cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"They're making it so hard for people to get help:" Motivations for non-prescribed buprenorphine use in a time of treatment expansion.

Abstract Background Buprenorphine maintenance therapy (BMT) has been widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorders (OUD). In the midst of the U.S. opioid overdose crisis, local, state, and federal authorities have attempted to increase the availability of BMT, yet few individuals meeting the criteria for OUD utilize BMT. Moreover, recent research suggests that a significant proportion of individuals who use opioids seek out buprenorphine on the illicit market to self-govern and manage withdrawal sickness. Methods This paper presents data from a geographic sub-sample within a multi-site study of buprenorphine diversion in Pennsylvania. We endeavor to bolster a slim qualitative literature on the use of non-prescribed buprenorphine through in-depth interviews with 20 individuals who reported buying or receiving buprenorphine outside of medically-sanctioned contexts. Interviews characterized participants’ reasons for both using non-prescribed buprenorphine and eschewing formal treatment, in a state (Pennsylvania) afflicted with high rates of heroin use and overdose deaths. Transcripts were initially coded for broad interview topics, while latent themes relating to buprenorphine diversion and extra-medical use also emerged. Results Analyses revealed complex motivations underlying participants’ extra-medical use of buprenorphine. Where some expressed a desire for treatment autonomy and treatment medications that could not be achieved or obtained within BMT, individuals also indicated a persistent lack of treatment availability and access due to diverse barriers. Conclusion This study shows how issues related to availability, accessibility, and acceptability many explain low rates of BMT utilization, even within a place and time defined by medication-assisted treatment expansion. Beyond offering broad rhetorical and financial support for MAT, our findings suggest that governmental actors should continue to pursue policies that expand the spatial distribution of BMT. It also underscores the need to look beyond current models of buprenorphine maintenance and to consider modes of buprenorphine delivery beyond long-term maintenance.
The Immortelle: Planting, Nurturing, and Sustaining

This chapter recounts, in two parts, the history of the school’s development, with the early phases described by the author and the later development told by Jacqui, who took over the school after the author’s departure from Trinidad in 1978. “Beth’s story” details the personal motivations, challenges, and successes of the school until the unexpected death of the author’s daughter in 1981 and the increasing challenges she experienced in continuing the work of the school for another five years. Beth’s story concludes with her departure from Trinidad/Tobago in 1986, and the subsequent transfer of responsibility for the school to the parents’ not-for-profit organization. “Jacqui’s story” recounts the challenges and successes involved in moving the school forward between 1988 and the present. Her story highlights the dependence of such an effort on individual agency, charitable donations, and social capital, despite improvements in government policy toward special schools. She identifies government bureaucratic obstacles and lack of funding as the greatest challenges to the school’s development and sustainability.
Contribution of mixed pathology to medial temporal lobe atrophy in Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction It is unclear how different proteinopathies (tau, transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 [TDP-43], amyloid β [Aβ], and α-synuclein) contribute to atrophy within medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregions in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods We utilized antemortem structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to measure MTL substructures and examined the relative contribution of tau, TDP-43, Aβ, and α-synuclein measured in post-mortem tissue from 92 individuals with intermediate to high AD neuropathology. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed for each subregion in order to discriminate TDP-43-negative and TDP-43-positive patients. Results TDP-43 was strongly associated with anterior MTL regions, whereas tau was relatively more associated with the posterior hippocampus. Among the MTL regions, the anterior hippocampus showed the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC). Discussion We found specific contributions of different pathologies on MTL substructure in this population with AD neuropathology. The anterior hippocampus may be a relevant region to detect concomitant TDP-43 pathology in the MTL of patients with AD.
Tracking copper, chlorine, and occupancy in a new, multi-story, institutional green building

Water quality deterioration in buildings poses risks to human health and infrastructure. As such, this research tracked the concentrations of copper and chlorine in the tap water of a new, multi-story, LEED Platinum building over its first six months of occupancy to gain new insights into the building water quality. The building is typical of a university research building, which contains laboratory, office, and common spaces, and is representative of commercial and institutional (CI) buildings in general. Twice weekly, first and second draw grab samples of domestic cold water were collected from breakroom faucets on each floor of the five-story building. Grab samples were analyzed for dissolved copper (Cu) and free chlorine. Building occupancy was approximated using Wi-Fi access point connections that provided hourly counts of wireless devices on each floor. The access point counts showed occupancy patterns typical of university buildings, such as higher counts on weekdays than on Saturday and Sunday, and higher counts during the workday compared to other times. Overall building occupancy was low during the first 3 months of the study and then increased during the second 3 months. The total building occupancy over the study duration ranked by floor was 1st > 3rd > 2nd > 4th > 5th, which followed move-in schedules for the building. The 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors showed statistically significant difference from each other except for the relationship between the 2nd and 4th and the 2nd and 5th floors. Maximum copper concentrations were in the range of 1.2–1.7 mg L−1 and occurred during the first three months of the study. Cu concentrations decreased on all floors over the six months and showed a moderately strong negative correlation with occupancy by floor. Although building occupancy was increasing throughout the study, chlorine was almost never detectable in all samples over the six months.
Detection of Previously Unrecognized (Subclinical) Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality, even when symptoms are absent and the arrhythmia is unrecognized (e.g., subclinical AF [SCAF]). Despite substantial evidence demonstrating an association between AF and adverse outcomes, the role of mass screening for previously unrecognized SCAF, such that its individual and population risks may be reduced by prophylactic therapy, remains uncertain. Many AF screening strategies exist, from pulse palpation and single-use devices to implanted cardiac monitors; however, existing guidelines are insufficient in specifying who to screen and for how long. In general, higher age, more (and more severe) comorbidities, and longer monitoring periods are associated with greater detection of SCAF. Herein we review the significance of previously unrecognized SCAF and current status of SCAF detection methods. We then propose a clinical approach to help clinicians incorporate AF screening into their practice. In conclusion, we report that SCAF may not be rare, that inserted cardiac monitors have the highest yield of SCAF detection, that clinical concern regarding SCAF is appropriate, but that evidence for therapy mandates is still being collected.
Warming reaches the South Pole

Over the last half of the twentieth century, surface temperature over the South Pole was steady if not slightly cooling, suggesting the high Antarctic interior might be immune to warming. Research now shows a dramatic switch; in the past 30 years, the South Pole has been warming at over three times the global rate.
Cardiovascular and pulmonary systems

Abstract The cardiopulmonary system in bowhead whales must meet at least three major demands: A. The large size and low metabolic rate of the whales require significant heart function and structure for circulating large blood volumes, but at low heart rates. B. Diving biology requires fine circulatory, heart rate, and blood pressure controls, along with elevated oxygen stores. C. Long life spans imply reduced cardiac aging, and the possibility that functional adaptations for large size, diving and aging have coadapted in this species. Based on these demands, what would we expect to see in the cardiopulmonary system of the bowhead? While some system characteristics may follow those expectations, the exciting research comes at the edge where predictions and actual systems may not match.
A Scoping Review of Implementation Science in Adult Critical Care Settings.

Objectives The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a synthesis of the available literature on implementation science in critical care settings. Specifically, we aimed to identify the evidence-based practices selected for implementation, the frequency and type of implementation strategies used to foster change, and the process and clinical outcomes associated with implementation. Data sources A librarian-assisted search was performed using three electronic databases. Study selection Articles that reported outcomes aimed at disseminating, implementing, or sustaining an evidence-based intervention or practice, used established implementation strategies, and were conducted in a critical care unit were included. Data extraction Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full text of articles to determine eligibility. Data extraction was performed using customized fields established a priori within a systematic review software system. Data synthesis Of 1,707 citations, 82 met eligibility criteria. Studies included prospective research investigations, quality improvement projects, and implementation science trials. The most common practices investigated were use of a ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle, nutritional support protocols, and the Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium Monitoring/Management, and Early Exercise/Mobility bundle. A variety of implementation strategies were used to facilitate evidence adoption, most commonly educational meetings, auditing and feedback, developing tools, and use of local opinion leaders. The majority of studies (76/82, 93%) reported using more than one implementation strategy. Few studies specifically used implementation science designs and frameworks to systematically evaluate both implementation and clinical outcomes. Conclusions The field of critical care has experienced slow but steady gains in the number of investigations specifically guided by implementation science. However, given the exponential growth of evidence-based practices and guidelines in this same period, much work remains to critically evaluate the most effective mechanisms to integrate and sustain these practices across diverse critical care settings and teams.
Finding Compatibility Between Eurasian Partnership and Indo-Pacific Security: And Indian Perspective

India’s engagement with continental Eurasia is woven into its history, culture, literature, legend and mythology. Over many periods between the sixth century BCE and the third century CE, kingdoms of northern India extended to lands in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia and Xinjiang (in present-day China). The Silk Road, connecting India with China and Europe through Central Asia, was also a channel for the exchange of ideas, religions, cultures and philosophies. Islam came through Afghanistan to India. Centuries later, the Moghuls came from Uzbekistan. India's post-Cold War efforts seek to resurrect these old connections, to reinforce political and economic approaches. This paper analyses the evolution of India's foreign policy strategies for Indo-Pacific and Eurasian structures. It examines whether (and how) these strategies could be mutually compatible, rather than mutually exclusive.
Applying the Capabilities Approach to Disability and Education

This paper aims to establish three things. First, that the capabilities approach is the best candidate for an adequate theory of justice to provide just educational opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Second, that the capabilities approach, while possessing many merits over rival conceptions of justice, must acknowledge that a prioritization of some capabilities over others is essential. Third and finally, that intellectual disability presents a particularly urgent case for educational justice, because those with intellectual disabilities are historically under-serviced within educational institutions and stand to lose much more than others because of the potential for the compounding of corrosive disadvantage. A stronger claim to justice for people with intellectual disabilities represents a potential for change in the policy and funding associated with education more generally, and for people with intellectual disabilities more specifically.
Association between structural change over 18 months and subsequent symptom change in middle-aged persons treated for meniscal tear.

Background Middle-aged subjects with meniscal tear treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) experience greater progression of damage to joint structures on imaging than subjects treated nonoperatively. It is unclear whether these changes are clinically relevant. Methods We used data from the MeTeOR (Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research) Trial of APM vs. physical therapy for subjects ≥ 45 years with knee pain, cartilage damage, and meniscal tear. We assessed whether change in cartilage surface area damage score (and other structural measures) from baseline to 18 months, assessed on MRI with MOAKS (MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score), was associated with change in KOOS Pain (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score; 0-100, 100=worst) from 18-60 months. Results The primary analysis included 168 subjects with complete MRI data at baseline and 18 months and KOOS data at 18 and 60 months. We did not observe clinically important associations between change in cartilage surface area score between baseline and 18 months and change in pain scores from 18-60 months. Pain scores in the worst tertile for cartilage surface area damage score progression worsened by 0.45 points more than in the best tertile (95% CI -4.45, 5.35). Similarly, we did not observe clinically important associations between changes in bone marrow lesions, osteophytes, or synovitis and subsequent pain. Conclusions We did not observe clinically important associations between early changes in cartilage damage and other structural measures and worsening in pain over the subsequent 3.5 years. Further follow-up is required to assess this association over a longer follow-up period.
The "Journal of Learning Analytics": Supporting and Promoting Learning Analytics Research.

The paper gives a brief overview of the main activities for the development of the emerging field of learning analytics led by the Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR). The place of the Journal of Learning Analytics is identified Analytics is the most significant new initiative of SoLAR.
Primary and immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts showed different responses to physiological level vitamin C treatment

3059 Epidemiological studies have linked low vitamin C intake to an increased cancer risk. Antioxidant function of vitamin C was initially proposed to be the mechanism but results of antioxidant supplement clinical trials suggest the presence of other chemopreventive mechanisms. We used mouse primary embryonic fibroblasts (passage 3-5) to examine the cellular and molecular action of physiological level of vitamin C. Vitamin C supplement in the cell culture medium led to dose- and treatment duration-dependent increases in H3-thymidine incorporation and protein accumulation. Intracellular vitamin C is needed for these effects as sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter-deficient (SVCT2-/-) primary embryonic fibroblasts did not respond to the same vitamin C treatment. Gene expression microarray analyses (44K genes by Agilent) were then performed on wildtype primary embryonic fibroblasts with and without vitamin C treatment (20 ÂµM, 2 days) to determine the molecular mechanisms that could contribute to the growth-promoting effect of vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to act as a coenzyme in the post-translational modification of collagen. We found that vitamin C also acts to regulate collagen gene transcription. Among the collagen genes that significant amounts of transcripts were detected, vitamin C treatment led to an up-regulation of Col1a2, Col4a3, Col7a1, Col8a1 and Col18a1 (p
The effects of presession attention on tacting

This study examined the effects of presession attention on tacting. Presession intervals of deprivation and satiation of attention were followed by a progressive-ratio assessment in which the number of tacts was measured. For 2 participants, deprivation resulted in increased tacting compared to satiation. The 3rd participant showed no differential responding. These results suggest that antecedent-based interventions could increase the efficiency of tact training.
A stochastic estimate of the economic impact of oral calcium supplementation in postparturient dairy cows

Abstract The objective was to develop stochastic models to estimate the economic impact in the first 30 d in milk of oral calcium supplementation to multiparous postparturient dairy cows using 4 different strategies: (1) supplementation of cows with a high previous lactation mature-equivalent milk yield, (2) supplementation of lame cows, (3) supplementation of both cows that have a high previous lactation mature-equivalent milk yield and cows that are lame, and (4) supplementation of all cows. Data from current literature were used to model input variables associated with the costs and risks related to milk production, postparturient disease, and culling. The mean net herd impact per 1,000 calvings for each of the 4 supplementation strategies was $4,425, $5,812, $8,313, and $3,065, respectively. Postpartum supplementation of multiparous lame cows had the highest return on investment at 6.5 to 1, followed by supplementation of multiparous high milk yield and lame cows, multiparous high milk yield cows only, and supplementation of all multiparous postpartum cows with returns of 1.8 to 1, 1.1 to 1, and 0.3 to 1, respectively. A herd's average milk yield at first test had the highest influence on the net impact of oral calcium supplementation to all multiparous cows and accounted for 30% of the variation, followed by the decrease in risk of health events in lame cows given oral calcium at 22%, a herd's prevalence of lameness at calving at 13%, and the price of milk at 10%. Each of the remaining stochastic variables contributed to less than 5% of the variation in net herd financial impact of oral calcium administration. Whereas supplementation of all postpartum multiparous cows returned a positive net herd impact approximately 80% of the time, if a herd was willing to devote time to mature-equivalent milk yield calculations and locomotion scoring, supplementation of this subpopulation of postpartum cows with oral calcium was estimated to have a positive economic impact in all iterations. Depending on the supplementation strategy chosen and baseline milk yield and immediate postpartum lameness prevalence in a herd, a herd with 1,000 calvings per year can expect to see an average net impact ranging from approximately $3,000 to $8,000 after postpartum supplementation of oral calcium in multiparous animals.
Multi-strategy construction-specific parsing for flexible data base query and update

The advantages of a multi-strategy, construction-specific approach to parsing in applied natural language processing are explained through an examination of two pilot parsers we have constructed. Our approach exploits domain semantics and prior knowledge of expected constructions, using multiple parsing strategies each optimized to recognize different construction types. It is shown that a multi strategy approach leads to robust, flexible, and efficient parsing of both grammatical and ungrammatical input in limited-domain, task oriented, natural language interfaces. We also describe plans to construct a single, practical, multi-strategy parsing system that combines the best aspects of the two simpler parsers already implemented into a more complex, embedded-constituent control structure. Finally, we discuss some issues in data base access and update, and show that a construction-specific approach, coupled with a case structured data base description, offers a promising approach to a unified, interactive data base query and update system.
Geologic utility of small scale airphotos

The geologic value of small scale airphotos is emphasized by describing the application of high altitude oblique and 1:120,000 to 1:145,000 scale vertical airphotos to several geologic problems in California. These examples show that small-scale airphotos can be of use to geologists in the following ways: (1) high altitude, high oblique airphotos show vast areas in one view; and (2) vertical airphotos offer the most efficient method of discovering the major topographic features and structural and lithologic characteristics of terrain.
Intrathecal baclofen for the treatment of intractable spasticity of spine or brain etiology.

Objective. To determine the long-term relief of spasticity and complication rates in patients who underwent placement of a programmable intrathecal baclofen pump for treatment of medically intractable spasticity of spine or brain etiology. Methods. Sixty-two consecutive adult patients who underwent placement of a programmable pump were retrospectively reviewed. Results. Spasticity was clinically and statistically significantly decreased in all patients. Catheter-related kinks, breaks, dislodgments, and disconnections were the most common complications followed by drug-related effects, infections, and wound complications. Conclusions. Intrathecal baclofen is a very effective strategy for the relief of medically intractable spasticity of spine or brain etiology. Even though 36% of patients have required revisions, no patient has experienced any long-term morbidity. Patients and their primary care givers have been pleased with the long-term effects of this therapy upon quality of life.
Repeated recovery of a Spirillum by blood culture from two children with prolonged and recurrent fevers.

A spirillum was repeatedly recovered by blood culture from two children. This organism resembled the Spirillum minus which has long been associated with one form of rat bite fever, Sodoku. In Sodoku the spirillum is usually recovered by animal inoculation and no previous record has been found in which a diagnosis has been made by blood culture. The organisms recovered from the two patients were morphologically indistinguishable from the classical Spirillum minus, but were unique in that they could be maintained for many months on standard liquid and solid bacteriologic media. Their in vivo resistance to penicillin and arsenicals was marked and therefore also unusual. Both patients were seen because of recurrent fever, eruption and symptoms referable to the central nervous system, respiratory and intestinal tracts. The first child was admitted to The Mount Sinai Hospital debilitated and febrile. A spirillum was recovered repeatedly on routine blood culture, although there was no definite history of rat bite. Treatment with arsenicals and penicillin and streptomycin failed and the patient died. The second child was admitted with a history of repeated respiratory infections and indolent skin ulcers and hemiplegia. He had apparently been bitten by a rat while in Florida 3½ years before the spirillum was first recovered from his blood. Treatment with penicillin and sulfarsphenamine was ineffectual. The organism was sensitive in vitro to streptomycin but as much as 2 gm. a day for several months failed to do more than induce several negative blood cultures. Treatment with aureomycin finally succeeded in sterilizing the blood stream and healing the ulcers. Coincident with this there was a striking improvement in the child9s general condition. The clinical course of these two patients and the unusual bacteriologic findings set them apart from classical rat bite fever and suggest use of the term "Spirillum Fever."
Not Just an Urban Phenomenon: Uninsured Rural Trauma Patients at Increased Risk for Mortality.

INTRODUCTION: National studies of largely urban populations showed increased risk of traumatic death among uninsured patients, as compared to those insured. No similar studies have been done for major trauma centers serving rural states. METHODS: We performed retrospective analyses using trauma registry records from adult, non-burn patients admitted to a single American College of Surgeons-certified Level 1 trauma center in a rural state (2003-2010, n=13,680) and National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) registry records (2002-2008, n=380,182). Risk of traumatic death was estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We found that 9% of trauma center patients and 27% of NTDB patients were uninsured. Overall mortality was similar for both (~4.5%). After controlling for covariates, uninsured trauma center patients were almost five times more likely to die and uninsured NTDB patients were 75% more likely to die than commercially insured patients. The risk of death among Medicaid patients was not significantly different from the commercially insured for either dataset. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that even with an inclusive statewide trauma system and an emergency department that does not triage by payer status, uninsured patients presenting to the trauma center were at increased risk of traumatic death relative to patients with commercial insurance. Language: en
Relationship Between the Ribonucleic Acid-Synthesizing Capacity of Ultraviolet-Irradiated Newcastle Disease Virus and Its Ability to Induce Interferon

Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated Newcastle disease virus which has lost its infectivity but has the capacity to induce interferon also has the capacity to induce ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis both in vitro and early in infection in vivo. With large doses of UV irradiation, RNA-synthesizing capacity and interferon-inducing capacity are lost in parallel. Limited amounts of base-paired RNA associated with a transcriptive intermediate are involved in this RNA synthesis. These findings suggest the possibility that the single-stranded RNA of the UV-irradiated virus induces interferon by serving as a template for the synthesis of base-paired RNA. UV irradiation of the virus breaks down viral RNA but at a rate which is too slow to be a major cause of the loss of RNA-synthesizing capacity. Evidence is presented which suggests that less of the template RNA of the UV-irradiated virus is copied and that the product which is synthesized is smaller than that synthesized by nonirradiated virus.
Picosecond resolution in scanning tunneling microscopy

A method has been developed for performing fast time-resolved experiments with a scanning tunneling microscope. The method uses the intrinsic nonlinearity in the microscope's current versus voltage characteristics to resolve optically generated transient signals on picosecond time scales. The ability to combine the spatial resolution of tunneling microscopy with the time resolution of ultrafast optics yields a powerful tool for the investigation of dynamic phenomena on the atomic scale.
Comparison of Non-Parabolic Hydrodynamic Simulations for Semiconductor Devices

Parabolic drift-diffusion simulators are common engineering level design tools for semiconductor devices. Hydrodynamic simulators, based on the parabolic band approximation, are becoming more prevalent as device dimensions shrink and energy transport effects begin to dominate device characteristic. However, band structure effects present in state-of-the-art devices necessitate relaxing the parabolic band approximation. This paper presents simulations of ballistic diodes, a benchmark device, of Si and GaAs using two different non-parabolic hydrodynamic formulations. The first formulation uses the Kane dispersion relationship in the derivation of the conservation equations. The second model uses a power law dispersion relation {(hk)(exp 2)/2m = xW(exp Y)}. Current-voltage relations show that for the ballistic diodes considered. the non-parabolic formulations predict less current than the parabolic case. Explanations of this will be provided by examination of velocity and energy profiles. At low bias, the simulations based on the Kane formulation predict greater current flow than the power law formulation. As the bias is increased this trend changes and the power law predicts greater current than the Kane formulation. It will be shown that the non-parabolicity and energy range of the hydrodynamic model based on the Kane dispersion relation are limited due to the binomial approximation which was utilized in the derivation.
Interfacial thermal resistance between carbon nanotubes: Molecular dynamics simulations and analytical thermal modeling

Interfacial thermal transport between offset parallel (10,10) single-wall carbon nanotubes is investigated by molecular dynamics simulation and analytical thermal modeling as a function of nanotube spacing, overlap, and length. A four order of magnitude reduction in interfacial thermal resistance is found as the nanotubes are brought into intimate contact. A reduction is also found for longer nanotubes and for nanotubes with increased overlap area. Thermal resistance between a nanotube and a reservoir at its boundary increases with decreasing reservoir temperature. Additionally, length-dependent Young's moduli and damping coefficients are calculated based on observed nanotube deflections.
Effects of Deer Settling Stimulus and Deer Density on Regeneration in a Harvested Southern New England Forest

Elevated deer densities have led to reports of forest regeneration failure and ecological damage. However, there is growing evidence that the biophysical conditions of a forest that make it attractive to deer may be a contributing factor in determining browsing levels. Thus, an understanding of settling stimulus—how attractive an area is to deer in terms of food-independent habitat requirements—is potentially important to manage deer browsing impacts. We tested the settling stimulus hypothesis by evaluating the degree to which thermal settling stimulus and deer density are related to spatial variation in browsing intensity across different forest harvesting strategies over the course of a year. We determined if deer were impacting plant communities and if they resulted in changes in plant cover. We quantified the thermal environment around each harvest and tested to see if it influenced deer density and browsing impact. We found that deer had an impact on the landscape but did not alter plant cover or diminish forest regeneration capacity. Deer density and browse impact had a relationship with thermal settling stimulus for summer and fall months, and deer density had a relationship with browse impact in the winter on woody plants. We conclude that thermal settling stimulus is an important predictor for deer density and browsing impact.
Refocus of constant-velocity moving targets in synthetic aperture radar imagery

The detection and refocus of moving targets in SAR imagery is of interest in a number of applications. In this paper the authors address the problem of refocusing a blurred signature that has by some means been identified as a moving target. They assume that the target vehicle velocity is constant, i.e., the motion is in a straight line with constant speed. The refocus is accomplished by application of a two-dimensional phase function to the phase history data obtained via Fourier transformation of an image chip that contains the blurred moving target data. By considering separately the phase effects of the range and cross-range components of the target velocity vector, they show how the appropriate phase correction term can be derived as a two-parameter function. They then show a procedure for estimating the two parameters, so that the blurred signature can be automatically refocused. The algorithm utilizes optimization of an image domain contrast metric. They present results of refocusing moving targets in real SAR imagery by this method.
Biochemical characterization of purified carbonic anhydrase from the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been isolated and purified from the octocoral Leptogorgia virgulata (Lamarck) in an effort to investigate its role in the mineralization and demineralization of spicules and other calcified hard tissues. Affinity-chromatography using Prontosil-derivatized carboxymethylcellulose (CM) Bio-Gel A provided a one-step purification for 30 kdalton polypeptides with carbonic anhydrase activity. Four distinct polypeptides (designated α, β, γ, and δ) are separated from one another at this molecular weight by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The specific activity of the L. virgulata CA is on average 57.5±1.5 U g-1, is inhibitable by 10-6 M acetazolamide, and is unaffected by 5mM dithiotheitol. The amino acid composition of these polypeptides is similar to that of mammal, bird, reptile, fish and arthropod species. Antiserum made against the L. virgulata CA reacts specifically with the 30 kdalton polypeptides in western blots, and crossreacts with human CA I and II. Antiserum against avian CA II crossreacts with the L. virgulata 30 kdalton polypeptides. This is the first report of the characterization of a purified CA from an octocoral, and production of a CA antiserum to a species in the phylum Cnidaria.
THE EFFECT OF RENIN ON THE URIC ACID METABOLISM OF THE PREGNANT AND NONPREGNANT DALMATIAN DOG1

IN CONSIDERING possible factors which may be involved in the hyperuricemia of eclampsia (1, 2), hypertension is suggested by reports (3) of a hyperuricemia in arterial hypertension without renal insufficiency. For this reason we have investigated the effect of single and repeated pressor doses of renin on the blood and urine uric acid of thepregnant and non-pregnant Dalmatian dog. In addition an experiment is included on the effect of experimental hypertension of renal ischemic origin on the blood uric acid of the pregnant Dalmatian dog. The Dalmatian dogs used in these experiments were normal pregnant and non-pregnant bitches and a male. They were high uric acid producers as determined by the criterion that the uric acid nitrogen: creatinine nitrogen ratio of a random sample of their urine was 0.5 or greater.2
Inspiration and Discernment in Pentecostal Aesthetics

This article attempts to define what an artist’s ‘interior promptings’ or inspirations are and to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in artistic inspiration and discernment. In so doing, divine inspiration is defined broadly so as to make room for artistic inspiration. This article also considers how the Holy Spirit influences human imaginations through experience and how inspirations are derived from these experiences. Different ways to understand religious and cultural worldviews are also examined. The concept of ‘seeing’ is considered to understand the Pentecostal agenda as attempting to cause a transformative paradigm shift in a person’s worldview. Finally, this article engages in dialogue with Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong in order to look at spiritual discernment and answer the question, ‘Does the Holy Spirit inspire art in other religious or secular traditions?’
Quantum states and precession: The two discoveries of NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance in bulk matter was discovered independently by Purcell, Torrey, and Pound at Harvard and by Bloch, Hansen, and Packard at Stanford towards the end of 1945. Their experiments were so different that members of neither group were quick to recognize their own experiment in the other. The magnetic resonance phenomenon was conceptualized differently by the two groups, and the design of their experiments differed accordingly. The Purcell group thought of magnetic resonance in terms of transitions between quantum states while the Bloch group visualized magnetic moments being reoriented with respect to a magnetic field. The conceptual approach adopted by each group can be seen as a natural consequence of earlier influences.
The effect of tether length on the affinity of ligands for bis(cyclodextrins)

Abstract Bis(cyclodextrin)s linked by alkyl chains of varying lengths were prepared and their ability to bind to fluorophoric ligands such as 6-toluidino-2-naphthalenesulfonate (TNS) was evaluated.
Ribosome-Mediated Incorporation of Hydrazinophenylalanine into Modified Peptide and Protein Analogues

(S)-α-Hydrazinophenylalanyl-tRNAPhe, an aminoacyl-tRNA derivative containing the unnatural amino acid (S)-α-hydrazinophenylalanine, was prepared in an effort to examine the stereochemical requirements of the A-site of the ribosome during in vitro protein synthesis. The (S)-α-hydrazinophenylalanine moiety was of interest because it contains two nucleophilic centers, the secondary nitrogen attached to Cα, which is normally acylated during the course of peptide bond formation, and the sterically less hindered primary nitrogen. To determine the position of acylation, (S)-α-hydrazinophenylalanyl-tRNAPhe was tested in an Escherichia coli in vitro protein biosynthesizing system lacking elongation factor G, such that only dipeptide products were formed. The dipeptide product mixture was analyzed by HPLC in direct comparison with authentic synthetic standards. The dipeptide assay utilizing (S)-α-hydrazinophenylalanyl-tRNAPhe as the A-site tRNA established that the analogue functioned well as an acceptor tRNA; HPLC...
The use of radionuclide angiography to study blood flow through endothelial cell seeded extrathoracic bypass grafts in the dog

Endothelial seeding of vascular grafts has been shown to decrease graft thrombogenicity and prolong longevity when implanted in vivo. Previous studies have utilized anatomic grafts to study endothelialization and healing. Anatomic thoracoabdominal grafts do not allow for sequential biopsy for evaluation of individual grafts nor do they approximate the environment for long bypass grafts used in limb salvage. This study evaluated the use of an extra-anatomic aortic bypass graft to assess the healing of endothelial cell seeded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Radionuclide angiography was used to evaluate graft patency and quantify blood flow through the graft. Dogs underwent placement of an extra-anatomic 60 cm long, 8 mm internal diameter, graft seeded with autologous endothelium. Grafts were biopsied from 2 weeks up to 1 year. Radionuclide studies were performed postimplantation and following each graft biopsy. Graft placement and biopsies were well tolerated in all dogs. Biopsied segments of graft allowed for sequential studies of the healing of implanted grafts by scanning electron and light microscopy. Flow through the implanted graft was close to 50% of the total caudal abdominal aortic flow. No significant difference in graft flow was noted either between animals or over time.
Specializing Park's Compressive Membrane Theory

Park’s compressive membrane theory has been used for many years to predict the capacity of laterally edge restrained reinforced concrete (LERRC) thin slabs. This note examines his compressive membrane theory and presents a methodology which proved to be successful in predicting, in a different manner, the capacity of LERRC thin and thick slabs. The suggested methodology employs the point of peak thrust, rather than a midspan deflection estimate, to select the peak compressive membrane load capacity for LERRC one-way slabs. Comparison of averaged values of normalized load capacities ( wtheory ∕ wtest ) selected using the experimentally measured peak capacity deflection (i.e., wtheory ∕ wtest =0.91 ) or the calculated peak thrust (i.e., wtheory ∕ wtest =0.85 ) at peak compressive membrane capacity showed that using the peak thrust to select the load capacity was almost as good as using the experimentally measured deflections, especially for thick slabs used in protective construction. The calculation of gen...
A concentration dependent embedded atom method potential for the Mg–Li system

Abstract We have developed a thermodynamically and mechanically reliable concentration dependent embedded atom method interatomic potential for the Mg–Li system using first principles and experimental inputs. Pure elemental potentials from first principles theory and heat of mixing from the experiments are the inputs to the cross pair interaction. This simple potential is able to predict various properties of the Mg–Li alloy such as lattice parameter, heat of mixing, stacking fault energy and bulk modulus as a function of composition and temperature, in good agreement with literature data. Most importantly, it can reproduce experimental Mg–Li phase diagram. We demonstrate its transferability for thermal and mechanical behavior studies across entire concentration range in large-scale atomistic simulations.
Digital imaging in pathology: the case for standardization:

The process of digital imaging in microscopy is a series of operations, each contributing to the quality of the final image that is displayed on the computer monitor. The operations include sample preparation and staining by histology, optical image formation by the microscope, digital image sampling by the camera sensor, postprocessing and compression, transmission across the network and display on the monitor. There is an extensive literature about digital imaging and each step of the process is fairly well understood. However, the complete process is very hard to standardize or even to understand fully. The important concepts for pathology imaging standards are: (1) systems should be able to share image files, (2) the standards should allow the transmission of information on baseline colours and recommended display parameters, (3) the images should be useful to the pathologist, not necessarily better or worse than direct examination of a slide under the microscope, (4) a mechanism to evaluate image quality objectively should be present, (5) a mechanism to adjust and correct the minor errors of tissue processing should be developed, (6) a public organization should support pathologists in the development of standards.
Effects of different post-spin stretching conditions on the mechanical properties of synthetic spider silk fibers

Spider silk is a biomaterial with impressive mechanical properties, resulting in various potential applications. Recent research has focused on producing synthetic spider silk fibers with the same mechanical properties as the native fibers. For this study, three proteins based on the Argiope aurantia Major ampullate Spidroin 2 consensus repeat sequence were expressed, purified and spun into fibers. A number of post-spin draw conditions were tested to determine the effect of each condition on the mechanical properties of the fiber. In all cases, post-spin stretching improved the mechanical properties of the fibers. Aqueous isopropanol was the most effective solution for increasing extensibility, while other solutions worked best for each fiber type for increasing tensile strength. The strain values of the stretched fibers correlated with the length of the proline-rich protein sequence. Structural analysis, including X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, showed surprisingly little change in the initial as-spun fibers compared with the post-spin stretched fibers.
Monte Carlo Methods for Calculating Some Physical Properties of Large Molecules

In this paper we describe Monte Carlo methods for solving some boundary-value problems for elliptic partial differential equations arising in the computation of physical properties of large molecules. The constructed algorithms are based on walk on spheres, Green's function first passage, walk in subdomains techniques, and finite-difference approximations of the boundary condition. The methods are applied to calculating the diffusion-limited reaction rate, the electrostatic energy of a molecule, and point values of an electrostatic field.
Genomic Analysis of Differentiation between Soil Types Reveals Candidate Genes for Local Adaptation in Arabidopsis lyrata

Serpentine soil, which is naturally high in heavy metal content and has low calcium to magnesium ratios, comprises a difficult environment for most plants. An impressive number of species are endemic to serpentine, and a wide range of non-endemic plant taxa have been shown to be locally adapted to these soils. Locating genomic polymorphisms which are differentiated between serpentine and non-serpentine populations would provide candidate loci for serpentine adaptation. We have used the Arabidopsis thaliana tiling array, which has 2.85 million probes throughout the genome, to measure genetic differentiation between populations of Arabidopsis lyrata growing on granitic soils and those growing on serpentinic soils. The significant overrepresentation of genes involved in ion transport and other functions provides a starting point for investigating the molecular basis of adaptation to soil ion content, water retention, and other ecologically and economically important variables. One gene in particular, calcium-exchanger 7, appears to be an excellent candidate gene for adaptation to low Ca∶Mg ratio in A. lyrata.
Gender Issues in Application of Islamic Law in Nigeria

This essay explores gender issues in the contemporary application of Islamic law in the Muslim majority-states of northern Nigeria. Brief political background helps to explain the shari‘a codes enacted by the legislatures of the states, drawing largely from the classical formulations of Maliki school of Islamic law. Women were among the first to be prosecuted and sentenced to death by stoning for the offence of zinā. To provide effective legal defense for the accused women, their lawyers and activists for women human rights had to argue in Islamic law before they could convince Shari‘a Courts of Appeal to overturn the sentences of death by stoning and set the women free. In the process, women activists learned a lot about the classical formulations of Maliki school of Islamic law, where they discovered the rich flexibility of Islamic thought, and that has empowered them to articulate Islamic criticisms against gender bias in the recently enacted shari‘a codes.