cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated 12-Lipoxygenase Activity in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

We have previously demonstrated that administration of inhibitors of the lipoxygenase (LO) pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats. In addition, we have shown that LO inhibition attenuates pressor agonist-induced vascular reactivity in vitro and calcium mobilization in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To further elucidate the relationship between elevated LO activity and hypertension, 4, 8, and 12 week old hypertensive SHR were compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats for plasma 12 (S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) concentration. 12-HETE levels were significantly elevated in the SHR compared to the WKY (SHR elevated by 154%, 159%, and 272% compared to WKY at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively, P < .01 for all ages). There were no differences in plasma potassium levels between SHR and WKY at any of the ages tested. Plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity were in the normal range at the three ages. At 12 weeks of age, both serum (4.72 ± 0.23 v 2.18 ± 0.33 μg/mL, P < .01), and aortic smooth muscle 12-HETE levels (0.94 ± 0.09 v 0.66 ± 0.08 μg/mg protein, P < .05) were elevated in SHR compared with WKY. The 12 week old SHR were given a bolus of the LO inhibitor 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid (ETI, 7 mg/kg, intravenously) and blood pressure measured after 20 min. ETI reduced mean systolic blood pressure from 175.8 ± 4.2 to 141.6 ± 5.9 mm Hg (P < .05). To investigate these effects of HETEs, cultured vascular smooth muscle cells were pretreated for 1 min with 12 (S) HETE and then challenged with angiotensin II (AngII). The addition of 12 (S) HETE increased AngII-induced intracellular calcium levels in normal cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells by 78% compared to vehicle (P < .05). Thus, LO products, which are high in SHR, may contribute to vascular tone through alterations in the intracellular calcium signal by potentiating calcium responses to pressors such as Ang II.
A New Category: Very Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Has Worse Outcomes on Morbidity and Mortality

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea severity is a known to cause increased mortality. However there is only one other known study to demonstrate that very severe sleep apnea (AHI > 60) has a worse outcome. Our goal is to characterize the demographics and sleep characteristics of patients with very severe OSA, and to determine whether this additional class of OSA severity predicts worse outcomes.METHODS: Retrospective analysis with patients > 18 years who underwent diagnostic polysomnography between January and December 2010. Data were collected using the clinical sleep database at our facility and electronic medical record queries for number of demographics, insurance status, hospitalizations, and mortality up until October 2011. Categories of OSA severity were defined by AHI 5-= 60 (OSA, very severe OSA (VSOSA)). Primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization and number of hospitalizations. Data were analyzed by Student's t-tests and Pearson's chi-squared tests, as appropriate.RESULTS: 1464 patients were included, of which 1305 had OSA at baseline, 14 patients died and 725 patients were hospitalized during the study period. As compared to patients with lower severity OSA, patients with VSOSA were more likely to be older (53 vs. 49, p=0.01), male (61% vs. 36%, p= 60 have an even greater risk of mortality than other patients with OSA. This being said, we may need to re-evaluate the way sleep apnea severity is categorized to include a Very Severe OSA group.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patients with higher AHI >= 60 have increased mortality that is statistically significant. These patients need to be identified and have more aggressive interventions and earlier institution of therapy.DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Dennis Jurcevic, Ziad Shaman, Vidya KrishnanNo Product/Research Disclosure InformationMetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. Language: en
Headache During Pregnancy in the Postpartum: A Prospective Study

The association between sex hormones and chronic headache has been the subject of a good deal of speculation. Headache is predicted to improve during pregnancy, when estrogen levels rise steadily until delivery. Retrospective studies have suggested that women with a history of migraines do tend to report decreases in headache activity with pregnancy. The purpose of this naturalistic study was to examine changes in headache that may occur during pregnancy and postpartum in women complaining of migraine, tension-type, or combined migraine and tension-type headaches in a prospective design. Thirty women recorded their headaches daily throughout pregnancy and up to 12 weeks postpartum. Results based on these ratings demonstrated a nonsignificant trend for headache to decrease throughout pregnancy and to increase during the birth week. Headache patterns varied slightly depending on headache diagnosis and parity. Contrary to previous retrospective study reports, migraine sufferers demonstrated an increase in headache in the third trimester. In addition, there was a tendency in multiparous women for headaches to increase in the third trimester, whereas primiparous women reported less headache activity throughout pregnancy and the postpartum.
Television Sex Roles in the 1980s: Do Viewers' Sex and Sex Role Orientation Change the Picture?.

This study investigated viewer perceptions of female and male television characters as a result of viewer sex and sex role orientation. Young adult viewers (N=677) rated television characters and themselves using the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Viewers were classified as feminine, masculine, androgynous, or undifferentiated in their PAQ orientations. The television characters were four men and four women who shared the lead and a working relationship on crime action shows. Results indicated that viewers rated all the male characters as stereotypical masculine, but only one female character as stereotypical feminine. Viewer sex and sex role orientations did affect ratings. Viewer sex had a greater impact on the ratings of female characters than on the ratings of male characters. Female viewers tended to rate female characters as higher in instrumental and masculine traits than male viewers did. Results based on sex role orientation of the viewer were inconsistent across characters, but in general, undifferentiated viewers rated both male and female characters as low in expressive and instrumental traits compared to how androgynous viewers rated them. Further, a masculine sex role orientation appeared to block perception of expressive traits in both male and female characters.
Identifying the meaning of information signs in traffic facilities

This purpose of present study was used the signal detection theory to evaluate the proper way to identify the meaning of information signs in traffic facilities. An empirical study of information signs used in the Taipei mass rapid transit system was performed to assess the proposed model. The clear and definite implication of posted signs and the impact those signs have on cognitional decision-making were measured by the sensitivity index d' and bias s as defined by signal detection theory. For the design of information signs, the ease with which a sign can be identified not only depends upon the clarity of the signs but also depends on cognizable judgment tendency. A properly designed pictograph will have an impact on the convenience of the general public. Placing importance on sign design and human convenience will enhance the satisfaction of patrons with public facilities.
Band Structure and Ultraviolet Optical Properties of Sodium Chloride

The empirical pseudopotential method is used to calculate the electronic band structure and the frequency-dependent dielectric function, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}(\ensuremath{\omega})$, of NaCl. The results allow an identification of the interband transitions responsible for the prominent structure in the measured optical spectrum.
Association between promoter methylation of serotonin transporter gene and depressive symptoms: a monozygotic twin study.

Objective Epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) is a key candidate gene for depression. We examined the association between SLC6A4 promoter methylation variation and depressive symptoms using 84 monozygotic twin pairs. Methods DNA methylation level in the SLC6A4 promoter region was quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing using genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. The number of current depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depressive Inventory II (BDI-II). The association between methylation variation and depressive symptoms was examined using matched twin-pair analyses, adjusting for body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Multiple testing was controlled by adjusted false discovery rate (q value). Results Intrapair difference in DNA methylation variation at 10 of the 20 studied CpG sites is significantly correlated with intrapair difference in BDI scores. Linear regression using intrapair differences demonstrates that intrapair difference in BDI score was significantly associated with intrapair differences in DNA methylation variation after adjusting for potential confounders and correction for multiple testing. On average, a 10% increase in the difference in mean DNA methylation level was associated with 4.4 increase in the difference in BDI score (95% confidence interval = 0.9-7.9, p = .01). Conclusions This study provides evidence that variation in methylation level within the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene is associated with variation in depressive symptoms in a large sample of monozygotic twin pairs. This relationship is not confounded by genetic and shared environment. The 5-HTTLPR genotype also does not modulate this association.
Duration of complex partial seizures: An intracranial EEG study

Summary Purpose: The dynamics of partial seizures originating from neocortical and mesial temporal regions are thought to differ, yet there are no quantitative comparative studies. The studies reported here investigate the duration of complex partial seizures in these populations using analyses of seizures recorded from intracranial arrays. Methods: Data were collected from patients undergoing presurgical evaluation with intracranial electrodes. Seizure duration was defined as the time of earliest sustained ictal activity until the termination either in all electrodes (global duration, GD), or at the onset area (focal duration, FD). Patients were divided into three groups: mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy (NCTLE), and neocortical extratemporal lobe epilepsy (NCXTLE). Results: Complex partial seizure durations were significantly longer in the MTLE group compared to the NCXTLE group. Median GD for MTLE was 106 s, and for NCXTLE was 78 s. There were no significant differences between seizure durations when comparing MTLE group to NCTLE group, or comparing NCTLE group to NCXTLE group. In the MTLE group, patients with bilateral recording arrays had significantly longer median seizure durations (GD and FD) than those sampled with unilateral arrays. Conclusions: In this select group of patients there is a significant difference between the duration of complex partial seizures of mesial temporal and neocortical extratemporal origin with mesial temporal complex partial seizures being longer. This may result from a number of possibilities including the bilateral propagation of some mesial temporal seizures and differences in ictal generators of the underlying networks.
Primary and secondary relaxation time dispersions in fragile supercooled liquids

The relaxation time dispersions of the primary and secondary dielectric relaxations are studied for molecular glass-forming liquids regarding their dependence on structural relaxation time or lack thereof observed as time-temperature superposition TTS , their changes with fragility, and a possible correlation of the values for the and processes. Toward more fragile liquids, the width w of the peak at the glass transition temperature Tg is known to increase significantly. Additionally, we observe that TTS extends over a broader range of peak relaxation times in the case of higher fragility, with the approach to exponential Debye relaxation being delayed to faster dynamics. The width w of the relaxation at Tg is somewhat lower for more fragile liquids and appears correlated with that of the primary relaxation. The extrapolated coincidence of the dispersions of the and processes occurs at the fragility “limit” of m=170, implying that w w for all molecular supercooled liquids. Materials of high fragility are also those with no clear low-frequency cutoff in the relaxation time distribution—i.e., their susceptibilities require Havriliak-Negami instead of Cole-Davidson fits. For sorbitol, the value of w is seen to change steadily through the -merging region, whereas w displays a kink at the crossover temperature.
Automated laparoscope positioner: Preliminary experience

A new automated laparoscope positioner was designed that is easy to use and provides the surgeon with an opportunity to perform most laparoscopically directed procedures efficiently and safely without the need for an assistant. Potential additional benefits are reduced cost of care, development of laparoscopic simulators suitable for training residents, and development of surgical procedures and devices.
Evolution of large body size in abalones (Haliotis): patterns and implications

Kelps and other fleshy macroalgae—dominant reef-inhabiting organisms in cool seas— may have radiated extensively following late Cenozoic polar cooling, thus triggering a chain of evolutionary change in the trophic ecology of nearshore temperate ecosystems. We explore this hypothesis through an analysis of body size in the abalones (Gastropoda; Haliotidae), a widely distributed group in modern oceans that displays a broad range of body sizes and contains fossil representatives from the late Cretaceous (60-75 Ma). Geographic analysis of maximum shell length in living abalones showed that small-bodied species, while most common in the Tropics, have a cosmopolitan distribution, whereas large-bodied species occur exclusively in cold-water ecosys- tems dominated by kelps and other macroalgae. The phylogeography of body size evolution in extant abalones was assessed by constructing a molecular phylogeny in a mix of large and small species obtained from different regions of the world. This analysis demonstrates that small body size is the plesiomorphic state and largeness has likely arisen at least twice. Finally, we compiled data on shell length from the fossil record to determine how (slowly or suddenly) and when large body size arose in the abalones. These data indicate that large body size appears suddenly at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. Our findings support the view that fleshy-algal dominated ecosys- tems radiated rapidly in the coastal oceans with the onset of the most recent glacial age. We con- clude with a discussion of the broader implications of this change.
Patient-related risk factors for fracture-healing complications in the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database.

Background and purpose A variety of risk factors have been hypothesized to contribute to the development of fracture-healing complications; however, population-based estimates of the strength of these risk factors are limited. In this case-control study, we evaluated patient-related risk factors for fracture-healing complications. Methods Using the United Kingdom General Practice Research Database, we identified patients with a fracture-healing complication (delayed union, nonunion, or malunion) between 1988 and 2008. 4 controls (i.e. patients with normal healing) were matched to each case on general practice, fracture site, fracture date, and length of history in the database. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of various risk factors, including demographics, comorbidities, and medication use. Results Diabetes and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within 12 months before the initial fracture were associated with a higher odds of a fracture-healing co...
The Relative Efficiency of dl-Methionine and Methionine Hydroxy Analogue-Calcium (MHAC) In Broiler Diets

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relative efficiency of dl -methionine and methionine hydroxy analogue-calcium (MHAC) in broiler diets. A corn-soybean diet containing 21% protein and 6% added fat was utilized. It had been previously found that broilers would respond to supplemental levels of methionine up to 0.12% in this diet. In both experiments, seven pens of males and seven pens of females, each containing 17 birds were fed each experimental diet. This resulted in a total of 28 replicate pens receiving each diet. Five experimental diets were fed: basal, 0.04 and 0.08% supplemental dl -methionine, and 0.036 and 0.072% supplemental MHAC. Body weight and feed efficiency were measured at four weeks of age. The MHAC was found to have a 79.1% activity of dl -methionine on a weight gain basis, and 89.3% activity on a feed efficiency basis.
Mixed Reality Virtual Pets to Reduce Childhood Obesity

Novel approaches are needed to reduce the high rates of childhood obesity in the developed world. While multifactorial in cause, a major factor is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle of children. Our research shows that a mixed reality system that is of interest to children can be a powerful motivator of healthy activity. We designed and constructed a mixed reality system that allowed children to exercise, play with, and train a virtual pet using their own physical activity as input. The health, happiness, and intelligence of each virtual pet grew as its associated child owner exercised more, reached goals, and interacted with their pet. We report results of a research study involving 61 children from a local summer camp that shows a large increase in recorded and observed activity, alongside observational evidence that the virtual pet was responsible for that change. These results, and the ease at which the system integrated into the camp environment, demonstrate the practical potential to impact the exercise behaviors of children with mixed reality.
Control of force distribution for power grasp in the DIGITS system

A linear programming approach is used to formulate and solve the force distribution problem in power grasps. The basic model used is taken from the DIGITS Grasping System, which consists of four three-degree-of-freedom fingers. The program solves for the required joint torques with limits imposed on their maximum value along with limits on contact normal reactions while optimizing an objective function. Friction constraints at the contacts are also included in the formulation to study their effects. The weight vector rotation method for analyzing power grasp stability is presented, which gives the maximum force the grasp can withstand in any given orientation. Power grasps with multiple contacts are found to be much more stable than fingertip grasps, with identical limits on the available applied torques. The load bearing and the torsional resistance capability of a wrap-type power grasp is studied for various size objects. Results show a significant increase in the maximum weight handling capability for completely enveloping type power grasps, and this improves even further with increasing friction at the contacts. >
Distortion in a gradient-index rod

An algebraic formula is derived for the fifth-order distortion of a GRIN-rod lens. By measuring distortion, one can then determine the coefficients of the profile formula.
The Cranial Anatomy of Metarhinus (Mammalia, Perissodactyla, Brontotheriidae)

ABSTRACT An extraordinarily well-preserved skull of the Uintan brontothere genus Metarhinus, supplemented by a second, less complete specimen, permits a detailed description of the cranial anatomy, including aspects that have never before been described. Of particular interest is the structure of the nasal cavity and internal nares, which may be virtually unique among mammals. The normal air passageway, connecting the nasal cavity to the internal nares, is effectively blocked except for tiny apertures and the functional air passageway re-directed over the top of the vomer, which, itself, has an unusual morphology. The functional significance of so unusual a feature is uncertain, but may have to do with the supposed amphibious habits of this genus, or perhaps, was an adaptation enhancing olfaction. The brain of Metarhinus is found to be typical of early brontotheres, being of small size and consisting of a rectilinear succession of parts: forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The cerebrum is small in size an...
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE UTERINE EPITHELIUM IN THE RABBIT

The ultrastructure of the uterine epithelium has been studied in estrous, ovariectomized, pregnant, and pseudopregnant rabbits. Tissue for light microscopy was fixed in Bouin's solution and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method, and with methylene blue. Tissue for electron microscopy was fixed in 1 per cent osmium tetroxide in White's saline and embedded in Araldite. The uterine epithelium in estrus is comprised of ciliated and non-ciliated cells. After ovariectomy the epithelium becomes reduced in height and PAS-positive material disappears. Multinucleated cells are formed in the epithelium in pregnancy, pseudopregnancy, and in the non-pregnant horn in unilateral pregnancy. They degenerate during the 3rd week of pseudopregnancy and during the 4th week of pregnancy in the non-pregnant horn. The formation of multinucleated cells is believed to be under hormonal control. The uterine epithelium in contact with the blastocyst changes into a "symplasma," presumably under the influence of a local (chemical?) effect produced by the blastocyst. This change is not seen in pseudopregnancy nor in the non-pregnant horn in unilateral pregnancy. A complex infolding of the basal cell membrane of the epithelium accompanies the "symplasmic" change. The remaining uterine epithelium in pregnancy shows a well developed ergastoplasm suggesting a production of secretion materials, some of which may be available for absorption by the fetus through the yolk sac or paraplacental chorion.
Post-traumatic upper cervical subluxation visualized by MRI: a case report

This paper describes MRI findings of upper cervical subluxation due to alar ligament disruption following a vehicular collision. Incidental findings included the presence of a myodural bridge and a spinal cord syrinx. Chiropractic management of the patient is discussed. A 21-year old female presented with complaints of acute, debilitating upper neck pain with unremitting sub-occipital headache and dizziness following a vehicular collision. Initial emergency department and neurologic investigations included x-ray and CT evaluation of the head and neck. Due to persistent pain, the patient sought chiropractic care. MRI of the upper cervical spine revealed previously unrecognized clinical entities. This case highlights the identification of upper cervical ligamentous injury that produced vertebral subluxation following a traumatic incident. MRI evaluation provided visualization of previously undetected injury. The patient experienced improvement through chiropractic care.
Mapping quantitative trait loci for sheath blight disease resistance in Yangdao 4 rice.

Rice sheath blight (ShB), which is caused by Rhizoctonia solani, has become the most serious rice disease in China. Yangdao 4, a cultivar with partial resistance to ShB, was crossed with Lemont, a susceptible cultivar, to develop mapping populations that were used to analyze quantitative trait loci (QTL) that confer resistance to ShB. QTL analysis were performed in 3 environments (E1-E3) using 2 F 2 and 1 F 2:3 populations, respectively. Three traits were recorded to evaluate ShB resistance, including disease rating (DR), lesion height (LH), and percentage of lesion height (PLH). Based on field evaluation of ShB resistance and the 2 genetic maps constructed, we identified a total of 8 QTLs for DR (4 in E1, 4 in E2, and 3 in E3), 6 QTLs for LH (1 in E1, 3 in E2, and 2 in E3), and 7 QTLs for PLH (1 in E1, 4 in E2, and 2 in E3). Sixteen of the ShB-QTLs co-localized as 6 clusters on chromosomes 3, 7, 11, and 12. Four of the 6 clusters contained ShB-QTLs that were detected in 2 environments, while the other 2 clusters with ShB-QTLs were detected in 1 environment. Three ShB-QTLs (qSBD-3-2, qSBL- 3-1, and qSBPL-3-1) were delimited to a 581-kb region flanked by markers D333B and D334 on chromosome 3. The resistance alleles of
Cutting Edge: Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells and AP-1 Are Insufficient for IL-2 Promoter Activation: Requirement for CD28 Up-Regulation of RE/AP

IL-2 gene transcription in T cells requires both TCR and costimulatory signals. IL-2 promoter activation in Jurkat T cells stimulated with superantigen presented by Raji B cells requires CD28 activation. The addition of rCTLA4Ig, which blocks CD28 binding to its ligand, to the cultures decreased IL-2 promoter activation by >80%. Interestingly, CTLA4Ig did not significantly inhibit the activation of either NF of activated T cells (NFAT) or AP-1 reporters. Therefore, activation of NFAT and AP-1 is insufficient for IL-2 promoter activation. In contrast, an RE/AP reporter was blocked by CTLA4Ig by >90%. Thus, the requirement for CD28 in IL-2 promoter activation appears to be due to RE/AP and not the NFAT or AP-1 sites. In addition, these data suggest that transcriptional activation of RE/AP is not mediated by NFAT, because activation of a NFAT reporter is not affected by the addition of CTLA4Ig.
Signs of cognitive change in HIV disease: an event-related brain potential study.

We recorded event-related brain potentials (ERPs) from 2 groups of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men with no physical illness or neurologic involvement: 9 asymptomatic (AS +) and 9 classified as having either acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; 7) or AIDS-related complex (ARC; 2). In separate choice reaction time tasks, the subjects pressed buttons to randomly presented auditory or visual stimuli at probabilities of either 20/80 or 50/50. There were no group differences on any of the neuropsychological tests commonly used in screening batteries for HIV patients. In contrast, reduced P300 amplitudes and increased P300 latencies occurred in ARC/AIDS patients in response to both auditory and visual stimuli, while in AS+ patients such alterations occurred only in the visual modality. Significant delays in P2 latency were found only in the auditory modality and then only in ARC/AIDS patients. ARC/AIDS patients alone showed delayed response times, and only in the auditory modality. The P300 results demonstrate alterations in stimulus evaluation and processing speed in the earliest stages of HIV disease, even before cognitive deficits can be detected by more traditional measures.
Optimal variable-density k-space sampling in MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often times limited by scan time. To reduce scan time, there have been various efforts to reduce the number of sampling points. In most cases, this is done by utilizing a priori knowledge of the signal of interest. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that will guide the determination of an optimal sampling pattern based on prior knowledge of the signal. Applications of this method include optimal variable-density k-space trajectory design or reduced phase encoding in 3DFT and spectroscopy. Preliminary results are shown as a proof of concept.
Accelerating the numerical simulation of magnetic field lines in tokamaks using the GPU

Abstract trip3d is a field line simulation code that numerically integrates a set of nonlinear magnetic field line differential equations. The code is used to study properties of magnetic islands and stochastic or chaotic field line topologies that are important for designing non-axisymmetric magnetic perturbation coils for controlling plasma instabilities in future machines. The code is very computationally intensive and for large runs can take on the order of days to complete on a traditional single CPU. This work describes how the code was converted from Fortran to C and then restructured to take advantage of GPU computing using NVIDIA's CUDA. The reduction in computing time has been dramatic where runs that previously took days now take hours allowing a scale of problem to be examined that would previously not have been attempted. These gains have been accomplished without significant hardware expense. Performance, correctness, code flexibility, and implementation time have been analyzed to gauge the success and applicability of these methods when compared to the traditional multi-CPU approach.
Antibiotics in Crohn's disease

There have been several reviews recently on the efficacy of antibiotics in Crohn's disease, and no text on inflammatory bowel disease is complete without a chapter that addresses this issue. This is perhaps an unanticipated sequel to the Mycobacterium paratuberculosis story of the 1980s, because prior to that putative viruses held our attention and antibiotics were seldom considered. The M paratuberculosis initiative prompted renewed use of antituberculosis regimens—some of which succeeded some of the time—and there followed a notion that if combinations of antituberculosis antibiotics were beneficial, maybe other broad spectrum antibiotics would be as well. Those who wish to make judgements about drug dose, duration, etc, for the various forms of Crohn's disease may consult recent …
Student affairs staffing in the small college

This chapter provides an overview of the challenges to and strategies for successful staffing in a small college student affairs division.
Investigation of Co-Flow Jet Airfoil Mixing Mechanism Using Large Eddy Simulation

This paper uses large eddy simulation (LES) to investigate Co-Flow Jet (CFJ) airfoil flows at high angle of attack (AOA). The standard Smagorinsky model with Van Driest damping is employed to resolve the subgrid scale stress. The 5th order WENO scheme is used for the reconstruction of the inviscid flux and the 4th order central differencing for the viscous flux. The momentum coefficient(Cµ) is chosen as a parameter to control the jet flow of the CFJ airfoil. LES simulations were carried out for the different momentum coefficients. The LES results at 30 o AOA are compared with the experiment to understand the flow structure of the jet mixing and flow separation. The numerically captured qualitative flow structures are very similar to those obtained in experiment. The quantitative prediction of lift and drag agree very well with experiment.
Role of the Boundary Layer Moisture Asymmetry in Causing the Eastward Propagation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation*

The moisture budget associated with the eastward-propagating Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) was diagnosed using 1979‐2001 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data. A marked zonal asymmetry of the moisture relative to the MJO convection appears in the planetary boundary layer (PBL, below 700 hPa), creatingapotentiallymoreunstablestratificationtotheeastoftheMJOconvectionandfavoringtheeastward propagation of MJO. The PBL-integrated moisture budget diagnosis indicates that the vertical advection of moisture dominates the low-level moistening ahead of the convection. A further diagnosis indicates that the leading term in the vertical moisture advection is the advection of the background moisture by the MJO ascending flow associated with PBL convergence. The cause of the zonally asymmetric PBL convergence is further examined. It is found that heating-induced free-atmospheric wave dynamics account for 75%‐90% of the total PBL convergence, while the warm SST anomaly induced by air‐sea interaction contributes 10%‐25% of the total PBL convergence. The horizontal moisture advection also plays a role in contributing to the PBL moistening ahead of the MJO convection. The leadingterm in the moistureadvectionis the advectionacross the backgroundmoisture gradient by the MJO flow. In the western Indian Ocean, Maritime Continent, and western Pacific, the meridional moisture advection by the MJO northerly flow dominates, while in the eastern Indian Ocean the zonal moisture advection is greater. The contribution of the moisture advection by synoptic eddies is in generalsmall; ithas a negativeeffect overthetropicalIndianOceanand westernPacificandbecomespositive in the Maritime Continent region.
Efficient Markov logic inference for natural language semantics

Using Markov logic to integrate logical and distributional information in natural-language semantics results in complex inference problems involving long, complicated formulae. Current inference methods for Markov logic are ineffective on such problems. To address this problem, we propose a new inference algorithm based on SampleSearch that computes probabilities of complete formulae rather than ground atoms. We also introduce a modified closed-world assumption that significantly reduces the size of the ground network, thereby making inference feasible. Our approach is evaluated on the recognizing textual entailment task, and experiments demonstrate its dramatic impact on the efficiency of inference.
A Regression Approach For Developing Mathematical Models For Management and Operations Training Simulators

This paper presents a new linear regression- based approach for developing mathematical models suitable for use in management and operations training simulators. This novel approach modifies static cost-independent regression models into dynamic accountable simulator models that translate input resource decisions into output performance feedback. Entirely new techniques have been developed for accounting for time, determining resource allocation cost rates, translating resource allo cation into technical performance, and incor porating probabilistic effects. These techniques offer both empirical and probabilistic advan tages over existing methods.
Neural crest induction in Xenopus: evidence for a two-signal model

We have investigated the molecular interactions underlying neural crest formation in Xenopus. Using chordin overexpression to antagonize endogenous BMP signaling in whole embryos and explants, we demonstrate that such inhibition alone is insufficient to account for neural crest induction in vivo. We find, however, that chordin-induced neural plate tissue can be induced to adopt neural crest fates by members of the FGF and Wnt families, growth factors that have previously been shown to posteriorize induced neural tissue. Overexpression of a dominant negative XWnt-8 inhibits the expression of neural crest markers, demonstrating the necessity for a Wnt signal during neural crest induction in vivo. The requirement for Wnt signaling during neural crest induction is shown to be direct, whereas FGF-mediated neural crest induction may be mediated by Wnt signals. Overexpression of the zinc finger transcription factor Slug, one of the earliest markers of neural crest formation, is insufficient for neural crest induction. Slug-expressing ectoderm will generate neural crest in the presence of Wnt or FGF-like signals, however, bypassing the need for BMP inhibition in this process. A two-step model for neural crest induction is proposed.
In situ synthesis of polyurethane–TiO2 nanocomposite and performance in solid propellants

Achieving a homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion is a frequent challenge in the preparation of polymer–matrix nanocomposites. In this paper, we report a polyurethane–TiO2 composite with improved nanoparticle dispersion by the in situ synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles in a solution containing the pre-polymer hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). The coordination chemistry of titanium with the functional groups of HTPB was studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy, and protective methods were developed to prevent undesired side reactions. The resulting synthesis approach produced a uniform dispersion of mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with minimal agglomeration in HTPB, which could then be cast and cured into bulk polyurethane composites. The performance of the polyurethane–TiO2 composite as a solid propellant binder was investigated. The in situ TiO2 nanoparticles demonstrated substantially higher activity as combustion catalysts compared to TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated into polyurethane by conventional powder or solution mixing methods.
Pharmacology of 3,5-Diphenyl-1,2,4-triazole

Pharmacological studies showed 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazole to have both stimulating and depressing effects on the C. N. S. of unanesthetized rats and mice. In moderate doses it lowered blood pressure and stimulated intestinal muscle in anesthetized cats. Neural muscular transmission was blocked in rats and frogs. An inhibition of serum cholinesterase activity by the drug was demonstrated.
Knowledge representation and human-computer interaction in an intelligent tutor for diagnostic problem solving

Implementation of an intelligent tutor for diagnostic problem solving in a complex engineering domain requires: (1) a large amount of domain knowledge organized to facilitate evolution of system states with time, (2) troubleshooting task knowledge, (3) knowledge to infer a student's possible misconceptions from observed actions, and (4) pedagogical knowledge to realize the tutoring objectives. The domain and task knowledge needs to be organized in a manner that is easily accessible and communicable to the student, and the instructional system requires a well designed interface to communicate this knowledge. A methodology for representing domain and pedagogical knowledge in an intelligent tutoring system is described. An implementation of the methodology in an instructional system that can train operators to troubleshoot a marine power plant is described. >
Signet: low-cost auditable transactions using SIMs and mobile phones

The absence of reliable network connectivity in the developing world has resulted in the use of paper receipts remaining the de facto standard for tracking transactions of various types. This includes both cash transactions (microfinancerelated disbursements and repayments, purchases, money transfers) and noncash goods (food commodities to/from godowns or warehouses).Such receipts are susceptible to loss, damage and alteration, with the last in particular severely compromising systems which depend on quotas or disbursement and repayment. Similarly, they allow go-betweens and agents to falsify payment or disbursement information and embezzle or misdirect funds or goods.This paper describes Signet, a system which uses the computational power of commodity mobile telephones and security enabled Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards to create a secure and auditable record for atomic in-person transactions in the developing world. Signet performs this function at very low operating cost and without requiring continuous connectivity to a trusted third party.
874Risk Factors for Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) due to Pseudomonas

Study Design  Retrospective cohort of hospitalized patients with cUTI admitted to an academic medical center between May 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013  Pregnant patients and those without microbiology data excluded  Each eligible patient allowed to enter the cohort once Data Collection and Definitions  Medical records and clinical data collected electronically from a research data warehouse • UTI and other conditions determined by ICD-9 diagnosis code, surgeries and procedures from ICD-9 and CPT procedure codes  cUTI defined as catheter-associated UTI; acute pyelonephritis; UTI in patients with uropathy or other urinary tract functional abnormality (UT abnormality), urogenital/anorectal surgery, urinary calculi, quadriplegia/paraplegia, spinal cord injury/disorder, kidney transplant, or end-stage renal disease; or UTI in males METHODS Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy Jessina C. McGregor, Miriam R. Elman, Brie N. Noble, Jon P. Furuno Risk Factors for Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) due to Pseudomonas
How Lead Halide Complex Chemistry Dictates the Composition of Mixed Halide Perovskites

Varying the halide ratio (e.g., Br–:I–) is a convenient approach to tune the bandgap of organic lead halide perovskites. The complexation between Pb2+ and halide ions is the primary step in dictating the overall composition, and optical properties of the annealed perovskite structure. The complexation between Pb2+ and Br– is nearly 7 times greater than the complexation between Pb2+ and I–, thus making Br– a dominant binding species in mixed halide systems. Emission and transient absorption measurements show a strong dependence of excited state behavior on the composition of halide ions employed in the precursor solution. When excess halide (X = Br– and I–) are present in the precursor solution (0.3 M PbX2 and 0.9 M CH3NH3X), the exclusive binding of Pb2+ with Br– results in the formation of CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskites as opposed to mixed halide perovskite.
On the Thermal Stresses Generated in Cylindrical Shells with Application to Gas Turbine Combustors

The thermal stresses generated in a cylindrical shell due to axisymmetric temperature fields, which vary in the longitudinal direction, are examined by using an influence function formulation. Closed form solutions for the longitudinal, hoop and shear stresses are derived for any axially varying temperature distribution expressible by a Fourier expansion. The thermal stresses generated in a typical cylindrical gas turbine combustor cooled by periodically spaced circumferential bands of cooling holes are investigated using the derived solutions. It is shown that a critical pitch in the cooling hole spacing can create high bending stresses at the cooling holes which could contribute to thermal fatigue failure.Copyright © 1982 by ASME
Micro-humps formed in excimer laser ablation of polyimide using mask projection system

In this paper we report the results of an investigation into surface deformation caused by thermal effects during excimer laser ablation of polyimide. Obvious surface deformation around hole entrances was observed during the experiment. The surface topology and cross section of the ablated holes were analyzed using topography measurement tool and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that a micro-hump of 17 to 150 nm in height and 1 to 3 μm in width was formed above the level of the unablated surface. The deformed surface showed rough and color-changed characteristics. An optical diffraction model was employed to explain the cause of this kind of deformation. It was found that the ablating and heating by a near- and under-threshold laser beam became a thermal effect in polyimide material ablation, which was contributed to by a diffraction effect of the optical projection system.
Heats of Formation for POn and POnH (n = 1−3)

The geometries and frequencies are determined using density functional theory. The atomization energies are computed at the coupled cluster level of theory. The complete basis set limit is obtained by extrapolation. The scalar relativistic effect is computed using the Douglas−Kroll approach. Spin−orbit and core−valence effects are accounted for.
Imaging human retinal pigment epithelium cells using adaptive optics optical coherence tomography

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are vital to health of the outer retina, but are often compromised in ageing and major ocular diseases that lead to blindness. Early manifestation of RPE disruption occurs at the cellular level, and while biomarkers at this scale hold considerable promise, RPE cells have proven extremely challenging to image in the living human eye. We present a novel method based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) equipped with adaptive optics (AO) that overcomes the associated technical obstacles. The method takes advantage of the 3D resolution of AO-OCT, but more critically sub-cellular segmentation and registration that permit organelle motility to be used as a novel contrast mechanism. With this method, we successfully visualized RPE cells and characterized their 3D reflectance profile in every subject and retinal location (3° and 7° temporal to the fovea) imaged to date. We have quantified RPE packing geometry in terms of cell density, cone-to-RPE ratio, and number of nearest neighbors using Voronoi and power spectra analyses. RPE cell density (cells/mm 2 ) showed no significant difference between 3° (4,892±691) and 7° (4,780±354). In contrast, cone-to- RPE ratio was significantly higher at 3° (3.88±0.52:1) than 7° (2.31± 0.23:1). Voronoi analysis also showed most RPE cells have six nearest neighbors, which was significantly larger than the next two most prevalent associations: five and seven. Averaged across the five subjects, prevalence of cells with six neighbors was 51.4±3.58% at 3°, and 54.58±3.01% at 7°. These results are consistent with histology and in vivo studies using other imaging modalities.
The Life and Law of Corals: Breathing Meditations

Corals have recently emerged as both a sign and a measure of the catastrophic future of life on earth at this particularly volatile time, referred to by some as the Anthropocene. As such, they have been the focus of intensive conservation management. Their symbiotic algae-bacterial-animal relationship and their precarious oceanic, ecological, and chimeric life make corals into fascinating windows into biopolitical regimes of conservation. Corals are also ‘good to think with’ about the interface of culture, science, and law and about the particular ways through which law makes life. My chapter draws on a dozen in-depth interviews with scientists and policy makers, mostly in the United States but also in Australia and Israel, as well as participatory observations of both coral and coral scientists, to explore how laws calculate and govern the project of saving (certain) coral life. I refer to this reflective, ‘breathing-with’ methodology, whereby the ethnographer submerses herself with the subjects or topic of her inquiry, as ‘immersive ethnography.’ Utilizing this immersive ethnographic stance, my chapter recognizes the ‘becoming legalities’ of coral conservation, demonstrating that coral life and death are not only biological and cultural, but also legal, phenomena.
Research on Super-Cavit Underwater Vehicles Visual Simulation

Aiming at the difficult questions that working principle of super-cavit underwater vehicles and the formation of super-cavity are very complex, super-cavit under vehicles ballistic visual simulation system was firstly developed. The framework structures of this kind of underwater vehicles visual simulation system were designed. The simulation environments including sky, surface and underwater were established by making use of the Vega Prime and the C++. After investigation on the working principle of super-cavit underwater vehicles, the 3D the super-cavity model was devised, some main visualization functions were realized, such as the launching, navigating, disengaging the auxiliary engine, forming of the super-cavity, and attacking process, etc. The navigation processes of the super-cavit underwater vehicles were perfectly simulated. The simulation result shows that the models fidelity, the specific effect, and the visualization impression effectively reflect the real process. Engineers and scholars can achieve intuitionistic and clear cognition during the research process of super-cavit under vehicles. The work satisfies requirements for investigation on super-cavit underwater vehicles.