cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Follicle Selection in Cattle: Role of Luteinizing Hormone

The circulating concentrations of LH were reduced by administration of 50 mg of progesterone every 8 h for 72 h, beginning when the largest follicle was 6.0 mm (experiment 1; n = 10). Progesterone treatment prevented the transient increase in LH that accompanied deviation (partitioning into dominant and subordinate categories) in control heifers (n = 10). The reduced LH concentrations were associated with reduced growth of the largest follicle, beginning a mean of 31 h after deviation, but did not alter the time of deviation or the growth and regression of the second-largest follicle. In experiment 2, 0 mg (controls) or 50 mg of progesterone was given every 8 h for three injections, beginning when the largest follicle was 7.0 mm (predeviation group) or 9.0 mm (postdeviation group; n = 8 for each of the four groups). Blood samples from the jugular vein and follicular-fluid samples from the two largest follicles were taken 8 h after the last treatment when the largest follicle was a mean of 8.7 mm in the predeviation group and 10.8 mm in the postdeviation group. In the controls, follicular-fluid concentrations of estradiol and free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in the largest follicle and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2 in the second-largest follicle were higher (P < 0.05) in the postdeviation group than in the predeviation group. Progesterone treatment lowered (P < 0.006) the circulating LH concentrations to a similar extent in both groups. In the predeviation group, progesterone treatment did not have a significant effect on any of the characteristics of the largest follicle. In the postdeviation group, the largest follicle of the progesterone-treated heifers had significant reductions in diameter and in follicular-fluid concentrations of estradiol and free IGF-1. Follicular-fluid concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin were not different for any of the comparisons. The results supported the hypothesis that LH has a positive effect on diameter of the largest follicle but not until after the beginning of diameter deviation. In addition, the results indicated that LH is involved in the production of estradiol by the largest follicle and that free IGF-1 concentrations increase in the largest follicle during deviation.
Measurement of perceived disruption during rebuilding following Hurricane Andrew

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a measure of perceived disruption during rebuilding following a disaster. Two eight-item scales, which measured intensity of disruption during the entire repair phase (Intensity-RP) and intensity of disruption during the past month (Intensity-PM) were developed and administered to 135 survivors of Hurricane Andrew. At 9 to 12 months postdisaster, Intensity-RP and Intensity-PM were both significantly associated with scores on the Global Severity Index of the SCL-90-R, and with scores on the Impact of Event-Intrusion Scale; Intensity-PM alone was significantly associated with PTSD scores. Regression analyses indicated that each scale contributed significant unique variance in predicting mental health symptoms, even after controlling for relevant demographic and initial disaster exposure variables.
Role of dietary supplements in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: A review

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major source of morbidity and mortality. As the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension continues to grow among young adults, the population at risk for atherosclerotic CHD is ever increasing. More than a century of laboratory and human findings link cholesterol levels with a propensity to develop atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major atherogenic lipoprotein, and numerous clinical trials have shown the efficacy of lowering LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) for reducing CHD risk. New trial data have resulted in LDL-C goals being lowered over time and expansion of the population of patients that are candidates for LDL-lowering therapy to decrease their lifetime risk of CHD. Although statins are relatively safe and well tolerated, there are still significant numbers of patients who cannot tolerate them and many others who only require mild LDL-C reduction and prefer nonprescription alternatives to statin therapy. A number of dietary supplements and functional foods have been suggested to reduce LDL-C levels, but only a few have withstood the rigors of randomized controlled trials. Here we review the evidence in support of dietary supplements and their LDL-C−lowering effects. We also review supplements that, after initial excitement about their purported effect, were not found to lower LDL-C significantly.
Remote Viewing Can Enhance The Auditing Process

Remote viewing is a branch of parapsychology involving mental telepathy to view targeted objects. Significant studies and applications are cited that have legitimized remote viewing as a credible and valuable technique. This paper explores the application of remote viewing to some aspects of the auditing process. The author’s premise is that remote viewing can be used to detect anomalies in accounting systems. Its most relevant use may be for assessment questioning in a fraud investigation.
Two-year Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of a Flowable and Conventional Composite in Class I Restorations

Clinical Relevance Flowable composites may be an acceptable restorative material for small load-bearing posterior restorations.
Reflectivity, Ice Scattering, and Lightning Characteristics of Hurricane Eyewalls and Rainbands. Part I: Quantitative Description

Abstract Covering December 1997 through December 1998, 261 overpasses of 45 hurricanes by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are used to document the observed radar reflectivity values, passive microwave ice scattering magnitudes, and total lightning (cloud to ground plus in cloud). These parameters are interpreted as describing convective vigor or intensity, with greater reflectivities (particularly aloft), greater ice scattering (lower 85- and 37-GHz brightness temperatures), and increased lightning frequency indicating more intense convection. For each parameter, the full distribution of values observed during the TRMM satellite's first year is presented for specific regions. Properties of three regions of the hurricane (eyewall, inner rainband, and outer rainband) are treated separately and compared to other tropical oceanic and tropical continental precipitation systems. Reflectivity profiles and ice scattering signatures are found to be fairly similar for both hurricane and non...
Two Inverse Problems for the Exponential Radon Transform

Let ϕ, 0 ≤ ϕ < 2π, be an angle measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis in the plane. Let x = (cos ϕ,sin ϕ) be the direction corresponding to ϕ and x ⊥ =(-sin ϕ,cos ϕ). The exponential Radon transform of a function f in the plane is defined by $${R_u}f(\varphi ,s){\smallint ^\infty }_{ - \infty }f(s\omega + t{\omega ^ \bot }){e^{ut}}dt.$$ (1.1)
Tanvolutes: Generalized Involutes

The classical involute of a plane base curve intersects every tangent line at a right angle. This paper introduces a tanvolute, which intersects every tangent line at any given fixed angle. This minor change in the definition of a classical concept leads to a wealth of new examples and phenomena that go far beyond the original situation. Our treatment is based on two differential equations relating arclength functions for the base curve and its tanvolute, the tangent-length function from the base to the tanvolute, and the fixed angle. The parameters in the differential equations contribute many essential features to the solution curves. Even when the base curve is relatively simple, for example a circle, the variety in the shapes of the tanvolutes is remarkably rich. To illustrate, as a circle shrinks to a single point, its tanvolute becomes a logarithmic spiral! An application is given to a generalized pursuit problem in which a missile is fired at constant speed in an unknown tangent direction from an unknown point on a base curve. Surprisingly, it can always be intercepted by a faster constant-speed missile that follows a specific tanvolute of the base curve.
New Governance & Legal Regulation: Complementarity, Rivalry, and Transformation

New approaches to regulation have emerged to deal with inadequacies of traditional command and control systems. Such "new governance" mechanisms are designed to increase flexibility, improve participation, foster experimentation and deliberation, and accommodate regulation by multiple levels of government. In many cases, these mechanisms co-exist with conventional forms of regulation. As new forms of governance emerge in arenas regulated by conventional legal processes, a wide range of configurations is possible. The purpose of this Article is to provide a preliminary mapping of such relationships, using examples drawn from the European Union and the United States. When traditional law and new governance are yoked together in a hybrid form, we might speak of a real transformation in the law. In other cases, systems of law and new governance may exist in parallel but not fuse together. Where both systems co-exist but do not fuse, there are numerous possible configurations and relationships among them. One might launch the other, as when formal law is used to mandate a new governance approach. Or, they might operate independently yet both may have an effect on the same policy domain. Finally, in some areas one system may take over the field, either because new governance methods replace traditional law altogether, or because opposition to innovation halts efforts to employ new approaches.
Scandia Steel Ab: Kaj Johansson

This case provides the background for one participant in a contract negotiation regarding price, duration, and exclusivity.
Estimation of "2"4"0Pu Mass in a Waste Tank Using Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Radioactive Xenon Isotopes from Spontaneous Fission

We report on a technique to detect and quantify the amount of 240Pu in a large tank used to store nuclear waste from plutonium production at the Hanford nuclear site. While the contents of this waste tank are known from previous grab sample measurements, our technique could allow for determination of the amount of 240Pu in the tank without costly sample retrieval and analysis of this highly radioactive material. This technique makes an assumption, which was confirmed, that 240Pu dominates the spontaneous fissions occurring in the tank.
Study of hope in patients with critical burn injuries.

The purpose of this study was to determine which factors patients with critical burn injuries would identify as affecting their feelings of hope; specific attention was given to the influence of nursing actions on these feelings. The nonprobability purposive sample consisted of nine white male patients who had been admitted to a large burn center in the Southwest. Content analysis technique was used to determine the nursing behaviors that influenced the patients' levels of hope. Hope in this study is viewed as a dynamic process with past, present, and future dimensions. The majority of factors that subjects identified as affecting their levels of hope evolved from the present dimension. This study indicates that factors that affected each subject's level of hope were contingent upon where the patient was in the psychological recovery process that occurs after burn injury. Accordingly, the efficacy of specific nursing actions is contingent upon consideration of these same factors. (J BURN CARE REHABIL 1993;14:207–14)
Feeding Behavior of CryIIIA-Resistant and Susceptible Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleopera: Chrysomelidae) Larvae on Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis-Transonic CryIIIA-Treated and Untreated Potato Foliage

Behavior of Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis-resistant and -susceptible Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), larvae on cryIIIA-treated. B. thuringiensis tenebrionis-transgenic, and untreated foliage was quantified. The behavior of resistant larvae was not affected by cryIIIA on treated leaves. Susceptible larvae exposed to cryIIIA-treated foliage spent approximately 2% of the time feeding, whereas susceptible larvae on untreated foliage spent 28% of the time feeding. Resting time for susceptible larvae on cryIIIA-treated foliage was nearly double resting time on untreated foliage. On cryIIIA-treated foliage, resistant larvae spent 11% of the time feeding, significantly longer than for susceptible larvae. The behavior of both resistant and susceptible larvae on B. thuringiensis tenebrionis-transgenic leaves was similar to that of susceptible larvae on cryIIIA-treated leaves. Larval position on the upper versus lower surfaces of leaves was not affected by B. thuringiensis tenebrionis, and did not differ between resistant and susceptible strains. Our results suggest that larvae resistant to formulated B. thuringiensis tenebrionis insecticides may remain susceptible to B. thuringiensis tenebrionis-transgenic plants that express high concentrations of toxin.
Safety and efficacy of single-stage conversion of failed adjustable gastric band to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a case–control study

We conducted the following study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-stage conversion of failed laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) to laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) as compared to a cohort of primary LRYGB patients. A single-institution, prospectively maintained bariatric database was used to retrospectively identify consecutive patients who underwent single-stage removal of LAGB with concomitant conversion to LRYGB between the years of 2007 and 2013. The study cohort was matched 1:1 for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and approximate date of operation to patients who underwent primary LRYGB. Primary endpoints were operative time, complication rate, length of hospital stay (LOS), and percent excess BMI lost (%EBMIL) at 24-month follow-up. Ninety-four conversion patients met inclusion criteria. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean LOS (3.1 vs. 3.0 days, p = 0.97) or the major complication rate (3.2 vs. 1.1 %, p = 0.62) at 30 days postoperatively. Likewise, 30-day minor complication rates, including readmission, were similar between groups (7.5 vs. 6.4 %, p = 0.77). The average operative time was significantly longer for conversion compared to primary LRYGB (193.5 vs. 132 min; p < 0.01). At most recent follow-up after conversion or primary LRYGB, median %EBMIL was 61.3 and 77.3 % (p < 0.01), percent total weight loss was 23.6 and 30.5 % (p < 0.01), and percent change in BMI was 23.4 and 30.5 % (p < 0.01), respectively. Median follow-up time was 17 and 18.6 months after conversion and primary LRYGB, respectively. Single-stage conversion of LAGB to LRYGB is safe with an acceptable complication rate and similar LOS compared to primary LRYGB.
Monitoring results of AIDS among MSM in Huaian from 2010-2013

[Objective]To investigate the epidemic situation of AIDS,relevant sexual behavior and changes among men who have sex with men( MSM) in Huaian from 2010-2013,provide basis for adopting effective preventive and control measures. [Methods]MSM in Huaian were recruited by snowball sampling and network to carried out questionnaire survey. Their blood specimens were collected for testing HIV,syphilis and HCV. [Results] A total of 261,268,421 and 402 MSM were investigated from 2010-2013. The positive rates of HIV were 5. 36%,4. 85%,5. 94% and 5. 47% respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant. The awareness rate of AIDS related knowledge was more than 90%. The proportion of insisting on using condoms among anal sex persons were 37. 64%,40. 22%,37. 89% and 42. 43%,and the difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of insisting on using condoms among heterosexuality persons were 29. 21%,26. 73%,20. 81% and 16. 94%,and the difference was statistically significant.[Conclusion]The separation of knowledge and behavior exists in MSM in Huaian. MSM may become the bridge of the spread of AIDS to their female sexual partners. We should strengthen the behavior intervention among MSM,promote the condoms and carry out behavior intervention for HIV positive MSM to reduce the spread of HIV.
Gender and texting

Femininity predicted emoticon use; ? was used most frequently.Texting interfered with class preparation/studying for over 70% of students.Gender-linked attitudes predicted school-related texting and relationship conflict.Men were more likely than women to receive sexually explicit text messages.Gender-linked attitudes were related to men's sending explicit texts, "sexting". Texting, although one of the newer forms of computer-mediated communication, has become very popular, especially among teens. This research, using self-report measures, explored college students' perceptions of texting, including texting's leading to relationship conflict and interfering with classes, as well as how attitudes towards texting were related to masculinity, femininity, and gender-linked (traditional)/gender-transcendent (nontraditional) attitudes. Our participants (n=183) more frequently used emoticons than abbreviations, especially vulgar abbreviations. Over 70% reported at least minimal texting interference with classes/college preparation, and over 60% indicated that their own or their significant other's texting contributed to relationship conflict. The only significant male-female difference was in sexually explicit messages received, but positive associations were found between more traditional gendered attitudes and texting interfering with studying/school, with relationship conflict, and, for men only, "sexting" and using vulgar abbreviations. Other findings included gender transcendence being negatively associated with the reported number of messages sent as well as being bothered by texting; femininity also predicted frequency of emoticon use. Our research suggests that individual differences in texting may be related to variables associated with gendered self-perceptions and traditional gender roles.
Transgenic Mice Carrying the Human MDR 1 Gene: Reliable In Vivo Probes to Examine Multidrug Resistance

Resistance to chemotherapy poses an ultimate obstacle to curing human cancer which is not amenable to definitive surgical or radiation treatment. Numerous investigations have uncovered processes instigating a clinically relevant broad cross-resistance spectrum to natural product cytotoxic compounds without striking functional or structural similarities, termed multiple drug resistance (MDR) [15]. The compiled evidence implies that the so-called multidrug transporter, P-170 glycoprotein, encoded by the human MDR 1 gene [23], is sufficient to produce MDR of cancer cells [8]. Its functions predominantly involve the rapid extrusion of hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents from the cell before they can exert their designated actions [11].
Development of a Prognostic Survival Algorithm for Patients with Metastatic Spine Disease.

Background: Current prognostication models for survival estimation in patients with metastatic spine disease lack accuracy. Identifying new risk factors could improve existing models. We assessed factors associated with survival in patients surgically treated for spine metastases, created a classic scoring algorithm, nomogram, and boosting algorithm, and tested the predictive accuracy of the three created algorithms at estimating survival. Methods: We included 649 patients from two tertiary care referral centers in this retrospective study (2002 to 2014). A multivariate Cox model was used to identify factors independently associated with survival. We created a classic scoring system, a nomogram, and a boosting (i.e., machine learning) algorithm and calculated their accuracy by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; p = 0.009), poor performance status (HR, 1.54; p = 0.001), primary cancer type (HR, 1.68; p 1 spine metastasis (HR, 1.32; p = 0.009), lung and/or liver metastasis (HR, 1.35; p = 0.005), brain metastasis (HR, 1.90; p < 0.001), any systemic therapy for cancer prior to a surgical procedure (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) (HR, 1.65; p < 0.001), higher white blood-cell count (HR, 1.03; p = 0.002), and lower hemoglobin levels (HR, 0.92; p = 0.009) were independently associated with decreased survival. The boosting algorithm was best at predicting survival on the training data sets (p < 0.001); the nomogram was more reliable at estimating survival on the test data sets, with an accuracy of 0.75 (30 days), 0.73 (90 days), and 0.75 (365 days). Conclusions: We identified risk factors associated with survival that should be considered in prognostication. Performance of the boosting algorithm and nomogram were comparable on the testing data sets. However, the nomogram is easier to apply and therefore more useful to aid surgical decision-making. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A review of Ascodipterinae (Diptera: Streblidae) of the Oriental and Australasian regions with a description of three new species of Ascodipteron Adensamer and a key to the subfamily

The Ascodipterinae of the Oriental and Australasian regions are reviewed. Three new species, each known only from dealate females, are described: 1) Ascodipteron egeri sp. nov. from Malaysia, ex. Megaderma spasma (Linnaeus) attached in urogenital area; 2) Ascodipteron longiascus sp. nov. from southern China, ex. Hipposideros armiger (Hodgson), attachment site unknown; and 3) Ascodipteron wenzeli sp. nov.from Vietnam and Malaysia, ex. Rhinolophus spp. attached in urogenital area. A neotype and lectotype are designated for Ascodipteron phyllorhinae Adensamer and Ascodipteron speiserianum Muir, respectively. A neotype is designated for Ascodipteron archboldi Maa and a lectotype for Ascodipteron emballonurae Banks; the former an objective synonym of A. phyllorhinae and the latter a junior synonym of A. phyllorhinae. A neotype is also designated for Ascodipteron australiansi Muir which is regarded as a junior synonym of A. speiserianum. Ascodipteron lophotes Monticelli, A. megastigmatos Jobling, A. siamense Speiser and A. tabulatum Speiser are considered nomina dubia. The genus Paraascodipteron is tentatively referred to the subfamilyBrachytarsininae. The distribution of Maabella stomalata Hastriter and Bush is extended from China and Vietnam to Borneo, Java, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippine Islands, and West Papua on numerous species of Hipposideros and Rhinolophus. A key to the recognized species of Ascodipterinae is provided. There are fifteen valid species of Ascodipteron.
The relationship between diversion-related attitudes and sharing and selling buprenorphine

Abstract Objective Buprenorphine medication-assisted treatment (B-MAT) is an efficacious and popular outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder. However, the likelihood of buprenorphine diversion is a public health concern. We examined the relationship between attitudes toward diversion as predictors of both sharing and selling buprenorphine. Method Participants ( n =476) were patients undergoing short-term inpatient opioid detoxification. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted association of sharing and selling buprenorphine with demographics, substance use behaviors, and attitudes toward sharing and selling buprenorphine. Results Among the two hundred persons who had ever been prescribed buprenorphine (73.4% male, 89% heroin users), 50.5% reported they had shared buprenorphine and 28.0% reported they had sold buprenorphine. Controlling for other covariates, the odds of sharing buprenorphine were 3.17 (95% CI 1.21; 8.32) times higher for persons who agreed that it was "right to share buprenorphine with dope sick friends" than for those who did not agree with this attitude. Attitudes toward selling (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.35; 6.21) and sharing (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.64; 10.32) buprenorphine were the only significant correlates of selling, with the odds of selling exponentially greater among persons with favorable attitudes toward sharing or selling buprenorphine. Conclusions Although considered diversion, sharing B-MAT is normative among B-MAT patients. Assessing B-MAT patients' attitudes about diversion may help identify patients requiring enhanced oversight, education, or intervention aimed at modifying attitudes to reduce their likelihood to share or sell buprenorphine.
Associations of TNFR1 with kidney function outcomes by age, gender, and baseline kidney function status: Data from the Heart and Soul Study.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR1) is associated with kidney disease and mortality risk in various populations [1], [2]. We evaluated associations of TNFR1 with mortality and mediators of this relationship in doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.05.021. Whether or not these associations are influenced by age, gender, or baseline kidney function are not known. We evaluated associations of TNFR1 levels with measures of kidney function stratifying by these variables. Our outcomes included estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30 mg/g, and rapid kidney function loss, defined as a change in eGFR of greater than 3% per year.
Nanoparticles: From Fundamentals to Applications

Research in the area of nanotechnology has seen an explosive growth during the past two decades, spurred by significant investments in basic research and leading to the development of a variety of consumer-based products. As of August 2015, an inventory conducted by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies has identified over 1800 nanotechnology-based consumer products (http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer; 2015). A technical report published recently estimates the global market value for nanotechnology to be $27 billion in 2015 (http://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/nanotechnology/nanotechnology-market-assessment-report-nan031f.html; 2015). A significant portion of this market share is due to nanomaterials with contributions of nearly $ 20 billion. This suggests that significant progress has been made towards commercialization of nanomaterials. In this chapter, we will explore the myriad examples of nanomaterials developed and utilized for various applications.
Constrained multiple model maximum a posteriori estimation using list Viterbi algorithm

This paper proposes a new approach for constrained multiple model (MM) maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation through the expectation-maximization (EM) method by using our previously developed constrained sequential list Viterbi algorithm (CSLVA). The approach is general and applicable for any type of constraints provided they are verifiable. Specific algorithms for implementation are designed, and the performance of the proposed method is illustrated by simulation.
Assessing medical device vulnerabilities on the Internet of Things

Internet enabled medical devices offer patients with a level of convenience. In recent years, the healthcare industry has seen a surge in the number of cyber-attacks. Given the potentially fatal impact of a compromised medical device, this study aims to identify vulnerabilities of medical devices. Our approach uses Shodan to obtain a large collection of IP addresses that will be passed through Nessus to verify if any vulnerabilities exist. We determined some devices manufactured by primary vendors such as Omron Corporation, FORA, Roche, and Bionet contain serious vulnerabilities such as Dropbear SSH Server and MS17-010. These allow remote execution of code and authentication bypassing potentially giving attackers control of their systems.
Modulation of taste processing by temperature

Taste stimuli have a temperature that can stimulate thermosensitive neural machinery in the mouth during gustatory experience. Although taste and oral temperature are sometimes discussed as differe...
Autonomous control of smart inverters in grid connected and islanded mode

Droop based autonomous control for the smart inverter interface in grid connected and islanded mode is presented. The controller is implemented in dq0 reference frame so that active and reactive power control can be decoupled. For simplicity, a small medium voltage distribution feeder equipped with one solar photovoltaic (PV) panel and one Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is used for validating the controller performance. Two different types of controllers are shown-one for the PV system and another for the BESS. The proposed controllers can easily be scaled up for a larger network with many distributed generators (DGs) connected to any location. The MATLAB/SIMPOWERSYSTEMS package is used for simulation purpose. Conventional P-f and Q-V droops are implemented and extensively discussed in the context of their application in different scenarios. Finally, results are presented with explanation and recommendation.
EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION OF PALEOCLIMATOLOGY

The evolution of the study of paleoclimates is reviewed from the rather straightforward stratigraphic studies of a century or more ago, to the rather complex techniques of today, which depend heavily upon principles of physics and chemistry, statistics and large-memory computers. The capabilities of various “proxy” records of climate are evaluated. Because timing is so important in climate reconstruction, the development and capabilities of various aging techniques are reviewed. The importance of systematic, areal climate reconstructions, or patterns of parameters, is also reviewed, particularly as they relate to common synoptic patterns of today. [Key words: climatic episodes, Holocene, proxy meteorological data, paleoclimatology.]
Comparative Analysis of Immune Cells Reveals a Conserved Regulatory Lexicon

Summary Most well-characterized enhancers are deeply conserved. In contrast, genome-wide comparative studies of steady-state systems showed that only a small fraction of active enhancers are conserved. To better understand conservation of enhancer activity, we used a comparative genomics approach that integrates temporal expression and epigenetic profiles in an innate immune system. We found that gene expression programs diverge among mildly induced genes, while being highly conserved for strongly induced genes. The fraction of conserved enhancers varies greatly across gene expression programs, with induced genes and early-response genes, in particular, being regulated by a higher fraction of conserved enhancers. Clustering of conserved accessible DNA sequences within enhancers resulted in over 60 sequence motifs including motifs for known factors, as well as many with unknown function. We further show that the number of instances of these motifs is a strong predictor of the responsiveness of a gene to pathogen detection.
Delineating the burden of chronic post-operative pain in patients undergoing open repair of complex ventral hernias.

Abstract Background After open complex ventral hernia repair (cVHR), chronic pain has a significant impact on quality of life and processes of care. Methods Records of 177 patients undergoing cVHR were reviewed in order to characterize the burden of managing postoperative pain in the first post-operative year following open cVHR. Results In this cohort, 91 patients initiated at least one unsolicited complaint of pain, though phone call (37), unscheduled clinic visit (45) or evaluation in the emergency room (9); among these an actionable diagnosis was found in 38 (41.8%). Among 41 patients who initiated additional unsolicited complaints of pain, an actionable diagnosis was found in only 3 patients. Risk factors for such complaints included pre-operative pain and the use of synthetic mesh. Conclusions Even in the absence of an actionable diagnosis, significant resources are utilized in evaluation and management of unsolicited complaints of pain in the first year after cVHR.
Cost-Effective Management of Stenosing Tenosynovitis.

Purpose Stenosing tenosynovitis (STS) is a common condition treated by hand surgeons. Limited evidence exists to support the nonsurgical management of STS. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate a cohort of patients with STS, and to determine the strategy for treating patients with this condition that is most cost effective in terms of dollars reimbursed by payers. Methods Prospective data were collected on patients diagnosed with STS between March 2014 and September 2014. All patients were initially treated with a corticosteroid injection. Patients with persistent symptoms were given the option of injection or surgery. A maximum of 3 injections were offered. All patients were evaluated every 6 months through office appointments or phone calls. A cost analysis was performed in our cohort using actual reimbursement rates for injections, initial and established patient visits, and facility and physician fees for surgery, using the reimbursement rates from the 6 payers covering this patient cohort. Cost savings were calculated based on offering 1, 2, and 3 injections. Results Eighty-eight digits in 82 patients were followed for an average of 21.9 months (range, 18.7–22.7 mo) after an initial corticosteroid injection. Thirty-five digits went on to surgical release, whereas 53 digits were treated nonsurgically. Had all patients initially undergone surgery, the cost would have totaled $169,088.98 ($1,921 per digit). Offering up to 3 injections yielded a potential savings of $72,730 ($826 per digit) or 43% of the total cost. For the 33 patients who underwent more than 1 injection, offering a second injection yielded potential savings of $15,956 ($484 per digit, 22.7%), and for the 7 patients presenting a third time, a third injection saved $1,986 ($283 per digit, 14.5%). Conclusions Based on the data from our cohort, the efficient way to treat STS in terms of health care dollars spent is to offer up to 3 injections before surgical release. The first injection had the highest component of cost savings, at $826 per digit. Type of study/level of evidence Economic/Decision Analysis III.
Aldehydes are the predominant forces inducing DNA damage and inhibiting DNA repair in tobacco smoke carcinogenesis.

Tobacco smoke (TS) contains numerous cancer-causing agents, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrosamines being most frequently cited as the major TS human cancer agents. Many lines of evidence seriously question this conclusion. To resolve this issue, we determined DNA adducts induced by the three major TS carcinogens: benzo( a )pyrene (BP), 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanoe (NNK), and aldehydes in humans and mice. In mice, TS induces abundant aldehyde-induced γ-hydroxy-propano-deoxyguanosine (γ-OH-PdG) and α-methyl-γ-OH-PdG adducts in the lung and bladder, but not in the heart and liver. TS does not induce the BP- and NNK-DNA adducts in lung, heart, liver, and bladder. TS also reduces DNA repair activity and the abundance of repair proteins, XPC and OGG1/2, in lung tissues. These TS effects were greatly reduced by diet with polyphenols. We found that γ-OH-PdG and α-methyl-γ-OH-PdG are the major adducts formed in tobacco smokers’ buccal cells as well as the normal lung tissues of tobacco-smoking lung cancer patients, but not in lung tissues of nonsmokers. However, the levels of BP- and NNK-DNA adducts are the same in lung tissues of smokers and nonsmokers. We found that while BP and NNK can induce BPDE-dG and O 6 -methyl-dG adducts in human lung and bladder epithelial cells, these inductions can be inhibited by acrolein. Acrolein also can reduce DNA repair activity and repair proteins. We propose a TS carcinogenesis paradigm. Aldehydes are major TS carcinogens exerting dominant effect: Aldehydes induce mutagenic PdG adducts, impair DNA repair functions, and inhibit many procarcinogens in TS from becoming DNA-damaging agents.
A smooth variational principle and more about Asplund spaces

It is clear that Ekeland’s variational principle (Lemma 3.13) is an extremely useful form of the “maximality points lemma” (3.12); it was the main tool in proving Borwein’s Theorem 3.17, which in turn provided a unified approach to a sequence of fundamental results. As shown in Ekeland’s survey article [Ek], it has found application in such diverse areas as fixed-point theorems, nonlinear semigroups, optimization, mathematical programming, control theory and global analysis. Recall the statement:
Insurmountable Hill : How Undue AEDPA Deference Has Undermined the Atkins Ban on Executing the Intellectually Disabled

On November 22, 2011, in Hill v. Humphrey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, sitting en banc, held that a petitioner’s federal habeas petition challenging his death sentence must be denied in light of the degree of deference owed to the state habeas court’s decision under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA). In so doing, the court rejected the petitioner’s argument that Georgia’s beyond a reasonable doubt standard for proving a defendant’s intellectual disability is unconstitutionally stringent and thus eviscerates the right of the intellectually disabled to be exempt from capital punishment, a right clearly constitutionalized by the U.S. Supreme Court in Atkins v. Virginia. This Comment argues that the majority’s overly strict approach in Hill has produced an unduly deferential standard for federal review of state court decisions. Consequently, under this approach, important constitutional protections—like that exempting the intellectually disabled from execution—are denied without recourse.
Polynucleotide Arrays for Genetic Sequence Analysis

We describe a new paradigm for genetic analysis based upon high density arrays of polynucleotide probes. Methods for light-directed polynucleotide array synthesis, as well as array packaging, sample preparation, array hybridization, epifluorescence confocal scanning, and data analysis are described. Applications to discovery, genotyping, expression, and resquencing are presented.
Hospital cook/chill foodservices systems. Effect of end temperature of initial cooking on yield and moisture of beef loaf during processing.

New food handling procedures, such as the cooklchill system, need analyzing to learn how various steps in the operation affect different facets of food and service. In this study, yield and final moisture content of food were investigated.
Court Curbing in the Modern Era: Should Supreme Court Justices Really Worry About Attacks from Congress?

Mounting evidence shows that U.S. Supreme Court justices are influenced by their fear of congressional attacks on the Court’s jurisdiction and basic institutional arrangements. But do these 'Court curbing' efforts present as serious a threat as the justices think? Using an original dataset, this article traces all congressional attempts to limit the Court’s power between 1954 and 2008. I find that while attempts to hurt the Court have been a regular part of Congress’s agenda, legislative successes in this area are exceedingly rare. This suggests that justices, like many commentators, may overestimate the real danger of Court curbing, and that the Court may be less constrained than generally assumed. I close with a discussion of the implications of these findings and suggestions for future research.
Abstract WP372: Screening For Large Vessel Occlusion - Comparing the Accuracies of the VAN Screening Tool and NIHSS

Background: Our five-hospital Comprehensive Stroke Program utilizes a large vessel occlusion (LVO) triage that includes NIHSS ≥ 10 and last known well (LKW) < 6 hours. It was determined that a more...
Retrospective Application of BRUE Criteria to Patients Presenting With ALTE

OBJECTIVES: To apply recently published brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) guidelines to patients who presented with apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) to determine: (1) characteristics of these patients; (2) which patients meet BRUE criteria, including risk stratification; and (3) patient outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients presenting to the emergency department or directly to the inpatient unit of a community hospital was performed over the 3 years preceding publication of BRUE guidelines. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision billing data for infants RESULTS: A total of 321 charts were screened, of which 87 patients were determined to have been diagnosed with ALTE. Twenty patients (23%) met criteria for diagnosis of BRUE. Only 1 patient met criteria for lower-risk BRUE. Of patients with ALTE, 79% of patients presented to the emergency department, of which 65% were admitted, 25% were discharged from the hospital, and 9% were transferred to a tertiary care hospital. Of the 63 inpatients, most were discharged from the hospital after brief observation, and 5% required transfer to a higher level of care. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with ALTE presenting to this institution did not meet the BRUE definition primarily because of ongoing symptoms and/or a specific diagnosis explaining the event. With this finding, we highlight the importance of characterizing the events on the basis of history and physical examination when diagnosing and caring for these patients.
Open image in new window with central chargeN

We study representations of the central extension of the Lie algebra of differential operators on the circle, the Open image in new window algebra. We obtain complete and specialized character formulas for a large class of representations, which we call primitive; these include all quasi-finite irreducible unitary representations. We show that any primitive representation with central chargeN has a canonical structure of an irreducible representation of the Open image in new window with the same central charge and that all irreducible representations of Open image in new window with central chargeN arise in this way. We also establish a duality between “integral” modules of Open image in new window and finite-dimensional irreducible modules ofglN, and conjecture their fusion rules.
LINX I and II: Lessons Learned and Emerging Questions

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading has had widespread effects on the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Headwater streams play a central role in controlling watershed N budgets by serving as a final environmental filter for excess nutrient inputs before they are exported to downstream receiving waters. Understanding the controls on in-stream N cycling has direct implications for water quality; however, in-stream nitrogen cycling is also a source of greenhouse gas production including nitrous oxide (N2O). Here we review some lessons learned from the Lotic Intersite Nitrogen eXperiments (LINX I and II), which were a series of replicated 15N in situ manipulations across biomes and land-uses designed to provide insight into the controls and fate of inorganic nitrogen in stream ecosystems. We highlight six unique insights gained from these continental- scale projects and discuss their implications for predicting fluxes and concentrations of N2O through a series of emerging questions to motivate future work. Our objective in this review is to present both retrospective and forward-looking perspectives on the N cycle in headwater streams and river networks.
Chapter 3 – Polypropylene

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on polypropylene, which provides the film manufacturer with strength, toughness, high melt temperature, and ease of processing that makes it a star among the polyolefin resins. The Ziegler–Natta catalyst technology allowed manufacturing of commercially viable polypropylene. The resulting product was predominantly an isotactic polypropylene and could be manufactured at high molecular weight. Metallocene catalysts were the next generation catalysts and led to creating both isotactic and syndiotactic high polymer with highly controlled molecular weight distributions and tacticities. The Ziegler–Natta catalysts developed for propylene polymerization generally consist of TiCl3 and trialkyl aluminum. To control molecular weight distribution and polymer tacticity as well as to improve the catalyst efficiency, chemists have modified the crystal structure of the TiCl3, purified the catalysts, introduced transition metal compounds and/or a Lewis base to act as an electron donating species. Polypropylene's excellent strength, low surface energy, low gas and liquid permeability and relative ease of processing make it an attractive option for use in multilayer films. However, its opacity may be a detriment for packaging applications. To overcome the issues of opacity, orientation breaks up the spherulitic structure thereby resulting in a transparent film. Additionally, orientation improves tensile properties, impact its strength, and reduces gas permeability. One functional application of polypropylene as a nonstructural layer is found when a polypropylene copolymer, including ethylene- and ethylene, butylenepropylene copolymers, is used as the skin layer of a multilayer film. These copolymers exhibit lower melting points thereby promoting a good heat seal during conversion of the film into functional packaging.
Utilizing site disorder in the development of new energy-relevant semiconductors

Controlling site disorder in ternary and multinary compounds enables tuning optical and electronic properties at fixed lattice constants and stoichiometries, moving beyond many of the challenges fa...
Surprising Forward Neutron Asymmetries Observed in Polarized Proton + Nucleus Collision at RHIC

A strikingly strong atomic mass dependence was discovered in the single spin asymmetry of the very forward neutron production in transversely polarized proton-nucleus collision at \(\sqrt{s} = 200\) GeV in PHENIX experiment at RHIC. Such a drastic dependence was far beyond expectation from predictions based on Regge theory regardless of its successful calculation of corresponding asymmetries in proton+proton case. A theoretical attempt is made to explain the A-dependence within the framework of the electromagnetic effect using the Mainz unitary isobar (MAID2007) model to estimate the asymmetry. The resulting calculation well reproduced the new neutron asymmetry data in combination of the asymmetry induced by the strong force.
Interspecific hybridization in North American Polygala (Polygalaceae)

As a part of ongoing systematic and phylogenetic studies in Polygalaceae, field collections of two pairs of North American species (Polygala balduinii and P. ramosa, and P. lutea and P. rugelii) had morphologically intermediate forms and grew sympatrically, and so were suspected to be interspecific hybrids. Although hybrids among plants are often invoked in taxonomic and floristic literature based on morphologic intermediacy, they are rarely documented and substantiated using molecular tools. We found that the morphologically intermediate individuals within intermixed populations of both species pairs did indeed share all of the variable nucleotide sites in nrITS among the parent species. Likewise, using plastid sequence data (trnL-F), we determined that in both species pairs, the parentage was bidirectional. Although some DNA inheritance phenomena (e.g. incomplete lineage sorting) can result in similar polymorphic DNA sequence data, the intermediacy in both morphology and sequence data within sympatric populations is more indicative of interspecific hybridization.