cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive bio-optical relationships for polar oceans and marginal ice zones

Mitchell, B.G., 1992. Predictive bio-optical relationships for polar oceans and marginal ice zones. J. Mar. Syst., 3: 91-105. An analysis of more than 500 stations from polar seas was undertaken to evaluate predictive models linking in situ phytoplankton pigment concentrations to measurable optical parameters. The data set consists of profiles of spectral downwelling irradiance [Ed(A], upwelling radiance [Lu(A)], chlorophyll and phaeopigments from 3 cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula (RACER, UVDOZ-88, UVDOZ-89), one cruise to the Barents Sea (PRO MARE) and one cruise to Fram Strait in the Greenland Sea (CEAREX). The pigment specific diffuse attenuation coefficient [Kd*()t) m 2 mg -1 chl a +phaeo] for polar regions is significantly smaller, particularly in the blue region of the spectrum, than previous statistical models for temperate oceans predict. Consistent with the observations for Kd*(A), phytoplankton remote sensing pigment retrieval algorithms, based on Lu(A), show significant differentiation from temperate ocean models. The presently recommended water-leaving radiance algorithm for Coastal Zone Color Scanner data processing underestimates surface pigment concentrations by more than a factor of two for the polar observations reported here. The observations are interpreted in the context of variations in pigment specific particulate absorption [a*(A) m 2 mg -1 chl a +phaeo] which have been described elsewhere. Specifically, the magnitude of a~'(A) in the blue is hypothesized to be smaller for polar regions due to significant pigment packaging effects, and a relatively small amount of detrital absorption compared to phytoplankton absorption. Implications for remote sensing of phytoplankton pigments and pigment-based models of light propagation in the oceans are discussed.
Clopidogrel hydrogen sulphate for atrial fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac rhythm abnormality with a considerable cardiovascular disease burden worldwide. It is an independent major risk factor for stroke. Stroke prevention with anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents has been an important area of clinical research. Warfarin is the most widely used antithrombotic therapy for stroke prophylaxis for last several years, and now dabigatran (150 mg b.i.d.) is more effective than warfarin in stroke prevention in individuals at increased of stroke. In addition, several studies have evaluated the efficacy of clopidogrel for stroke prophylaxis either alone or in combination with aspirin. Areas covered: This review summarizes the key findings of the trials looking at the efficacy of clopidogrel in stroke prevention. A literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. The trials that evaluated the efficacy of clopidogrel in preventing atherothrombotic events or stroke were also included. Expert opinion: Clopidogrel prevent...
A Method for Radioactive Antiglobulin Testing with 125I Labeled Anti-IgG

The present report describes a method for 125I anti-IgG antiglobulin testing. The method involves the use of a labeled DEAE cellulose IgG fraction of goat anti-human IgG globulin. Leukocyte-free red blood cells were used in the test procedure. Both the labeled antiserum and the red blood cell suspensions were diluted in normal rabbit serum to prevent nonspecific uptake of labeled antiserum by normal, un-coated red blood cells. The results of the study show that the method is highly reproducible and relatively easy to perform once the labeled anti-IgG is prepared. Furthermore, the use of labeled antiserum permits analysis of antiserum specificity by radioimmunoelectrophoresis. The problem of determining anti-IgG/IgG binding ratios remains the major disadvantage to using the method to determine precise amounts of human IgG coating red blood cells.
Detecting the spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll-a concentration and total suspended solids in Apalachicola Bay, Florida using MODIS imagery

Apalachicola Bay, Florida, accounts for 90% of Florida's and 10% of the nation's eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) harvesting. Chlorophyll-a concentration and total suspended solids (TSS) are two important water quality variables, among other environmental factors such as salinity, for eastern oyster production in Apalachicola Bay. In this research, we developed regression models of the relationships between the reflectance of the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra 250 m data and the two water quality variables based on the Bay-wide field data collected during 14-17 October 2002, a relatively dry period, and 3-5 April 2006, a relatively wet period, respectively. Then we selected the best regression models (highest coefficient of determination, R2) to derive Bay-wide maps of chlorophyll-a concentration and TSS for the two periods. The MODIS-derived maps revealed large spatial and temporal variations in chlorophyll-a concentration and TSS across the entire Apalachicola Bay.
Maternal nicotinic exposure produces a depressed hypoxic ventilatory response and subsequent death in postnatal rats.

In this study, we asked whether a “full term” prenatal nicotinic exposure (fPNE, 6 mgkg 1 day 1 nicotinic delivery) over the full gestation, compared to a traditional PNE (tPNE) over the last two-thirds of the gestation, caused a higher mortality following a remarkable depressed hypoxic ventilatory response (dHVR) independent of brain and pulmonary edema and change in serum corticosterone. P12-14 pups pretreated with tPNE, fPNE or their vehicle (tCtrl and fCtrl) were exposed to 5% O2 for up to 60 min followed by harvesting the brain and lungs or anesthetized to collect blood for detecting arterial blood pH/gases and serum cotinine and corticosterone levels. We found that fPNE had little effect on baseline VE and heart rate, but consistently induced a dHVR and prolonged apnea that were rarely observed after tPNE. The severity of the dHVR in PNE pups were closely correlated to an earlier appearance of lethal ventilatory arrest (the hypoxia-induced mortality). PNE did not induce brain and pulmonary edema, but significantly increased serum corticosterone levels similarly in tPNE and fPNE pups. Moreover, the accumulated nicotinic dose given to the individual was significantly higher in fPNE than tPNE pups, though there was no difference in serum cotinine levels and arterial blood pH/gases between the two groups. Our results suggest that nicotinic exposure at the early stage of gestation achieved by fPNE, rather than tPNE, is critical in generating the dHVR and subsequent death occurring independently of brain/pulmonary edema and changes in arterial blood pH/ gases and serum corticosterone.
RNA helicase A modulates translation of HIV-1 and infectivity of progeny virions

Retroviruses rely on host RNA-binding proteins to modulate various steps in their replication. Previously several animal retroviruses were determined to mediate Dhx9/RNA helicase A (RHA) interaction with a 5' terminal post-transcriptional control element (PCE) for efficient translation. Herein PCE reporter assays determined HTLV-1 and HIV-1 RU5 confer orientation-dependent PCE activity. The effect of Dhx9/RHA down-regulation and rescue with siRNA-resistant RHA on expression of HIV-1(NL4-3) provirus determined that RHA is necessary for efficient HIV-1 RNA translation and requires ATPase-dependent helicase function. Quantitative analysis determined HIV-1 RNA steady-state and cytoplasmic accumulation were not reduced; rather the translational activity of viral RNA was reduced. Western blotting determined that RHA-deficient virions assemble with Lys-tRNA synthetase, exhibit processed reverse transcriptase and contain similar level of viral RNA, but they are poorly infectious on primary lymphocytes and HeLa cells. The results demonstrate RHA is an important host factor within the virus-producer cell and within the viral particle. The identification of RHA-dependent PCE activity in cellular junD RNA and in six of seven genera of Retroviridae suggests conservation of this translational control mechanism among vertebrates, and convergent evolution of Retroviridae to utilize this host mechanism.
Effect of Divalent Metal Cations on Contaminant Removal by Bicarbonate-Form Anion Exchange Resin

This work investigated the role of divalent metal cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cd2+) and subsequent precipitation or complexation on decreased contaminant removal by bicarbonate-form anion exchange resin (AER-HCO3) relative to chloride-form AER (AER-Cl). The results showed that the removal of dissolved organic carbon and nitrate was lower for AER-HCO3 than AER-Cl, and contaminant removal by AER-HCO3 was affected by the presence of metal cation. For instance, magnesium and cadmium exhibited the greatest and least interference, respectively, with contaminant removal by AER-HCO3. The results suggested that precipitation was not the cause of decreased contaminant removal by AER-HCO3, and instead implied that complex formation between the contaminant and divalent metal was responsible for differences in removal by AER
Demonstration of converged bidirectional OFDM-m-QAM RoF and WDM-OFDM-PON access networks

We demonstrate a novel lightwave centralized hybrid bidirectional WDM-OFDM-PON and OFDM-m-QAM RoF network. The 11.29-Gb/s OFDM-16QAM wired DL, 5.65-Gb/s OFDM-QPSK wired UL and WiMAX downstream/upstream are successfully transmitted over 25-km SSMF.
Graviresponsiveness and cap dimensions of primary and secondary roots of Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae).

After branching from the primary root, secondary roots of castor bean (Ricinus communis) grow laterally for 15–20 mm, after which they bend downward (i.e., become positively gravitropic). During the first 10 mm of growth, the lengths of caps of secondary roots increase from 120 ± 26 to 220 ± 28 μm. Although this increase is statistically significant (P < 0.1%), the resulting secondary roots are only minimally graviresponsive. A subsequent doubling of the lengths and widths of the root caps (i.e., to 420 ± 34 and 450 ± 41 μm, respectively) is positively correlated with the onset of gravicurvature. The graviresponsiveness and dimensions of caps of positively gravitropic secondary roots are not significantly different from those of positively gravitropic primary roots. These results indicate that (i) a statistically significant increase in the length and length:width ratio of a root cap does not necessarily result in the root becoming positively gravitropic, (ii) there may be a minimum cap length and (or) wi...
Micromilling Responses of Hierarchical Graphene Composites

The objective of this research is to examine the micro-machining responses of a hierarchical three-phase composite made up of micro-scale glass fibers that are held together by an epoxy matrix laden with nano-scale graphene platelets. To this end, micro-milling experiments are performed on both the hierarchical graphene composite as well as on a baseline two-phase glass fiber composite without the graphene additive. The composite microstructure is characterized using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. Tool wear, chip morphology, cutting force, surface roughness and delamination are employed as machinability measures. In general, the tool wear, cutting forces, surface roughness and extent of delamination are all seen to be lower for the hierarchical graphene composite. These improvements are attributed to the fact that graphene platelets improve the thermal conductivity of the matrix, provide lubrication at the tool-chip interface and also improve the interface strength between the glass fibers and the matrix. Thus, the addition of graphene to a conventional two-phase glass fiber epoxy composite is seen to not only improve its mechanical properties but also its machinability.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Dynamic Impact Analysis Using Execution Profile Tracing

Impact analysis predicts and determines the parts of a software system that can be affected by changes of the system. Before or after such changes are made, impact analysis helps reduce the risk and costs caused by unwanted impact from changes. Traditional static impact analysis techniques, based on static system information, tend to produce imprecise results that are hardly useful. Dynamic impact analysis techniques are based on dynamic system behaviors, thus produce more precise and useful results. Existing dynamic impact analysis techniques impose various amounts of overhead costs in time and space, and produce impact sets of different degree of precision. In this paper, we propose a new dynamic impact analysis technique that is less expensive in both time and space than existing techniques, and produce safe and precise impact set relative to the dynamic information used in calculation.
Animating Conversation in Online Games

When players in online games engage in conversation with each other, often through a chat window, their graphical avatars typically do not exhibit interesting behavior. This paper proposes using a model of face-to-face communication to automatically generate realistic nonverbal behavior in the avatars based on what is going on in the conversation. It describes Spark, a flexible XML based architecture that makes this possible and reports on a user study that shows how such avatars could significantly improve online conversations.
Boundary value transient suppression for N-D digital systems

The authors present a new algorithm for computing the initial state of a N-D DLSI system. The algorithm is based on suppression of any transients due to initial conditions and can be applied to initialize 1-D and 2-D systems as well. They present a 1-D example on the use of the algorithm to show its effectiveness, and also successfully use the algorithm for suppressing transients associated with the implementation of spatial domain filters. >
Keynote address I: SpaceCube: A family of reconfigurable hybrid on-board science data processors

SpaceCube is a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based on-board hybrid science data processing system developed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The goal of the SpaceCube program is to provide 10× to 100× improvements in on-board computing power while lowering relative power consumption and cost. The SpaceCube design strategy incorporates commercial rad-tolerant FPGA technology and couples it with an upset mitigation software architecture to provide "order of magnitude" improvements in computing power over traditional rad-hard flight systems. Many of the missions proposed in the Earth Science Decadal Survey (ESDS) will require "next generation" on-board processing capabilities to meet their specified mission goals. Advanced laser altimeter, radar, lidar and hyperspectral instruments are proposed for at least ten of the Decadal Survey missions, and all of these instrument systems will require advanced on-board processing capabilities to facilitate the timely conversion of Earth Science data into Earth Science information. Both an "order of magnitude" increase in processing power and the ability to "reconfigure on the fly" are required to implement algorithms that detect and react to events, to produce data products on-board for applications such as direct downlink, quick look, and "first responder" real-time awareness, to enable "sensor web" multi-platform collaboration, and to perform on-board "lossless" data reduction by migrating typical ground-based processing functions on-board, thus reducing on-board storage and downlink requirements. This presentation will highlight a number of SpaceCube technology developments to date and describe current and future efforts, including the collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense — Space Test Program (DoD/STP) on the STP-H4 ISS experiment pallet (launch June 2013) that will demonstrate SpaceCube 2.0 technology on-orbit.
Optimal kernel selection in Kernel Fisher discriminant analysis

In Kernel Fisher discriminant analysis (KFDA), we carry out Fisher linear discriminant analysis in a high dimensional feature space defined implicitly by a kernel. The performance of KFDA depends on the choice of the kernel; in this paper, we consider the problem of finding the optimal kernel, over a given convex set of kernels. We show that this optimal kernel selection problem can be reformulated as a tractable convex optimization problem which interior-point methods can solve globally and efficiently. The kernel selection method is demonstrated with some UCI machine learning benchmark examples.
Evaluating student response to WeBWorK, a web-based homework delivery and grading system

As the use of web-based homework delivery and checking systems expands, we have greater need to evaluate how students engage with these systems and how changes in the systems influence student behavior. Reported here is the assessment of WeBWorK, an open-source web-based homework program used largely in postsecondary math and science courses, with recent extension to high school courses. WeBWorK draws from a large library of problems to generate individual assignments and provides immediate feedback about correctness of students' answers. WeBWorK allows entries in multiple choice, formula and numerical formats. The entries recorded by the system create an extensive database of student interactions with the system. In our two-part study, we (1) review 2387 student surveys about WeBWorK in three semesters across a range of mathematics courses and (2) test a model designed to classify student responses to system feedback, permitting a fine-grained analysis of the system's records at the keystroke level for a cohort of 96 Calculus I students. Based on this data, our goals are, first, to understand how students use the system and respond to its feedback; second, to analyze the impact of upgrades to the system interface on student users, and third, to evaluate the efficiency of training raters to classify student records. We find that the introduction of new features to the WeBWorK interface (improvements generated by our initial assessment) were welcomed by most students and reduced the overall number of submitted errors by half by the third year of the study. Importantly, the interface improvements reduced the number of errors that were not pedagogically useful. We also find that our error classification model, called here the Student Response Model, was a good fit for our student sample, as reflected by inter-rater reliability of three raters who coded the student records. In sum, our error classification model appears to be useful for analyzing formula entries. To make this assessment model widely available, we designed a system of exercises to train raters to classify student response files for WeBWorK and similar web-based systems.
Incorporating the 1990 Farm Bill into Farm-Level Decision Models: An Application to Cotton Farms: Comment

The 1990 Farm Bill introduced planting flexibility options while at the same time imposing slightly different program participation provisions from those of the previous farm bill. An article published by Duffy, Cain, and Young (1993) in this journal presents a methodology to model farm-level decision making and program participation. Their model does not truly represent the set-aside and flex requirements when compared to actual program provisions. This comment addresses those shortcomings and proposes appropriate modifications to the model, The 1990 Farm Bill provisions related to participation requirements introduced two important changes with respect to the 1985 Farm Bill: (a) setaside land (ARP) for each program crop is proportionately related to the established program crop base rather than to the participating acreage, and (b) a portion of the crop base (designated normal flex acres) can be planted to any crop without receiving deficiency payments and without altering the crop base in the subsequent year. Similarly, another fixed percentage of the crop base, called optional flex acres, can also be flexed and planted to any crop, but will earn deficiency payments only if planted to the original program crop. The new program provisions are best illustrated by a simple example. Suppose a farmer has established a crop base of 100 acres and participates in the program for that crop. The farmer has to set
Experiment on spatial effect of HF multiple scattering in the ionosphere

The theory of multiple scattering of MF/HF radio waves by intermediate-scale (0.1–5 km) ionospheric irregularities predicts a very distinctive spatial distribution of the relative integral intensity of a signal reflected from the ionosphere in the vicinity of a ground-based transmitter. It is significantly reduced within a distance of about several tens of kilometers and a growth occurs at a greater distance. The effect of anomalous attenuation has been confirmed earlier. This paper presents results of the first successful experimental campaign to track the intensity features at the larger distances, conducted in September-November 2009 in and around Boulder, CO.
EFFECTS OF IN VIVO ESTRADIOL ADMINISTRATION ON AVAILABILITY OF RAT UTERINE NUCLEAR ACCEPTOR SITES MEASURED IN VITRO

Estradiol injected in vivo successfully completes for binding to uterine nuclear acceptor sites measured by the assay of Kon and Spelsberg (1). Such competition is time-and dose-dependent, with maximal inhibition (75%) 1 h after injection and at a dose of 10 μg of 17β-estradiol per 300 g of BW. Thus, this assay appears to accurately measure those uterine nuclear acceptor sites mediating estrogen action in vivo.
The Compound Steam Engine and Productivity Changes in the German Merchant Marine Fleet, 1871–1887

The compound steam engine was one of the majorthe substitution of steam for sail in ocean transportation. This factors inarticle is an inquiry into the productivity effects of the adoption and diffusion of this innovation in the German merchant marine fleet between 1871 and 1887. A number of relevant questions may be raised: What was the change in total industry productivity? How much of the total productivity change resulted from the diffusion of the compound engine? How much resulted from improvement of the engine itself during this period and how much from improvements in sailing ship technology? Answers to these questions may provide fresh insight into the controversial issues of the ascendancy of the sailing ship in ocean transportation and the contribution of changes in sailing ship productivity to the decline of ocean freight rates after 1870.
Implications of Larval Mortality at Low Temperatures and High Soil Moistures for Establishment of Pink Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Southeastern United States Cotton

Abstract The pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), remains a significant pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.) in the southwestern United States, but is not known to be established in the primary cotton production areas of the southeastern United States. Absence of P. gossypiella may be the result of federal regulatory action (e.g., monitoring, quarantine, and eradication), climate, or other ecological factors. The objectives of this study were to determine how low temperatures and high soil moisture common to the southeastern United States might affect mortality of diapausing, preconditioned, and nondiapausing larvae of P. gossypiella. In constant temperature incubators set between 22 and 5°C (0% moisture, 0:24 [L:D] h), nondiapausing prepupal (fourth or fifth instar) larvae died more quickly at lower temperatures. At 5°C, 90% of the cohort was dead after 12 d. Similarly, prepupal larvae that had been reared under diapause inducing conditions (20°C, 10:14 [L:D] h) since neonate stage also died mo...
Pak1 and Pak 2 kinases contribute to COX-2 expression in respiratory papillomas

416 Recurrent respiratory papillomas, caused primarily by HPV types 6 and 11, are characterized by a hyperplastic epithelium that displays increased proliferation, defects in terminal differentiation and resistance to apoptosis. Papilloma cells overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and have increased phosphoinositol -3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Papilloma tissues have elevated NF-κB DNA-binding activity and decreased levels of IκBβ, but not IκBα. We have reported that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its product PGE 2 are induced in papilloma cells, that COX-2 expression requires EGFR and PI3K activity but not Erk activation, and that exogenous PGE 2 increases papilloma cell proliferation while a selective COX-2 inhibitor reduces proliferation and increases spontaneous apoptosis. We are now studying additional signal transduction pathways that contribute to COX-2 induction in papilloma cells. Rac1, a member of the Rho family of GTPases, regulates a wide variety of cellular functions, including motility, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We recently found that Rac1 is required for EGFR-mediated COX-2 expression, that Rac1 acts upstream of p38 MAPK in primary papilloma cells, but not in normal cells, and that inhibition of p38 MAPK suppresses COX-2 expression in papilloma cells. Moreover, Rac1 protein levels are markedly increased in papilloma cells and this increase is mediated by EGFR activation. The p21-activated kinase (Pak) family members are serine/threonine kinases that can be activated by Rac and related GTPases. Recent studies have shown that, like Rac1, they play a role in many cancers. We have now found that Pak1 and Pak2 phosphorylation is markedly increased in papillomas in comparison to normal laryngeal epithelium. Knockdown of Pak1 or Pak2 in papilloma cells, using siRNAs, reduced expression of COX-2, indicating that these kinases also contribute to induction of COX-2. Knocking down Pak 1/2 caused an increase in the levels of IκBβ in papilloma cells, which is expected to result in a decrease of NF-κB activation. Depletion of Pak1/2 did not, however, affect p38 MAPK activation. Thus, our studies suggest that Rac1 regulates COX-2 expression in respiratory papilloma cells in a dual fashion, by stimulating Pak1/2 - NF-κB signaling on the one hand, and p38 MAPK on the other. Signaling elements that act in these pathways could potentially be effective therapeutic targets for HPV-induced tumors.
Tunnel Vision Prismatic Field Expansion: Challenges and Requirements.

Purpose No prismatic solution for peripheral field loss (PFL) has gained widespread acceptance. Field extended by prisms has a corresponding optical scotoma at the prism apices. True expansion can be achieved when each eye is given a different view (through visual confusion). We analyze the effects of apical scotomas and binocular visual confusion in different designs to identify constraints on any solution that is likely to meet acceptance. Methods Calculated perimetry diagrams were compared to perimetry with PFL patients wearing InWave channel prisms and Trifield spectacles. Percept diagrams illustrate the binocular visual confusion. Results Channel prisms provide no benefit at primary gaze. Inconsequential extension was provided by InWave prisms, although accessible with moderate gaze shifts. Higher-power prisms provide greater extension, with greater paracentral scotoma loss, but require uncomfortable gaze shifts. Head turns, not eye scans, are needed to see regions lost to the apical scotomas. Trifield prisms provide field expansion at all gaze positions, but acceptance was limited by disturbing effects of central binocular visual confusion. Conclusions Field expansion when at primary gaze (where most time is spent) is needed while still providing unobstructed central vision. Paracentral multiplexing prisms we are developing that superimpose shifted and see-through views may accomplish that. Translational relevance Use of the analyses and diagramming techniques presented here will be of value when considering prismatic aids for PFL, and could have prevented many unsuccessful designs and the improbable reports we cited from the literature. New designs must likely address the challenges identified here.
The Cloying Use of Unallotment: Curbing Executive Branch Appropriation Reductions During Fiscal Emergencies

To ensure the perpetuation of balanced budgets, which are legal and practical requirements in forty-nine states, many state legislatures bestow upon the executive branch broad powers to reduce appropriations through unallotment statutes. This Note accentuates the two dire, legal inefficiencies plaguing an ample number of these laws. First, many statutes fail to discernibly articulate temporal instructions that limit the proper timeframe under which the executive branch is to reduce appropriations. Second, a sufficient group of other statutes further delegate the discretionary capacity to choose which appropriations to reduce, violating their states’ respective nondelegation doctrine. In May 2010, these two pressing deficiencies ascended to the forefront of unallotment law before the Minnesota Supreme Court in Brayton v. Pawlenty. Although the court correctly acknowledged the ambiguous temporal limitation of Minnesota’s unallotment statute when holding Governor Tim Pawlenty’s unallotments procedurally void, it failed to address the second, constitutional issue. Yet, as state courts continue to assess the procedural and substantive validity of executive branch appropriation reductions, the transpiring legal precedents become more conflicting. This emerging state court split indeed reflects the idiosyncrasies of respective state budgetary and unallotment laws, but it more precisely illustrates the confusion over exactly what the legislature has delegated - its appropriations power or the power to ensure fiscal solvency. This Note argues that because balanced budget provisions are generally laws requiring the executive branch’s faithful execution, the legislature has no capacity to delegate such authority. Accordingly, unallotments laws delegate the legislature’s prerogative to reduce appropriations and, therefore, must describe clear guiding standards to comport with the nondelegation doctrine. This Note, as a result, requests that state legislatures both evaluate their respective unallotment laws and consider the model statute prescribed in this Note. Among a variety of unique provisions, the model statute underscores governmental efficiency while still venerating the doctrine of separation of powers by clearly articulating temporal limitations and implementing a system to curb the executive branch’s authority to reduce appropriations during fiscal emergencies.
The effect of reduced barometric pressure on fracture healing in rats.

Fracture healing in a series of fractures of the fibula in Fischer rats was studied at a simulated altitude of 18,000 feet in both acclimatized and unacclimatized animals. The acclimatized animals healed their fractures as well as control animals did, but there was significant retardation of fracture healing in the unacclimatized animals, up to thirty and forty days.
Fecal microbiota transplantation: Literature review

Objective: Despite the advancement of antimicrobial treatments, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) remains the most commoncause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea in adults, and is increasing in frequency and severity in the United States. The reducedefficacy of antimicrobial treatment therapies is a real concern among practitioners and has fuelled the search for alternativetreatment options. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) has been reported as a safe and effective treatment for CDI for more than 50 years, but has failed to make its way into common practice. The aim is to assess current literature pertaining to the efficacyof FMT as a treatment option for CDI using the Stetler model. Method: An electronic search using CINHAL Complete, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases, limited only to articles from academic journals that had full text access and that were published within the last five years. Selection criteria were systematic reviews, and original research studies that used FMT, regardless of delivery modality, for the treatment of recurring and/orrefractory CDI (rCDI) and that had laboratory confirmed results and that reported follow-up. Conclusion: While there is an abundance of literature reporting FMT as a safe and durable practice, most of the publishedliterature consists of case studies and retrospective reviews. The analysis of the selected articles suggests FMT has a substantial effect for the treatment of recurrent CDI. Only three RCTs appear to have been published and majority of the systematic reviews predate the RCTs. More controlled studies with adequate sample sizes are needed before establishing FMT as best practice.
Low SINR Synchronization for the DARPA Spectrum Challenge Scenario

The DARPA Spectrum Challenge (DSC) established a problem space that created a need for radio synchronization algorithms functional in environments with low signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). For the final DSC competitive event, forward link receiver SINR was commonly less than 0 dB and feedback link receiver SINR could be less than 5 dB, both in a 5 MHz channel. For the preliminary DSC competitive event, both forward and feedback link receiver SINR could be much less than 0 dB. Additional constraints led to the implementation of synchronization algorithms in accordance with the GNU Radio framework. As a result, the algorithms are written in software that executes on general-purpose Intel processors and requires minimal computational complexity. Additionally, the synchronization should not limit system error rate performance to ensure that the capability of implemented receiver signal processing is fully realized (e.g. Error control coding). A possible solution for the DSC competitive event includes time division duplexing (TDD) for channel access with a high data rate forward link and robust feedback link for automatic repeat request (ARQ). In support of this approach, multiple synchronization techniques were implemented. In this work, we present one of our implementations, a nondata aided symbol synchronization method that can be employed for both links. This paper includes a description of the synchronization algorithm along with its simulated and implemented performance for scenarios applicable to the DSC.
Effects of Shiga toxin type 2 on a bioengineered three-dimensional model of human renal tissue.

ABSTRACT Shiga toxins (Stx) are a family of cytotoxic proteins that can cause hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a thrombotic microangiopathy, following infections by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Renal failure is a key feature of HUS and a major cause of childhood renal failure worldwide. There are currently no specific therapies for STEC-associated HUS, and the mechanism of Stx-induced renal injury is not well understood primarily due to a lack of fully representative animal models and an inability to monitor disease progression on a molecular or cellular level in humans at early stages. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue models have been shown to be more in vivo-like in their phenotype and physiology than 2D cultures for numerous disease models, including cancer and polycystic kidney disease. It is unknown whether exposure of a 3D renal tissue model to Stx will yield a more in vivo-like response than 2D cell culture. In this study, we characterized Stx2-mediated cytotoxicity in a bioengineered 3D human renal tissue model previously shown to be a predictor of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and compared its response to Stx2 exposure in 2D cell culture. Our results demonstrate that although many mechanistic aspects of cytotoxicity were similar between 3D and 2D, treatment of the 3D tissues with Stx resulted in an elevated secretion of the kidney injury marker 1 (Kim-1) and the cytokine interleukin-8 compared to the 2D cell cultures. This study represents the first application of 3D tissues for the study of Stx-mediated kidney injury.
Mating Behavior of the Gypsy Moth Parasite, Apanteles melanoscelus

Courtship movements of Apanteles melanoscelus (Ratzeburg) (Braconidae) males include wing elevation and fluttering, mounting, and copulation. Copulation lengths of 20 sec and more are necessary for sperm transfer. Males older than one wk did not mate readily, but old females were as receptive as young ones, as long as they had not previously mated. Conditions where females tend to be quiescent increase mating success. The female sex pheromone is relatively non-volatile and does not diminish in activity after mating or as females age. Non-pheromonal stimuli from females are necessary as well as pheromone for the complete expression of mating behavior in males.
Renal Papillary Necrosis Appearing as Bladder Cancer on Imaging

Abstract A 79-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) presented with acute onset left lower quadrant pain, left-sided back pain, vomiting, and dysuria. Abdominopelvic CT scan revealed left hydroureteronephrosis to the level of the left ureterovesical junction (UVJ) where a bladder mass appeared to be obstructing the left ureteral orifice. The obstruction was ultimately found to be the result of a sloughed renal papilla lodged in the distal ureter, which created an inflammatory mass at the UVJ. Her history of diabetes and frequent UTIs likely predisposed her to the development of renal papillary necrosis (RPN) that resulted in sloughing of a renal papilla, distal ureteral obstruction with subsequent bladder inflammation that mimicked a bladder mass on imaging. RPN is a condition associated with many etiologies and likely represents a common final pathway of several diseases. Although several hypotheses exist, it is primarily thought to be ischemic in...
Multiple coronary aneurysms in a young adult with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

HIV infection can cause multiple deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Emerging evidence has supported a direct association between HIV infection and accelerated atherosclerosis. The mechanism for atherosclerosis in HIV-positive patients is multifactorial, an interplay between conventional risk factors, HIV itself and highly active antiretroviral therapy. The case described is a 29-year-old man with HIV, non-adherent to antiretroviral therapy and with few cardiovascular risk factors, who presented with chest pain and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Cardiac catheterization revealed multiple coronary artery aneurysms in the left main coronary artery and the right coronary artery. Aneurysmal formation may develop from vasculitis, HIV itself, accelerated atherosclerosis, congenital formation or medications (e.g. protease inhibitors). The researchers provide a review of coronary artery disease, aneurysmal formation and vasculitic processes in the context of HIV. As this clinical entity becomes more apparent, alternative therapeutic options may need to be explored.
Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis Accompanied by Bowen's Disease:A Case Report

Objective:A case of epidermodysplasia verruciformis presented with pityriasis-versicolor-like lesions and concomitant with Bowen's disease at vulva is reported.Pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of the patient were analyzed.Methods:A series of examinations were performed on the patient.DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of truck and vulval lesions,then HPV detection was conducted with HPV37 gene analysis kits and PCR amplification was done with consensus primers.Medication was also prescribed for the patient.Results:Neither result of HPV detection or PCR amplification showed correlation between the lesions of truck and vulva.It seemed that the concomitant Bowen's disease in this case did not result from epidermodysplasia verruciformis.There was marked T lymphopenia in the patient.ALA-PDT treatment was applied to vulval lesions three times,but no obvious improvement was achieved.Complete excision was performed resulting in no recurrence at half-year follow-up.Retinoic acid was prescribed for treatment of epidermodysplasia verruciformis.Skin lesions of the limbs flattened and showed partial coalescence de-pigmented patches after 4 months of therapy.Conclusion:This study provides evidence that concomitant Bowen's disease is not related to epidermodysplasia verruciformis,and that T lymphocyte might play a part in the pathogenesis of epidermodysplasia verruciformis.
Application of off-pump coronary artery bypassing in senile patients

Objectives To compare the early result of OPCAB(Off-Pump coronary artery bypass grafting) with CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) CABG in senile patients with coronary heart disease group, find out the ideal methods for the surgery. Methods From Aug 1999 to May 2004, 170 cases CABG elder than 70 were divided into two groups: OPCAB group(n=80) and CPB CABG group(n=59)(exclude 12 cases with valve repair or replacement, ventricular septal ruptured repair, ventricular aneurysm; others 12 cases performed by on-pump beating heart technique were also excluded). The early results were analyzed respectively. Results OPCAB group was better than CPB group in these series: the use of positive inotropics (18.1%/ 61%) , use of IABP (8.4%/ 30.5%), myocardial infarction(3.6%/11.8%), acute renal failure(1.2%/5.1%), respiration failure (9.6%/18.6%), time of use ventilator (12.3±5.6h/27.7±8.3h), ICU stay (2.3±1.2days/6.5±2.3days), hospital stay (16.4±7.1days/28.2±7.8days), (p0.05). Conclusion OPCAB reduces operative mortality and complication due to senile patients obviously , it should be the first option for the surgery of senile patients with coronary heart disease.
Analgesic utilization before and after rescheduling of hydrocodone in a large academic level 1 trauma center

Background: Hydrocodone-containing products were recently rescheduled from Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedule III to schedule II due to concerns of abuse and misuse. These changes went into effect on October 6, 2014. Objective: This quality improvement project involved a retrospective analysis to determine the effect of the DEA schedule change on prescribing habits of hydrocodone-containing products as well as the remaining schedule III and IV opioids, codeine (schedule III) and tramadol (schedule IV). Methods: The authors performed a medication use evaluation at our academic level 1 trauma hospital system on outpatient use of hydrocodone-containing products, tramadol, and codeine-containing products for 6 months before and 6 months after the change to schedule II using our electronic record and pharmacy system. Results: A total of 88,428 prescription orders were analyzed. Comparison of prescriptions before and after the DEA schedule changes showed hydrocodone prescriptions reduced from an average of 225.97 per day to 1.20 per day. In addition, tramadol increased from 60.04 per day to 91.85 per day and codeine from 6.81 per day to 98.94 per day. Conclusions: Our data show a very substantial decrease in utilization of hydrocodone- containing products and concomitant increase in the utilization of tramadol and codeine products at our hospital after the DEA schedule change.
Somatic Hypermutation and Class Switch Recombination

This article represents a brief summary of the current status of the investigations on somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and SHM of some non-Ig genomic sequences. The activation-induced deaminase (AID) is required for the initiation of both of these processes.
Cavity wall adaptation of resin-based composites lined with flowable composites.

PURPOSE To compare the adhesion of a flowable resin-based composite (RBC) vs. a condensable RBC to tooth structure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen recently extracted human teeth were prepared for Class I restorations and equally divided into three groups. Group 1 was filled with Heliomolar bonded with Syntac Single Component. Group 2 was lined with Flow-It in addition to ALERT condensable RBC bonded with Bond-1 Primer/Adhesive. Group 3 was filled with ALERT bonded with Bond-1 Primer/Adhesive. All teeth were thermocycled, sectioned and evaluated for gap formation with the SEM. RESULTS SEM at x15 demonstrated that restorations with the flowable RBC at the tooth/restoration interface showed no evidence of marginal gaps between the RBC material or at the underlying tooth structure. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in wall adaptation was found between Groups 2 and 3.
Chemical Etiologies of Off-Flavor in Channel Catfish Aquaculture

Thirteen ponds used for commercial culture of channel catfish were analyzed bimonthly during the summer and episodes of off-flavor occurred in nine of these ponds. Several compounds were isolated from the water and catfish that correlated with the onset and severity of off-flavor. The compounds most frequently isolated from water, producing off-flavored fish, were β-cyclocitral and 2-methylisobornepl (MIB). A dehydration product of MIB, 2-methyl-2-bornene, was found in several fish samples and two water samples. Geosmin and 2-methylenebornane were rarely isolated, β-cyclocitral was rarely isolated from the fish although high concentrations were isolated from water samples collected from ponds containing off-flavored fish. These compounds were not found in ponds producing on-flavored catfish.
Palladium‐Catalyzed N‐Arylation of Iminodibenzyls and Iminostilbenes with Aryl‐ and Heteroaryl Halides

Compounds containing the iminodibenzyl and iminostilbene ring systems are prevalent in medicinal targets and functional materials. Herein, we report palladium-catalyzed conditions for the N-arylation of these ring systems. This protocol could be applied to a variety of (hetero)aryl chloride and bromide substrates, including ones, which are sterically hindered or those containing a variety of functional groups. Use of the fourth-generation palladacycle precatalyst gave good to excellent yields by using low palladium-catalyst loadings (0.1 to 1 mol %).
RU486 Mitigates Hippocampal Pathology Following Status Epilepticus.

Status epilepticus induces rapid hyper-activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. HPA axis hyperactivity results in excess exposure to high levels of circulating glucocorticoids, which are associated with neurotoxicity and depression-like behavior. These observations have led to the hypothesis that HPA axis dysfunction may exacerbate status epilepticus-induced brain injury. To test this hypothesis, we used the mouse pilocarpine model of epilepsy to determine whether use of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 can attenuate hippocampal pathology following status epilepticus. Excess glucocorticoid secretion was evident one day after status epilepticus in the mice, preceding the development of spontaneous seizures (which can take weeks to develop). RU486 treatment blocked the SE-associated elevation of glucocorticoid levels in pilocarpine treated mice. RU486 treatment also mitigated the development of hippocampal pathologies induced by status epilepticus, reducing loss of hilar mossy cells and limiting pathological cell proliferation in the dentate hilus. Mossy cell loss and accumulation of ectopic hilar cells are positively correlated with epilepsy severity, suggesting that early treatment with glucocorticoid antagonists could have anti-epileptogenic effects.
Has Moore's Law Been Repealed? An Economist's Perspective

Moore's law in the semiconductor industry came to mean regular, predictable introductions of new manufacturing technology that enabled denser electronics. Adoption of new manufacturing technology, and its effect on silicon wafer-processing costs, determined how rapidly transistor manufacturing costs declined. In recent years, both cost decline rates and other economically valuable technical benefits flowing from use of the newest chip-making technology seem to have substantially diminished.