windings are in use in the electron beam line of the free electron laser at Jefferson Lab. We combined steering and focusing functions into single magnets, adding hundreds of Gauss-cm dipole corrector capability to existing quadrupoles because space is at a premium along the beam line. Superposing a one part in 100 dipole corrector field on a 1 part in 1000, weak (600 to 1000 Gauss) quadrupole is possible because the parallel slab iron yoke of the Panofsky Quadrupole acts as a window frame style dipole yoke. The dipole field is formed when two electrically floating "current sources", designed and made at JLab, add and subtract current from the two opposite quadrupole current sheet windings parallel to the dipole field direction. The current sources also drive auxiliary coils at the yoke's inner corners that improve the dipole field. Magnet measurements yielded the control system field maps that characterize the two types of fields. Field analysis using TOSCA, construction and wiring details, magnet measurements and reference for the current source are presented.
Nonsegmented negative-strand viruses as vaccine vectors.

The live-virus vector era began in 1983, when Smith, Mackett, and Moss constructed a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing hepatitis B surface antigen and demonstrated the induction of hepatitis B-specific antibodies in rabbits immunized with the recombinant virus (113). Subsequently, live-virus vectors were developed with other DNA viruses, such as adenoviruses and herpesviruses, and with positive-strand RNA viruses, such as alphaviruses and flaviviruses. The vaccine vector potential of the large group of nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses (NNSV) remained unexplored largely due to the lack of infectivity of their genomic RNA in cell culture and the absence of a mechanism for recombinational insertion of foreign genes. The NNSV (order Mononegavirales) comprise four families: Rhabdoviridae, represented by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and rabies virus (RV); Paramyxoviridae, including Sendai virus (SeV), human parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4 (HPIV1 to -4), measles and mumps viruses, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and human respiratory syncytial and metapneumoviruses (HRSV and HMPV); Filoviridae, containing Ebola and Marburg viruses; and Bornaviridae, containing Borna disease virus. In 1994, Schnell, Mebatsion, and Conzelmann developed a reverse genetic system for RV that allowed the recovery of infectious virus entirely from cloned cDNA (102). This was followed quickly by the development of reverse genetic systems for numerous other NNSV (17, 22, 33, 50, 55, 69, 73, 76, 83, 133). This review will focus on the use of NNSV, in particular members of the Rhabdoviridae and Paramyxoviridae, as live vaccine vectors.
Semidispersive wave systems

The statistical initial-value problem for a class of weakly coupled waves whose linear dispersion relation is ω ∞ ± | k | is examined. It is found that in two and higher dimensions a natural asymptotic closure is possible. The redistribution of energy is achieved by means of two mechanisms; the first by a resonance between collinear wave vectors; the second by a local transfer between adjacent rays. The entropy functional is ∫ log n ( k ) d k and corresponds to particles obeying Bose–Einstein statistics.
Characterization and direct quantitation of cerebroside molecular species from lipid extracts by shotgun lipidomics

By using shotgun lipidomics based on the separation of lipid classes in the electrospray ion source (intrasource separation) and two-dimensional (2D) MS techniques (Han, X., and R. W. Gross. 2004. Shotgun lipidomics: electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis and quantitation of the cellular lipidomes directly from crude extracts of biological samples. Mass Spectrom. Rev. First published on June 18, 2004; doi: 10.1002/mas.20023, In press), individual molecular species of most major and many minor lipid classes can be quantitated directly from biological lipid extracts. Herein, we extended shotgun lipidomics to the characterization and quantitation of cerebroside molecular species in biological samples. By exploiting the differential fragmentation patterns of chlorine adducts using electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry, hydroxy and nonhydroxy cerebroside species are readily identified. The hexose (either galactose or glucose) moiety of a cerebroside species can be distinguished by examination of the peak intensity ratio of its product ions at m/z 179 and 89 (i.e., 0.74 +/- 0.10 and 4.8 +/- 0.7 for galactose- and glucose-containing cerebroside species, respectively). Quantitation of cerebroside molecular species (as little as 10 fmol) from chloroform extracts of brain tissue samples was directly conducted by 2D ESI/MS after correction for differences in (13)C-isotopomer intensities. This method was demonstrated to have a greater than 1,000-fold linear dynamic range in the low concentration region; therefore, it should have a wide range of applications in studies of the cellular sphingolipid lipidome.
A new maximal inequality and its applications

There is a maximal inequality on the integers which implies not only the classical ergodic maximal inequality and certain maximal inequalities for moving averages and differentiation theory, but it also has the following consequence: let P1 ≤ P2 ≤ … ≤ Pk+1 be positive integers. For a σ-finite measure-preserving system (Ω, β, μ, T) and an a.e. finite β-measurable f denoteThen for any λ > 0 and f ∈ L1(Ω)We show how the multi-parametric and superadditive versions of the previous equation can be obtained from the corresponding inequality for reversed supermartingales. The possibility of similar theorems for martingales and other sequences is also discussed.
Western limits of the Seattle fault zone and its interaction with the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

We present evidence that the Seattle fault zone of Washington State extends to the west edge of the Puget Lowland and is kinematically linked to active faults that border the Olympic Massif, including the Saddle Mountain deformation zone. Newly acquired high-resolution seismic reflection and marine magnetic data suggest that the Seattle fault zone extends west beyond the Seattle Basin to form a >100-km-long active fault zone. We provide evidence for a strain transfer zone, expressed as a broad set of faults and folds connecting the Seattle and Saddle Mountain deformation zones near Hood Canal. This connection provides an explanation for the apparent synchroneity of M7 earthquakes on the two fault systems ∼1100 yr ago. We redefine the boundary of the Tacoma Basin to include the previously termed Dewatto basin and show that the Tacoma fault, the southern part of which is a backthrust of the Seattle fault zone, links with a previously unidentified fault along the western margin of the Seattle uplift. We model this north-south fault, termed the Dewatto fault, along the western margin of the Seattle uplift as a low-angle thrust that initiated with exhumation of the Olympic Massif and today accommodates north-directed motion. The Tacoma and Dewatto faults likely control both the southern and western boundaries of the Seattle uplift. The inferred strain transfer zone linking the Seattle fault zone and Saddle Mountain deformation zone defines the northern margin of the Tacoma Basin, and the Saddle Mountain deformation zone forms the northwestern boundary of the Tacoma Basin. Our observations and model suggest that the western portions of the Seattle fault zone and Tacoma fault are complex, require temporal variations in principal strain directions, and cannot be modeled as a simple thrust and/or backthrust system.
Walking Speed: The Functional Vital Sign

Walking speed (WS) is a valid, reliable, and sensitive measure appropriate for assessing and monitoring functional status and overall health in a wide range of populations. These capabilities have led to its designation as the "sixth vital sign". By synthesizing the available evidence on WS, this scholarly review article provides clinicians with a reference tool regarding this robust measure. Recommendations on testing procedures for assessing WS, including optimal distance, inclusion of acceleration and deceleration phases, instructions, and instrumentation are given. After assessing an individual's WS, clinicians need to know what this value represents. Therefore, WS cut-off values and the corresponding predicted outcomes, as well as minimal detectable change values for specific populations and settings are provided.
New training method boosts productivity

A new training method—called a community-of-practice approach—can help you boost productivity, save time, and improve performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonparametric approach to managing materials quality

The normal distribution was tested for its goodness of fit to quality control data from 25 California Department of Transportation projects. The binder content and relative compaction of asphalt concrete were studied. In a significant number of cases, the assumption of normality was rejected. Closer examination of the observed distributions revealed instances of skewed, truncated, and bimodal distributions. Indications of nonnormality were found for a third of the asphalt content cases and nearly half of the relative compaction cases. An alternative nonparametric procedure for estimation of the percentage of material outside specification limits (POL) is proposed. Comparisons with the current methodology, which assumes that the data are normally distributed, indicated that somewhat lower, but arguably more accurate, estimates of POL are obtained by the nonparametric approach. Issues of accuracy and precision were addressed through a simulation study. The nonparametric method offers considerably greater statistical accuracy and power than the parametric approach when the data are not distributed normally and a performance comparable to that of the parametric approach when they are.
Minimizing Passive Components in High-frequency High-density AC Active Voltage Source Converters

This paper develops design methodology for finding the lower bound of the passive components for AC back-to-back voltage source converters. Compared with numerous previous works focusing on energy storage passives, the proposed approach considers input EMI filters and various operating modes. The spectrum of the pulsating phase-leg voltage with discontinuous space vector modulation scheme (DPWM) is analyzed, based on which the relationship between the switching frequency and the EMI filter parameters is studied. Then the rules for selecting line inductance and DC link capacitance are derived from the consideration of the current ripple and system stability requirement. The impact of DC link ripple current and failure mode operation is also included. The experiment system is constructed and the results show the feasibility of implementing the minimum passive components.
Podcasting the Past: Hardcore History, Fandom, and DIY Histories

This article discusses the podcast Dan Carlin's Hardcore History as a work of fan (non)fiction and a significant intervention by an amateur, non-historian into a discourse typically dominated by scholars and professionals. Frequently listed among the top “Society and Culture” podcasts on iTunes, in Carlin's hands podcasting technology has been used as a means of engaging with history on his own terms in a way that has been quite popular among podcast listeners—a form of do-it-yourself historical expression that provides some insight into how audiences receive and respond to historical discourse.
Some Experiences Using Finite Element Methods for Fluid Flow Problems

In this paper we report some of our experiences recently gained in the finite element solution of fluid flow problems. Firstly, an algorithm for transient free surface seepage problems has been developed. The advantage of this procedure is that the mesh is stationary with the free surface passing through the elements. Secondly, the solution of Navier-Stokes equations governing compressible flow with heat transfer has been researched.
Cloud computing: combining governance, compliance, and trust standards with declarative rule-based frameworks

Cloud computing has emerged as a major paradigm shift in information technology pushing corporations to redefine the way they conduct their business. While it promises many benefits, Cloud computing is also facing serious challenges. Those include legal and regulatory requirements, privacy and security needs, as well as other information and data related issues. To help address these concerns, a number of standards initiatives have been started. We believe that declarative rules can play an important role in standardizing legal and service level agreements and contracts by providing formalized languages that can enable intelligent compliance automation and trust. In the Cloud, automation is key and new architectures for service provider and service consumer dynamic interactions will need to be developed before organizations deploy their mission critical applications to the Cloud. In this paper, we will address these issues and provide a survey of existing standards and address the limitations of current efforts.
A New Two-Step Plasma-Assisted Surface Cleaningoxidation and Film-Deposition Process Sequence for The Formation of Si(100)/SiO2 Interfaces with Low Densities of Interfacial Traps

Device quality SiO2 films have been deposited by Remote Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RPECVD). The substrate surface cleaning, both ex-situ and insitu, influence the density of trapping states at the Si/SiO2 interface. Pre-deposition exposure to plasma-generated atomic-H significantly reduces hydrocarbon and 0 contamination, but damages the Si surface leading to high interface trap densities (Dit) in the Si band-gap. Pre-deposition exposure to plasma generated O-atoms, removes the residual hydrocarbons, and oxidizes the Si substrate while maintaining an atomically smooth interface. Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) structure fabricated by RPECVD have midgap Dit values of ∼1-3X1010cm-2eV-1 for 0-plasma cleaned surface. Final rinse after RCA cleaning in HF solutions with different pH values affects surface morphology; however surface roughening by atomic-H is always the determinant contributor to high values of Dit.
Lighting Northern New England with Water: A Comparative Analysis of Wave and Tidal Hydrokinetic Energy Regulation

“Today, no area holds more promise than our investments in American energy.” In order to limit our dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and curtail rising consumer energy costs, the United States has adjusted its energy trajectory to support more actively the “development and integration of new clean and domestic renewable energy resources into the electric grid.” Although some contend the recent emergence of unconventional oil extraction methods, especially shale gas fracking, may hedge political support for renewable energy sources, hydrokinetic power provides a highly affordable and renewable, carbon-free energy source—our nation’s largest supply of
Tinnitology: Recent Advances for Both Diagnosis and Treatment.

My co-Editors and I are pleased to share with you what we consider to be significant advances in the field of Tinnitology, highlighted by a developing neuropharmacology and advance in instrumentation for both diagnosis and treatment for the symptom of tinnitus. Tinnitology is an integrated discipline of basic science, neuroscience and clinical medicine for the understanding of aberrant auditory phenomena unrelated to an external source of sound [1]. Increasingly, clinical experiences in otology/neurotology are recommending complete cochleovestibular function. The advances described both in basic science and clinical medicine are considered to support the need for ongoing testing both in the initial and followup examinations of the patient with tinnitus. The extent and degree of testing is individual and determined by the clinical course and type of the tinnitus. The introduction of nuclear medicine techniques of PET and SPECT offer significant insight into CNS function and its relationship to the symptom of tinnitus.
[Lymphocyte culture in Hodgkin's disease: indications of 2 lymphocyte populations with different reactions to phytohemagglutinis (PHA)].

In Lymphocytenkulturen von Patienten mit Morbus Hodgkin konnte anhand der Blastzellproliferation, der RNS- und DNS-Kinetik eine verzogerte Reaktion auf PHA nachgewiesen werden. Neben der verzogert reagierenden Population ergaben sich Hinweise fur einen wechselnden Anteil normaler Zellen, der zur Schwere der Erkrankung in Beziehung steht. Die Herkunft der Hodgkin-Zelle aus kleinen Lymphocyten wird diskutiert.
The Avian Subpallium and Autonomic Nervous System

Abstract The forebrain of birds comprises the pallium or cortical-like region that surrounds a heterogeneous core called the subpallium. The purpose of this review is to define the structural components of the subpallium utilizing a revised nomenclature for the avian forebrain and provide proposed functions for this brain region. The subpallium includes five major groups including the dorsal somatomotor basal ganglia, ventral viscerolimbic basal ganglia, extended amygdala, basal telencephalic cholinergic and non-cholinergic corticopetal system, and septum and septal neuroendocrine systems. Proposed functions for each of the five groups are discussed and where appropriate each structural and functional group is compared to that in mammals. Importantly, structures within the subpallium are known to project to components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which are briefly described. A major group of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons resides within the fifth principal group, the septum, and therefore the neuroendocrine role of the subpallium, particularly in affecting anterior pituitary function related to the reproductive system, is reviewed. A second key function associated with the ANS and subpallium is the regulation of food intake and energy balance. In birds, particularly migratory species, there appears to be shifts in set points of body weight due to seasonal metabolic needs of various avian species. An autonomic hypothesis, termed poikilostasis, based upon shifts in homeostatic set points of body weight regulation is presented that may be relevant in explaining the large changes in seasonal body weight and body composition in migratory birds throughout their annual cycle. Similarly, the clear changes in body weight and composition of broilers and broiler breeders due to their selection for growth rate and feed conversion may also be related to a shift in the balance of the two antagonistic arms of the ANS.
Network Model of Flow, Transport and Biofilm Effects in Porous Media

In this paper, we develop a network model to determine porosity and permeability changes in a porous medium as a result of changes in the amount of biomass. The biomass is in the form of biofilms. Biofilms form when certain types of bacteria reproduce, bond to surfaces, and produce extracellular polymer (EPS) filaments that link together the bacteria. The pore spaces are modeled as a system of interconnected pipes in two and three dimensions. The radii of the pipes are given by a lognormal probability distribution. Volumetric flow rates through each of the pipes, and through the medium, are determined by solving a linear system of equations, with a symmetric and positive definite matrix. Transport through the medium is modeled by upwind, explicit finite difference approximations in the individual pipes. Methods for handling the boundary conditions between pipes and for visualizing the results of numerical simulations are developed. Increases in biomass, as a result of transport and reaction, decrease the pipe radii, which decreases the permeability of the medium. Relationships between biomass accumulation and permeability and porosity reduction are presented.
Why does she (or he) hate me

As we were wrapping up our therapy session, I said, “I wanted to let you know that I will be going on vacation for a week at the end of the month. Can we move our usual appointment time slot to the following week?” She angrily replied, “I hate you” and stormed out of my office. …
Strategic Agent-Based Modeling of Financial Markets

Understanding the implications of algorithmic trading calls for modeling financial markets at a level of fidelity that often precludes analytic solution. We describe how agent-based simulation modeling can be combined with game-theoretic reasoning to examine the effects of market variables on outcomes of interest. The approach is illustrated in a basic model where investors trade a single security through a continuous double auction mechanism. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, and raise questions about the use of spreads as a proxy for trading cost and welfare.
Genome Surfing As Driver of Microbial Genomic Diversity

Historical changes in population size, such as those caused by demographic range expansions, can produce nonadaptive changes in genomic diversity through mechanisms such as gene surfing. We propose that demographic range expansion of a microbial population capable of horizontal gene exchange can result in genome surfing, a mechanism that can cause widespread increase in the pan-genome frequency of genes acquired by horizontal gene exchange. We explain that patterns of genetic diversity within Streptomyces are consistent with genome surfing, and we describe several predictions for testing this hypothesis both in Streptomyces and in other microorganisms.
Preclinical Multimodal Molecular Imaging Using 18 F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in a Phase I Study of a Knee Osteoarthritis in In Vivo Canine Model.

The aim of this study was to use a multimodal molecular imaging approach to serially assess regional metabolic changes in the knee in an in vivo anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) canine model of osteoarthritis (OA). Five canine underwent ACLT in one knee and the contralateral knee served as uninjured control. Prior, 3, 6, and 12 weeks post-ACLT, the dogs underwent 18F-fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI was coregistered with the PET/CT, and 3-dimensional regions of interest (ROIs) were traced manually and maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were evaluated. 18F-fluoro-d-glucose SUVmax in the ACLT knee ROIs was significantly higher compared to the uninjured contralateral knees at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Higher 18F-FDG uptake observed in ACLT knees compared to the uninjured knees reflects greater metabolic changes in the injured knees over time. Knee 18F-FDG uptake in an in vivo ACLT canine model using combined PET/CT and MRI demonstrated to be highly sensitive in the detection of metabolic alterations in osseous and nonosteochondral structures comprising the knee joint. 18F-fluoro-d-glucose appeared to be a capable potential imaging biomarker for early human knee OA diagnosis, prognosis, and management.
Weaver's historic accessible collection of synthetic dyes: a cheminformatics analysis

We present the Max Weaver Dye Library, a collection of ∼98 000 vials of custom-made and largely sparingly water-soluble dyes. Two years ago, the Eastman Chemical Company donated the library to North Carolina State University. This unique collection of chemicals, housed in the College of Textiles, also includes tens of thousands of fabric samples dyed using some of the library's compounds. Although the collection lies at the core of hundreds of patented inventions, the overwhelming majority of this chemical treasure trove has never been published or shared outside of a small group of scientists. Thus, the goal of this donation was to make this chemical collection, and associated data, available to interested parties in the research community. To date, we have digitized a subset of 2700 dyes which allowed us to start the constitutional and structural analysis of the collection using cheminformatics approaches. Herein, we open the discussion regarding the research opportunities offered by this unique library.
The Revolution Continues: Newly Discovered Systems Expand the CRISPR-Cas Toolkit

CRISPR-Cas systems defend prokaryotes against bacteriophages and mobile genetic elements and serve as the basis for revolutionary tools for genetic engineering. Class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems use single Cas endonucleases paired with guide RNAs to cleave complementary nucleic acid targets, enabling programmable sequence-specific targeting with minimal machinery. Recent discoveries of previously unidentified CRISPR-Cas systems have uncovered a deep reservoir of potential biotechnological tools beyond the well-characterized Type II Cas9 systems. Here we review the current mechanistic understanding of newly discovered single-protein Cas endonucleases. Comparison of these Cas effectors reveals substantial mechanistic diversity, underscoring the phylogenetic divergence of related CRISPR-Cas systems. This diversity has enabled further expansion of CRISPR-Cas biotechnological toolkits, with wide-ranging applications from genome editing to diagnostic tools based on various Cas endonuclease activities. These advances highlight the exciting prospects for future tools based on the continually expanding set of CRISPR-Cas systems.
Design of a Tri-Axial Force Measurement Transducer for Plantar Force Measurements

Transducers for spatial plantar force measurements have numerous applications in biomechanics, rehabilitation medicine, and gait analysis. In this work, the design of a novel, tri-axial transducer for plantar force measurements was presented. The proposed design could resolve both the normal and the shear forces applied at the foot's sole. The novelty of the design consisted in using a rotating bump to translate the external loads into axial compressive forces which could be measured effectively by conventional pressure sensors. For the prototype presented, multilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin-film capacitive stacks were manufactured and used as sensing units, although in principle the design could be extended to various types of sensors. A quasi-static analytic solution to describe the behavior of the transducer was also derived and used to optimize the design. To characterize the performance of the transducer, a 3 cm diameter, 1 cm tall prototype was manufactured and tested under various combination of shear and normal loading scenarios. The tests confirmed the ability of the transducer to generate strong capacitive signals and measure both the magnitude and direction of the normal and shear loads in the dynamic range of interest.
Superiority without Supersessionism: Walter Kasper, The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable, and God’s Covenant with the Jews:

Nostra Aetate initiated a revolutionary shift in Catholic theology, opposing supersessionism and affirming that Jews remain in a salvific covenantal relationship with God. However, this shift raises for Catholics a deep tension regarding the value of this “Old Covenant” vis-a-vis the “New Covenant,” as this article illustrates using the statements of Walter Kasper and The Gifts and the Calling of God Are Irrevocable. While speaking positively about the Old Covenant, both deem it essential to maintain the superiority of the New Covenant as universalistic, fulfilling the promises in the Old Covenant and transcending its limitations. The author demonstrates how they seek to reduce this tension by characterizing the two covenants as good and better covenants, rather than as bad and good covenants, thereby avoiding a lapse into supersessionism.
“But that was meant to be a compliment!”: Evaluative costs of confronting positive racial stereotypes:

Past research on confronting racial prejudice has largely examined negative racial stereotypes. In the present work, we investigate perceiver and target perspectives associated with the evaluative ...
Anthropology of Violence and Conflict, Overview

This essay deals with the Anthropology of Violence, Conflict and Peace-making, concentrating on processes that occur in non-state societies and on methods of compensation as well as other ways of settling disputes. It points out the special role of sorcery, witchcraft and religion in these contexts and notes how rumors and gossip are important in generating conflicts between persons and groups. Ritual is brought into play as a means of healing both disputes and sicknesses among people and the use of different language forms is important in understanding how disputes are escalated or settled. Warfare, ethnicity and nationalism are also discussed in contexts of the state and a special section deals with the role of the imagination in situations that generate terror in contemporary international relations.
Critical Patch Size for Plankton and Patchiness

Patchy distributions of plankton in the sea and lakes have been well documented (Tonolli and Tonolli, 1960; Cassie, 1963; Platt et al., 1970; Steele, 1976, 1977; Harris, 1980). However, the precise mechanism from which plankton patchiness arises is still a subject of considerable controversy. To name some proposed mechanisms they are: (i) mechanical retention in wind-generated convective cells or frontal zones (Langmuir, 1938; Stommel, 1949; Bowman and Esaias, 1978; Floodgate et al., 1981), (ii) behavioral reaction to distributions of environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, light, and nutrients (Cassie, 1959; Forward, 1976; Heaney and Eppley, 1981), (iii) exclusion of certain zooplankton by phytoplankton (Bainbridge, 1953), (iv) food-chain association in predator-prey relations (Tonolli, 1958), in particular the phenomenon of spontaneous pattern generation through diffusive instability (Levin and Segel, 1976), and (v) aggregative behaviors (swarming, schooling) for breeding and feeding (Clutter, 1969; Hamner and Carleton, 1979).
A review and update of the clinical uses of cyclosporine in dermatology

Cyclosporine is a hitherto unique immunosuppressive agent that has provided a new approach to therapy in autoimmune diseases and has been increasingly used as a molecular tool for the investigation of immune regulation. It has produced excellent therapeutic responses in the treatment of psoriasis, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, pyoderma gangrenosum, lichen planus, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, Beh~ets disease, and alopecia areata. Cyclosporine's mechanism of action, side effects, pharmacokinetics, and guidlines for patient monitoring, are discussed in this article.
Lung Transplantation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Despite advances in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), there are no medical therapies known to resolve fibrosis or improve lung function in IPF. Therefore, lung transplantation remains the only life-saving therapy available to treat patients with IPF. However, a shortage of suitable donor organs limits the number of affected individuals who can undergo this procedure, and this shortage highlights the need to allocate donor lungs to those who are in the greatest need of a life-saving therapy yet ensure that those who undergo transplantation will have a reasonable expectation of long-term survival. Still, outcomes remain relatively poor for many patients after lung transplantation, although a sizable minority of patients can enjoy long-term survival after lung transplantation.
Exchange Rates and Uncovered Interest Differentials: The Role of Permanent Monetary Shocks

This paper estimates an empirical model of exchange rates and uncovered interest rate differentials with permanent U.S. monetary policy shocks. Using post-Bretton-Woods data from the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada, it reports two main findings: First, monetary shocks that increase the U.S. nominal interest rate and inflation in the long run depreciate the dollar in nominal and real terms in the short run. Second, permanent increases in the U.S. interest rate cause short-run deviations from uncovered interest-rate parity against U.S. assets. The signs of these effects are opposite to those reported in the related literature for transitory monetary policy shocks. The estimated responses to transitory and permanent monetary shocks are shown to be qualitatively consistent with the predictions of a new Keynesian model of the open economy with portfolio adjustment costs.
Mechanism of Action of Peptides That Cause the pH-Triggered Macromolecular Poration of Lipid Bilayers

Using synthetic molecular evolution, we previously discovered a family of peptides that cause macromolecular poration in synthetic membranes at low peptide concentration in a way that is triggered by acidic pH. To understand the mechanism of action of these “pHD peptides”, here we systematically explored structure–function relationships through measurements of the effect of pH and peptide concentration on membrane binding, peptide structure, and the formation of macromolecular-sized pores in membranes. Both AFM and functional assays demonstrate the peptide-induced appearance of large pores in bilayers. Pore formation has a very steep pH dependence and is also dependent on peptide concentration. In vesicles, 50% leakage of 40 kDa dextrans occurs at 1 bound peptide per 1300 lipids or only 75 peptides per vesicle, an observation that holds true across a wide range of acidic pH values. The major role of pH is to regulate the amount of peptide bound per vesicle. The physical chemistry and sequence of the pHD p...
Methods of Equivalence Grouping by Congenitally Blind Children: Implications for Education:

Explores ways in which congenitally blind children group objects and words. Such behavior provides information about their level of cognitive development. Differences in patterns of response as a f...
MRP Multiple Drug Resistance Proteins

Multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) are organic anion pumps that belong to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and are classified in family ABCC. Nine MRPs are known today (MRP1 to MRP9) which differ in substrate specificity and tissue distribution …