cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking Stress to the Increased Susceptibility of Channel Catfish to Enteric Septicemia Using Cortisol

Abstract Although stress is known to increase the susceptibility of channel catfish to disease, this has not been correlated to a clinical measure of stress like plasma cortisol. By exposing healthy, unstressed catfish fingerlings (70–85 mm) to six concentrations of Edwardsiella ictaluri, we determined that the dose at which 30% of the fingerlings would die (LD30) was 1.4 log colony-forming units (CFU) per liter. Twenty-five small fingerling catfish per tank were confined to 12.5-cm × 15-cm × 10-cm plastic nets for 30 or 60 min, while unstressed fish remained free-swimming. Blood samples were taken for cortisol analysis, and the LD30 dose of the pathogen was administered at the conclusion of the stress period. Unstressed fish were sampled and challenged similarly. Infection rates were monitored for 21 d. A second challenge was conducted with larger fingerlings (114–168 mm) in the same manner. In the experiment with small fingerlings, cortisol concentrations (mean ± SD) for unstressed fish (23.6 ± 6.02 ng/...
A filter difference method for measuring inelastic scattering of slow neutrons

Abstract A filter difference method is described for measuring inelastic scattering of neutrons of initial energies between 0.1 and 1.0 eV in transitions to a final energy near zero. An electron linear accelarator provides an intense pulsed neutron source of large area, enabling measurements to be made at significantly higher energies than is possible with a reactor. The resolution (±44 to 8% in neutron energy change of 0.1 to 0.5 eV) is comporable to that of existing phased chopper apparatus in this energy range. Measurements on polyethylene, titanium hydride and zirconium hydride demonstrate the use of the method in surveying a whole range of neutron energy change in a single experiment.
High-pressure steam sterilization of previously used CIDR inserts enhances the magnitude of the acute increase in circulating progesterone after insertion in cows.

Objectives were to compare serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) in ovariectomized cows receiving (1) new, (2) re-used disinfected (DIS), and (3) re-used autoclaved (AC) controlled internal drug release (CIDR) inserts. Five ovariectomized (OVX) beef cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each experimental period was 7 days, with at least 48 h between periods. All re-used CIDR had been inserted previously in beef cows for 7 days. Upon removal, CIDR used for the DIS treatment were washed thoroughly and soaked in a chlorhexidine gluconate solution (0.03%) for 2 h, rinsed thoroughly with water and air-dried. For the AC treatment, CIDR were not soaked in disinfectant but were steam sterilized at 121 °C and 724 mmHg for 20 min before use. Blood samples were collected at 0, 10, 30, 60, 180, and 480 min relative to time of insertion of CIDR, daily until day 7, and at 30, 60, and 180 min relative to time of removal for radioimmunoassay of P4. Mean serum concentrations (ng/mL) of P4 during the 7-day period of insertion were greater (P < 0.03) for new (3.7 ± 0.2) and AC (3.4 ± 0.3) than for DIS CIDR (2.8 ± 0.2). These effects were created primarily by differences occurring during the first 8 h after CIDR insertion. Within this interval, mean concentrations (ng/mL) differed (P < 0.05) among all groups, but values for AC (6.0 ± 0.7) exceeded both new (4.6 ± 0.5) and DIS (2.7 ± 0.3) markedly. Autoclaving may be the best option when re-using CIDR inserts because it creates greater concentrations of P4 immediately after insertion and reduces maximally the risk of disease transmission.
Production of novel and grammatical utterances by young children

Abstract Novel and appropriate two word responses were produced by two year old children as a result of a training procedure involving imitation, differential reinforcement, and a sequence that kept one word of two word responses constant over all response combinations. Further analysis resulted in a breakdown of ordered responding when the constant response member was no longer available as part of the response unit. This suggested that grammatically appropriate responding was the result of control described as a partially conditioned frame. The function of stimulus control in determining the appropriateness of novel responding was discussed.
Method for Evaluating Multiple Mediators: Mediating Effects of Smoking and COPD on the Association between the CHRNA5-A3 Variant and Lung Cancer Risk

A mediation model explores the direct and indirect effects between an independent variable and a dependent variable by including other variables (or mediators). Mediation analysis has recently been used to dissect the direct and indirect effects of genetic variants on complex diseases using case-control studies. However, bias could arise in the estimations of the genetic variant-mediator association because the presence or absence of the mediator in the study samples is not sampled following the principles of case-control study design. In this case, the mediation analysis using data from case-control studies might lead to biased estimates of coefficients and indirect effects. In this article, we investigated a multiple-mediation model involving a three-path mediating effect through two mediators using case-control study data. We propose an approach to correct bias in coefficients and provide accurate estimates of the specific indirect effects. Our approach can also be used when the original case-control study is frequency matched on one of the mediators. We employed bootstrapping to assess the significance of indirect effects. We conducted simulation studies to investigate the performance of the proposed approach, and showed that it provides more accurate estimates of the indirect effects as well as the percent mediated than standard regressions. We then applied this approach to study the mediating effects of both smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the association between the CHRNA5-A3 gene locus and lung cancer risk using data from a lung cancer case-control study. The results showed that the genetic variant influences lung cancer risk indirectly through all three different pathways. The percent of genetic association mediated was 18.3% through smoking alone, 30.2% through COPD alone, and 20.6% through the path including both smoking and COPD, and the total genetic variant-lung cancer association explained by the two mediators was 69.1%.
Experimental determination of resonant frequencies by transient scattering from conducting spheres and cylinders

A new experimental technique to measure resonant frequencies of a target is presented. A Tektronix WP 1310 waveform processing system has been employed, which features signal processing software with extensive control over instruments, waveform manipulations, and graphic display. Numerous transient waveforms scattered from spheres and cylinders of various sizes have been recorded. A recently developed data-processing technique has been described and applied to these transient waveforms to extract their resonant frequencies. With the use of a new window designed to have a low near-sidelobe level, the modified fast Fourier transform (FFT) is shown to be able to improve the measurement capability of the system.
Age-related susceptibility to immunotoxicants: animal data and human parallels

Abstract There are numerous examples, of both the identical and different effects of animals exposure to toxic agents, which can be compared in both, exposed prenatal/neonatal animals and exposed adults. In some instances, although the chemical and its metabolites are stored for long periods in adipose tissue, adult exposure (short of acute poisoning) has little effect on the immune system (Johnson et al., 1986. An immunotoxicological evaluation of gamma-chlordane. Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 6, 317–326), while exposure during gestation results in immunoteratology (Barnett, 1996. Developmental immunotoxicology. In: Smialowicz, R.J., Holsapple, M.P. (Eds.), Experimental Immunotoxicology, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp.47–62). With the heavily studied dioxins, both prenatal as well as adult exposure causes immunotoxicity, however, the effects are not always the same. Attempts to confirm these observations in humans have been hampered by a multitude of problems that are directly related to the exposure paradigm, such as lack of accurate exposure data, varying lengths of exposure, etc. as well as many variables that are simply related to differences in genetic makeup, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, etc. that are part of the human populations. A few studies have noted important trends in immune status that are correlated with levels of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon exposures, however, even these fail to provide unequivocal answers regarding the relative risk of prenatal exposure.
Over-marking and adjacent marking are influenced by sibship in male prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster

Scent over-marking occurs when an animal deposits its scent mark on top of the scent mark of a conspecific. Over-marking may provide advantages in the transfer of information to the individual whose scent is on top but not to the individual whose scent is on the bottom. We tested the hypothesis that over-marking is a competitive form of olfactory communication and that male prairie voles would over-mark the scent marks of same-sex conspecifics more than those of same-sex siblings. Two age-matched male voles (first male and second male) were placed successively into an arena in which they were allowed to explore freely and scent mark for 15 min at age 12, 20, 28, 36, 44, and 52 d. The first male was placed into a clean arena, whereas the second male was placed into an arena containing either the scent marks of an age-matched male sibling or nonsibling. Age affected the total number of scent marks deposited by the voles; 12-20-d-old voles deposited fewer scent marks, over-marks and adjacent marks than did 28-52-d-old voles. Sibship did not affect the total number of scent marks deposited by the first and second voles but did affect the number of over-marks and adjacent marks deposited by the second vole. Siblings received significantly fewer over-marks and adjacent marks than did nonsiblings; this effect was most dramatic after the voles reached 28 d of age, a time coincident with the onset of puberty. Males separated from siblings and housed singly at 44-d-old and tested at 52-d-old, deposited significantly more over-marks and adjacent marks in arenas if the first vole was a nonsibling than if it was a sibling. This differential scent-marking supports the hypothesis that over-marking and adjacent marking are used as competitive forms of olfactory communication by male prairie voles.
Direct link between 1/f noise and defects in metal films.

We have found that gently annealing a AuPd film has a substantial effect on its 1/f noise. From the temperature dependence of the noise after various amounts of annealing, one can infer changes in the distribution of activation energies of the process responsible for the noise. These changes are consistent with general expectations concerning the effect of annealing on lattice defects. Our results strongly support the idea that at least some of the 1/f noise of metal films is associated with defect motion.
On the Performance of Virtual Dimensionality Estimation for Hyperspectral Image Analysis

The concept of virtual dimensionality (VD) has been developed for estimating the number of spectrally distinctive signals in a hyperspectral image. It has important applications in hyperspectral image analysis. For instance, it is related to the number of classes in classification and the number of endmembers in linear mixture analysis; an appropriate VD estimate will facilitate the related algorithm implementation and improve their performance. In this paper, we will evaluate several VD estimation approaches, including a Neyman-Pearson Detection based method and a Signal Subspace Estimation based method. In particular, we will discuss how the noise estimation affects the accuracy of VD estimate.
Serial, noninvasive, in vivo magnetic resonance microscopy detects the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice and its progression by arterial wall remodeling

Purpose To test the ability of serial, in vivo magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to detect the development of atherosclerosis and quantify its progression in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Materials and Methods The abdominal aortae of six ApoE−/− and three wild-type (WT) control mice were imaged by MRM at 9.4T. Proton density weighted images were obtained (TR = 2000, TE = 9 msec) using four signal averages. The image resolution was 109 × 109 × 500 μm3. The six ApoE−/− mice underwent serial MRM three to five times over a period ≤ 44 weeks. Multiple, anatomically aligned MRM slices (N = 6–11 per time point, total 202) were compared serially in each animal. Results The abdominal aorta remained free of atherosclerosis until 20 weeks of age but thereafter, atherosclerosis was identified in all ApoE−/− mice (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), but no WT controls. Lesion progression was accompanied by positive remodeling in which atherosclerosis within the aortic wall was accommodated by an increase in total cross sectional area (P < 0.01), while lumen area was unchanged. Conclusion Serial MRM demonstrated the development and progression of atherosclerosis in mouse aorta. Importantly, progression of atherosclerosis could be identified within individual animals. By following the same aortic lesions over time, MRM demonstrated that progression of atherosclerosis in mice is associated with positive arterial remodeling. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:184–189. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ontogeny of the Therapeutic Alliance in Borderline Patients

The development of the therapeutic alliance is explored in a prospective study of 33 borderline personality disorder patients. Assessments of the alliance were made by both the patients and their therapists using the Penn Helping Alliance Questionnaire at six weeks, six months, and then annually for up to five years.The major findings were: (1) The alliance was rated highly by both patients and therapists throughout treatment; (2) the alliance showed steady and significant improvement over time (and no significant deterioration at any point); (3) patients and therapists corresponded closely in their assessments; (4) therapists rated the alliance higher than did patients at three and four years; (5) therapist ratings of the alliance at six weeks was predictive of subsequent dropping out; but (6) early alliance scores were not strongly related to subsequent level of change. These results frame issues for future research in this area.Die Entwicklung der therapeutischen Allianz wurde in einer prospektiven Stu...
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Chronic Renal Failure

In contrast to some other antihypertensive drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower glomerular capillary pressure, decrease proteinuria, and may halt progressive glomerular injury and loss of renal function in experimental chronic renal failure (CRF). Although these favourable effects of ACE inhibition may result from alterations in glomerular haemodynamics, there is some evidence to show that ACE inhibitors may reduce glomerular injury through other mechanisms. CRF in man may result from a variety of insults to the kidney. However, it is not known whether, or under which conditions, glomerular capillary pressure is elevated in this heterogeneous population. Limited data suggest that renal haemodynamics (and perhaps glomerular capillary pressure) may depend in part on the level of systemic blood pressure. In addition, several studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between systemic blood pressure and the rate of progression of CRF. ACE inhibitor therapy generally lowers systemic blood pressure, does not alter renal function and decreases proteinuria in patients with CRF. The reduction in proteinuria appears to be variable and may depend on pretreatment glomerular haemodynamics and/or the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Preliminary evidence also suggests that ACE inhibitors may slow the progression of renal disease in humans with CRF. However, this effect, like the reduction in proteinuria, has not been observed consistently in all patients. In addition, it is not clear whether these effects on proteinuria and progression of disease are unique to ACE inhibitor therapy, since the lowering of systemic blood pressure with other drugs may have similar effects. The heterogeneity of the response to ACE inhibition suggests that there may be interpatient differences in glomerular haemodynamics in CRF, perhaps related to systemic blood pressure or the underlying disease process. Studies to date indicate that ACE inhibitors exert their beneficial effect by lowering glomerular capillary pressure and that not all patients will benefit from therapy with regard to proteinuria or amelioration of disease progression. However, further investigation of the haemodynamic and non-haemodynamic effects of ACE inhibitors, as well as the variability of response, may ultimately allow the selection of those patients who would benefit from such therapy.
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) release by phytoplankton in the contemporary and future ocean

The partitioning of organic matter (OM) between dissolved and particulate phases is an important factor in determining the fate of organic carbon in the ocean. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) release by phytoplankton is a ubiquitous process, resulting in 2–50% of the carbon fixed by photosynthesis leaving the cell. This loss can be divided into two components: passive leakage by diffusion across the cell membrane and the active exudation of DOM into the surrounding environment. At present there is no method to distinguish whether DOM is released via leakage or exudation. Most explanations for exudation remain hypothetical; as while DOM release has been measured extensively, there has been relatively little work to determine why DOM is released. Further research is needed to determine the composition of the DOM released by phytoplankton and to link composition to phytoplankton physiological status and environmental conditions. For example, the causes and physiology of phytoplankton cell death are poorly und...
Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Capsules: Light-Activated Antimicrobial Micro “Roach Motels”†

Microcapsules consisting of alternating layers of oppositely charged poly(phenylene ethynylene)-type conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) were prepared via layer-by-layer deposition onto MnCO3 template particles followed by dissolution of the template particles using an ethylenediaminetetraacetate solution. The resulting microcapsules exhibit bright-green fluorescence emission characteristics of the CPEs. Strong antimicrobial activity was observed upon mixing of polyelectrolyte capsules with Cobetia marina or Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by white-light irradiation. It was demonstrated that the materials act as highly effective light-activated micro “Roach Motels” with greater than 95% kill after exposure to ∼1 h of white light.
Ethanol modulation of mammalian BK channels in excitable tissues: molecular targets and their possible contribution to alcohol-induced altered behavior.

In most tissues, the function of Ca(2+)- and voltage-gated K(+) (BK) channels is modified in response to ethanol concentrations reached in human blood during alcohol intoxication. In general, modification of BK current from ethanol-naive preparations in response to brief ethanol exposure results from changes in channel open probability without modification of unitary conductance or change in BK protein levels in the membrane. Protracted and/or repeated ethanol exposure, however, may evoke changes in BK expression. The final ethanol effect on BK open probability leading to either BK current potentiation or BK current reduction is determined by an orchestration of molecular factors, including levels of activating ligand (Ca(2+) i), BK subunit composition and post-translational modifications, and the channel's lipid microenvironment. These factors seem to allosterically regulate a direct interaction between ethanol and a recognition pocket of discrete dimensions recently mapped to the channel-forming (slo1) subunit. Type of ethanol exposure also plays a role in the final BK response to the drug: in several central nervous system regions (e.g., striatum, primary sensory neurons, and supraoptic nucleus), acute exposure to ethanol reduces neuronal excitability by enhancing BK activity. In contrast, protracted or repetitive ethanol administration may alter BK subunit composition and membrane expression, rendering the BK complex insensitive to further ethanol exposure. In neurohypophyseal axon terminals, ethanol potentiation of BK channel activity leads to a reduction in neuropeptide release. In vascular smooth muscle, however, ethanol inhibition of BK current leads to cell contraction and vascular constriction.
Measuring individuality in habitat use across complex landscapes: approaches, constraints, and implications for assessing resource specialization

Many mobile marine species are presumed to utilize a broad spectrum of habitats, but this seemingly generalist life history may arise from conspecifics specializing on distinct habitat alternatives to exploit foraging, resting/refuge, or reproductive opportunities. We acoustically tagged 34 red drum, and mapped sand, seagrass, marsh, or oyster (across discrete landscape contexts) use by each uniquely coded individual. Using 144,000 acoustic detections, we recorded differences in habitat use among red drum: proportional use of seagrass habitat ranged from 0 to 100 %, and use of oyster-bottom types also varied among fish. WIC/TNW and IS metrics (previously applied vis-a-vis diet specialization) consistently indicated that a typical red drum overlapped >70 % with population-level niche exploitation. Monte Carlo permutations showed these values were lower than expected had fish drawn from a common habitat-use distribution, but longitudinal comparisons did not provide evidence of temporally consistent individuality, suggesting that differences among individuals were plastic and not reflective of true specialization. Given the range of acoustic detections we captured (from tens to 1,000s per individual), which are substantially larger sample sizes than in many diet studies, we extended our findings by serially reducing or expanding our data in simulations to evaluate sample-size effects. We found that the results of null hypothesis testing for specialization were highly dependent on sample size, with thresholds in the relationship between sample size and associated P-values. These results highlight opportunities and potential caveats in exploring individuality in habitat use. More broadly, exploring individual specialization in fine-scale habitat use suggests that, for mobile marine species, movement behaviors over shorter (≤weeks), but not longer (≥months), timescales may serve as an underlying mechanism for other forms of resource specialization.
Intramolecular Electron Transfer in CO‐Bound Mixed‐Valence Cytochrome c Oxidase Following CO Photolysis

Internal electron transfer in bovine cytochrome c oxidase was initiated by CO photolysis of the CO-bound mixed-valence form of the enzyme. Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor changes in the redox states of the metal centers in the enzyme brought about by electron re-equilibration. Upon CO photodissociation, reduced high spin cytochrome a3 was generated in less than 0.1 μsec, and a portion of the reduced cytochrome a3 was reoxidized with biphasic rate constants of k1 = 1.0 × 106 s−1 and k2 = 7.8 × 104 s−1. Concomitant reduction of cytochrome a was also observed with biphasic rate constants of k1 = 1.6 × 106 s−1 and k2 = 9 × 104 s−1. The stoichiometry of cytochrome a3 oxidized to cytochrome a reduced was found to be close to 1:1. Contrary to similar studies in the literature, no reduction of CuA was observed. As a control, no transient absorption changes corresponding to electron transfer was observed in the CO-inhibited fully reduced form of the enzyme. These results indicate that there is significant electron reequilibration only between cytochrome a3 and cytochrome a upon photolysis of the CO-bound mixed-valence enzyme.
Estimate of losses and signal-to-noise ratio in planar inductive micro-coil detectors used for NMR

A method for estimating high frequency resistance of induction micro-coils is presented. This method accounts for the so-called proximity effect arising due to the interaction between the turns of the coil. This method is also used in calculating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of induction micro-coils used as detectors of NMR signals. It is shown that the proximity effect plays an essential role in determining the optimum geometrical parameters of the micro-coil NMR detectors.
John Colet and Erasmus' Enchiridion

In the autumn of 1495 Desiderius Erasmus began his theological studies in Paris and during the next four years sampled the wares of Scotists lecturing at the University. From the Augustinian monastery at Steyn, where Erasmus pursued his own studies in secular literature under the disapproving eye of his abbot, the University of Paris must have seemed like a bank of resplendent lights drawing the Christian scholar into the company of learned and erudite colleagues. Exposure to scholasticism and to those who came to sharpen their skills in scholarly disputation soon convinced Erasmus that the light had been an ignis fatuus and that the university was no place for a free and eclectic spirit. Erasmus was as unhappy as a graduate student who realizes too late that he has enrolled in the wrong department at the wrong school. He bitterly complained that the schoolmen were sectarian, contentious, and confused; and he deplored the sparing and deleterious accommodations at the College de Montaigu, his place of residence. A small cadre of Parisian humanists who shared Erasmus' predilection for secular literature furnished the young scholar with some diversion, but Erasmus required little prompting to hasten from Paris. When William Blount, Lord Mountjoy, asked Erasmus to accompany him across the Channel to England in 1499, the Dutch scholar could not have been more pleased. By late summer he had made the crossing and had visited London, and by October he was dining in Oxford with Richard Charnock, Prior of St. Mary's College.
A distributed coverage- and connectivity-centric technique for selecting active nodes in wireless sensor networks

Due to their low cost and small form factors, a large number of sensor nodes can be deployed in redundant fashion in dense sensor networks. The availability of redundant nodes increases network lifetime as well as network fault tolerance. It is, however, undesirable to keep all the sensor nodes active at all times for sensing and communication. An excessive number of active nodes lead to higher energy consumption and it places more demand on the limited network bandwidth. We present an efficient technique for the selection of active sensor nodes in dense sensor networks. The active node selection procedure is aimed at providing the highest possible coverage of the sensor field, i.e., the surveillance area. It also assures network connectivity for routing and information dissemination. We first show that the coverage-centric active nodes selection problem is NP-complete. We then present a distributed approach based on the concept of a connected dominating set (CDS). We prove that the set of active nodes selected by our approach provides full coverage and connectivity. We also describe an optimal coverage-centric centralized approach based on integer linear programming. We present simulation results obtained using an ns2 implementation of the proposed technique.
A signature of evolutionary constraint on a subset of ectopically expressed olfactory receptor genes

Olfactory receptor (OR) genes constitute the basis for the sense of smell. It has long been observed that a subset of mammalian OR genes are expressed in nonolfactory tissues, in addition to their expression in the olfactory epithelium. However, it is unknown whether OR genes have alternative functions in the nonolfactory tissues. Using a dedicated microarray, we surveyed OR gene expression in olfactory epithelium as well as a number of nonolfactory tissues, in human and chimpanzee. Our observations suggest that ectopically expressed OR orthologous genes are expressed in the same nonolfactory tissues in human and chimpanzee more often than expected by chance alone. Moreover, we found that the subset of orthologous OR genes with conserved ectopic expression evolve under stronger evolutionary constraint than OR genes expressed exclusively in the olfactory epithelium. Thus, although we cannot provide direct functional data, our observations are consistent with the notion that a subset of ectopically expressed OR genes have additional functions in nonolfactory tissues.
Microhabitat Requirements of the Federally Endangered Dalea foliosa, with Recommendations on Establishment of New Populations

The microhabitat of the federally endangered Dalea foliosa was compared to that of its cedar glade congener D. gattingeri, as well as to adjoining habitat absent of both species but appearing suitable for D. foliosa (control site). Compared to D. gattingeri sites, D. foliosa sites had lower coverage of gravel, higher coverage of herbaceous vegetation, and deeper soils. Both species were present on sites with similar leaf litter and moss coverages. Nostoc commune was absent from D. foliosa populations, but present in most D. gattingeri populations. In terms of soil depth and coverage variables, control sites differed little from D. foliosa sites. Coverage of D. foliosa was negatively correlated with that of associated (neighboring) species. No appreciable differences in soil fertility were noted among sites. New populations of D. foliosa should be established in areas relatively free of competition, exposed to full or partial sunlight, with soil depths >4 cm, and near washes.
Wind runners: designing a game to encourage medical adherence for children with asthma

In this paper, we present Wind Runners, which is a game designed for children with asthma. The goal of Wind Runners is to increase the likelihood of asthmatic children adhering to the NIH's recommendation of measuring their peak expiratory flow (PEF) on a daily basis. We aim to accomplish this by incorporating both social gaming features and the actual medical regimen of measuring PEF into a mobile game.
Filtration and Dewatering of Fine Coal

Abstract A fundamental study on filtration and dewatering of fine coal is described. Experiments are being conducted in three areas: (1) The microscopic analysis of filter cakes, (2) The measurement of equilibrium desaturation and (3) The determination of filtration and dewatering rates. Preliminary experimental results are presented together with some observations on the microstructure of filter cakes. A three dimensional network model has also been developed and is being used to analyze experimental data.
Two sequence classes of kinetoplastid 5S ribosomal RNA gene revealed among bodonid spliced leader RNA gene arrays

The spliced leader RNA genes of Bodo saltans, Cryptobia helicis and Dimastigella trypaniformis were analyzed as molecular markers for additional taxa within the suborder Bodonina. The non-transcribed spacer regions were distinctive for each organism, and 5S rRNA genes were present in Bodo and Dimastigella but not in C. helicis. Two sequence classes of 5S rRNA were evident from analysis of the bodonid genes. The two classes of 5S rRNA genes were found in other Kinetoplastids independent of co-localization with the spliced leader RNA gene.
Biomass yield potential of short-rotation hardwoods in the Great Plains.

Abstract Wood for fuel has increased in importance. Its primary use in the world is for energy, increasingly coming from wood wastes and new biomass sources. One solution to the potential problem of using high-quality trees for fuel could be woody biomass grown under a short-rotation intensive culture system. Species, size, age and spacing are factors that affect biomass production of broadleafed trees. Trials of several species grown at close spacing (0·3 m x 0·3 m) and cut at various ages are described and related to the growth and yield of more conventionally spaced plantings on an alluvial site in eastern Kansas.
Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Coupling Approaches for Coupling of RELAP5 and LabVIEW

In the study and design of a nuclear power plant, extensive system modeling is necessary to determine how the reactor will perform in any given situation, not only in the normal performance of the ...
The Case for Federal Preemption of State Dealer Franchise Laws: Lessons Learned from General Motors’ Oldsmobile Litigation and Other Market Withdrawals

An argument for the federal preemption of state dealer franchise laws and a retrospective of the Oldsmobile phase-out.
Supersonic Business Jet Design and Requirements Exploration using Multiobjective Interactive Genetic Algorithms

Although market research has indicated that there is significant demand for a supersonic business aircraft, development of a feasible concept has proven difficult. Two factors contributing to this difficulty are the uncertain nature of the vehicle's requirements and the fact that conventional design methods are inadequate to solve such non-traditional problems. This paper describes the application of a multiobjective genetic algorithm to the design space exploration of such a supersonic business jet. Results obtained using this method are presented, and give insight into the important decisions that must be made at the early stages of a design project.
Sensitivity of the COSY dibaryon candidate to n p elastic scattering measurements

The case for a dibaryon resonance, appearing in $np$ scattering, has support from a WASA-at-COSY measurement of the polarization quantity ${A}_{y}$ over a center-of-mass energy region suggested by structures seen earlier in two-pion production experiments. Here we compare fits with and without an associated pole in order to clarify the impact of these COSY data. We then consider what further $np$ scattering measurements would most clearly distinguish between the pole and non-pole fit results.
Cholera Toxin Interactions with Host Cell Stress Proteins

Cholera toxin (CT) travels as an intact AB5 protein toxin from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of an intoxicated cell. In the ER, the catalytic A1 subunit dissociates from the rest of the toxin. Holotoxin-associated CTA1 is held in a stable conformation, but the isolated CTA1 subunit is an unstable protein that assumes a disordered state at physiological temperature. Unfolding identifies the dissociated CTA1 subunit as a substrate for ER-to-cytosol export through the host quality control system of ER-associated degradation (ERAD). The translocated pool of CTA1 then interacts with host factors to regain an active conformation for the modification of its cytosolic G protein target. Thus, the intrinsic conformational instability of the CTA1 polypeptide drives host-toxin interactions related to the translocation event. As discussed herein, these interactions involve both standard and atypical functions for a variety of host chaperones.
Human eyeball model reconstruction and quantitative analysis

Determining shape of the eyeball is important to diagnose eyeball disease like myopia. In this paper, we present an automatic approach to precisely reconstruct three dimensional geometric shape of eyeball from MR Images. The model development pipeline involved image segmentation, registration, B-Spline surface fitting and subdivision surface fitting, neither of which required manual interaction. From the high resolution resultant models, geometric characteristics of the eyeball can be accurately quantified and analyzed. In addition to the eight metrics commonly used by existing studies, we proposed two novel metrics, Gaussian Curvature Analysis and Sphere Distance Deviation, to quantify the cornea shape and the whole eyeball surface respectively. The experiment results showed that the reconstructed eyeball models accurately represent the complex morphology of the eye. The ten metrics parameterize the eyeball among different subjects, which can potentially be used for eye disease diagnosis.
Statin and Aspirin Use Among Hispanic and Latino Adults at High Cardiovascular Risk: Findings From the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Background Despite variations in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors among US Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse backgrounds, there is little information on whether disparities exist in the use of medications for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. We examined the prevalence of statin and aspirin use among diverse US Hispanic/Latino adults at high cardiovascular risk. Methods and Results A multicenter population‐based study, the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos, included a total of 16 415 participants of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, South American, and Central American backgrounds who were aged 18 to 74 years and enrolled between March 2008 and June 2011. Our analyses were limited to 4139 participants considered to be at high cardiovascular risk. Age‐adjusted prevalence of statin and aspirin use was 25% and 44%, respectively, overall but varied by Hispanic/Latino background among those at high cardiovascular risk; statin use was significantly higher ( P <0.001) among adults of Puerto Rican (33%) and Dominican (28%) backgrounds compared with adults of other backgrounds (Mexican, 24%; Cuban, 22%; Central American, 20%; South American, 22%). There was no difference in aspirin use. After adjusting for health insurance coverage, the difference in prevalence of statin use was substantially reduced among participants with a Puerto Rican background, from an odds ratio of 1.73 (95% CI 1.30–2.31) to 1.30 (95% CI 0.97–1.75), and with a Dominican background, from an odds ratio of 1.45 (95% CI 1.04–2.02) to 1.07 (95% CI 0.75–1.52), in comparison to their counterparts. Conclusions Among Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse backgrounds, statin use was more prevalent among adults with Puerto Rican and Dominican backgrounds at high cardiovascular risk. These differences in statin use were explained, in part, by differences in insurance coverage. These findings have important implications for the prevention of disparities in cardiovascular outcomes within the growing US Hispanic/Latino population.
Abstract 85: Trends In Hospital Readmission Rates among Older Adult Survivors of Mitral Valve Surgery

Background: While several studies have shown declining mortality rates after mitral valve surgery (MVS) in older adults, less is known about changes in experience among survivors. The purpose of our study was therefore to determine hospital readmission rates and days spent in the hospital (after index admission) in patients who survived mitral valve surgery up to one year. Methods: Inpatient Medicare data was used to identify 100% of Fee-for-Service patients ≥65 years of age who underwent mitral valve surgery between 1999 and 2010 and survived to one year (N=146,877). We used proportional hazards regression to analyze the all-cause post-MVS readmission rate in each year, number of days spent in the hospital (after index admission), and readmission rates by subgroups of age (65-74, 75-84, ≥85), sex, and race (black, white, other). Results: The overall one year post-MVS readmission rate among survivors of MVS decreased over time (49.5% to 46.9%, P =0.0029, for trend) (Figure). Mean number of hospital days per post-MVS hospitalization decreased as well (6.2 to 5.3, P<0.01). The readmission rate among survivors was highest in oldest patients, but declined in all age subgroups over time (65-74: 47.4% to 44.4%; 75-84: 51.4% to 49.2%, ≥85: 56.4% to 50.0%, all P<0.01). There were declines in women and men (women: 51.7% to 50.8%, P<0.01; men: 46.9% to 43.0%, P<0.01), and in whites and patients of other race, but not in blacks (whites: 49.0% to 46.2%, P<0.01; other: 55.0% to 48.9%, P<0.01; blacks: 58.1% to 59.0%, P=0.1823). Conclusions: Among older adults who survive MVS at one year, fewer than half are readmitted to the hospital. There has been a modest decrease in hospitalization rate and mean hospital days over time, although significant variations among subgroups deserve further study. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
A new platygastrid wasp from Florida (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

Synopeas russelli MacGown, n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens collected in Orlando, Florida. Numerous specimens of both sexes were collected in a malaise trap and others swept from coastalplain goldenaster, Chrysopsis scabrella, an indicator species for Florida scrub.
Sex and laterality differences in medial amygdala neurons and astrocytes of adult mice

The posterodorsal aspect of the medial amygdala (MePD) in rats is sexually dimorphic, being larger and containing more and larger neurons in males than in females. It is also highly lateralized, with the right MePD larger than the left in both sexes, but with the smaller left MePD actually containing more and larger neurons than the larger right. Astrocytes are also strikingly sexually differentiated, with male-biased numbers and lateralized favoring the right in the rat MePD. However, comparable information is scant for mice where genetic tools offer greater experimental power. Hence, we examined the MePD from adult male and female C57Bl/6(J) mice. We now report that the MePD is larger in males than in females, with the MePD in males containing more astrocytes and neurons than in females. However, we did not find sex differences in astrocyte complexity or overall glial number nor effects of laterality in either measure. While the mouse MePD is generally less lateralized than in rats, we did find that the sex difference in astrocyte number is only on the right because of a significant lateralization in females, with significantly fewer astrocytes on the right than the left but only in females. A sex difference in neuronal soma size favoring males was also evident, but only on the left. Sex differences in the number of neurons and astrocytes common to both rodent species may represent core morphological features that critically underlie the expression of sex-specific behaviors that depend on the MePD. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2492-2502, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clock Scheduling and Clock Tree Synthesis

The basic principles of operation of a synchronous digital VLSI system are described in Chapter 2. As demonstrated in Chapter 3, the propagation of signals through logic gates and interconnections requires a certain amount of time to complete. Therefore, a timing discipline is necessary to ensure that logical computations—whether executing concurrently or in sequence—operate on the proper data signals. As described in Chapter 4, this timing discipline is implemented by inserting storage elements, or registers, throughout the circuit. Also analyzed in Chapter 4 are the timing relationships among signals in local data paths based on the type of clock signal and storage element. Recall from Chapter 4 the relationships that must be satisfied in order for a local data path to operate properly [inequalities (4.8), (4.13), (4.23), (4.24), and (4.29)]. These relationships are written in the form of bounds on the clock skew T Skew in order to emphasize that bounds are imposed on T Skew by various parameters of the data paths and the clock signal. If any of the inequalities, (4.8), (4.13), (4.23), (4.24), or (4.29), is not satisfied, a timing violation occurs.
The Sabaean and other States of South Arabia

The Sabaeans were the first Arabians to step within the threshold of civilization. They figure in the late cuneiform inscriptions. The oldest reference to them in Greek literature is in Theophrastus († 288 b.c.), Historia plantarum.1 The southwestern corner of the peninsula was the early home of the Sabaeans.
Regulatory Treatment of On-Line Surveillance and Diagnostic Systems

For almost two decades, various university and national laboratory research groups have been developing surveillance and diagnostic techniques for application to nuclear power plants. For more than a decade, many of these techniques included various types of artificial intelligence based systems to develop a data-based model as a substitute for first principles models that were found deficient. The motivation for such techniques was to monitor the condition of signal channels with a view to reducing the number of calibrations required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). When the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) approached the NRC for approval of these systems, such use was not approved, primarily because of the uncertainty of the magnitude of the errors associated with the monitoring technique when used for sensor calibration. After eight years of interaction with the NRC, the EPRI submitted Topical Report #104965 “On-Line Monitoring of Instrument Channel Performance.” The NRC replied with 14 conditions that had to be met for acceptance. This paper discusses the EPRI topical report and NRC’s response.
No Survival Difference with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Compared with Chemotherapy in Resectable Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: Results from the National Cancer Data Base

Background Neoadjuvant treatment improves survival in resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the optimal regimen has not been defined. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) is associated with higher pathologic complete response (pCR) relative to chemotherapy (nCTX), but has not been shown to improve survival; however, previous studies have been underpowered to demonstrate a survival difference. The objective of this study was to determine if nCRT is associated with increased survival relative to nCTX in patients with resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma. Study Design The National Cancer Data Base (2006 to 2013) was retrospectively reviewed for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant treatment followed by resection. Data were collected regarding patient, disease, and treatment variables. Outcomes included 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS), pCR rate, and short-term postoperative outcomes. Propensity-adjusted analysis was conducted to account for baseline differences between treatment groups. Results Six hundred fifty patients received nCTX and 6,336 received nCRT. Patients who underwent nCTX had slightly smaller tumors, and fewer were clinical stage III at baseline. Pathologic complete response was 17.2% with nCTX and 31.6% with nCRT (p Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is not associated with improved survival relative to nCTX for resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma. Radiation may potentially be omitted in some patients with this disease.
Structure of the immature Zika virus at 9 Å resolution.

The current Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic is characterized by severe pathogenicity in both children and adults. Sequence changes in ZIKV since its first isolation are apparent when pre-epidemic strains are compared with those causing the current epidemic. However, the residues that are responsible for ZIKV pathogenicity are largely unknown. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the immature ZIKV at 9-A resolution. The cryo-EM map was fitted with the crystal structures of the precursor membrane and envelope glycoproteins and was shown to be similar to the structures of other known immature flaviviruses. However, the immature ZIKV contains a partially ordered capsid protein shell that is less prominent in other immature flaviviruses. Furthermore, six amino acids near the interface between pr domains at the top of the spikes were found to be different between the pre-epidemic and epidemic ZIKV, possibly influencing the composition and structure of the resulting viruses.