cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radionuclide detection, localization, and quantitation of intracardiac shunts and shunts between the great arteries.

T HE application of radionuclides to the study of the cardiovascular system was first investigated by Blumgart and Yens’ and Blumgart and Weiss” nearly one-half century ago, when they used radium-C and a primitive radiation detector in a series of studies on the velocity of blood flow. Over 25 yr ago, Prinzmetal described the radiocardiogram in three patients with congenital heart disease using ‘“‘I-NaI and a Geiger-Mueller counter.3.’ However, the most rapid advances in cardiovascular nuclear medicine have been made in the last decade. The advent of the scintillation camera and short-lived radionuclides have made dynamic imaging of the heart possible.” Even more recently, digital computers have made the rapid and accurate analysis of these studies a reality” by obtaining important hemodynamic parameters noninvasively, at times replacing cardiac catheterization. The radionuclide techniques to be discussed rely on the indicator dilution theory, which has been the subject of several good reviews.7-‘4 This article will concentrate on the unique capabilities offered by radionuclides for the detection, localization, and quantitation of intracardiac shunts and shunts between the great vessels (the reader is also referred to other reviews on this subject’“-“7). These radionuclide techniques are most valuable in detecting simple cardiac defects; definition of more complex malformations usually requires more invasive diagnostic methods.
Polyester vs. bovine pericardial patching during carotid endarterectomy: early neurologic events and incidence of restenosis.

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this report was to compare polyester vs. bovine pericardial patching during CEA with regards to the incidence of early neurologic events and recurrent stenosis. Patients and methods: One hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with high grade symptomatic (14%) or asymptomatic (86%) carotid artery stenosis (>70%) who underwent 139 CEAs by a single surgeon between January 1997 and April 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were assessed postoperatively clinically and with routine follow-up duplex scanning. Recurrent stenosis was defined as a narrowing in the common or internal carotid artery of more than 50% by duplex ultrasound examination. Results: From January 1997 to May 1999, a polyester patch was routinely used in 81 (58%) patients, while between June 1999 and April 2001, a bovine pericardium patch was exclusively used in 59 (42%) patients. There were no ipsilateral postoperative TIAs or strokes in either group. The combined 30-day mortality rate for both groups was 0.8%. One patient in the polyester patch group died from cardiopulmonary complications 10 days after discharge. The length of follow-up in the bovine pericardial patch group was 3–28 months (mean 12 months), while in the polyester patch group was 1–50 months (mean 24.5 month). One patient developed a carotid pseudoaneurysm of the suture line in the bovine pericardium patch group caused by a local infection after previous neck dissection and radiation. The incidence of recurrent stenosis was two patients (4%) in the bovine pericardium group as opposed to six patients (7.6%) in the polyester patch group. Conclusion: Although this is a preliminary report, it is concluded that bovine pericardium provides excellent perioperative results and is at least comparable to polyester patching in terms of safety. Our study with short term follow up suggests that bovine pericardium patching during carotid endarterectomy may have a lower restenosis rate compared to knitted polyester patching. Clear superiority of bovine pericardium as a patch material awaits a prospective randomised study with long-term follow-up.
Properties of Two Homologous Alkaline Proteases from Streptomyces rectus

Some physicochemical properties of two thermostable proteases from Streptomyces rectus are described. The enzymes were judged to be identical with respect to molecular weight, inactivation with serine protease inhibitors, and in primary structure by peptide analysis. Amino acid analysis indicated the enzymes had identical compositions except for their amide content. The molecular weights of the enzymes were judged to be 28,000 by sedimentation equilibrium, 26,200 by sedimentation diffusion, and 29,100 from amino acid analysis. Titration of the proteases with diisopropylfluorophosphate and phenylmethane sulfonylfuoride indicate equivalent weights of 28,500 and 32,800 g, respectively, for the proteins. The pentapeptide around the serine residue reacting with diisopropylfluorophosphate was isolated and had the composition: Asx(1), Gly(1), Thr(1), Ser(1), Met(1).
Density Functional Theory (DFT) Computations of Biological Molecules for Organic Semiconductors

To assist in the development of biomolecule-based organic semiconductors, the current project uses DFT-based computations at the B3LYP/6-31G* and 6-31G** level to screen 24 small biomolecules for desirable HOMO, LUMO, and Eg energy levels. Biomolecules and their derivatives include purines, indigos, medicinal compounds, and thienyl-based molecules. Several promising compounds have been identified, including indigo and several of its derivatives.
An Exception to the “Image of Limited Good”

Research in southern Mexico indicates that there is a general exception to Foster's Image of Limited Good, in Mexican peasant world view. The limited good concept holds that all desirable material and non-material entities are seen as existing in finite amounts which cannot be augmented. In such communities, however, it is implicitly assumed that one can experience intensified desirable emotions without necessarily suffering a loss in some other area of life, as is implied by the Image of Limited Good.
Does proline play a special role in bacteroid metabolism

Dicarboxylates are generally considered the main energy-bearing compounds imported from plant cells into bacteroids in root nodules. Evidence reviewed herein supports the hypothesis that other compounds contribute and that proline catabolism may have particular importance in bacteroid metabolism during environmental stress.
Factors influencing changes in employment among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have demonstrated that women are less likely to work after they are diagnosed with breast cancer, the influence of cancer treatments on employment is less clear. The authors of this report assessed whether chemotherapy or radiation therapy was associated with a disruption in employment during the year after a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Using a database of health insurance claims that covered 5.6 million US residents, 3233 women aged ≤63 years were identified who were working full time or part time when they were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1998 and 2002. All changes in employment during the year after a breast cancer diagnosis were identified. Using a Cox proportional hazards model that incorporated time-varying treatment variables, the authors evaluated the impact of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on the likelihood of experiencing an employment disruption. RESULTS: Although most women (93%) continued to work, chemotherapy recipients were more likely than nonrecipients to go on long-term disability, stop working, or retire (hazards ratio, 1.8; P < .01). Women aged ≥54 years were more likely to experience a change in employment than women aged ≤44 years (P < .01). Radiation therapy did not influence employment (P = .22). CONCLUSIONS: In this population of employed, insured women, chemotherapy had a negative impact on employment. This finding may aid treatment decision making and could foster the development of interventions that support a patient's ability to continue working after treatment. It also reinforces the need to assess the impact of treatments, especially new treatments, on patient-centered outcomes such as employment. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Ain' Like There's Hunger

Commentary (Poem) Sweet tooth Salt tooth Chocolate tooth Jonesin’ for fries, Triple deck Mac, Coke and pork rinds But no walkin’ tooth Swimmin’ tooth Stretchin’ tooth Dancin’ tooth Weight liftin’ tooth After all, Ain’ like there’s hunger Mind numbin’ early gig Second gig even worse Kids in between Gotta be fed Read to Homework checked Ears inspected Dark park? Cold out? After all, Ain’ like there’s hunger
Rapid initial removal of chylomicron remnants by the mouse liver does not require hepatically localized apolipoprotein E.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a ligand for the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). The aim of the present study was to clarify the role of hepatically localized apoE in the rapid initial removal of chylomicron remnants by using the isolated perfused liver. Radiolabeled chylomi- cron remnants were perfused in a single nonrecirculating pass into the livers of C57BL/6J (wild-type) mice, apoE- knockout mice, and apoE/LDLR-knockout mice for a period of 20 min. Aliquots of the perfusate leaving the liver were collected at regular intervals and the rate of removal of ra- dioactivity was determined. At a trace concentration of chy- lomicron remnants (0.05 m g of protein per ml), wild-type mouse livers removed at a steady state of 50-55% of total chylomicron remnants perfused per pass; livers from apoE- knockout mice had the same capacity as wild-type mouse liv- ers. When the concentration of remnants was increased to 12 m g of protein per ml, a level at which it has been shown that LDL receptor and LRP are near saturation, the capacity of the wild-type mouse livers to remove chylomicron rem- nants was decreased to 10-25% per pass, confirming that the removal mechanisms were nearing saturation. However, instead of finding a greater reduction in the removal rates or impairment in chylomicron remnant removal, livers from apoE-knockout mice were just as efficient as those from wild- type mice in removing remnants. Livers of mice that lacked both apoE and the LDLR also had a similar rate of removal at relatively low remnant concentrations (0.05-0.5 m g/ml), but had reduced capacity in removing remnants at a rela- tively high concentration (4-12 m g/ml) of chylomicron remnants ( , 20% per pass). The rate of removal at these concentrations, however, was similar to that attributed to the LRP in previous studies. Chylomicron remnants, whose apolipoproteins were disrupted by trypsinization, were re- moved at a normal rate by wild-type mouse livers but there was almost no removal by apoE-knockout mouse livers. At higher concentrations, however, the removal of apolipopro- tein-disrupted chylomicron remnants was decreased. Our present findings do not support the hypothesis that hepati- cally localized apoE is a critical factor in the rapid initial re- moval of chylomicron remnants by either of the major path- ways but do suggest that hepatically localized apoE can be added to lipoproteins to accelerate their uptake, although this process may have a limited capacity to compensate for apoE deficiency on lipoproteins. — Yu, K. C-W., Y. Jiang, W. Chen, and A. D. Cooper. Rapid initial removal of chylomi- cron remnants by the mouse liver does not require hepati- cally localized apolipoprotein E. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 1715-1727.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Recruitment and Improved Bladder Function After Bladder Outlet Obstruction: Preliminary Data

Purpose: Mesenchymal stem cells have various therapeutic benefits in various organ injury models. Bladder outlet obstruction causes smooth muscle hypertrophy and fibrosis, leading to lowered compliance, increased storage pressures and renal injury. Decreased blood flow and hypoxia may contribute to obstruction related bladder decompensation. We used a mouse model to determine whether mesenchymal stem cell recruitment occurred after bladder outlet obstruction and whether this was associated with changes in bladder hypoxia, histology and function. We also identified potential chemokines involved in mesenchymal stem cell recruitment.Materials and Methods: A total of 20 female mice underwent bladder outlet obstruction. Three days later 2 million green fluorescent protein labeled mesenchymal stem cells were intravenously administered. After 4 weeks urodynamic and histological evaluation was performed. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was done to determine relative expression of the ...
Flushing Policies for NVCache Enabled Hard Disks

One of the goals of upcoming hybrid hard disks is to reduce power consumption by adding a small amount of non-volatile flash memory (NVCache) to the drive itself. By using the NVCache to satisfy writes while the rotating media is spun-down, hard disk power consumption can be decreased by lengthening low-power periods. However, the NVCache must eventually be flushed back to the rotating media in order to cache additional data. In this paper we explore two questions: when and how should NVCache content be flushed to rotating media in order to minimize the overhead of data synchronization. We show that by using traditional I/O mechanisms such as merging and reordering, combined with a "flush only when full" policy, flushing performance improves significantly.
Implementation of a level 1 trigger system using high speed serial (VXS) techniques for the 12GeV high luminosity experimental programs at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility

We will demonstrate a hardware and firmware solution for a complete fully pipelined multi-crate trigger system that takes advantage of the elegant high speed VXS serial extensions for VME. This trigger system includes three sections starting with the front end crate trigger processor (CTP), a global Sub-System Processor (SSP) and a Trigger Supervisor that manages the timing, synchronization and front end event readout. Within a front end crate, trigger information is gathered from each 16 Channel, 12bit Flash ADC module at 4nS intervals via the VXS backplane, to a Crate Trigger Processor (CTP). Each Crate Trigger Processor receives these 500MB/S VXS links from the 16 FADC-250 modules, aligns skewed data inherent of Aurora protocol, and performs real time crate level trigger algorithms. The algorithm results are encoded using a Reed-Solomon technique and transmission of this Level 1 trigger data is sent to the SSP using a multi-fiber link. The multi-fiber link achieves an aggregate trigger data transfer rate to the global trigger at 8Gb/s. The SSP receives and decodes Reed-Solomon error correcting transmission from each crate, aligns the data, and performs the global level trigger algorithms. The entire trigger system is synchronous and operates at 250MHz with the Trigger Supervisor managing not only the front end event readout, but also the distribution of the critical timing clocks, synchronization signals, and the global trigger signals to each front end readout crate. These signals are distributed to the front end crates on a separate fiber link and each crate is synchronized using a unique encoding scheme to guarantee that each front end crate is synchronous with a fixed latency, independent of the distance between each crate. The overall trigger signal latency is ≪3uS, and the proposed 12GeV experiments at Jefferson Lab require up to 200KHz Level 1 trigger rate.
Effects of Choice and Relative Frequency Elicitation on Overconfidence: Further Tests of an Exemplar-retrieval Model

An experiment is reported in which participants rendered judgments regarding the disease states of hypothetical patients. Participants either reported likelihoods that patients had the target disease (no choice), or classified patients into disease categories and then reported likelihoods that their classifications were correct (choice included). Also, participants’ likelihood judgments were made in response to either a probability probe question, or a relative frequency probe. Two distinct exemplar-memory models were compared on their ability to predict overconfidence under these procedures. Both propose that people learn and judge by storing and retrieving examples. The exemplar retrieval model (ERM) proposes that amount of retrieval drives choice inclusion and likelihood probe effects. The alternative model assumes that response error mediates choice inclusion effects. Choice inclusion and the relative frequency probe reduced overconfidence, but the combined effects were subadditive. Only the ERM predicted this pattern, and it further provided good quantitative fits to these results. Copyright # 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute ethanol treatment modulates Toll-like receptor-4 association with lipid rafts

Background: Alcohol, a substance that is most frequently abused, suppresses innate immune responses to microbial pathogens. The host senses pathogens via Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Recent studies indicate that alcohol affects TLR signaling. Methods: Here, we hypothesized that acute alcohol treatment may interfere with early steps of membrane-associated TLR2 and TLR4 signaling at the level of lipid rafts. Human monocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, transfected with human TLR2, TLR4, or CD14, were stimulated with peptidoglycan (PGN, TLR2 ligand) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 ligand) with or without alcohol (50 mM) and analyzed for cytokine production (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation (electrophoretic mobility shift assay), membrane fluidity (fluorescent pyrene eximer formation), and partition of cellular membrane into cholesterol-rich, detergent-resistant domains (DRMs; Western blot). Results: We determined that both TLR2 and TLR4 were located outside the rafts; flotillin, a DRM marker, was resident in the rafts, while CD14 was equally distributed in and outside the rafts in a steady-state condition. PGN forced TLR2 to migrate into DRMs. Engagement of TLR4 and CD14 with LPS induced their migration into the rafts. Alcohol prevented TLR4 partitioning; however, it did not affect TLR2 migration into the rafts. Furthermore, alcohol downregulated TLR4-induced, but not TLR2-induced, NF-κB activation and cytokine production in monocytes. We found that alcohol increased membrane fluidity and depleted cellular cholesterol in CHO cells without affecting cell viability. Conclusions: These data demonstrate for the first time that alcohol disturbs TLR4 and CD14 association with lipid rafts. We propose that alcohol-induced effects on lipid rafts may contribute to modulation of TLR4-CD14–triggered early cellular responses.
Isogeometric divergence-conforming B-splines for the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations

Divergence-conforming B-splines are developed for application to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on geometrically mapped domains. These enable smooth, pointwise divergence-free solutions and thus satisfy mass conservation in the strongest possible sense. Semi-discrete methods based on divergence-conforming B-splines are shown to conserve linear and angular momentum and satisfy balance laws for energy, vorticity, enstrophy, and helicity. These are geometric structure-preserving quantities and numerical simulations that are sensitive to them are shown to be qualitatively correct and quantitatively accurate. The methods developed are anticipated to open new doors to the practical calculation of complex flows and to studies of their physical behavior.
On achieving weighted service differentiation: an end-to-end perspective

In this paper, we consider the problem of weighted rate differentiation using purely end-to-end mechanisms. Existing approaches to solving the problem involve changes in the AIMD congestion control mechanism used by TCP. However, such approaches either do not scale well to large weights, or make impractical assumptions. We use a new multi-state transport layer solution called pTCP to achieve end-to-end weighted service differentiation. A pTCP flow of weight w consists of w TCP virtual flows that collectively achieve w times the throughput of a default TCP flow. pTCP scales significantly better than approaches that change the AIMD congestion control mechanism of TCP. On the other hand, pTCP achieves more effective service differentiation and incurs less host overhead than the simplest form of a multi-state solution using multiple TCP sockets through application striping. We substantiate our arguments through simulations, and testbed experiments based on a user-level implementation of pTCP.
The use of family assessment and feedback in ongoing family therapy

Abstract The Family Environment Scale (FES) is being used clinically to facilitate assessment, intervention and evaluation of change in family therapy. This paper illustrates the use of the scale by providing case descriptions of two typical families. Discussion of each family member's real and ideal family environment serves to identify key areas of agreement and disagreement about actual and desired aspects of family functioning. This semi-structured procedure can focus each therapy session on specific interpersonal issues and encourage each family member to take an active part in discussing problems and formulating goals.
Openness And Inflation: Evidence From Nine Eastern European Nations

Correlation coefficients between inflation and openness were estimated, with data from 1996 to 2010, for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Eight of the nine coefficients were, as proposed by macroeconomics, negative, although the coefficients for Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine were not significant. Lithuania's positive and significant coefficient suggested that if openness would not have increased, inflation would have been higher. Cross-country coefficients estimated for 1996, 2000, 2005 and 2010 were negative but not significant due to large differences between the inflation rates of countries that had very similar rates of openness.
Dynamics Of US Economic Recovery: Can We Still Count On The Finance And Insurance Sector?

This study takes a quantitative approach to examine the dynamic effects of post-recession sector and sub-sector growth performance of U.S. economic recovery. The study employs contributions to GDP growth rate among selected sectors and sub-sectors of the US economy to measure the probability to significantly impact the rate of economic recovery. Estimation results based on logistic model indicates the finance and insurance sector of the economy is still critical to US economic recovery after a major macroeconomic shock; however, the sector’s potential to significantly accelerate economic recovery seem to be overstated compared to other key sectors of the economy. Further test suggests the real estate sector of the economy is significantly weak in generating growth levels required to significantly accelerate economic recovery after major economic shock such as the recession of 2008.
Second Language Acquisition Research Methods

Research methods in second language acquisition (SLA) are used to address questions about SLA processes, developmental sequences, conditions, contexts, and outcomes, and to identify their linguistic, social, cultural, and cognitive characteristics. Methodology is both eclectic and innovative, with application and adaptation of approaches from the social sciences, most notably, linguistics, psychology, anthropology, and education, and with increasing development and refinement of instruments, procedures, and techniques within the field itself. Emphasis has been more consistent with nomothetic than hermeneutic research. However, questions raised by the complexity of SLA phenomena have required approaches from both traditions. Thus, research design can be theory-driven and hypothesis testing, as well as data-driven, through pattern identification, interpretation, and analysis. Data may be collected longitudinally and cross-sectionally, under instructed and untutored conditions, following experimental intervention, during naturally occurring social interaction, and through elicitation, interview, and observation. Analyses employ quantitative procedures, including descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative approaches of triangulation, description, reflection, and interpretation (see reviews in Volume 4).
Colleges and the Courtroom

While popular focus in the field of academic litigation has been largely on the admissions process as a result of Regents of the Univ. of California v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265, 98 S.Ct. 2733, 57 L.Ed.2d 750 (1978) and desegregation, college administrators also have been involved in lawsuits involving such diverse issues as suspension and expulsion of students; search and seizure of dormitory rooms; censorship of student newspapers; student access to controversial outside speakers; campus security; rights of handicapped students; equal rights in athletic programs, facilities, scholarships and aid; grades; privacy rights; recognition of student groups; hiring and firing of faculty; collective bargaining and faculty unions; fund raising; copyright laws and collection of student loans. This article will survey these less publicized issues, many of which have led college administrators to believe that a J.D. was more essential to the adequate performance of their jobs than a Ph.D and have often resulted in a temporary relocation of the halls of academia to the nearest court house.A college community is comprised essentially of four major groups: the students, the faculty, the administration, and the trustees. Alumni participate primarily through these four other groups. The plethora of litigation in the collegiate sphere has resulted from the interaction of each of these components as well as from requirements imposed on colleges by state and federal governments.
Ex vivo applications of multiphoton microscopy in urology

Background: Routine urological surgery frequently requires rapid on-site histopathological tissue evaluation either during biopsy or intra-operative procedure. However, resected tissue needs to undergo processing, which is not only time consuming but may also create artifacts hindering real-time tissue assessment. Likewise, pathologist often relies on several ancillary methods, in addition to H&E to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Although, helpful these techniques are tedious and time consuming and often show overlapping results. Therefore, there is a need for an imaging tool that can rapidly assess tissue in real-time at cellular level. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is one such technique that can generate histology-quality images from fresh and fixed tissue solely based on their intrinsic autofluorescence emission, without the need for tissue processing or staining. Design: Fresh tissue sections (neoplastic and non-neoplastic) from biopsy and surgical specimens of bladder and kidney were obtained. Unstained deparaffinized slides from biopsy of medical kidney disease and oncocytic renal neoplasms were also obtained. MPM images were acquired using with an Olympus FluoView FV1000MPE system. After imaging, fresh tissues were submitted for routine histopathology. Results: Based on the architectural and cellular details of the tissue, MPM could characterize normal components of bladder and kidney. Neoplastic tissue could be differentiated from non-neoplastic tissue and could be further classified as per histopathological convention. Some of the tumors had unique MPM signatures not otherwise seen on H&E sections. Various subtypes of glomerular lesions were identified as well as renal oncocytic neoplasms were differentiated on unstained deparaffinized slides. Conclusions: We envision MPM to become an integral part of regular diagnostic workflow for rapid assessment of tissue. MPM can be used to evaluate the adequacy of biopsies and triage tissues for ancillary studies. It can also be used as an adjunct to frozen section analysis for intra-operative margin assessment. Further, it can play an important role for pathologist for guiding specimen grossing, selecting tissue for tumor banking and as a rapid ancillary diagnostic tool.
Quantum effects in a simple ring with hydrogen bonds.

Complexes containing multiple arginines are common in proteins. The arginines are typically salt-bridged or hydrogen-bonded, so that their charges do not repel. Here we present a quantum calculatio...
On Polars of Convex Polygons

(1974). On Polars of Convex Polygons. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 9, pp. 1016-1018.
Examination of thermal unfolding and aggregation profiles of a series of developable therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

Screening for pharmaceutically viable stability from measurements of thermally induced protein unfolding and short-term accelerated stress underpins much molecule design, selection, and formulation in the pharmaceutical biotechnology industry. However, the interrelationships among intrinsic protein conformational stability, thermal denaturation, and pharmaceutical stability are complex. There are few publications in which predictions from thermal unfolding-based screening methods are examined together with pharmaceutically relevant long-term storage stability performance. We have studied eight developable therapeutic IgG molecules under solution conditions optimized for large-scale commercial production and delivery. Thermal unfolding profiles were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and intrinsic fluorescence recorded simultaneously with static light scattering (SLS). These molecules exhibit a variety of thermal unfolding profiles under common reference buffer conditions and under in...
Assessing satellite sea surface salinity from ocean color radiometric measurements for coastal hydrodynamic model data assimilation

Improving forecasts of salinity from coastal hydrodynamic models would further our predictive capacity of physical, chemical, and biological processes in the coastal ocean. However, salinity is difficult to estimate in coastal and estuarine waters at the temporal and spatial resolution required. Retrieving sea surface salinity (SSS) using satellite ocean color radiometry may provide estimates with reasonable accuracy and resolution for coastal waters that could be assimilated into hydrodynamic models to improve SSS forecasts. We evaluated the applicability of satellite SSS retrievals from two algorithms for potential assimilation into National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Operational Forecast System (CBOFS) hydrodynamic model. Of the two satellite algorithms, a generalized additive model (GAM) outperformed that of an artificial neural network (ANN), with mean bias and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.27 and 3.71 for the GAM and 3.44 and 5.01 for the ANN. However, the RMSE for the SSS predicted by CBOFS (2.47) was lower than that of both satellite algorithms. Given the better precision of the CBOFS model, assimilation of satellite ocean color SSS retrievals will not improve CBOFS forecasts of SSS in Chesapeake Bay. The bias in the GAM SSS retrievals suggests that adding a variable related to precipitation may improve its performance.
CHAPTER 66 – Platelet Growth Factors

During the past 50 years, a number of substances that increase platelet production have been identified, including recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), stem cell factor (c-kit ligand or steel factor), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-3, IL-6, and IL-11, and thrombopoietin (TPO).1-11 Except for TPO and IL-11, these substances have either been ineffective or associated with excessive toxicity when administered to patients. This chapter focuses on the physiologically relevant platelet growth factor TPO and its derivatives that are under development but not yet approved for clinical use. Attention is also given to recombinant IL-11, which has been approved for clinical use but is associated with a number of significant side effects and is therefore not widely used.12,13
Liberalism and Suffrage, 1830–47

In the 1830s liberalism moved to center stage throughout Europe. In France, the July Revolution of 1830 created a liberal regime and acted as the cata-lyst for liberal political activity elsewhere. In England, partly in fear of a revolution at home, the first Whig government since the French Revolution passed the Great Reform Act in 1832 and liberalized English politics. In Germany, a torrent of liberal political writing began in 1830, and in some parts of Germany liberals entered into a new position of political influence. Suffrage issues rapidly presented themselves as key concerns for liberals. The nature of the franchise was crucial to maintaining liberal political influ-ence and creating a liberal state capable of withstanding threats from above and below. In the various parliamentary debates over the suffrage, and in writings about it, the language of capacity emerged as the common currency of liberal discussion. Of course, this did not mean that liberals always agreed with each other about who had the capacity to vote. Speakers of a language never all agree, especially about important matters. Differences within the liberal movement over questions of “capacity” made themselves increas-ingly evident as the century progressed, but they were present from the beginning.
Coherence of mechanical oscillators mediated by coupling to different baths

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of two mechanical oscillators with general linear couplings to two uncorrelated thermal baths at temperatures ${T}_{1}$ and ${T}_{2}$, respectively. We obtain the complete solution of the Heisenberg-Langevin equations, which reveal a coherent mixing among the normal modes of the oscillators as a consequence of their off-diagonal couplings to the baths. Unique renormalization aspects resulting from this mixing are discussed. Diagonal and off-diagonal (coherence) correlation functions are obtained analytically in the case of strictly Ohmic baths with different couplings in the strong- and weak-coupling regimes. An asymptotic nonequilibrium stationary state emerges for which we obtain the complete expressions for the correlations and coherence. Remarkably, the coherence survives in the high-temperature, classical limit for ${T}_{1}\ensuremath{\ne}{T}_{2}$. This is a consequence of the coherence being determined by the difference of the bath correlation functions. In the case of vanishing detuning between the oscillator normal modes both coupling to one and the same bath, the coherence retains memory of the initial conditions at long times. An out-of-equilibrium setup with small detuning and large $|{T}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{T}_{2}|$ produces nonvanishing steady-state coherence in the high-temperature limit of the baths.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is now widely used internationally to provide improved surgical outcomes, recurrent free survival, and overall survival in certain subtypes of breast cancer. Therefore, the opportunity to monitor treatment response in vivo and as early in the treatment as possible to identify non-responders is critical. Early initiation of systemic therapy can improve overall and disease-free survival for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) or inflammatory cancer even though these patients usually receive mastectomies despite complete response after NAC. For non-responders, the sooner these patients are identified, the quicker changes to treatment plans can be made to identify a more ideal regimen for them in a timely manner. Physical examination, mammography, and sonography have all been used to assess the response to NAC, primarily by measuring the size of the residual tumor. Internationally, the ‘Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors” (RECIST) is commonly used to standardize the assessment of response to therapy, based on the tumor size. Unfortunately size assessment does not take into account treatment-induced fibrosis or inflammation which can result in overestimation or underestimation of the residual disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intravenous contrast and advanced MRI techniques provide new opportunities for assessing tumor morphologic changes, tumor vascularity, tumor cellularity, and tumor metabolic features. MRI has been shown to be more accurate and reliable than physical examination, mammography, or sonography. The combination of contrast-enhanced MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and better understanding of tumor biology and genomics improve our ability to predict responders from non-responders. To date, there is still no consensus on the role of MRI for assessing response to NAC or on a standardized MRI examination in patients receiving NAC.
Sonography guided lumbar nerve and facet blocks: The first report of clinical outcome from Iran.

Abstract Introduction Nerve root block (NRB) and facet block (FB) are viable options for pain arising from facet and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) not responding to conservative therapy but still not suitable for surgery. Classically, they are performed under fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT) guidance, which have the disadvantages of radiation exposure and limited accessibility. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of US guided FB and NRB in patients suffering from facet arthropathy and LDH. Methods 14 patients were involved in the study. After defining nerve root (for NRB) or facet joints (for FB) under a standard US investigation, real-time injection of methylprednisolone and bupivacaine was performed. Pain was measured before and after procedure by VAS. Results Ten patients underwent FBs (8 bilateral and 2 unilateral) and 4 underwent NRBs (2 bilateral and 2 unilateral). 11/14 (79%) patients improved after the block (8 in FB, 3 in NRB) and the VAS had significantly decreased 1 week after procedure (mean [range] −1.7 [−6 to 0]). For the 11 patients that improved after FB or NRB, the effect lasted for a mean of 59 days (range: 30–130 days). Analysis showed that neither block procedure (NRB vs. FB) nor block level (L4L5 vs. L5S1) had an effect on result. Conclusions Results of our preliminary study shows that in appropriately selected patients, nerve root and facet blocks can be effectively performed under ultrasonography guidance without notable complications, with effects lasting for a mean 2 months.
The Influence of Nuclear Reactions and Nuclear Structure in Astrophysics

Nuclear reactions play an important role for the energy production and the nucleosynthesis in stars. New facilities, able to accelerate radioactive nuclei or high-intensity stable beams have allowed us to measure in the laboratory reactions involving short-lived nuclei or processes with very small cross sections, which are crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis. I will discuss some of the recent experiments studying fusion and transfer reactions with radioactive beams which play a critical role in various quiescent and explosive stellar environments.
Morality and the Social Control of Biomedical Technology

As biomedical technology has expanded, the quantity of resources has increased, and scarce resources have become scarcer. Expensive equipment, medicine, artificial organs, blood for the treatment of hemophilia, donors for organ transplant operations, and research facilities are all in limited supply. Often when research presents us with a new technology, we find ourselves uncertain whether to fund its application and, if so, how extensively to produce it. One problem is economic: how are these resources to be most efficiently provided? How can more people be helped, and how can costs be reduced? Other problems are ethical: by what principles, procedures, and policies can justice in the production and distribution of resources best be ensured? There is thus both an economic dimension and an ethical dimension to these problems, which I shall refer to, in general, as problems of macro-allocation.
Holding Space for Literate Identity Co-Construction:

Many students of color who are also identified as “struggling” readers are likely to have negative experiences in school. In this article, I discuss the findings of a case study examining how reade...
Mulch and groundcover effects on soil temperature and moisture, surface reflectance, grapevine water potential, and vineyard weed management.

The objectives of this research were to identify alternatives to glyphosate for intra-row (under-trellis) vineyard floor management and to evaluate the potential for intra-row and inter-row (alleyway) groundcovers to reduce vegetative vigor of ‘Marquette’ grapevines (Vitis spp.) in a southeast Nebraska vineyard. The experiment was a randomized factorial design with five intra-row treatments (crushed glass mulch [CG], distillers’ grain mulch [DG], creeping red fescue [CRF], non-sprayed control [NSC], and glyphosate [GLY]) and three inter-row treatments (creeping red fescue [CRF], Kentucky bluegrass [KB], and resident vegetation [RV]). Treatments were established in 2010–2011 and measurements were conducted during 2012 and 2013 on 5- and 6-year-old vines. Soil temperatures were mostly higher under mulches and lower under intra-row groundcovers, compared to GLY. Weed cover in CG, DG, and CRF treatments was the same or less than GLY. At most sampling dates, inter-row soil moisture was lowest under KB. Intra-row soil moisture was highest under DG mulch and lowest under CRF and NSC; CG had the same or lower soil moisture than GLY. Surprisingly, we did not detect differences in mid-day photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reflectance, despite visual differences among the intra-row treatments. Mid-day vine water potential did not differ among treatments. We concluded it is not necessary to maintain a bare soil strip under established vines in this region, where soil fertility and moisture are non-limiting.
THE UNITED STATES SPATIAL DATA TRANSFER STANDARD

ABSTRACT Significant developments have taken place around the world in the disciplines of cartography and geography in recent years with the advent of computer hardware and software that manipulate and process digital cartographic and geographic data more efficiently. The availability of inexpensive and powerful software and hardware systems offers the capability of displaying and analyzing spatial data to a growing number of users. As a result, developing and using existing digital cartographic data bases is becoming very popular. In the United States, the absence of uniform standards for the transfer of digital spatial data is hindering the exchange of data and increasing costs. In the United States, both the Federal Government and the academic community have been working hard over the last few years to develop the Spatial Data Transfer Standard that includes definitions of standard terminology, a spatial data transfer specification, recommendations on reporting digital cartographic data quality, and standard topographic and hydrographic entity terms and definitions. This proposed standard was published in the January 1988 issue of The American Cartographer . Efforts to test and promote the Spatial Data Transfer Standard were coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey. A Technical Review Board was appointed with representatives from the U.S. Government, the private sector, and the university community to finalize the standard and submit it to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology for approval as a Federal Information Processing Standard. The Standard was submitted to the National Institute of Standards and Technology in July 1990.
Relating Deep Neural Network Representations to EEG-fMRI Spatiotemporal Dynamics in a Perceptual Decision-Making Task

The hierarchical architecture of deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) resembles the multi-level processing stages of the human visual system during object recognition. Converging evidence suggests that this hierarchical organization is key to the CNN achieving human-level performance in object categorization [22]. In this paper, we leverage the hierarchical organization of the CNN to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of rapid visual processing in the human brain. Specifically we focus on perceptual decisions associated with different levels of visual ambiguity. Using simultaneous EEG-fMRI, we demonstrate the temporal and spatial hierarchical correspondences between the multi-stage processing in CNN and the activity observed in the EEG and fMRI. The hierarchical correspondence suggests a processing pathway during rapid visual decision-making that involves the interplay between sensory regions, the default mode network (DMN) and the frontal-parietal control network (FPCN).
Molecular phylogeny of Cytospora species associated with canker diseases of fruit and nut crops in California, with the descriptions of ten new species and one new combination

Cytospora species are destructive canker and dieback pathogens of woody hosts in natural and agroecosystems around the world. In this genus, molecular identification has been limited due to the paucity of multi-locus sequence typing studies and the lack of sequence data from type specimens in public repositories, stalling robust phylogenetic reconstructions. In most cases a morphological species concept could not be applied due to the plasticity of characters and significant overlap of morphological features such as spore dimensions and fruiting body characters. In this study, we employed a molecular phylogenetic framework with the inclusion of four nuclear loci (ITS, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, actin, and beta-tubulin) to unveil the biodiversity and taxonomy of this understudied important genus of plant pathogens. Phylogenetic inferences based on 150 Californian isolates revealed 15 Cytospora species associated with branch and twig cankers and dieback of almond, apricot, cherry, cottonwood, olive, peach, pistachio, plum, pomegranate, and walnut trees in California. Of the 15 species recovered in this study, 10 are newly described and typified, in addition to one new combination. The pathogenic status of the newly described Cytospora species requires further investigation as most species were associated with severe dieback and decline of diverse and economically important fruit and nut crops in California.