cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thiol‐based redox proteins in abscisic acid and methyl jasmonate signaling in Brassica napus guard cells

Reversibly oxidized cysteine sulfhydryl groups serve as redox sensors or targets of redox sensing that are important in various physiological processes. However, little is known about redox-sensitive proteins in guard cells and how they function in stomatal signaling. In this study, Brassica napus guard-cell proteins altered by redox in response to abscisic acid (ABA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were identified by complementary proteomics approaches, saturation differential in-gel electrophoresis and isotope-coded affinity tagging. In total, 65 and 118 potential redox-responsive proteins were identified in ABA- and MeJA-treated guard cells, respectively. All the proteins contain at least one cysteine, and over half of them are predicted to form intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Most of the proteins fall into the functional groups of 'energy', 'stress and defense' and 'metabolism'. Based on the peptide sequences identified by mass spectrometry, 30 proteins were common to ABA- and MeJA-treated samples. A total of 44 cysteines were mapped in the identified proteins, and their levels of redox sensitivity were quantified. Two of the proteins, a sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase and an isopropylmalate dehydrogenase, were confirmed to be redox-regulated and involved in stomatal movement. This study creates an inventory of potential redox switches, and highlights a protein redox regulatory mechanism in ABA and MeJA signal transduction in guard cells.
Extended double-J ureteral stent.

Abstract Continent forms of urinary diversion using intestinal segments are becoming increasinglycommon. As this new treatment modality evolves, our instruments and mechanical devices are likewise evolving and adapting to the changing needs placed on them. We have used a new type of double-pigtail ureteral catheter in patients requiring continent urinary diversion. It allows stenting of the ureteral-intestinal anastomosis and safeguards against urinary leak or extravasation; at the same time the catheter is accessible to the outside for easy replacement, manipulation, and radiographic evaluation. The catheter has also shown to be useful for other purposes such as uretero-neo-cystostomy. This is particularly important in the pediatric population where repeated cysstoscopy for stent removal or manipulation can be a significant drawback.
Effect of monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide in rapidly deteriorating multiple sclerosis patients resistant to conventional therapy.

Fourteen consecutive clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were treated with monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) for 6 months. All had experienced severe c...
Alterations in lung macrophage antimicrobial activity associated with viral pneumonia.

Secondary bacterial infections are a common sequelae of viral pneumonias. To study 2 functions of the phagocytic defenses of the lung, macrophages were obtained by lung lavage from parainfluenza 1 virus-infected and noninfected mice. The phagocytic capacities (binding, ingestion, and killing) of these cells were assessed in vitro against viable Candida krusei. Viral pneumonia resulted in a progressive suppression (through day 7 of the infection) of the ability of macrophages to bind candida to their surfaces by nonimmunological or complement receptors; ingestion and intracellular killing of candida were also decreased. After day 7, all these functions returned and, in fact, cells with enhanced activities were present on day 17. After introduction of virus into the lungs, the lung macrophage population increased significantly between days 3 and 7 of infection. This resulted in an increase in the phagocytic potential of the lung, despite the virus-associated suppression of the phagocytic activity in a portion of the macrophages. However, the ability of the macrophages to kill ingested microorganisms was also reduced, resulting in an overall deficiency in the lung macrophage defenses. It was concluded that viral pneumonia was associated with at least two suppressive effects on the lung macrophage—decreased receptor activity and microbicidal activity—resulting in a deficiency in the lung phagocytic defenses represented by these cells. These effects were maximal 1 week after infection and could account for the increased susceptibility of these lungs to secondary bacterial pneumonias. In contrast, during the period of convalescence, the lung macrophage antimicrobial activities were increased and reflected in enhanced resistance of the lungs to infections.
Remote Sensing of Hail with a Dual Linear Polarization Radar

Abstract A technique for the remote sensing of hail with an S-band dual linear polarization radar is described. The method employs a new hail signal HDR, which is derived from disdrometer measurements of raindrop size distributions. Experimental measurements, made in Colorado with the National Center for Atmospheric Research's (NCAR) CP-2 radar system, are used to demonstrate the technique in two major hailstorms.
Preventing Complications: Consistent Meticulous Supportive Care in the ICU

The intensive care process is an error-prone context where the conjunction of organ failures, complex life support interventions, pharmacologic interactions and frequent invasive procedures increase the risk of complications. Impairment, errors and omissions within daily supportive care delivery further complicate the prognosis. Although most of the prevention measures recommended by evidence-based guidelines require simple protocols and little specialized equipment, their implementation is inconsistent and defective. Checklists, decision support tools, interfaces, ergonomics and computer applications in particular have been proven to reduce medical error within complex care process. The objective of this chapter is to describe important barriers and potential solutions for improving critical care delivery in order to optimize patient safety and outcome.
An Analysis of Success Factors in College Computer Science

AbstractIn the past decade, many studies have been conducted to determine factors that may influence success in computer science. Researchers typically cite academically measurable areas, such as mathematics proficiency or standardized test scores, as the major predictors of success. In this study, researchers extended an earlier study that investigated new factors, such as high school computer science, gender, class year, and work, on computer science success. In particular, the type of prior high school experience was a major concern. Researchers again confirmed that high school computer science as an entity itself can have a very positive effect on college computer science. Moreover, the teaching methodology rather that the content of the high school course, seemed to be the major component of the high school experience that contributed the most to success in college.
Independent Contractors in Public Mental Health Clinics: Implications for Use of Evidence-Based Practices.

Objectives:Community mental health clinics are increasingly utilizing independent contractors to provide clinical services. At the same time, many organizations are participating in initiatives intended to increase implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). The primary aim of this study was to understand the associations of utilizing independent contractors with clinician knowledge and attitudes toward EBPs and organizational culture and climate. The study also sought to understand the potential impact of using independent contractors on mental health services delivery from the perspective of organizational leadership.Methods:Quantitative data were collected from 130 therapists in 23 organizations; qualitative data were collected from executive administrators in nine of the 16 organizations participating in EBP initiatives sponsored by the City of Philadelphia. Regression with random effects was used to estimate the associations between worker status (contractor or employee) and clinician attitude...
Bone Development in the Albino Rat on a Low Manganese Diet

SummaryWe have not been able to demonstrate any abnormal tibia development in the albino rat raised on a diet low in manganese, provided the rat is normal at 21 days of age. In this respect the rat differs from the chick, at least in being much less sensitive to a low manganese diet. Only 2 cases of abnormal tibias have appeared in a total of 16 rats, born of females reared on a low manganese diet. Our limited data on rats from females reared on a low manganese diet suggest that the growth of the female is impaired, while that of the male is not.
A Reaction-Based Fluorescent Probe for Selective Imaging of Carbon Monoxide in Living Cells Using a Palladium-Mediated Carbonylation

Carbon monoxide is a member of the gasotransmitter family, which also includes NO and H2S, and has been implicated in a variety of pathological and physiological conditions. Whereas exogenous therapeutic additions of CO to tissues and whole animals have been well-studied, the real-time spatial and temporal tracking of CO at the cellular level remains an open challenge. Here we report a new type of turn-on fluorescent probe for selective CO detection based on palladium-mediated carbonylation reactivity. CO Probe 1 (COP-1) is capable of detecting CO both in aqueous buffer and in live cells with high selectivity over a range of biologically relevant reactive small molecules, providing a potentially powerful approach for interrogating its chemistry in biological systems.
Diagnosis of alcoholism

Alcoholism is among the most prevalent of the difficult diseases to establish diagnoses in medicine. This article outlines a number of steps to help in identifying the alcoholic patient. These include: a careful history, several laboratory blood tests, simple paper-and-pencil tests, and recognition of alcohol-related medical disorders.
Restoring Rhythm in the Broken Heart

Even if you survive, a heart attack leaves behind a permanent scar in the heart muscle. This scar can serve as a nidus for electrical instability in the heart, causing a communication breakdown between heart cells and producing life-threatening arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats). In spite of our best medical efforts to combat these effects, sudden cardiac death after heart attack occurs in more than 1000 patients a day in the United States. Now, Greener et al. have created a new therapy involving gene transfer of the gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) that could restore normal electrical conduction to parts of the scarred heart. Gap junctions are specialized structures that permit direct communication between adjacent cells—you might think of them as portals that allow the flow of ions and other small molecules. Heart cells communicate via Cx43 in gap junctions to achieve organized contraction and efficient pumping of blood. Greener and colleagues first gave a group of pigs a controlled heart attack and implanted them with defibrillators. From this group, they picked those that developed an inducible arrhythmia and treated them with a control adenovirus vector, no virus, or a vector that overexpressed Cx44 (AdCx43) through infusion into the coronary arteries. In 6 out of the 10 animals treated with AdCx43, the inducible arrhythmias disappeared. In contrast, all of the control animals were still able to experience arrhythmias. In addition, electrophysiological studies on the heart showed an increase in conduction in the scarred region in AdCx43-treated animals. Greener et al. demonstrate that gene transfer after heart attack can reduce the risk of arrhythmias after heart attacks in pigs. However, previous studies have shown that increased Cx43 expression can also increase the damaged area of the heart during heart attack. Thus, the timing of therapy may be a critical component in making the transition to treating human patients. Although their studies show promise for treating human disease, further work is needed to carefully assess safety of such treatment before it can be translated to the clinic. I. D. Greener et al. , Connexin43 gene transfer reduces ventricular tachycardia susceptibility after myocardial infarction. J. Am. Coll .Cardiol. , published online 2 August 2012 (10.1016/j.jacc.2012.04.042). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109712020736
All’s Fair? The Foreclosure Crisis and Middle-Class Black (In)Stability:

Is the protracted foreclosure crisis eroding the Black middle class? Foreclosure rates in the United States have reached an all-time high. Blacks have been hit especially hard by this crisis. I foc...
Scientists’ Reputations Are Based on Getting It Right, Not Being Right

Replication is vital for increasing precision and accuracy of scientific claims. However, when replications “succeed” or “fail,” they could have reputational consequences for the claim’s originators. Surveys of United States adults (N = 4,786), undergraduates (N = 428), and researchers (N = 313) showed that reputational assessments of scientists were based more on how they pursue knowledge and respond to replication evidence, not whether the initial results were true. When comparing one scientist that produced boring but certain results with another that produced exciting but uncertain results, opinion favored the former despite researchers’ belief in more rewards for the latter. Considering idealized views of scientific practices offers an opportunity to address incentives to reward both innovation and verification.
Deep structure geometry features of Haiyuan Fault and deformation of the crust revealed by deep seismic reflection profiling

Because of the incessant uplifting and pushing of the active Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,a number of structural systems with different trends on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau northeastern margin are formed under the joint action of northeastward pushing,blocking of circumjacent blocks,and the squeezing and deformation in the internal block of the northeastern margin of the plateau.Cenozoic tectonic deformation and seismic activity is intense,several large deep fault zones are distributed in the area.The Haiyuan fault is a left strike-slip fault zone with the strongest activities and the largest scale among the arc and active fault zones of the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,which is an important tectonic zone boundary fault and also an active fault controlling earthquake activity.The northern part of the high-resolution deep seismic reflection profile completed by CAGS in 2009 was used in this paper,and the preliminary interpretation revealed the deep geometry of the Haiyuan fault zone and the fine structure of the crust and upper mantle of its both sides.The results showed that the Haiyuan fault is not simply steep or moderate,but its geometric shape changes with depth.The continuous reflection characteristics of the Moho under the Haiyuan fault show that Haiyuan fault is not a trans-crust fault breaking up the Moho directly.The research results provide seismological basis for studying the lithosphere deformation mechanism of the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
REGIONAL IDENTITY AND GERMAN POLICY IN ALSACE 1940–1944

Le but de cet article est de decrire les efforts allemands pour assimiler l'Alsace entre 1940 et 1944 et la resistance alsacienne a la repression linguistique, culturelle, et politique. Il est montre que l'echec de la politique nazi provient de l'insistence dogmatique que les alsaciens etaient allemands et qu'il n'y avait pas de place pour l'existence d'une identite alsacienne distincte
Is there an impending loss of academically productive trauma surgical faculty? An analysis of 4,015 faculty.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this work was to compare the academic impact of trauma surgery faculty relative to faculty in general surgery and other surgery subspecialties.METHODSScholarly metrics were determined for 4,015 faculty at the top 50 National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded university-based depa
Talking Politics on Twitter: Gender, Elections, and Social Networks

As campaign discussions increasingly circulate within social media, it is important to understand the characteristics of these conversations. Specifically, we ask whether well-documented patterns o...
Effect of Late Gadolinium Enhancement on the Recovery of Left Ventricular Systolic Function After Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

BackgroundThe factors that predict recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are not completely understood. Late gadolinium enhancement (LG...
Introduction: Overview of the Basal Ganglia and Structure of the Volume

This introductory chapter lays the context for this volume as well as the many themes covered by the volume. A synopsis of the functional anatomic organization of the basal ganglia is given, including its structures, divisions, major nuclei, and excitatory and inhibitory circuitry. The anatomic nomenclature commonly associated with the basal ganglia is systematically explained. The major input and output structures and the computational architecture of the basal ganglia that are laid out, help set the stage for many of the topics covered by the volume. The chapter also describes the structure of the volume – the thematic grouping of chapters, and the topic of each chapter.
Examining Augmented Reality to Improve Navigation Skills in Postsecondary Students With Intellectual Disability

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using mobile technology to improve navigation skills in three students with intellectual disability (ID) in a postsecondary education program...
Interventions to reduce the bacterial load in recycled broiler litter

Abstract Two experiments were undertaken to evaluate the bacterial load in recycled litter between broiler flocks following addition of quicklime (T1), windrowing (T2), shallow fermentation (T3), and control (no intervention, T4). The first experiment was developed in field conditions in which the broiler houses were accompanied by 6 consecutive flocks and the effect of the treatments was assessed on enterobacteria and aerobic mesophiles. The second experiment was conducted in an experimental broiler house with recycled litter for assessment of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 (SE PT4). In the field study, T3 presented the best results in reducing enterobacteria in broiler litter in relation to the other treatments, with the highest reduction occurring in the first 3 flocks, tending to stabilization from the fourth flock onward for all the treatments assessed. From the third to sixth flocks, enterobacteria level at the end of the treatments (d 12) was lower than the average in the fresh litter, except in T4. All treatments reduced aerobic mesophiles throughout the flocks, where T2 showed the highest reduction. The percentage of dry matter in the broiler litter diminished in T4 and increased in T3 over the course of the flocks. In the second experiment, the drop in the SE PT4 level in the broiler litter first occurred in T2 and T3. However, all the treatments except for T4 eliminated SE PT4 within 12 d. The temperature of the broiler litter in T2 was higher in relation to the other treatments. The results show that litter treatment prior to reutilization by the successive broiler flock is required to reduce the level of residual bacteria. The fermentative treatments (T2 and T3) were found to be superior to the others in terms of reducing the bacterial load, with shallow fermentation standing out with the highest reduction of enterobacteria and equivalent SE PT4 elimination when compared to windrowing.
Advancement in social work education: fostering a supportive environment for students of non-dominant racial and ethnic backgrounds

AbstractDoctoral students from non-dominant racial and ethnic backgrounds continue to be underrepresented in programs of social work despite efforts to increase student diversity. This paper highlights the unique challenges experienced by non-dominant racial and ethnic students and offers suggestions for addressing retention and attrition concerns among these students across systems within doctoral social work programs. The authors identify structural inequalities, marginalization, discrimination, minority stress, and lack of support as potential barriers to student success. Suggestions for increasing diversity and retention are rooted in critical multiculturalism and involvement theory, emphasizing institutional change, socialization, recruitment, and social support.
A New Method for Treating Drude Polarization in Classical Molecular Simulation

With polarization becoming an increasingly common feature in classical molecular simulation, it is important to develop methods that can efficiently and accurately evaluate the many-body polarization solution. In this work, we expand the theoretical framework of our inertial extended Langrangian, self-consistent field iteration-free method (iEL/0-SCF), introduced for point induced dipoles, to the polarization model of a Drude oscillator. When applied to the polarizable simple point charge model (PSPC) for water, our iEL/0-SCF method for Drude polarization is as stable as a well-converged SCF solution and more stable than traditional extended Lagrangian (EL) approaches or EL formulations based on two temperature ensembles where Drude particles are kept “colder” than the real degrees of freedom. We show that the iEL/0-SCF method eliminates the need for mass repartitioning from parent atoms onto Drude particles, obeys system conservation of linear and angular momentum, and permits the extension of the integr...
Exploring the Community of Blind or Visually Impaired People on YouTube

We explore a community of blind or visually impaired (BVI) people through video blogs (vlogs) on YouTube. Many researchers have used vlogs as a means of identifying communities of video bloggers (vloggers). Nevertheless, little is still known about how BVI vloggers interact through vlogs in video-based social media. To fill the gap, we identified BVI vloggers and types of the vlogs they produced by analyzing videos on YouTube. Also, we found how BVI vloggers were connected with each other through vlogs. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt utilizing vlogs to understand the community of BVI people on YouTube.
A case for comprehensive analyses demonstrated by evaluating the yield benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatment in maize (Zea mays L.)

With increased scrutiny of the neonicotinoid class of chemistry and its negative impact on the pollinator community, ecological cost/benefit analyses of agronomic crops that use these insecticides are increasingly important. This study initially sought to address the question of yield benefit due to neonicotinoid seed treatment in maize (Zea mays L.), using North Carolina yield contest data from 2002 to 2006, the time period from initial neonicotinoid seed treatment adoption to nearly ubiquitous adoption. However, we recognized that several agronomic practices, including planting date, hybrid selection, and fertilization, could affect the yield of this crop; moreover, they could be collinear with one another and the analysis could be skewed by early adopters of new technology. Hence, we used all available data to compare among traditional approaches and a data-mining approach for analyzing the impact of neonicotinoid seed treatment on maize yield. At-planting insecticide treatment was not an important predictor of maize yield. When analyzed using the traditional approach (T-test), yields were significantly higher for fields planted with neonicotinoid treated seed compared to seed without neonicotinoid; however, data-mining approach (Decision tree analysis) that took into account other factors contributing to yield did not identify seed treatments as important. The contrast in these results highlights the need for future carefully designed studies that target to minimize inter- and intra-site variation; and include measurements of additional factors that may influence yield, such as seeding rate, tillage, and herbicide applications, as input variables that are largely lacking in current approaches on the subject.
USE OF CONTINUOUS RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN THE CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Severe acute kidney injury requiring initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with poor outcomes. Few studies have examined the use of CRRT in cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) patients. Historical cohort study of 10004 CICU admissions from January 2007 through
Objectification of the Body as a Terror Management Defense

Cartesian subject-object metaphysics operative in medical discourse renders it impossible to grapple with the ambiguity of the cadaver. Within this framework, the cadaver seems to present itself as an object, but an object haunted by the subjectivity of the deceased. When understood in light of the lived body, the cadaver can be more appropriately contextualized as an ambiguity that pivots on the dual axis of an anatomical artifact versus a memorial body. When the cadaver becomes too closely identified with the living patient, medicine tends to conflate the object-cadaver with the embodied subject of the living patient. Just as suppression of the memorial body serves a terror management function, so too the objectification of the living patient is a coping mechanism in the face of mortal risk.
Behavioral Disorders in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a broad class of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with impairments in communication, reciprocal social interactions, and patterns of restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests (Johnson et al., The Journal Of Pediatrics 156:525–531, 2010; National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm, 2011). ASD encompasses a range of disorders that generally include the DSM-IV-TR pervasive developmental disorders: autistic disorder, Rett’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2000). Prevalence estimates for ASDs range from 3 to 7 in 1000 (Fombonne et al., Pediatric Research 65:591–598, 2009; Rutter, Acta Paediatrica 94:2–15, 2005), highlighting ASDs as a serious public health concern. As a result there is growing emphasis on early identification of and intervention with ASDs. The importance of early detection and diagnosis is evident, as interventions for ASDs generally are more effective when implemented as early as possible in the course of the disorder (Matson et al., Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 6:144–150, 2010; Peters-Scheffer et al., Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 5:60–69, 2011). The behavioral characteristics of ASDs often are readily observed in children of very young ages. Developmental concerns associated with ASDs are seen by parents and health-care professionals as early as 18–24 months of age (Osterling et al., Development and Psychopathology 14:239–251, 2002; Young et al., Autism 7:125–143, 2003), with diagnosis of an ASD often made between the ages of 2 and 3 years (Dixon et al., International Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, 2011).
Dispelling the Myths of Holistic Engineering

Over the past year, articles by Grasso and others – including Holistic Engineering and Holistic Engineering and Educational Reform – have followed former IEEE President Joe Bordogna in adopting the term “holistic engineering” to describe a more cross-disciplinary, whole-systems approach to engineering education. It is an approach that emphasizes contextualized problem formulation and encourages innovative changes to traditional engineering training.
Stress Raisers, Fracture, and Fatigue

Sixty-eight-year-old Martha Mainstream had a replacement arthroplasty for her hip three years ago for severe osteoarthritis. Because she no longer had to utilize a cane to get around, the operation changed her life, and she was relieved of the nearly constant pain in her groin and down her thigh. As a matter of fact, she had resumed walking and swimming for exercise and had lost 20 pounds of excess weight. Alas, when was went out ot feed her cats, she slipped on some wet grass and sustained a fracture of her femur well below the prosthetic femoral stem. She underwent surgery again and had a large bone plate applied across the fracture, shown in figure 8.1. What problems are likely to arise from having two metal devices close together in this fashion?
Illness-related support and negative network interactions: effects on HIV-infected men's depressive symptomatology.

Data collected as part of a psychosocial study of gay and bisexual men's experiences of living with HIV infection as a chronic illness were examined to investigate the psychological impact of the perceived availability of illness-related support and negative illness-related network interactions in a sample of men from this population. The sample was comprised of 144 HIV-infected non-Hispanic white, African American, and Puerto Rican men living in the New York City metropolitan area. Analyses found evidence of a conjoint (interactive) effect between perceived support and negative network interactions. There was no evidence of either perceived availability of illness-related network support buffering or negative illness-related network interactions amplifying the effect of HIV/AIDS-related physical symptomatology on depressive symptomatology.
Evaluation and validation issues in the development of transgenic mouse carcinogenicity bioassays.

Transgenic mouse models have emerged as plausible alternatives to long-term bioassays for carcinogenicity. Three transgenic lines evaluated to date have shown a clear capability to discriminate bet...
Native lagomorphs suppress grass establishment in a shrub‐encroached, semiarid grassland

Shrub encroachment into arid grasslands has been associated with reduced grass abundance, increased soil erosion, and local declines in biodiversity. Livestock overgrazing and the associated reduction of fine fuels has been a primary driver of shrub encroachment in the southwestern United States, but shrublands continue to persist despite livestock removal and grassland restoration efforts. We hypothesized that an herbivory feedback from native mammals may contribute to continued suppression of grasses after the removal of livestock. Our herbivore exclusion experiment in southeastern Arizona included five treatment levels and allowed access to native mammals based on their relative body size, separating the effects of rodents, lagomorphs, and mule deer. We included two control treatments and replicated each treatment 10 times (n = 50). We introduced uniform divisions of lawn sod (Cynodon dactylon) into each exclosure for 24-hr periods prior to (n = 2) and following (n = 2) the monsoon rains and used motion-activated cameras to document herbivore visitations. In the pre-monsoon trials, treatments that allowed lagomorph access had less sod biomass relative to other treatments (p < 0.001), averaging 44% (SD 36%) and 29% (SD 45%) remaining biomass after the 24-hr trial periods. Following the onset of monsoons, differences in remaining biomass among treatments disappeared. Desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) were detected more frequently than any of the other 11 herbivore species present at the site, accounting for 83% of detections during the pre-monsoon trials. Significantly more (p < 0.001) desert cottontails were detected during the pre-monsoon trials (2,077) compared to the post-monsoon trials (174), which coincided with biomass removal from lagomorph accessible treatments. We conclude that desert cottontails are significant consumers of herbaceous vegetation in shrub-encroached arid grasslands and they, along with other native herbivores, may act as a biotic feedback contributing to the competitive advantage and persistence of shrubs.
Trends in In-Hospital Mortality, Length of Stay, Nonroutine Discharge, and Cost Among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Dialysis Hospitalized With Heart Failure (2001–2014)

ABSTRACT Background Heart failure (HF) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. We aimed to assess the trends and outcomes in primary and secondary HF hospitalizations among ESRD patients with the use of a nationally representative database. Methods and Results We analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample and the US Census Bureau to calculate annual national rates of in-hospital mortality, length of stay, disposition with a focus on nonroutine discharge (discharge to a health care facility rather than to home), and adjusted median cost among patients with ESRD on dialysis with primary or secondary HF admissions from 2001 to 2014. An estimated 812,090 primary and 2,887,432 secondary HF admissions occurred from 2001 to 2014. The prevalence of comorbidities increased during the study period. Primary HF admission rates increased from 2001 to 2006 and decreased from 2007 to 2014, whereas secondary HF admissions increased significantly during the study period (P 65 years of age, whites, and those on peritoneal dialysis. The cost of hospitalization did not change significantly for primary and secondary HF admissions. Conclusion Among ESRD patients on dialysis with primary or secondary HF admission diagnosis, comorbidity prevalence increased but in-hospital mortality and length of stay decreased significantly from 2001 to 2014.
Uniformity of GaAs solar cells grown in a kinetically-limited regime by dynamic hydride vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract We demonstrate solar cell devices grown on 50 mm diameter GaAs substrates by dynamic hydride vapor phase epitaxy (D-HVPE). In contrast to our prior D-HVPE devices, grown at 650 °C in a transport-limited regime, these devices were grown at 700 °C in a kinetically-limited growth regime in which the growth rate uniformity is controlled by thermally-activated surface reactions. These devices exhibit open-circuit voltages up to 1.07 V, nearly identical performance to the devices grown at lower temperature in a different growth regime. We evaluate the uniformity of device performance and find only a 1% variation in absolute, device efficiency across the majority of the wafer in devices without anti-reflection coating. We analyze the GaAs and GaInP thickness uniformity and GaInP compositional uniformity, using high-tresolution x-ray diffraction mapping, and find that any non-uniformity in device efficiency is not related to variations in these structural parameters. We combine three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modeling of our reactor with a kinetic model for GaAs growth, and use the combined model to predict spatial GaAs growth rate over a 50 mm wafer area. We compare these predictions with experimental data from our D-HVPE reactor and find excellent agreement. We use the model to the gain insight into the specific mechanisms that control GaAs spatial uniformity in the kinetically-limitedgrowth regime. These results suggest a large parameter window for the growth of high-performance optoelectronic devices by D-HVPE, possibly with large area uniformity.
Singularities in the Calculus of Variations

In these notes we discuss the regularity of minimizers of convex functionals in the calculus of variations, with a focus on the vectorial case. We first treat the theory of linear elliptic systems and give some consequences. Then we discuss important singular solutions of De Giorgi, Giusti-Miranda, and Maz’ya to linear elliptic systems, and of Sverak-Yan in the nonlinear case. At the end we discuss the parabolic theory.
Jury verdicts and outcomes of malpractice cases involving arteriovenous hemodialysis access.

Objective:To analyze malpractice cases involving hemodialysis access to prevent future litigation and improve physician education.Methods:Jury verdict reviews from the WESTLAW database from 1 Janua...
On the accuracy of displacement-based wave intensity analysis: Effect of vessel wall viscoelasticity and nonlinearity

Recent studies showed that wave intensity analysis (WIA) provides clinically valuable information about local and global cardiovascular function. Wave intensity (WI) is computed as the product of the pressure change and the velocity change during short time intervals. The major limitation of WIA in clinical practice is the need for invasive pressure measurement. Since vessel wall displacement can be measured non-invasively, the usage of WI will be expanded if the vessel wall dilation is used instead of pressure in derivation of WI waveform. Our goal in this study is to investigate the agreement between wall displacement-based WI and the pressure-based WI for different vessel wall models including linear elastic, nonlinear and viscoelastic cases. The arbitrary Eulerian Lagrangian finite element method is employed to solve the coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI). Our computational models also include two types of vascular disease-related cases with geometrical irregularities, aneurysm and stenosis. Our results show that for vessels with linear elastic wall, the displacement-based WI is almost identical to the pressure-based WI. The existence of vessel irregularities does not impact the accuracy of displacement-based WI. However, in a viscoelastic wall where there is a phase difference between pressure and vessel wall dilation, displacement-based WI deviated from pressure-based WI. The error associated with this phase difference increased nonlinearly with increasing viscosity. This results in a maximum error of 6.8% and 7.13% for a regular viscoelastic vessel wall and an irregular viscoelastic vessel wall, respectively. A separate analysis has also been performed on the agreement of backward and forward running waves extracted from a decomposition of the displacement-based and pressure-based WI. Our findings suggest that displacement-based WI is a reliable method of WIA for large central arteries that do not show viscoelastic behaviors. This can be clinically significant since the required information can be measured non-invasively.
Zygomatic Implants: A Solution for the Atrophic Maxilla

Even with the great strides made in the techniques for placement of traditional endosseous dental implants, restoration of the dentition in patients with a severely resorbed or resected maxilla can prove challenging. For many decades, significant bone grafting was the mainstay of treatment for these patients. However, zygomatic implants have been shown to provide a stable and predictable alternative for the restoration of the dentition for patients with severe bone loss of the maxilla.
El hambre, ¿tsunami silencioso?

As this edition goes to print, the cla‑ mour of the world’s financial crisis has almost banished press headlines on the problem of the worldwide rise in food prices. But the problem is struc‑ tural, it still exists. Our Editorial Board approaches its analysis with the aim of answering a few basic questions. What is happening?: the old problem of hunger has been aggravated towards the end of 2007 and during 2008 by considerable rises in food prices with serious consequences for vulnerable populations; although the situation seems to have moderated in the second half of the year, we are talking about a structural problem. What are the causes behind these rises in prices?: it is a complex phenomenon that we are trying to clarify by pointing out the causes that come from offer and demand, as well as political interests present in the markets. From which ethical principles should we approach this question?: essentially, from the view that food supplies should be guaranteed as a basic human right. What short term measures should be taken and what actions should be undertaken on a medium and long term basis?: it is far from easy to answer this question; based on the commitment by society internationally to reach the Millennium Objectives, we suggest some urgent measures, we define tasks still pending, with special reference to establishing suitable agricultural policies.
Chapter 3 – Pluripotent Stem Cells from Vertebrate Embryos: Present Perspective and Future Challenges

Many have contributed to the various discoveries that brought recognition of the enormous potential of cells of early embryonic origin for genetic modification of organisms, regenerative medicine, and investigation of facets of development that are difficult to explore in vivo. Historically, the work of two researchers stands out as forming a foundation for our current understanding of embryonic stem cells and their potential. Leroy Stevens and Barry Pierce were pioneers in the study of tumors that arose from germ cells in mice: teratomas and teratocarcinomas, from which embryonic carcinomas cells (or EC cells) were eventually identified.
The offshore Mancos play in the San Juan Basin as a component of the Mancos total petroleum system

Historically, the offshore Mancos play of the San Juan Basin has produced oil from noncommercial to marginally commercial reservoirs consisting of dark-gray marine shale with thin beds and laminae of fine-grained sandstone of limited permeability. During the last decade, horizontal drilling with horizontal wells has resulted in substantially increased production. However, placement of the offshore Mancos play within the Mancos total petroleum system has been poorly understood. Here, the offshore Mancos play is interpreted as a carrier bed play within the Mancos total petroleum system. Unconventional reservoirs of the offshore Mancos play are stratigraphically equivalent to updip conventional reservoirs deposited nearer to the shoreline and to downdip source rocks matured to peak oil generation. Offshore Mancos facies include a proximal facies to the southwest, a medial facies, and a distal facies to the northeast. Oil production has been obtained from the proximal and medial facies. Mancos shales contain oil-generative kerogens that are within the upper oil window near conventional reservoirs in the south and have matured to peak oil generation downdip of and to the northeast of the offshore Mancos reservoirs. Uniform API gravities of light sweet produced oils that transcend thermal maturity variations of Mancos shales indicate that oils generated in downdip mature source rocks migrated updip through the carrier bed sandstones of the offshore play and into the conventional reservoirs. Residual oil saturations are consistent with the concept of migrating oils moving updip through only a small number of interconnected pathways within a carrier bed.
Treatment approach to isolated common peroneal nerve palsy by mechanism of injury: Systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participants' data.

BACKGROUND We reviewed the individual participant data of patients who sustained isolated common peroneal nerve (CPN) injuries resulting in foot drop. Functional results were compared between eight interventions for CPN palsies to determine step-wise treatment approaches for the underlying mechanisms of nerve injury. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL databases were searched. PRISMA-IPD and Cochrane guidelines were followed in the data search. Eligible patients sustained isolated CPN injuries resulting in their foot drop. Patients were stratified by mechanisms of nerve injury, ages, duration of motor symptoms, and nerve defect/zone of injury sizes, and were compared by functional results (poor = 0, fair = 1, good = 2, excellent = 3), using meta-regression between interventions. Interventions evaluated were primary neurorrhaphy, neurolysis, nerve grafts, partial nerve transfer, neuromusculotendinous transfer, tendon transfer, ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), and arthrodesis. RESULTS One hundred and forty-four studies included 1284 patients published from 1985 through 2020. Transection/Cut: Excellent functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 126, 95%CI: 6.9, 2279.7, p=0.001), compared to AFO. Rupture/Avulsion: Excellent functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 73985359, 95%CI: 73985359, 73985359, p<0.001), nerve graft (OR: 4465917, 95%CI: 1288542, 15478276, p<0.001), and neuromusculotendinous transfer (OR: 42277348, 95%CI: 3001397, 595514030, p<0.001), compared to AFO. Traction/Stretch: Good functional results following tendon transfer (OR: 4.1, 95%CI: 1.17, 14.38, p=0.028), compared to AFO. Entrapment: Excellent functional results following neurolysis (OR: 4.6, 95%CI: 1.3, 16.6, p=0.019), compared to AFO. CONCLUSIONS Functional results may be optimized for treatments by the mechanism of nerve injury. Transection/Cut and Traction/Stretch had the best functional results following tendon transfer. Rupture/Avulsion had the best functional results following tendon transfer, nerve graft, or neuromusculotendinous transfer. Entrapment had the best functional results following neurolysis.
Nonparametric statistics with applications to science and engineering

Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Probability Basics. 3. Statistics Basics. 4. Bayesian Statistics. 5. Order Statistics. 6. Goodness of Fit. 7. Rank Tests. 8. Designed Experiments. 9. Categorical Data. 10. Estimating Distribution Functions. 11. Density Estimation. 12. Beyond Linear Regression. 13. Curve Fitting Techniques. 14. Wavelets. 15. Bootstrap. 16. EM Algorithm. 17. Statistical Learning. 18. Nonparametric Bayes. A. MATLAB. B. WinBUGS. MATLAB Index. Author Index. Subject Index.
Lagrangian Formulation and Green Functions

In the preceding chapters the theory of Dirac particles has been developed extensively, and a variety of applications carried out. But most of these model problems consisted of the electron or positron interacting with an external field, and took no account of the particle’s electromagnetic field. Further understanding can only be achieved by including the radiation field and effects of the self-field acting back on the particle—this is also necessary if the conservation laws for the total system are to be satisfied. The complete program, when finished, is known as quantum electrodynamics. Because the electromagnetic field is still classical at this point, it will be very useful to envision the Dirac theory as a classical field theory also, and to treat the bispinor ψ(x) as a classical field. In order to proceed in this way carefully, however, it is first useful to review in a general way the Lagrangian formulation of the classical theory of fields. [Much of the formalism can be found in more detail in Roman (1969), Aharoni (1965), or Itzykson and Zuber (1980).]
The Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act

A 2004 study of the results of stock trading by United States Senators during the 1990s found that that senators on average beat the market by 12% a year. In sharp contrast, U.S. households on average underperformed the market by 1.4% a year and even corporate insiders on average beat the market by only about 6% a year during that period. A reasonable inference is that some Senators had access to - and were using - material nonpublic information about the companies in whose stock they trade.Under current law, it is uncertain whether members of Congress can be held liable for insider trading. The proposed Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act addresses that problem by instructing the Securities and Exchange Commission to adopt rules intended to prohibit such trading.This article analyzes present law to determine whether members of Congress, Congressional employees, and other federal government employees can be held liable for trading on the basis of material nonpublic information. It argues that there is no public policy rationale for permitting such trading and that doing so creates perverse legislative incentives and opens the door to corruption. The article explains that the Speech and Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution is no barrier to legislative and regulatory restrictions on Congressional insider trading. Finally, the article critiques the current version of the STOCK Act, proposing several improvements.