cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of deletion and substitution mutants of adenovirus type 5

Abstract The infectivity of adenovirus type 5 DNA can be increased to about 5 x 10 3 plaque-forming units per μg DNA if the DNA is isolated as a DNA-protein complex. Utilizing this improved infectivity, a method was developed for the selection of mutants lacking restriction endonuclease cleavage sites. The procedure involves three steps. First, the DNA-protein complex is cleaved with a restriction endonuclease. The Eco RI restriction endonuclease was used here. It cleaves adenovirus type 5 DNA to produce three fragments: fragment A (1–76 map units), fragment C (76–83 map units) and fragment B (10–83 map units). Second, the mixture of fragments is rejoined by incubating with DNA ligase, and, third, the modified DNA is used to infect cells in a DNA plaque assay. Mutants were obtained which lacked the endonuclease cleavage site at 0.83 map units. Such mutant DNAs were selected by this procedure because they were cleaved by the Eco RI endonuclease to produce only two fragments: a normal A fragment and a fused B/C fragment. These two fragments could be rejoined to produce a viable DNA molecule as a result of a bimolecular reaction with one ligation event; this exerted a strong selection for such molecules since a trimolecular reaction (keeping the C fragment in its proper orientation) and two ligation events were required to regenerate a wild-type molecule. The alterations resulting in the loss of the Eco RI endonuclease cleavage site at 0.83 map units include both deletion and substitution mutations. The inserted sequences in the substitution mutations are cellular in origin.
RNA-Seq methods for imperfect samples: development, evaluation and applications

Next-generation sequencing of RNA (RNA-Seq) is a powerful tool that can be applied to a wide range of biological questions. RNA-Seq provides insight at multiple levels into the transcription of the genome. It yields sequence, splicing and expression-level information, allowing the identification of novel transcripts and sequence alterations. We have been developing and comparing methods for samples that present a challenge: that is, those with low quantity and/or quality RNA. RNA-Seq methods that start from total RNA and do not require the oligo(dT) purification of mRNA will be valuable for such challenging samples. Such methods use alternative approaches to reduce the fraction of sequencing reads derived from rRNA. We will present results from multiple approaches, including the use of not-so-random (NSR) primers for cDNA synthesis, low-C0t hybridization with a duplex-specific nuclease for light normalization and NuGEN’s Ovation RNA-Seq kit. We demonstrated that these three methods successfully reduce the fraction of rRNA to less than 13%, even when starting from degraded RNA. We compared the performance between these methods and with ‘gold standard’ RNA-Seq data (derived from samples with large quantities of high-quality RNA), using quantitative criteria that evaluate effectiveness for genome annotation, transcript discovery and expression profiling. The application of these methods to samples that contain degraded RNA and/or very low input amounts of RNA will also be presented.
HP001: Piezoelectric ceramics for explosively-driven high voltage RF pulse generation

Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 doped with varying levels of BaTiO3 (BT) was synthesized. Remnant polarization, coercive field, d33, permittivity and grain size were measured. Output voltage generated under fast impact was measured. The piezoelectric doped with 4 mol.% BT generated the highest output voltage and was selected for explosive impact testing. Results showed that it generated an output voltage twice that of the standard of PZT-5A..
Earthquake Risk in Turkey

Turkey has been the site of devastating earthquakes. Two massive earthquakes in Antioch (today Antakya) in CE 115 and 526 reportedly claimed more than 500,000 lives. Since 1900, ∼90,000 people have lost their lives in 76 earthquakes, with a total affected population of ∼7 million and direct losses of ∼25 billion U.S. dollars (USD). About half the lives lost were due to two earthquakes associated with the North Anatolian Fault in 1939 and 1999 ( 1 ). The resulting losses place Turkey in the top 20% of all countries exposed to earthquake hazard with regard to mortality and economic losses ( 2 ). Recent efforts are helping to increase Turkey's earthquake preparedness.
A clinical evaluation of Systane

Abstract Background Systane is a new artificial tear solution containing the pH dependent gelling polymer hydroxypropyl-Guar (HP-Guar). We evaluated Systane in an open trial. Methods Patients complaining of dry feeling eyes were eligible to enrol, with inclusion criteria based on the presence of corneal staining with sodium fluorescein (NaFl) and participants’ desire to use ocular lubricants. Six symptoms of ocular irritation were rated on a four-point scale. Conjunctival injection, conjunctival and corneal fluorescein staining were graded and tear break-up time (TBUT) and tear meniscus height were measured. Subjects were instructed to instil one drop of Systane into each eye four times a day for approximately four weeks. Ocular symptoms and signs were then reassessed and subjects were asked to rate eight statements concerning their satisfaction with the product. Results A total of 38 subjects were enrolled with 32 completing the follow-up visit. The following variables improved significantly at follow-up: all ocular irritation symptom scores, conjunctival injection, total conjunctival and total corneal staining scores, and TBUT. Tear meniscus height showed no significant change. Systane proved effective in reducing the symptoms of dry eye; however induced blur appeared to be a complication for many participants. Conclusions The study represents a community based evaluation of the benefits of a novel ocular lubricant in optometric practice. The results suggest that the gelling properties of HP-Guar may be influential in promoting ocular surface recovery through improved ocular surface retention, however further randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm this. The extent and significance of induced blur also needs further investigation.
An arborescent lycopsid from the Lower Carboniferous Price Formation, southwestern Virginia, USA and the problem of species delimitation

Abstract A large assemblage of stems, leaves and reproductive structures collected from a single horizon in the Lower Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) Price Formation of southwestern Virginia, USA is recognized as representing the components of a distinctive arborescent lycopsid. While similar forms previously were included in Lepidodendropsis Lutz, an eligulate lycopsid in which leaf scars are not apparent, these specimens document the presence of both well-defined leaf scars and ligules. Among larger specimens, leaf base patterns change along the length of a single stem, each morphology conforming to a different species of Lepidodendropsis . Because of the overlapping variability within specimens, we find that stems of different sizes and leaf base patterns are parts of the same plant. This plant was a tree with a trunk that probably attached to a cormose base previously recognized as Protostigmaria Jennings. The trunk extended 3–4 m before branching dichotomously to produce a crown of several orders of branches, with the distal-most ones still bearing long tapering leaves. Sporangia are borne in fertile zones; the plant is heterosporous. The presence of leaf scars and a ligule (features explicitly lacking in the generic diagnosis of Lepidodendropsis ) as well as other plant organs for this taxon precludes inclusion in Lepidodendropsis ; rather, this plant should be placed in a new genus. A better understanding of this plant, and other specimens attributed to Lepidodendropsis , may aid in elucidating transitions and phylogenetic relationships among Late Devonian–Late Carboniferous arborescent lycopsids.
The Search for Occult Metastatic Disease in Breast Cancer Patients: How Far Should We Go?

In this issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology, Port et al. present a well-designed prospective study of F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning compared with conventional imaging (body computed tomographic [CT] scan plus bone scan) in women with breast cancer. The overall ability to detect metastatic disease was equivalent for these two imaging strategies, but patients undergoing PET scanning were less likely to have false-positive findings that led to additional diagnostic studies or procedures. These data provide a very compelling argument in favor of routinely performing PET scans in selected categories of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Indeed, the American College of Radiology Imaging Network has included the study of functional imaging as one component of their primary overall research strategy for the remainder of this decade. It is essential to underscore a point made by Port et al.: the value of performing the metastatic screen in a patient with newly diagnosed breast cancer is relevant only for the patient with high-risk or advanced-stage disease; an asymptomatic patient with clinically early-stage breast cancer will have only up to a 5% likelihood of having a significant lesion identified on metastatic work-up, whether conventional imaging or PET scanning is used. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approves coverage for PET scanning in women with known advanced or metastatic disease, but not for PET scanning performed at the initial diagnosis of early breast cancer. As with any investigation that prompts a potential change in practice patterns, the concept must be scrutinized in the context of several other public health-care issues:
Onset Criterion for Flash Sintering

When the sample temperature is warm enough so that the Joule heating takes over the environment's radiation heating as the dominant heating means, thermal runaway follows and flash sintering is triggered. This condition accurately predicts the reported onset temperature Ton of all the constant-field (E) experiments on flash sintering, performed under a constant heating rate. The predicted linear ln(E2/Ton4) versus Ton−1 relation determines the activation energy and the relative ranking of the electrical conductivity of the tested materials.
The variable response of dryland corn yield to soil water content at planting

Farmers in the central Great Plains want to diversify crop rotations from the traditional monoculture system of winter wheat-fallow. Corn (Zea mays L.) could work well as a rotation crop, but inputs are expensive and farmers would like to know the chances of producing a certain yield before investing in seed, fertilizer, herbicides, etc. Information on the yield response of corn to available soil water at planting could help guide the crop choice decision regarding corn. This study was conducted to determine if a predictive relationship exists between dryland corn yield and available soil water at planting time and, if such a relationship exists, to use it to assess the risk in obtaining profitable yields. Yield and soil water data from 10 years of a dryland crop rotation study at Akron, CO were analyzed by linear regression to determine predictive relationships. The yield-soil water content production function was highly variable, with values ranging from 0.0 to 67.3 kg ha � 1 per mm of available soil water in the 0 to 1.8 m soil profile at planting. The differences in yield response to soil water were related to the amount and timing of precipitation that fell during the corn growing season. Because dryland corn yield is highly dependent on precipitation during reproductive and grain-filling stages, soil water content at corn planting cannot be used alone to reliably determine whether corn should be planted in a flexible rotational system. The predictive relationships developed in this study indicate that under typical amounts of available soil water at corn planting, profitable corn production under dryland conditions is a risky and speculative activity in the central Great Plains of the United States.
TCP offload performance for front-end servers

This paper presents a detailed modeling of TCP offload in the context of SPECweb99 web-server benchmark in order to assess the impact of offload on the overall server performance. A number of possibilities with respect to offload are considered, including the offload location, data/connection offload and direct/iSCSI based storage. The results indicate that a carefully designed offload engine coupled with a lean host interface can more than double the SPECweb99 performance.
Mexican American Protest, Ethnic Resiliency and Social Capital: The Mobilization Benefits of Cross-Cutting Ties

Using terms like free spaces and havens, conventional wisdom views social ties by subordinate groups to dominant group members as hindering protest participation. In contrast, we draw on ethnic resiliency and social capital perspectives and argue that there are mobilization benefits to having dominant group members as friends. We offer a unique statistical test by examining the effect of white social ties on Mexican American participation in cultural and political protest. Using survey data, bivariate and multivariate results demonstrate that social connections to whites promote Mexican American activism. We conclude with a discussion of how our findings can be reconciled with previous scholarship.
Percentage contribution of increased heart rate to increased oxygen transport during activity in Pseudemys scripta, Terrapene ornata and other reptiles.

l. A new formula which correctly expresses the percentage con- tribution of increased heart rate to increased oxygen transport during activity is presented. 2. The percentage contribution is reported for the turtles Pseudemys scripta and Terrupene ornata at body temperatures of 1@-4O"C. 3. Corrected values for this parameter in reptiles studied at 30°C by other authors are also presented. SEVERAL recent physiological studies have included simultaneous measurements of metabolic rate and heart rate of resting and active reptiles. Bartholomew & Tucker (1963) presented an equation which they felt expressed the relative change of metabolism and heart rate during activity, a parameter which they termed the percentage contribution of increased heart rate to increased oxygen transport during activity. The equation which these authors derived from the Fick equation for this parameter is
EXPLORING HETEROGENEITY IN RANDOMIZED TRIALS VIA META-ANALYSIS

Meta-analysis of clinical trials with heterogeneous results provides an opportunity to learn a great deal about variations in treatment effectiveness. Rather than computing a single summary estimate of a series of trials, it may be more informative to explore the effect that different study characteristics may make on treatment efficacy. Regression analysis offers a tool for these analyses. This paper outlines and applies hierarchical Bayesian models for this purpose, presenting two examples of meta-regression using summary data, in one of which results are compared with those from analysis of complete individual patient data. When covariates are not readily available, the event rate in the control group can become a surrogate covariate. An empirical study of 115 meta-analyses shows that this control rate is significantly correlated with the odds ratio about 15% of the time. This suggests that investigators should search for the causes of heterogeneity related to patient characteristics and treatment protocols to determine when treatment is most beneficial and that they should plan to study this heterogeneity in clinical trials.
On the steady state solution of a two-by-two dynamic jamming game with cumulative power constraints

It is noted that the process of jamming can be modeled as a two-person zero-sum noncooperative dynamic game played between a communicator and a jammer over a number of discrete time instants. The simplest case is when, at each instant, the communicator and jammer randomize their strategies between idleness and transmission. The payoff (throughput) matrix is then two-by-two, with one variable parameter. The payoff function is the average throughput summed over time, to be optimized subject to cumulative power constraints. The authors find an analytical steady-state solution for this game played over an infinite time duration. Results show that when the throughput parameter is lower than a threshold, the optimal strategies are mixed, and the payoff increment constant; otherwise the strategies are pure, with the payoff increment exhibiting oscillatory behavior. >
Renal and bladder ultrasound is important but yields incomplete screening for genitourinary abnormalities in young children with urinary tract infection.

Commentary on: Nelson CP, Johnson EK, Logvinenko T, et al. Ultrasound as a screening test for genitourinary anomalies in children with UTI. Pediatrics 2014;133:e394–403.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for a young child with a febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) state that renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS) should be performed and, if abnormal, then a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) should be performed. The purpose of this study was to determine the positive and negative predictive value of RBUS for vesicoureteral reflux in children aged 2-24 months with their first febrile UTI. With institutional review board approval, records of patients who underwent RBUS and VCUG on the same day over a 5-year period were reviewed. Children younger than 5 years old without prior genitourinary imaging and with a history of UTI were included. Reports of the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPediatrics%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1542%252Fpeds.2012-2874%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24470649%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=pediatrics&resid=133/2/e394&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F5%2F190.atom
Lipopolyamine-mediated transfection of reporter plasmids into a fish cell line

EJB Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458 Vol.2 No.2, Issue of August 15, 1999.© 1999 by Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso -- Chile Received March 3 , 1999 / Accepted April 16 , 1999
Fiber-optic-bundle-based optical coherence tomography

A fiber-optic-bundle-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe method is presented. The experimental results demonstrate this multimode optical fiber-bundle-based OCT system can achieve a lateral resolution of 12 microm and an axial resolution of 10 microm with a superluminescent diode source. This novel OCT imaging approach eliminates any moving parts in the probe and has a primary advantage for use in extremely compact and safe OCT endoscopes for imaging internal organs and great potential to be combined with confocal endoscopic microscopy.
Lung Cancer Screening: What Is the Effect of Using a Larger Nodule Threshold Size to Determine Who Is Assigned to Short-term CT Follow-up?

The results of the analysis by Yip et al support consideration of somewhat larger nodule-size thresholds than those previously recommended for screening-encountered nodules and are consistent with our evolving understanding of this subject.
Dielectric relaxation spectrum of ice measured with linear blocking layers

A systematic study of the dielectric relaxation spectrum of ionic impurities in ice over a wide range of concentrations and temperatures required the development of methods to compare the spectra. The studied impurities fall roughly into two categories, those that increase the dc conductivity of the ice and attendant space-charge effects, and those that suppress these effects. The former were measured with blocking layers inserted between the sample and electrodes, the latter with stainless steel guard electrodes. Linearized plots of the Debye expressions were used for separating up to 4 spectral components by an iterative fitting and correction technique. With blocking layers, the Maxwell-Wagner model of a layered dielectric yields the ice bulk parameters. Analysis suggests that, in general, ice is best described by a small number of discrete components, each characterized by a single relaxation time. Advantages of the blocking-layer technique are experimental simplicity, reproducible values of electrical parameters obtained exclusively from ac measurements, and the systematic coverage possible. The results are useful for evaluating electrical properties of ice in the environment. The model should be applicable to the investigation of rocks other than ice.
Status of zinc in cow's milk.

Abstract A colorimetric method employing dithizone was developed and validated for determination of zinc in milk. The zinc content of cow's milk was found to range from 3 to 6 μ g/milliliter. Very little of the zinc in milk is associated with the fat phase, inasmuch as the zinc content of skimmilk is virtually identical to that of the whole milk from which it is derived. An average of about 12% of the total zinc is present in dissolved, ultrafilterable form. The remainder is associated with the caseinate particles. None appears to be associated with the noncasein or whey proteins, inasmuch as the bound zinc is all sedimented with the caseinate under conditions of ultracentrifugation which do not sediment the whey proteins. The casein-bound zinc is all released by acidification to pH 2.0, but only about half of it is removed by dialysis of skimmilk at pH 6.6 or by extraction with dithizone in acetone. Thus, a portion of the zinc appears to be tightly and another loosely bound to constituents of the caseinate complex. The solubilization of bound zinc by adding graded amounts of EDTA to skimmilk further supports the conclusion that zinc is bound in two different manners.
Above- and belowground interference of purple and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) with tomato

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the extent of full and partitioned interference of two nutsedge species with tomato. For full interference, the crop and the weed were transplanted in the same container. For belowground interference, tomato and either weed species were grown in the same container, but the canopies were separated. For aboveground interference, tomato and nutsedges were grown in separate containers placed adjacently, whereas for the no-interference treatment, tomato and nutsedge plants were grown in individual containers. Full interference by yellow nutsedge was more detrimental to tomato shoot dry weight accumulation (34% reduction) than was full interference by purple nutsedge (28% reduction). Belowground interference by purple nutsedge reduced tomato shoot dry weight (18%) more than did aboveground interference (9%). Yellow nutsedge interference above- or belowground reduced tomato shoot dry weight to a similar extent (19%). The belowground interference of both nutsedges with...
Development of Infant Manual Skills: Motor Programs, Schemata, or Dynamic Systems?

Publisher Summary The hands are used in an enormous range of actions involving feeding, locomotion, body maintenance (cleaning, soothing, and protection), communication, play, social cohesion, and emotional regulation. However, in the contexts of both evolution and civilization, the manipulation of inedible environmental objects is the most important use of the hands. Most human characteristics depend, directly or indirectly, on the manual skills needed to use implements and construct tools. Effective manual action in these skills requires refined control of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger joints, as well as specific postural adjustment of the trunk and legs. Failure to achieve the appropriate postural “set” can preclude the expression of a manual skill. The execution of manual actions has a special priority in the organization of central nervous system activity, co-opting a diverse set of neuro-anatomical structures that are involved in a wide range of functions. Reaching and grasping are prehensile skills established during infancy and serve as the basis for most of the infant's manipulatory actions. Intelligent behavior almost always involves acts of prehension and manipulation (e.g., searching for hidden objects, using tools). Accordingly, processes involved in the acquisition of various manual skills during infancy may serve to either facilitate or constrain cognitive development, and manual skill is often used as a means of assessing the cognitive ability of infants.
STAT3 signaling is essential for the germinal center maintenance and pathogenesis of lupus (BA4P.122)

Antibody maturation as well as memory B and plasma cell differentiation occurs primarily in the germinal center (GC). Lupus may develop as a result of enhanced GC activity. Many factors involved in GC reaction, including T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, IL-21, IL-6, play critical roles in lupus pathogenesis. These inflammatory cytokines predominantly activate the STAT3 signaling pathway. Here, we demonstrate that STAT3 signaling in B cells is essential for antibody response as well as GC formation and maintenance. Increased cell apoptosis and down-regulated Bcl-xL expression are found in the STAT3 deficient GC B cells. The Tfh cell response is significantly decreased in B cell STAT3-deficient immunized mice. Further, STAT3 deficiency in autoreactive B cells results in decreased autoantibody production upon immunization with apoptotic cells. Results obtained using B cell STAT3 deficient MRL.Fas(lpr) mice suggest that STAT3 signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of lupus by regulation of autoantibody production. Our findings thus provide new insights into the role of B cell STAT3 signaling in the GC maintenance and pathogenesis of lupus.
Abstract 209: The Safety of Emergent Bedside Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Patients with Moderate and Severe Aortic Stenosis in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Purpose: Recent advances in the management of aortic stenosis (AS) including the availability of percutaneous valve therapies have resulted in the evaluation of patients with increased co-morbidities. AS is associated with an increased risk of Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding which is further increased by antithrombotic and antiplatelet treatment that often accompany hospitalization. The aim of our study was to determine the safety of emergent bedside endoscopies in patients with moderate to severe AS in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) setting presenting with acute GI bleeding. Objective and Methods: We identified all patients with moderate to severe AS who were admitted to the CICU at the Cleveland Clinic and experienced GI bleeding requiring emergent bedside endoscopies between Jan 2011 and Jan 2013. Data collection included demographics, indication for admission to the CICU, indication for bedside endoscopy, etiologies of GI bleeding, and intra procedural as well as post procedural hemodynamic instability and respiratory distress. AS was defined as moderate for aortic valve area (AVA) in the range 1.5-1.00 cm square and severe for AVA < 1.00 cm square. Result: 17 patients (10 males) with a mean age 78.4 ± 10.6 years were identified. Overall 4 patients had moderate AS while 13 had severe AS. The peak gradient across the aortic valve was 53.8 ± 24.8 with a mean AVA 0.74 ± 0.25 cm square. Indication for urgent bedside endoscopies included episodes of acute melena, hematemesis, acute anemia of an undetermined etiology, in addition to evaluation of acute anemia in the perioperative period. 88% of patients were on either antiplatelet or anticoagulation or both. The patients underwent a total of 20 bedside endoscopies: 16 upper endoscopies and 4 colonoscopies. IV fentanyl and midazolam were used for sedation in patients not previously intubated. The etiologies of GI bleeding were peptic ulcer disease (n=5), hemorrhagic gastritis (n=5), esophagitis with esophageal ulcer (n=3), GI angiodysplasias (n=3), and diverticulitis (n=1). None of the patients developed acute hemodynamic instability or acute respiratory distress during or after the endoscopy. Conclusion: The etiologies of acute bleeding in patients with AS are diverse. Emergent bedside GI endoscopies done in the CICU for the diagnosis and management of acute GI bleeding is a safe procedure in patients with moderate to severe AS.
A review of the southern African genus Tongamya (Diptera: Asiloidea: Mydidae: Megascelinae), with a molecular assessment of the phylogenetic placement of Tongamya and the Megascelinae

This paper both tests the morphologically based cladistic appraisal of the Apioceridae proposed by Yeates & Irwin (1996) using the 28S ribosomal RNA gene and reviews the systematic status and biology of Tongamya and the subfamily Megascelinae to which it belongs. Yeates & Irwin (1996) concluded that the subfamilies Rhaphiomidinae and Megascelinae, both formerly placed within the Apioceridae, were separate basal lineages of the family Mydidae. The 28S rDNA evidence presented here confirms the sister group relationship of Tongamya and Megascelus, their retention in the subfamily Megascelinae, the removal of that subfamily from the Apioceridae and its placement within the family Mydidae. New material and field observations of flies belonging to the genus Tongamya enable us to expand the known range of Tongamya miranda, describe a second species, Tongamya stuckenbergi sp. n., better diagnose Tongamya and its two included species, and expand on the habitat and flight behaviour of this remarkable and rarely encountered genus of flies.
World-Wide Long-Term (20–40 Years) Renal Transplant Outcomes and Classification of Long-Term Patient and Allograft Survivals

This chapter describes clinical aspects impacting the care of patients who are long-term survivors of renal transplantation. The chapter is based on published experiences of the authors and a critical review of pertinent published case series. Factors underlying the long-term success of renal transplantation in such patients are discussed. This material is directed at the practicing clinician who cares for such patients.
Gain and Power Measurements in a Scaled Electric Discharge Excited Oxygen-Iodine Laser 1

Singlet delta oxygen (SDO) yield, gain, and output power have been measured in a scaled-up electric discharge excited oxygen-iodine laser. The laser is using 5 kW transverse RF discharge operated at pressures of up to P0=90 torr to generate singlet delta oxygen. The flow rate through the M=3 laser cavity is 0.5 mole/sec, with a 10 cm gain path and steady-state run time of up to 10 sec. SDO yield and gain have been measured in a wide range of RF discharge powers, up to 4.5 kW. The results demonstrate that both yield and gain at high discharge powers nearly level off, approximately at 3.5% and 0.11 %/cm, respectively. Gain measurements at multiple axial locations in the supersonic section demonstrated that gain peaks 3 cm downstream of the nozzle exit and decreases to near transparency at the downstream end of the cavity. During operation, extensive separation bubbles formed near the top and the bottom walls of the supersonic flow channel. Gain measurements at two transverse locations detected negative gain (i.e. absorption) in the separation bubble at the conditions when significant gain was measured on the centerline, at the same axial location in the cavity. Laser power has been measured using two different resonator configurations, (i) two 99.9% output couplers on both resonator arms, 1.7 W, and (ii) 99.9% mirror on one arm and 99% output coupler on the other, 1.6 W. The latter result demonstrates that at the present conditions laser power can be coupled out without using high-reflectivity output couplers. Low c.w. output power may be due to strong transverse flow nonuniformity in the resonator, with significant absorption measured in the separation bubbles. Removing one of the angle step diffuser inserts significantly reduced flow separation, without reducing steady-state run time, and produced nearly uniform distribution of gain in the supersonic cavity, with 0.10-0.11 %/cm gain achieved over approximately 10 cm of the cavity length. This suggests that operation without diffuser inserts may result in higher gain and laser power.
High Median Nerve Injuries

The median nerve serves a crucial role in extrinsic and intrinsic motor and sensory function to the radial half of the hand. High median nerve injuries, defined as injuries proximal to the anterior interosseous nerve origin, therefore typically result in significant functional loss prompting aggressive surgical management. Even with appropriate recognition and contemporary nerve reconstruction, however, motor and sensory recovery may be inadequate. With isolated persistent high median nerve palsies, a variety of available tendon transfers can improve key motor functions and salvage acceptable use of the hand.
Call Admission Control Algorithm Based on Measurement in Network with Self-similar Traffic

Self-similarity is not considered in the traditional Call Admission control Algorithms,such as Admission Control based on parameters and Admission Control based on measurement.Admission Control based on parameters often provides the strictest QoS gurantee with lowest admission ratio and worst bandwidth usage.Admission Control based on measurement considers the dynamic changes of network traffic with better admission ratio and bandwidth usage.Taking advantage of the self-similarity character,and combining the admission control algorithm based on parameters with that based on measurement,the admission control algorithms based on measurement with self-similarity character and the adaptive admission control algorithm based measurement were proposed.The extensive simulations have shown that the algorithms can improve admission ratio and average bandwidth usage.
INTRODUCTION TO INDUSTRIAL GUMS

Publisher Summary Industrial gums, which for the most part are water-soluble polysaccharides, have enormously large and broad application in both food and non-food industries. All applications depend on the properties provided by very large molecules in various states of hydration, but mostly depend on the properties they impart to solutions and gels. Polysaccharides are used in the food industry, because they are widely available and nontoxic and are usually of low cost. The use of polysaccharides in nonfood applications depends on unique special properties they provide, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. Each gum has special properties that are a result of its individual unique molecular structure. This chapter presents general information on gums and discusses various factors that affect the selection of gums.
Accreditation in police agencies: Does external quality assurance reduce citizen complaints?

Accreditation suggests an organisation has met standards of quality through extensive self-study and external review. This study examines the influence of Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforc...
High-Precision, Mixed-Signal Mismatch Measurement of Metal–Oxide–Metal Capacitors

This brief presents a high-precision, mixed-signal mismatch measurement technique for metal–oxide–metal capacitors. The proposed technique incorporates a switched-capacitor op amp within the measurement circuit to significantly improve the measurement precision while relaxing the resolution requirement on the backend analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proposed technique is also robust against multiple types of errors. A detailed analysis is presented to quantify the sensitivity improvement of the proposed technique over the conventional one. In addition, this brief proposes a multiplexing technique to measure a large number of capacitors in a single chip and a new layout to improve matching. A prototype fabricated in 180 nm technology demonstrates the ability to sense capacitor mismatch standard deviation as low as 0.045% with excellent repeatability, all without the need of a high-resolution ADC.
Area-convexity, l∞ regularization, and undirected multicommodity flow

We show the strong-convexity assumption of regularization-based methods for solving bilinear saddle point problems may be relaxed to a weaker notion of area-convexity with respect to an alternating bilinear form. This allows bypassing the infamous '' barrier for strongly convex regularizers that has stalled progress on a number of algorithmic problems. Applying area-convex regularization, we present a nearly-linear time approximation algorithm for solving matrix inequality systems A X ≤ B over right-stochastic matrices X. By combining that algorithm with existing work on preconditioning maximum-flow, we obtain a nearly-linear time approximation algorithm for maximum concurrent flow in undirected graphs: given an undirected, capacitated graph with m edges and k demand vectors, the algorithm takes O(mke'1) time and outputs k flows routing the specified demands with total congestion at most (1+e) times optimal.
Victimization as a mediator of alcohol use disparities between sexual minority subgroups and sexual majority youth using the 2015 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Background Alcohol use among underage youth is a significant public health concern. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is the “drug of choice” among adolescents, meaning more youth use and abuse alcohol than any other substance. Prevalence of alcohol use is disproportionately higher among sexual minority youth (SMY) than among their heterosexual peers. We examined sexual identity and sexual behavior disparities in alcohol use, and the mediational role of bullying in a sample of high school students.
The Web, the Home and the Search Engine

The web search engine has come to occupy a central position in our information-seeking habits as citizens. This chapter explores the genesis of the idea of a search engine, and how this mechanism has developed in the web context. Search engines have adapted to the world of the web (in particular, to users and to the uses to which they have been put), and users, advertisers and website owners have adapted to web search engines. The web, and its central role in our lives, is now almost inconceivable without them.
Bottom-up approaches in synthetic biology and biomaterials for tissue engineering applications

Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and construct genetic circuits for programming cells with novel functions. A bottom-up approach is commonly used to design and construct genetic circuits by piecing together functional modules that are capable of reprogramming cells with novel behavior. While genetic circuits control cell operations through the tight regulation of gene expression, a diverse array of environmental factors within the extracellular space also has a significant impact on cell behavior. This extracellular space offers an addition route for synthetic biologists to apply their engineering principles to program cell-responsive modules within the extracellular space using biomaterials. In this review, we discuss how taking a bottom-up approach to build genetic circuits using DNA modules can be applied to biomaterials for controlling cell behavior from the extracellular milieu. We suggest that, by collectively controlling intrinsic and extrinsic signals in synthetic biology and biomaterials, tissue engineering outcomes can be improved.
High-Dimensional Outlier Detection: The Subspace Method

Many real data sets are very high dimensional. In some scenarios, real data sets may contain hundreds or thousands of dimensions. With increasing dimensionality, many of the conventional outlier detection methods do not work very effectively. This is an artifact of the well-known curse of dimensionality. In high-dimensional space, the data becomes sparse, and the true outliers become masked by the noise effects of multiple irrelevant dimensions, when analyzed in full dimensionality.
Bringing Scientists to the People

This chapter discusses the idea of training scientists and researchers as a direct method of communicating with the general public. It outlines some of the issues that arise when teaching scientists to translate their work to an audience outside of their sub discipline
Anatomical Variations from the Point of View of the Periodontist

Periodontal surgery encompasses a wide range of surgical therapies that are designed to restore and regenerate the natural form and function to lost and damaged structures of the teeth. Common types of periodontal surgical therapies include, but are not limited to, open flap debridement, osseous resective surgery, guided tissue regeneration (GTR), and soft tissue augmentation. It is important for a periodontist to have sound clinical judgment and proficient skills to perform the aforementioned surgical procedures, but it is equally important for the periodontist to have a keen anatomical mind with the means to appreciate the subtle nuances or the overt and pronounced anatomical variations that lie in the vicinity of the periodontal surgical field. Furthermore, it is important for the periodontist to anticipate these anatomical variations and the role they may play in determining the scope of the planned surgical procedure. Thus, in order to safely and properly execute the surgical procedure, the periodontist must have a strong understanding of the precise location of anatomical structures but also be aware of variations with respect to size, shape, and location of vital oral anatomical structures and landmarks. The focus of this chapter is to highlight common variations in anatomical oral structures, which are regularly encountered in periodontal surgery and implant surgery. The reader is referred to subsequent chapters in this textbook for a more in-depth description of these anatomical structures and landmarks.
ISOLATED SURGICAL LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE EXCISION FOR STROKE PREVENTION IN THE ERA OF PERCUTANEOUS THERAPY

Atrial fibrillation (AF) imposes an increased risk of thromboembolic events, mainly due to blood stasis in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Anticoagulation (AC) remains the primary treatment modality, even in a burgeoning area of percutaneous LAA occlusion. In rare instances where neither approach
Neutralizing the polarization effect of diamond diode detectors using periodic forward bias pulses

Abstract A new technique for neutralizing the polarization effect of diamond detectors has been demonstrated. The technique, which relies on the diamond detector to be configured as a diode, is to periodically pulse the diamond diode with forward bias. A 210Po alpha source was used to induce the polarization effect for a thin PIN diamond radiation detector. Results show that for a single forward bias pulse, a forward current of about 60 nA applied for 1 s removes the polarization buildup. The benefits of using this technique add significant value to the diamond diode configuration.
To Decide to Ride and Bide: Information Processing Among Bus Riders

This paper develops a model and uses data from a natural setting to test the hypothesis that a traveler is more likely to wait at the bus stop the more people she sees already waiting at the bus st...
Deep Learning Method for Video-Based Data to Classify Peripheral Edema Grades

Introduction Peripheral edema is a common precursor to decompensation for patients with heart failure (HF), and commonly measured with the pitting test. Video recordings of the pitting peripheral edema test can capture details of skin topography and time-evolution of tissue recovery with much greater precision than a human eye. Video-based deep learning can potentially overcome the subjectivity of the peripheral edema test and assist patients in identifying objective changes in their peripheral edema. We have previously shown that our deep learning model can accurately estimate peripheral edema grade with 98% accuracy using physical edema models. The objective of this study was to evaluate feasibility of collecting videos of peripheral edema from hospitalized patients with heart failure who have various skin colors and features for the purpose of refining the deep learning model for automated edema classification. Methods We enrolled 18 patients from February-April, 2019 from cardiac medical, surgical, and intensive care units at an urban university medical center. Patients were first screened for peripheral edema through the inpatient electronic medical record system. After meeting enrollment criteria and signing informed consent, trained personnel recorded 10 videos of the pitting test on patients with peripheral edema each day of their hospitalization using a Samsung Galaxy S9 phone. The personnel used one index finger to make a circular pit on the left and right side of three bony prominences (foot, ankle, and shin). Videos were taken freehand, under diffuse indoor light conditions and were 5 seconds to 2 minutes long, depending on the time it took for the skin/tissue to fully rebound from the pitting test. Each video was labeled independently with the edema grade by a research assistant and nurse, and downloaded from a secure endpoint (phone) to a central database for analysis. Results We collected 376 videos from 18 patients over an average of three days. Overall, the sample of participants was 16% female, 33% Black, 11% Hispanic and had grades of edema that ranged from grade 0 (12%), grade 1 (51%), grade 2 (18%), grade 3 (9%), and grade 4 (10%). The videos contained a wide variability of diverse skin tones and features to ensure that the method is robust and generalizable to a multiracial patient population (Figure 1). Discussion We established the feasibility of collecting videos of peripheral edema from hospitalized patients with HF. Deep learning holds promise for the automatic classification and objective measurement of clinical signs captured with video data.
Tracing the cultural history of upper Snake River guides in Grand Teton National Park

This study traces the development and evolution of Snake River use and management through an in-depth exploration of historic commercial scenic river guiding and concessions on the upper Snake River in Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) from 1950 to the present day. The research is based on a combination of methods including archival research, oral history analysis, historical landscape analysis, and fieldwork. I suggest that a distinct cultural community of river runners and outdoor recreationalists developed in Grand Teton National Park after World War II. In GRTE, a combination of physical, cultural, and technical forces shaped this community’s evolution including the specific geomorphology and dynamic channel patterns of the upper Snake River, the individuals and groups that worked on this river, and changes in boat and gear technology over time. The following paper presents the early results from the first year of this project in 2016 including the work of a graduate student and myself. This study offers connections between the upper Snake River and Grand Teton National Park to broader national trends in the evolution of outdoor recreation and concessions in national parks, the impact of World War II on technological developments for boating, and the cultural history of adventure outdoor recreation and tourism in the United States. Featured photo by Elton Menefee on Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/AHgCFeg-gXg