cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the thermal decomposition behavior for members of the hydroxylamine family

Abstract In the present work the thermal stability of some members of the hydroxylamine family was studied using adiabatic calorimetry. The study included aqueous solutions of hydroxylamine free base, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hydroxylamine sulfate, and hydroxylamine-o-sulfonic acid of concentrations typically used in industry. Also, the catalytic effect of metal surfaces of stainless steel, carbon steel, and titanium was studied. From the solutions studied HA is the most reactive with higher maximum temperature, pressure, non-condensable pressure, and lower time to maximum rate. HA maximum heat rate is at least ∼3 times higher than that of the other solutions studied, and the pressure generation rate is ∼13 times higher. All decompositions were catalyzed by stainless steel, but only HA was catalyzed significantly by titanium metal. Solid hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hydroxylamine sulfate, and hydroxylamine-o-sulfonic acid exhibited stability up to ∼60 °C. Hydroxylamine 100% was not studied because it is not readily available, is not used industrially, and is known to be unstable at room temperature. A violent reaction was measured for solid hydroxylamine sulfate that generated a heat rate >500 °C/min and pressure rate >5200 psia/min before the sample cell was completely destroyed by the generated pressure.
Industry Structure and Corporate Debt Maturity

We examine how industry competition affects firms’ choice of short-term debt. We find thatthepercentageofshort-termdebtispositivelyrelatedtoindustryconcentrationatlowlevels of concentration, and inversely related to industry concentration at higher levels of concentration. This nonlinear relation is stronger in industries where firms are either more homogeneous or compete more aggressively. Moreover, we find that firms with shorter-maturity debt are less aggressive than their rivals in the product market. The overall evidence suggests that although financial contracts alleviate agency problems, they exacerbate the risk of predation.
XUV emission from above the solar west limb near 20:00 UT, January 17, 1974

A complex eruptive event took place on January 17, 1974 at approximately 19:20 UT in McMath Hulbert Plage No. 12 686, located near N 06o and behind the west limb. The effects were recorded by the XUV spectroheliograph on Skylab from 19:44 UT to 20:46 UT. An eruptive prominence of spray was observed in Heii 304 A to reach >1Rs. It was also photographed in many emission lines at temperatures reaching 1 MK in Mgix. There were at least four other parts of the eruption, each changing character differently with temperature. These first appeared with Ne.vii at 0.6 MK, and were recorded in lines of ions up to Fexvi at 2.6 MK.
A critical review of research on hospital mortality among medical–surgical and acute myocardial infarction patients

Research results reporting the relationships of hospital structural characteristics to inpatient mortality for medical–surgical and Acute Myocardial Infarction patients are inconclusive. Hospital characteristics thought to be significantly associated with mortality are: percentage of board-certified physicians, the hospital's teaching status, and technological resource availability. Yet studies of these characteristics have yielded mixed results. Only Registered Nurse ratios (measures of Registered Nurse hours per patient days or per patient) have been shown to be consistently (and inversely) associated with mortality. However, far fewer studies have examined the impact of this variable and design weaknesses, including the absence of a conceptual framework to guide the selection of a given study's explanatory variables, have hindered those that have. Further, inconsistencies, indeed clear contradictions, in these studies’ findings (with the exception of nurse ratios) necessitate further analysis of both research methods and interpretation of results. Such analyses must occur to promote advances in research design and methodology in studies of inpatient mortality.
Understanding & enabling networks in digital government

This tutorial will provide an overview of how network theoriesand visual-analytic methods are used to understand and enabledigital government
Spinal cord decompression: an endoscopically assisted approach for metastatic tumors

Study design: The paper describes a technique for complete vertebrectomy and spinal cord decompression, followed by a formal anterior column reconstruction, using endoscopic instruments. This procedure is indicated for patients with radioresistant metastasis of the thoracic spine, particularly those involving the upper thoracic segments where a thoracotomy is difficult and carries a high morbidity, and for patients with pulmonary disease who cannot tolerate a standard thoracotomy. Results in nine consecutive cases are reported. Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of endoscopically assisted decompression and stabilization through a single, extrapleural, posterolateral approach. Setting: The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Methods: Posterolateral decompression of the thoracic spinal cord offers potential advantages over traditional combined procedures (anterior thoracotomy and posterior instrumentation), including reduced operative time, decreased morbidity, and reduced hospital stay. Previous studies have not demonstrated the same neurological benefit for posterolateral decompression as for anterior vertebrectomy and decompression, however, Surgical indications, rationale and technique for an improved posterolateral approach, augmented by endoscopic methods, are provided, and initial clinical results are described. Results: Drawbacks to the traditional posterolateral decompressions have included poor visualization of the spinal cord and anterior tumor, poor access to tumor on the side contralateral to the approach, and the need to manipulate the spinal cord to completely remove both adjacent tumor and tumor adherent to the dura. Transpedicular decompression using endoscopy is described in nine patients. The mean operative time for the combined procedure was 6.0 h, with a mean blood loss of 1677 cc. Neurological recovery and maintenance were excellent. Inpatient days averaged 6.5, and ICU days averaged 1.4. Two patients died of disease eight and 14 months post-op, and seven were living, with disease, 3–36 months after surgery. Conclusions: Endoscopically assisted decompression can reduce morbidity, hospitalization, and treatment costs while matching the efficacy of traditional combined procedures. Endoscopy provides a readily available and easily applied tool that dramatically improves the surgeon's vision, providing light, magnification, and a direct view of remote structures. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 482–487.
Choroid plexus carcinoma

Choroid plexus carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm of the central nervous system most commonly found in the pediatric population. It is associated with a dismal prognosis, especially if incompletely resected. Accurate histopathologic diagnosis is imperative, and this neoplasm should always be included in the differential diagnosis of a papillary intraventricular tumor. Histopathologic features include blurring of papillary architecture, layers of neoplastic choroid plexus epithelial cells with pleomorphic nuclei, increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, increased mitotic activity, areas of necrosis, and brain invasion. Current accepted treatment is gross total surgical resection of the tumor as the goal. Use of adjuvant chemotherapy is controversial at this time; however, it is considered in some cases.
Interference between viroids inducing exocortis and cachexia diseases of citrus

Systemic interactions of long duration among the Group II Citrus Viroids, CVd-IIa and CVd-IIb were investigated by grafting buds from established citron (Citrus medica L.) sources containing single viroids to a common healthy seedling. In healthy tissues, the two viroids became established in approximately equal titres as a mixed infection. By contrast, tissues that grew from the CVd-IIa or CVd-IIb source buds contained only trace amounts of the heterologous invading viroids (.)
A Role for Cortical Crosstalk in the Binding Problem: Stimulus-driven Correlations that Link Color, Form, and Motion

The putative independence of cortical mechanisms for color, form, and motion raises the binding problem—how is neural activity coordinated to create unified and correctly segmented percepts? Binding could be guided by stimulus-driven correlations between mechanisms, but the nature of these correlations is largely unexplored and no one has (intentionally) studied effects on binding if this joint information is compromised. Here, we develop a theoretical framework which: (1) describes crosstalk-generated correlations between cortical mechanisms for color, achromatic form, and motion, which arise from retinogeniculate encoding; (2) shows how these correlations can facilitate synchronization, segmentation, and binding; (3) provides a basis for understanding perceptual oddities and binding failures that occur for equiluminant and stabilized images. These ideas can be tested by measuring both perceptual events and neural activity while achromatic border contrast or stabilized image velocity is manipulated.
Production of mandarin + pummelo somatic hybrid citrus rootstocks with potential for improved tolerance/resistance to sting nematode

Abstract Sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau) has become a primary factor limiting citrus production in localized regions of the central Florida sandridge citrus production area, making the development of resistant rootstocks a new breeding objective. In efforts to develop a replacement rootstock for the widely adapted sour orange, our focus has been on somatic hybridization of selected mandarin + pummelo combinations [Grosser, J.W., Gmitter, Jr., F.G., 1990. Protoplast fusion and citrus improvement. Plant Breed. Rev. 8, 339–374; Ananthakrishnan, G., Calovic, M., Serrano, P., Grosser, J.W., 2006. Production of additional allotetraploid somatic hybrids combining mandarins and sweet oranges with pre-selected pummelos as potential candidates to replace sour orange rootstock. In Vitro Cell. Dev.: Plant 42, 367–371], since sour orange is probably an introgression hybrid of mandarin and pummelo as suggested by molecular marker analyses [Nicolosi, E., Deng, Z.N., Gentile, A., La Malfa, S., Tribulato, E., 2000. Citrus phylogeny and genetic origin of important species as investigated by molecular markers. Theor. Appl. Genet. 100, 1155–1166; Gulsen, O., Roose, M.L., 2001. Lemons: diversity and relationships with selected Citrus genotypes as measured with nuclear genome markers. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 126, 309–317]. Somatic hybrid plants were produced from four new mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco) + pummelo (C. grandis L. Osbeck) parental combinations by fusing embryogenic suspension culture-derived protoplasts isolated from selected mandarins with leaf protoplasts of pummelo seedlings previously selected for tolerance/resistance to the sting nematode (B. longicaudatus Rau) as follows: Amblycarpa mandarin + ‘Liang Ping Yau’ (seedling) pummelo seedling SN7; Amblycarpa mandarin + ‘Hirado Buntan Pink’ (HBP) pummelo seedling SN3; Murcott tangor + pummelo seedling SN3; and Shekwasha mandarin + pummelo seedling SN3. Somatic hybridization was verified by ploidy analysis (via flow cytometry) and RAPD analyses. Mandarin parents were selected for wide soil-adaptation and ability to produce friable embryogenic callus lines. Pummelo seedlings used as leaf parents were identified from a previous screen of large seed populations (200 each) from four pummelos for resistance to sting nematode as follows: ‘Hirado Buntan Pink‘; ‘Red Shaddock‘; ‘Large Pink Pummelo’ and a seedling pummelo of ‘Liang Ping Yau‘. Ten resistant/tolerant pummelo seedlings were selected from the 800 pummelo seeds planted in the screen for further study. The four new somatic hybrids have been propagated to evaluate their horticultural performance and resistance to the sting nematode. These potential somatic hybrid rootstocks should also have potential to control tree size due to polyploidy.
Self-assembled polyethylenimine-graft-poly(ε-caprolactone) micelles as potential dual carriers of genes and anticancer drugs

A series of amphiphilic cationic graft polymers (PEC) were synthesized by coupling poly(epsilon-caprolactone) of differing molecular weights (MW) to low MW branched polyethylenimine via an amide group. IR, (1)H-NMR and GPC were employed to characterize the graft copolymers. The self-assembly characteristics of these copolymers in an aqueous solution were studied by fluorescence techniques. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) varied from 0.044 to 0.032g/L when the MW of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) increased from 1,800 to 5,500. The micelles formed electrostatic complexes with a reporter gene (pCMV-Luc) after an anticancer drug, Doxorubicin (DOX), was loaded by dialysis method. Gel retardation studies proved that micelles with or without DOX were able to complex with DNA completely at an equivalent N/P ratio of around 2.0, indicating that drug loading did not interfere in the interaction between the PEI shell and DNA. Particle size slightly decreased at higher N/P ratios of polyplexes, but increased with drug encapsulation. It was also noted that DNA/micelle complexes were significantly less toxic to HepG2 cells than blank PEC micelles, and improved gene transfection efficiency (about 3 orders of magnitude greater than PEI 25K alone at most) whether DOX was present in the system or not. These results suggest that this group of cationic graft polymers may be a potential candidate for the development of a drug delivery system that can examine the synergistic effects of combined drug and gene therapy.
Regional Gravity Anomalies and Crustal Structure in Northern Colombia

The central range of the Colombian Andes gives way northward to a series of Cenozoic fault-bordered basins and uplifts near the Caribbean Sea. Pre-Cenozoic structures exposed in the uplifts curve increasingly toward the east to become parallel to the continental margins along the south side of the Caribbean. Major Cenozoic faults, with large vertical and horizontal displacements, cut across older structures which include Permian-Triassic(?) and Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary metamorphic zones, Precambrian gneiss, and Jurassic batholiths. Gravity anomalies have large amplitudes in the Santa Marta area. Bouguer anomalies rise to +130 mgals over the crystalline rocks of the high Santa Marta massif. Over adjacent Cenozoic basins, they range down to −80 mgals over the Lower Magdalena basin and to −65 mgals over the Baja Guajira basin. Steep gravity gradients characterize the Santa Marta and Oca faults on the west and north sides of the massif, respectively. In the Guajira Peninsula region, Bouguer anomalies increase to +105 mgals over a serpentinite zone at Cabo de la Vela and to +55 mgals over Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the southern peninsula. Two smaller basins on the peninsula are characterized by negative Bouguer anomalies. Steep gradients characterize many of the major Cenozoic faults, and two concealed faults are postulated on this basis. Though useful for evaluating the relative vertical displacements, which may exceed 10 km along faults bounding the Santa Marta massif, the gravity data yield no definitive information on the large horizontal displacements postulated along some of the major faults of the area. The Bouguer anomalies do indicate, however, the extension of some of the Cenozoic basins into offshore areas. Strong positive Bouguer anomalies of the Santa Marta massif and its great relief, which exceeds 9 km relative to the floor of the adjacent Caribbean, indicate thin continental crust, lack of isostatic balance, and relatively recent uplift for the massif. After corrections are made for the gravitational effects of Tertiary sedimentary basins in the Guajira Peninsula, most of the peninsular region also has positive anomalies, suggesting a relatively thin continental crust and a lack of isostatic balance. A mechanism of overthrusting, in relatively recent time, of the continental margin over the adjacent Caribbean upper mantle and crust to the northwest can account for the observations.
Restricting dietary magnesium accelerates ectopic connective tissue mineralization in a mouse model of pseudoxanthoma elasticum (Abcc6

Abstract Ectopic mineralization, linked to a number of diseases, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a heritable multisystem disorder characterized by calcium phosphate deposition in various tissues. The mineral content of diet has been suggested to modify the disease severity in PXE. The aim of this study is to explore the role of diet with reduced magnesium in modifying tissue mineralization in a mouse model of PXE. Abcc6(-/-) mice were placed on either standard rodent diet (control) or an experimental diet low in magnesium at weaning (4 weeks) and examined for mineralization in the skin and internal organs at the ages of 1.5, 2 or 6 months by computerized morphometric analysis of histopathological sections and by chemical assay of calcium and phosphate. Abcc6(-/-) mice on experimental diet demonstrated an accelerated, early-onset mineralization of connective tissues, as compared to control mice. Wild-type or heterozygous mice on experimental diet did not show evidence of mineralization up to 6 months of age. All mice on experimental diet showed decreased urinary calcium, increased urinary phosphate and elevated parathyroid serum levels. However, no difference in bone density at 6 months of age was noted. Our findings indicate that the mineral content, particularly magnesium, can modify the extent and the onset of mineralization in Abcc6(-/-) mice and suggest that dietary magnesium levels may contribute to the phenotypic variability of PXE. The control of mineralization by dietary magnesium may have broader implications in general population in the context of vascular mineralization.
Scattering of an incident Gaussian beam by a perfectly conducting rough surface

The modifications of the regular full wave theory for rough surface scattering by an incident Gaussian beam instead of a plane wave are developed. The Gaussian beam is produced by a large circular aperture that has a Gaussian illumination. It is shown that provided the incident Gaussian beam has a plane phase front over the extent of the rough surface patch and the linear dimensions of the rough patch are large compared with the surface height correlation length, the normalized scattering cross-section is the same as for an incident plane wave. >
Statistical methods for estimating attributable risk from retrospective data

This paper extends Levin's measure of attributable risk to adjust for confounding by aetiologic factors other than the exposure of interest. One can estimate this extended measure from case-control data provided either (i) from the control data one can estimate exposure prevalence within each stratum of the confounding factor; or (ii) one has additional information available concerning the confounder distribution and the stratum-specific disease rates. In both cases we give maximum likelihood estimates and their estimated asymptotic variances, and show them to be independent of the sampling design (matched vs. random). Computer simulations investigate the behaviour of these estimates and of three types of confidence intervals when sample size is small relative to the number of confounder strata. The simulations indicate that attributable risk estimates tend to be too low. The bias is not serious except when exposure prevalence is high among controls. In this case the estimates and their standard error estimates are also highly unstable. In general, the asymptotic standard error estimates performed quite well, even in small samples, and even when the true asymptotic standard error was too small. By contrast, the bootstrap estimate tended to be too large. None of the three confidence intervals proved superior in accuracy to the other two. Thus there appears no advantage in using the log-based interval suggested by Walter which is always longer than the simpler symmetric interval.
ENERGY SCAVENGING COMBINING PIEZOELECTRIC AND PYROELECTRIC EFFECTS

The piezoelectric effect is well known and used for vibration energy harvesting applications. The pyroelectric effect is also used to generate electrical power if there is an environment that has cyclic temperature changes. In this study, increasing generated electrical power by use of a combination of piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects is investigated. As a sample case it is aimed to utilize this piezoelectric and pyroelectric effect for a new sensor application. The results of the tests indicate that energy from vibrations and heat can have a significant interaction depending on the frequencies at which each effect occurs. In some cases, energy from vibrations and energy from heat can be detrimental when combined. Therefore both parameters have to be tuned properly to optimize scavenging energy. It was determined that at the best tested parameters the rate of charge increases by approximately 12%.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Reversible conformational behavior of poly(acrylic acid) LB film with changes in pH, ionic strength and time

Abstract Poly(acrylic acid) brushes were prepared on polystyrene-coated glass substrates via physisorption, and a number of techniques (Langmuir–Blodgett technique, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy) were used to prepare and characterize the brushes. Contact angle measurements showed the polystyrene-coated glass surface to become more hydrophilic after poly(acrylic acid) grafting on it. XPS results confirmed the presence of PAA on the topmost surface of the substrate. From the results of AFM topographic imaging of the surface of PAA brush on PS-coated glass substrate, PAA brushes was found to form bigger and less densely distributed aggregates on the surface with a decrease in the grafting density. Also, PAA brush aggregates were found to undergo marked reversible conformational changes from coiled to stretched and vice versa with changes in pH, ionic strength and contact time.
A non-contact method for measuring thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity for use in a neural network to recognize waste material. Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory (DIAL)

For many applications it is important to be able to recognize materials at a distance, such as in a waste feedstream in a plasma torch waste vitrification environment. In such an environment it is important to accurately analyze the waste so that certain adjustments can be made to the mix such that the treated waste meets rigid quality and safety standards. It may also be desirable to detect dangerous waste that might exit the system without being properly treated. Such "bad-players" can be removed if detected before treatment and can be treated in a more appropriate manner. A novel approach is presented for measuring the thermal properties of a material in an industrial or hazardous waste setting.
Jacques Ellul on Technique, Media, and the Spirit.

The French sociologist and theologian Jacques Ellul was a critic of la technique—the rationalized, efficient method underlying contemporary technology. Ellul felt that la technique had produced an all‐embracing technological environment, which was self‐augmenting and threatened to become totalitarian. Against the world of la technique, Ellul dialectically posed a realm of truth, available through the spoken word. Ellul found the roots of the realm of truth in the spirit, which he felt promoted freedom.
Laparoscopic renal cryoablation: initial clinical series

Abstract Objectives. To present the technique and short-term results of retroperitoneal laparoscopic renal cryoablation. Methods. Ten patients underwent laparoscopic renal cryoablation of 11 exophytic renal tumors ranging in size from 1.5 to 3 cm identified on computed tomography. Tumors were located at the upper (3), middle (5), or lower (3) pole of the kidney. Three patients had a solitary kidney. A 3-port retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to create renal cryolesions. Puncture cryoablation was performed with a 4.8-mm cryoprobe. Real-time, endoscopic, steerable, color Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor the evolving cryolesion. All patients have completed a minimum follow-up of 3 months (mean 5.5, range 3 to 9). Results. Cryoablation was technically successful in all 10 patients (11 tumors). Under ultrasound guidance, the ice ball was intentionally created up to 1 cm beyond the tumor edge with the aim of achieving negative margins. Mean surgical time was 2.4 hours, cryoablation (double freeze-thaw) time 12.9 minutes, cryoprobe tip temperature −186°C, and blood loss 75 mL. Systemic temperature remained unaltered. Hospital stay was less than 23 hours in 9 of 10 patients. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at 1 day and 1, 2, and 3 months identified the punched-out, nonenhancing, spontaneously resorbing, renal cryolesion. Follow-up biopsies of the cryoablated tumor site were negative for cancer in the 3 patients who have undergone the biopsy. Conclusions. The initial series of laparoscopic renal cryoablation is presented. The retroperitoneoscopic approach, by avoiding the peritoneal cavity, minimizes the chances of the bowel coming in contact with the evolving cryolesion, and the potential sequelae thereof. Laparoscopic renal cryoablation is currently developmental and long-term data are awaited. Nevertheless, it is potentially an attractive addition to available nephron-sparing surgical techniques.
The "Art of Farming": Exploring the Link between Farm Culture and Maryland's Nutrient Management Policies

Policies and regulations designed to reduce nutrient runoff from Maryland farms into the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries would benefit from a better understanding of the cultural contexts of farming. Ethnographic work with Maryland farmers suggests that one of several key reasons why they are reluctant to comply with nutrient management regulations is because the regulations do not reflect an adequate understanding of the cultural aspects of farming. We offer the "art of farming" construct as a way to help organize and present, in a holistic and integrated manner, relevant cultural attributes of farming, which are often not recognized by efforts to apply broad-based agricultural and environmental regulations based on best available science. Components of the "art of farming" help explain some of the salient reasons why farmers were opposed to Maryland's nutrient management regulations and resisted (to varying degrees) implementing nutrient management plans. We conclude with a call for using the "art of farming" concept as a cultural bridge to promote dialogue among farmers, scientists, and resource managers on farm nutrient management.
Trends in Ultra fast Optoelectronics

The highest aggregate data transmission rate in optical fiber communication systems is rapidly approaching 200 GBit/s [1]. It was not too long ago when a 2.5 GBit/s system was considered to be novel. There are number of reasons for this rapid advance. One is the maturity of the optical processing elements based on the ultrafast fiber and semiconductor nonlinearities second is the Erbium doped fiber amplifier technology, and third is the advancements in the high speed optoelectronic components. Here. we will review recent advances in this area.
Effects of Chronic Stress on Alcohol Reward- and Anxiety-Related Behavior in High- and Low-Alcohol Preferring Mice.

Background Stress exposure (SE) during adolescence is associated with an increased risk for the development of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Past research has shown that SE during adolescence increases voluntary alcohol consumption in mice during adulthood; however, little is known about the positive or negative motivational aspects of this relationship. Methods High-alcohol preferring (HAP2) and low-alcohol preferring (LAP2) male mice were exposed to stress during adolescence, stress during adulthood, or no stress. After a 30-day interim, subjects were exposed to alcohol-induced place and footshock-induced fear conditioning procedures to measure stress-induced behavioral alterations during adulthood. Results SE during adolescence did not increase the magnitude of alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), as hypothesized, but increased the magnitude of conditioned fear, as measured by fear-potentiated startle (FPS), in HAP2 subjects only. Regardless of stress treatment group, LAP2 subjects showed greater alcohol-induced CPP expression than HAP2 mice. HAP2 mice also showed greater FPS than LAP2 mice, as previously shown. Conclusions These results in mice, taken together with past research, suggest that mice exposed to stress during adolescence do not increase alcohol consumption during adulthood because of a greater sensitivity to the rewarding effects of alcohol, as measured via place conditioning. These results in mice also suggest that humans exposed to stress during adolescence may be more susceptible to developing anxiety during adulthood. The findings may be particularly relevant for humans with a familial history of AUDs.
The nation’s unprotected children and the ghost of Mike Brown, or the impact of national police killings on the health and social development of African American boys

The correlation of experienced violence and racism or the perceived threat of either on mental illness and overall health has been well documented in health disparities research. Racism, either exp...
Diagnostic Parasitology: Parasitic Infections and the Compromised Host

In this article, the last in our four-part series on diagnostic parasitology, we review the parasitic organisms that tend to cause clinical disease in compromised hosts, particularly those with impaired immune systems. We describe the immune system components that are involved, specific parasites more likely to cause problems in these patients, the clinical presentations, and effective diagnostic methods.
Effect of 20 krad of Gamma Irradiation on Reproduction of Pink Boll worm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and their F1 Progeny: Potential Impact on the Identification of Trap Catches

A population of 720,000 laboratory-reared Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) adults irradiated with 20 krad of CO60 gamma radiation produced one normal-appearing F1 adult per 1,000 parent females. Progeny (F1) from this population demonstrated a high degree of adult deformity, high mortality in the immature stages, a 2.2:1 male-female sex ratio, and inherited sterility. Additionally, only 49.5% of the mature larvae of irradiated parents exited media containers in search of pupation substrate, compared with 93.5% of the mature larvae from the control. Hypothetical F1 field populations from released irradiated x irradiated matings were derived from our laboratory data for the years 1976 to 1981 for the San Joaquin Valley. Assuming that the response to survey traps of F1 males is similar to that of their male parent (release moth), 12.1, 2.2, 11.7, 84.0, 3.2, and 12.1% of the native pink boll worm (PBW) males captured from 1976 to 1981 could hypothetically have been male F1 progeny of release moths. Our estimates are somewhat high because they are based on laboratory data and do not consider field mortality. However, even under severe environmental conditions, these estimates are sufficiently accurate to assess the maximum role that progeny of irradiated release moths play in the San Joaquin Sterile Program. We conclude that such F1 progeny are sterile and account for a minor proportion of the actual native moth captures.
A study on the correlation between chemical compound and biological toxins of cephalopod marine products and food-borne diarrhea

Objective To investigate the pollution situation of chemical compound which could cause diarrhea from cephalopod marine products sold in markets,and to explore the relationship between chemical compound and biological toxins of cephalopod marine products and food- borne diarrhea. Methods A total of 122 specimens of cephalopod marine products from markets in 6 districts of Ningbo from December 2008 to Novenber 2009 were detected for 7 chemical indices, including volatile basic nitrogen( VBN),histamine( HIS),indole,paralytic shellfish poisoning( PSP),neurotoxic shellfish poisoning( NSP),domoic acid shellfish poisoning( ASP) and diarrheic shellfish poisoning( DSP). Correlation analysis between chemical compound and biological toxins of cephalopod marine products and food- borne diarrhea were conducted. Results All the indices were statistically significantly different among four seasons( P 0. 05). The correlations were found between ASP and VBN,ASP and PSP as well as DSP and NSP( P 0. 05). The food- borne diarrhea cases were positively related to VBN,NSP and ASP. Conclusion VBN,NSP and ASP were the important risk factors of food- borne diarrhea. Supervision should be strengthened especially on VBN,NSP and ASP of cephalopod marine products to ensure the food safety and health of consumers.
Longshore Sediment Transport Directions and Rates from Northern Maine to Tampa Bay, Florida: Literature Compilation and Interpretation

ABSTRACT van Gaalen, J.F.; Tebbens, S.F., and Barton, C.C., 2016. Longshore sediment transport directions and rates from northern Maine to Tampa Bay, Florida: Literature compilation and interpretation. This paper examines site-specific and regional longshore sediment transport directions and rates along the U.S. seaward coast from the northern Maine border to the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida. From previous studies, it is known that along the coast, there are nodal zones, i.e. locations of divergence or convergence in longshore current, as well as variations in current direction and sediment transport rate. Available published field-based studies of sediment transport directions and rates were compiled to create a map of the direction and rate of longshore transport. A detailed compilation of local and regional published studies is provided in tables and in a sequence of eight regional maps. Compiled studies of longshore transport reveal a dominant southward direction. On the regional scale, 12 nodal zones ...
Effect of Plasma Jet on Hydrophobicity of Contaminated High Temperature Vulcanization Silicone Rubber

To enhance the hydrophobicity of contaminated high-temperature vulcanization silicone rubber(HTV), we used low-temperature plasma jet generated by dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) under atmospheric pressure to treat kaolin-contaminated HTV surfaces. Moreover, we measured and analyzed the contact angles of the treated surfaces under different processing times, ESDD, and NSDD. The results show that the hydrophobicity of contaminated HTV surface is significantly improved after a short processing time by low-temperature plasma jet, and the contact angle reaches 100°. With increasing processing time, the hydrophobic transform accelerates, and the contact angle gets over 110° after five-hour treatment. For heavily contaminated HTV surfaces, their hydrophobicity is also improved with increasing processing time, yet this improvement is not remarkable, namely, the contact angles are generally less than 35°. Through further contrast tests and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) imaging, we find that the accelerated hydrophobic transform process due to reaction between plasma jet and HTV is the main cause of the observed results.
College Student-Athletes’ Communicative Negotiation of Emotion Labor:

Not only are college student-athletes expected to excel on the field and in the classroom, but, as reflections of their university, they must abide by codes of conduct that govern their emotions and communicative behaviors. Interviews of Division I athletes at an academically and athletically elite U.S. university uncovered that similar to employees in the retail and hospitality industries, who are paid to express particular emotions, student-athletes also had to perform emotional labor in order to meet institutional demands. Unlike paid workers, however, student-athletes are considered amateurs and do not receive a salary, and their behaviors are scrutinized most of the day, particularly if they are high-profile players. Despite the powerlessness, frustration, and nervousness student-athletes felt, they were expected to express mental toughness and gratitude. Participants coped with emotional labor demands by turning backstage and relying on teammates for social support. In addition to extending emotiona...
38 Comparative effects of face-to-face interviews versus computer-assisted self-interviews on disclosure of risk behaviours associated with intimate partner violence among african american women in WIC clinics

Statement of purpose The purpose of this work is to determine the circumstances in which low income African American women are most likely to report sensitive or risky behaviours associated with intimate partner violence. Methods Consenting African American women receiving Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in WIC clinics were randomised to complete an IPV screening (Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, Short-Form) via computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) or face-to-face interview (FTFI). Results Among the women in this study (n = 616), reports of sensitive or risky behaviours were generally higher when engaging women face-to-face verses via computer interview. For example, those who engaged in risky behaviours were more likely exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) over the course of their life (aOR: 1.59). Reported rates of risk exposure were high for tobacco usage (23%,25%), drug usage (6%,8%), and alcohol usage (50%, 51%). Mode of screening, but not interviewer race, affected disclosure of these behaviours. Women screened via FTFI reported significantly more tobacco (aOR: 1.8) and more alcohol (aOR: 1.5) usage than CASI- screened women. Significance African American women in a WIC setting disclosed sensitive information more often in face-to-face than computer screening, and race-matching of client and interviewer did not affect disclosure. These findings put into question the argument that computer based interviews increase exposure of high risk behaviours. This evidence suggests that trained interviewers could enhance disclosure above computer based assessments. Previous findings have observed similar outcomes for IPV disclosure. This might suggest that there are types of computer assessments that are not effective, possibly due to miscalculated assumptions of computer and/or reading literacy. This might also suggest that the quality of the face-to face interaction might be contributing to the improved disclosure of sensitive information.
Selective Birth in a Case of Twins Discordant for Tay Sachs Disease

The authors have performed selective birth in two twin pregnancies in the same patient. The couple's first pregnancy resulted in the birth of a male with Tay Sachs disease: their Pergonal-induced second pregnancy was a twin gestation discordant for Tay Sachs disease. A fetal intracardiac puncture, exsanguination, and fetal intracardiac air embolization were then performed. The patient went into premature labor 9 days later and delivered a normal immature infant, who died, and the macerated cotwin. The third Pergonal-induced pregnancy was a singleton with Tay Sachs disease and the pregnancy was terminated. Their fourth Pergonal-induced pregnancy was a twin gestation discordant for Tay Sachs disease. At 20 weeks gestation, fetal intracardiac air embolization was performed with immediate demise of the affected fetus. The pregnancy was followed closely with ultrasonography and coagulation studies and proceeded to term without complication. A normal female and a fetus papyraceous were delivered by cesarean section.
Bridging the gap between user intention and model parameters for human-in-the-loop data analytics

Exploratory data analysis is challenging given the complexity of data. Models find structure in the data lessening the complexity for users. These models have parameters that can be adjusted to explore the data from many different angles providing more ways to learn about the data. "Human in the loop" means users can interact with the parameters to explore alternative structures. This exploration allows for discovery. This paper examines usability issues of Human-Model Interaction (HMI) for data analytics. In particular, we bridge the gaps between a user's intention and the parameters of a WMDS model during HMI communication.
Periodicity during recovery of immune response after cyclophosphamide treatment.

The recovery of the immune response after a single dose of cyclophosphamide was studied in mice challenged with SRBC. Although the number of splenic antibody-forming cells was normal within 1 wk after the drug was given, it dropped below normal on two subsequent occasions (10 and 24 days after treatment). Disturbance of a feedback loop controlling the production of thymus-dependent lymphocytes was postulated.
The Evidence for the Economic Value of eHealth in the United States Today: A Systematic Review

The United States healthcare system continues to face increasing costs, with year-over-year projected cost increases that now exceed the rate of increase of the gross domestic product. The rapid expansion and integration of eHealth within the United States healthcare system is driven primarily by a perceived ability to increase access in a cost-efficient manner. However, there is little economic research that addresses the large diversity of eHealth products being integrated into this healthcare landscape. The goal of this study is to evaluate the published economic evidence for eHealth in the United States, analyse how well it supports the growth of the current eHealth environment, and suggest what evidence is needed. This systematic literature review, conducted through the PubMed and The Cochrane Library databases, found that few studies addressed today’s eHealth environment. The current landscape is broader and less tailored to the traditional telemedicine initiatives represented by existing studies. We suggest more rigour in the design and scope of economic studies and that current eHealth technologies be identified for analysis. These studies must be comprehensive from the healthcare system’s perspective and conducted for relevant initiatives and patient groups to allow for evidence-based discussions on the cost-effectiveness of eHealth.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type O (PTPRO) Exhibits Tumor Suppressor Properties in K562 Cells by Dephosphorylating Bcr-Abl.

Abstract Regulation of protein phosphorylation by concerted action of protein kinases and phosphatases is important for normal physiological processes. Altered function or expression of one or more components of these regulatory molecules leads to many pathological conditions including cancer. We have previously shown that the truncated form of the receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPROt predominantly expressed in haematopoietic cells is suppressed in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL). A direct correlation of CpG island methylation and reduced expression of the gene was observed in primary CLL samples and in several leukemia cell lines. To assess the functional significance of loss of PTPROt function in leukemia, we selected K562 cells as a model system, as PTPROt expression is silenced in these cells and is reactivated upon treatment with DNA hypomethylating agents. Ectopic expression of the catalytically active PTPROt inhibited growth of K562 cells and their clonogenic survival in soft agar (a characteristic of cancer cells). Further, cells expressing PTPROt exhibited delayed entry into S-phase from G0/G1 phase. Induction of apoptosis increased significantly in K562 cells expressing functional phosphatase upon serum withdrawal or exposure to the apoptogenic agent camptothecin. Tumorigenic potential of K562 cells in athymic nude mice was also significantly reduced upon ectopic expression of PTPROt. Finally, we demonstrate that the Bcr-Abl fusion protein, product of abnormal chromosomal translocation [t(9;22)] in chronic myelogenous leukemia, is a substrate of PTPROt. Tyrosine phosphorylation of this potent kinase was markedly reduced in K562 cells expressing the catalytically active PTPROt. Enhanced dephosphorylation of Bcr-Abl by PTPROt both in vivo and in vitro explains the observed phenotypes of the PTPROt expressing K562 cells. These data taken together delineate the molecular mechanism of tumor suppressor function of PTPROt in leukemic cells characterized by Philadelphia chromosome. (This work was supported by a grant CA101956 from the National Institutes of Health).
Cooperative filtering for parameter identification of diffusion processes

This paper presents a cooperative filtering scheme for online parameter identification of 2D diffusion processes using data collected by a mobile sensor network moving in the diffusion field. The diffusion equation is incorporated into the information dynamics associated with the trajectories of the mobile sensors. A cooperative Kalman filter is developed to provide estimates of field values, the gradient, and the temporal variations of the field values along the trajectories. This leads to a co-design scheme for state estimation and parameter identification for diffusion processes that is different from using static sensors. Utilizing the state estimates from the filters, a recursive least square (RLS) algorithm is designed to estimate the unknown diffusion coefficient of the field. A set of sufficient conditions is derived for the convergence of the cooperative Kalman filter. Simulation results show satisfactory performance of the proposed method.
Impact of a Brief Behavioral Intervention for Insomnia on Daytime Behaviors in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Behavioral sleep education has shown promise in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but has received much less study in adolescents with ASD. A pilot study of a brief sleep intervention was delivered to 18 adolescents, ages 11–18 years, and their parents. This sleep education, delivered in a two-session format, was associated with improved sleep onset delay, sleep efficiency, and other sleep parameters and sleep hygiene in adolescents with ASD during that time period. In this manuscript, the focus is on the impact this intervention and the sleep outcomes, presented in another manuscript, had on daytime behaviors. Significant improvements were seen following treatment in a direct objective measure of impulsivity and attention. A broadband parent report measure of behavior indicated significant improvements in anxiety, depression, somatization, atypical behaviors, and activities of daily living. A more focused parent report measure also indicated improvements in hyperactivity/noncompliance and lethargy. This brief behavioral sleep education program shows promising results in not only improving sleep hygiene and sleep onset latency for adolescents with ASD, but also having an impact on daytime behaviors.
The Major and Minor Grooves of the DNA Helix as Conduits for Information Transfer

The statement that DNA is an informational macromolecule is one that has moved from being an insight, to a commonplace, to dogma, and like so many dogmas has ended as a cliche. But this picture has been given more concrete form in the last six years, with the advent of x-ray crystal structure determinations of synthetic DNA oligomers of defined sequence, both alone and complexed with control proteins such as repressors and with antitumor drugs. It is an attractive idea to a structurally-minded molecular biologist to ask precisely how the information inherent in DNA gets out, in a way that allows it to be used by the host organism.