cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Woody plant encroachment restructures bird communities in semiarid grasslands

Abstract The abundance and distribution of woody plants have increased in grassland ecosystems worldwide. Robust generalizations about the consequences of this transformative process on animal communities have been elusive, especially in semiarid regions where populations of many species have declined. We evaluated how distributions and species richness of breeding birds responded to woody plant encroachment by using spatial variation in woody cover as a proxy for the temporal process by which grasslands transform into shrub savannas. Specifically, we surveyed breeding birds and vegetation on 140 10-ha plots in semiarid grasslands that spanned the gradient of cover by Prosopis (mesquite), a genus of shrubs that has proliferated in semiarid grasslands worldwide. We used a multispecies occupancy model to characterize distributions of breeding bird species along the encroachment gradient. Distributions of 29 of 35 species changed markedly in response to encroachment, with distributions of most obligate grassland species contracting and most facultative grassland species expanding. Species richness increased sharply as cover of woody plants increased and peaked at ∼22% cover; this increase was driven by recruitment of generalist and shrub-associated species, many of which are common at regional scales. Lastly, we identified thresholds of woody cover where distributions contracted or expanded markedly, which provide targets for conservation and restoration efforts. Our results highlight the importance of understanding species-specific responses to woody plant encroachment as the basis for explaining community-level patterns because increases in diversity at local scales might ultimately reduce diversity at broader scales as grassland specialists are displaced.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing Turns Fiber‐Optic Cables into Sensitive Seismic Antennas

Abstract Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is a new, relatively inexpensive technology that is rapidly demonstrating its promise for recording earthquake waves and other seismic signals in a wide range of research and public safety arenas. It should significantly augment present seismic networks. For several important applications, it should be superior. It employs ordinary fiber‐optic cables, but not as channels for data among separate sophisticated instruments. With DAS, the hair‐thin glass fibers themselves are the sensors. Internal natural flaws serve as seismic strainmeters, kinds of seismic detector. Unused or dark fibers are common in fiber cables widespread around the globe, or in dedicated cables designed for special application, are appropriate for DAS. They can sample passing seismic waves at locations every few meters or closer along paths stretching for tens of kilometers. DAS arrays should enrich the three major areas of local and regional seismology: earthquake monitoring, imaging of faults and many other geologic formations, and hazard assessment. Recent laboratory and field results from DAS tests underscore its broad bandwidth and high‐waveform fidelity. Thus, while still in its infancy, DAS already has shown itself as the working heart—or perhaps ear drums—of a valuable new seismic listening tool. My colleagues and I expect rapid growth of applications. We further expect it to spread into such frontiers as ocean‐bottom seismology, glacial and related cryoseismology, and seismology on other solar system bodies.
Fixel-Based Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Novel Associations Between White Matter Microstructure and Childhood Aggressive Behavior.

Abstract Background Childhood aggression has been linked to white matter abnormalities, but research has been inconsistent with regard to both regions of alterations and directionality of the associations. We examined white matter microstructure correlates of aggression using a novel diffusion imaging analysis technique, fixel-based analysis, which leverages connectivity and crossing-fiber information to assess fiber bundle density. Methods The sample included 70 children with aggressive behavior and 25 healthy control children without aggressive behavior. Aggression was measured by the parent-rated Aggressive Behavior scale of the Child Behavior Checklist. Fixel-based analysis was conducted at the whole-brain and region-of-interest levels, including the uncinate fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, fornix, cingulum bundle, and genu, body, isthmus, and splenium of the corpus callosum. Results Whole-brain analysis of covariance revealed that children with aggressive behavior, relative to control children, had lower fiber density in a cluster of limbic and cortical pathways, including the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, fornix, middle cerebellar peduncle, and superior thalamic radiations (familywise error–corrected p Conclusions Diminished white matter density in pathways connecting limbic and cortical regions is associated with childhood aggression. Abnormal interhemispheric connectivity via corpus callosum may also reflect a potential neural mechanism involved in aggression.
Potential of Glioblastoma-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Therapy

Despite the established efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in hematologic malignancies, translating CAR T therapy to solid tumors has remained investigational. Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumor, has recently been among the malignancies being trialed clinically with CAR T cells. Glioblastoma in particular holds several unique features that have hindered clinical translation, including its vast intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity, associated immunosuppressive environment, and lack of clear experimental models to predict response and analyze resistant phenotypes. Here, we review the history of CAR T therapy development, its current progress in treating glioblastoma, as well as the current challenges and future directions in establishing CAR T therapy as a viable alternative to the current standard of care. Tremendous efforts are currently ongoing to identify novel CAR targets and target combinations for glioblastoma, to modify T cells to enhance their efficacy and to enable them to resist tumor-mediated immunosuppression, and to utilize adjunct therapies such as lymphodepletion, checkpoint inhibition, and bi-specific engagers to improve CAR T persistence. Furthermore, new preclinical models of CAR T therapy are being developed that better reflect the clinical features seen in human trials. Current clinical trials that rapidly incorporate key preclinical findings to patient translation are emerging.
Preventing Terrorist Recruitment through Early Intervention by Involving Families

Preventing terrorist recruitment is one of the most effective and less lethal methods of countering terrorism, and yet it is often overlooked. This article describes a program designed and administered by the author to prevent terrorist recruitment through early intervention, by promoting the involvement of the families of potential recruits in their children's activities and in a counterterrorism program that was developed and implemented in Sanliurfa, Turkey, for four years, from 2010 to 2014. The article details the concept and structure of the program, provides insights on how it was developed and administered, and presents the data, an analysis, and the findings. In addition, this article reports on the outcomes of the program and offers insights into why the youth in Sanliurfa were struggling to break their ties with terrorist organizations.
Functional Brain Imaging

Cognitive neuroscience combines the experimental strategies of cognitive psychology with various techniques to actually examine how brain function supports mental activities. Leading this research in normal humans are the new techniques of functional brain imaging: positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The roots of these techniques are traced to the century-long study of blood flow to the brain. For the future, the hope is to combine the spatial dimension of responses captured with functional MRI with the temporal dimension provided by encephalography (EEC) or magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Laboratory Maintenance and Propagation of Freshwater Planarians

Freshwater planarians are a powerful model organism for the study of animal regeneration, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, and the development and functions of several highly conserved complex tissues. At the same time, planarians are easy to maintain, inexpensive to propagate, and reasonably macroscopic (1 mm to 1 cm in length), making them excellent organisms to use in both complex academic research and hands-on teaching laboratories. Here, we provide a detailed description of how to maintain and propagate these incredibly versatile animals in any basic laboratory setting. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Salt solution preparation Basic Protocol 2: Cleaning planarian housing Basic Protocol 3: Food preparation Basic Protocol 4: Feeding planarians Basic Protocol 5: Expansion and amplification of colony.
Momentum, Information, and Herding

This study investigates the potential explanations to the momentum effect on the equity market. We primarily discuss the underreaction hypothesis, the overreaction hypothesis, and the impact of her...
The complexity of cover graph recognition for some varieties of finite lattices

We address the following decision problem: Instance: an undirected graphG. Problem: IsG a cover graph of a lattice? We prove that this problem is NP-complete. This extends results of Brightwell [5] and Nesetřil and Rodl [12]. On the other hand, it follows from Alvarez theorem [2] that recognizing cover graphs of modular or distributive lattices is in P. An important tool in the proof of the first result is the following statement which may be of independent interest: Given an integerl, l⩾3, there exists an algorithm which for a graphG withn vertices yields, in time polynomial inn, a graphH with the number of vertices polynomial inn, and satisfying girth(H)⩾l and χ(H)=χ(G).
Improving thermodynamic consistency among vapor pressure, heat of vaporization, and liquid and ideal gas isobaric heat capacities through multi-property optimization

Abstract Vapor pressure, heat of vaporization, liquid isobaric heat capacity, and ideal gas isobaric heat capacity can be measured for pure organic compounds between the triple point and critical point. Additionally, heat of vaporization is proportional to the derivative of vapor pressure with respect to temperature through the Clapeyron equation, and the difference of liquid and ideal gas heat capacities are proportional to the derivative of heat of vaporization with respect to temperature. These relationships and experimental data were compared for several compounds to interpolate and extrapolate available data and increase consistency amongst these properties. A methodology for assessing the thermodynamic consistency amongst data sets and optimizing the accepted property values has been developed so that this procedure can be applied to other compounds in the DIPPR 801 database for which there are fewer experimental data available. The process involves critically evaluating available experimental data and the correlations used to fit these temperature-dependent properties. Multi-property optimization includes weighting the various data values based on the accuracy of the data and on the perceived relative importance of the properties in process design. User-defined weighting systems will be established to provide optimization flexibility across these properties for future use of the DIPPR 801 database.
The continuing quest for exact solutions of Einstein's field eouations - - new goals for the eighties

The striking achievements of the last few years in connection with the search for solutions of Einstein's field equations describing the exterior fields of spinning masses give one hope that the next decade will see the solution of additional problems of physical interest.
Transfection experiments with Leishmania.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the laboratory procedures to introduce DNA by electroporation into Leishmania . The chapter discusses methods for generating stably transformed clonal parasite lines, transient transfection, and analysis. Transfection experiments can be divided into those in which the goal is to obtain parasite lines stably transformed with a particular piece of DNA and those in which the goal is immediate analysis of the population of transfected cells for activities associated with the input DNA. The success of stable transfection experiments depends on the availability of genes that confer a selectable phenotype to the host organism when the gene is expressed. Although this process can take weeks, the resultant stably transformed lines can be subjected to a variety of molecular, biochemical, and immunological analyses over a long period of time. Production of stable cell lines is essential for the analysis of phenotypes associated with expression of exogenous genes or for phenotypes associated with the disruption of endogenous genes. A number of selectable markers have been successfully used in Leishmania and other trypanosomatids.
Performance of large-area CZT detectors for hard X-ray imaging

We have developed large, monolithic CZT detectors for hard x-ray imaging applications. Detectors measure 32/spl times/32 mm/sup 2/ and 25/spl times/25 mm/sup 2//spl times/2 mm thick. Crossed strip readout gives 0.5 mm spatial resolution. Signals are read out by four 32-input ASICs, with spectroscopic analysis performed on the anodes. Results are presented on the detectors' spatial accuracy, spectral response, and effective area. Also presented are imaging results with the detectors employed in coded mask imagers.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Phagosome Maturation Arrest: Selective Targeting of PI3P-Dependent Membrane Trafficking

The ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to enter host macrophages, and reside in a phagosome, which does not mature into a phagolysosome, is central to the spread of tuberculosis and the associated pandemic involving billions of people worldwide. Tuberculosis can be viewed as a disease with a significant intracellular trafficking and organellar biogenesis component. Current understanding of the block in M. tuberculosis phagosome maturation also sheds light on fundamental aspects of phagolysosome biogenesis. The maturation block involves interference with the recruitment and function of rabs, rab effectors (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases and tethering molecules such as EEA1), SNAREs (Syntaxin 6 and cellubrevin) and Ca2+/calmodulin signaling. M. tuberculosis analogs of mammalian phosphatidylinositols interfere with these systems and associated processes.
Simulador do desempenho Humano S. PERERE

Frequently we observe that many problems in human computer interaction occur because interaction project didn't consider some points that conduced user to error. This paper presents S. PERERE (Simulator of Performance in Error), a human erroneous behavior computational simulator and its new task input way.
Effect of UV Light on Spore Viability and Mosquito Larvicidal Activity of Bacillus sphaericus 1593

UV light from a germicidal lamp rapidly reduced the viability of Bacillus sphaericus 1593 spores, but insecticidal activity was resistant to inactivation by continuous exposure to UV light for 4 h.
RED theory for quality of service provisioning in wireless communications

In this paper, we study the performance limit of a wireless communication system over a fading channel. The system under study consists of 1) a finite-buffer discrete-time queueing system on the link layer; and 2) a rate-adaptive channel coding system on the physical layer. The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship among data rate (R), packet error probability (E), and delay bound (D) under the interaction between the link layer and the physical layer. In our analysis, we consider three types of packet errors; that is, 1) packet drop due to full buffer; 2) packet drop due to delay bound violation; and 3) packet decoding error due to channel noise. We obtain an upper bound on the packet error probability. Furthermore, by minimizing the packet error probability over the transmission rate, we obtain an optimal rate control policy that guarantees the user-specified data rate and delay bound. In the case of constant arrival, the optimal rate control policy results in a rate-error-delay triplet; then, by varying data rate and delay bound, we obtain rate-error-delay Pareto-optimal surface, which serves as the performance limit of the system under study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ELECTRON TRANSFER ACROSS THE ELECTRODE/ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE : INFLUENCE OF REDOX ION MOBILITY AND COUNTERIONS

A microscopic model for electron transfer (ET) across an electrolyte/metal electrode interface is studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The Anderson−Newns Hamiltonian is used to describe the adiabatic ET for an Fe2+/Fe3+ ion in water at a Pt(111) electrode surface using an implicit representation of the electron transfer event. The diabatic and adiabatic solvent free energy curves for the electron transfer are calculated; however, the present study significantly expands upon our earlier simulations [Straus, J. B.; Calhoun, A.; Voth, G. A. J. Chem. Phys. 1995, 102, 529)]. In particular, the motion of the redox ion is now allowed, as well its corresponding image in the metal surface arising from the electrode polarization. Importantly, a counterion is also added to the simulations in order to study its effect on the ET free energy curves. In all cases, the effects are found to be significant.
Affinity chromatography of heme-binding proteins: An improved method for the synthesis of hemin-agarose

Abstract Hemin was conjugated to aminoethyl-agarose with high efficiency using 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole as a condensing agent. The hemin-agarose was an efficient affinity resin for certain heme-binding proteins. It retained 4–5 mg of globin per milliliter of packed gel, whereas hemoglobin did not bind to the resin. The specificity of the adsorbent was further demonstrated by the selective binding of hemopexin from the whole sera of several species of a new heme-binding protein (HBP.93) from rabbit serum. Serum albumin, a major protein in serum which can also bind heme, did not bind to the adsorbent.
A numerical study of ocean polarimetric thermal emission

A numerical model for polarimetric thermal emission from penetrable ocean surfaces rough in two directions is presented. The numerical model is based on Monte Carlo simulation with an iterative version of the method of moments (MOM) known as the sparse matrix flat surface iterative approach (SMFSIA), extended to the penetrable surface case through a numerical impedance boundary condition (NIBC) method. Since the small U/sub B/ brightnesses obtained from ocean surfaces (usually less than 1.5 K, or 0.5% of a 300-K physical temperature) require extremely accurate simulations to avoid large errors, a parallel version of the algorithm is developed to allow matrix elements to be integrated accurately and stored. The high accuracy required also limits simulations to near flat surface profiles, so that only high-frequency components of the ocean spectrum are modeled. Variations in nadir polarimetric brightness temperatures with spectrum low- and high-frequency cutoffs show the Bragg (or shortwave) portion of the spectrum to contribute significantly to emission azimuthal signatures, as predicted by the small perturbation or composite surface approximate theories. Quantitative comparisons with approximate methods show perturbation theory to slightly overestimate linear brightness temperatures, but accurately predict their azimuthal variations, while physical optics (PO) significantly underestimates both linear brightness temperatures and their azimuthal variations. Further simulations with the numerical model allow sensitivities to ocean spectrum models to be investigated and demonstrate the importance of an accurate azimuthal description for the ocean spectrum.
Thermal evolution of Titan's atmosphere

The present model of Titan's atmosphere/surface evolution assumes the presence of a kilometer-deep ethane-methane ocean at the surface that serves as a tropospheric thermal balance-determining atmospheric-gas reservoir. The evolution of the atmospheric thermal structure is driven by gas-abundance changes occurring as stratospheric photolysis irreversibly converts methane into higher hydrocarbons, whereby the ocean becomes ethane-enriched and methane-depleted. A family of evolution models is presented whose various members correspond to different present-day ocean compositions, various atmospheric hydrogen abundances, and different schemes for frequency-averaging the gas opacity. A slow evolution over several billion years is envisioned.
Neutral lipids in adult male and female Schistosoma mansoni and release of neutral lipids by adults maintained in vitro

Abstract 1. 1. Thin layer chromatographic analyses showed that the major neutral lipid fractions of whole worm extracts of male and female adult Schistosoma mansoni were free sterols and triglycerides. 2. 2. Histochemical analyses of cryostat sections of adult schistosomes stained with Oil Red O showed that males contain neutral lipids mainly in the parenchyma and tubercles, whereas females contain neutral lipids mainly in the vitellaria. 3. 3. Male schistosomes maintained in vitro in Earle's medium released free sterols into the medium within 1 hr post-incubation. 4. 4. Lipophilic substances released from male S. mansoni may influence the development and behavior of female S. mansoni .
Understanding the Physical Risk Factors Affecting Cervical Musculoskeletal Disorders

In spite of strong epidemiological evidence associating neck or cervical spine disorders with forceful arm exertions common at workplaces, effect of such exertions as causative of neck musculoskele...
THE EVALUATION OF ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDREN

Young children frequently present to the emergency department (ED) complaining of abdominal pain with an age-appropriate statement, “My tummy hurts.” It is the emergency physician’s job to sort out infants and children with serious diseases from those with minor problems. The focus of this article is to review diseases that represent the urgent or emergent problems requiring prompt surgical or medical consultation (appendicitis, intussusception, malrotation, and pyloric stenosis), from those problems that can be safely managed at home or by follow-up with their physician (colic, constipation, functional abdominal pain, and gastroenteritis). There are many excellent sources that contain lengthy lists of diseases that may cause abdominal pain, usually grouped by age.’l 26, 27, s6 For instance, ectopic pregnancy is listed in the adolescent age group, whereas pyloric stenosis is a disease only of the young infant. Several conditions can present at any age, including appendicitis, gastroenteritis, and constipation. In approaching the pediatric patient, one must consider the likelihood of a particular disease presenting in any age group?, 3D Also, with the increasing pressure for earlier discharge after birth from the hospital, the emergency physician is likely to see neonatal conditions that in the past have been diagnosed in the nursery. When a neonate presents with feeding problems or constipation, congenital gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities (gut atresias, Hirschprung’s disease), sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis must be considered. In addition to the long lists of diseases that cause abdominal pain in children, one can also find clinical algorithms that show a logical approach to the management of these patients.5h Using careful histories and physical examinations, emergency medicine physicians will be able to be selective in the laboratory and radiologic studies obtained. A recent prospective study from a large children’s hospital reports the The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. All material in this article is in the public domain with the exception of any borrowed tables or figures.
The Importance of Non-reactivity to Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: A Case for Mindfulness

Mindfulness has shown promise in the treatment of several disorders, but the empirical literature regarding mindfulness and post-traumatic stress symptoms is limited. The current study examined the relationship among self-reported levels of mindfulness facets and post-traumatic stress symptoms after controlling for negative affect, age, number of traumas, and years since the trauma occurred. Participants were 157 students at an urban commuter university who completed measures online and endorsed experiencing fear, horror, or helplessness during a potentially traumatic event. Participants were predominantly female (77 %) and ranged in age from 18 to 64 years (mean = 26, SD = 4.73). Results indicated that the ability to describe emotional experiences was uniquely associated with lower hyperarousal scores, while non-reactivity to inner experiences was uniquely associated with lower overall post-traumatic stress symptoms, as well as lower re-experiencing and hyperarousal scores. Results are discussed in terms of the potential for mindfulness as an intervention for post-traumatic stress symptoms.
The Linoleic Acid Requirement of Chicks

Abstract A DIETARY requirement for essential fatty acids for chicks and hens has been conclusively demonstrated in recent years by several investigators (Bieri et al., 1956; Machlin and Gordon, 1960; Hopkins et al., 1960). Lack of a source of linoleic acid in the diet of young chicks results in suboptimal growth rate, enlarged, fatty livers and reduced resistance to respiratory infections (Marion and Edwards, 1962; Ross and Adamson, 1961; Hopkins et al., 1963). Laying hens deficient in linoleic acid lay fewer and smaller eggs with markedly reduced fertility and hatchability (Menge et al., 1965). Several workers showed that linoleic acid nearly disappears from depot fat and tissue lipids when essential fatty acid deficient diets are fed (Bieri et al., 1957; Machlin and Gordon, 1961). Concurrent with low levels of linoleic acid, a significant quantity of 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid appears in tissue lipids of essential fatty acid deficient chicks. This faty acid has …
Wall modeling for LES of high Reynolds number channel flows: What turbulence information is retained?

Abstract A novel near-wall eddy-viscosity formulation for Large-eddy simulation (LES) has been used to compute high Reynolds number channel flows up to Re τ = 1,000,000. These computations allow an insight into what turbulence information is retained when LES with a wall model is applied to such high Reynolds numbers. Detailed results are presented for the mean and rms velocities, as well as energy spectra. It is observed that, when an appropriate scaling is used, the rms velocities, energy spectra and the production of turbulence kinetic energy are weakly Reynolds number dependent at these high Reynolds numbers.
Chemical Reactions of Nitrogen Oxides on the Surface of Oxide, Carbonate, Soot, and Mineral Dust Particles: Implications for the Chemical Balance of the Troposphere

Particles present in the Earth's atmosphere provide reactive surfaces for potentially important chemistry. The role of heterogeneous reactions of trace atmospheric gases on solid aerosol surfaces p...
A stabilized mixed discontinuous Galerkin method for Darcy flow

Abstract A new mixed, stabilized, discontinuous Galerkin formulation for Darcy flow is presented. The formulation combines several attributes not simultaneously satisfied by other methods: It is convergent for any combination of velocity and pressure interpolation higher than first-order, it exactly satisfies a mass balance on each element, and it passes two- and three-dimensional constant-flow “patch tests” for distorted element geometries. The key ingredient in the formulation is a volumetric, residual-based, stabilization term that does not involve any mesh-dependent parameters.
Cardiac consequences of renal transplantation: Changes in left ventricular morphology and function

To characterize changes in left ventricular morphology and function associated with renal transplantation, noninvasive cardiac evaluations were performed in 41 adults at the time of surgery and at follow-up. At the time of transplantation, 36 patients had undergone hemodialysis through a fistula for 2.3 ± 2.5 years (mean ± SD); their hematocrit level was 26 ± 6% and systolic blood pressure was 151 ± 19 mm Hg. Perioperatively, left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 93% of patients by echocardiography, but in only 37% by electrocardiography. Abnormal left ventricular diastolic function was present in 67% of patients and indicated a high risk for perioperative pulmonary edema. At follow-up (1.5 ± 14 years), mean hematocrit level increased to 39 ± 7%, systolic blood pressure decreased to 132 ± 14 mm Hg and spontaneous closure of the fistula occurred in 13 patients. Left ventricular mass by echocardiography decreased from 237 ± 66 to 182 ± 47 g (p < 0.001), a decrease of 23%. Left ventricular volumes and cardiac index also decreased significantly, reflecting the rapid resolution of a pretransplant high output state. Despite proportionate regression of left ventricular hypertrophy within months of transplantation, diastolic function did not improve. The significant regression of left ventricular hypertrophy that occurs after renal transplantation may help explain the improved cardiovascular survival of patients with a renal transplant over that of patients on long-term dialysis.
Left ventricular apical wall motion abnormality is associated with lack of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background Many patients with appropriate indications fail to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Objective The purpose of our study was to determine the relationship between CRT response and preimplantation apical wall motion abnormality. Methods We analyzed data from 83 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who underwent CRT. All patients had New York Heart Association class III or IV symptoms despite maximal medical therapy, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, and QRS duration ≥130 ms or Results At baseline, CRT responders (n = 39) and nonresponders (n = 44) had similar LVEF (22.9% ± 6.9% vs 23.1% ± 8.3%), QRS duration (159 ± 43 ms vs 159 ± 36 ms), and medical treatment. CRT nonresponders had a higher prevalence of preimplantation apical wall motion abnormality (68% vs 33%, P = . 003). Patients with baseline apical wall motion abnormalities (n = 43) were less likely than others (n = 40) to show improvement in wall motion at 6 months (30% vs 81%, P 001) or clinical response to CRT (31% vs 64%, P = . 003). Conclusion The presence of a preimplantation apical wall motion abnormality was associated with a lower rate of CRT response in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Water and Life in the International Year of Chemistry

This commentary talks about the worldwide health impact of lack of access to potable water. Household water treatment and storage (HWTS) is described as one approach to improving potable water accessibility in which students and educators can make a contribution to alleviate the problem of lack of access. The author suggests that, as chemists, educators can contribute to the success of HWTS by engaging students in water quality measurements placed at the service of the HWTS approach. In addition, this commentary highlights the pedagogical benefits of such an engagement.
Alterations of potassium currents in ischemia-vulnerable and ischemia-resistant neurons in the hippocampus after ischemia

Abstract CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus die 2–3 days following transient forebrain ischemia, whereas CA3 pyramidal neurons and granule cells in the dentate gyrus remain viable. Excitotoxicity is the major cause of ischemic cell death, and potassium currents play important roles in regulating the neuronal excitability. The present study compared the changes of potassium currents in acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons at different intervals after ischemia. In CA1 neurons, the amplitude of rapid inactivating potassium currents (IA) was significantly increased at 14 h and returned to control levels at 38 h after ischemia; the rising slope and decay time constant of IA were accordingly increased after ischemia. The activation curve of IA in CA1 neurons shifted to the depolarizing direction at 38 h after ischemia. In granule cells, the amplitude and rising slope of IA were significantly increased at 38 h after ischemia; the inactivation curves of IA shifted toward the depolarizing direction accordingly at 38 h after ischemia. The IA remained unchanged in CA3 neurons after ischemia. The amplitudes of delayed rectifier potassium currents (IKd) in CA1 neurons were progressively increased after ischemia. No significant difference in IKd was detected in CA3 and granule cells at any time points after reperfusion. These results indicated that the voltage dependent potassium currents in hippocampal neurons were differentially altered after cerebral ischemia. The up-regulation of IA in dentate granule cells might have protective effects. The increase of IKd in CA1 neurons might be associated with the neuronal damage after ischemia.
Photocatalytic properties of titanium (IV) oxide thin films prepared by spin coating and spray pyrolysis

Abstract TiO2 thin films were prepared by spin coating and spray pyrolysis techniques. The observed photocatalytic activity is the same for films prepared by both techniques. The photocatalytic activity increases as film thickness increases but remains constant after the thickness reaches 0.60 μm. These films are shown to be capable of photodecomposing organic impurities in water.
Critical uses of research in business marketing

Abstract Research into business markets and marketing operations can have very high payoff when applied critically in high leverage situations. Five characteristically high leverage situations are identified and discussed. They are: high cost decisions, major new activities, business strategy, marketing productivity, and the creation of new knowledge and theory. Mentioned are encouraging new academic and professional activities that are likely to have significant impact on the discipline.
Angular distribution of diffuse reflectance from incoherent multiple scattering in turbid media

The angular distribution of diffuse reflection is elucidated with greater understanding by studying a homogeneous turbid medium. We modeled the medium as an infinite slab and studied the reflection dependence on the following three parameters: the incident direction, optical depth, and asymmetry factor. The diffuse reflection is produced by incoherent multiple scattering and is solved through radiative transfer theory. At large optical depths, the angular distribution of the diffuse reflection with small incident angles is similar to that of a Lambertian surface, but, with incident angles larger than 60°, the angular distributions have a prominent reflection peak around the specular reflection angle. These reflection peaks are found originating from the scattering within one transport mean free path in the top layer of the medium. The maximum reflection angles for different incident angles are analyzed and can characterize the structure of angular distributions for different asymmetry factors and optical depths. The properties of the angular distribution can be applied to more complex systems for a better understanding of diffuse reflection.
Sensitivity analysis of low-velocity impact response of laminated plates

We analyze the sensitivity to values of material parameters, layer thickness and impact speed of the plate deflection, the contact force between the impactor and the plate, the maximum length of a crack, and the energy dissipated during the low velocity impact at normal incidence of a clamped rectangular laminate by a rigid hemispherical-nosed cylinder. The laminate is comprised of layers of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) bonded by an adhesive, and its deformations are analyzed by the finite element method. The mathematical and computational models of the system have been described in our previous work, and their predictions compared with test data (Composite Structures, 116, 193-210, 2014). The thermo-elasto-viscoplastic materials of the PMMA and the PC and the viscoelastic material of the adhesive involve a large number of material parameters whose precise values are unknown. Here we consider values of eleven material parameters e five for the PMMA, five for the PC and one for the adhesive. It is found that values of Young's moduli and Poisson's ratios of the PMMA and the PC, and the shear modulus of the adhesive strongly influence the plate deflection and the crack length. Values of material parameters of the PC that noticeably affect its plastic deformations also determine the energy dissipation whose correlation with the second peak in the contact force between the impactor and the laminate is exhibited. The PMMA layer thickness is found to influence the crack length and the PC layer thickness the energy dissipated.
Development of optimal salesforce compensation plans for independent, complementary and substitutable products

Abstract We build a mathematical model for designing an optimal salesforce compensation plan for multiple products. The agency theory approach to the single product problem is extended by introducing multi-dimensional sales-effort response distribution. We demonstrate analytically how to derive an optimal salesforce compensation plan from given sales-effort response distributions. We apply our model to some simple cases: independent, substitutable, and complementary products. For two independent products, our optimal salesforce compensation plan calls for a base salary plus commissions for every product. The commission rates can be different products. For two substitutable products, our optimal compensation has the form of a base salary plus a commission for the total sales. For two complementary products, our optimal compensation may take the form of a base salary plus a commission for the product with higher sales-effort effectiveness.
Effect of colloid volume expansion on glomerular barrier size–selectivity in humans

Effect of colloid volume expansion on glomerular barrier size–selectivity in humans. Colloid volume expansion magnifies proteinuria in subjects with the nephrotic syndrome. To elucidate this phenomenon, we performed differential solute clearances prior to and following infusion of hyperoncotic albumin in 21 nephrotic subjects and seven healthy controls. Urinary excretion rate and fractional clearance of albumin (radius = 36 A) and immunoglobulin G (radius = 55 A) increased significantly in nephrotic subjects. However, urinary albumin excretion rate was unchanged in controls. The fractional clearances of dextrans of broad size distribution (radii = 28 to 58 A) were markedly altered in both groups following albumin infusion. A heteroporous model which depicts the major portion of the glomerular capillary wall as an isoporous membrane (pore radius ˜55 A) and the minor portion as a non-discriminatory shunt, revealed the latter to be much more prominent in nephrotic subjects than in controls, and to be enlarged further following albumin infusion. By contrast no increase in pore size of the non-shunt pathway occurred in either group. We infer that enhancement of a pre-existing defect of glomerular size–selectivity in nephrotic subjects accounts, in large part, for exaggerated proteinuria in the colloid volume–expanded state. Increases in glomerular perfusion rate and pressure associated with plasma hypervolemia may mediate this alteration in glomerular membrane–pore structure.
Improving patient compliance inorthodontic practice

Abstract Patient noncompliance is a limiting factor in the conversion of accurateorthodontic treatment plans to excellent treatment results. Patient compliance depends on the duration, frequency, and complexity of the required behaviors. Because orthodontic treatment generally extends over a period of 12 to 36 months, compliance levels have to be sustained over this period of time. Past research has focused on the prediction of patient compliance. The results of these studies have largely been inconclusive and inconsistent. One reason for the inability of practitioners to clinically apply these results is related to the largely demographic nature of the variables assessed. In most instances these demographic factors cannot be modified. The orthodontist's focus should be on prevention and management rather than prediction of the noncompliance problem. This article presents a proposal for improving and managing patient compliance based on a patient-centered approach. In this model, the practitioner would prescribe treatment plans based on individual patient expectations, priorities, and capabilities. In addition, the significance of the doctor/patient/pa rent relationship in this model is emphasized.
Histochemistry of the normal eustachian tube.

Histochemical studies of various cellular components of the normal eustachian tube have been undertaken in the guinea pig, cat and squirrel monkey. Oxidative and hydrolytic enzymes were strongly active in ciliated columnar cells, less active in goblet cells, suggesting active metabolism. In general, cellular components of the subepithelial layer reacted strongly to the various enzymes. Of the glands studied, serous cells contained more oxidative enzymes than did mucous cells. Within the hyaline cartilage the chondrocytes demonstrated fairly strong enzyme reactions, the intercellular matrix none. These findings assist our understanding of normal eustachian tube physiology regarding ciliary clearance and lubrication and serve as a basis for understanding inflammatory diseases such as the middle ear effusions.
Electrocardiographic evaluation of broilers following unilateral occlusion of an extrapulmonary primary bronchus

This study was conducted to provide a comprehensive evaluation of both the amplitudes and durations of the Lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) in nonascitic and ascitic broilers. At 14 d of age, male and female broiler chicks were sham-operated (SHAM, n = 27), or pulmonary hypertension was initiated by occluding one extrapulmonary primary bronchus (BRONCHUS CLAMP, n = 57). Lead II ECG and BW were recorded on Days 28 (ECG1) and 42 (ECG2), necropsies were conducted on all birds dying after Day 28, and final necropsies were conducted on Day 49. Data collected at necropsy included the presence (ASCITIC) or absence (NONASCITIC) of ascites, sex, and ventricular weights for calculating the right:total ventricular weight ratio (RV:TV), which serves as a reliable index of pulmonary hypertension. In each bird, three consecutive ECG1 and ECG2 wave cycles were quantified for both amplitude and duration of the following wave segments: Rb-R, R-S, S-R', R'-R'b, and S-T. The S wave amplitude was calculated by subtracting R-S from Rb-R and heart rate (HR) was measured from the peak of one T wave to the peak of the next. In the majority of comparisons, ASCITIC and BRONCHUS CLAMP broilers had larger S, R'-R'b, and S-T amplitudes, longer R-S, R'-R'b, and S-T durations, and a slower HR than NONASCITIC and SHAM broilers, regardless of sex. The differences in ECG wave forms and durations between ASCITIC and NONASCITIC broilers were greater on Day 42 (ECG2) than on Day 28 (ECG1), but when both ECG were used to develop a regression equation to estimate RV:TV, the R2 was 0.79. The most important Lead II ECG parameters associated with the development of ascites were an increasingly negative S wave amplitude and greater amplitudes and durations for R'-R'b and S-T as well as a decrease in the HR.
Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by gonadotropins and cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphates in porcine granulosa cells.

ABSTRACTA variety of growth factors and guanosine triphosphate (GTP)binding protein-linked receptors are known to activate mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPK); however, no evidence existsdemonstrating activation of the MAPK pathway by glycoproteinhormones. Using porcine granulosa cells (PGC), we show thatphysiological concentrations of LH and FSH increase enzymaticactivity 1) of p44MAPK extracellular regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) butnot that of p42 M APK (ERK2) in the cytosol and 2) of both ERK1and ERK2 in the nucleus. Cytosolic ERK1 was activated by LHmore rapidly than by FSH. Cyclic AMP increased kinase activi-ties of both ERK1 and ERK2 in the cytoplasm as well as in thenucleus. Activation of ERK1 by gonadotropins and cAMP wasaccompanied by increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the ki-nase. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated predominant-ly cytoplasmic staining for MAPK in untreated PGC cultureswhereas treatment with gonadotropins led to increased nuclearimmunoreactivity indicating translocation of MAPK to the nu-cleus. The translocation as well as increase in nuclear ERK1 andERK2 was delayed and coincided with a decrease in cytosolicERK1 activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased ERK1and ERK2-associated kinase activity 7-8-fold in the cytoplasmof PGC, while kinase activity of cytoplasmic ERK1 was enhanced3-4-fold by LH, FSH, or cAMP. In summary, we have for the firsttime demonstrated that gonadotropins (and cAMP) can activateMAPK in appropriate target cells.INTRODUCTIONThe gonadotropins FSH and LH are well-known stimu-lants of steroidogenesis in granulosa and Leydig cells [1,2]. These hormones activate several signal transductionpathways via second messengers such as cAMP, intracel-lular calcium, inositol triphosphates (IP
Superficial vascular anatomy of the medial prefrontal cortex: an anatomical study.

Abstract Background Superficial vascular anatomy of the medial prefrontal cortex, which is exposed after craniotomy for the anterior interhemispheric approach, has received little attention in the anatomy literature. This study focuses on the precise vascular anatomy of the medial part of the prefrontal cortex and provides more detailed information for surgery. Methods Five adult cadaveric heads were used in this study. After a bifrontal craniotomy, the dura was opened and the superficial vascular structures of the medial prefrontal cortex were exposed in 10 hemispheres. The CS was used as a landmark, and the location and the course of the medial cortical vessels were recorded. The variations were noted and photographed. Results There are 4 major superficial veins and 3 arteries on the medial prefrontal cortex, which are important during the surgery. Anterior frontal vein, MFV, PFV, and frontopolar veins drain the superficial part of the medial prefrontal cortex to the SSS. The frontomarginal artery and cortical branches of the frontopolar and callosomarginal arteries supply this region. One great BV on each hemisphere poses risk during the opening of the dura of the prefrontal cortex. All of the veins drain to the SSS. Conclusions The surface of the medial prefrontal cortex has a rich and complex vascular network and represents the first obstacle for surgery. The upper part of the medial prefrontal cortex seems safer than the lower part; the CS is a reliable and crucial landmark in planning and performing surgery in this region.
The C-convex matrices

Let C and Abe n× ncomplex matrices with eigenvalues , respectively. The C-numerical range of A is the set The matrix A is and to be C-convex. if W(C, 4) equals the convex hull of the set . In this note we obtain characterization theorems of C-convex matrices. They give us information about the relation between the geometric properties of the C-numerical range of A and the algebraic properties of the matrices C and A. We also study and extend other results about C-convex matrices