cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusive Separation of the Lower Atmosphere

The separation of atmospheric constituents by gravity has been proposed theoretically for almost two centuries. However, turbulent mixing has prevented the detection of this phenomenon in the lower atmosphere. By using precise measurements of the Ar/N2 ratio of air samples taken under strong nocturnal inversions, we have detected such separation in near-surface layers. The effect is shown to be consistent with combined influence of thermal and gravimetric separation, with the thermal contribution being more important.
Inhibition of L-Type Ca2+ Channel Current in Rat Ventricular Myocytes by Terfenadine

To elucidate possible mechanisms underlying the cardiotoxicity of terfenadine, the effect of this antihistamine on L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa,L) was studied in adult rat ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Myocytes were held at -70 mV and internally dialyzed and externally perfused with Na(+)- and K(+)-free solutions; exposure to terfenadine (10(-9) to 5 x 10(-6) mol/L) resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of peak ICa,L with a half-maximum inhibition concentration (IC50) of 142 nmol/L. The terfenadine-induced inhibition of ICa,L was not mediated via effects on histamine H1 receptors, because 1 mumol/L triprolidine, a more selective and potent H1 antagonist, had no effect on ICa,L. In this study, we found that terfenadine (1) increased both the fast and slow time constants of ICa,L inactivation, (2) shifted the steady state inactivation of ICa,L to more negative potentials, and (3) elicited a tonic block and a use-dependent block of ICa,L. The terfenadine-induced tonic and use-dependent block and the steady state inhibition of ICa,L were voltage dependent. Both tonic and use-dependent blocks of ICa,L by terfenadine at -40 mV were greater than that at -70 mV, and blocks were partially released by applying a long hyperpolarizing prepulse to -90 mV. These results suggest that terfenadine binds to L-type Ca2+ channels in inactivated and rested states and inhibits ICa,L predominantly by interacting with the inactivated state with an apparent dissociation constant of 60 nmol/L. Open-state block could be observed only at high concentrations of terfenadine. The high-affinity interaction of terfenadine with the inactivated state of L-type Ca2+ channels may play an important role in its cardiotoxicity under pathophysiological conditions, such as ischemia.
Acute Inhalant-Induced Neurotoxicity with Delayed Recovery

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of neurotoxicity and subsequent hospitalization due to abuse of an ethyl chloride inhalant.CASE SUMMARY:A 41-year-old African American male presented to the emergency department due to mental status changes and an inability to walk. After the blood alcohol and urine drug screen returned negative, a family member revealed that the patient frequently abused an inhalant containing the volatile solvent ethyl chloride.DISCUSSION:Inhalant abuse is common and is facilitated by the widespread availability of volatile solvents that have legitimate commercial or household uses. Most inhalants are central nervous system depressants and are highly lipophilic. Maximum Impact, which contains ethyl chloride, is sold in stores and is readily available over the Internet. While the product has a legitimate use as a VCR head cleaner, it is often illicitly marketed over the Internet as a means of getting a “rush” or “high” and for enhancing sexual pleasure. Neurologic symptoms have been reported af...
Cuando una persona desea ver a un médico ¿Pide hora o pide minutos?

Sr. Editor: En las Escuelas de Medicina clasicamente se ha ensenado a los futuros medicos que cuando un enfermo los consulta, deben escucharlo atentamente y sin interrumpirlo, hasta que haya expresado libremente lo que lo acongoja. Posteriormente, el medico debe solicitar al paciente que precise los sintomas que son mas relevantes (para ambos) o describa las molestias que no ha mencionado. Luego, el medico debe interrogarlo sobre sus habitos, adicciones, enfermedades anteriores, alergias, patologias familiares, medicamentos utilizados o en uso, visitas a otros medicos, etc. Hecho esto, el medico debe examinar al paciente en forma completa, independientemente de si ha consultado por dolor en una muneca o en el abdomen. Despues debe consultar la historia clinica disponible y revisar los examenes de laboratorio o radiografias recientes que el paciente se haya practicado. Una vez completado este ritual, debe mentalmente procesar toda la informacion recogida y establecer un diagnostico definitivo o provisorio, decidir una conducta terapeutica o nuevas exploraciones diagnosticas, decidir si lo envia a hospitalizar o a otro especialista, etc. Hecho esto, debe comunicar al paciente su presuncion diagnostica, utilizando las palabras mas adecuadas para que el enfermo lo comprenda (adaptandose a su nivel cultural, inteligencia, nivel de ansiedad, etc.) e informarle sobre la conducta diagnostica y terapeutica a seguir. En la entrevista el medico tiene que tener una actitud acogedora con el paciente, debe ensenarle sobre las conductas que pueden hacerle dano, debe disipar los temores y angustias que le ha originado su enfermedad y entregarle esperanza, por muy ominoso que parezca el pronostico. Posteriormente debe registrar lo medular de la entrevista en la historia clinica, completar las solicitudes de examenes de laboratorio, radiografias e interconsultas a otros especialistas, confeccionar la receta con los medicamentos prescritos y la forma de utilizarlos y por ultimo, rellenar los innumerables formularios obligatorios que ha disenado la burocracia de los sistemas de salud. El paciente, al retirarse, debe sentir que el medico lo ha escuchado con atencion, ha hecho suyo su problema y que tratara de ayudarlo con todos los medios disponibles. El medico, al despedirse, debe quedar con la sensacion de que ha ayudado a otro ser humano, que ha cumplido con la vocacion que ha tenido probablemente desde nino y con el juramento que hizo al graduarse. Leer mas
Analytic solution for the morphology of a soil-mantled valley undergoing steady headward growth: Validation using case studies in southeastern Arizona

[1] The geomorphic literature contains many analytic solutions for the topographic evolution of gently sloping soil-mantled hillslopes responding to base level changes. Most of these solutions are limited to vertical base level changes and/or to simplified geometries, however. In this paper we present an analytic solution for the morphology of a valley and its adjacent hillslopes undergoing steady headward growth. The mathematics of this problem were first solved by Ivantsov (1947) in the context of heat flow near a parabolic solidification boundary. Here we test whether the Ivantsov solution provides an accurate first-order prediction of the morphology of valley heads and their adjacent hillslopes by comparing the model predictions to survey data from two study sites in southeastern Arizona. The model predicts that elevation contours of valley heads are parabolas and that topographic transects normal to contour lines are error functions. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were constructed for the two study sites using Real-Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) measurements and a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS). Our analyses show that the model reproduces the first-order morphology of headward-growing valleys and their adjacent hillslopes. We also show that by analyzing hillslope profiles at different distances from the valley head, the model framework can be used to infer likely changes in the valley head migration rate through time.
Spectral analysis of time-domain phase jitter measurements

A simplified overview of time-domain jitter measurements is presented in this paper. The relationship between the time-domain jitter measurements and the power spectrum of the phase jitter is described using fundamental Fourier properties and basic random variables analysis. This leads to a unifying analysis and the results are in agreement with commonly accepted understanding of jitter accumulation in oscillators. The presented analysis also provides the basis for comparing different jitter measurements.
Ramping it up: RAMP1 and the implications for migraine

Migraine is a debilitating disorder that directly affects nearly a quarter of all households. It is estimated that approximately 18% of women and 6% of men are affected [1]. Migraine is generally characterized as a severe, pulsating headache affecting only one side of the head, although the symptoms can be bilateral and vary considerably [2]. The attacks are often prolonged and generally last from 4–72 h. The headache is usually associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. In approximately 20% of the cases, the headache is preceded by an aura that is marked by acute visual or other sensory disturbances. The complexity and variability of migraine triggers and symptoms has hindered a systematic study of the underlying mechanisms. Nonetheless, despite these hurdles, in the past decade, major advances have been made in our understanding and treatment of migraine. These studies have progressively directed attention towards the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) [3–6]. We have now reached a threshold where this peptide and its receptor, especially a small, requisite subunit called receptor activitymodifying protein 1 (RAMP1), should be strongly considered as candidate genes for susceptibility to migraine. There are three lines of evidence to suggest that CGRP is pivotal in migraine:
Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in single neurons and glia.

Abstract Somatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutations reach high levels in the brain. However, the cell types that accumulate mutations and the patterns of mutations within individual cells are not known. We have quantified somatic mtDNA mutations in 28 single neurons and in 18 single glia from post-mortem human substantia nigra of six control subjects. Both neurons and glia contain mtDNA with somatic mutations. Single neurons harbor a geometric mean (95% CI) of 200.3 (152.9–262.4) somatic mtDNA point mutations per million base pairs, compared to 133.8 (97.5–184.9) for single glia ( p = 0.0251). If mutations detected multiple times in the same cell are counted only once, the mean mutation level per million base pairs remains elevated in single neurons (146.9; 124.0–174.2) compared to single glia (100.5; 81.5–126.5; p = 0.009). Multiple distinct somatic point mutations are present in different cells from the same subject. Most of these mutations are individually present at low levels (less than 10–20% of mtDNA molecules), but with high aggregate mutation levels, particularly in neurons. These mutations may contribute to changes in brain function during normal aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
Cochlear Innervation In The Guinea Pig: II. The Spiral Tunnel Bundle

The organization of nerve fibers in the spiral tunnel bundle (STB) of the guinea pig organ of Corti has been studied by light and electron microscopy. In the basal turn STB fibers were found to run toward the base or apex in about equal numbers while in the upper turns they ran predominantly in an apical direction. Long spiral fascicles of 100 microns or more in length were abundant in the third and fourth turns, but were rarely seen in the lower turns. No synaptic contacts between tunnel bundle fibers could be found and no afferent nerve fibers were seen in the bundle. Furthermore, interruption of the efferent nerve supply resulted in complete degeneration of the STB. The tunnel bundle does not, therefore, appear to be a site of synaptic interaction between afferent and efferent neural elements.
The Induced Innovation Hypothesis and U.S. Public Agricultural Research

Applicability of the induced innovation hypothesis—that a change in relative input prices induces innovation to economize use of the increasingly expensive input (Hicks 1932)—is examined for U.S. public agricultural research. A reduced‐form test is developed using input prices from the agricultural production sector, expenditures from the public research sector aimed at developing new technology to save specific agricultural inputs, and variables to control for innovation marginal cost differences and nonhomotheticity. Unlike recent demand‐side studies that soundly reject the induced innovation hypothesis for agriculture, support for the hypothesis is found for several input pairings through these tests of public agricultural research using state‐level panel data.
A Distributed Certification Method for Peer-to-Peer System Based on Biological Information

Peer-to-Peer network takes more and more important role in the internet life and is studied by more and more researchers. The security mechanism is the core technology for P2P service network. In order to improve P2P System’s security, this paper proposed a method named P2PBioC to use P2P biological information for certification. Two kinds of nodes are defined in this paper, communication node and authenticate node, using human face information as the biological features. Algorithms and communication processes based on the two types are described in this paper.
Testing positional behavior of malagasy lemurs: a randomization approach.

Studies of primate positional behavior have only occasionally employed statistical testing because these data sets violate the assumptions underlying most standard statistical tests. As currently practiced, both common methods of collecting data on positional behavior involve sequential observations of a limited number of individuals, leading to data sets consisting of interdependent observations. Data collected from sequential observations may not be as dependent as currently accepted; however, approaches are available to deal with such data. Some previously applied tests are discussed, and an alternative strategy, a randomization test, is demonstrated. Randomization tests are based on observed rather than theoretical distributions. Thus, they are robust when applied to data sets which do not adhere to the strict assumptions inherent in standard tests. Randomization procedures suggested by Manly ([1991] Randomization and Monte Carlo Methods in Biology [New York: Chapman and Hall]) and Edgington ([1987] Randomization Tests [New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.]) are applied to data collected for three species of lemurs studied at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar (Lemur fulvus, Lemur rubriventer, and Lemur variegatus). Standard chisquare tests indicate statistically significant differences between these species in nearly all aspects of locomotor, postural, and substrate use behavior. In contrast, the randomization tests showed a significant difference only in the postures used by these lemurs. Lemur variegatus uses hindlimb suspensory postures much more often than L. fulvus or L. rubriventer, and the latter species use vertical clinging more often than L. variegatus. The results from the randomization tests are considered more reliable because by using individuals rather than observations as the units compared, they limit the problem of interdependence of observations and thus provide a conservative test. The particular randomization tests used also explicitly test the proposition that individuals of a species are more similar to each other than to individuals of other species. The lack of significant results is not surprising in light of the small number of individuals studied and the great deal of variability within a species for most of the variables considered. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Symmetries and Invariant Differential Pairings

The purpose of this article is to motivate the study of invariant, and especially conformally invariant, differential pairings. Since a general theory is lacking, this work merely presents some interesting examples of these pairings, explains how they naturally arise, and formulates various associated problems.
A Level-Crossing Sampling Scheme for Bursty Signals

We propose a level-crossing A/D (LCA/D) converter which can be modelled with an oversampling A/D followed by a low resolution quantizer. In this paper we will study the reconstruction of non-bandlimited inputs processed by such a system and compare its performance to uniform sampling.
Linking between real and virtual spaces: building the mixed reality stage environment

This paper is concerned with the concept of a Mixed Reality (MR) stage environment as networked layering of physical space and virtual environments. The MR stage enables multiple performers to interact through intuitive free body interfaces. The goal is the creation of interface environments which allow participants to communicate in shared and remote physical spaces through their natural senses: hearing, seeing, speaking, gesturing, touching and moving around. Connecting the concept of the stage with the idea of digital information space comprises investigation in digital storytelling and the design of non-linear structures. What we get is an instrument for the human body. What we see is actual movement of performers integrating virtual sound and images in real time onto the MR stage.
Differential growth among components of the palate in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Abstract To understand the etiology of maxillary hypoplasia better, which is common in individuals with cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies, the relative growth and contribution of the maxillary and palatine segments to enlargement of the hard palate was examined in rhesus monkeys. The purpose of the study was to identify and evaluate sites of differential growth of the palatine and maxillary segments as they contribute to the development of the midface and facial prognathism. One hundred and eight male and 107 female skulls ranging from 1.0 to 7.0 years of age were examined. Measurements of the maxillary and palatine lengths, palatal width, midface depth, canine length, and molar surface areas in the ontogenetic sample were collected. Univariate and bivariate statistics were used to describe dimensional changes and evaluate region-specific sex differences. The relative growth of palatal dimensions was evaluated using allometric analysis methods. Significant sex differences were observed (t-test...
Creating Wildlife Habitat Through Federal Farm Programs: An Objective‐Driven Approach

Conservation programs administrated by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Farm Bill have tremendous potential to impact wildlife habitat and populations on private land. Recent comprehensive reviews demonstrate that private landowners who participate in these programs have established habitats that may contribute to sustaining some regional wildlife populations. However, I argue that if Farm Bill conservation program lands are to consistently provide habitat that supports viable wildlife populations, conservation planners must have a better understanding of species-specific habitat requirements and ecological processes. Concomitantly, wildlife biologists also must have a working knowledge of the conservation programs, practices, and landowner needs and eligibility requirements. This understanding is then translated to changes on the landscape through comprehensive planning and implementation at the farm scale. I argue that, all too often, landowner's selection of conservation practices is program-driven. Program-driven implementation is less likely to result in quality wildlife habitat. I contend that the consistent application of an objective-driven approach to farm-scale conservation planning is more likely to produce habitats that sustain viable wildlife populations. Under this approach, landowner conservation objectives drive management practices and management practices lead to program selection, instead of program requirements driving management practices.
Co-design of Anytime Computation and Robust Control

Control software of autonomous robots has stringent real-time requirements that must be met to achieve the control objectives. One source of variability in the performance of a control system is the execution time and accuracy of the state estimator that provides the controller with state information. This estimator is typically perception-based (e.g., Computer Vision-based) and is computationally expensive. When the computational resources of the hardware platform become overloaded, the estimation delay can compromise control performance and even stability. In this paper, we define a framework for co-designing anytime estimation and control algorithms, in a manner that accounts for implementation issues like delays and inaccuracies. We construct an anytime perception-based estimator from standard off-the-shelf Computer Vision algorithms, and show how to obtain a trade-off curve for its delay vs estimate error behaviour. We use this anytime estimator in a controller that can use this trade-off curve at runtime to achieve its control objectives at a reduced energy cost. When the estimation delay is too large for correct operation, we provide an optimal manner in which the controller can use this curve to reduce estimation delay at the cost of higher inaccuracy, all the while guaranteeing basic objectives are met. We illustrate our approach on an autonomous hexrotor and demonstrate its advantage over a system that does not exploit co-design.
Correlation of Salamander Vomeronasal and Main Olfactory System Anatomy with Habitat and Sex: Behavioral Interpretations

The salamander family Plethodontidae is an ancient group of vertebrates whose members probably rely on a combination of visual and chemical cues for their perception of the world (Roth, 1986). Chemical cues have been shown to be important in a number of social interactions including territoriality (Jaeger, 1986), mate recognition and choice (Dawley, 1986), and “persuasion” during courtship (Houck and Reagan, 1990). Similar to most other terrestrial vertebrates, plethodontid salamanders have both main olfactory and vomeronasal systems that are physically, and perhaps functionally, separate from one another (Dawley and Bass, 1988; Schmidt, Naujoks-Manteuffel, and Roth, 1988). The vomeronasal system is of particular interest for this group of animals because a unique structure (nasolabial grooves) coupled with a unique behavior (nose-tapping) is used to stimulate the vomeronasal system during many social interactions, including mating. In this paper I present a preliminary survey of variation of vomeronasal and main olfactory system morphometrics for salamanders with different habitat requirements and for both sexes. I attempt to correlate this anatomical variation with ecological and sexually dimorphic behavioral variation.
Quality Attestation From the Inside

I submitted a portfolio for the quality attestation pilot because I want to contribute to efforts to ensure that clinical ethics consultants (CECs) are well trained and well qualified. I have seen ...
Immune regulation of canine tumour and macrophage PD‐L1 expression

Expression of programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells has been associated with immune escape in human and murine cancers, but little is known regarding the immune regulation of PD-L1 expression by tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating macrophages in dogs. Therefore, 14 canine tumor cell lines, as well as primary cultures of canine monocytes and macrophages, were evaluated for constitutive PD-L1 expression and for responsiveness to immune stimuli. We found that PD-L1 was expressed constitutively on all canine tumor cell lines evaluated, although the levels of basal expression were very variable. Significant upregulation of PD-L1 expression by all tumor cell lines was observed following IFN-γ exposure and by exposure to a TLR3 ligand. Canine monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages did not express PD-L1 constitutively, but did significantly upregulate expression following treatment with IFN-γ. These findings suggest that most canine tumors express PD-L1 constitutively and that both innate and adaptive immune stimuli can further upregulate PD-L1 expression. Therefore the upregulation of PD-L1 expression by tumor cells and by tumor-infiltrating macrophages in response to cytokines such as IFN-γ may represent an important mechanism of tumor-mediated T-cell suppression in dogs as well as in humans.
Droplet Size and Density Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki on Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Larvae

Differences in droplet density and spectrum of pesticide deposited on foliage after spray were examined to determine differences in gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., larval mortality. The susceptibility of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instars of the gypsy moth to undiluted Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki was examined under laboratory conditions. Droplets of known size (100, 200, and 300 μm) and density (1, 5, and 10 drops/cm 2 ) of B. thuringiensis kurstaki were sprayed onto leaf disks of oak foliage and fed to gypsy moth larvae. Parameters tested were time required for mortality, leaf area consumed, and changes in larval weight. The time to mortality increased as droplet density and size decreased and as larval size increased. Droplet densities of 5 and 10 drops/cm 2 were effective (> 90% mortality) against 2nd and 3rd instars. Fourth instars had high mortality rates at 5 and 10 drops/cm 2 at the 200 μm and 300 μm droplet sizes. Low droplet densities (1 drop/cm 2 ) at 100 μm were ineffective in controlling 3rd and 4th instars. Surviving treated larvae had lower post treatment weights than control larvae and exhibited weight loss during the experiment. As droplet density increased, larvae consumed less foliage. Foliage consumed by surviving treated larvae was 2-6 times less than foliage consumed by untreated larvae.
Prototyping interactive nonlinear nano-to-micro scaled material properties and effects at the human scale

The goal of the eSkin project is to explore materiality from nano to macroscales based upon an understanding of the dynamics of human cell behaviors. Immediately at hand, is the necessity to understand, speculate, test and simulate which nonlinear nano-to-micro scaled material properties are possible at the architectural scale. The synergistic, bottom-up approach across diverse disciplines, including cell-matrix biology, materials science & engineering, electrical & systems engineering, and architecture brings about a new paradigm to construct intelligent and sustainable building skins that engage users at an aesthetic level. In this paper, we present two human scale prototypes combining real-time presence detection with specialized display technology and interactive computer simulation. The prototypes probe the possible features and effects of eSkin at the scale of a building facade unit.
Forming Mechanism of High-Grade Magnetite Bodies in Gongchangling, Liaoning Province

The Gongchangling iron deposit is representative of the Anshan-type sedimentary-metamorphic iron deposits. The formation of high-grade iron bodies has long been an issue on study of the deposit. The study shows that the high-grade iron bodies is hosted mainly in reverse S-shaped folds, with part of ore bodies being folded. Magnetite-rich ore bodies are Fe-bearing rock series consisting of plagioclase-hornblende and magnetite-quartzite. The wallrocks of high-grade magnetite bodies are chlorite schist, garnet-chlorite schist, and chlorite-garnet, with minor biotite-chlorite schist. The study analyzed and contrasted the major elements, trace elements, rare earth elements of chlorite schist, garnet-chlorite schist and chlorite-garnet, and iron contents of chlorite, garnet and biotite. The results indicate that the Al-bearing argillaceous and silty material of Fe-bearing rocks, which occurred during deposition intermittent periods, played an important role in introducing silicon from magnitte quartzite to form garnet, chlorite and biotite. The regional metamorphism not only provided space for formation of magnetite-rich ore bodies, but also produced metamorphic fluids. The metamorphic fluids might extract FeO from magnetite quartzite through which the fluid passed. Therefore, the metamorphic fluids are the important material carrier for formation of magnetite-rich ore bodies. On the other hand, the regional metamorphism can provide necessary temperature and pressure conditions for the minerals transforming.
Correlation of properties of polyethylene terephthalate with aging in refrigerants

Our department frequently receives, through our customers, motors which have failed prematurely in the field. Invariably, we are asked to determine the reason for the early failure. Often a visual inspection of the motor will yield the answers. If this fails, the condition of the motor insulation, especially the polyester film, is often the next area of investigation. The conditions under which the motor was run can frequently be estimated from the physical properties of the aged polyester film. However, physical property measurements are often impractical because of the required sample size and shape. Thus, an attempt was made to correlate chemical properties, which we could measure from as little as 0.5 grams of powdered film, with physical properties in order to ultimately be able to estimate the history of failed motors.
Social Sensing: Building Reliable Systems on Unreliable Data

Increasingly, human beings are sensors engaging directly with the mobile Internet. Individuals can now share real-time experiences at an unprecedented scale. Social Sensing: Building Reliable Systems on Unreliable Data looks at recent advances in the emerging field of social sensing, emphasizing the key problem faced by application designers: how to extract reliable information from data collected from largely unknown and possibly unreliable sources. The book explains how a myriad of societal applications can be derived from this massive amount of data collected and shared by average individuals. The title offers theoretical foundations to support emerging data-driven cyber-physical applications and touches on key issues such as privacy. The authors present solutions based on recent research and novel ideas that leverage techniques from cyber-physical systems, sensor networks, machine learning, data mining, and information fusion. Offers a unique interdisciplinary perspective bridging social networks, big data, cyber-physical systems, and reliability Presents novel theoretical foundations for assured social sensing and modeling humans as sensors Includes case studies and application examples based on real data sets Supplemental material includes sample datasets and fact-finding software that implements the main algorithms described in the book
Fuel Assembly Oscillation-Induced Flow in Initially Stagnant Fluid

AbstractThe effect of water on the dynamics response of fuel bundles in pressurized water reactors during external forcing is studied experimentally inside a large facility that houses a full-heigh...
Lifestyle Factors Associated With Sunscreen Use Among Young Adults

Background. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with melanoma rates increasing. Sunscreen use is an effective way to protect the skin and reduce skin cancer risk. Limited research has been conducted examining the relationship between sunscreen use and other lifestyle factors. Interventions aimed at multiple lifestyle factors have shown promise for prevention and reduced health care costs. Objective. This study explores the relationship between sunscreen use and lifestyle factors associated with mortality and morbidity among young adults. Lifestyle factors examined included physical activity, substance abuse, smoking, sexual behavior, unintentional injury, and mental well-being. Methods. A convenience sample of 747 college students was surveyed about sunscreen use and other health risks. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19. Results. White, female students older than 21 years were more likely to use sunscreen. Texting while driving, low life satisfaction, and binge drinking were associated with inadequate sunscreen use. Limitations. Convenience sampling limits generalizability and surveys are subject to recall, self-report, and self-selection bias. Conclusions. The findings provide the framework to develop multiple risk factor interventions.
A River Runs Through It: Understanding Our Past through the Edifying Story

The subject of narrative is situated within the story in the numerous references to storytelling and examples of it. The power of narrative, then, at once shapes the film and is imminent within it. Although obviously a conventional story about a pair of brothers growing up in Montana, A River Runs Through It, is also about the art and experience of storytelling itself. We are reminded that we are being told a story by a self-conscious narrator (the voice-over is director Redford’s). The explicitly told story, moreover, is meant to give instruction, to be an edifying narrative. It contrasts with the stories told by the two wayward brothers in that their stories do not yield understanding. The film suggests that telling a tale can lead the storyteller to self-understanding only because he goes through the process of crafting his story. But for this narration to be self-edifying the storyteller must possess requisite moral virtues, such as humility and honesty.
Fluorescent Labeling Can Alter Polymer Solution Dynamics

There is a widespread assumption that modest chemical modification of a large polymer molecule, by adding a fluorescent label or the like, has no significant effect on polymer solution dynamics. We here report that light tagging of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) with fluorescein dye has a significant effect on the dynamic behavior of the chains, as measured using fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). We compared unprocessed HPC, HPC processed in preparation for chemical modification, and HPC chemically modified by tagging with a fluorescein moiety. Addition of covalently bound fluorescein to the polymer eliminates the ultraslow (D ≈ 10–10 cm2/s) relaxational mode found with DLS in the unlabeled HPC samples. Our findings explain the perceived discrepancies between DLS and FPR studies of HPC solutions. The discrepancies arise from differences in sample preparation. Comparison of FPR spectra (which measure the single particle diffusion process) and DLS spectra (which me...
Chemical Modification of Ginsenoside on Cell Viability and Cytokine Secretion.

Background: Rb1 is a ginsenoside steroid glycoside found exclusively in the plant Panax ginseng. In an earlier report, we showed that Rb1 increased cell proliferation and reduced VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) secretion by human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE19) cells. Objective: In the present study, we hypothesized that chemical modification of Rb1 changes the level of VEGF secretion by ARPE19 cells. Method:Three derivatives of Rb1 were chemically synthesized by hydrogenation (Rb1-H 2 ), acetylation (Rb1-Acyl), and epoxidation (Rb1-Epoxy). Structural modifications were confirmed by 1 H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra and Mass Spectrometry (MS). To test the biological activity, chemically modified compounds were added to cell culture media and incubated for 72 hours at a concentration of 250 nM at 37°C. Conditioned media were collected and cells were harvested/ counted after treatment. Viable cell numbers were determined by the trypan blue dye exclusion method and VEGF levels by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). Results: Consistent with the prior report, results of the present study show Rb1 increased cell proliferation and decreased VEGF secretion. Similar to Rb1’s effect on cell proliferation, treatment with Rb1-H 2 , Rb1-Acyl and Rb1-Epoxy resulted in an increase in cell numbers. In contrast to Rb1- induced decrease in VEGF secretion, treatment with Rb1-H 2 , Rb-Acyl and Rb1-Epoxy resulted in increased VEGF levels. Conclusion: Chemical modifications of the ginsenoside Rb1 significantly affect the biological activity of VEGF secretion by ARPE19 cells. Additional SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) experiments will be conducted to study the detailed mechanisms by which how specific modifications of Rb1 functional groups alter biological activities.
IMPACT OF ARRHYTHMIA DURATION AND INDEX LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION ON RECOVERY OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ARRHYTHMIA-INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Background: Improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can occur with prompt treatment of the culprit arrhythmia in patients with arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC). Predictors of recovery, however, are not well understood. We assessed the impact of arrhythmia duration and index
Psychosocial Risk Factors and Other Than Honorable Military Discharge: Providing Healthcare to Previously Ineligible Veterans.

Introduction In response to a strong focus on suicide prevention for all veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently revised policy to provide emergency mental healthcare for veterans who received Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges from the military. This current study takes a preliminary step toward identifying demographic, historic, military, clinical, and social characteristics of veterans with OTH discharges. Materials and methods N = 1,172 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans were evaluated between 2005 and 2016 in the multi-site VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) Study of Post-Deployment Mental Health (PDMH Study). Results Veterans with OTH discharges constituted 2.7% of our sample, approximating the estimated rate in the overall U.S. veteran population. Compared to veterans discharged under honorable conditions, veterans with OTH discharges were more likely to be younger and have greater odds of reporting family history of drug abuse and depression. Further, veterans with OTH discharges reported a lower level of social support and were more likely to be single, endorse more sleep problems, score higher on measures of drug misuse, have a history of incarceration, and meet diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. A subsequent matching analysis provided further evidence of the association between OTH discharge and two risk factors: drug misuse and incarceration. Conclusion These findings elucidate potential factors associated with veterans with OTH discharges, particularly substance abuse and criminal justice involvement. Results also indicate higher incidence of risk factors that often accompany suicidal ideation and should be a highlighted component of healthcare delivery to this vulnerable cohort of veterans.
A Canonical System of lntegrodifferential Equations Arising in Resonant Nonlinear Acoustics

In general, weakly nonlinear high frequency almost periodic wave trains for systems of hyperbolic conservation laws interact and resonate to leading order. In earlier work the first two authors and J. Hunter developed simplified asymptotic equations describing this resonant interaction. In the important special case of compressible fluid flow in one or several space dimensions, these simplified asymptotic equations are essentially two inviscid Burgers equations for the nonlinear sound waves, coupled by convolution with a known kernel given by the sum of the initial vortex strength and the derivative of the initial entropy. Here we develop some of the remarkable new properties of the solutions of this system for resonant acoustics. These new features include substantial almost periodic exchange of energy between the nonlinear sound waves, the existence of smooth periodic wave trains, and the role of such smooth wave patterns in eliminating or suppressing the strong temporal decay of sawtooth profile solutions of the decoupled inviscid Burgers equations. Our approach combines detailed numerical modeling to elucidate the new phenomena together with rigorous analysis to obtain exact solutions as well as other elementary properties of the solutions of this system.
Associations Among Professional Development, Teachers’ Use of Naturalistic Language Strategies, and Preschoolers’ Functional Communication

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Naturalistic instruction is the intentional use of strategies embedded within typical activities of the environment to create learning opportunities for children. We used multilevel modeling to analyze data from this single-case design study that focused on improving teachers’ use of naturalistic language strategies and children’s communication through professional development with bug-in-ear coaching. Our results showed that professional development was positively associated with children’s communication during and after professional development. During generalization sessions in different types of activities, teachers’ use of the naturalistic language strategies was positively associated with children’s functional communication. We also found that children were more likely to communicate during child-led activities. Practice or Policy: Associations among professional development, teachers’ use of evidence-based strategies, and children’s outcomes have yet to be fully understoo...
Comparative studies on ACE inhibition, degree of hydrolysis, antioxidant property and phenolic acid composition of hydrolysates derived from simulated in vitro gastrointestinal proteolysis of three thermally treated legumes.

Abstract Three phenolic-rich legume varieties underwent in vitro simulated gastrointestinal proteolytic digestion after a wide range of thermal treatments. Total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), degree of hydrolysis (DH), angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of hydrolysates showed significant differences among thermal treatments. TPC values of hydrolysates were significantly (p 0.05) with ACE inhibitory activity for all three legumes. When compared with undigested legumes, the simulated gastrointestinal tract proteolytic digestion induced marked changes not only in the content, but also in the type of individual free phenolic acids. The present study clearly implied that literature data of phenolics and their potential health benefits derived from undigested legumes cannot accurately represent the real situations after the digestion process.
Recent Trends Suggest Possible Inappropriate Utilization of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of elective stress nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the Medicare population. Methods Nationwide Medicare Part B fee-for-service databases for 2004 to 2016 were reviewed. Current Procedural Terminology codes for stress MPI were selected: standard planar and single-photon emission computed tomography (STD) and PET. Utilization rates per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries were calculated. Elective examinations were identified using place-of-service codes for private offices and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Medicare physician specialty codes identified the performing physician. Because Medicare Part B databases are complete population counts, sample statistics were not required. Results Elective STD MPI utilization peaked in 2006 at 74 studies/1,000 and had declined by 36% by 2016. Cardiologists’ share of STD MPI grew from 79% to 87% between 2004 and 2016. Cardiologists perform STD MPI primarily in private offices, where utilization peaked in 2008 and then demonstrated an absolute decline of 28 studies/1,000 by 2016. During this same time period, cardiologists’ use of STD MPI in HOPDs demonstrated an absolute increase of 8.1 studies/1,000. From 2004 to 2016, STD MPI use by radiologists declined by 58%. Elective PET MPI maintained an upward trend, reflecting increasing use by cardiologists in private offices. Conclusions Elective STD MPI use is declining, but cardiologists are performing an increasing share in outpatient settings. The drop in private office STD MPI among cardiologists was far greater than the corresponding increase in its use in HOPDs, suggesting that many studies previously performed in private offices were unindicated. Self-referred PET MPI utilization has rapidly grown in cardiology private offices.
Potential impact of cardiology phone-consultation for patients risk-stratified by the HEART pathway.

Objective Bedside consultation by cardiologists may facilitate safe discharge of selected patients from the emergency department (ED) even when admission is recommended by the History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors, Troponin (HEART) pathway. If bedside evaluation is unavailable, phone consultation between emergency physicians and cardiologists would be most impactful if the resultant disposition is discordant with the HEART pathway. We therefore evaluate discordance between actual disposition and that suggested by the HEART pathway in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain for whom cardiology consultation occurred exclusively by phone and to assess the impact of phone-consultation on disposition. Methods We performed a single-center, retrospective study of adults presenting to the ED with chest pain whose emergency physician had a phone consultation with a cardiologist. Actual disposition was abstracted from the medical record. HEART pathway category (low-risk, discharge; high-risk, admit) was derived from ED documentation. For discharged patients, major adverse cardiac events were assessed at 30 days by chart review and phone follow-up. Results For the 170 patients that had cardiologist phone consultation, discordance between actual disposition and the HEART pathway was 17%. The HEART pathway recommended admission for nearly 80% of discharged patients. Following cardiologist phone-consultation, 10% of high-risk patients were discharged, with the majority having undergone a functional study recommended by the cardiologist. At 30 days, discharged patients had experienced no episodes of major adverse cardiac events or rehospitalization for cardiac reasons. Conclusion For patients presenting to the ED with chest pain, cardiology phone-consultation has the potential to safely impact disposition, primarily by facilitating functional testing in high-risk individuals.
Microporous Polysulfones with Enhanced Separation Performance via Integration of the Triptycene Moiety

Here, we report the synthesis of two polysulfones containing either triptycene or phenolphthalein as the bulky bridging unit in the polymer backbone to investigate the influence of the rigid, unwie...
Nanomaterials for Wound Healing

Tissue wounds cause a significant social and economic burden, which results in diminished quality of life and increased patient mortality. In the USA alone, the estimated cost of wound care ranges from $28.1 to $96.8 billion. The rapid rise of an aging population with chronic debilitating diseases, including obesity and diabetes, contributes to the unmet critical need for better therapeutics for impaired wound healing in patients. Conventional wound management fails to provide rapid tissue repair and restoration of function, particularly in these diseased states. Wound healing is a tightly orchestrated, complex, and dynamic physiological process occurring in a tightly controlled manner that requires more advanced alternative therapeutic approaches. An understanding of the basic biological mechanisms in wound repair underpins the development of novel therapeutic approaches for restoration of tissue function. The use of nanomaterials in wound management represents a unique tool that can be specifically designed to closely reflect the underlying physiological processes in damaged tissues. Harnessing this technology results in a cost-effective and individualized approach to wound management, which has the potential to revolutionize wound management. This chapter presents a basic overview of the pathophysiology of wound healing and an approach to utilizing nanomaterials for wound healing therapy.