cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Monte Carlo method for generating structures of short single‐stranded DNA sequences

A Monte Carlo method has been developed for generating the conformations of short single-stranded DNAs from arbitrary starting states. The chain conformers are constructed from energetically favorable arrangements of the constituent mononucleotides. Minimum energy states of individual dinucleotide monophosphate molecules are identified using a torsion angle minimizer. The glycosyl and acyclic backbone torsions of the dimers are allowed to vary, while the sugar rings are held fixed in one of the two preferred puckered forms. A total of 108 conformationally distinct states per dimer are considered in this first stage of minimization. The torsion angles within 5 kcal/mole of the global minimum in the resulting optimized states are then allowed to vary by +/- 10 degrees in an effort to estimate the breadth of the different local minima. The energies of a total of 2187 (3(7)) angle combinations are examined per local conformational minimum. Finally, the energies of all dinucleotide conformers are scaled so that the populations of differently puckered sugar rings in the theoretical sample match those found in nmr solution studies. This last step is necessitated by limitations in the theoretical methods to predict DNA sugar puckering accurately. The conformer populations of the individual acyclic torsion angles in the composite dimer ensembles are found to be in good agreement with the distributions of backbone conformations deduced from nmr coupling constants and the frequencies of glycosyl conformations in x-ray crystal structures, suggesting that the low energy states are reasonable. The low energy dimer forms (consisting of 150-325 conformational states per dimer step) are next used as variables in a Monte Carlo algorithm, which generates the conformations of single-stranded d(CXnG) chains, where X = A, T and n = 3, 4, 5. The oligonucleotides are built sequentially from the 5' end of the chain using random numbers to select the conformations of overlapping dimer units. The simulations are very fast, involving a total of 10(6) conformations per chain sequence. The potential errors in the buildup procedure are minimized by taking advantage of known rotational interdependences in the sugar-phosphate backbone. The distributions of oligonucleotide conformations are examined in terms of the magnitudes, positions, and orientations of the end-to-end vectors of the chains. The differences in overall flexibility and extension of the oligomers are discussed in terms of the conformations of the constituent dinucleotide steps, while the general methodology is discussed and compared with other nucleic acid model building techniques.
Positive Affect and Sleep in Spousal Alzheimer Caregivers: A Longitudinal Study

This article examines the longitudinal relation between positive affect (PA) and sleep in 126 spousal Alzheimer's disease caregivers. Caregivers underwent 4 yearly assessments for the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the self-rated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and actigraphy to objectify nighttime total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, and percentage of sleep. Increased levels of PA and a greater positivity (i.e., positive-to-negative affect) ratio were significantly associated with better subjective sleep over the entire study period. Yearly increases in PA-even when controlling for negative affect (NA)-and in the positivity ratio were also associated with better subjective sleep. PA and actigraphy measures showed no significant relations. Increased PA is longitudinally associated with better sleep in dementia caregivers largely independent of NA.
Model-based simulation systems for adaptive training in time-critical decision making

The fundamental goal of education and training is to provide capabilities that can help humans improve performance and accelerate decision-making. Advances in mobile computing (e.g., sensor technology, context aware computing, and cloud computing) allow for the design of systems that goes beyond the traditional methods of simulation training to support adaptive learning. The focus of this paper will be to present a human performance model, using mobile devices, for analysis of time-critical decision making through sensor-based information.
Behavioral effects of chronic lead exposure in the adult rat

Adult rats fed daily rations of laboratory chow laced with lead acetate, were tested for operant (schedule-controlled) responding and conditioned suppression. In Experiment 1, animals receiving 10 mg/kg lead showed significantly lower operant response rates (lever pressing) than controls. Conditioned suppression performance was not different between the two groups. During retraining that followed a 42 day no-training period, lead-treated subjects showed greater percent of prior baseline responding than controls. The groups were not different on a test for stimulus control or an appetitive resistance to extinction test. In Experiment 2, separate lead-treated groups were chronically exposed to either 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, or 1 mg/kg lead daily. Behavioral tests showed that while the lowest lead level (1 mg/kg) occasioned higher rates of operant lever pressing relative to controls, the highest level (10 mg/kg) again produced lower rates. On a retraining task administered after an interpolated 90 day no-training period, the two highest exposure groups were significantly above controls regarding percent of baseline responding and there was evidence that the 5 mg/kg group was significantly superior to controls in terms of absolute response rate. No differences in conditioned suppression or resistance to extinction were observed in the second experiment.
KNEE EXTENSOR STRENGTH EXHIBITS POTENTIAL TO PREDICT FUNCTION IN SPORADIC INCLUSION-BODY MYOSITIS

Sporadic inclusion-body myositis (sIBM) is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy affecting those >50 years of age.1,2 Typically, onset is characterized by insidious and frequently asymmetrical weakness of the arms and legs, which is often erroneously attributed to aging and can therefore remain undiagnosed for years. Progressive weakness of the quadriceps muscles in sIBM is an early finding, followed by a decline in functional abilities, progressive loss of ambulation, and wheelchair dependence. The typical course of decline is 10–15 years after onset of the disease.3,4 Currently, no treatments have been found to slow or reverse the progression of muscle weakness and deterioration in sIBM.5–16 Recent opportunities for treatment of sIBM have emerged using strategies to inhibit the myostatin pathway to increase quadriceps muscle strength. Contrasting approaches include an inhibitory myostatin antibody that binds to the activin IIB receptor (BYM338; Novartis Pharmaceuticals; ClinicalTrials.gov) or an alternatively spliced product of the follistatin gene delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) directly into muscle.17,18 The quadriceps muscles are targets for these clinical trials because of their preferential weakness in sIBM, their suspected contribution to gait impairment, and their accessibility as a treatment target. In the BYM338 trial, the size of the quadriceps will be measured at 8 weeks and, in the follistatin gene therapy trial, quadriceps muscle strength is the intended primary outcome variable. Despite these laudatory goals, an important unaddressed issue is the absence of any previous study demonstrating a correlation between quadriceps muscle strength and function. In this study our aim was to directly assess knee extensor strength using the highest standards of measurement recognized by academic and regulatory authorities,19 including the 2- and 6-minute walk tests (2MWT and 6MWT)20; the IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFRS)21; and timed tests22–24 of stair climbing, standing from a chair, and stepping up on curbs.
Diel migrations of a zooplanktivorous fish (Menidia beryllina) in relation to the distribution of its prey in a large eutrophic lake1

Rythme circadien de migration de Menidia beryllina et de ses proies dans le Clear Lake, Californie
Sandy beach surf zones: An alternative nursery habitat for 0-age Chinook salmon

Abstract The role of each habitat fish use is of great importance to the dynamics of populations. During their early marine residence, Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), an anadromous fish species, mostly inhabit estuaries but also use sandy beach surf zones and the coastal ocean. However, the role of surf zones in the early life history of Chinook salmon is unclear. We hypothesized that surf zones serve as an alternative nursery habitat, defined as a habitat that consistently provides a proportion of a population with foraging and growth rates similar to those experienced in the primary nursery. First, we confirmed that juvenile Chinook salmon cohorts are simultaneously using both habitats by combining field collections with otolith chemical and structural analysis to directly compare size and migration patterns of juveniles collected in two Oregon (USA) estuaries and surf zones during three years. We then compared juvenile catch, diet and growth in estuaries and surf zones. Juveniles were consistently caught in both habitats throughout summer. Catches were significantly higher in estuaries (average ± SD = 34.3 ± 19.7 ind. 100 m−2) than surf zones (1.0 ± 1.5 ind. 100 m−2) and were positively correlated (r = 0.92). Size at capture (103 ± 15 mm fork length, FL), size at marine entry (76 ± 13 mm FL), stomach fullness (2 ± 2% body weight) and growth rates (0.4 ± 0.0 mm day−1) were similar between habitats. Our results suggest that when large numbers of 0-age Chinook salmon inhabit estuaries, juveniles concurrently use surf zones, which serve as an alternative nursery habitat. Therefore, surf zones expand the available rearing habitat for Chinook salmon during early marine residence, a critical period in the life history.
Medial Gastrocnemius Myoelectric Control of a Robotic Ankle Exoskeleton

A previous study from our laboratory showed that when soleus electromyography was used to control the amount of plantar flexion assistance from a robotic ankle exoskeleton, subjects significantly reduced their soleus activity to quickly return to normal gait kinematics. We speculated that subjects were primarily responding to the local mechanical assistance of the exoskeleton rather than directly attempting to reduce exoskeleton mechanical power via decreases in soleus activity. To test this observation we studied ten healthy subjects walking on a treadmill at 1.25 m/s while wearing a robotic exoskeleton proportionally controlled by medial gastrocnemius activation. We hypothesized that subjects would primarily decrease soleus activity due to its synergistic mechanics with the exoskeleton. Subjects decreased medial gastrocnemius recruitment by 12% (p < 0.05) but decreased soleus recruitment by 27% (p < 0.05). In agreement with our hypothesis, the primary reduction in muscle activity was not for the control muscle (medial gastrocnemius) but for the anatomical synergist to the exoskeleton (soleus). These findings indicate that anatomical morphology needs to be considered carefully when designing software and hardware for robotic exoskeletons.
Adaptive geographical routing in wireless ad-hoc networks

The paper presents some theoretical results on the operation and path optimality of geographical routing; proposes using geographical adaptation to reduce the inefficiency of geographical routing; describes three adaptive schemes with different overhead and efficiency tradeoffs; and analyzes the benefit and cost of using adaptive schemes. The conclusion is that using adaptive schemes can significantly improve the efficiency of geographical routing with clear net benefits.
Anisotropic grid adaptation for functional outputs: application to two-dimensional viscous flows

An anisotropic, unstructured grid adaptive method is presented for improving the accuracy of functional outputs of viscous, compressible flow simulations for general discretizations. The procedure merges output error control with Hessian-based anisotropic grid adaptation. An adjoint formulation is used to relate the estimated functional error to the local residual errors of both the primal and adjoint solutions. This relationship allows local error contributions to be used as indicators in a grid adaptive method designed to produce specially tuned grids for accurately estimating the chosen functional. Element stretching and orientation information is obtained from interpolation error estimates for linear triangular finite elements. The proposed adaptive method is implemented using a standard second-order upwind finite volume discretization, although the procedure is applicable to other types of discretizations such as the finite element method. A series of airfoil test cases, including separated, high-lift flows, are presented to demonstrate the approach; the functionals considered are the lift and drag coefficients. The proposed adaptive method is shown to be superior in terms of reliability and output accuracy relative to pure Hessian-based adaptation.
Multipath mitigation in pattern measurement of small directive antennas based on the singularity expansion method (SEM)

Many antenna ranges are limited in operation by the effects of multipath propagation due to reflection from adjacent structures. Such structures include buildings, range walls, floors, and ceilings. Diffraction fences and absorber provide the classic methods for reducing these effects. With modern processing capabilities, new methods can be incorporated to reduce multipath effects. In this paper, we review the results of Davis and Licul's approach [1] that push the limits of an antenna range due to multipath from unavoidable adjacent scatterers. Their approach only considered boresight interaction. The radiation pattern of a 4 GHz Yagi-Uda antenna was measured inside an anechoic chamber with a metal plate present to introduce a multipath environment. A time gating approach based on the singularity expansion method (SEM) was used to mitigate the multipath effects and to estimate the radiation pattern in free space environment based on the boresight SEM poles. The results showed that some complex poles of a test antenna might not be excited strongly at certain angles, as with the use of boresight poles in the previous work. To resolve the problem, combined poles were extracted from multiple angles to remove the multipath effects and obtain non-distorted radiation patterns.
Cytotoxicity mediated by soluble antigen and lymphocytes in delayed hypersensitivity. I. Characterization of the phenomenon.

In the presence of specific antigen, lymph node cells from inbred rats with delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculoprotein, bovine gammaglobulin, and egg albumin produced progressive destruction of monolayers of rat embryo fibroblasts in tissue culture, first apparent at 48 hr and maximal at 72 hr. The effect was specific and did not depend on a genetic difference between the lymph node cells and target cells. It required antigen concentrations equal to or greater than 1.25 µg/ml and lymphocyte: target cell ratios of approximately 10 or 20:1. It could be evaluated both by a plaquing technique and by cell enumeration with an electronic particle counter.
Minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology: Laparoscopy versus robotics

The role of laparoscopy has evolved from a diagnostic tool to an integral approach to management of gynecologic malignancies. This surgical approach has afforded patients the benefits of shorter hospitalizations, more rapid recoveries, smaller incisions, less need for analgesics, and fewer complications. Additionally, specific to gynecologic malignancies, improved visualization and shorter intervals to postoperative treatments are advantages to minimally invasive surgery. However, laparoscopy is limited by its long learning curve, counterintuitive motions, and two-dimensional views. To overcome these challenges of laparoscopy, technology has expanded to include computer-enhanced technology in the form of robotics. Robotic-assisted surgery provides three-dimensional views, intuitive motions, less operator fatigue, tremor filtration facilitating more precise movements, and possesses a shorter learning curve. Robotic-assisted surgery has also paved a pathway to telesurgery and telementoring. This may expand the availability of advanced minimally invasive surgeries throughout the globe. However, robotic-assisted procedures are not without limitations-cost, bulky size, lack of haptic feedback, limited instrumentation, and larger required incisions.
Reducing Stockouts in a Cancer Center’s Ambulatory Care Clinics

AbstractSupply replenishment in many healthcare settings is a very laborious and wasteful process. The objective of this article is to describe a pilot implementation of a fixed order quantity kanban system for supply replenishment within an outpatient clinic at a cancer center. The pilot resulted in decreased labor for materials management staff and increased supply availability for clinicians. The concepts discussed and implemented build on the engineering management body of knowledge. The article provides an in-depth look at a successful implementation. In particular, the article describes the baseline process analysis used, the application of inventory modeling principles, as well as the application of a decision support tool. The results of the described inventory replenishment process redesign using the kanban system and stock card approach provide other engineering managers a roadmap for their own implementations.
Online price competition within and between heterogeneous retailer groups

This study presents a model of price competition in a market for a homogenous good with many asymmetrically positioned retailers, a typical example of which could be the online markets for books, music, movies or software. These markets are highly competitive oligopolies served by hundreds of active retailers and that have been affected by information technologies such as price comparison engines and shopping bots. In these markets, firms can only identify broad group memberships to clusters of firms, and compete within and across clusters based on this information, due to the incompleteness of information on the characteristics of firms. The characteristics of the firms that shape their competitive behavior are their established loyal segment sizes and potential comparison shopper segment sizes. To analyze such markets, we develop and solve a static game of price competition in an asymmetric oligopoly with numerous clusters of firms. In our analysis we see that the firms with the smallest loyal segment sizes and the largest switcher segment sizes engage in a fierce price competition while the members of all other groups prefer to price at their reservation price points. We also test and provide empirical support for our model predictions using pricing data on three categories. Our data set contains prices on 112 printers from 20 retailers, 95 cameras from 53 retailers and 1388 books from 15 retailers.
An ART2-TPM neural network for automatic pattern classification

Presents a novel two-layer neural network based on the adaptive resonance theory (ART2) network for continuous variables in which the bottom-up long-term memory (LTM) and the top-down LTM adaptations use the self-organizing topology preserving mapping (TPM) learning rule. This topology is developed in the context of an extended Neocognitron for automatic pattern clustering from raw two-dimensional image inputs to a finite number of classes. The complete ART2-TPM algorithm is presented and an illustrative example for automatic recognition of line orientation is given. The performance of the network is compared to that of the winner-take-all network. >
Phylogeny of the neotropical moth tribe Josiini (Notodontidae: Dioptinae): comparing and combining evidence from DNA sequences and morphology.

DNA sequences were gathered from mitochondrial COII and nuclear ribosomal 18S and 28S genes for 21 moth species in the tribe Josiini (Notodontidae: Dioptinae) and two outgroup genera. These data complement a previously published morphological character set for the same taxa. We examine whether relationships in the Josiini are best reflected by a single phylogenetic analysis of all the data, or by a consensus of separate trees generated from DNA and morphology. Even in cases where analyses of partitioned data produce incongruent cladograms, the underlying disagreement between partitions is relatively small. While both molecular and morphological data provide useful character information by themselves, we conclude that the best supported phylogenetic hypothesis is the one derived from combined analysis.
A statewide approach to creating veteran-friendly campuses

This chapter discusses a statewide response to the needs of veterans, military members, and their families. Specifically, it addresses the collaboration between Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs-Higher Education Veterans Programs, St. Cloud State University, and a student veteran organization.
Pricing inputs to induce efficient Make-or-Buy decisions

We investigate input pricing regimes that induce efficient Make-or-Buy decisions by entrants when there is constant returns in the production of the input(s) and simultaneous noncooperative price competition in downstream retail markets. Necessary and sufficient conditions for efficient Make-or-Buy decisions are derived. The necessary condition shows that input prices are relevant for Make-or-Buy decisions except under restrictive and often unverifiable assumptions on the demand structure, and that the least informationally-demanding way to ensure efficient Make-or-Buy decisions is to price inputs at marginal cost provided changes in the entrant’s cost have a “normal” effect on the entrant’s profit. The conditions also show that pricing the incumbent’s input at the entrant’s marginal cost always ensures efficient Make- or-Buy decisions. The extent to which input prices can depart from marginal cost while still inducing efficient Make-or-Buy decisions increases with the efficiency differential between the incumbent and entrant and with the demand displacement ratio.
Valveless acoustic standing wave micropump for biomedical applications: A numerical study

The operation principle of the valveless acoustic standing wave micropump is described. Time-variant flow structures through the planar diffuser-nozzle element of this micropump for different values of the divergence angle of the diffuser-nozzle element at excitation frequency of ƒ = 20 kHz are numerically investigated. The variations of micropump flow rate, pressure loss coefficients of the nozzle and diffuser, and diffuser efficiency are shown as functions of θ. The higher micropump flow rate is found to be achieved at larger values of θ. However, increasing θ from 45° to 60° shows no significant increase in the net flow rate. The results also show that the maximum diffuser efficiency is achieved at θ = 45.
COGNITIVE EQUILIBRIUM: A KNOWLEDGE-BASED THEORY OF FUZZINESS AND FUZZY SETS

Abstract Fuzziness, ambiguity and imprecision are integral to human production of decisions and knowledge. Fuzziness cannot be separated from knowledge and studied independently of knowledge. A viable theory of linguistic fuzziness should be properly embedded in its own requisite theory of knowledge. Without a proper theory of knowledge production or construction, no phenomena of fuzziness can be explained and no theory of artificial knowledge (or intelligence) can properly approximate or model natural knowledge, decisions and intelligence production. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate some concrete hypotheses of the knowledge-constructive view of fuzziness, as it relates to human communication, human coordination of action and human knowledge production. It is further proposed that fuzziness of linguistic labels is related to their referential distance from the contextually selected and socially negotiated sets of anchors or gauges. Finally, fuzziness of concepts appears to be related to the cogni...
Future issues in RNA virus evolution

The study of RNA virus evolution has developed rapidly during the past 30 years. This review outlines some important recent findings, as well as a number of the remaining major challenges, particularly those that might explain why RNA viruses are the most important class of emerging diseases, yet often have difficulties adapting to sustained transmission cycles in new hosts. The author emphasizes the relevance of research on the underlying dynamics of mutation, fitness landscapes and the constraints to viral adaptation, as well as the evolution of recombination and reassortment. It is also suggested that a combination of theoretical, experimental and comparative approaches is essential for future studies of viral evolution, coupled with new genome sequence data on intrahost genetic variation.
Complex Variable Boundary Element Method Error Analysis Using Taylor Series

The CVBEM is a numerical approach to solving boundary value problems of two-dimensional Laplace and Poisson equations. The CVBEM estimator exactly solves the governing partial differential equations in the problem domain, but only approximately satisfies the problem boundary conditions. In this paper, a new CVBEM error measure is used in aiding in the development of improved CVBEM approximators. The new approach utilizes Taylor series theory, and can be readily programmed into computer software form. Based on numerous test applications, it appears that use of this new CVBEM error measure leads to the development of significantly improved CVBEM approximation functions.
Characterization of the Shigella and Salmonella Type III Secretion System Tip-Translocon Protein-Protein Interaction by Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement.

Many Gram-negative pathogens, such as Shigella and Salmonella, assemble the type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject virulence proteins directly into eukaryotic cells to initiate infectious diseases. The needle apparatus of the T3SS consists of a base, an extracellular needle, a tip protein complex, and a translocon. The atomic structure of the assembled tip complex and the translocon is unknown. Here, we show by NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) that the mixed α-β domain at the distal region of the Shigella and Salmonella tip proteins interacts with the N-terminal ectodomain of their major translocon proteins. Our results reveal the binding surfaces involved in the tip-translocon protein-protein interaction and provide insights about the assembly of the needle apparatus of the T3SS.
An analysis of physician utilization by elderly persons: Systematic differences between self-report and archival information

Elderly persons may over- or underreport their utilization of services, and systematic variance in this discrepancy may bias research findings. Therefore, this study analyzed the discrepancy between archival and self-report measures of physician utilization and examined the association of that discrepancy with health status and sociodemographic variables. Each older person underreported physician utilization by a net of .35 visits, but the total discrepancy was nearly two visits per person, or 65 percent of the number of self-reported visits. The multivariate findings indicate that underreports of utilization are smaller for those elderly persons with lower health status (as measured by disease history) and larger for those with higher levels of utilization. Those in poor health tend to overreport physician visits, and those with greater levels of utilization tend to have greater proportional reporting error. Self-reported measures of physician utilization should be considered in the context of the net error and the systematic nature of that error.
The death words and its aesthetic mood of the 17-year Grand Narrative The Death Narrative from Historical View

The novels in the 17-year Grand Narrative are permeated with Marxist historical viewpoint that occupied the leading position in consciousness at that time. From the historical height, depth and width, the death events and their ideological significance and aesthetic mood that are reflected in those novels express the historically intrinsic broadness. Therefore, the suffered death under class oppression and revenge are a kind of narrative tactics of historical consciousness; the death for people's benefits becomes the reconstruction of historical memory and establishes the social identification; while facing death unflinchingly is the lofty mood of narrating historical scenes ideally.
Identification of Residual Cancer in the Prostate Following Radiation Therapy: Role of Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy and Prostate Specific Antigen

Transrectal, ultrasound guided needle biopsies were performed in 27 men greater than 18 months (mean 5.2 years) after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Of the patients 18 (67 per cent) originally had localized (stage A or B), 6 had stage C and 3 had stage D1 prostate cancer. In addition to biopsies directed at any hypoechoic regions of the prostate, multiple systematic biopsies were performed from the apex to the base bilaterally and the seminal vesicles also were biopsied regardless of appearance. Of 27 patients 25 (93 per cent) had post-irradiation biopsies positive for cancer, including 5 of 5 with prostate induration and 20 of 22 (91 per cent) with normal post-irradiation digital rectal examinations. Ultrasound findings per se were poorly correlated with pathological findings in the irradiated prostate. Directed biopsies of hypoechoic areas were positive for cancer in 67 per cent of the cases and isoechoic areas were positive for cancer in 65 per cent. Seminal vesicle biopsies were positive in 7 patients (26 per cent), including 4 with normal post-irradiation rectal examinations and 4 with normal ultrasound appearance. Of 12 patients 10 (83 per cent) with serum prostate specific antigen levels less than 10 ng. per ml. had positive biopsies, as did all 15 with levels greater than 10 ng. per ml.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: immune responses in protection and pathogenesis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and causes a range of diseases from self-healing infections to chronic disfiguring disease. Currently, there is no vaccine for leishmaniasis, and drug therapy is often ineffective. Since the discovery of CD4(+) T helper 1 (TH1) cells and TH2 cells 30 years ago, studies of cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice have answered basic immunological questions concerning the development and maintenance of CD4(+) T cell subsets. However, new strategies for controlling the human disease have not been forthcoming. Nevertheless, advances in our knowledge of the cells that participate in protection against Leishmania infection and the cells that mediate increased pathology have highlighted new approaches for vaccine development and immunotherapy. In this Review, we discuss the early events associated with infection, the CD4(+) T cells that mediate protective immunity and the pathological role that CD8(+) T cells can have in cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Torsional Braid Analysis (TBA) of Polymers

A review is presented of the development and application of an adaptation of the freely hanging and freely decaying torsion pendulum (TP) which uses supported specimens to characterise polymeric materials. A composite, well-aligned specimen is easily prepared by impregnating a substrate such as a glass braid (TBA) with a polymer solution and thermally removing the solvent from the mounted specimen in the apparatus. The technique is particularly suitable for characterisation of materials which are available in limited quantities, of liquids which solidify on cooling or heating, and of thermohysteresis effects. The major topics discussed are instrumentation and automation, including methodology for control and data processing using a desktop digital computer; experimental technique; structure-property relationships in linear polymers; the Tu (i.e. T > Tg) relaxation in styrene polymers; and analysis of the thermosetting process in terms of a time—temperature—transformation (TTT) state diagram which relates the process of cure to properties of the cured state. The automated instrument is an analytical tool which can be used to examine most polymeric and oligomeric materials by using either supported specimens (TBA) or unsupported specimens (TP).
12.18 The Geomorphic Impacts of Animal Burrowing and Denning

Fossorial animals have a substantial impact on landforms and landform processes in both a direct and indirect manner. Perhaps the first notable research on fossorial animals in zoogeomorphology can be attributed to Charles Darwin's study of earthworms and their impact on soil characteristics. In this chapter, we examine a sample of animals and provide an overview of their impacts. The outline of this review categorizes animals based on their taxonomic order and includes: Haplotaxida, Isoptera and Hymenoptera, Salmoniformes, Testudines, Procellariformes, Lagomorphs, Rodentia, Carnivora, and Soricomorphia. Several examples of direct soil displacement via burrowing and denning are provided and discussed. A majority of the zoogeomorphic research on fossorial animals has focused on impacts such as soil erosion, slope failure or mass wasting events, and biogeochemical alteration of soil. The transition from quantifiable studies of animal geomorphology to the secondary impacts on ecosystems is a logical advance of the study of zoogeomorphology; however, before doing so, additional quantitative data on direct geomorphic impact is required.
Sociocultural Considerations Relative to Female Olympians

At his point, it is instructive for us to review that the Olympic Games, reserved at the start only for men, did not have trained, toned women as part of that original plan. For female Olympians, the nexus between sociology and sport continues to be wide-ranging, involving pressures and discriminations ranging from stereotyping and sponsorship to psychological concerns relative to their bodies. While the term “socio-cultural” can encompass a number of factors, this chapter concerns itself with these subjects: (1) The gendered language of Olympic reportage, (2) Religious considerations, (3) Women’s bodies relative to their training for the Games, (4) Drugs and doping, and (5) Female Paralympians.
Gruppe der Psittakose-LGV-TRIC-Erreger (Bedsoniae, Chlamydiae)

Die Erreger der Psittakose, des Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), des Trachoms und der Einschluskorper-Conjunctivitis (TRIC), sind eine grose Gruppe nicht beweglicher, gramnegativer, obligat intracellularer Parasiten, die ahnlich strukturiert sind und ein gemeinsames Gruppenantigen besitzen. Die Erreger durchlaufen im Cytoplasma ihrer Wirtszellen einen besonderen Entwicklungscyclus. In dieser Gruppe befinden sich Krankheitserreger von Mensch und Tieren, die eine erhebliche medizinische Bedeutung besitzen. Im Interesse einer kurzen Darstellung wird der Begriff „Chlamydiae“ zur Bezeichnung dieser Gruppe der Psittakose-LGV-TRIC-Erreger verwendet.
Elements of Information Processing in Hippocampal Neuronal Activity: Space, Time, and Memory

The earliest studies on the firing properties of hippocampal neurons revealed coding of both spatial and non-spatial dimensions of experience. Since then, distinct lines of investigation have elaborated these findings to provide compelling evidence that the hippocampal neurons represent the events we remember within spatial as well as temporal frameworks. This characterization suggests that neural networks in the hippocampus underlie a “memory space” that organizes the features of memory dependent on hippocampal function.
Reconsidering the voice effect when learning from a virtual human

Abstract The current paper investigates an essential design component of virtual humans, the voice they communicate with, by examining the impact of varied voice types. A standard voice effect has held that human voices should be paired with virtual humans. The current study revisits this effect. In a randomized trial, virtual humans used one of three voice types (classic and modern text-to-speech engines, as well as human voice) to present information to a sample of participants from an online population. The impact of each voice type on learning, cognitive load, and perceptions of the virtual human were examined. The study found that the modern voice engine produced significantly more learning on transfer outcomes, had greater training efficiency, and was rated at the same level as an agent with a human voice for facilitating learning and credibility while outperforming the older speech engine. These results call into question previous results using older voice engines and the claims of the voice effect.
Effects of temperature and salinity on prevalence and intensity of infection of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, by Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in Louisiana.

Abstract Coastal marine and estuarine environments are experiencing higher average temperatures, greater frequency of extreme temperature events, and altered salinities. These changes are expected to stress organisms and increase their susceptibility to infectious diseases. However, beyond these generalities, little is known about how environmental factors influence host-pathogen relationships in the marine realm. We investigated the prevalence and intensity of infections by Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, from Louisiana saltmarshes in relation to temperature and salinity. We evaluated relationships for single measurements taken at the time of collection and for more complex measurements representing accumulated exposure to physiologically-stressful environmental conditions for up to 31 days prior to collection. We found that: (1) prevalence of infection varied across the Louisiana coast, (2) prevalence of all three Vibrio species was influenced by temperature and salinity, and (3) measurements that represent accumulated exposure to extreme conditions are useful predictors of infection prevalence and can provide insights into underlying biological mechanisms.
Empirical-Based Typology of Health Care Utilization by Medicare Eligible Veterans.

Objective Up to 70 percent of patients who receive care through Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities also receive care from non-VA providers. Using applied classification techniques, this study sought to improve understanding of how elderly VA patients use VA services and complementary use of non-VA care. Methods The study included 1,721,900 veterans age 65 and older who were enrolled in VA and Medicare during 2013 with at least one VA encounter during 2013. Outpatient and inpatient encounters and medications received in VA were classified, and mutually exclusive patient subsets distinguished by patterns of VA service use were derived empirically using latent class analysis (LCA). Patient characteristics and complementary use of non-VA care were compared by patient subset. Results Five patterns of VA service use were identified that were distinguished by quantity of VA medical and specialty services, medication complexity, and mental health services. Low VA Medical users tend to be healthier and rely on non-VA services, while High VA users have multiple high cost illnesses and concentrate their care in the VA. Conclusions VA patients distinguished by patterns of VA service use differ in illness burden and the use of non-VA services. This information may be useful for framing efforts to optimize access to care and care coordination for elderly VA patients.
Structural studies on the O-chain polysaccharides of lipopolysaccharides from Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea

Abstract O -chain polysaccharides from the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of four races of Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea were subjected to methylation analysis, periodate oxidation and analysis by one- and two-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy. The results indicated that LPS O -chain repeating units of races 1, 5 and 6 are similar if not identical and are composed of 2-linked, 3-linked and 3,4-linked rhamnose residues with terminal N -acetylglucosamine residues. O -chain fractions from race 4 isolates contained the same residues but in a considerably different ratio. An isolate of race 4 which contained a cloned race 6 avirulence gene produced O -chain polysaccharides indistinguishable from those of the wild type race 4 in the residues present and their ratios. The data therefore argue that the O -chain carbohydrates of P. syringae pv. glycinea LPS may not function as the race specific elements recognized by disease resistant soybean cultivars.
Controlled Exposure to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides and Acids

Publisher Summary The primary photochemical reactions between O3 and NO2 produce many secondary pollutants, such as peroxyacetyl nitrate, nitric acid, nitrates, and other nitrogen oxides. Because of the photolytic instability of most of these species in sunlight, the concentrations of these pollutants are low. Although the seasonal, temporal, and spatial patterns of O3 and NO2 in ambient air differ, under certain atmospheric conditions, the two pollutants may undergo a chemical reaction outside the photochemical cycle. These reactions can produce a significant number of chemical species, some of which may be even more toxic than their precursors. Although primarily an outdoor air pollutant, indoor O3 concentrations may reach levels at which significant chemical reactions could occur between this oxidant and other constituents of indoor air, when O3 is introduced either through infiltration of building structures or via a building ventilation air intake system. Some experimental evidence from animal studies implicates many of these secondary pollutants in the induction of pathophysiological changes. However, their relative toxicity is not yet well understood, and some of these compounds have not yet been investigated.
How the Pulmonary Function Laboratory Contributes to the Management of the Patient With Asthma

Spirometry is a dynamic test that provides the best assessment of obstructive airway disease. The most useful value that the spirogram provides is the maximum volume of air that can be expelled with a forced expiration after a maximal inspiratory effort, the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Lung volume measurements are static studies and are less useful in assessing airway obstruction but can demonstrate the presence of pulmonary overinflation. The carbon monoxide-diffusing capacity can help distinguish between asthma and emphysema in patients who smoke. Arterial blood gas studies can assess the consequences of bronchospasm and provide a guide for hospitalizing patients with asthma exacerbation. Nonspecific bronchoprovocation challenge testing with methacholine or other agents may help diagnose asthma when the clinical picture is unclear. Bronchoprovocation challenge testing using specific agents can help diagnose asthma caused by workplace substances. Standardization of technique and rigid quality control are an absolute necessity in any pulmonary laboratory.
Variables Affecting Thigh Girth Measurement and Observer Reliability in Dogs

Objective: The purpose of the study reported here was to describe variables affecting thigh girth measurements preoperatively and 2 weeks after surgical stabilization of the stifle and to examine inter- and intra-observer reliability. Animals: Ten hound-type dogs with experimental, unilateral, cranial cruciate ligament transection, and surgical stabilization. Procedures: Dogs were placed in lateral recumbency for measurements of thigh circumference after the stifle was placed in flexed (F), estimated standing (S), and extended (E) positions. Measurements were made at 50 and 70% of thigh length (TL), with hair unclipped and then clipped prior to surgery, before and 2 weeks after cruciate ligament transection and stifle stabilization, and with and without sedation. A spring tension measuring tape was used to determine thigh girth that allowed a consistent amount of end-tension to be applied to the tape. All measurements were made by two blinded individuals in triplicate, data were recorded for each set of measurements and the mean of the three measurements for each condition was used for analysis. Results: Thigh girth was significantly greater at the more proximal site of 50% TL (36.7 ± 2.6 cm) when compared to the 70% TL (31.7 ± 2.7 cm) (P = 0.001). Sedation did not significantly affect thigh girth at any stifle position at the 70% and 50% TL. Although there were no differences in thigh circumference between the flexion and standing positions at 50% TL (F 38.2 ± 2.8 cm, S 38.1 ± 2.9 cm) and 70% TL (F 33.6 ± 1.6 cm; S 33.6 ± 1.8 cm), full extension of the stifle resulted in significantly less thigh girth (50% TL 36.6 ± 2.6 cm, P = 0.006; 70% TL 31.7 ± 2.6 cm, P = 0.006). Significant decreases in thigh girth were seen after surgery in all limb positions at both measurement sites. The highest correlations between Observer 1 (OB1) and Observer 2 (OB2) with least differences in measurements were with the stifle in the extended position. Agreement between two observers using standard measuring technique was significant at both the 50% (OB1: 34.10 ± 2.93 cm, OB2: 34.08 ± 2.65 cm, P = 0.007, ICC = 0.984) and 70% (OB1: 29.89 ± 2.43 cm, OB2: 30.04 ± 2.30 cm, P = 0.004, ICC = 0.981) TL positions with the stifle placed in extended position. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Thigh girth measurement may be useful as an outcome measure when appropriate measuring technique is used. It is recommended that thigh girth be obtained at a distance of 70% thigh length, with the leg in an extended position while in lateral recumbency, and the dog relaxed or under sedation. Further studies should be performed in a variety of clinical situations.
Focal mass-like cardiac uptake on oncologic FDG PET/CT: Real lesion or atypical pattern of physiologic uptake?

Cardiac uptake on oncologic FDG PET/CT can be unpredictable. Focal or mass-like cardiac uptake not confined to normal pattern is a real challenge for interpretation due to great variability in physiologic uptake and rarity of either primary or metastatic cardiac neoplasms. Eight patients with suspicious mass-like cardiac uptake on oncologic FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed with correlation to cardiac workups including contrast CT, echocardiography, and repeat PET/CT. Four patients had real cardiac lesions or metastases. Focal uptake was benign and might represent papillary muscle in the other four. SUVmax ratio between the cardiac focus and surrounding background cardiac uptake was statistically higher in the true-positive group than that in the false-positive group. In addition, the patients with true-positive cardiac uptake had more diffuse distant metastases compared to those with false-positive cardiac uptake. Focal suspicious cardiac uptake on oncology FDG PET/CT warranted further evaluation. SUVmax ratio between the cardiac focus and surrounding background cardiac uptake and status of distant metastases might help to differentiate malignant from benign nature of the focal cardiac uptake on FDG PET/CT. Focal uptake of the right ventricle on oncologic FDG PET/CT is more likely suggestive of a neoplasm.
Design and Implementation of Wideband CMUTs for Airborne Applications - Preliminary Results

This paper describes the design and fabrication of an annular and a spiral shaped air-coupled CMUT with improved bandwidth for airborne applications. We optimized the width of each ring in the annular design and used the same parameter for the spiral design to achieve broader bandwidth air-coupled CMUTs. Using anodic bonding, a $25-\mu \text{m}$ vibrating silicon plate was bonded to a borosilicate glass wafer with up to 14.75 $\mu\text{m}$ deep cavities. The fabricated devices show an atmospheric deflection between 6 $\mu\text{m}$ to 10 $\mu\text{m}$ depending on the size of each ring which shows that the fabricated devices were vacuum sealed. The fabricated devices show a resonance frequency of 87 kHz and up to 12% 6-dB fractional bandwidth in air.