cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the stability of stationary states in general road networks

Abstract In [Jin, W.-L., 2015. On the existence of stationary states in general road networks. Transportation Research Part B 81, 917–929.], with a discrete map in critical demand levels, it was proved that there exist stationary states for the kinematic wave model of general road networks with constant origin demands, route choice proportions, and destination supplies. In this study we further examine the stability property of stationary states with the same map, and the results will help us to understand the long-term trend of a network traffic system. We first review a network kinematic wave model and properties of stationary states on a link, define the criticality of junctions in stationary states, and discuss information propagation in stationary states on links and junctions. We then present the map and examine information propagation in the map. We apply the map to analytically study the stability of stationary states on ring roads and diverge-merge networks with circular information propagation and compare them with results obtained from the Poincare map [Jin, W.-L., 2013. Stability and bifurcation in network traffic flow: A Poincare map approach. Transportation Research Part B 57, 191–208]. We further study the stability property of general stationary states in a grid network. We find that the stability of fixed points of the map is the same as that of stationary states in a network, and the new approach is more general than the Poincare map approach. We conclude the study with future directions and implications.
Sauer, Michelle M. Gender in Medieval Culture New York: Bloomsbury Academic 224 pp., $32.95, ISBN 978-1441142627 Publication Date: September 2015

In the introduction to this work contemplating gender in medieval culture, Michelle Sauer states that she is not necessarily covering any “new” ground but, rather, offering to provide some “tools f...
On Medicine and Boundaries: Frost’s Mending Wall

Published just over a century ago, Robert Frost's Mending Wall stands as one of the most eloquent meditations on boundaries and the complex and nuanced role they play in interpersonal relationships. Often anthologized, and perhaps as often misunderstood, Mending Wall has much to teach medical educators and practicing clinicians about the physician-patient relationship and the evolving dynamic between healer and patient. Remembered mostly for the seemingly contradictory repetition of the adage "Good fences make good neighbors," and the opening "something there is that doesn't love a wall," Frost mischievously navigates through the many meanings and functions of boundaries; how they separate, unite, and ultimately, how they might mend. Mending Wall offers physicians an opportunity to look closely at the barriers and thresholds prevalent in medicine and explore how they both preclude and allow for intimate and healing relationships.
Recent trends in the frequency and duration of global floods

Abstract. Frequency and duration of floods are analyzed using the global flood database of the Dartmouth Flood Observatory (DFO) to explore evidence of trends during 1985–2015 at global and latitudinal scales. Three classes of flood duration (i.e., short: 1–7, moderate: 8–20, and long: 21 days and above) are also considered for this analysis. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall trend analysis is used to evaluate three hypotheses addressing potential monotonic trends in the frequency of flood, moments of duration, and frequency of specific flood duration types. We also evaluated if trends could be related to large-scale atmospheric teleconnections using a generalized linear model framework. Results show that flood frequency and the tails of the flood duration (long duration) have increased at both the global and the latitudinal scales. In the tropics, floods have increased 4-fold since the 2000s. This increase is 2.5-fold in the north midlatitudes. However, much of the trend in frequency and duration of the floods can be placed within the long-term climate variability context since the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Pacific Decadal Oscillation were the main atmospheric teleconnections explaining this trend. There is no monotonic trend in the frequency of short-duration floods across all the global and latitudinal scales. There is a significant increasing trend in the annual median of flood durations globally and each latitudinal belt, and this trend is not related to these teleconnections. While the DFO data come with a certain level of epistemic uncertainty due to imprecision in the estimation of floods, overall, the analysis provides insights for understanding the frequency and persistence in hydrologic extremes and how they relate to changes in the climate, organization of global and local dynamical systems, and country-scale socioeconomic factors.
Abstract P70: Analysis of Downstream Encounter Data Drives Quality Interventions for Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Understanding resource utilization is crucial to improving care quality in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). We reviewed 6-month downstream encounters following an admission for ACS including hospitalization, emergency room visits, clinic visits and rehabilitation. Methods: Downstream encounter and cost data for 6 months following ACS admission to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) were evaluated. The data set included 7,668 encounters from 2,196 unique patients for period 7/1/08-6/30/10. Analysis was stratified by patient drive time from home to VUMC, treatment pathway (surgery vs. percutaneous intervention) and encounter type. Unrelated encounters were excluded; analysis was limited to encounters at VUMC. Outcomes: We found 29% (1,522 of 5,318) of 6-month downstream encounters occurred within 4 weeks post-discharge, accounting for 35% of costs. Limiting data to readmissions only, 39% (255 of 661) of encounters, totaling 41% of costs, occurred during this 4-week period ( Figure ). Patients with shorter drive time had higher downstream utilization, with average 3.34 visits within 6 months for patients living ≤50 minutes from VUMC, versus 1.86 for patients living >50 minutes away. Emergency room encounters for patients ≤50 minutes away were also greater (average 0.51 versus 0.23 for patients >50 minutes). Conclusion: Analysis suggests that interventions targeting downstream encounters within the first 4 weeks of discharge for ACS will have greater effects on cost and quality, and those interventions should also be tailored based on patient drive time. Review of available encounter data can help direct resources to quality interventions.
Compositional Relational Abstraction for Nonlinear Hybrid Systems

We propose techniques to construct abstractions for nonlinear dynamics in terms of relations expressed in linear arithmetic. Such relations are useful for translating the closed loop verification problem of control software with continuous-time, nonlinear plant models into discrete and linear models that can be handled by efficient software verification approaches for discrete-time systems. We construct relations using Taylor model based flowpipe construction and the systematic composition of relational abstractions for smaller components. We focus on developing efficient schemes for the special case of composing abstractions for linear and nonlinear components. We implement our ideas using a relational abstraction system, using the resulting abstraction inside the verification tool NuXMV, which implements numerous SAT/SMT solver-based verification techniques for discrete systems. Finally, we evaluate the application of relational abstractions for verifying properties of time triggered controllers, comparing with the Flowa tool. We conclude that relational abstractions are a promising approach towards nonlinear hybrid system verification, capable of proving properties that are beyond the reach of tools such as Flowa. At the same time, we highlight the need for improvements to existing linear arithmetic SAT/SMT solvers to better support reasoning with large relational abstractions.
Terpenoids As Therapeutic Drugs and Pharmaceutical Agents

Terpenoids, also referred to as terpenes, are the largest group of natural compounds. Many terpenes have biological activities and are used for the treatment of human diseases. The worldwide sales of terpene-based pharmaceuticals in 2002 were approximately US $12 billion. Among these pharmaceuticals, the anticancer drug Taxol® and the antimalarial drug Artimesinin are two of the most renowned terpene-based drugs. All terpenoids are synthesized from two five-carbon building blocks. Based on the number of the building blocks, terpenoids are commonly classified as monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), diterpenes (C20), and sesterterpenes (C25). These terpenoids display a wide range of biological activities against cancer, malaria, inflammation, and a variety of infectious diseases (viral and bacterial). In last two decades, natural-product bioprospecting from the marine environment has resulted in hundreds of terpenoids with novel structures and interesting bioactivities, with more to be discovered in the future. The problem of supply is a serious obstacle to the development of most terpenoid compounds with interesting pharmaceutical properties. Although total chemical synthesis plays a less important role in the production of some terpenoid drugs, it has contributed significantly to the development of terpenoid compounds and terpene-based drugs by providing critical information on structure-activity relationships (SAR) and chiral centers as well as generating analog libraries. Semisynthesis, on the other hand, has played a major role in the development and production of terpenoid-derived drugs. Metabolic engineering as an integrated bioengineering approach has made considerable progress to produce some terpenoids in plants and fermentable hosts. Cell culture and aquaculture will provide a solution for the supply issue of some valuable terpenes from terrestrial and marine environments, respectively. Recent advances in environmental genomics and other “-omics” technologies will facilitate isolation and discovery of new terpenoids from natural environments. There is no doubt that more terpenoid-based clinical drugs will become available and will play a more significant role in human disease treatment in the near future.
Overview of Path-Planning and Obstacle Avoidance Algorithms for UAVs: A Comparative Study

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have recently attracted the attention of researchers due to their numerous potential civilian applications. However, current robot navigation technologies need furth...
Görtler Instability and Its Control via Surface Suction over an Axisymmetric Cone at Mach 6

The characteristics of Gortler instability over an axisymmetric cone with an aft concave section are studied via linear and nonlinear instability analysis and direct numerical simulations. Several options for the cone geometry have been investigated numerically, subject to a fixed forecone section and constraints on the maximum cone diameter, overall cone length, and minimum N-factor for the most amplified Gortler modes. Computations show that it is possible to design a cone with a peak N-factor of Nmax > 8 at the target Reynolds number of 12.1×10(exp 6) per meter, corresponding to the maximum quiet Reynolds number in the Boeing/AFOSR Mach-6 Quiet Tunnel at Purdue University. Direct numerical simulations show that an array of roughness elements corresponding to a peak roughness height of 0.1006 mm at the center can excite Gortler vortices that evolve into sufficiently strong streamwise streaks that may break down via high-frequency secondary instability. Thus, the selected axisymmetric configuration of interest should provide an acceptable baseline to investigate the feasibility of several aspects of laminar-flow control via boundary-layer suction. The apparatus that is being used for measurements in the Boeing/AFOSR Quiet Tunnel is described, along with some preliminary experimental results.
Analyzing the evolution of end user information technology performance: a longitudinal study of a county budget office

This study examines how the budget office of a large county government designed and implemented end user information technology (IT) from personal computers (PCs) and local area networks (LANs) to an intranet and Web pages over a 15-year period. The initial issue was internal to the organization--moving a time-consuming budget preparation process to a smoother one, where "what if' analysis could be completed. However, more recent end user IT challenges are less internal and shaped more by the demands and expectations of parties outside of the budget office.While the evolution of IT in this budget office was distinctive, we utilize a framework to flesh out both the unique and generalizable lessons of such IT development. A stages model from the IT literature holds promise for explaining the internal successes as well as problems that arose during implementation and transition. The stages model suggests that the proliferation of IT can be directed toward productive use by recognizing IT crises and adding management control to handle the crises. However, the stages model does not readily account for significant changes in external social facets of the techno-social environment. These changing external social facets include global competition and reinventing government. The study suggests that the stages model would benefit from incorporating social-change shocks to better understand the transitions, the nature of the stages and IT performance within each stage.
Abstract 3572: Acculturation is a Risk Factor for Higher Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness in Hispanic Americans. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background: The aim of this study was to determine if acculturation is a significant risk factor for carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT) in Hispanic Americans. Methods: Subjects were were 1,493 Hispanic participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). At the baseline MESA clinic visit, standardized protocols were used to quantify CIMT. The variable “generation” represents the degree of acculturation due to familial birthplace and was based on the number of relatives that were born in the U.S. Low generation number (e.g. 0) indicates fewer or no family members born in the U.S. while higher numbers (e.g. 3) indicate all or nearly all were born in the U.S. Results: The mean (SD) age of the sub-sample was 61.3 (10.3) years and 52% were women. Thirty-one percent MESA Hispanics were born in the U.S. while 13.2% and 15.5% of their fathers and mothers, respectively, were born in the US. There were 68.8% of MESA Hispanics who were generation 0, 20.2% were generation 1, 7.2% generation 2 and 3.8% generation 3. With adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and hypertension, the mean CIMT values increased significantly in each higher generation (p Conclusions: Among Hispanics, acculturation defined by birthplace is significantly associated with CIMT independent of CVD risk factors. The more acculturated an individual becomes to the United States, the larger the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis.
Traditional Justifications and Their Flaws

The current status of the law upholding limited liability tariff provisions for telephone companies, as espoused by the courts and agencies, is based on various justifications which have, for the most part, been asserted since the Interstate Commerce Act was amended in 1910 to apply to telegraph and telephone companies. These justifications are described first. Then, utilizing the historical background provided in chapter 2, the flaws and inadequacies embedded in these justifications, as well as how to correct them in order to develop appropriate prospective liability rules, are discussed. The repetition of these flaws in the context of the recent FCC order on mandatory detariffing or by continued application of the traditional regulatory contract theory are described in the concluding section.
A Systematic Review of Treatment Integrity Assessment from 2004 to 2014: Examining Behavioral Interventions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Many students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive behavioral interventions to improve academic and prosocial functioning and remediate current skill deficits. Sufficient treatment integrity is necessary for these interventions to be successful. However, a literature review of studies that evaluated behavioral intervention for students with ASD from 1993 to 2003 found that only 18% of studies included an operational definition of the intervention and measured treatment integrity. The purpose of the present study was to update this review and incorporate recent advances in implementation science (e.g., dimensions, implementation support). Of the 130 studies reviewed, treatment integrity was assessed in 43% of studies. When treatment integrity data were included, it was most often adherence data that were assessed through observation or self-report. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Mispositioned Neurokinin-1 Receptor-Expressing Neurons Underlie Heat Hyperalgesia in Disabled-1 Mutant Mice.

Reelin (Reln) and Disabled-1 (Dab1) participate in the Reln-signaling pathway and when either is deleted, mutant mice have the same spinally mediated behavioral abnormalities, increased sensitivity to noxious heat and a profound loss in mechanical sensitivity. Both Reln and Dab1 are highly expressed in dorsal horn areas that receive and convey nociceptive information, Laminae I-II, lateral Lamina V, and the lateral spinal nucleus (LSN). Lamina I contains both projection neurons and interneurons that express Neurokinin-1 receptors (NK1Rs) and they transmit information about noxious heat both within the dorsal horn and to the brain. Here, we ask whether the increased heat nociception in Reln and dab1 mutants is due to incorrectly positioned dorsal horn neurons that express NK1Rs. We found more NK1R-expressing neurons in Reln-/- and dab1-/- Laminae I-II than in their respective wild-type mice, and some NK1R neurons co-expressed Dab1 and the transcription factor Lmx1b, confirming their excitatory phenotype. Importantly, heat stimulation in dab1-/- mice induced Fos in incorrectly positioned NK1R neurons in Laminae I-II. Next, we asked whether these ectopically placed and noxious-heat responsive NK1R neurons participated in pain behavior. Ablation of the superficial NK1Rs with an intrathecal injection of a substance P analog conjugated to the toxin saporin (SSP-SAP) eliminated the thermal hypersensitivity of dab1-/- mice, without altering their mechanical insensitivity. These results suggest that ectopically positioned NK1R-expressing neurons underlie the heat hyperalgesia of Reelin-signaling pathway mutants, but do not contribute to their profound mechanical insensitivity.
GENE EXPRESSION OF MAMMALIAN LENS TISSUE: COEXISTENCE AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(A)-CONTAINING AND POLY(A)-LACKING 10S and 14S mRNA SPECIES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses coexistence and properties of poly(A)-containing and poly(A)-lacking 10S and 14S mRNA species in mammalian lens tissue. Calf lens 10S and 14S mRNAs have been shown to contain both poly(A)-containing (poly(A)+) and poly(A)-lacking (poly(A)−) populations. Experimental results indicate that 47–58% of the 10S and 14S mRNA lack polyadenylated sequences. In vitro translation studies indicate that both species of the poly(A)− RNA can direct the synthesis of a heterogeneous population of lens polypeptides, including putative alpha-crystallin chains. In contrast, the poly(A)+ mRNAs direct only the synthesis of alphacrystallin polypeptides. On the transcriptional level, poly(A)+ mRNA can be used as a template for the synthesis of complementary DNA, while poly(A)− mRNA fraction lacks the template activity with Avian myeloblastosis versus reverse transcriptase. Based upon molecular hybridization data, the poly(A) mRNAs possess some complementary polynucleotide sequences to the cDNA synthesized from the poly(A)+ alpha-crystallin mRNA. The overall data suggest that the native mRNAs for alpha-crystallin polypeptides may contain two molecular forms, with and without polyadenylation.
USING A STRESS PROCESS MODEL TO EXAMINE RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN CAREGIVER WELL-BEING AND HEALTH

Current research must utilize nationally-representative samples of older adults and their family caregivers to accurately reflect the growing diversity of the United States. This study aims to use a stress process model to examine potential racial differences in caregiving in a population-based sample of 844 White and 389 Black family caregivers in the United States. We conducted 3 x 2 x 2 (relationship type x race x dementia care status) factorial ANOVAs to examine potential differences in caregiving stressors, appraisals, resources, and mental and physical health outcomes among primary family caregivers. Results indicated significant racial differences in caregiving on several stress process measures. Although Black caregivers reported more caregiving stressors, compared to White caregivers, they tended to report more positive appraisals of caregiving and more caregiving resources. Dementia caregivers tended to report greater caregiving stressors and worse measures of appraisal compared to non-dementia caregivers. There was a significant two-way interaction among relationship type and dementia care status for the caregiving stressor, hours of care. A stress process model can allow researchers to investigate various factors associated with racial differences in caregiving.
A General Framework for Non-Parametric Subject-Specific and Population Deconvolution Methods for in Vivo-in Vitro Correlation

Suppose that a drug is given in some formulation to a system resulting in an (unknown) input A(t), and n observations are collected at different times following the input. The i-th observation takes the form: $$ {y_i} = \mathop \smallint \limits_0^{{t_i}} A\left( \tau \right)K\left( {t - \tau } \right)d\tau + {\varepsilon _i} $$ (1) where ei indicates a random measurement error.
Is Truth Relative

It is possible that truth as we know it is obsolete. Sometimes it seems that different groups in the United States live in completely different worlds. If “post-truth” means truth has been shattere...
Assessment of the Contribution of the Work Relative Value Unit Scale to Differences in Physician Compensation Across Medical and Surgical Specialties

Importance The work relative value units (wRVUs) for a physician service can be conceptualized as the amount of time spent by the physician multiplied by a compensation rate (wRVUs/min). Disproportionately high compensation rates assigned to procedures have been blamed for pay differences across specialties, but to our knowledge, a comprehensive assessment is lacking. Objective To assess how compensation rates built into work RVUs contribute to differences in physician compensation across specialties. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional analysis examined 2017 Part B fee-for-service Medicare data. The data were analyzed from May 1 to May 30, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures A specialty-wide compensation rate (wRVUs/min) was generated for 42 medical and surgical specialties defined as the sum of wRVUs for all billed current procedural terminology codes divided by the presumed time to perform those services. This measure accounted for the volume and diversity of services each specialty provides. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the association of errors in wRVU time estimates with average compensation rates. Results The final sample included 42 specialties and 6587 distinctCurrent Procedual Terminology (CPT) codes. The number ofCPTcodes attributed to a specialty ranged from 575 (medical oncology) to 4346 (general surgery). Compensation rates ranged from 0.029 wRVUs/min (pathology) to 0.057 wRVUs/min (emergency medicine). Most specialties (34/42 [81.0%]) had compensation rates between 0.035 and 0.045 wRVUs/min. The mean compensation rate for surgical specialties was 7.2% higher than for medical specialties, a difference that was not statistically significant. This narrow range reflects the fact that most specialties had more than 60% of time allocated to activities outside the intraservice period. Assuming that time values for surgical procedures are significantly overestimated increased the difference in average compensation between surgical and medical specialties to 23.4%. Conclusions and Relevance Compensation rates assumed in wRVU valuations are small contributors to differences in physician compensation. Factors outside of the wRVU system, such as payer mix and work hours, could be targeted if narrowing the difference in compensation across specialties is desired.
Chapter 27 – Immunomodulation

The immunological rejection of transplanted tissues and organs is one of the major problems in organ replacement, and immunosuppression still carries significant long-term side effects. One solution may reside in novel therapeutic strategies that strive to prevent the need for long-term and high dose immunosuppression. These strategies involve immunologically modifying the foreign proteins on cells and tissues from the donor, instead of treating the host. This technology is sometimes referred to as ’donor antigen modification’ or, more stylistically, ’designer tissue and organs’. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the evolution of research into designer tissues, and to trace its contribution to a growing body of transplant research. Variations on the designer tissue concept are being probed in animal models of diabetes, solid organ failure, and neurological diseases. A concept launched in the laboratory in the early 1990s has already culminated in landmark human clinical trials for Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease using donor-modified pig neurons into humans.
Effects of hypothermia induced by 4 ℃ normal saline on liver in a swine model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objective To assess the effects of hypothermia induced by 4 ℃ normal saline (NS) on biochemical function, enzymology and morphology of liver in swine after the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest(CA). Method The swine were resuscitated with standard CPR 4 minutes after ventricular fibrillation(VF) ,and the survived swine were randomly(random number) divided into two groups. In hypothermia(LT) group (n = 5), swine were treated with continuous infusion of 4 ℃ NS at the speed of 1.33 mL/(kg·min) for 22 min, and then slow the speed to 10 mL/(kg·h) for 4 h. In normothermia (NT) group ( n= 5) swine were treated with the infusion of NS with room temperature instead of cryogenic NS at the same speed as the LT group. The hemodynamics and the changes of blood gas were monitored until 4 h after restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and blood samples were taken to detect serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) before VF and 10 min, 2 h and 4 h after ROSC. All swine were sacrificed 24 hours after ROSC, and their liver tissues were taken away for detecting Na+ -K + -ATP enzyme and Ca2+ -ATP enzyme as well as the histological changes under both light and electron microscopy. Results The heart rate, MAP, cardiac output(CO) and coronary perfusion pressure(CPP) of swine were stable in LT group ( P ＞ 0.05). The AST, ALT and LDH increased in both groups but less in LT group. The hepatic ATP enzyme activity was much higher in LT group ( P ＜ 0.05). Compared with the NT group, there were less cellularedema,necrosis or inflammatory cells infiltration, and better morphosis of mitochondria of livers found in swine of LT group. Conclusions The continuous administration of 4 ℃ NS after ROSC could quickly lower the core body temperature, and it could keep hemodynamics and oxygen metabolisms stable, protecting the biochemical function,enzymology and morphology of liver in swine after CPR. Key words: Hypothermia; Cardiac arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Hemodynamic; Liver; Transmission electron microscope
Exciton-band tuning induced by the width of the cation in 2D lead iodide perovskite hybrids

It was previously demonstrated that the exciton energy of 2D hybrid organic–inorganic A2PbI4 perovskites is correlated with the Pb–I–Pb bond angle of the inorganic layer. We demonstrate that this angle can be tuned by changing the width of the cation and that the exciton band energy can be varied over ca. 100 meV, at least within a limited series of A2PbI4 compounds where A is a 2-(3,5-disubstitutedphenyl)ethylammonium or 2-(3-substitutedphenyl)ethylammonium ion and where the substituents are H, F, Cl, Br, or Me. Seven new crystal structures are presented here.
Rapid Detection of Raffaelea lauricola Directly from Host Plant and Beetle Vector Tissues Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Since its introduction in 2002, laurel wilt disease has devastated indigenous lauraceous species in the southeastern United States. The causal agent is a fungal pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola, which, after being introduced into the xylem of trees by its vector beetle, Xyleborus glabratus, results in a fatal vascular wilt. Rapid detection and accurate diagnosis of infections is paramount to the successful implementation of disease management strategies. Current management operations to prevent the spread of laurel wilt disease are largely delayed by time-consuming laboratory procedures to confirm the diagnosis. In order to greatly speed up the operations, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) species-specific assay that targets the β-tubulin gene region of R. lauricola, and allows for the rapid detection of the pathogen directly from host plant and beetle tissues. The assay is capable of amplifying as little as 0.5 pg of fungal DNA and as few as 50 conidia. The assay is also capable of detecting R. lauricola directly from wood tissue of artificially inoculated redbay saplings as early as 10 and 12 days postinoculation, when testing high-quality and crude DNA extracts, respectively. Finally, crude DNA extracts of individual adult female X. glabratus beetles were assayed and the pathogen was detected from all specimens. This assay greatly reduces the time required to confirm a laurel wilt diagnosis and, because LAMP technology is well suited to provide point-of-care testing, it has the potential to expedite and facilitate implementation of management operations in response to disease outbreaks.
Washed Equine Platelet Extract as an Anti-Inflammatory Biologic Pharmaceutical

Mammalian platelets participate in the immediate tissue injury response by initiating coagulation and further promoting tissue injury mitigation and repair. The latter properties are deployed follo...
Voluntary Performance Disclosures in the CD&A

This paper examines how firms use voluntary disclosures in response to information asymmetries between firms and shareholders surrounding the design and approval of executive compensation. Prior research finds that firm performance is a primary determinant of pay and negative shareholder response to pay is largely influenced by recent performance. We find evidence that firms voluntarily increase discussion of their performance in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section of the annual proxy statement when shareholder scrutiny is high, i.e., when compensation levels are high relative to peers and performance. This relation strengthens after Say-on-Pay, when shareholder scrutiny arguably increased for all firms. These voluntary performance disclosures are associated with higher shareholder approval and more positive proxy advisor recommendations, as well as higher relative compensation in the subsequent year. Altogether, our findings suggest CD&A performance disclosures allow firms to communicate the context of their compensation choices in order to mitigate negative shareholder scrutiny.
Analysis of convection heat transfer on multiscale rough superhydrophobic and liquid infused surfaces

Abstract Multiscale rough superhydrophobic or slippery liquid infused porous surfaces have gained much interest in recent years for their improved transport phenomena properties. While there have been several studies on drag reduction and condensation on non-wetting surfaces, convection heat transfer that is important in many thermal and thermochemical applications has not been addressed systematically. This article utilizes a fractal description of rough surface topographies to develop analytical models for the Nusselt number and the thermal hydraulic factor for fluid flow and heat transfer inside a cylinder with non-wetting surfaces. For air-infused superhydrophobic surfaces, the model considers the dynamic stability of the air/fluid interface in the asperities. Using the analytical formulations and the stability criteria, systematic studies are presented on the effects of the fractal surface parameters, cylinder radius and Reynolds number on the convective heat transfer characteristics, from which surface texture design maps are developed for maximizing the convection heat transfer. It is shown that multiscale non-wetting surfaces are most effective in the range of lower Reynolds number and small cylinder radius for achieving the best convective heat transfer and thermal hydraulic performance. Applying the models to actual non-wetting surface topographies fabricated using electrodeposition and chemical etching, it is shown that contrary to prevailing notion, superhydrophobicity, characterized by the highest contact angles, does not always lead to the maximum convective heat transfer performance, and that under certain fluid flow conditions, hydrophobic surfaces may offer a greater thermal performance.
Lupus Nephritis Clinical Trials: A Critical Appraisal

The interest in finding effective and safe treatments for lupus nephritis (LN) has been both long standing and intense [1]. Achieving this goal has been very frustrating since no new treatment has been approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of LN in over 60 years. Nevertheless, many randomized clinical trials have been designed and executed, and some have been instrumental in altering the landscape of “off-label” management of LN, particularly in severe proliferative forms. It is generally believed that combinations of high-dose anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids and some type of immunosuppressive agents are required for adequate control of LN that will delay or prevent its progression to ESRD and ameliorate the consequences of marked proteinuria (nephrotic syndrome) while at the same time reducing the burden of extrarenal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (e.g., arthritis, dermatitis, serositis, and hematological/neurological disturbances). But LN is in all likelihood not due to a single pathogenic process, and it can present with diverse clinical and pathological features. Relapses of clinically active disease are common and difficult to predict. The value of intermediate outcomes (surrogates) for prediction of hard endpoints (such as ESRD) has been difficult to prove, since the occurrence of these endpoints is often delayed by 5 or more years from the apparent onset of disease, with contemporary regimens. Adverse events consequent to treatment are common and occasionally fatal, further confounding the execution and interpretation of studies. This heterogeneity, unpredictability, and susceptibility to complicating diseases has hampered the conduct of LN randomized clinical trials. Finding suitable surrogate endpoints for trial design has been a challenge [2]. Nevertheless, progress has occurred and several treatment regimens are now generally regarded as effective and reasonably safe for management of severe proliferative LN. The situation for treatment of the pure membranous LN is much less certain [3].
The VB Theory of Aromaticity

In HMO theory, the basis set is made up of AO’s, and the energy and overlap matrix elements are defined as follows:91 $$ = {\alpha _t}$$ (120) $$ = {\beta _{tu}}$$ (121) $$ } \right. = 1$$ (122) $$ } \right.= {s_{tu}}$$ (123) βtuα stu[See equation (14)]
The importance of mental health monitoring during transfer to adult care settings as examined among paediatric transplant recipients.

Aim Although the transfer out of paediatrics is established as a dangerous time for transplant recipients, the reasons for this are not well understood. One possible explanation is that in general, young adulthood is a period of vulnerability to psychological distress, which could impact self-management. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether psychological distress is associated with medication non-adherence after transfer. Methods Twenty paediatric liver transplant recipients (mean age = 22.42, standard deviation (SD) = 1.64) have been followed prospectively at our site for a year after they transferred from paediatrics. At their last visit in paediatrics, they completed the Symptom Checklist-90, a measure of psychological distress. Additionally, patients’ medication adherence was tracked 1 year after transfer, using a validated measure, SDs of tacrolimus blood levels. Results Psychological distress and medication non-adherence after transfer were significantly correlated, r = 0.50, P = 0.04. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between adherence status and changes in mental health after transfer. Conclusion Psychological distress may be one factor behind deteriorating medical outcomes when transplant recipients transfer out of paediatric settings. It is important to consider mental health screening as a part of the transition process. Further research is needed to determine if identified patients may require services in addition to transitional interventions.
The pretectal nucleus Lentiformis mesencephali of Rana pipiens

The pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (nLM) of Rana pipiens was investigated with autoradiographic, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and Golgi techniques. Retinal afferents to nLM originate primarily from the central retina. The primary projection is contralateral with a small ipsilateral component. Following optic nerve transection and HRP impregnation, contralateral retinal afferents show a restricted, dense core of HRP label in the superficial portion of the nucleus with sparser HRP label in the surround. Ipsilateral retinal afferents arborize throughout nLM, except in the dense-core region. Additional afferents to nLM originate from the ipsilateral tectum, the nucleus rotundus, the mesencephalic pretectal gray, the contralateral nLM, and the nucleus of the basal optic root. Afferents from the accessory optic system arborize only in the dense-core region, following HRP injections into the nucleus of the basal optic root, while afferents from the mesencephalic pretectal gray arborize in all parts of nLM except the dense core. Afferents from the tectum and anterior thalamus appear to arborize throughout the nucleus without discernible pattern. The lamination of afferent terminals in nLM was correlated with Nissl-stained cytoarchitectural material in which the majority of large neurons cluster around the dense core of nLM. Three types of neurons occur in nLM: large neurons (25-μm dia.), fusiform neurons (12.5-μm dia.), and stellate neurons (10-μm dia.). Additionally, two cell groups outside nLM which send dendrites into the nucleus were observed: cells of the posterior lateral nucleus and cells of the posterior thalamic pretectal gray. Both large and fusiform neurone project to the deep layers of the optic tectum as well as to the ventral rhombencephalon superficial to the abducens nucleus. While a small number of fusiform neurons project to the nucleus of the basal optic root, the stellate neurons appear to be intrinsic to nLM. The anuran nLM strongly resembles the nucleus of the optic tract in mammals in terms of the site of origin of its retinal afferents, lamination of afferent terminations, its central connections, and its demonstrated involvement in horizontal optokinetic nystagmus.
Role of hepatic α- and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation on hepatic glucose production during heavy exercise

The role of catecholamines in the control of hepatic glucose production was studied during heavy exercise in dogs, using a technique to selectively block hepatic α- and β-adrenergic receptors. Surg...
Nonlinear Semigroups Studied by Linear Methods

In this chapter, denote by X a separable complete metric space, that is to say, a Polish space.
Social support and immunosuppressant therapy adherence among adult renal transplant recipients

Chisholm-Burns MA, Spivey CA, Wilks SE. Social support and immunosuppressant therapy adherence among adult renal transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 312–320. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between social support and immunosuppressant therapy adherence among adult renal transplant recipients. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey design was employed. Mailed questionnaires were used to collect data from 81 recipients, and included the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale© (ITAS©) and Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS-5). The correlation between ITAS© and MSSS-5 summary scores was assessed using the correlation coefficient (r). Analyses of the following relationships were conducted using correlation coefficients: (i) ITAS© summary score and individual items of the MSSS-5; and (ii) MSSS-5 summary score and individual items of the ITAS©. A hierarchical regression was conducted. Results: The response rate was 74%. The relationship between social support and adherence was significant (r = 0.214, p < 0.05). Two MSSS-5 items (affectionate support and instrumental support pertaining to household functions) were related to ITAS© summary score (p < 0.05), and one ITAS© item (forgetfulness) was related to the MSSS-5 summary score (p < 0.05). The regression model (all MSSS-5 items) accounted for 24% of the variation in ITAS© summary scores. Conclusions: The findings suggest that strategies utilizing social support to address forgetfulness as well as strategies to improve affectionate support and instrumental support related to daily household functions may be useful adherence intervention tools.
Benzo[a]pyrene uptake by lymph: A possible transport mode for immunosuppressive chemicals

Benzo[a]pyrene, a lipophilic promutagen, reached maximal concentrations in the thoracic duct lymphatic circulation within 2 h after gastric instillation. Benzo[a]pyrene in lymph obtained by thoracic duct cannulation decreased to approximately control levels within 4 h after treatment. When lymph was not allowed to enter the blood vascular circulation, serum levels of benzo[a]pyrene increased very slowly, suggesting minimal mesenteric blood vascular absorption of the lipophilic hydrocarbon. Benzo[a]pyrene partitions into lymph lipoproteins as a function of the lipoprotein concentration. Data suggest that low-density lipoproteins may take up benzo[a]pyrene more efficiently than do very low-density or high-density lipoproteins, and that lymph components other than lipoproteins do not take up and transport benzo[a]pyrene. We propose that lipophilic xenobiotic compounds interact with cells of the immune system via lymphatic lipoprotein transport of potentially mutagenic, carcinogenic, or immunosuppressive agents.
A multivariate analysis of the pelvis of early hominids

In this study the pelves of three early hominids, OH 28, SK 3155 and Sts 14, are compared to each other and to those of living primates by canonical analysis. The results reveal an extensive similarity between these three fossil hominids and modern man in pelvic structure. The nature of existing differences between the pelves of fossil and modern hominids are discussed and it is concluded that these would not have reduced the capacity of the fossil forms to engage in bipedal striding.
Contrasting Clogging in Granular Media Filters, Soils, and Dead-End Membranes

Clogging in porous media is a problem in environmental engineering, hydrogeology, soil science, and petrology. However, a comparison of the literature reveals qualitatively different clogging behavior in different porous media: in granular media filters, increasing clogging is associated with slower flow, more flocculated conditions, and smaller fractal dimensions. In soils and dead-end membranes, increasing clogging is associated with faster flow, more dispersed conditions, and larger fractal dimensions. This paper documents these differences, discusses them in light of two key intermediate variables, colloid accumulation and deposit morphology, then presents a new conceptual model that explains the reported clogging phenomena as a function of specific deposit, fractal dimension, and a new variable, deposit location. Testing this model is possible using recently introduced experimental techniques.
Exercise training improves selected aspects of daytime functioning in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives:To explore the utility of exercise training for improving daytime functioning in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:Forty-three sedentary and overweight/obese adults...
Synthesis and crystal structure of [Re(CO)3(μ-CH3CO2)(THF)]4

Abstract A tetrameric complex [Re(CO)3(μ-CH3CO2)(THF)]4 (1) is formed in high yield when the reaction product of Re(CO)5Cl with acetic acid in refluxing 1,2-dichlorobenzene is dissolved in THF. The use of Re2(CO)10 instead of rhenium pentacarbonyl chloride also affords 1. The characterization of 1·3THF·0.5C6H14 has been accomplished by X-ray crystallography. The structure of the tetrameric molecule 1 consists of four rhenium(I) atoms bridged by four acetate ligands. The coordination of each metal center is fulfilled by three CO groups and one THF molecule in a way that all carbonyls are trans to oxygen atoms. The geometry of each acetate bridge is anti–syn providing a Re to Re separation of 5.40 A. This bonding mode is seen here for the first time in rhenium carboxylates. Different coordination types for Re–RCO2 interaction are also discussed in the paper.
Improving cross-ratio-based eye tracking techniques by leveraging the binocular fixation constraint

The cross-ratio approach has recently attracted increasing attention in eye-gaze tracking due to its simplicity in setting up a tracking system. Its accuracy, however, is lower than that of the model-based approach, and substantial efforts have been devoted to improving its accuracy. Binocular fixation is essential for humans to have good depth perception, and this paper presents a technique leveraging this constraint. It is used in two ways: First, in estimating jointly the homography matrices for both eyes, and second, in estimating the eye gaze itself. Experimental results with both synthetic and real data show that the proposed approach produces significantly better results than using a single eye and also better than averaging the independent results from the two eyes.
Silver-coated inverse opals formed from polystyrene spheres for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

We have developed a new substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements involving a thin silver layer deposited over an ion-etched TiO2 inverse opal. The latter is formed by chemically infiltrating a polystyrene opal array with TiO2 followed by a thermal decomposition of the spheres. The SERS response of the these substrates is examined for several sphere sizes and lasers wavelengths; the results show that such substrates yield high enhance factors, comparable to substrates involving a silver layer deposited directly on a polystyrene opal array. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.