cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endoscopy of the calcaneal bursa in horses.

Objective—To describe endoscopic approaches to the calcaneal bursa and clinical findings in 2 horses with calcaneal bursitis. Study Design—Cadaver evaluations and retrospective case reports. Animals—12 cadavers and 2 adult horses. Methods—Cadaver specimens of the calcaneal bursa were evaluated with a rigid arthroscope and gross dissection to determine the endoscopic appearance of anatomic structures located within the bursa. The site(s) for placement of the arthroscope and instrument(s) was determined based on cadaver dissection and endoscopic examination. Results—Placement of the arthroscope 1 cm dorsal to the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and 1 cm distal to the medial or lateral aspect of the SDFT retinaculum allowed consistent examination of the tuber calcis, proximal aspect of the long plantar ligament, calcaneal tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle inserting on the tuber calcis, SDFT and the proximal and distal extent of the bursa. Lesions observed and treated with use of endoscopy included local bone necrosis of the proximoplantar aspect of the tuber calcis and damage of the origin of the long plantar ligament in one horse. Mild disruption of the superficial digital flexor tendon and long plantar ligament were observed and debrided in another horse. Conclusions—Endoscopic exploration of the calcaneal bursa is clinically feasible to treat infectious and noninfectious bursitis and to help identify the cause(s) of undiagnosed bursitis or lameness associated with the calcaneus, superficial digital flexor tendon, tendon of the gastrocnemius muscle, and the long plantar ligament. Clinical Relevance—An endoscopic approach to the calcaneal bursa is recommended whenever possible to decrease complications associated with surgery in this region and improve the diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious calcaneal bursitis.
Fractal geometry of vapor-phase aggregates.

Static and dynamic light scattering and small-angle x-ray scattering measurements are reported for vapor-phase aggregates of silica. From the static scattering data the fractal dimension is found to be approx.1.84 +- 0.08, in agreement with the prediction of the cluster-cluster aggregation model. The Rayleigh linewidth is found to vary as the 2.7 power of the momuntum transfer for large momentum transfer.
Computing the irreducible real factors and components of an algebraic curve

We present algorithms that decompose an algebraic curve with rational coefficients in its defining bivariate equation into its irreducible real factors and its non-empty irreducible real components. We show that our algorithms are of polynomial bit complexity in the degree of the equation and the size of its coefficients. Our construction is based on computing the irreducible complex factors and then investigating high precision complex floating point coefficients of these factors and the complex norms.
Lactate-proton cotransport in rabbit corneal epithelium.

The presence of the membrane transport mechanism, lactate-H+ cotransport, was tested in explants of rabbit corneal epithelium. Basal corneal epithellal cells were loaded with the pH sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF. Intracellular pH (pHi) was measured by ratioing the fluorescence emission output following excitation at 490 and 440 nm. Perfusion of explants in lactate-containing Ringer's, pH 7.40, produced a reversible decrease in pHi. The lactate induced proton influx (mM/min) followed saturating kinetics, Km = 10.7 mM lactate, Vmax = 10.2 mM/min. Proton influx following addition of 10 mM lactate was inhibited 36, 60 and 47% by pre-perfusion in 1 mM CHC (cyano-hydroxycinammic acid), 500 μM H2DIDS (4,4'-disothiocyanato -dihydrostilbene- 2,2'-disulfonic acid) and 1 mM LAIE (lactic acid isobutylester), respectively. These inhibitors of lactate-H + cotransport were reversible. Mersalyl acid (500 μM) inhibited proton flux from 10 mM lactate addition by nearly 100%, but was irreversible. Stimulation of lactate p...
Impact of burn-down herbicides on atrazine washoff from vegetation

Abstract Crop residue and living vegetation in no-till fields can intercept large amounts of the pesticides applied at the time of planting. Previous studies have shown that the type of plant tissue intercepting the pesticide can affect the amount washed off this report compares the washoff characteristics of two cover crops with dead crop residue before and after treatment with burn-down herbicides. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of burn-down herbicides, paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridylium dichloride) and glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) on washoff of atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethylamio)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine) from ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) and hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.). Ryegrass and hairy vetch were treated with paraquat and glyphosate and one or five days later 14C-atrazine was applied. Ryegrass, hairy vetch and dead crop residue not treated with paraquat and glyphosate were included as controls. One day after application of atrazine, all treatments were subjected to 4.5 to 5 cm of simulated rainfall at 9 mm h−1, leachate was collected and analyzed for atrazine. Atrazine washoff from hairy vetch, ryegrass and crop residue not treated with glyphosate or paraquat ranged from 29–37%, 43–49% and 70–75%, respectively, of the amount applied. Paraquat was more effective than glyphosate in increasing the amount of atrazine washoff in both ryegrass and hairy vetch. Washoff was increased when the time between application of the burn-down herbicides and atrazine was increased from one to five days, especially for the ryegrass treatments. Results indicate that availability of herbicides applied to no-till cropping systems may be significantly affected by type of vegetation and bum-down herbicide treatment.
Capping a Survey of All Extant Birds

With this 16th volume, del Hoyo et al. wrap up a 20-year series that covers all extant avian species.
Choosing models for health care cost analyses: issues of nonlinearity and endogeneity.

Objective To compare methods of analyzing endogenous treatment effect models for nonlinear outcomes and illustrate the impact of model specification on estimates of treatment effects such as health care costs. Data Sources Secondary data on cost and utilization for inpatients hospitalized in five Veterans Affairs acute care facilities in 2005–2006. Study Design We compare results from analyses with full information maximum simulated likelihood (FIMSL); control function (CF) approaches employing different types and functional forms for the residuals, including the special case of two-stage residual inclusion; and two-stage least squares (2SLS). As an example, we examine the effect of an inpatient palliative care (PC) consultation on direct costs of care per day. Data Collection/Extraction Methods We analyzed data for 3,389 inpatients with one or more life-limiting diseases. Principal Findings The distribution of average treatment effects on the treated and local average treatment effects of a PC consultation depended on model specification. CF and FIMSL estimates were more similar to each other than to 2SLS estimates. CF estimates were sensitive to choice and functional form of residual. Conclusions When modeling cost or other nonlinear data with endogeneity, one should be aware of the impact of model specification and treatment effect choice on results.
HUMAN TASTE GENETICS

Humans show substantial differences in taste sensitivity to many different substances. Some of this variation is known to be genetic in origin, and many other inter-individual differences are likely to be partially or wholly determined by genetic mechanisms. Recent advances in the understanding of taste at the molecular level have provided candidate genes that can be evaluated for contributions to phenotypic differences in taste abilities. This approach has provided an understanding of variation in the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), and has resolved long-standing controversies about the genetics of this classic human genetic trait. Significant coding sequence variation exists in taste receptor genes, which suggests that PTC tasting may indicate more general taste sensory variation. However, many aspects of taste perception remain poorly characterized. Better understanding of the molecular components of salty and sour tastes is still needed, as is a more complete picture of second messenger and downstream signaling mechanisms for all taste modalities. More general studies of linkage and association between genetic markers and taste phenotypes may reveal genes encoding proteins that were previously unsuspected to be involved in this sensory process.
Extending Castigliano’s Theorems to Model the Behavior of Coupled Systems

Extensions of the Castigliano theorems are developed in the context of modeling the behavior of both discrete coupled linear systems and various coupled beams. It is shown that the minimization of the displacement of a parallel system determined from Castigliano's second theorem can be used to formally define the apportionment of loads among the system elements, while the minimization of the load in a series system determined from Castigliano's first theorem can be used to formally define the apportionment of the displacement among the system elements. These extensions provide a means for apportioning loads in coupled continuous systems, as will be shown for the cases of coupled cantilever Timoshenko beams supporting discrete and continuous loads.
The Need for Safe Water as a Market Opportunity

There is a huge unmet need across the globe for access to safe drinking water. This problem kills millions of our brethren each year—780,000 in India alone. 1 Diarrheal disease causes 1,600 deaths a day—more than any other. While we in the U.S. and other Western nations simply turn the handle on a faucet to access drinking water, people in many parts of the world spend a major portion of each day seeking sources of water and gathering wood or other fuel to boil the water in order to destroy potentially deadly microorganisms. This burden falls primarily to women and young girls. It is revealing that seven of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are associated with having access to safe water. These include achieving gender equality; combating extreme poverty (73 million working days are lost each year in India due to waterborne disease); providing primary education (37.7 million Indians are sick from waterborne disease each year—many of them school-age children); and preventing child mortality (diarrheal disease kills 400,000 to 500,000 Indian children under age five each year). 2 Promoting maternal health, combating disease, and ensuring environmental sustainability are other MDGs related to having safe water. Global trends suggest that both ground- and surface-water sources, especially in developing countries, are becoming more, not less, polluted. These conditions constitute an enormous social challenge that has persisted despite significant efforts by governments and international agencies to relieve them. Another way of looking at this problem, however, is to observe that it constitutes a large unmet demand and hence a potential business or social-enterprise opportunity. In fact,
Formulating Wet Alfalfa Juice Protein Concentrate Diets for Chicks

Abstract Two trials were conducted with broiler strain chicks to compare two systems of formulation of corn-soy diets with wet alfalfa juice protein concentrate (AJPC). In the first system water contributed by the wet protein above the level of 10% in the diet was not considered to dilute nutrients (“parts basis”) and in the second system the water was considered as a diluent which necessitated adjustments in the feed formulation. All diets were calculated to contain 20% crude protein, .93% total sulfur-containing amino acids, .2% choline and 2,950 kcal metabolizable energy/kg diet. The diets, on a percent basis, were a corn-soy basal, 20% and 30% AJPC; and AJPC on a parts of total diet basis, 20 parts/114 parts diet; 30 parts/121 parts diet; 40 parts/128 parts diet; and 50 parts/135 parts diet. Propionic acid was added to all the diets at a level of .2% of the total diet to protect against mold activity. Feeds were kept at 7 C and fed out daily. The study showed that formulation of wet AJPC diets on a parts basis is a valid procedure above 20 parts of AJPC. Within the range of AJPC concentrations studied, chicks compensated for the wetness of the feed by comsuming more of it and thus achieved the same level of dry matter intake from all diets. Inclusion of 50 parts AJPC in the diet significantly (P
Realtime control and graphical simulation using microcomputers

Abstract This paper presents the study of realtime graphical animation/ simulation and realtime control of an AS/RS warehouse simulator using IBM PC microcomputers. ANSI Fortran is used for application development. Assembler routines have been developed to provide port I/O and graphics capabilities. The system being simulated is an Automated Storage and Retrieval system with a choice of several storage and retrieval strategies/algorithms (First-In-First-Out, Last-In-First-Out, Random selection, and closest to the current location, etc.). A physical simulator consisting of a four axis stacker crane serving a two multi-level bays is used. The pallets are identified by standard barcode labels and a fixed beam barcode reader is used for identifying parts entering/leaving the warehouse. The stacker and the barcode reader are controlled by the PC while simultaneously updating the graphics display of the facility. This application also illustrates the concept of multi-tasking in that the control of AS/RS and animation of its graphical display are “concurrent”.
Resolvin D1 and Aspirin-Triggered Resolvin D1 Regulate Histamine-stimulated Conjunctival Goblet Cell Secretion

Resolution of inflammation is an active process mediated by pro-resolution lipid mediators. As resolvin (Rv) D1 is produced in the cornea, pro-resolution mediators could be effective in regulating inflammatory responses to histamine in allergic conjunctivitis. Two key mediators of resolution are the D-series resolvins RvD1 or aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1). We used cultured conjunctival goblet cells to determine whether histamine actions can be terminated during allergic responses. We found cross-talk between two types of G protein-coupled receptors (GPRs), as RvD1 interacts with its receptor GPR32 to block histamine-stimulated H1 receptor increases in intracellular [Ca(2+)] ([Ca(2+)]i) preventing H1 receptor-mediated responses. In human and rat conjunctival goblet cells, RvD1 and AT-RvD1 each block histamine-stimulated secretion by preventing its increase in [Ca(2+)]i and activation of extracellular regulated-protein kinase (ERK)1/2. We suggest that D-series resolvins regulate histamine responses in the eye and offer new treatment approaches for allergic conjunctivitis or other histamine-dependent pathologies.
UWB Signal Detection Based on Sequence Optimization

We propose a novel approach to UWB signal detection, where a spreading sequence is transmitted, and signal detection, based on sequence optimization for the multipath detection at the correlator-receiver is based on a fixed spread-transmission channel. The transmit waveform is made up of a train of delayed and scaled pulses, the amplitudes of which can he represented by a real-valued sequence. The correlator template at the receiver is formed of another real-valued sequence. Both sequences are jointly optimized such that the correlation of the received signal with the correlation template is maximized. These results in coherent combining of a substantial number of the multipath components at the receiver, leading to very high energy capture with the use of a simple receiver. Simulation results based on measured channel profiles show that the proposed scheme offers substantial improvements over a Rake receiver using a large number of fingers and maximum ratio combining. Also, the proposed scheme gives improved performance over a pilot-assisted template receiver with a heavy training overload
Synthesis, Morphology and Viscoelastic Properties of Epoxy/Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) and Epoxy/Cyanate Ester/POSS Nanocomposites

TriSilanolPhenyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-1) (C42H38O12Si7), 1–15 wt%, was incorporated into aliphatic epoxy resin (Clearstrem Products, Inc.) with aliphatic diamine curing agents and cured. This epoxy resin was also blended with an equal weight (50/50 w/w) of aromatic cyanate ester resin, Lonza’s PT-15, and 1–15 wt% of POSS-1 and cured. These composites were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (X-EDS), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and three-point bending flexural tests. XRD and X-EDS measurements were consistant with partial molecular dispersion of the POSS units in the continuous matrix phase, together with POSS aggregates. TEM and SEM show that POSS-1-enriched nanoparticles are present in the matrix resins of both the epoxy/POSS and epoxy/cyanate ester/POSS-1 composites. The storage bending moduli, E′, in the rubbery region and the glass transition temperatures, Tg, of epoxy and epoxy/cyanate ester 1-5% POSS-1 composites are higher than those of the reference resins. Small amounts (≤5 wt%) of POSS-1 improved E′ and Tg of both systems and raised flexural strengths and moduli.
The peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs)

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are innate immunity molecules present in insects, mollusks, echinoderms, and vertebrates, but not in nematodes or plants. PGRPs have at least one carboxy-terminal PGRP domain (approximately 165 amino acids long), which is homologous to bacteriophage and bacterial type 2 amidases. Insects have up to 19 PGRPs, classified into short (S) and long (L) forms. The short forms are present in the hemolymph, cuticle, and fat-body cells, and sometimes in epidermal cells in the gut and hemocytes, whereas the long forms are mainly expressed in hemocytes. The expression of insect PGRPs is often upregulated by exposure to bacteria. Insect PGRPs activate the Toll or immune deficiency (Imd) signal transduction pathways or induce proteolytic cascades that generate antimicrobial products, induce phagocytosis, hydrolyze peptidoglycan, and protect insects against infections. Mammals have four PGRPs, which are secreted; it is not clear whether any are directly orthologous to the insect PGRPs. One mammalian PGRP, PGLYRP-2, is an N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase that hydrolyzes bacterial peptidoglycan and reduces its proinflammatory activity; PGLYRP-2 is secreted from the liver into the blood and is also induced by bacteria in epithelial cells. The three remaining mammalian PGRPs are bactericidal proteins that are secreted as disulfide-linked homo- and hetero-dimers. PGLYRP-1 is expressed primarily in polymorphonuclear leukocyte granules and PGLYRP-3 and PGLYRP-4 are expressed in the skin, eyes, salivary glands, throat, tongue, esophagus, stomach, and intestine. These three proteins kill bacteria by interacting with cell wall peptidoglycan, rather than permeabilizing bacterial membranes as other antibacterial peptides do. Direct bactericidal activity of these PGRPs either evolved in the vertebrate (or mammalian) lineage or is yet to be discovered in insects.
Challenges of Using Medical Insurance Claims Data for Utilization Analysis

Research use of insurance claims data presents unique challenges and requires a series of value judgments that are intended to improve the data quality. In this study, medical insurance claims from 2 large companies were combined to assess utilization of complementary and alternative medicine. Challenges included assessing and improving the quality of data, combining data from 2 different companies with dissimilar coding systems, and determining the most appropriate ways to describe utilization. This article addresses 4 methodologic challenges in creating the analytic files: (1) conversion of claims into unique visits, (2) identification of incomplete claims data, (3) categorization of providers and locations of service, and (4) selecting the most useful measures of utilization and expenditures.
Legislative Responsiveness to Black Constituents in Three Deep South States

Studies of legislative responsiveness to black constituents which have been based on Congressional roll calls have consistently found no relationship between the black proportion of the constituency and various measures of responsiveness. This paper examines the roll-call voting behavior of state senators in Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana on three areas of interest to blacks: redistributive issues, civil rights and liberties, and issues with an overt racial component. The measure of black voting strength in the constituency has a positive and usually significant impact on support scores in all three legislatures. When only white legislators are analyzed, the black voting strength variable loses explanatory power but generally remains positive.
Computational analysis and predictive modeling of polymorph descriptors

A computation approach based on integrating high throughput binding affinity comparison and binding descriptor classifications was utilized to establish the correlation among substrate properties and their affinity to Breast Cancer Resistant Protein (BCRP). The uptake rates of Mitoxantrone in the presence of various substrates were evaluated as an in vitro screening index for comparison of their binding affinity to BCRP. The effects of chemical properties of various chemotherapeutics, such as antiviral, antibiotic, calcium channel blockers, anticancer and antifungal agents, on their affinity to BCRP, were evaluated using HEK (human embryonic kidney) cells in which 3 polymorphs, namely 482R (wild type) and two mutants (482G and 482T) of BCRP, have been identified. The quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed using the sequential approaches of Austin Model 1 (AM1), CODESSA program, heuristic method (HM) and multiple linear regression (MLR) to establish the relationship between structural specificity of BCRP substrates and their uptake rates by BCRP polymorphs. The BCRP mutations may induce conformational changes as manifested by the altered uptake rates of Mitoxantrone by BCRP in the presence of other competitive binding substrates that have a varying degree of affinities toward BCRP efflux. This study also revealed that the binding affinity of test substrates to each polymorph was affected by varying descriptors, such as constitutional, topological, geometrical, electrostatic, thermodynamic, and quantum chemical descriptors. Descriptors involved with the net surface charge and energy level of substrates seem to be the common integral factors for defining binding specificity of selected substrates to BCRP polymorph. The reproducible outcomes and validation process further supported the accuracy of the computational model in assessing the correlation among descriptors involved with substrate affinity to BCRP polymorph. A quantitative computation approach will provide important structural insight into optimal designing of new chemotherapeutic agents with improved pharmacological efficacies.
The mobility of two kinase domains in the Escherichia coli chemoreceptor array varies with signalling state

Motile bacteria sense their physical and chemical environment through highly cooperative, ordered arrays of chemoreceptors. These signalling complexes phosphorylate a response regulator which in turn governs flagellar motor reversals, driving cells towards favourable environments. The structural changes that translate chemoeffector binding into the appropriate kinase output are not known. Here, we apply high-resolution electron cryotomography to visualize mutant chemoreceptor signalling arrays in well-defined kinase activity states. The arrays were well ordered in all signalling states, with no discernible differences in receptor conformation at 2–3 nm resolution. Differences were observed, however, in a keel-like density that we identify here as CheA kinase domains P1 and P2, the phosphorylation site domain and the binding domain for response regulator target proteins. Mutant receptor arrays with high kinase activities all exhibited small keels and high proteolysis susceptibility, indicative of mobile P1 and P2 domains. In contrast, arrays in kinase-off signalling states exhibited a range of keel sizes. These findings confirm that chemoreceptor arrays do not undergo large structural changes during signalling, and suggest instead that kinase activity is modulated at least in part by changes in the mobility of key domains.
Can cord blood banks transform into induced pluripotent stem cell banks

Abstract The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the rapid evolution of clinically compliant protocols to generate such lines from a variety of tissue sources has raised the possibility that personalized medicine may be achievable in the near future. Several strategies to deliver iPSCs for iPSC-derived cell-based therapy have been proposed: one such model has been the cell-banking model, using processes developed by the cord blood industry. The cord blood industry has evolved primarily as a banking model in which units of cord blood harvested from discarded placenta are stored either in a public or a private cord blood bank for future use. The consideration of a cord blood–like banking model has been further spurred by the realization that this population of cells is an ideal starting sample to generate pluripotent cells. Spurred by these technological advances, major efforts are underway to develop a current Good Manufacturing Practice–compliant protocol to generate iPSCs from cord blood and to develop a haplobanking strategy. In this article, we discuss the issues that may affect such an effort.
Adapting Agent Expertise Based on Future Expectations

We consider a domain where each agent is an expert in a particular task type and can ask other, expert agents, to perform tasks for which it is not an expert. Agents are self-interested and respond favorably to requests for help only if the requesting agent is estimated to provide reciprocal benefits. It has been shown that self-interested agents can develop mutually beneficial cooperative relations with other like minded agents of complementary expertise in such domains [2]. One constraint of that work was the assumption of fixed agent expertise. In a dynamic environment with continuously varying task distributions, however, agents will have to change their area of expertise to increase profitability and maintain competitiveness. In this paper, we present an adaptive mechanism for choosing task expertise that estimates the likelihood of forming beneficial coalition with agents of complementary expertise allowing the agent to improve its utility.
Feeling at Home in College: Fortifying School‐Relevant Selves to Reduce Social Class Disparities in Higher Education

Social class disparities in higher education between working-class students (i.e., students who are low income and/or do not have parents with four-year college degrees) and middle-class students (i.e., students who are high income and/or have at least one parent with a four year-degree) are on the rise. There is an urgent need for interventions, or changes to universities' ideas and practices, to increase working-class students' access to and performance in higher education. The current article identifies key factors that characterize successful interventions aimed at reducing social class disparities, and proposes additional interventions that have the potential to improve working-class students' chances of college success. As we propose in the article, effective interventions must first address key individual and structural factors that can create barriers to students' college success. At the same time, interventions should also fortify school-relevant selves, or increase students' sense that the pursuit of a college degree is central to “who I am.” When students experience this strong connection between their selves and what it means to attend and perform well in college, they will gain a sense that they fit in the academic environment and will be empowered to do what it takes to succeed there.
Momentum Balance and Eliassen–Palm Flux on Moist Isentropic Surfaces

AbstractPrevious formulations for the zonally averaged momentum budget and Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux diagnostics do not adequately account for moist dynamics, since air parcels are not differentiated by their moisture content when averages are taken. The difficulty in formulating the momentum budget in moist coordinates lies in the fact that they are generally not invertible with height. Here, a conditional-averaging approach is used to derive a weak formulation of the momentum budget and EP flux in terms of a general vertical coordinate that is not assumed to be invertible. The generalized equation reduces to the typical mass-weighted zonal-mean momentum equation for invertible vertical coordinates.The weak formulation is applied here to study the momentum budget on moist isentropes. Recent studies have shown that the meridional mass transport in the midlatitudes is twice as strong on moist isentropes as on dry isentropes. It is shown here that this implies a similar increase in the EP flux between the dry...
The Sonographer Practitioner One Piece to the Radiologist Shortage Puzzle

s the demand for radiologists has outstripped supply, nonphysician personnel have been trained to lessen the radiologist’s workload. More efficient use of radiologist time is critical as the shortage of radiologists worsens. Historically, radiologists have employed physician extenders or technologists to handle patient coordination, chart review, scheduling, and administrative work, allowing the physicians to focus on image interpretation and procedures. Many other subspecialties already employ physician assistants and extenders. In many practices, technologists perform standard barium-enhanced procedures, which are interpreted by radiologists. In computed tomography, physician extenders can help with chart review, protocol selection, and communication with referring physicians. We are unaware of prior articles that have discussed physician extenders in sonography. Here we describe our experience with a physician extender in sonography at a large tertiary center.
Sublethal Doses of Sodium Fluoride Affecting Fecundity of Confused Flour Beetles

When pairs of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin duVal, were placed on the day of emergence in 1 g of unbleached enriched “Patent” wheat flour containing 0, 10-4, 10-3, 10-2 and 10-1% NaF for 7 days, and then transferred: (A) to the same level of poison; (B) to poisoned flour from unpoisoned flour; and (C) to unpoisoned flour from poisoned flour, egg production (through the 27th day) was significantly increased by limited exposure to poison (Treatment C) with pronounced stimulation at 10-1% poison. Egg production, as well as survival, was adversely affected by prolonged exposure (Treatments A and B) to 10-1% poison. In a 2nd test, where pairs of beetles were placed in 1 g of flour containing 1% NaF for 0, 2, 4, and 6 days, then transferred to unpoisoned flour, the mean total egg production per female following 2 and 4 days’ exposure (126.3 and 122.7) was significantly greater than that of the control group (116.0). The poison had an adverse effect through the 1st egg-collection period (7th-12th day) following exposure for 4 and 6 days, but stimulation was apparent for the rest of the collection periods.
Increased Susceptibility of Pyrethroid-Resistant Horn Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) to Chlorfenapyr

Chlorfenapyr (AC 303630) was found to be 5 times as toxic to pyrethroid-resistant horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), as to susceptible. We hypothesize this difference occurs because higher levels of mixed function oxidises in the resistant flies convert more chlorfenapyr (a pro-insecticide) to the insecticidal form. This negative cross-resistance between chlorfenapyr and pyre thyroids offers new resistance management possibilities.
Seasonal Occurrence and Distribution of Fungi Associated with Spartina Alterniflora from a Rhode Island Estuary

The seasonal occurrence and distribution of filamentous fungi on the aerial parts of salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, along a Rhode Island estuary were studied over a 26-mon period. Fungal fruiting bodies were observed on freshly collected standing plants and their frequency varied with the season. Frequency patterns were similar over the two growth-death cycles studied and indicate there may be a characteristic mycota associated with S. alterniflora. The Ascomycetes Buergenerula spartinae and Phaeosphaeria typharum were found to invade early during the growing season and the Deuteromycetes Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, and Stagonospora sp. reached their highest frequencies at the time of seed production. Species of Leptosphaeria and Pleospora were found primarily on dead standing culms. A combination of both marine and terrestrial fungi can be observed on S. alterniflora, with the marine species occurring on the lower portion of standing plants. The number of observations of fungal species/plant was the greatest at the time of seed production, senescence, and death (September-January). The mycota at the three sampling stations, which differed in salinity, was similar and, in general, the fungi which occurred at the highest frequencies were found at all the sampling stations.
Retained guidewires after intraoperative placement of central venous catheters

Guidewire retention is a rare complication of central venous catheter placement, and has been related to operator fatigue, inexperience, and inattention, and inadequate supervision of trainees. The true incidence of guidewire loss after intraoperative placement of central venous catheters is unknown. We report 4 cases of guidewire loss after central venous access procedures performed by anesthesia providers in the operating room. Worsening of patients' clinical condition during catheter placement and complex procedures necessitating more than one guidewire insertion are recurring scenarios in cases involving guidewire loss. Over 6 years at our institution, intraoperative wire loss occurred at a rate of 1:3291 procedures (95% confidence interval of 1/10,000 to 8/10,000).
Janus nanoparticles as versatile phase-transfer reagents.

Janus nanoparticles were prepared by interfacial ligand-exchange reactions of hexanethiolate-protected gold (AuC6) nanoparticles with 3-mercapto-1,2-propanediol (MPD) at the air|water interface. As nanoscale analogues to conventional amphiphilic molecules, the resulting Janus nanoparticles were found to form oil-in-water micelle-like or water-in-oil reverse micelle-like superparticulate structures depending on the solvent media. These unique characteristics were exploited for the effective transfer of diverse guest nanoparticles between organic and water phases. The transfer of hydrophobic nanoparticles from organic to water media or water-soluble nanoparticles to the organic phase was evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV–vis, and photoluminescence measurements. In particular, line scans based on energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that the vesiclelike structures consisted of multiple layers of Janus nanoparticles which encapsulated the guest nanoparticles in the...
Analysis and Treatment of Voltage Abnormality in a 500kV Capacitor Voltage Transformer

This paper simply introduces a fault of secondary voltage abnormality in a 500 kV capacitor voltage transformer after operation,analysis based on the structure and operation principle of CVT,and the reason is improper installation of capacitor units of capacitive divider in CVT.Fault eliminates and voltage signals indicate properly after regulation for capacitor units on site.At the same time,advisable suggestions propose for installation and commissioning of CVT before operation.
The Effect of Supplier Commitment on Channel Performance

Channel relationships are often characterized by discord and a lack of cooperative behaviors, making the study of channel performance a priority. Previously, authors have attributed positive channel outcomes to the presence of relational norms, the use of specific monitoring and control mechanisms, the structure of the marketing organization, and the degree of collaborative communication in the relationship. While these factors are clearly important, they ignore the contribution of firms' attitudinal bonding toward one another. The primary purpose of this paper is to conceptualize and test a model that links a supplier's commitment to a focal reseller to channel performance. More specifically, we demonstrate that the nature of commitment is a key factor in determining the partners' ability to succeed in the reseller's territory.
Thyroid hormone responses to military winter exercises in the Arctic region.

The effects of military field exercises in the arctic on thyroid hormone concentrations were examined in Norwegian soldiers (n = 35). Originally the soldiers were divided into 4 groups having low (2 h) or high (6 h) levels of daily sleep, and low or high physical work requirements during the field exercises. The operations were three days of stimulated combat scenarios during winter. Day 1 consisted of 30 h without sleep. Sleep was then provided at approximately 18-22 h intervals thereafter. Blood samples were taken immediately prior to the exercises (BASELINE), during the exercises at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, and at 24 h and 48 h of recovery from the exercises (REC1, and REC2). Hormonal analysis consisted of total (T) thyroxine (TT4), free (f) T4, total triidothyronine (TT3), fT3, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). No significant group interactions were observed therefore groups were pooled. However, main effects over time (i.e., days) were observed for all hormones (p < 0.001). TSH declined throughout the exercises, as did fT3. TT4, fT4, and TT3 increased in the first 24 to 48 h of the exercises, then progressively declined thought REC1. By REC2, TT4, fT4, and TSH showed trends towards returning to BASELINE levels, although recovery was not complete. The findings from this study demonstrates that thyroid hormone concentrations become reduced with as little as 72 h of military field operations in an arctic winter environment. However, short-term sleep deprivation and differing levels of physical work seem to have no major impact on the magnitude of the hormonal changes.
Elevation of extracellular magnesium rapidly raises intracellular free nbsp Mg sup 2 sup nbsp in human aortic endothelial cells is extracellular Mg sup 2 sup a regulatory cation

Extracellular magnesium ions [Mg2+]o are known to regulate functions of endothelial cells, but whether [Mg2+]o can alter intracellular free ionized magnesium [Mg2+]i in these cells remains unknown. The present studies, using digital imaging microscopy and the Mg2+ fluorescent probe, mag-fura-2, determined effects of elevation of [Mg2+]o on [Mg2+]i in cultured human aortic endothelial cells. With normal Mg2+(1.2 mM)-containing incubation media, [Mg2+]i was 0.51+/-0.04 mM with a heterogeneous distribution. The ratio of [Mg2+]i/[Mg2+]o was 0.52+/-0.07. Elevation of [Mg2+]o up to 4.8 mM increased [Mg2+]i to 0.80+/-0.07 mM in 2-10 min and lowered the ratio of [Mg2+]i/[Mg2+]o to 0.16+/-0.02. Irrespective of the observed increments of [Mg2+]i, a subcellular heterogeneous distribution of [Mg2+]i was always evident in all cells tested. Our results suggest that [Mg2+]o can regulate [Mg2+]i more rapidly than heretofore believed, supporting the hypothesis that extracellular Mg2+ can exert regulatory effects on endothelial cell functions and probably act as extracellular regulatory cations
Finite abstraction of mixed monotone systems with discrete and continuous inputs

Abstract We present an efficient computational procedure for finite abstraction of discrete-time mixed monotone systems by considering a rectangular partition of the state space. Mixed monotone systems are decomposable into increasing and decreasing components, and significantly generalize the well known class of monotone systems. We tightly overapproximate the one-step reachable set from a box of initial conditions by computing a decomposition function at only two points, regardless of the dimension of the state space. We first consider systems with a finite set of operating modes and then extend the formulation to systems with continuous control inputs. We apply our results to verify the dynamical behavior of a model for insect population dynamics and to synthesize a signaling strategy for a traffic network.
Weed-Management Systems

Abstract The goals of this chapter are to understand the logical components of successful weed management systems and the complexity of combining available weed control techniques. The chapter explains the goal of integrated weed management, which is to stabilize weed population at a low level using economically and environmentally sound and sustainable methods. The role of computer-based decision aid models in weed management is introduced.
CHAPTER 2 – The Noncatechol Tracer 6-Fluoro-m-Tyrosine: Extrastriatal Distribution of Dopaminergic Function

This chapter presents results from positron emission tomography (PET) scans in rhesus monkeys using a dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) analog, which is not catecholic and not methylated, and therefore has much higher specific-to-nonspecific activity in PET studies of the brain. This allows the delineation of areas of small concentrations of dopaminergic neurons and terminals. Because of the decarboxylating enzyme that acts on DOPA, 18 F-6-fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA), and 18 F-6-fluoro-meta-tyrosine (FMT) present in all catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons, small concentrations of nondopaminergic neurons are also demonstrated. This tracer may be particularly useful in the evaluation of diseases, such as schizophrenia, that involve extrastriatal dopamine systems. Dopamine is the dominant monoaminergic neurotransmitter in the striatum, and dopaminergic neurons may be responsible for much of the limbic, diencephalic, and mesencephalic uptake as well. However, the presence of specific FMT uptake diffusely through the brain stem, including large areas without dopaminergic cell bodies or terminals, demonstrates accumulation in other monoamine neurons. Lack of the 3-O-methyl metabolite after FMT administration will markedly simplify dopaminergic PET scans performed for the evaluation of the nigrostriatal system in patients with movement disorders. More striking, however, is the possibility that smaller concentrations of extrastriatal Dopaminergic terminals may be now measurable in vivo by PET, which may be important in studying diseases such as schizophrenia. Even the “confounding” specific accumulation of FMT in nondopaminergic neurons may find eventual scientific or clinical use. Studies should be carried out soon to assess both the chemoarchitectural features and potential clinical significance of this tracer in the human brain.
Wernicke’s Disease

The clinical entity Wernicke’s disease was first described by Dr. Carl Wernicke in 1881. In this manuscript, Wernicke described both clinical features and autopsy findings (Wernicke, 1881). The description was of three patients, and clinical features consisted of ataxia, strabismus, nystagmus, diplopia, disorientation, and stupor. The findings at autopsy were similar and consisted of small hemorrhages located in periaqueductal gray. Wernicke interpreted this to be an acute inflammatory disease primarily of the ocular nuclei.
Non-surgical approach to the thoracic duct: a technique whose time has come.

Garcia and co-authors are to be commended for their success in alleviating the chylous leak in this patient who had suffered through numerous previous attempts at resolving the problem. The fact that the initial surgical procedure to resect a lymphangioma was interrupted owing to a large amount of chyle leaking from the tumor bed clearly presaged the problem that would haunt this patient for the next nine months. There can be no question that it is way more preferable to avoid and prevent chyle leaks than trying to fix a chyle leak. That being said recent advances in minimally invasive techniques and specifically the ability to embolize the thoracic duct with coils and glue have been literally “lifesavers”.
Oxide layer development under thermal cycling and its role on damage evolution and spallation in TBC system

The nature and cause of failure of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) consisting of physical vapor deposited (PVD) yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ, 8 wt.% Y2O3) and a diffusion aluminide bond coat (Pt-Al) were investigated after oxidative thermal cycling and isothermal heat treatment at 1177 °C in air. Experiments were conducted for 45 and 10-minute hold times and for isothermal condition for disk specimens with and without TBC. It is found that microcracks starts in the oxide scales at the bond coat grain boundary protrusions. Total number of thermal cycles affect the density of microcracks within the TGO layer. Evidence is presented that higher density of microcracks in the 10-min hold-time experiments tend to separate the TBC from the TGO layer via extensive coating “micro-decohesion” and promotes 'complete' TBC separation as opposed to traditional 'partial' spallation of TBC from the substrate as in the 45-min hold-time and isothermal experiments.
A summary of the Planck constant determinations using the NRC Kibble balance

We present a summary of the Planck constant determinations using the NRC watt balance, now referred to as the NRC Kibble balance. The summary includes a reanalysis of the four determinations performed in late 2013, as well as three new determinations performed in 2016. We also present a number of improvements and modifications to the experiment resulting in lower noise and an improved uncertainty analysis. As well, we present a systematic error that had been previously unrecognized and we have quantified its correction. The seven determinations, using three different nominal masses and two different materials, are reanalysed in a manner consistent with that used by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants (TGFC) and includes a comprehensive assessment of correlations. The result is a Planck constant of 6.626 070 133(60) ×10−34 Js and an inferred value of the Avogadro constant of 6.022 140 772(55) ×1023 mol−1. These fractional uncertainties of less than 10−8 are the smallest published to date.
An overview of reproducible 3D seismic data processing and imaging using Madagascar

ABSTRACTWe present an overview of reproducible 3D seismic data processing and imaging using the Madagascar open-source software package. So far, there has been a limited number of studies on the pr...