cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Images in vascular medicine. Spontaneous renal artery dissection in a cannabis user

A 32-year-old previously healthy male presented to the emergency department with acute onset of right-sided abdominal and back pain. Review of his social history was positive for heavy daily cannabis use. Unenhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed possible pyelonephritis that prompted treatment with oral antibiotics. After 7 days of persistent hypertension and pain, a followup contrast-enhanced abdominal CT revealed areas of infarction in the right kidney (Panel A). Duplex ultrasound confirmed decreased parenchymal flow with a monophasic pattern in the upper pole of the right kidney (Panel B). An abdominal aortogram demonstrated a perfusion defect in the same region (Panel C, dashed outline). Selective angiography of the right superior hilar artery confirmed the presence of a complex dissection extending into the distal segment (Panel D). Endovascular intervention was attempted, but the guidewire could not advance beyond the zone of dissection (asterisk). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (Volcano Corporation; inset) with color imaging (ChromaFlo ® ) demonstrated a dissection flap with flow in both true (T) and false (F) lumens (entire IVUS recording available as a supplemental video). Extensive serological testing found no evidence of known coagulopathies or vasculitides. Intracranial and
Phonetic description of a three-way stop contrast in Northern Paiute

This paper presents the phonetic description of a three-way phonemic contrast in the medial stops (lenis, fortis, and voiced fortis stops) of a southern dialect of Northern Paiute. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of VOT, closure duration, and voice quality was performed on field recordings of a female speaker from the 1950s. The findings include that: 1) voiced fortis stops are realized phonetically as voiceless unaspirated stops; 2) the difference between fortis and voiced fortis and between voiced fortis and lenis in terms of VOT is subtle; 3) consonantal duration is a robust acoustic characteristic differentiating the three classes of stops; 4) lenis stops are characterized by a smooth VC transition, while fortis stops often exhibit aspiration at the VC juncture, and voiced fortis stops exhibit occasional glottalization at the VC juncture. These findings suggest that the three-way contrast is realized by combination of multiple phonetic properties, particularly the properties that occur at the vowel-consonant boundary rather than the consonantal release.
Self-Reporting and Private Enforcement in Environmental Regulation

Self-reporting of compliance status has become a common feature in the enforcement of environmental regulation. In this paper, I generalize existing models of enforcement with self-reporting to include the possibility of private enforcement of regulation through citizen suits. This allows me to identify an additional argument for the efficiency of self-reporting: it can increase the likelihood of a successful suit and thus facilitate private enforcement of regulation. Specifically, if self-reporting sufficiently increases the expected penalty for losing a citizen suit, if the costs of private enforcement are low, and if inspection costs are high enough relative to enforcement costs, self-reporting lowers expected regulatory and social costs by allowing the regulator to rely on private enforcement and decrease his enforcement efforts.
Flow-induced arterial enlargement is inhibited by suppression of nitric oxide synthase activity in vivo

Background. Acute flow-induced arterial dilation is mediated by nitric oxide (NO). The role of NO in chronic flow-induced adaptive enlargement is unknown. We assessed the role of NO in arterial adaptation to increased blood flow (BF). Methods. Iliac artery BF was increased in adult male rats by creating a left femoral arteriovenous fistula. Left iliac BF and diameter were measured, and wall shear stress was calculated. The effect of the NO synthase inhibitor N ω -nitr-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) was studied in arteriovenous fistula rats divided into three groups (group 1, vehicle; group 2, 0.5 mg/ml; group 3, 2 mg/mll) in drinking water. Arterial diameter, blood pressure, and medial cell density were assessed after 21 days. Left iliac cyclic guanosine monophosphate content was measured in an additional group of animals. Results. BF and wall shear stress in the left iliac artery increased fourfold immediately after arteriovenous fistula. Arterial enlargement was evident after 7 days, and wall shear stress normalized after 42 days. Flow-induced arterial enlargement was inhibited by both low- and high-dose L-NAME compared with control (analysis of variance p <0.05). Blood pressure was elevated only in animals treated with high-dose L-NAME. Left iliac cyclic guanosine monophosphate content was lower in rats treated with L-NAME than in the control group (p <0.05). Conclusions. NO suppression by L-NAME inhibits flow-induced iliac artery enlargement in rats. This finding suggests that NO plays a role in flow-induced arterial remodeling.
Jitter Characterization of Pseudo-random Bit Sequences Using Incoherent Sub-sampling

In this paper, jitter analysis algorithms for characterizing timing jitter of multi-Gbps pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBSs) are presented. For signal acquisition, incoherent sub-sampling is employed to increase the effective sampling rate of a digitizer and to simplify its signal acquisition architecture by removing the need for timing synchronization circuits. As a substitute for these circuits, algorithms for signal clock recovery (CR) and waveform reconstruction from the acquired data are developed in this research. The algorithms utilize peak identification of the sampled signal spectrum and the sparsity of the reconstructed waveform in the frequency domain as decision making criteria for accurate signal reconstruction. The jitter value of such a reconstructed waveform is quantified with the use of a wavelet based denoising method to generate a self-reference signal against which zero-crossing times are compared to generate jitter statistics. In addition, the data dependent jitter components can be differentiated from the original jitter by analyzing zero-crossing discrepancies of the self-reference signal.
Electrical Insulation and Dielectrics in the Space Environament

The literature relevant to the use of insulators and dielectrics in a space environment is reviewed and discussed in terms of specific aspects of the space environment such as temperature, pressure, radiation, corrosion and meteoroid flux. Whereever possible, data are presented from space experiments or simulators designed to duplicate as closely as possible the space environment. Data from high energy physics, nuclear power and electric utility communities are included where relevant. The need for accelerated aging methodology for a multistimulus/multifactor stressed environment is also discussed.
Overdispersion phenomenon in stochastic modeling of precipitation

Simple stochastic models fit to time series of daily precipitation amount have a marked tendency to underestimate the observed (or interannual) variance of monthly (or seasonal) total precipitation. By considering extensions of one particular class of stochastic model known as a chain-dependent process, the extent to which this ‘‘overdispersion’’ phenomenon is attributable to an inadequate model for high-frequency variation of precipitation is examined. For daily precipitation amount in January at Chico, California, fitting more complex stochastic models greatly reduces the underestimation of the variance of monthly total precipitation. One source of overdispersion, the number of wet days, can be completely eliminated through the use of a higher-order Markov chain for daily precipitation occurrence. Nevertheless, some of the observed variance remains unexplained and could possibly be attributed to low-frequency variation (sometimes termed ‘‘potential predictability’’). Of special interest is the fact that these more complex stochastic models still underestimate the monthly variance, more so than does an alternative approach, in which the simplest form of chain-dependent process is conditioned on an index of large-scale atmospheric circulation.
A hierarchy of dynamic software views: from object-interactions to feature-interactions

This work presents a hierarchy of dynamic views that is constructed using tools that analyze program execution traces. At the highest-level of abstraction are the feature-interaction and implementation views, which track the inter-feature dependencies as well as the classes that implement these features. At the middle-level is the class-interaction view, which is an abstract view of the object-interactions. The object-interaction view is the base view for all the views, and captures the low-level runtime interactions between objects. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of our work.
Analog computation of wavelet transform coefficients in real-time

The authors present a time-domain approach for the implementation and continuous generation of wavelet transform coefficients for spectral analysis applications. The wavelet generation relies on amplitude modulation techniques. This approach offers two extra degrees of freedom through the appropriate use of the modulation index and the selected envelope signal. The added flexibility along with choice of frequencies allows one to generate different time-frequency windows with equal resolution for all frequencies. A convolution (correlator) circuit that computes the wavelet transform and delivers the coefficient corresponding to each wavelet was designed to substantiate theoretical findings. Experimental results of a hardware prototype are presented.
Fundamentals of Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis

The authors cover two general topics: basic engineering economics and risk analysis in this text. Within the topic of engineering economics are discussions on the time value of money and interest relationships. These interest relationships are used to define certain project criteria that are used by engineers and project managers to select the best economic choice among several alternatives. Projects examined will include both income- and service-producing investments. The effects of escalation, inflation, and taxes on the economic analysis of alternatives are discussed. Risk analysis incorporates the concepts of probability and statistics in the evaluation of alternatives. This allows management to determine the probability of success or failure of the project. Two types of sensitivity analyses are presented. The first is referred to as the range approach while the second uses probabilistic concepts to determine a measure of the risk involved. The authors have designed the text to assist individuals to prepare to successfully complete the economics portions of the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Table of Contents: Introduction / Interest and the Time Value of Money / Project Evaluation Methods / Service Producing Investments / Income Producing Investments / Determination of Project Cash Flow / Financial Leverage / Basic Statistics and Probability / Sensitivity Analysis
MODELING THE EFFECT OF REWARD AMOUNT ON PROBABILITY DISCOUNTING

The present study with college students examined the effect of amount on the discounting of probabilistic monetary rewards. A hyperboloid function accurately described the discounting of hypothetical rewards ranging in amount from $20 to $10,000,000. The degree of discounting increased continuously with amount of probabilistic reward. This effect of amount was not due to changes in the rate parameter of the discounting function, but rather was due to increases in the exponent. These results stand in contrast to those observed with the discounting of delayed monetary rewards, in which the degree of discounting decreases with reward amount due to amount-dependent decreases in the rate parameter. Taken together, this pattern of results suggests that delay and probability discounting reflect different underlying mechanisms. That is, the fact that the exponent in the delay discounting function is independent of amount is consistent with a psychophysical scaling interpretation, whereas the finding that the exponent of the probability-discounting function is amount-dependent is inconsistent with such an interpretation. Instead, the present results are consistent with the idea that the probability-discounting function is itself the product of a value function and a weighting function. This idea was first suggested by Kahneman and Tversky (1979), although their prospect theory does not predict amount effects like those observed. The effect of amount on probability discounting was parsimoniously incorporated into our hyperboloid discounting function by assuming that the exponent was proportional to the amount raised to a power. The amount-dependent exponent of the probability-discounting function may be viewed as reflecting the effect of amount on the weighting of the probability with which the reward will be received.
The FDA's Continuing Incapacity on Livestock Antibiotics

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently recommitted itself to its policy of addressing the profligate use of antibiotics in livestock by enlisting the voluntary participation of the drug companies that make the antibiotics. Two documents issued in December 2013 reveal the details of the agency’s current plans. The first is a final guidance document describing the FDA’s process for handling drug sponsors’ voluntary efforts to phase out certain uses of antibiotics in animal feed and water and to bring the remaining uses under the oversight of a veterinarian. The second is a draft rule relaxing the requirements for veterinarians in exercising this oversight. This article provides the first in-depth analysis of the several different strands of the FDA’s plan.Together, the documents recently issued by the FDA guarantee little more than continued delay in tackling a public health risk that has bedeviled the agency for decades. The FDA’s decision to rely on voluntary action by drug companies and to continue to allow routine uses of antibiotics in whole herds and flocks of animals in order to prevent infections brought on by stressful conditions leave potentially gaping holes in the protection the agency purports to provide. The agency’s meager backup plans in case this endeavor does not work out as it hopes do little to comfort the skeptical. Moreover, the FDA’s proposal to weaken rules for veterinary oversight undermines the agency’s plan to place veterinarians at the front line of preventing agricultural overuse of antibiotics. In addition, after a small outburst of transparency at the very start of the process, this whole undertaking will move underground for three years while the FDA works things out privately with participating drug companies.Rather than pursuing this doomed course, the FDA should do what a federal district court has already ordered it to do: complete regulatory proceedings to withdraw approvals for the mass administration of medically important antibiotics to food-producing animals. The FDA’s refusal to do so rests on the mistaken legal premise that such withdrawals must be preceded by formal, trial-type hearings; this premise ignores decades of developments in administrative law and misreads the agency’s own enabling statute.
Host-Microbe Interactions in Microgravity: Assessment and Implications

Spaceflight imposes several unique stresses on biological life that together can have a profound impact on the homeostasis between eukaryotes and their associated microbes. One such stressor, microgravity, has been shown to alter host-microbe interactions at the genetic and physiological levels. Recent sequencing of the microbiomes associated with plants and animals have shown that these interactions are essential for maintaining host health through the regulation of several metabolic and immune responses. Disruptions to various environmental parameters or community characteristics may impact the resiliency of the microbiome, thus potentially driving host-microbe associations towards disease. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of host-microbe interactions in microgravity and assess the impact of this unique environmental stress on the normal physiological and genetic responses of both pathogenic and mutualistic associations. As humans move beyond our biosphere and undergo longer duration space flights, it will be essential to more fully understand microbial fitness in microgravity conditions in order to maintain a healthy homeostasis between humans, plants and their respective microbiomes.
Metabolism of 14C-labeled doxylamine succinate (Bendectin) in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

The time-course of the metabolic fate of [14C]doxylamlne was determined after the p.o. administration of 13 mg/kg doxylamine succinate as Bendectin | plus [14C]doxylamine succlnate to the rhesus monkey. Urine and plasma samples were analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), chemical derivatization, and mass spectrometry. The cumulative 48-hr urinary metabolic profile contained 81% of the administered radiolabeled dose and consisted of at least six radiolabeled peaks. They were peak 1: unknown polar metabolites (8% of dose); peak 2: 2-[1-phenyl-l-(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy] acetic acid, 1-[1-phenyl-l(2-pyridinyl)ethoxy] methanol, and another minor metabolite(s) (31%); peak 3: doxylamine-N-oxide peak 4a: N,N-didesmethyldoxylamine (17%); peak 4b: doxylamine (4%); and peak 5: N-desmethyldoxylamine (20%). The plasma metabolic profile was the same as the urinary profile except for the absence of doxylamine-N-oxide. The maximum plasma concentrations and elapsed time to attain these concentrations were as follows. Peak 1:540 ng/mL, 4 hr; peak 2: 1700 ng/mL, 1 hr; peak 4a: 430 ng/mL, 4 hr; peak 4b: 930 ng/mL, 2 hr; and peak 5:790 ng/mL, 2 hr. These data suggest that In the monkey, doxylamine metabolism follows at least four pathways: a minor pathway to the N-oxide; a minor pathway to unknown polar metabolltes; a major pathway to mona- and didesmethyldoxylamine vie successive N-demethylation; and a major pathway to side-chain cleavage products (peak 2) via direct side-chain oxidation and/or deamination.
HCW 2013 Keynote Talk

Summary form only given. The talk highlights the emerging technologies in high performance computing. We look at the development of accelerators and some of the accomplishments in the Matrix Algebra on GPU and Multicore Architectures (MAGMA) project. We use a hybridization methodology that is built on representing linear algebra algorithms as collections of tasks and data dependencies, as well as properly scheduling the tasks' execution over the available multicore and GPU hardware components.
A New Look at the Discrete Ordinate Method for Radiative Transfer Calculations in Anisotropically Scattering Atmospheres

Abstract The difficulties inherent in the conventional numerical implementation of the discrete ordinate method (following Chandrasekhar's prescription) for solving the radiative transfer equation are discussed. A matrix formulation is developed to overcome these difficulties, and it is specifically shown that the order of the algebraic eigenvalue problem can be reduced by a factor of 2. An expression for the source function is derived and used to obtain angular distributions. By appealing to the reciprocity principle, it is shown that substantial computational shortcuts are possible if only integrated quantities such as albedo and transmissivity are required. Comparison of fluxes calculated by the present approach with those obtained by other methods shows that low-order discrete ordinate approximations yield very accurate results. Thus, the present approach offers an efficient and reliable computational scheme that lends itself readily to the solution of a variety of radiative transfer problems in reali...
Single Gene Disease Risk

The diagnosis of a child with a single gene disorder can take on different meanings for different families. It is not uncommon for some families to arrive at a pediatric genetics clinic after months or years of searching for an underlying reason for their child’s symptoms. The fact that, through genetic testing, clinicians can put a name to the collection of differences already noted in the child provides the family access to prognostic information, supportive resources, more accurate reproductive risk counseling, and possible relief from the burden of uncertainty.
The Comparative Radiosensitivity of T and B Lymphocytes

This study deals with the comparative effects of gamma irradiation on T and B lymphocytes in mice. Quantitatively, splenic T cells appeared substantially more radioresistant than B cells. However, in the thymus, the mesenteric lymph node and peripheral blood, both cell types were highly radiosensitive. No repair processes could be detected with respect to lymphocyte killing, since reducing the dose rate or fractionating the dose resulted in no reduction in cell destruction. Splenic B cells which remained intact 3 days after doses of 600 R or larger were impaired in their ability to form caps, whereas T cells capped normally. Spleen cells which were viable 3 days after irradiation bore latent radiation damage which was manifested as a reduced ability to survive and generate plaque-forming cells in vitro. Attempts to separately assess irradiated T and B cell immunocompetence in vitro suggested that at doses of 300 R and below, surviving B cells were more impaired than T cells. After a 600 R dose, neither cell type appeared to be functional.
Polycotylus latipinnis Cope (Plesiosauria, Polycotylidae), a nearly complete skeleton from the Niobrara Formation (early Campanian) of southwestern South Dakota

ABSTRACT A nearly complete skeleton of Polycotylus latipinnis (SDSM 23020) from the upper Niobrara Formation (early Campanian) of South Dakota (U.S.A) greatly improves information for this formerly poorly known taxon. Specimens SDSM 23020 and YPM 1125 (paratype P. latipinnis) exhibit numerous postcranial characters that distinguish Polycotylus, in particular presacral vertebral count, nature of chevron facets, unique ilia, and highly derived paddles including five epipodial ossifications and increased hyperphalangy. Greater vertebral and phalangeal counts of Polycotylus are accompanied by exceptional foreshortening; thus, the relative body and limb proportions are likely similar to less derived polycotylids, with fewer, more elongate vertebrae and phalanges. The complete skull, derived among polycotylids, has short temporal fenestrae, elongate frontals, exceptionally slender parasphenoid with prominent cultriform process, and exceptionally long extensions of the angulars and splenials within the mandibula...
Development and validation of a microbe detecting UAV payload

Airborne transport of microorganisms through the atmosphere has widespread implications for many atmospheric processes, ecological processes and human health. The proliferation of infectious disease-causing bacteria and fungi is of particular relevance, as many emerging diseases enter human populations via an atmospheric link to the surrounding environment. Coccidiodomycosis (Valley Fever), for instance, is a debilitating fungal disease contracted through the inhalation of Coccidiodes immitis and Coccidiodes posadasii of central California and elsewhere in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Recent studies suggest an increase in the incidence of Valley Fever throughout this region, but how the fungus is transported through the atmosphere is not well known. This is due in part to the fact that there is no effective and reliable standardized method for acquiring fungal spores at an elevated altitude, nor to do so rapidly — which would aid in limiting human exposure. This work fills the voids of sensing capability and rapid detection by means of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The use of an sUAS enables low-altitude sampling, in addition to the low-cost development and operation of the payload. The payload consists of two coupled subsystems, which log environment data and extract a bioaerosol sample. The data and sample is analyzed and validated via a variety of molecular biological and microbiological techniques.
Bacteremia Caused by Enterobacter: 15 Years of Experience in a Cancer Hospital

A total of 296 episodes of bacteremia due to Enterobacter occurred in 281 patients with cancer between 1972 and 1986. The majority of these episodes were caused by Enterobacter cloacae. Seventy-four percent of the patients developed their infection while in the hospital and 55% had received therapeutic antibiotics during the 10 days preceding the onset of the infection. Enterobacter bacteremia was associated with shock in 24% of the patients and with disseminated intravascular coagulation in only 3%. The overall rate of response to therapy was 79% and increased to 85% during the last 5-year period. Only five patients remained afebrile during their infection, but four of these five died. Only 37% of the patients with shock responded to therapy compared with 93% of the patients without shock. The rate of response to therapy was 86% among patients without pulmonary infection compared with only 53% among those with pulmonary infection. The response rate to therapy with a single antibiotic was 73% and that to therapy with two antibiotics was 85%. As single therapeutic agents aminoglycosides were less effective than beta-lactam agents.
Interleukin-6 Reduces Erythroid Development and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential In Human Erythroleukemic Cells

Abstract Introduction Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease is common and is associated with diseases such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disease, and acute and chronic infections. Concentration of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to negatively correlate with hemoglobin concentration in many of these disease states. Whether IL-6 promotes anemia of inflammation outside of the IL-6-hepcidin antimicrobial peptide axis has not been extensively studied. We previously reported that chronic inflammation affected maturation of erythroid progenitors in a mouse model of chronic inflammation but over expression of hepcidin, alone, did not. We hypothesized that IL-6 may directly impair erythroid maturation, independent of iron restriction. Methods We utilized the human erythroleukemia TF-1 cell line, treated with recombinant human erythropoietin, to model erythroid maturation and exposed TF-1 cells to increasing doses (0, 1, 10, 100ng/ml) of IL-6 over six days. TF-1 erythroid maturation was determined by flow cytometry (based on CD44, CD71, and CD235a expression), and benzidine staining. In addition, expression levels of genes representing early [glycophorin A (GPA)], mid [aminolevulinic acid synthase 2 (ALAS2) and hemoglobin adult major beta chain (HBB)], and late [erythrocyte membrane protein Band 3 (SLC4A1)] stages of erythropoiesis were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Finally, mitochondrial mass, membrane potential, and oxidative stress were measured using fluorescent indicators. Results IL-6 significantly repressed erythropoietin-dependent TF-1 erythroid maturation at concentrations at or above 10 ng/ml (p=0.001, Cuzick test). We observed impaired hemoglobin synthesis as demonstrated by decreased benzidine staining (p=0.022, Cuzick test), but this did not correspond to detectable decreases in ALAS2 or HBB expression. However, IL-6 down regulated expression of SLCA4A1 which is expressed late in erythropoiesis (p=0.005, Welch t-tes). The mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased, at all IL-6 treatment doses (p=0.05, Student's t-test), and mitochondrial mass was significantly decreased at the highest dose (p=0.05, Student's t-test). Conclusions These data demonstrate that IL-6 can impair mitochondrial membrane potential, hemoglobin production, and erythroid maturation in an in vitro setting. Our findings suggest that IL-6 affects cells relatively late in erythropoiesis, after they are primed for hemoglobin synthesis. We hypothesize that the effect of IL-6 on the mitochondria of maturing erythroid cells could be a mechanism behind the impaired maturation phenotype that we observed. These results may indicate a novel pathway of action for IL-6 in the anemia of inflammation, and demonstrate potential for the opportunity to develop new therapeutic targets that affect late erythroid development. Disclosures: Roy: Celgene Corp.: Research Funding.
A Revised “Earthquake Report” Questionnaire

The revised "Earthquake Report" questionnaire intro- duced here is designed to restrict the replies on the effects of earthquakes as closely as possible to a set of effects that can be evaluated by use of a computer pro- gram. Differences in intensity resulting from evalua- tion by different individuals using their own qualita- tive procedures can then be eliminated and static rules for evaluating the questionnaire for the assigning of intensity values can be established.
The Biological Value of Cereal Proteins in Human Nutrition.

Two different studies, one upon five human subjects, the other upon four, were carried on with a view to discover whether amongst the respective proteins of corn, wheat and oats, as presented to the American public in the form of cereal breakfast foods, any difference in biological value could be detected. In the first study the method of Karl Thomas1 was followed and the so-called “metabolic nitrogen” determined in control periods of two days each. Alternating with these periods were periods of three days, during each of which the cereals successively supplied nitrogen in amount equal to the total nitrogen excreted in the control periods, or nearly so. The chief objections to the Thomas method were the tendency to diarrhoea during the control periods when the theoretical energy supply was derived solely from cornstarch, heavy cream and sugar, and the difficulty of making such a diet palatable. There was no material difference amongst the three cereals as regards biological value whichever method of calcu...
Observations on the Seventeen-Year Periodical Cicada, Magicicada septendecim (Hemiptera: Homoptera: Cicadidae)

Biology of the 17-year periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim (L.) (Brood II), was investigated in Connecticut during spring and summer 1979. Most nymphs emerged from soil shortly before or after sunset from late May to late June. They emerged slightly earlier in the season in an apple orchard than in a nearby forest. Seasonal emergence of males and females overlapped considerably, although males appeared first. Adult reproductive activity and feeding peaked between 1000 and 1300 h. Calling and initiation of mating reached the highest level at 1000 h and decreased thereafter. Oviposition activity peaked between 1200 and 1300 h, when light intensity and temperature were highest. Females oviposited and both sexes fed on most woody plants, indicating a wide host range. Ages of adults performing each activity were: calling, 5 to 17 days; feeding, 10 to 17 days; mating, 5 to 18 days; and ovipositing, 8 to 16 days. Eggs laid in branches hatched between 30 July and 3 September, ca, 9 to 10 weeks after deposition. Between 5.6 and 55.6% of males or females that were marked dispersed across a 50-m treeless zone separating orchard and forest. Major causes of adult mortality in an apple orchard were predation and fungal infection. Mortality from vertebrate (mostly avian) predation rose from 5.9% for the period from 11 to 20 June to 50.6% for the period from 21 to 30 June whereas death from fungal infection decreased from 27.1 to 15.7% for these respective periods. Only one insectan predator, an unidentified cecidomyiid, attacked cicada eggs.
Russulaceae in American Samoa: new species and further support for an Australasian origin for Samoan ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Two new species from the Russulaceae, Lactifluus aurantiotinctus and Russula pallidirosea, are described from American Samoa. Based on analyses of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region barcod...
Electrophysiological study of spinothalamic inputs to ventrolateral and adjacent thalamic nuclei of the cat

1. Extracellular and intracellular methods were used to record from fibers and neurons in the ventral lateral (VL) and adjacent nuclei of the cat thalamus. The receptive fields of the recorded units were analyzed and the units tested for inputs from the medial lemniscus (ML) and spinothalamic tract (STT) by electrical stimulation of the dorsal columns (DC) and ventrolateral funiculus (VLF) at the C2-3 spinal level. 2. Thirty-eight STT fibers were isolated in the thalamus. Their conduction velocities ranged from 15 to 75 m/s (mode 36 m/s). Adequate stimuli were found for 23 of these fibers. Seventeen were low-threshold (LT), 3 were wide-dynamic-range (WDR), and 3 were high-threshold (HT) units. 3. Five STT fibers were intra-axonally injected. Three were sufficiently well filled for analysis of their terminal fields. An intermediate-velocity STT fiber (conduction velocity 38 m/s) had a 4.3-microns axon and a single large terminal field in the central lateral nucleus (CL). The other two STT fibers were smaller, with diameters of 2.5 and 2.3 microns, conduction velocities of 15 and 19 m/s, and terminal fields made up of a few small boutons at the borders of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL). 4. Of 319 neurons isolated, 14 out of 129 (10.8%) in VL, 14 out of 76 (18.4%) in the VPL or ventral posterior medial (VPM) nucleus, 27 out of 64 (42.2%) in the CL nucleus, and 5 out of 50 (10%) in the reticular nucleus (R) responded at latencies less than 50 ms to VLF stimuli. A train of three pulses was more effective in driving VLF-responding neurons in all these nuclei than a single pulse. VLF-responding cells were widely dispersed in VL, concentrated in a focus in CL, and distributed around the borders of VPL. Most of those in VL and a small number in CL could be antidromically activated by stimulation of motor cortex. 5. Latencies of presynaptic responses (STT fibers) to VLF stimulation were short and varied from 0.8 to 3.9 ms (mode 1.6 ms). Despite this, very few fast-responding neurons were found. These were six VPL neurons (2.5 to 4 ms), one VL neuron (3 ms), and four CL neurons (3-4 ms). The initial spike latencies of the majority of thalamic neurons responding to VLF stimulation appeared in two peaks, one between 6 and 8 ms and the other at 10-15 ms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Prevention Of Minimal Residual Disease In Ph+ ALL

Aggressive Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that genetically and phenotypically mimics the human disease can be induced by the introduction of cultured p185 (BCR-ABL)-expressing Arf -null pre/pro-B cells into healthy, unconditioned syngeneic mice. Only 20 polyclonal donor cells are sufficient to induce lethal ALL within 30 days of their IV administration, indicating that BCR-ABL expression and Arf inactivation are sufficient to guarantee leukemogenesis in healthy recipient animals. Leukemic mice enter transient remission in response to treatment with potent second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as dasatinib (SprycelTM). However, like human patients with Ph+ ALL, the continuously treated animals ultimately relapse with the emergence of leukemic clones containing clinically relevant BCR-ABL mutations, the nature of which depends upon the intensity of TKI treatment. Premature withdrawal of dasatinib when animals are in remission results in re-emergence of leukemia; surprisingly, leukemic B cells recovered from these animals lack BCR-ABL mutations and remain sensitive to dasatinib ex vivo . Hence, minimal residual disease depends upon salutary signaling within the hematopoietic microenvironment. In agreement, the response to TKI therapy can be significantly improved by abrogating cytokine signaling through a knockdown of the common gamma chain of the cytokine receptor. Administration of the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib (Jakafi™) mimics this response. Although ruxolitinib demonstrated no anti-leukemic activity of its own, the overall survival of leukemic mice inoculated with 200,000 p185+ Arf -/- pre/pro-B cells was significantly extended after administration of a targeted combination therapy of ruxolitinib and dasatinib in comparison with mice treated with dasatinib alone. Addition of dexamethasone further reduced the leukemic burden, prevented CNS relapse, and led to prolonged survival. This implicates prevention of minimal residual disease and relapse by a non-toxic combination of targeted treatments. These studies have provided a rationale for a Phase I/II clinical trial employing these agents, particularly in older patients who are ineligible for bone marrow transplantation or do not tolerate cytotoxic chemotherapy. Disclosures: Lowe: Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy; Constellation Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Mirimus Inc.: Consultancy.
Human Rights Education and Training for Professionals

Although human rights education (HRE) has a long history, it has only recently begun to realize its transformative potential. A critical catalyst in this process is the emerging global ethos of accountability. Within this context, HRE can play a crucial role in the construction of a universal culture of human rights, inspired by a shared commitment to a humane order and a belief that human beings have both the capacity and the responsibility to make a difference. In such an effort, the training of professionals is vital, especially of those professionals who can influence public debate on accountability and governance. Innovative HRE initiatives, characterized by a commitment to experiential learning and to international and regional cooperation among state and non-state actors, constitute a step in the right direction.
Direct ratiometric detection of nitric oxide with Cu(II)-based fluorescent probes

We report the first Cu(ii)-based fluorescent sensors for ratiometric detection of nitric oxide. The two probes operate by energy transfer between hydroxycoumarin and fluorescein chromophores, contain polyproline or piperazine as rigid spacers, and elicit a rapid and selective ratiometric response upon direct reaction with nitric oxide.
EEG Spatial Pattern Differences with Discriminated Odors Manifest Chaotic and Limit Cycle Attractors in Olfactory Bulb of Rabbits

The immediate aim of this study was to find reproducible but differing patterns in the EEG of the olfactory bulb that recur with presentation of different odors. The underlying purpose was to use these patterns to explain how the bulb operates on its receptor input in the process of olfactory discrimination.
Networking and WWW Connections

For networking, you need to create socket connections for clients and listen for socket connections. The following examples demonstrate creating and listening for socket connections.
Microscopy and Other Methods of Studying Blends

Examination of a given polymer blend is most often directed at answering questions concerning the degree of miscibility and the morphology of the phases (if two or more are present). In some instances, additional information is sought concerning the composition of the phases and the degree of interaction of the components.
Crime Victims and Their Unmet Civil Legal Needs: Pro Bono Service Provision Among Private Attorneys:

Crime victims often experience a host of negative consequences. In relation to these consequences, crime victims may also find themselves in need of assistance from the criminal justice system and ...
Nitrate addition stimulates microbial decomposition of organic matter in salt marsh sediments

Salt marshes sequester carbon at rates more than an order of magnitude greater than their terrestrial counterparts, helping to mitigate climate change. As nitrogen loading to coastal waters continues, primarily in the form of nitrate, it is unclear what effect it will have on carbon storage capacity of these highly productive systems. This uncertainty is largely driven by the dual role nitrate can play in biological processes, where it can serve as a nutrient-stimulating primary production or a thermodynamically favorable electron acceptor fueling heterotrophic metabolism. Here, we used a controlled flow-through reactor experiment to test the role of nitrate as an electron acceptor, and its effect on organic matter decomposition and the associated microbial community in salt marsh sediments. Organic matter decomposition significantly increased in response to nitrate, even at sediment depths typically considered resistant to decomposition. The use of isotope tracers suggests that this pattern was largely driven by stimulated denitrification. Nitrate addition also significantly altered the microbial community and decreased alpha diversity, selecting for taxa belonging to groups known to reduce nitrate and oxidize more complex forms of organic matter. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy further supported these results, suggesting that nitrate facilitated decomposition of complex organic matter compounds into more bioavailable forms. Taken together, these results suggest the existence of organic matter pools that only become accessible with nitrate and would otherwise remain stabilized in the sediment. The existence of such pools could have important implications for carbon storage, since greater decomposition rates as N loading increases may result in less overall burial of organic-rich sediment. Given the extent of nitrogen loading along our coastlines, it is imperative that we better understand the resilience of salt marsh systems to nutrient enrichment, especially if we hope to rely on salt marshes, and other blue carbon systems, for long-term carbon storage.
It’s not about the feet

The authors at a regional medical campus reflect on the positive impact of implementing a free foot care clinic at a local homeless shelter. Although basic foot care services were provided, the humanistic conversations between medical students providing the care and the people who were homeless had a profound impact on both parties. Medical students connected with a patient population that they little in common with and were enlightened and rewarded through these conversations.
Mammalian cell culture models

Abstract In vitro cell culture approaches are an indispensable tool for mechanistic toxicology because they provide a means to simplify complex systems. This facilitates direct manipulation of cells and allows optical, biochemical, and genetic observations that are not possible in vivo. This chapter will focus on the use of mammalian cell culture models in the field of toxicology. It is intended as a beginning reference for newcomers to the topic and present basic principles that one need to understand regardless of the exact cell culture model that they might utilize. Specifically it will start with a brief discussion of the basic laboratory setup and cell culture terminology, discuss good cell culture practices, and then discuss the differences between cell culture models and their advantages and disadvantages. The chapter will end with some brief case studies using different types of cell cultures to address toxicological problems.
Analysis of detection on hepatitis B virus serum marks in the occupational population

Objective To acknowledge the status of HBV infection in the occupational population in Taiyuan and deal with HBsAg carrier effectively.Method Sera HBsAg,HBeAg and anti-HBe IgM of the occupational population were detected by ELISA.Results 41 164 persons were detected from January 2000 to August 2006,HBsAg of 588 persons was positive(1.43%).Among the 588 HBsAg positive persons,40 were HBeAg positive(6.80%),HBeAg positive rate decreased while age increased(x2=30.13,P＜0.01);6 were anti-HBc IgM positive(1.02%),there were no statistical difference in different age groups(x2=1.61,P＞0.05).Among the 588 HBsAg positive persons,the people of HBsAg positive,HBeAg negative,anti-HBc IgM negative were 92.52%,those of HBsAg positive,HBeAg positive,anti-HBc IgM positive were 0.34%.Conclusions The positive rate of HBV infection in the railway occupational population in Taiyuan is low,and the result shows that it is important for the HBsAg carrier management. Key words: Hepatitis B virus; Occupational population; Serum marks; HBsAg
Radionuclide Cancer Therapy: Unsealed Alpha- and Beta-Emitters

Radionuclide cancer therapy using radiopharmaceuticals may target organ-specific tumors, such as thyroid, prostate gland, bone, or lymphomas, or neuroendocrine tumors. They deliver the radiation that they carry along to the targeted organ-specific malignant lesions with an intent to cure, control, or diminish the size of the tumor or disease. Specific molecular pathways can direct targeted therapy to a specific organ or the entire body of the patient using unsealed α-, β-, and γ-emitting radionuclides. Using radiopharmaceuticals with radionuclides emitting gamma radiation for imaging and different radionuclides emitting beta radiations, or radiopharmaceuticals emitting both beta and gamma emissions, theranostic approaches may be accomplished. The current clinical uses of these radiopharmaceuticals in treating cancer are described in this chapter. Potential uses and clinical trials are also reviewed.
Pointing Orientations for Manipulator End-Effectors

This paper discusses the problem of pointing of robotic end-effectors. A formal definition of pointing orientations is first described in terms of both direction cosine matrices and unit-quaternions. The paper then describes a numerical inverse kinematics technique that can be used to find solutions that point an end-effector in a desired direction. This technique is extended to the related problem of pointing an end-effector towards a desired location. Both techniques are demonstrated by examples applied to a Denso VP-6242 six degree of freedom manipulator.
Assessing the learning curve associated with a novel flexible robot in the pre-clinical and clinical setting

Transoral robotic surgery has been successfully used by head and neck surgeons for a variety of procedures but is limited by rigid instrumentation and line-of-sight visualization. Non-linear systems specifically designed for the aerodigestive tract are needed. Ease of use of these new systems in both training and clinical environments is critical in its widespread adoption. Residents, fellows, and junior faculty performed four tasks on an anatomical airway mannequin using the Medrobotics FLEX™ Robotic System: expose and incise the tonsil, grasp the epiglottis, palpate the vocal processes, and grasp the interarytenoid space. These tasks were performed once a day for four days; after a 4-month time gap, subjects were asked to perform these same tasks for three more days. Time to task completion and total distance driven were tracked. In addition, a retrospective analysis was performed analyzing one attending physician’s experience with clinical usage of the robot. 13 subjects completed the initial round of the mannequin simulation and 8 subjects completed the additional testing 4 months later. Subjects rapidly improved their speed and efficiency at task completion. Junior residents were slower in most tasks initially compared to senior trainees but quickly reached similar levels of efficiency. Following the break there was minimal degradation in skills and continued improvement in efficiency was observed with additional trials. There was significant heterogeneity in the analyzed clinical cases, but when analyzing cases of similar complexity and pathology, clear decreases in overall operative times were demonstrable. Novice users quickly gained proficiency with the FLEX™ Robotic System in a training environment, and these skills are retained after several months. This learning could translate to the clinical setting if a proper training regimen is developed. The Medrobotics FLEX™ Robotic System shows promise as a surgical tool in head and neck surgery in this study.
Combining convolutional neural networks with unsupervised learning for acoustic monitoring of robotic manufacturing facilities

For automated robotic manufacturing, a key aspect of monitoring is the identification and segmentation of core actuation processes captured in sensor logs. Once segmented, the behavior of an indust...