cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Slow and steady cell shrinkage reduces osmotic stress in bovine and murine oocyte and zygote vitrification

of 110 murine oocytes, 802 murine zygotes and 52 bovine oocytes were used in this study. participants/materials, setting, methods: Microfluidic devices were fabricated using conventional photo- and softlithography. CPAs used were 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) and 7.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for equilibration solution and 15% EG, 15% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose for vitrification solution. End-point analyses include mathematical modeling using Kedem – Katchalsky equations, morphometrics assessed by conventional and confocal microscopy, cytoplasmic lipid quantification by nile red staining, cytoplasmic leakage quantification by fluorescent dextran intercalation and developmental competence analysis by 96 h embryo culture and blastomere quantification. main results and the role of chance:The automated microfluidics protocol decreased the shrinkage rate of the oocyte and zygote by 13.8 times over its manual pipetting alternative. Oocytes and zygotes with a lower shrinkage rate during CPA exposure experienced less osmotic stress resulting in better morphology, higher cell quality and improved developmental competence. This microfluidic procedure resulted in murine zygotes with a significantly smoother cell surface (P , 0.001), more spherical cellular morphology (P , 0.001), increased cytoplasmic lipid retention in vitrified and warmed bovine oocytes (P , 0.01), decreased membrane perforations and cytoplasmic leakage in CPA-exposed murine zygotes (P , 0.05) and improved developmental competence of vitrified and warmed murine zygotes (P , 0.05) than CPA exposure using the current clinically used manual pipetting method. limitations, reasons for caution: It is necessary to design the microfluidic device to be more user-friendly for widespread use. wider implications of the findings: The theory and approach of eliminating osmotic stress by decreasing shrinkage rate is complementary to the prevalent osmotic stress theory in cryobiology which focuses on a minimum cell volume at which the cells shrink. The auto-microfluidic protocol described here has immediate applications for improving animal and human oocyte, zygote and embryo cryopreservation. On a fundamental level, the clear demonstration that at the same minimum cell volume, cell shrinkage rate affects sublethal damage should be broadly useful for cryobiology.
Dysfunction of pontine omnipause neurons causes impaired fixation: Macrosaccadic oscillations with a unilateral pontine lesion

Macrosaccadic oscillations of eyes (MSO) are regarded as a form of saccadic dysmetria secondary to cerebellar dysfunction. They are usually conjugate, horizontal, and symmetric in both directions of gaze. Using magnetic search coils, we studied a patient with MSO that developed five years following head injury and involved synchronously horizontal, vertical, and torsional planes. The MSO were characterized by directional pre-ponderance and were associated with ipsilateral pontine lesion. We propose a disturbance of fixation mechanisms due to unilateral disinhibition of saccadic burst neurons in three planes. This could arise from either primary or secondary dysfunction of omnipause neurons due to impaired input from the contralateral superior colliculus. The delayed onset is suggestive of denervation supersensitivity as the underlying pathophysiology.
A Localized Multi-Hop Desynchronization Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a new desynchronization algorithm aimed at providing collision-free transmission scheduling for single-hop and acyclic multi-hop wireless sensor networks. The desynchronization approach is resilient to the hidden terminal problem and topology changes. Each node distributively converges upon a single collision-free transmission slot, utilizing only minimal neighbor information. In addition, we propose two strategies which facilitate increased convergence time. We evaluate the proposed algorithm via simulations over a range of network densities on both single-hop and acyclic multi- hop networks. Convergence and throughput comparison are performed against two previously proposed desynchronization algorithms. Finally, using an experimental tested of TelosB motes we verify the performance, practicality, and correctness of the desynchronization algorithm on varying network topologies.
Invited Commentary: Will Heart Attacks Be “Gone with the Century”?

A frequently quoted editorial by Brown and Goldstein (1) speaks to the importance of myocardial infarction trends as indicators of progress in the battle against heart disease. Indeed, the increase in life expectancy in developed societies compounds the burden of coronary disease in the later stages of life, which has a major impact on the health of the US population. Population-based trends in disease rates are the final measures of the effect of interventions aimed at reducing the burden of disease. This underscores the importance of careful monitoring of coronary heart disease trends for public health, policy-making, and health economics. Myocardial infarctions are an essential component of the burden of coronary disease. While they do not represent all manifestations of the disease, the existence of established criteria amenable to standardization have made myocardial infarction one of the indicators of choice for tracking coronary disease over time.
A survey of macroscopic failure criteria for composite materials

Abstract : Popular failure criteria of fiber-reinforced composite materials are described and compared. These criteria are empirical and should only be judged from the standpoint of the fitness to data and the ease of application. The criteria for orthotropic plies of unidirectional composites are extensions of those for isotropic materials. The quadratic criteria are considered to be the most suitable for both isotropic and composite materials. Macroscopic criteria are essential for design and for providing guidelines for materials improvements. Strictly speaking, failure criteria for multidirectional laminants are valid up to the first-ply failure envelope; i.e., before transverse cracking and delamination occur. Finally, conditions for fully optimized ply properties are easily derived from the quadratic failure criterion. (Author)
Empirical Evaluation of Advanced Ear Biometrics

We present results of the largest experimental investigation of ear biometrics to date. Approaches considered include a PCA ("eigen-ear") approach with 2D intensity images, achieving 63.8% rank-one recognition; a PCA approach with range images, achieving 55.3% Hausdorff matching of edge images from range images, achieving 67.5% and ICP matching of the 3D data, achieving 98.7%. ICP based matching not only achieves the best performance, but also shows good scalability with size of dataset. The data set used represents over 300 persons, each with images acquired on at least two different dates. In addition, the ICP-based approach is further applied on an expanded data set of 404 subjects, and achieves 97.5% rank one recognition rate. In order to test the robustness and variability of ear biometrics, ear symmetry is also investigated. In our experiments around 90% of peoples right ear and left ear are symmetric.
Chemical and physical properties of bulk aerosols within four sectors observed during TRACE‐P

[1] Chemical and physical aerosol data collected on the DC-8 during TRACE-P were grouped into four sectors based on back trajectories. The four sectors represent long-range transport from the west (WSW), regional circulation over the western Pacific and Southeast Asia (SE Asia), polluted transport from northern Asia with substantial sea salt at low altitudes (NNW) and a substantial amount of dust (Channel). WSW has generally low mixing ratios at both middle and high altitudes, with the bulk of the aerosol mass due to non-sea-salt water-soluble inorganic species. Low altitude SE Asia also has low mean mixing ratios in general, with the majority of the aerosol mass comprised of non-sea-salts, however, soot is also relatively important in this region. NNW had the highest mean sea salt mixing ratios, with the aerosol mass at low altitudes (<2 km) evenly divided between sea salts, non-sea-salts, and dust. The highest mean mixing ratios of water-soluble ions and soot were observed at the lowest altitudes (<2 km) in the Channel sector. The bulk of the aerosol mass exported from Asia emanates from Channel at both low and midaltitudes, due to the prevalence of dust compared to other sectors. Number densities show enhanced fine particles for Channel and NNW, while their volume distributions are enhanced due to sea salt and dust. Low-altitude Channel exhibits the highest condensation nuclei (CN) number densities along with enhanced scattering coefficients, compared to the other sectors. At midaltitudes (2–7 km), low mean CN number densities coupled with a high proportion of nonvolatile particles (≥65%) observed in polluted sectors (Channel and NNW) are attributed to wet scavenging which removes hygroscopic CN particles. Low single scatter albedo in SE Asia reflects enhanced soot.
A model for assymetric hysteresis in piezoceramic materials

This paper focuses on the characterization of hysteresis exhibited by piezoelectric materials at moderate to high field levels. For soft materials in which dipoles are easily reconfigured, the hysteresis loop is observed to be rotationally symmetric about the zero field, zero polarization point and symmetric models can be employed. In harder materials, however, the loops are no longer rotationally symmetric which necessitates the development of commensurate characterization techniques. The model considered here is based upon the quantification of reversible and irreversible changes in polarization due to bending and translation of domain walls pinned at inclusions inherent to the materials. The performance of the model is illustrated through comparison with PZT4 data.
Non-linear and Elastic-Plastic Bending

In this chapter, we shall consider the question of determining the stress distribution and curvature when a beam is subjected to bending moments sufficient to cause plastic deformation. The same analytical procedure can also be used for the bending of beams made of materials such as rubber, which have a non-linear elastic constitutive behaviour.
Unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleed, when OGD could be fatal.

A 57-year-old man presented with chest pain, dyspnoea and coffee grounds emesis. He was haemodynamically stable without significant drop in haemoglobin. He suddenly developed cardiac arrest with wide complex tachycardia and became comatose. CT scan of the head revealed pneumocephalus and multiple infarcts. Given the recent history of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, atrio-oesophageal fistula (AOF) was suspected. CT angiography of the thorax showed a 5 mm diverticulum on the posterior wall of the left atrium, also raising suspicion for AOF. The patient was taken to the operating room. An AOF was found and repaired. He did not have any further gastrointestinal bleeding. There was no neurological recovery at day 11 and life support was withdrawn per his family9s request. This case highlights the importance of obtaining history of recent cardiac procedures in patients presenting with an upper gastrointestinal bleed. An oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in this patient could have been instantaneously deadly.
Early hematopoiesis and macrophage development

The paradigm that all blood cells are derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has been challenged by two findings. First, there are tissue-resident hematopoietic cells, including subsets of macrophages that are not replenished by adult HSCs, but instead are maintained by self-renewal of fetal-derived cells. Second, during embryogenesis, there is a conserved program of HSC-independent hematopoiesis that precedes HSC function and is required for embryonic survival. The presence of waves of HSC-independent hematopoiesis as well as fetal HSCs raises questions about the origin of fetal-derived adult tissue-resident macrophages. In the murine embryo, historical examination of embryonic macrophage and monocyte populations combined with recent reports utilizing genetic lineage-tracing approaches has led to a model of macrophage ontogeny that can be integrated with existing models of hematopoietic ontogeny. The first wave of hematopoiesis contains primitive erythroid, megakaryocyte and macrophage progenitors that arise in the yolk sac, and these macrophage progenitors are the source of early macrophages throughout the embryo, including the liver. A second wave of multipotential erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs) also arises in the yolk sac. EMPs colonize the fetal liver, initiating myelopoiesis and forming macrophages. Lineage tracing indicates that this second wave of macrophages are distributed in most fetal tissues, although not appreciably in the brain. Thus, fetal-derived adult tissue-resident macrophages, other than microglia, appear to predominately derive from EMPs. While HSCs emerge at midgestation and colonize the fetal liver, the relative contribution of fetal HSCs to tissue macrophages at later stages of development is unclear. The inclusion of macrophage potential in multiple waves of hematopoiesis is consistent with reports of their functional roles throughout development in innate immunity, phagocytosis, and tissue morphogenesis and remodeling. Understanding the influences of developmental origin, as well as local tissue-specific signals, will be necessary to fully decode the diverse functions and responses of tissue-resident macrophages.
Effects of Primary Shock on Cardiac Output and Blood Pressure.

In a previous study,1 the effects of uncomplicated hemorrhage on cardiac output and blood pressure were determined. Repeated removal of blood was usually associated with a decline in the cardiac output from 30 to 50% below the normal level before a marked diminution in the blood pressure occurs. Johnson and Blalock2 found that secondary shock as a result of trauma to muscles, trauma to the intestines or burns is associated with a definite decrease in the output of the heart before the blood pressure is altered appreciably. On the contrary, the introduction of histamine2 causes an initial decline in the blood pressure followed by a decrease in the cardiac output. Following the removal of the adrenal glands,3 the blood pressure usually declines before the cardiac output is altered. Trauma to the central nervous system4 is usually associated with a simultaneous decline in both the cardiac output and blood pressure.The alterations in the cardiac output and blood pressure in primary shock were determined in th...
The p-Adic Numbers of Hensel

(1938). The p-Adic Numbers of Hensel. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 45, No. 8, pp. 500-508.
Conceptualization of autism in the Latino community and its relationship with early diagnosis.

ABSTRACT:Objective:Early identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been linked to improved long-term developmental outcomes. However, Latino children are diagnosed later than white non-Latino children. We aimed to qualitatively assess the understanding and conceptualization of ASD in the
Physiological Effects at Low Oxygen Tensions of Replacing Oxygen with Carbon dioxide.

The following experiments were designed to determine if, on the basis of increased respiratory minute volume, an increased alveolar oxygen tension may be obtained at low-oxygen tensions by replacin...
X-Ray Scattering (Modeling and Experiment) of InxGa1-xAs/GaAs Multiple Quantum Wells

X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence measurements have been made on strained InxGa1−x As/GaAs quantum well structures. The well widths measured from TEM are 187, 115 and 69 A for an interrupted growth, and 218, 126, 60 A for a non-interrupted growth. In the measured x-ray diffraction patterns, the Pendellosung fringes due to GaAs barriers are modulated by a broad weak peak mostly coming from the thickest InxGa1−x As well layer and is fairly symmetric for the non-interrupted sample. For the interrupted quantum well, the x-ray diffraction pattern is less symmetric, since there is further modulation by another broader and weaker peak. This results show that the In content in the InxGa1−xAs well layers are not well controlled for the interrupted quantum well. Using actual thickness measured from TEM, x-ray diffraction patterns are calculated and good agreement is obtained between the measured and the calculated x-ray diffraction patterns. The three strained In Ga, As/GaAs quantum wells grown without interruption produce high intensity and narrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 2.9 meV of the photoluminescence peak. The photoluminescence peaks for the interrupted quantum well are relatively broad and asymmetric, and have lower intensities, indicating that better quality InxGa1−xAs/GaAs quantum wells can be grown without interruption.
Determination of Blood Lead by GFAAS Using Improved Matrix Modifier

Objective To develop a modified method for detecting blood lead by GFAAS using an improved matrix modifier,which eliminate the matrix interference effectively.Methods Samples were digested by HNO3+H2O2,and matrix modifier was NH4H2PO4+ HNO3+Vit C,and then detected by GFAAS.Results The recovery rate was 92.7%～100.8%,and relative standard deviation(RSD) was 2.9%～5.7%.The detection limit was 4.2ug/L.This method satisfactory with Blood Lead Clinical Laboratory Technical Specification by Ministry of Health.Conclusion The modified method is simple,convenient,accurate and with good reproducibility.The result is satisfactory.
The Training and the Injuries of the Orienting and Cross-country Movement

It is short history for the university to carry out the orienting and cross-country movement,it is inevitable to get injured for lack of the formal and scientific training.The paper discussed the ways to avoid the injuries and accelerate the development of orienting and cross-country movement in university.
Using electronic health record clinical decision support is associated with improved quality of care.

Objectives To determine whether clinical decision support (CDS) is associated with improved quality indicators and whether disabling CDS negatively affects these. Study design/methods Using the 2006-2009 National Ambulatory and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, we performed logistic regression to analyze adult primary care visits for the association between the use of CDS (problem lists, preventive care reminders, lab results, lab range notifications, and drug-drug interaction warnings) and quality measures (blood pressure control, cancer screening, health education, influenza vaccination, and visits related to adverse drug events). Results There were an estimated 900 million outpatient primary care visits to clinics with EHRs from 2006-2009; 97% involved CDS, 77% were missing at least 1 CDS, and 15% had at least 1 CDS disabled. The presence of CDS was associated with improved blood pressure control (86% vs 82%; OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5) and more visits not related to adverse drug events (99.9% vs 99.8%; OR 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-7.3); these associations were also present when comparing practices with CDS against practices that had disabled CDS. Electronic problem lists were associated with increased odds of having a visit with controlled blood pressure (86% vs 80%; OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.6). Lab result notification was associated with increased odds of ordering cancer screening (15% vs 10%; OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.03-2.2). Conclusions The use of CDS was associated with improvement in some quality indicators. Not having at least 1 CDS was common; disabling CDS was infrequent. This suggests that meaningful use standards may improve national quality indicators and health outcomes, once fully implemented.
Teaching disease management care: a senior resident seminar and team project model.

To address the six general competencies outlined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, family practice residency programs will need to enhance their future curriculum. This paper describes one approach to teaching three of these core competencies (practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, and systems-based practice), while enhancing the quality of patient care within the model family practice center. Resident involvement in and feedback on this pilot curriculum was positive, and the residents were confident in the skills they developed.
Two new Neotropical species of Cyperus (Cyperaceae)

Two new species are described, based on study of herbarium specimens: Cyperus bonariensis from the southern Caribbean, closely related to C. caesius, and C. stergiosii, related to C. guianensis, from Venezuela and Bolivia.
WAC: A Strengths-Based Approach to Student Learning

As is reported in other undergraduate disciplines, many social work students struggle with developing their writing skills. In this article we explore the special relevancy to social work education of a pedagogical approach known as Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), which provides a model for effective teaching based on the interrelationship of writing, learning, and thinking. We view improving student writing from a strengths perspective. Including students in the language of the profession and developing their critical thinking skills is a normative process accomplished through the instructor's conscious use of writing assignments in creative and integrative ways.
Stability of CdS-coated TiO 2 solar cells

The obstacle to realize the large-scale production of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is its long-term stability and reliability problem. One of the main causes of the instability of DSSCs is the use of liquid electrolytes. In addition, exploring nano-sized particles of CdS as an alternative sensitizer for organic dye in dye-sensitized solar cells have attracted great interest due to the high cost and the instability of the organic dye. Our study has found that the CdS-coated TiO2 cell degrades rapidly in the liquid electrolytes even under dark environment. In this work, a solid-state solar cell structure of Glass/FTO/TiO2/CdS:Cu/FTO/glass was successfully made with an efficiency of 0.7%. CdS:Cu served as both the p-type conductor and absorber. No efficiency was obtained for cell structures of glass/FTO/TiO2/CdS/FTO/glass. This indicates the effectiveness of hole conducting behavior of CdS:Cu. This is the first time that this type of solid-state solar cell is reported and improved stability is demonstrated.
Role of Multimodal Monitoring (MMM) in the Perioperative Period: Improving Outcomes in High Risk Surgical Patients

The early 1980s saw radical advances in perioperative monitoring. In a relatively short period of time, the “finger on the pulse”, manual measurement of blood pressure using Riva Rocci cuff, aneroid mercury column and listening for Korotkov sounds with a stethoscope and (if you were lucky) a primitive ECG machine were replaced from the early to mid 1980s with pulse oximetry, automated non-invasive BP, end tidal carbon dioxide and anaesthetic agent monitoring and sophisticated ECG technology. This was a major transition in monitoring technology but, since then, progress has been halted. From the late 1990s technology has become widely available to measure the extent of anaesthesia induced cortical suppression using EEG monitoring technology (e.g. BIS, Medtronic, USA), cerebral and tissue oxygenation using the Invos cerebral oximeter (Medtronic, USA) and various flow monitors using Doppler and arterial pulse waveform analysis from the radial or femoral artery lines. In 2011 NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, UK) guidelines were introduced advocating the use of flow monitoring and then in 2012 “depth of anaesthesia” in high-risk surgical patients. Although widely available this technology is still only used in a small percentage of patients in the UK. Recent evidence indicates that the introduction of flow monitoring alongside existing monitoring does not radically improve outcome in terms of reduction in complications and has no effect on 30 day and in-hospital mortality, which remains at around 5 % in the elderly, high risk surgical population. This is probably due to a fundamental misunderstanding of circulatory physiology which has led to protocols and interventions using flow monitoring which are inappropriate. Often they result in massive fluid and sodium overload. This is particularly a problem in the highest risk patients. The rapid rise in the number of such patients has I believe necessitated a radical re-evaluation of circulatory physiology under anaesthesia and its implication for management. Using the combination of these new monitoring technologies (flow, depth of anaesthesia and cerebral and tissue oximetry) in a multimodal monitoring strategy provides maximum benefit by reducing complications, the necessity for high dependency care and mortality. This combined strategy and its rationale is the subject of this chapter.
Excited-state absorption spectra in Tm 3+ -doped fluoride glass

Upconversion pumping of solid state lasers has been of increasing interest in recent years, since it allows laser operation at shorter wavelengths (eg., the blue) with a longer wavelength pump (e.g., the red or infrared). Pumping at longer wavelengths allows diode lasers to be used, and also avoids the possibility of defect formation associated with ultra-violet excitation. Tm3+ is of particular interest as the active ion because of its widely spaced energy levels throughout the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet. Upconversion lasers based on "Tm3+ have now been demonstrated both in bulk crystals1,2 and in glass fibers.3–5
Materials performance study of rep rate, long life

Materials science coupled to capacitor engineering can yield both near-term and far-term benefits. Near-term benefits include improvements in material quality and processing techniques. This can lead to improved quality control and reliability. Far-term benefits include identifying the “weak links” in the materials system (as alluded to above) and correlating these links with capacitor performance. Most important, however, will be achieving a fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry of very high energy density, high rep rate generic processes. Only in this way will dramatic advances in capacitor technology be achieved.
Management of rectovaginal fistulas and patient outcome.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Rectovaginal fistulas are a relatively rare, but debilitating condition which pose a significant treatment challenge.Areas covered: In this manuscript we discuss the etiology, classification as well as the manifestations and evaluation of rectovaginal fistulas. We summarize the different surgical techniques and evaluate their success rates and perioperative considerations according to cited sources.Expert commentary: A deep understanding of the disease, treatment options, and familiarity with the different surgical treatment options available is mandatory for choosing the correct treatment. When the surgical treatment is tailored to the specific fistula and patient, many patients can eventually have successful resolution. This review will address the management and patient outcomes after treatment for rectovaginal fistulas.
How Online Journalists Rank Importance of News Skills

While students should focus on traditional journalism skills, a new survey of online editors shows digital skills rise in importance when these editors are asked what kind of training they want new...
Perioperative clinical decision-making in surgery for mitral valve repair.

Abstract Echocardiography has played a critical role in the progress in mitral valve reconstructive surgery which was revolutionized as ''the French correction'' by Alain Carpentier in the mid 1980s. Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most challenging valvular heart disease throughout the world and is related to rheumatic etiology in the underdeveloped world and to degenerative etiology in the Western world. Echocardiography plays an integral role in the management of patients with significant MR. This includes evaluation and follow-up during the medical management phase of MR to intraoperative mitral valve repair and post operative follow-up, using a combination of transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Newer developments include evaluation by transthoracic and transesophageal three-dimensional echocardiography. This review summarizes role of echocardiography in diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of patients with clinically significant MR. Discussion will focus on mitral valve repair for degenerative MR of myxomatous etiology and functional and ischemic MR.
Influence of hot isostatic pressing on the performance of aluminum alloy fabricated by ultrasonic additive manufacturing

Abstract Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid-state manufacturing technique employing principles of ultrasonic welding coupled with mechanized tape layering to fabricate fully functional parts. However, UAM-fabricated parts often exhibit a reduction in strength when loaded normal to the welding interfaces (Z-direction). Here, the effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on UAM builds of aluminum alloy was explored. Tensile testing and microstructure characterization were conducted; it was established that HIP eliminated the brittle Z-direction fracture and improved the strength and ductility of the Z-direction specimens. HIP eliminated voids and produced recrystallized structure; however, welding interfaces survived the HIP treatment.
Accurate prediction of human miRNA targets via graph modeling of the miRNA-target duplex

miRNAs are involved in many critical cellular activities through binding to their mRNA targets, e.g. in cell proliferation, differentiation, death, growth control, and developmental timing. Accurat...
Weather Effects on Mason Productivity

Mason productivity is determined by architectural design, contractor efficiency, mason skill, and weather. Thermal stress in humans is affected by the balance between metabolism and evaporation, convection, and radiation. These heat transfers are affected by environmental conditions of temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiation. Correlations between all thermal stress variables and labor productivity have not been established for construction craftsmen. However, relationships between mason productivity and temperature and humidity have been established. Meteorological data from 73 United States weather stations have been used to determine geographical variations in mason productivity as affected by these climatic variables.
Plasmids in bacteria exposed to activated neutrophils mediate mutagenesis when transferred to new hosts.

The plasmid pUC18 contains a lacZ alpha-complementation gene that codes for a small peptide that can complement the delta M15 mutation of the Escherichia coli lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene, converting bacteria carrying that mutated gene from the lacZ- to the lacZ+ phenotype. This plasmid was used in experiments designed to study mutagenesis by human neutrophils. E coli carrying pUC18 were incubated with neutrophils under conditions in which little ingestion of the bacteria took place; the plasmid was then isolated and transformed into an E coli strain (BOZO) that carries the lacZ delta M15 mutation. Of these transformants, 11 of 205,000 were lacZ, suggesting that in these 11, alpha-complementation had been lost through a mutation. No lac- colonies were detected among several hundred thousand BOZO transformed with plasmid isolated from incubations in which phagocytosis could take place, nor from incubations from which neutrophils were omitted. Despite the lac- phenotype of these 11 transformants, plasmids reisolated from nine of them showed normal alpha-complementing ability when transformed into fresh BOZO. These findings indicated that in these nine, the mutations were located in the chromosomes of the transformed BOZO. It thus appears that on exposure to activated neutrophils, a plasmid may acquire a lesion (? mutation) that can somehow be transferred to the genome of a recipient microorganism, resulting in repair of the damaged plasmid accompanied by mutation of the recipient9s chromosome. Restriction mapping of the DNA from four of these nine chromosomal mutants suggested that the mutations did not represent major insertions or deletions in the portion of the bacterial chromosome corresponding to the pUC18 lac operon insert, nor in the remainder of the lacZ delta M15 gene. These results confirm previous work showing that exposure to activated neutrophils can induce mutations in biological systems, and provides an experimental model in which the mechanism of neutrophil-mediated mutagenesis may be examined.
Community development as prefigurative, radically democratic global governance?

This article explores the networks, coalitions, and organizations of the farmer-to-farmer movement to illustrate a recently proposed ideal-type called Integrative Governance. Collaborating movement...
Disequilibrium in Trait-Climate Relationships of Trees and Birds

Climate change is expected to drive changes in the structure of ecological assemblages, but these responses might show considerable time lags. If these lags are large, then the observed composition of assemblages will fall out of equilibrium with current climatic conditions. This disequilibrium has several expected signatures, including trends in the magnitude of climate relationships through time and stronger climate relationships across space than through time. Here, I describe spatial and temporal patterns of functional assemblage composition of birds and trees and ask whether there is evidence of disequilibrium between climate and functional assemblage structure. I used bird assemblage data from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and tree data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA), in both cases spanning the continental United States and covering the time period 1970-2016. To describe functional assemblage composition, I used the community weighted means of five functional traits for trees and six traits for birds, and fit linear models to explain the variation in composition through time and across space. For most traits, spatial relationships were much stronger than temporal relationships, consistent with lagged responses of assemblages to climate change. Several of the traits showed trends over the study period, in some cases associated with trends in mean annual temperature. Others showed dynamics in the spatial relationships between climate and trait values. For example, the mean clutch size of birds depended only weakly on temperature in the early study period, but the relationship became strongly negative by 2016. While precipitation was often an important predictor of spatial patterns of functional composition, it was typically weakly correlated with the temporal patterns. This likely reflects the fact that temperature experienced more consistent long-term trends over the study period, whereas large year-to-year fluctuations in precipitation prevent composition from ever coming into equilibrium with precipitation in a particular year. Overall, there was substantial evidence of disequilibrium between functional assemblage composition and climate.
The Mischief Rule

The mischief rule tells an interpreter to read a statute in light of the “mischief” or “evil”—the problem that prompted the statute. The mischief rule has been associated with Blackstone’s appeal to a statute’s “reason and spirit” and with Hart-and-Sacks-style purposivism. Justice Scalia rejected the mischief rule. But the rule is widely misunderstood, both by those inclined to love it and those inclined to hate it. This Article reconsiders the mischief rule. It shows that the rule has two enduringly useful functions: guiding an interpreter to a stopping point for statutory language that can be given a broader or narrower scope, and helping the interpreter prevent clever evasions of the statute. The mischief rule raises fundamental questions about the relationship of text and context, about the construction of ambiguity, and about legal interpretation when we are no longer in “the age of statutes.” In many of our present interpretive conflicts, the mischief rule offers useful guidance, for textualists and purposivists alike.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging using pulse inversion spectral deconvolution

A contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging approach, termed pulse inversion spectral deconvolution (PISD), is introduced. The approach uses two Gaussian-weighted Hermite polynomials to form two inverted pulse sequences. The two inversed pulses are then used to filter ultrasound (US) backscattered data and discrimination of the linear and nonlinear signal components. A research US scanner equipped with a linear array transducer was used for data acquisition. The receive data from all channels are shaped using plane wave imaging beamforming with angular compounding (from one to nine angles). In vitro data was collected with a tissue mimicking flow phantom perfused with an US contrast agent using PISD and traditional nonlinear (NLI) US imaging as comparison. The role of imaging frequency (between 4.5 and 6.25 MHz) and mechanical index (from 0.1 to 0.3) were evaluated. Preliminary in vivo data was collected in the hindlimb of three healthy mice. Preliminary experimental findings indicate that the PISD contrast-to-tissue ratio was improved nearly ten times compared to the NLI US imaging approach. Also, the spatial resolution was improved due to the effect of deconvolution and spatial angular compounding. Overall, PISD is a promising postprocessing technique for real-time CEUS imaging.
Autologous Fat Transfer for Scar Prevention and Remodeling: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Trial.

Autologous fat transfer-also referred to as fat grafting-has been reported to provide beneficial effects to overlying scar and skin. Despite procedural frequency, there is a paucity of high-level evidence guiding the surgeon in technique, patient selection, and efficacy. Methods A multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, internally placebo-controlled trial was performed with an aim to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the impact of autologous fat transfer on the quality of overlying scar tissue. Fat-grafted scars were evaluated and compared with paired, saline-injected "control" scars. Subjective and objective metrics were evaluated in treated sites for 12 months after treatment. Results Blinded qualitative results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in scar quality over time in fat-grafted scars. However, these improvements were not found to be statistically different from changes noted in scars treated with saline. In addition, objective metrics did not statistically differ between saline-injected and autologous fat-grafted scars. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that autologous fat grafting can improve the qualitative profile of a scar from both the patient and observer perspectives. However, there was no difference in improvement when compared with scars that were treated with saline in a randomized and blinded fashion. These results demonstrate that any improvements in scar quality related to fat grafting are also achieved using saline and suggest that mechanisms other than cell activity may be at play. Additional randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials are required to either corroborate or contest the putative beneficial effect(s) of adipose tissue on scar remodeling.
Social Robots in Service Contexts: Exploring the Rewards and Risks of Personalization and Re-embodiment

Social agents and robots are moving into front-line positions in brick and mortar services, taking on roles where they directly interact with customers. These agents could potentially recognize customers to personalize service. Will customers like this, or might they feel monitored and profiled? Robots could also re-embody (move their “personality” between one body and another) in order to take on multiple roles that are typically performed by different people. Will this make customers feel more taken care of, or will it raise concerns about the robot’s competence and expertise? Our work investigates when robots should and should not recognize customers and re-embody. Our online study used storyboards to present possible future interactions between robots and customers across several different service contexts. Our findings suggest that people generally accept robots identifying customers and taking on vastly different roles. However, in some contexts, these robot behaviors seem creepy and untrustworthy.
Abiotic controls of emergent macrophyte density in a bedrock channel — The Cahaba River, AL (USA)

Abstract Research examining bedrock channels is growing. Despite this, biotic–abiotic interactions remain a topic mostly addressed in alluvial systems. This research identified hydrogeomorphic factors operating at the patch-scale (10 0 –10 2 m) in bedrock shoals of the Cahaba River (AL) that help determine the distribution of the emergent aquatic macrophyte, Justicia americana . Macrophyte patch density (number of stems/m 2 ) and percent bedrock void surface area (rock surface area/m 2 occupied by joints, fractures, and potholes) were measured ( n = 24 within two bedrock shoals) using stem counts and underwater photography, respectively. One-dimensional hydrologic modeling (HEC-RAS 4.1.0) was completed for a section within a shoal to examine velocity and channel depth as controlling variables for macrophyte patch density. Results from binary logistic regression analysis identified depth and velocity as good predictors of the presence or absence of Justicia americana within shoal structures (depth p = 0.001, velocity p = 0.007), which is a similar finding to previous research conducted in alluvial systems. Correlation analysis between bedrock surface void area and stem density demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation ( r = 0.665, p = 0.01), elucidating a link between abiotic–biotic processes that may well be unique to bedrock channels. These results suggest that the amount of void space present in bedrock surfaces, in addition to localized depth and velocity, helps control macrophyte patch density in bedrock shoal complexes. The utility of geomorphology in explaining patch-scale habitat heterogeneity in this study highlights geomorphology's potential to help understand macrophyte habitat heterogeneity at the reach scale, while also demonstrating its promise for mapping and understanding habitat heterogeneity at the system scale.
Who Cares about Racial Inequality

The issue of Affirmative Action is discussed, identifying some difficulties with the way that this policy has been pursued in the past: Racial preferences can be a poorly targeted method of closing the gap in social status between Blacks and Whites, and can have negative unintended consequences for incentives and for the reputations of its beneficiaries. Nevertheless, it is argued that some form of affirmative action continues to be needed. The concept of developmental affirmative action is introduced. This form of racially targeted policy focuses primarily on the enhancement of competitive skills. In so doing, it avoids many of the aforementioned difficulties
TU-AB-BRA-01: Classification of Prostate Cancer Gleason Scores Through Machine Learning From Multiparametric MRI

Purpose: To develop a machine learning-based automatic classification of Gleason Score (GS) 3+4=7 versus 4+3=7 prostate cancers (PCa) from multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) combined with first and second order texture features. Methods: 140 PCa were delineated in the peripheral and transition zones from patients undergoing mpMRI 6 months pre-prostatectomy. Lesions were contoured on T2-weighted MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps by correlating the images with step-section pathology maps of the excised prostates. 114 tumors had a GS (3+4) and 26 had a GS (4+3). First order (mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis) and second order texture features (energy, entropy, correlation, homogeneity, contrast) were analyzed. Due to large tumor class imbalance, we employed two different sample augmentation techniques: Gibbs and SMOTE oversampling. The samples in each class were oversampled to 200 samples. We evaluated the performance of three different classifiers, t-test support vector machine (t-test SVM), recursive feature elimination SVM (RFE-SVM), and adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), using 10-fold crossvalidation. Results: RFE-SVM achieved the best classification performance (accuracy: 97%; Youden Index: 0.93) when trained using samples generated by the SMOTE method, followed by t-test SVM (78%,0.56) and AdaBoost (73%,0.46). When trained using samples generated from Gibbs oversampling, the performance of the classifiers were: RFE-SVM (90%,0.80), t-test SVM(71%,0.41), and AdaBoost (76%,0.52). In comparison, the classification performance of the same methods without sample augmentation was RFE-SVM (83%,0.11), t-test SVM(81%,0.00), and AdaBoost(79%,0.41). Classification with only mean ADC and mean T2 resulted at best in an accuracy of (67%,0.34) using Gibbs sampling. Conclusion: We developed a fully automated method for classifying GS of PCa from multi-parametric images using texture features combined with sample augmentation. Our method enables to boost classifier performance despite highly unbalanced datasets. Furthermore, our results show that texture features enable the classifiers to achieve a much higher accuracy in comparison to not using any of them.
A new device for ocular surgical training on enucleated eyes.

Abstract Objective To develop a reliable inexpensive device for teaching ocular surgical procedures and practicing experimental techniques on enucleated eyes. Design Teaching device trial. Participants Thirty enucleated porcine eyes. Methods A Plexiglas ocular bulb holder was secured with its base support to a polyvinylchloride pillar on a modified polystyrene trial head. Main outcome measure The convenience and reproducibility of both laser and surgical ocular techniques performed with this new device were evaluated. Results This model allows curvilinear capsulorrhexis and phacoemulsification of porcine lenses through a corneal tunnel incision and insertion of a soft foldable acrylic intraocular lens into the capsular bag. Argon and neodymium:YAG laser iridotomy and retinal argon laser photocoagulation can also be performed with this model. Conclusions This inexpensive device is useful for teaching both surgical and laser ocular procedures.