cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the annual reproductive cycle of the female cobra, Naja naja. Seasonal variation in plasma inorganic ions*

Abstract Measurements of plasma calcium, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, sodium and chloride were made on monthly samples of plasma from female cobras, Naja naja from south China throughout the year. Plasma calcium and plasma inorganic phosphate increased significantly in April, May and June, and showed a high correlation with ovarian follicular development. Plasma sodium rose significantly only in April and May and did not appear to be related to ovarian development. It is suggested that plasma sodium levels may be related to seasonal adrenal gland activity. None of the other ions measured showed any significant seasonal variation. Injection of estradiol-benzoate at a dose of 50 μg/100g body wt every 2 days for 26 days into sexually quiescent snakes in December caused a highly significant increase (P 0·001) in plasma calcium, but had no effect on plasma magnesium or plasma cholesterol. Injection of progesterone or bovine prolactin had no effect on plasma calcium, magnesium or cholesterol.
Vortex telegraph noise in high magnetic fields

We cool untwinned single crystals of YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ) with columnar defects down to liquid-He temperatures and study the development of pinning in the strongly interacting Bose glass with local Hall-probe magnetometry. We are able to resolve discrete fluctuations in the local vortex density resulting from reconfigurations of the vortex assembly between metastable states nearby in energy. By varying the applied magnetic field, and therefore the mean vortex density, we gain microscopic information about vortex-vortex interactions.
A Concise Palladium-Catalyzed Carboamination Route to (±)-Tylophorine

A total synthesis of the racemic natural product tylophorine [(±)-1] has been demonstrated using the palladium-catalyzed carboamination method developed by Wolfe and co-workers. In this case, an electron-rich aryl bromide 18 was prepared in four steps and subjected to palladium-catalyzed Wolfe carboamination conditions with olefinic carbamate 7 to provide the racemic 2-(arylmethyl)pyrrolidine (±)-19 in good yield and was further elaborated to racemic tylophorine. This application of the Wolfe carboamination protocol as a key step to construct a natural product provides further evidence of the utility of the method.
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte opsonic receptor expression after hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Abstract We investigated the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and subsequent stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with either formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 expression and on degranulation and superoxide anion production. H/R primed both adherent and fluid-phase PMNs for subsequent upregulation of CD32 and CD16 (Fcγ receptors) when stimulated with FMLP and primed both Fcγ and complement (CD35, CD11b/CD18) receptors when stimulated with PMA. Kinetics assays demonstrated maximal up-regulation of CD32 and CD16 induced by H/R plus FMLP after 30 minutes of reoxygenation, whereas maximal receptor stimulation by H/R plus PMA occurred within 15 minutes of reoxygenation. Neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide abrogated the effect of H/R with subsequent stimulation of PMNs on receptor expression; however 10 −5 to 10 −8 mol/L concentrations of either taxol or phalloidin completely abrogated the effect of H/R plus FMLP or PMA on opsonic receptor expression. The effect of H/R plus FMLP on CD32 and CD16 expression was blocked by pertussis toxin, whereas staurosporine, H-7, H-9, and genistein had no effect. Conversely, the effect of H/R plus PMA on CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 expression was blocked by staurosporine and H-7 but not by H-9, pertussis toxin, or genistein. The up-regulation of CD32, CD16, CD35, and CD11b/CD18 induced by H/R plus FMLP or PMA in the presence or absence of matrix proteins resulted in the increased rosetting of E-anti-CD32, E anti-CD16, E-Con A, EC3b, and EC3bi, respectively. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibition with diphenyleneiodonium blocked the effect of H/R on receptor expression, degranulation, and superoxide anion production. These results demonstrate that H/R primes PMNs for subsequent receptor up-regulation by divergent intracellular signal transduction pathways and that the receptors induced to the cell surface are biologically active.
Time to Rethink Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C in Patients with Coexisting Mental Health/Substance Abuse Issues

Background A new era has dawned in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) virus with the use of direct-acting antiviral medications augmenting combination therapy. Unfortunately, the significant impact of improvements may not be realized if antiviral treatment is not expanded to include a larger proportion of patients, many of whom have coexisting mental health and/or substance abuse issues and have been historically deferred from treatment.
The SNAP project: towards sub-nanosecond arithmetic

SNAP-the Stanford subnanosecond arithmetic processor-is an interdisciplinary effort to develop theory, tools, and technology for realizing an arithmetic processor with execution rates under 1 ns. Specific improvements in clocking methods, floating-point addition algorithms, floating-point multiplication algorithms, division and higher-level function algorithms, design tools, and packaging technology were studied. These improvements have been demonstrated in the implementation of several VLSI designs. >
A trough cross‐stratified glaucarenite: a Cambrian tidal inlet accumulation

The upper part of the Riley Formation, Cambrian of central Texas, is primarily composed of a sequence of thoroughly trough cross-stratified deposits. The dominant lithologies range from fossiliferous glaucarenite to highly glauconitic bio-sparrudite. These cross-stratified deposits accumulated within a tidal inlet and associated lagoonal tributary and distributary channels. Tidal inlet-fill strata are underlain by shallow, open marine oosparites and biomicrites and are overlain by parallel bedded glaucarenites which accumulated as part of a barrier island complex. The parallel bedded deposits exhibit large scale, gently inclined strata, ripple cross-stratification, and a minor amount of vertical burrows. Some glaucarenite units within the tidal inlet-fill have local concentrations of skeletal material, primarily trilobite carapaces. These concentrations are most abundant in the bottoms of troughs. Cementation by bladed to fibrous spar between the carapaces has resulted in the nodular appearance of these skeletal accumulations. Calcite clasts, with relict evaporite textures, occur within the carbonate nodules and surrounding glaucarenite. These clasts were eroded from the shallow subsurface of the barrier island as the tidal inlet migrated. The presence of the former evaporite clasts attest to an arid climate at the time of their formation.
Proton radiation damage in p-channel CCDs fabricated on high- resistivity silicon

P-channel backside illuminated silicon charge-coupled devices (CCDs) were developed and fabricated on high-resistivity n-type silicon. The devices have been exposed up to 1 /spl times/ 10/sup 11/ protons/cm/sup 2/ at 12 MeV. The charge transfer efficiency and dark current were measured as a function of radiation dose. These CCDs were found to be significantly more radiation tolerant than conventional n-channel devices. This could prove to be a major benefit for space missions of long duration.
Scalable fuzzy clustering algorithms

Clustering is the most typical way to group unlabeled data. Today, there are very large unlabeled data sets available. Many of these data sets are too large to fit in the memory of a typical computer. Some of these data sets are so large that they can only be treated as data streams because not all of the data can be stored in a cost-effective manner. Fuzzy clustering algorithms are known to be very useful on small to medium-size data sets. This talk focuses on how to make some well understood classic fuzzy clustering algorithms scale to very large data sets and streaming data sets. The goal is to be able to create a data partition that reflects the whole data set, but requires practical computation times. In particular, we show that the fuzzy c-means families of algorithms can be scaled to provide data partitions that are very close and potentially identical to what you would get if you were able to cluster all the data. The general idea is to cluster subsets of the data and create weighted examples from the subsets. The weighted examples from a previous partition(s) are used with new data to create a new partition which reflects the examples currently loaded in memory and those partitioned previously. This process can be repeated until all the data has been clustered. Several variations on the theme of summarizing previous partitions with a set of weighted examples are given. Some history can be ignored, for example, in time changing data streams. One could also choose to cluster summarizations. Experimental data sets include several which contain tens of millions of examples, as well as streaming data sets. Results from real-world data sets show excellent partitions are obtained. For tractable size data sets it is shown that the partitions are comparable to those from fuzzy c-means when it clusters all the data.
Bacterial Communities Associated with the Lichen Symbiosis

Lichens are commonly described as a mutualistic symbiosis between fungi and “algae” (Chlorophyta or Cyanobacteria); however, they also have internal bacterial communities. Recent research suggests that lichen-associated microbes are an integral component of lichen thalli and that the classical view of this symbiotic relationship should be expanded to include bacteria. However, we still have a limited understanding of the phylogenetic structure of these communities and their variability across lichen species. To address these knowledge gaps, we used bar-coded pyrosequencing to survey the bacterial communities associated with lichens. Bacterial sequences obtained from four lichen species at multiple locations on rock outcrops suggested that each lichen species harbored a distinct community and that all communities were dominated by Alphaproteobacteria. Across all samples, we recovered numerous bacterial phylotypes that were closely related to sequences isolated from lichens in prior investigations, including those from a lichen-associated Rhizobiales lineage (LAR1; putative N2 fixers). LAR1-related phylotypes were relatively abundant and were found in all four lichen species, and many sequences closely related to other known N2 fixers (e.g., Azospirillum, Bradyrhizobium, and Frankia) were recovered. Our findings confirm the presence of highly structured bacterial communities within lichens and provide additional evidence that these bacteria may serve distinct functional roles within lichen symbioses.
Time Delay Estimator for Frequency Hopping System using Rank-Revealing Triangular Factorization

In this paper, the multipath time delay estimation (TDE) problem for a slow frequency hopping (SFH) system using rank revealing QR factorization method (RRQR) is considered. It gives precious information about numerical rank and null space. By applying the RRQR in association with the well-known MUSIC algorithm we achieved a highly efficient estimator. The proposed methods would generate estimates of the unknown delay parameters. Such estimates are based on the observation and/or covariance matrices. Moreover, the RRQR does not require the eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) of the cross-spectral matrix (CSM) or singular value decomposition (SVD) of the data matrix of received signals. Computer simulations are also included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
FATP2 is a hepatic fatty acid transporter and peroxisomal very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase

Fatty acid transport protein (FATP)2, a member of the FATP family of fatty acid uptake mediators, has independently been identified as a hepatic peroxisomal very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (VLACS). Here we address whether FATP2 is 1) a peroxisomal enzyme, 2) a plasma membrane-associated long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) transporter, or 3) a multifunctional protein. We found that, in mouse livers, only a minor fraction of FATP2 localizes to peroxisomes, where it contributes to approximately half of the peroxisomal VLACS activity. However, total hepatic (V)LACS activity was not significantly affected by loss of FATP2, while LCFA uptake was reduced by 40%, indicating a more prominent role in hepatic LCFA uptake. This suggests FATP2 as a potential target for a therapeutic intervention of hepatosteatosis. Adeno-associated virus 8-based short hairpin RNA expression vectors were used to achieve liver-specific FATP2 knockdown, which significantly reduced hepatosteatosis in the face of continued high-fat feeding, concomitant with improvements in liver physiology, fasting glucose, and insulin levels. Based on our findings, we propose a model in which FATP2 is a multifunctional protein that shows subcellular localization-dependent activity and is a major contributor to peroxisomal (V)LACS activity and hepatic fatty acid uptake, suggesting FATP2 as a potential novel target for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Buccal delivery of insulin: the time is now

The burgeoning numbers of individuals with diabetes mellitus and prediabetes, in particular Type 2 including large numbers of children, open up not only the classic risks for microvascular disease but the earlier and incapacitating risk for macrovascular disease. Oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin sensitizers have not been adequate to control postprandial glucose. Prandial insulin is most desirable but resistance to injections limits its use. This has led to a battery of needle-free insulin delivery systems. Buccal delivery stands out as being safe, simple, fast, flexible, and familiar to patient and physician alike.
Queueing model based network server performance control

Controlling the timing performance of a network server is a challenging problem. This paper presents a Queueing Model Based Feedback Control approach to keep the timing performance of a network server close to the service level specification. We show that in an instrumented Apache server, combining feedback control with a queueing model leads to better tracking of QoS specifications than with feedback control alone or queueing model based feed forward control alone.
Multiple roles for SR proteins in trans splicing.

The trans-splicing reaction involves the association of 5′; and 3′; splice sites contained on separate transcripts. The mechanism by which these splice sites are juxtaposed during trans-spliceosome assembly and the role of SR proteins at each stage in this process have not been determined. Utilizing a system that allows for the separation of the RNA binding and RS domains of SR proteins, we have found that SR proteins are required for at least two stages of the trans-splicing reaction. They are important both prior to and subsequent to the addition of U2 snRNP to the 3′; acceptor. In addition, we have demonstrated a role for RS domain phosphorylation in both of these activities. Dephosphorylation of the RS domain led to a block in U2 snRNP binding to the substrate. In a separate experiment, RS domain phosphorylation was also determined to be necessary for trans splicing to proceed on a substrate that had U2 snRNP already bound. This newly identified role for phosphorylated SR proteins post-U2-snRNP addition coincides with the recruitment of the 5′; splice site contained on the SL RNP, suggesting a role for SR proteins in splice site communication in trans splicing.
Peripheral Nerve Response to Injury

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons caring for patients who have sustained a nerve injury to a branch of the peripheral trigeminal nerve must possess a basic understanding of the response of the peripheral nerves to trauma. The series of events that subsequently take place are largely dependent on the injury type and severity. Regeneration of the peripheral nerve is possible in many instances and future manipulation of the regenerative microenvironment will lead to advances in the management of these difficult injuries.
Kinetics of neurotensin gene expression in the developing gut

Background: Expression of the gene encoding neurotensin (NT/N) is regulated in a strick temporal-and spatial-specific pattern during gut development; the mechanisms (that is, transcriptional versus posttranscriptional) responsible for this expression pattern are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether developmental changes in NT/N expression reflect alternations in gene transcription. Methods. Sensitive ribonuclease protection assays were performed with a rat NT/N genomic probe containing the entire sequence of both exon 1 and intron 1 hybridized with RNA from fetal (day 19) and postnatal (days 14, 28, and 60) rat jejunum and ileum; signals were quantitated densitometrically. Results. Mature (exon 1) and precursor (exon 1 + intron 1) NT/N RNA, initially low in the fetus, increased dramatically by postnatal day 14 and attained maximal levels by day 28. NT/N RNA levels remained stable in the ileum of the 60-day-old rat but decreased in the jejunum, consistent with the typical expression pattern in the gut. Conclusions. Concomitant changes in expression of precursor and mature NT/N RNA sugges that NT/N gene regulation occurs at the level of transcription in the gut during development. Identifying the factors that regulate NT/N gene transcription is crucial to our understanding of how neurotensin functions in the gut.
Using ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography to achieve comprehensive depth resolved microvasculature mapping for human retina

This paper presents comprehensive and depth-resolved retinal microvasculature images within human retina achieved by a newly developed ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography (UHS-OMAG) system. Due to its high flow sensitivity, UHS-OMAG is much more sensitive to tissue motion due to the involuntary movement of the human eye and head compared to the traditional OMAG system. To mitigate these motion artifacts on final imaging results, we propose a new phase compensation algorithm in which the traditional phase-compensation algorithm is repeatedly used to efficiently minimize the motion artifacts. Comparatively, this new algorithm demonstrates at least 8 to 25 times higher motion tolerability, critical for the UHS-OMAG system to achieve retinal microvasculature images with high quality. Furthermore, the new UHS-OMAG system employs a high speed line scan CMOS camera (240 kHz A-line scan rate) to capture 500 A-lines for one B-frame at a 400 Hz frame rate. With this system, we performed a series of in vivo experiments to visualize the retinal microvasculature in humans. Two featured imaging protocols are utilized. The first is of the low lateral resolution (16 μm) and a wide field of view (4 × 3 mm2 with single scan and 7 × 8 mm2 for multiple scans), while the second is of the high lateral resolution (5 μm) and a narrow field of view (1.5 × 1.2 mm2 with single scan). The great imaging performance delivered by our system suggests that UHS-OMAG can be a promising noninvasive alternative to the current clinical retinal microvasculature imaging techniques for the diagnosis of eye diseases with significant vascular involvement, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
MOTION MODELING CONCEPTS IN VIRTUAL MANUFACTURING SIMULATOR

Motion modeling is a fundamental component of any virtual manufacturing simulator. Motion modeling tools presented in this paper enable users to have full control of trajectory and motion parameters during entire simulation. Bezier spline based trajectory specification technique is used in modeling complex trajectories. Instead of using computationally expensive numerical analyses routines, a very accurate local technique is used for estimation and derivation of the motion parameters.
Differences in perceived barriers to volunteering to formal organizations: Lack of time versus lack of interest

This article reports the findings of a study of perceived barriers to volunteering to formal organizations by nonvolunteers. We examine the types of barriers, their frequencies, and their relationships with individual-level sociodemographic characteristics of nonvolunteers. Data from a 2001–2002 national survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are analyzed using multiple regression techniques. Contrary to general expectations, only three barriers—lack of time, lack of interest, and ill health—are fairly common. Furthermore, as expected, different social class groups identify different types of barriers. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical implications of the findings (for example, how indicators of social and cultural capital affect access to volunteer opportunities) and practical implications concerning recruitment of volunteers.
Order estimation for time-domain vector fitting

We derive a rule for estimating the order of the rational function fitting needed for accurate macromodel generation via the time-domain vector fitting. The proposed rule defines a relationship between the order, N, of the rational function approximation, the time duration, T, over which the response is desired and the frequency bandwidth W of the excitation.
International Agenda-Building and Agenda-Setting: Exploring the Influence of Public Relations Counsel on US News Media and Public Perceptions of Foreign Nations

To explore the influence of international public relations on US news media and public perceptions of foreign nations, this study used a triangulation of methods by comparing public relations couns...
Hydrodynamic Countermeasures for Local Pier Scour

The results of laboratory studies investigating the energy dissipation caused by the placement of roughness elements to impede the downward thrust of water near pier faces are summarized. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the method as a viable countermeasure for local pier scour. The results indicate that the roughness element size and spacing had various effects on the energy dissipated from the downward thrust of water and, therefore, the potential to reduce local pier scour. On the basis of the results that are presented, it should be feasible to develop countermeasures that can be retrofitted to existing piers, which will measurably reduce local pier scour. However, additional laboratory and prototype scale testing will be required.
African American and Hispanic Fathers’ Work Characteristics and Preschool Children’s Cognitive Development

Father involvement is a salient predictor of children’s cognitive development and recent studies suggest that African American and Hispanic fathers, who are highly involved, have children who enter school more poised to succeed. Little is known, however, about contextual barriers to positive father involvement in ethnic minority families. This study examined prospective relations between fathers’ work characteristics (i.e., total work hours per week, job satisfaction, and work shift) and children’s cognitive development in preschool (i.e., reading and math scores). A total of 2,340 children were included in the study (35% African American, 65% Hispanic). Fathers’ total work hours per week positively predicted children’s reading and math scores. Fathers’ work shift (i.e., nonstandard) positively predicted reading, but not math. In contrast, fathers’ job satisfaction negatively predicted children’s math achievement. Findings were evident even after controlling for a host of demographic factors (e.g., father...
The induction of cell-mediated immunity and tolerance with protein antigens coupled to syngeneic lymphoid cells.

A mouse model of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and tolerance to protein antigens horse gamma globulin (HoGG) and cytochrome (Cyt C) was investigated. A reliable CMI response as measured in vivo by ear swelling or by an in vitro T-cell proliferation assay could be induced by one of two methods: (a) sensitization by antigen-complete Freund's adjuvant in the base of the tail, or (b) sensitization by s.c. injection of antigen coupled to syngeneic lymphoid cells. The in vivo response exhibited characteristic CMI parameters, delayed kinetics, and transfer by viable T cells. Prior i.v. injection of HoGG-modified lymphoid cells (HoGG-LC) or Cyt C-LC before sensitization resulted in a rapidly induced, dose-dependent, antigen-specific suppression of both in vivo and in vitro manifestations of the CMI response. In addition, tolerance in this system was transferrable by an antigen-specific suppressor T cell (Ts). The Ts were found to diminish the in vivo ear swelling reaction in recipient animals, but had no effect on the in vitro T-cell proliferative response of the recipients. In contrast to the rapid development of tolerance in donor mice (phenotypic tolerance), transferrable Ts were first demonstrable 4--7 d posttolerization. This latter result indicates that at least two mechanisms of tolerance are operative in this system: the rapid induction of clone inhibition of reactive T cells and the slower induction of Ts. These results indicate again that the mode of antigen presentation is crucial in determining the immunologic outcome. In these experiments, cell-bound proteins injected subcutaneously led to delayed hypersensitivity while the same antigens injected intravenously led to tolerance. These results are considered in the light of recent experiments which show that T cells recognize antigens on cells in association with major histocompatibility complex products. We believe the following pathways are involved. In sensitization via subcutaneous injection of HoGG-LC, antigen reaches the lymph node via lymphatic pathways which lead to immunogenic macrophage-associated presentation and the activation of delayed hypersensitivity T cells (TDH). In tolerization via intravenous injection of HoGG-LC, antigen (a) reaches the lymph node via the blood, probably directly meeting the TDH, preventing its subsequent activation by immunogenic HoGG (clone inhibition) and (b) reaches the spleen, also via the blood, activating suppressor T cells.
Wittgenstein and the social sciences: critical reflections concerning Peter Winch’s interpretations and appropriations of Wittgenstein’s thought

Drawing heavily on Wittgenstein, Winch’s The Idea of a Social Science advanced a forceful and still valuable critique of positivist/empiricist conceptions of social science. In its more self-confident assertions concerning the nature of philosophy and society, however, Winch failed to recognize Wittgenstein’s acknowledgement of and appreciation for the indeterminacy and unsettled character of social and moral life.
Cytokines Secreted in Response to Toll-like Receptor Ligand Stimulation Modulate Differentiation of Human Th17 Cells

Objective Th17 cells (interleukin-17 [IL-17]–secreting T helper cells) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, but the soluble factors that influence human Th17 differentiation have yet to be fully elucidated. This study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that the cytokines secreted by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to a subset of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands would influence Th17 polarization. Methods Supernatants from human PBMCs treated with a panel of TLR agonists were tested for their ability to induce de novo IL-17 production in naive T helper cells. Multiplex cytokine analysis was used to identify candidate cytokines for subsequent blocking and sufficiency experiments. Results Conditioned media from PBMCs stimulated with TLR-4 or TLR-8/7 agonists, but not from those stimulated with TLR-2/1, -3, or -9 agonists, evoked robust secretion of IL-17 by T helper cells, independent of coculture with antigen-presenting cells. Multiplex analysis of 22 cytokines and chemokines identified a 6-factor cytokine signature that significantly correlated with IL-17–inducing activity. T cell activation in the presence of recombinant IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23 reconstituted robust IL-17 production, and this was enhanced by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). IL-6 suppressed the expression of forkhead box P3 and reversed TGFβ-mediated inhibition of T cell proliferation, but did not trigger IL-17 secretion. IL-17 production was completely abrogated by anti–IL-1 or IL-1 receptor antagonist and partially inhibited by anti–IL-6, anti–IL-2, or exogenous retinoic acid, but not by anti–tumor necrosis factor α. IL-1β and IL-6 independently induced IL-21 secretion, but the presence of IL-21 alone was not sufficient for IL-17 production. Conclusion These results indicate that ligation of a subset of TLRs generates proinflammatory cytokines that combine to potentiate human Th17 differentiation.
On smoke rings produced by a loop buried in a conductive half-space

The transient electromagnetic (TEM) response of a wire loop at the surface of the earth has been studied in detail for several decades. When current in the loop is rapidly switched off, an identical system of current, commonly referred to as a “smoke ring,” is induced in the conductive subsurface and diffuses downward and outward into the earth. What has not been studied as thoroughly is the response of a loop buried within a conductive medium, as might be the case in the marine environment or when TEM prospecting systems are placed in mine tunnels or horizontal boreholes. We have examined the TEM response of a horizontal wire loop buried within a conductive half-space. Expressions were derived for the azimuthal electric field and corresponding vertical and radial magnetic fields. Our results showed that when the loop is far from the earth-air interface, a single smoke ring system diffuses radially outward from the transmitter, while the electric field and corresponding current density decays away in the vertical direction. As the loop approaches the interface, the smoke ring system diffuses radially at early times, but gradually, the complex image of the loop in the air produces a system of secondary azimuthal electric fields, which, when combined with the primary field, adds a vertical component to the field diffusion. At late times, the field behavior reduces to the well-known surface case and the maximum current system diffuses downward at a constant angle of 26° with respect to the plane of the loop. We concluded that it was the effect of the interface that produces the downward migration of a smoke ring system, whereas the outward migration is mainly generated by the primary field.
Forebrain nuclei involved in autonomic control.

Publisher Summary There is a set of nuclei that are interconnected and have been termed the central autonomic network. Apart from its reciprocal interconnections, this network innervates both the vagal and sympathetic preganglionic neurons and thus regulates autonomic functions. This chapter provides a summary of this field with an emphasis on cardiovascular regulation. Several key regions of the forebrain are involved in the regulation of autonomic functions. These areas include the several areas within the hypothalamus, the basal forebrain, and the cerebral cortex. All these areas have been implicated on anatomical grounds to be part of a central autonomic network involving multiple interconnecting circuits. Apart from these complex interconnections, most of these areas project to the lower brain stem where they are capable of influencing the cell groups that innervate the vagal and sympathetic preganglionic neurons or in some cases, like the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus and the lateral hypothalamic area, provide direct projections to these neurons.
Clinical overview of typical Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections.

A number of clinical and epidemiological factors permit the tentative identification of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. These selective factors can be considered the mainstay of diagnosis because they facilitate intelligent and efficient use of laboratory tests. The laboratory, in turn, through identification of the causative agent, augments both clinical and epidemiological data. The laboratory can better serve its purpose as more rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic methods come into use
Impact of New Diagnostic Approaches for Invasive Candidiasis on Antifungal Stewardship

Invasive candidiasis (IC) including candidemia and deep-seated candidiasis is associated with up to 50 % overall mortality and up to $80,000 in attributable cost (2015 US$). Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for Candida have been developed. However, whether RDTs along with real-time decision support translate to better attainment of stewardship goals—improve clinical outcomes, minimize unintended consequences of antifungal use, and reduce healthcare costs—is unknown. The purpose of this systematic review was to provide an up-to-date review of recently published studies that have assessed how RDTs for IC impact attainment of these goals. Three electronic bibliographic databases were searched using a pre-defined search strategy evaluating the impact of RDTs for IC on attainment of antifungal stewardship goals. Quality assessments were performed by two reviewers using established study methodology metrics. Eight studies were identified of which five had sufficient information to be included in the review. Despite the limitations of the various studies and the different methodologies employed, the studies all produced similar conclusions. Compared to conventional methods and baseline stewardship activities, the integration of RDTs for IC and real-time decision support, mainly through antifungal stewardship, was associated with decreased mortality, more optimal use of antifungals, and reduced healthcare costs. However, larger clinical studies are needed to confirm these trends.
A trip down memory lane about sex differences in the brain

Scientific studies funded by the United States government must now include both males and females as experimental subjects. This is a welcomed change for those of us who have been reporting on sex differences for decades. That said, there are some issues to consider; I focus on one in this review: females used in animal models of mental illness and health are almost always virgins and yet most adult females around the world, irrespective of species, are not virgins. I am not advocating that all scientists include non-virgin females in laboratory studies, but rather to consider the dynamic nature of the female brain when drawing conclusions through discovery. Stressful life experiences, including those related to sexual aggression and trauma, can have a lasting impact on processes of learning related to mental health and plasticity in the female brain. Her response to stress can change rather dramatically as she emerges from puberty to become pregnant and produce offspring, as she must learn to care for those offspring. The inclusion of females in scientific research has been a long time coming but it comes with a history. Going forward, we should take advantage of that history to generate hypotheses that are both reasonable and meaningful.
A Clarification of Certain Structures in the Thoracic Region of Oxyrhachis (Homoptera: Membracidae)

Two species of Oxyrhachis, and for comparison 2 species of Stictocephala, were examined. Ventrolateral teeth on the thorax of Oxyrhachis are located on the pronotum and the mesothoracic episternum. Only 1 propleural sclerite is present in both genera. The mesothoracic scutellum is distinct only laterally in Oxyrhachis. The mesothoracic epimeron has been misidentified by some authors as the metapleuron. The ventrolateral subdivisions of the metascutum may represent the metascutellum.
Between Celebration and Despair: Constructive Suggestions for Future International Theory

Just as contemporary global politics are in a state of dramatic flux, so are theories of international relations. A significant aspect of the “Third Debate” now in progress concerns exactly what attitudes toward all this growing theoretical uncertainty should be. The authors stake out their own position between the poles of “celebration” and “despair.” They start by outlining what they perceive to be the positive and “destructive” features of “dissident” perspectives. While reaffirming faith in a less-rigorous empiricism, they nonetheless advance a series of “constructive guidelines for progress in theory” that involve rejection of various “mainstream” approaches including realism. Finally, they offer a unified conceptualization of global politics and suggested research agenda that focuses on the interrelationship among authorities/polities, human loyalties, and value allocation.
Using Universal Screening for Early Identification of Students at Risk: A Case Example from the Field.

This study describes the benefits of systematic universal screening (US) for school counselors engaged in the creation of effective, multi-tiered systems of support that address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral student concerns. The authors used an action research framework to present a case example of one school district's pilot of US and the role of the school counselor in the identification of students in need of social-emotional support. This article discusses implications for school counselor collaboration with other school-based mental health professionals.
First isolation and laboratory diagnosis of brucella in Anhui province

Objective To establish the method of isolation and identification of brucellosis pathogen,and confirm a case of suspected brucellosis patient in our province.Methods The acute blood of the patient was collected,then enriched in fluid and cultivated with chocolate agar plate.The cultivation of strains was Gram staining,biochemical identification and 16S rRNA sequences analysis.Results The strains were G-,short rod,and had no endospore.The report by VITEK2 Compact automatic biochemical identification instrument was brucella melitensis(resolution was 99%).The 16S rRNA sequences similarity was 100%.Conclusion A strain of brucella melitensis was isolated firstly from the blood sample of patient,and the patient suffered from brucellosis was determined in our laboratory.
Revisiting the reported signal of acute pancreatitis with rasburicase: an object lesson in pharmacovigilance

Introduction: There is an interest in methodologies to expeditiously detect credible signals of drug-induced pancreatitis. An example is the reported signal of pancreatitis with rasburicase emerging from a study [the ‘index publication’ (IP)] combining quantitative signal detection findings from a spontaneous reporting system (SRS) and electronic health records (EHRs). The signal was reportedly supported by a clinical review with a case series manuscript in progress. The reported signal is noteworthy, being initially classified as a false-positive finding for the chosen reference standard, but reclassified as a ‘clinically supported’ signal.
Neonatal Intractable Seizures and Valproic acid Therapy

Seizures resistant to phenobarbital were controlled in four of six neonates by valproic acid (VPA) monotherapy and in one with polytherapy at the Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC.
Creating an Institutional Agenda for Community-Engaged Scholarship Faculty Development

Building a comprehensive and robust faculty development agenda is key to securing an institution’s status as a fully engaged campus. This article provides an editorial on the articles presented in this volume, which highlight the experiences of a group of engaged scholars and their research partners who participated in a four-year faculty development initiative designed to enhance their capacities to produce high quality community-engaged scholarship.
Flow alteration signatures of diversion hydropower: An analysis of 32 rivers in southwestern China

Hydrologic changes caused by diversion hydropower are poorly described. Herein we evaluate hydrologic alteration in 32 ungauged rivers developed for diversion hydropower. We simulated long-term unregulated discharge records before perturbing flows with the hydropower diversion and comparing periods with and without diversion. We detected statistically significant changes to flow regime metrics across all rivers. Magnitudes across a range of flows consistently decreased following diversion, flow variability decreased substantially, and transitions between flows of different magnitudes became more abrupt. Magnitudes of 7-day minimum flows were lower by a mean of 41 ± 23% (p < 0.05 for 19 rivers), annual maximum flows decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in 22 rivers, and 7-day maximum flows decreased by a mean of 52 ± 18% (p < 0.05 for 26 rivers). Temporally dynamic low to moderate flows were replaced by static minimal flows, leading to a mean 184 ± 49% increase in flow constancy. Mean duration of events sustained below the pre-diversion Q75 increased (p < 0.05 for 32 rivers) from a mean of 3 days to a mean of 27 days after diversion. Mean hydrograph rise and fall rates doubled and tripled respectively (p < 0.05 for 28 rivers). We detected few changes to peak flow timing. Although direction of observed change was consistent among the rivers, magnitudes and significance of response often varied between rivers. A proposed diversion index largely explained response variability among the 32 rivers. Results highlight that hydropower systems without storage reservoirs can profoundly affect river flow regimes when water is diverted from the river.
Root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and soil water content under perennial grasses with different nitrogen rates

Abstract Roots help in soil water and nutrient uptake and provide carbon (C) input for soil C sequestration, but information on root biomass of bioenergy perennial grasses is lacking. Root/shoot ratios are used to estimate crop root biomass and C inputs, but the values for perennial grasses are also scanty. We examined root biomass, root/shoot ratios, and soil water contents to a depth of 120 cm after grass harvest in the fall for three bioenergy perennial grasses applied with four nitrogen (N) fertilization rates from 2011 to 2013 in the northern Great Plains, USA. Perennial grasses were intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth and Dewey), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), and N fertilization rates were 0, 28, 56, and 84 kg N ha−1. Root biomass declined with depth and about 60% of the total biomass was located at 0–15 cm where intermediate wheatgrass and switchgrass had higher biomass than smooth bromegrass in 2011. Shoot biomass was greater in intermediate wheatgrass in 2011 and in switchgrass in 2013 than other grasses and increased with increased N rates. Root/shoot ratio was greater in switchgrass than other grasses at 0–120 cm in 2011, but was greater in smooth bromegrass than switchgrass at 0–60, 0–90, and 0–120 cm in 2012 and 2013. Mean root/shoot ratios across N rates and years were not different among grasses and varied from 1.54 at 0–15 cm to 2.54 at 0–120 cm, which were substantially greater than 0.15 and 0.33, respectively, observed for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Soil water content increased with depth and was greater under switchgrass than other grasses at 0–120 cm in 2011 and 2013. Water content varied with N rate at various soil depths and years. Root biomass was negatively correlated with soil water content (r = −0.56, P = 0.03, n = 15). Because of greater root and shoot biomass, intermediate wheatgrass reduced soil water content due to increased water uptake and will likely provide more C inputs for soil C sequestration from belowground biomass compared to smooth bromegrass and spring wheat.
Anesthesia for Open Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) affect a significant number of patients with more than 45,000 adults undergoing repair every year. Clinically significant aneurysms are found in about 1% of the 55–65 year-old male population in the US and progresses at a rate of 2–4% per decade of life thereafter. The risk of rupture increases exponentially when the size of the aneurysm reaches 4.5 cm in diameter with devastating consequences. The majority of aneurysms are incidental findings which carry much lower risk from elective repair than when ruptured where the mortality risk can reach 50%. Open AAA repair can be hazardous surgery with significant hemodynamic perturbations that requires considerable anesthesia knowledge to bring the patient successfully through. It is important for the anesthesiologist to understand how the type of aneurysm and involved vessels, as well as the patient’s comorbidities affect the decision whether open surgical repair or endovascular repair will be chosen. The procedure involves aortic cross-clamping, and the anatomical position and duration the vascular clamps are applied will profoundly impact organ function, preservation techniques and potential tissue injury. Unclamping and ensuing reperfusion sets off a cascade of events that are not limited to the operating room. These processes continue in the immediate postoperative period, and it is paramount for the anesthesia provider to understand how they may affect subsequent anesthetic and hemodynamic management.
Cohort study comparing the diagnostic yields of 2 different EUS fine-needle biopsy needles

Background and Aims Two second-generation, flexible EUS fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles have been marketed recently in the United States. Thus far, there have been no comparative studies of the diagnostic yield of these needles. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield achieved with FNB by using 1 needle during 1 time period and the other needle during a second time period. Methods Consecutive patients with solid lesions undergoing EUS-FNB by using 1 of two 22-gauge FNB needles (Franseen needle or fork-tip) at 2 different time intervals were included. The final diagnosis was based on positive pathology results. In cases of a negative pathology result, the final diagnosis was based on clinical and imaging follow-up. Results A total of 194 lesions (97 in each group) were sampled in 179 patients. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was used in 12% of cases. The overall diagnostic yield was lower in the Franseen needle group compared with the fork-tip needle group (61/97 [63%] vs 75/97 [77%], odds ratio (OR) 2.01, 1.07-3.8; P = .027). Similarly, subanalysis of the yield for solid pancreatic masses demonstrated a lower yield with the Franseen needle (34/53 [64%] vs 40/47 [85%], OR 3.4, 9.1-8.9; P = .017). Multivariate analysis controlling for the number of passes, site, and lesion size did not have any effect on diagnostic yield. There were no adverse events in either group. Conclusion In this first, large, single-center comparative cohort study of 2 new, second-generation EUS-FNB needles of different design, the diagnostic yield when used primarily without ROSE was high in both groups but was significantly higher when a fork-tip needle was used.
Restraining the Court: Assessing Accounts of Congressional Attempts to Limit Supreme Court Authority

We propose a multilevel account of legislative Court curbing in order to assess existing explanations as to why such proposals come about. We argue that although Court curbing is commonly seen as the result of institutional conflict between Congress and the Supreme Court, it is best understood as a product of three interrelated factors: the individual motivations on the part of lawmakers, the partisan context in which they operate, and institutional disagreements between Court and legislature. We find evidence that micro‐level factors offer an important insight into Court curbing that institution‐focused explanations alone cannot.