cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential toxicity of anthracyclines on cultured endothelial cells.

Anthracyclines are known for their endothelial toxicity. Newer derivatives may have fewer toxic effects on endothelium. The authors therefore evaluated the effects of doxorubicin, doxorubicin analogs (daunorubicin, idarubicin), and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (doxil) in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Endothelial viability did not change significantly with doxil, but was decreased with doxorubicin, daunorubicin, or idamycin. Similarly caspase-3 activity was significantly elevated in HCAECs treated with doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and idamycin. In contrast, doxil did not cause significant increase in caspase activity. The authors also characterized the levels of antiapoptotic and prosurvival proteins using Western blot analysis. There was no significant difference in the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and phospho-Akt in endothelial cells treated with anthracycline derivatives. However, the expression levels of Mcl-l protein were unaltered in endothelial cells treated with doxil but w...
Queen promiscuity lowers disease within honeybee colonies

Most species of social insects have singly mated queens, but in some species each queen mates with numerous males to create a colony with a genetically diverse worker force. The adaptive significance of polyandry by social insect queens remains an evolutionary puzzle. Using the honeybee (Apis mellifera), we tested the hypothesis that polyandry improves a colony’s resistance to disease. We established colonies headed by queens that had been artificially inseminated by either one or 10 drones. Later, we inoculated these colonies with spores of Paenibacillus larvae, the bacterium that causes a highly virulent disease of honeybee larvae (American foulbrood). We found that, on average, colonies headed by multiple-drone inseminated queens had markedly lower disease intensity and higher colony strength at the end of the summer relative to colonies headed by single-drone inseminated queens. These findings support the hypothesis that polyandry by social insect queens is an adaptation to counter disease within their colonies.
Characterization of Electrospinning Fiber Diameter Distributions and Process Dynamics for Development of Real-Time Control

An integrated data acquisition/actuator control system is developed to conduct experiments investigating the fundamental dynamics for different operating conditions in an electrospinning system. The relation between measured variables (fiber current, whipping angle, jet length, and expulsion cone volume) to the resulting fiber diameter distribution is analyzed.
Human Submandibular Saliva Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection by Displacing Envelope Glycoprotein gp120 from the Virus

Human submandibular saliva reduces human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in vitro. To define the mechanism of inhibition, virus was incubated with saliva or medium, velocity sucrose gradient centrifugation was performed, and fractions were analyzed for p24 and gp120. The results show that after incubation with saliva, the envelope glycoprotein was displaced from both a laboratory-adapted and a low-passage clinical HIV-1 isolate. To identify the salivary protein(s) responsible, submandibular saliva was fractionated by anion- exchange chromatography. Protein fractions containing anti-HIV activity were assayed for their ability to strip gp120 from virus. The partially purified active fractions contained two high-molecular-weight sialyated glycoproteins identified as salivary agglutinin and mucin, as well as several lower-molecular-weight proteins. It thus appears that specific salivary proteins interact with HIV-1 to strip gp120 from the virus with a resultant decrease in infectivity.
Effect of direct-fed microbials on utilization of degradable intake protein in receiving steers

Kenney, N. M., Vanzant, E. S., Harmon, D. L. and McLeod, K. R. 2015. Effect of direct-fed microbials on utilization of degradable intake protein in receiving steers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 93–102. One hundred ninety-two crossbred beef steers (280±25 kg) were assigned to a 5×2 factorial; degradable intake protein (DIP; 80, 90, 100, 110, 120% of requirement) with and without a direct-fed microbial (DFM) primarily containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium (109 CFU steer−1 d−1). Dry matter intake, morbidity, and immune response were not affected (P≥0.11). The first 28 d, average daily gain (ADG) did not differ with DIP in control, but increased in a cubic fashion with DFM (DIP×DFM; P=0.05). No differences (P≥0.25) in ADG occurred from days 29 to 56; however, there was a tendency (P=0.08) for a cubic increase in ADG with increasing DIP with DFM over 56 d. The first 28 d, growth efficiency did not differ across DIP levels in control but increased linearly with DFM (DIP×DFM; P=0.05). No diffe...
Phase II study of gemcitabine and weekly paclitaxel in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective . The purpose of this study is to evaluate the activity of gemcitabine and weekly paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Methods . Thirty-five patients with platinum-resistant disease and prior treatment with paclitaxel received treatment with paclitaxel 80 mg/m 2 IV over 60 min, followed by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 IV administered on days 1, 8, and 15. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Results . All patients had platinum-resistant disease and all had received prior treatment with paclitaxel. Patients were heavily pretreated as the median number of chemotherapy regimens for recurrent disease was 2 (0–3). The overall response rate was 40% (95% confidence intervals (24%, 58%) and 37% of patients achieved stable disease. The median time to progression was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.6, 8.5) and median overall survival 13.1 months (95% CI, 10.6, 15.9). More than 50% of patients were alive at 12 months, including six patients (17%) who were alive at 24 months. Treatment was well tolerated. Grades 3–4 neutropenia occurred in 17 patients (48.5%), grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 7 (20%), grade 3 anemia in 3 (8.5%). The most common serious non-hematological toxicities were nausea (14%), vomiting (14%), and fatigue (34%). Conclusions . The regimen of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine exhibits significant activity in heavily pretreated patients, is well tolerated, and is associated with encouraging survival. This regimen should be considered as a treatment option in patients with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.
A note on the local current associated with the rising phase of a propagating impulse in nonmyelinated nerve fibers

To extend our recent paper dealing with the cable properties and the conduction velocity of nonmyelinated nerve fibers (Bull. Math. Biol. 64, 1069; 2002), the behavior of the local current associated with the rising phase of a propagating action potential is discussed. It is shown that the process of charging the membrane capacity by means of the local current plays a crucial role in determining the velocity of nerve conduction. The symmetry of the local current with respect to the boundary between the resting and active regions of the nerve fiber is emphasized. It is noted that there are several simple quantitative rules governing the intensities of the capacitive, resistive and total membrane currents observed during the rising phase of an action potential.
Effect of exogenous growth hormone in early and late lactation on lactational performance of dairy cows

Bovine growth hormone (51.5 IU/day) and placebo injections were administered for 10 days to four Holstein cows in early lactation (wk 12) and again in late lactation (wk 35). Milk productions in the last 5 days of each period were compared. In early lactation, growth hormone increased milk yield by 15%, fat yield by 17%, protein yield by 14%, and lactose yield by 21%. In late lactation the respective increases were 31, 42, 18, and 35%. For responses of early and late lactation to growth hormone on a quantitative basis, increases for milk yield (4.3 versus 3.9 kg/day) and milk energy secretion (3.3 versus 3.4 Mcal/day) were similar. Concurrent with these increased milk yields, ad libitum intakes of a complete mixed diet declined during the period of growth hormone treatment by 3% in early lactation and 16% in late lactation. During the 6 h immediately following injections of growth hormone, blood plasma concentrations of growth hormone were elevated about 400% in early lactation and 700% in late lactation. Concentrations in plasma of free fatty acids were also higher during growth hormone treatment in late lactation but not in early lactation. Treatments did not affect plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon, prolactin, tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine, or cortisol in either early or late lactation. Daily administration of growth hormone in early or late lactation resulted in similar and substantial increases of milk yield and efficiency of milk production.
Mapping Dimensions of Creativity in the Life-Space

Three studies examined content dimensions of creativity. A life-report questionnaire was developed to measure everyday, artistic, and intellectual creativity. Multiple life areas were assessed, including self-presentation, education and work, arts and crafts, culture and media consumption, everyday relations and activities, and memberships in groups that encourage creativity. Study 1 indicated that everyday creativity could be empirically distinguished from artistic creativity. Factor analyses in Studies 2 and 3 identified three broad dimensions of creativity in college students and professional adults: creative life-style, arts, and intellectual achievement. Both similarities and differences among these dimensions were observed in relation to gender and personality traits.
Reentry and the Ties that Bind: An Examination of Social Ties, Employment, and Recidivism

Scholars consistently find that reentering offenders who obtain steady work and maintain social ties to family are less likely to recidivate. Some theorize that familial ties may operate through employment to influence recidivism and that such ties may also serve a moderating role. The current study employs an integrated conceptual framework in order to test hypotheses about the link between familial ties, post‐release employment, and recidivism. The findings suggest that family ties have implications for both recidivism and job attainment. In fact, the results suggest that good quality social ties may be particularly important for men with histories of frequent unemployment. The implications of these findings are discussed with regard to theory and future research on prisoner reentry and recidivism.
MicroRNAs and recent insights into pediatric ovarian cancers

Ovarian cancer is the most common pediatric gynecologic malignancy. When diagnosed in children, ovarian cancers present unique challenges that differ dramatically from those faced by adults. Here, we review the spectrum of ovarian cancers found in young women and girls and discuss the biology of these diseases. A number of advances have recently shed significant new understanding on the potential causes of ovarian cancer in this unique population. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding how altered expression of non-coding RNA transcripts known as microRNAs play a key role in the etiology of ovarian germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors. Emerging transgenic models for these diseases are also reviewed. Lastly, future challenges and opportunities for understanding pediatric ovarian cancers, delineating clinically useful biomarkers, and developing targeted therapies are discussed.
Local-area Memory in PLUS

This paper describes the architecture and the design of a distributed-memory machine that supports a shared-memory programming model at a speed that is competitive with bus-based systems. This paper also includes the measurements of the amount of time required for memory accesses and synchronization operations on a two-node prototype of the architecture.
Psychosocial Consequences of Caregiver Transitions for Maltreated Youth Entering Foster Care: The Moderating Impact of Community Violence Exposure

Youth who experience a greater number of caregiver transitions during childhood are at risk for developing a host of psychosocial problems. Although researchers have examined individual-level factors that may moderate this association, no known studies have examined the impact of community-level factors. The current study investigated whether community violence exposure (CVE) moderated the association between number of prior caregiver transitions and increases in levels of externalizing and internalizing problems for a sample of youth entering foster care. Participants included 156 youth (aged 9-11 at first assessment) removed from their homes because of maltreatment. Youth provided reports of caregiver transitions and CVE at baseline, and caregivers, teachers, and youth reported on externalizing and internalizing problems 18-22 months later. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that youth with a greater number of caregiver transitions and higher levels of CVE evidenced significant increases in levels of psychosocial problems. The results of the study are discussed in terms of their implications for child welfare services. Language: en
A Shared Inquiry into Shared Inquiry

Shared inquiry is a key component of reflective public history practice. All good historical practice is reflective, but public history requires a special commitment to collaborate, to respond, to share both inquiry and authority. Because trained practitioners and lay people often seek different pasts for different purposes, public historians may find themselves poised between advocacy and mediation, monitoring and adjusting their own behavior through the process of shared inquiry. Since public history is inherently situational, there is no one-size-fits-all methodology. Drawing on thirty years of shared public history experience, the authors reflect on situations in which they strove to share both inquiry and authority.
Performance Prediction and Dynamic Simulation of Electric Ship Hybrid Power System

A hybrid power system for future electric ship is developed in the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) computational environment for the system-level performance prediction and dynamic investigation. The power system consists of a propulsion plant and a hybrid engine subsystem. Important system components such as the compressor, gas turbine, propeller and ship are described in detail and modeled in the VTB. A physics-based one-dimensional Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) model is introduced here specifically for higher power density and better performance. To evaluate system-level performance both statically and dynamically, the following two investigations are carried out: 1) steady-state performance of power system; 2) the transient behavior of the system under a variety of operating conditions. Simulation results show that the hybrid power system could achieve a 68% total electrical efficiency (LHV) and an electrical power output of 1.66 MW, around 30% of which is produced by the power turbine while 70% is generated in SOFC stacks.
The Sample Complexity of Self-Verifying Bayesian Active Learning

We prove that access to a prior distribution over target functions can dramatically improve the sample complexity of self-terminating active learning algorithms, so that it is always better than the known results for prior-dependent passive learning. In particular, this is in stark contrast to the analysis of prior-independent algorithms, where there are simple known learning problems for which no self-terminating algorithm can provide this guarantee for all priors.
Measurement of TACE Activity in Extracts from Cultured Cells.

(Abstract) In cigarette smoke-induced and inflammation-associated lung cancer development, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) activates tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion from macrophages. TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE), also known as α-Secretase or ADAM17 (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease), is a member of the ADAM family of metalloproteases. TACE mediated ectodomain shedding leads to the conversion of the inactive TNF-α precursor into the active mature pro-inflammatory cytokine. The SensoLyte 520 TACE (α-Secretase) Activity Assay Kit was used to detect TACE activity in CSE-activated macrophages. This assay is reliable, reproducible and easy to carry out in 96 well plate format.
Population status and distribution of Double-crested Cormorants wintering in the southeastern delta of Arkansas

-Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) wintering in the southeast delta of Arkansas were monitored via aerial surveys to determine their numbers and distribution. At least two surveys per month (December 1999-April 2000) were conducted. Each survey was comprised of two separate afternoon flights to cover the study area during the evening roosting period. Most of the two flights making up each survey were flown on consecutive days to reduce possible movement of cormorants between the two flight routes. December through February surveys all exceeded 15,000 individuals, except for early January, when there was an appreciable drop in numbers. The cormorant numbers peaked in early February at 26,822 individuals. During this study, cormorants utilized a total of ten night roosts within this catfish-producing region of Arkansas. This study area in southeast Arkansas encompasses the primary production acreage for the Arkansas catfish industry and is a likely attractant for the Double-crested Cormorant. This collection of baseline population data is important in researching the relation of the Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) industry to growing cormorant numbers. These data will also provide a valuable base line in assessing cormorant population changes that might occur due to any future management strategies adopted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Received 5 April 2001, accepted 5June 2001.
Anti-evolution sentiment and behavior: the case of Arkansas.

T HE use of legislation by initiative to prohibit the teaching of evolution in Arkansas affords a unique opportunity to analyze the assumptions of many historians about the nature of the Fundamentalist movement during the 1920s. The Arkansas law of 1928 was the only one to be enacted through initiative and remained in effect until ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court on November 12, 1968.1 Among the precipitating causes of the Fundamentalist controversy in twentieth-century America were a vague sense of guilt associated with the failure of the United States to achieve its goals after World War I; the shock of the move from farm to city; the decline of interest in the church and traditional values; the challenge of modernism, evolution, and other forms of new knowledge; a fear of the unknown; and the hatreds engendered by the Red Scare and the Ku Klux Klan.2 The Fundamentalists of the 1920s, believing in the literal inerrancy of the Bible, desired to return to a set of fundamental Protestant beliefs and to rescue America from the evils of modernism and atheism. They frequently advocated sumptuary legislation, and many of them acted upon their faith by forming organizations aimed at the "evolution menace." In fact, Fundamentalists were such eager anti-evolutionists that the terms are often used interchangeably.3 One group-the World's Christian Fundamentals Association, begun in 1916 by William Bell Riley-sought local, state, and federal laws against the teaching of evolution and adopted a uniform anti-evolution bill. At its maximum membership in 1927, it numbered some six mil-
A Morphometric Analysis of Ddt-Resistant and Non-Resistant House Fly Strains,

This paper is one of a series reporting the findings of a research project on the genetics and ethology of DDT-resistance in Drosophila and houseflies conducted at the Department of Entomology of the University of Kansas. The present study concerns five DDT-resistant and four non-resistant strains of the house fly, Musca domestica L. It was undertaken with the aim of finding possible morphological differences correlated with DDT-resistance. Although no such differences could be established, considerable information was obtained on the variation of some house fly characters, which should be of interest to future investigators of the subject.
The Orpheus Image in Lycidas

Tillyard's interpretation of Lycidas as a tragic conflict between man's ego and his sense of finitude, resolved through a sublimation of the individual's fears and hopes in the aspirations of his group, has gained wide acceptance. Yet Tillyard, in focusing attention on the theme and its relationship to biographical data, has tended to minimize the pastoral and occasional aspects of the poem. On the other hand, the traditional over-emphasis on these aspects has long resulted in an evaluation of Lycidas as largely an allegory of college life and friendship or as a a supremely skillful exercise in a now archaic genre. Neither approach has included more than cursory consideration of Milton's imagery. This essay proposes that our understanding of Lycidas may be enriched by combining an historical and aesthetic point of view in a study of the relationship of the imagery of the poem to its other constituents. The essay will be particularly concerned with testing the hypothesis that the allusion to Orpheus in lines 56–63 is an important functional image through which Milton defined and developed his theme.
A dynamic model of suicide terrorism and political mobilization

This study considers the problem of suicide terrorism, government counterterror responses, and the mobilization of recruits in support of the contending parties. A model is developed that enables predictions as to what factors should be emphasized or de-emphasized by the forces protecting society. The article presents a linear mathematical analysis of the logical interrelationships involved in the confrontation and embeds the study within the framework of previous mathematical and empirical work on the subject. It is concluded that governments should avoid inflicting collateral damage on the general population in counterterrorist activities and should pursue policies (both in counterterrorist operations and otherwise) that contribute to the political quiescence of the populace.
Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of cases of measles vaccine immunity failure in Wuxi

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of cases of measles vaccine immunity failure and the relevant factors in Wuxi during 2004-2011.Methods Descriptive epidemiological study was applied to analyze the data from reporting system of infectious diseases and measles monitoring system during 2004-2011.Results A total of 302 cases of measles vaccine immunity failure were reported in Wuxi during 2004-2011.The cases were reported in all sub-cities of Wuxi.Among all cases,32.45% of them were reported in Xishan District and Jiangyin City,55.30% of them were occurred from March to May each year.The sex ratio for men to women of measles vaccine immunity failure cases was 1:0.68.There were no meaningful statistical significances between the age distribution of measles vaccine immunity failure cases and the total cases(χ2=1.49,P=0.91).The age distribution of measles vaccine immunity failure cases between the geographical differences and the different years had significant statistical differences(χ2region=217.82,P=0.00;χ2year =179.03,P =0.00).Of the total cases,only 12.58% had two doses of immunization history.Conclusion Measles vaccine immunity failure cases were found with a certain percentage in measles cases.Cases for school-age children and infants are comparative prominent.So,high attention should be paid and two doses of immunization are still necessary at present.
Evaluation of adult emergence and larval root injury for Cry3Bb1‐resistant populations of the western corn rootworm

The transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) event MON 88017 produces the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxin Cry3Bb1 to provide protection from western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) larval feeding. In response to reports of reduced performance of Cry3Bb1-expressing maize at two locations in Illinois, we conducted a two-year experiment at these sites to characterize suspected resistance, as well as to evaluate root injury and adult emergence. Single-plant bioassays were performed on larvae from each population that was suspected to be resistant. Results indicate that these populations had reduced mortality on Cry3Bb1-expressing maize relative to susceptible control populations. No evidence of cross-resistance between Cry3Bb1 and Cry34/35Ab1 was documented for the Cry3Bb1-resistant populations. Field studies were conducted that included treatments with commercially available rootworm Bt hybrids and their corresponding non-Bt near-isolines. When compared with their near-isolines, larval root injury and adult emergence were typically reduced for hybrids expressing Cry34/35Ab1 either alone or in a pyramid. In many instances, larval root injury and adult emergence were not significantly different for hybrids expressing mCry3A or Cry3Bb1 alone when compared with their non-Bt near-isolines. These findings suggest that Cry34/35Ab1-expressing Bt maize may represent a valuable option for maize growers where Cry3Bb1 resistance is either confirmed or suspected. Consistent trends in adult size (head capsule width and dry mass) for individuals recovered from emergence cages were not detected during either year of this experiment. Because of the global importance of transgenic crops for managing insect pests, these results suggest that improved decision-making for insect resistance management is needed to ensure the durability of Bt maize.
A Maritime Lawyer, the Percentage Depletion Allowance, and the Joint Committee on Taxation

This year marks the 90th anniversary of both the percentage depletion allowance and the Joint Committee on Taxation. This essay relates the curious tale of Norman Beecher, a New York maritime lawyer with little background in energy, natural resources, or tax, who convinced Congress in 1918 to adopt a tax proposal that helped lead to both of these important features of the tax system eight years later. While Beecher’s idea ended up providing a major tax break for the oil and gas industry, this essay presents evidence that the source of the proposal was Beecher himself, and not the industry, as a result of his misunderstanding of the proposal’s tax effect. Since the conditions especially favorable to enactment of the proposal were very short-lived, this essay offers the intriguing possibility that but for Beecher (or his misunderstanding), the tax system might never have included percentage depletion or, conceivably, the Joint Committee.
ANALOC: Efficient analytics over Location Based Services

Location Based Services (LBS), including standalone ones such as Google Maps and embedded ones such as “users near me” in the WeChat instant-messaging platform, provide great utility to millions of users. Not only that, they also form an important data source for geospatial and commercial information such as Point-Of-Interest (POI) locations, review ratings, user geo-distributions, etc. Unfortunately, it is not easy to tap into these LBS for tasks such as data analytics and mining, because the only access interface they offer is a limited k-Nearest-Neighbor (kNN) search interface - i.e., for a given input location, return the k nearest tuples in the database, where k is a small constant such as 50 or 100. This limited interface essentially precludes the crawling of an LBS' underlying database, as the small k mandates an extremely large number of queries that no real-world LBS would allow from an IP address or API account. We demonstrate ANALOC, a web based system that enables fast analytics over an LBS by issuing a small number of queries through its restricted kNN interface. ANALOC stands in sharp contrast with existing systems for analyzing geospatial data, as those systems mostly assume complete access to the underlying data. Specifically, ANALOC supports the approximate processing of a wide variety of SUM, COUNT and AVG aggregates over user-specified selection conditions. In the demonstration, we shall not only illustrate the design and accuracy of our underlying aggregate estimation techniques, but also showcase how these estimated aggregates can be used to enable exciting applications such as hotspot detection, infographics, etc. Our demonstration system is designed to query real-world LBS (systems or modules) such as Google Maps, WeChat and Sina Weibo at real time, in order to provide the audience with a practical understanding of the performance of ANALOC.
Prevention of Post–Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: Medications and Techniques

Over the past 2 decades, it increasingly has been recognized that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most predictable provocateur of acute pancreatitis, with an incidence of more than 15% in high-risk patients. For this reason, there has been considerable interest in the effect of periprocedural drug administration as well as different ERCP techniques on both the incidence and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Although many agents and techniques have shown promise in small clinical studies, the majority of these have failed to yield consistent benefit in larger randomized patient groups. This review summarizes the data on medications and ERCP techniques that have been studied for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Electrophysiological Source Imaging of Brain Networks Perturbed by Low-Intensity Transcranial Focused Ultrasound

Objective: Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has been introduced as a noninvasive neuromodulation technique with good spatial selectivity. We report an experimental investigation to detect noninvasive electrophysiological response induced by low-intensity tFUS in an in vivo animal model and perform electrophysiological source imaging (ESI) of tFUS-induced brain activity from noninvasive scalp EEG recordings. Methods: A single-element ultrasound transducer was used to generate low-intensity tFUS ( $\rm{I}_{\rm{spta}} ) and induce brain activation at multiple selected sites in an in vivo rat model. Up to 16 scalp electrodes were used to record tFUS-induced EEG. Event-related potentials were analyzed in time, frequency, and spatial domains. Current source distributions were estimated by ESI to reconstruct spatiotemporal distributions of brain activation induced by tFUS. Results: Neuronal activation was observed following low-intensity tFUS, as correlated to tFUS intensity and sonication duration. ESI revealed initial focal activation in cortical area corresponding to tFUS stimulation site and the activation propagating to surrounding areas over time. Conclusion: The present results demonstrate the feasibility of noninvasively recording brain electrophysiological response in vivo following low-intensity tFUS stimulation, and the feasibility of imaging spatiotemporal distributions of brain activation as induced by tFUS in vivo . Significance: The present approach may lead to a new means of imaging brain activity using tFUS perturbation and a closed-loop ESI-guided tFUS neuromodulation modality.
Self-control, dietary quality and new frontiers in the study of traits and wellness: A commentary on Keller, Hartmann and Siegrist (2016).

The contribution by Keller, Hartmann, and Siegrist (2016) – which showed associations between trait self-control and four-year changes in eating styles, dietary quality and body mass – adds to the ...
Buffered 1% Lidocaine With Epinephrine Is as Effective as Non-Buffered 2% Lidocaine With Epinephrine for Mandibular Nerve Block.

Purpose To assess outcomes for pulpal anesthesia and pain on injection for buffered 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (EPI) versus non-buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 EPI. Patients and Methods In a randomized cross-over trial approved by the institutional review board, buffered 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 EPI was compared with non-buffered 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 EPI. After mandibular nerve block with buffered lidocaine 40 mg or non-buffered lidocaine 80 mg, patients reported responses at the mandibular first molar and canine after cold and electrical pulp testing (EPT). Patients also reported pain on injection with a 10-point Likert-type scale. Teeth were tested before nerve block and at 30-minute intervals until a positive response returned. Two weeks later, patients were tested with the alternate drug combinations. The same outcomes were assessed. Predictor variables were alternate drug formulations. Outcome variables were patients' responses to cold and EPT stimulation of the mandibular first molar and canine and pain on injection. An assessment of treatment difference was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests with Proc NPAR1WAY (SAS 9.3, SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Significance was set at a P value less than .05. Results Fifty-seven percent of patients were women and 43% were men. Seventy percent were Caucasian, 17% were African American, and 13% had another ethnicity. Median age was 25 years (interquartile range [IQR], 21-26 yr) and median body weight was 140 lbs (IQR, 120-155 lbs). After the cold test and EPT, the time to sensation return for the molar or canine was not statistically different between the 2 drug formulations. Patients reported significantly lower pain scores with the buffered versus non-buffered drug (P Conclusions After mandibular nerve block, buffered 1% lidocaine with EPI can produce similar clinical outcomes for duration of pulpal anesthesia as non-buffered 2% lidocaine with EPI and lower pain on injections, which are a potential benefit to patients.
Intensified surface enhanced Raman signal of a graphene monolayer on a plasmonic substrate through the use of fluidic dielectrics

It has been shown that surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has many promising applications in ultrasensitive detection of Raman signal of substances. However, optimizing the enhancement in SERS signal for different applications typically requires several levels of fabrication of active plasmonic SERS substrates. In this paper, we report the enhancement of SERS signal of a single layer of graphene located on a plasmonic nano-Lycurgus cup array after placing water droplets on it. The experimental data shows that addition of water droplets can enhance the SERS signal of the single layer of graphene about 10 times without requiring any modifications to the nano-Lycurgus cup array. Using fullwave electromagnetic simulations, we show that addition of water droplets enhances the local electric field at the graphene layer, resulting in stronger light-graphene interaction at the excitation pump laser wavelength. We also show that the addition of water droplets on the graphene layer enables us to modify the band diagram of the structure, in order to enhance the local density of optical states at the Raman emission wavelengths of the graphene layer. Numerical calculations of both the excitation field enhancement at the location of the graphene layer, and the emission enhancement due to enhanced local density of optical states, support the experimental results. Our results demonstrate an approach to boost the SERS signal of a target material by controlling the band diagram of the active nanostructured SERS substrate through the use of fluidic dielectrics. These results could find potential applications in biomedical and environmental technologies.
CARBON ISOTOPIC FRACTIONATION BETWEEN WHOLE LEAVES AND CUTICLE

The δ 13 C of fossil leaf cuticle is frequently used for paleoenvironment interpretation. A tacit assumption that is common in such studies is that the δ 13 C of the cuticle is the same as the δ 13 C of the original whole leaf. We tested this assumption by measuring the isotopic fractionation between cuticle and whole leaves (e 13 C cuticle-leaf ) in 175 phylogenetically diverse species. The average e 13 C cuticle-leaf is indistinguishable from zero (-0.04 ±1.2‰ 1σ), in keeping with the few previously published data and with studies that have tracked the evolution of leaf δ 13 C during decomposition. Across species, e 13 C cuticle-leaf spans over 9‰: this variability does not covary with growth habit (woody vs. herbaceous) or climate, but does contain a strong phylogenetic signal. In particular, more basal groups (lycopsids and some gymnosperms, basal ferns, and basal angiosperms) tend to have negative e 13 C cuticle-leaf values. This variability should be accounted for in studies that wish to estimate whole-leaf δ 13 C from cuticle δ 13 C.
Management of Ebstein’s anomaly

Ebstein malformation is a rare disease that presents with a spectrum of severity. We use a management paradigm that breaks the anomaly into two groups: neonates and children/adults. This leads to a discussion of management and operative techniques as well as pitfalls. We hope the reader finds our streamlined and logical approach of benefit to this complex and rare disease.
A Reactive and Adaptive Data Flow Model for Network-of-System Specification

With embedded systems being increasingly networked, appropriate models of computation and communication are needed for specification of such networks-of-systems. Traditional dataflow models have shown their usefulness in analyzing isolated systems. However, these models cannot express the inherent requirements of connected applications, such as dynamic behavior associated with network losses and reactivity to external events. This letter proposes a reactive and adaptive data flow (RADF) model that introduces a notion of empty tokens to expose network losses and provide adaptivity at the application level while maintaining overall determinism. Empty tokens, combined with expanded actor semantics, are also used to model reactivity to sporadic external events. We formally define RADF semantics and show efficient methods for analyzing RADF graphs in terms of their worst-case throughput and latency.
Management of ventricular perforation during revascularization of an intramyocardial left anterior descending artery

Ventricular perforation during exposure of an intramyocardial left anterior descending artery (LAD) in preparation for coronary artery bypass grafting is a known surgical complication. In this report, we discuss the management of this complication which avoids closure of the LAD and a myocardial infarction.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Modulate TRPV4 Function through Plasma Membrane Remodeling

Dietary consumption of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), present in fish oils, is known to improve the vascular response, but their molecular targets remain largely unknown. Activation of the TRPV4 channel has been implicated in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Here, we studied the contribution of ω-3 PUFAs to TRPV4 function by precisely manipulating the fatty acid content in Caenorhabditis elegans. By genetically depriving the worms of PUFAs, we determined that the metabolism of ω-3 fatty acids is required for TRPV4 activity. Functional, lipid metabolome, and biophysical analyses demonstrated that ω-3 PUFAs enhance TRPV4 function in human endothelial cells and support the hypothesis that lipid metabolism and membrane remodeling regulate cell reactivity. We propose a model whereby the eicosanoid's epoxide group location increases membrane fluidity and influences the endothelial cell response by increasing TRPV4 channel activity. ω-3 PUFA-like molecules might be viable antihypertensive agents for targeting TRPV4 to reduce systemic blood pressure.
The effect of human capital on earnings: Evidence from a reform at Colombia's top university

Abstract In this paper I test whether the return to college education is the result of human capital accumulation or instead reflects the fact that attending college signals higher ability to employers. I exploit a reform at Universidad de Los Andes, which in 2006 reduced the amount of coursework required to earn degrees in economics and business by 20% and 14%, respectively, but did not change the quality of incoming or graduating students. The size of the entering class, their average high school exit exam scores, and graduation rates were not affected by the reform, indicating that selection of students into the degrees remained the same. Using administrative data on wages and college attendance, I estimate that wages fell by approximately 16% in economics and 13% in business. These results suggest that human capital plays an important role in the determination of wages and reject a pure signaling model. Surveying employers, I find that the reduction in wages may have resulted from a decline in performance during the recruitment process, which led students to be placed in lower-quality firms. Using data from the recruitment process for economists at the Central Bank of Colombia, I find that the reform reduced the probability of Los Andes graduates' being hired by 17 percentage points.
Designing S-Charts with Two Average Run Length Constraints

A BASIC program is given for determining the required sample size and the upper control limit for an S-chart with two average run length (ARL) constraints. The program may be used in cases where th...
Laboratory Simulation of Dynamic Compressive Forces Experienced by a Package during Transport

The objective of laboratory performance testing is to simulate the packaged product distribution environment, reproducing the hazards and associated damage potential that packaged products will encounter. Simulating the dynamic compressive forces that occur between unit loads or stacked packaged products while undergoing vehicle transport can be time consuming and expensive. In some cases, the number of test specimens required to complete a full unit load or stack of packaged products are not available for testing. For this reason, industry-accepted test standards allow for the use of a single box and an equivalent dead load in place of a full stack of packaged products for vibration testing. In this study, a device is designed and validated to record the dynamic compressive forces created by a stack of corrugated boxes. Various experiments are conducted, recording the dynamic compressive forces that occur from stacks of packages for comparison to a single package with a dead load. The dynamic compression response is used to drive a vibration table with the force-measuring device serving as the control feedback sensor. It is concluded that the use of a dead load does not reproduce the same damage potential as a stack of packages when acceleration is used to drive and control a vibration table. However, the use of a dead load is an efficient and economical way to test dynamic compression of corrugated fiberboard packages if force, rather than acceleration, is used to drive the vibration table.
Primary spinal cord glioblastoma: A systematic review.

e13035 Background: Primary spinal cord glioblastoma (PSCG) is rare, accounting for only 1.5% of all spinal cord tumors. However, it appears to have an aggressive course and poor prognosis.The objec...
The Blood-Brain Barrier in Virus-Induced Demyelination

The central nervous system (CNS) has been considered to be an immunologically privileged site (1). This is partly due to the paucity of professional antigen presenting cells within the CNS and the lack of lymphatic drainage (2). In addition, there is very little expression of major histocompatibility antigens (MHC) within the CNS. Finally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) normally protects the CNS from immunological damage. The BBB is formed by astrocytes and specialized cerebrovascular endothelial cells (CVE) which line the lumen of the blood vessels (3). The endothelial cells have relatively few pinocytic vesicles and no constitutive MHC Class II expression unlike endothelial cells that supply other organs (4).
The Complexity of Performance and the Instruments of Mastery

The range of our responses to situations is circumscribed by the influence of standards on human behavior. Depending on how they are shaped, expressions of standards have varying impacts on performances, from facilitation to oppression. I consider here the relationship between the embodiment of standards and a critical balance between automatic and creative elements in performance.
THE EFFECT OF OZONE BUBBLES ON DISINFECTION

Response of yeasts and acid-fast organisms to ozone was determined under three different experimental conditions: (1) presence of ozone bubbles and ozone residual, (2) presence of ozone residual, and (3) presence of ozone bubbles without residual, to distinguish between the effects of ozone bubbles and ozone residual on inactivation. Results indicate that inactivation is greater in the presence of ozone bubbles along with residual compared to residual alone for a given concentration of dissolved ozone. A conceptual model based upon film theory is proposed to explain the difference in the degree of inactivation. Finally, the effects of pH and mixing were studied to show that the rate of ozone decomposition has little or no effect on inactivation.
A Parallel AMR Implementation of The Discrete Ordinates Method for Radiation Transport

Requirements for efficient parallel numerical computations fall into two broad categories: scalable algorithms and scalable implementations. For the discrete ordinates method the basic algorithmic building block is the transport sweep, and some form of convergence acceleration is required in order to combine sweeps into an efficient solver. This paper will focus on the implementation side of the issue. I will present a method for performing parallel transport sweeps in the context of a code for time-dependent radiation hydrodynamics using block-structured adaptive mesh refinement. Sweep patterns involving a single refinement level as well as sweeps coupling multiple levels will both be discussed. 2D and 3D numerical results will compare the parallel performance of these schemes with the multigrid solvers called by a radiation diffusion package implemented in the same code.
Joe Hair: Impact and Contributions to Doctoral Students at LSU (1980–1992)

Although many of the contributions by Joe Hair are anonymous in the sense that people who benefited do not know him personally, perhaps no area of contribution is more personal than the positive effect he had on a set of doctoral students who got their academic feet wet at LSU in and around the 1980s. In fact, the legacy of students who went on to become successful faculty (in teaching, research, and administrative roles) makes clear the ripple effect of contributions. Students of the faculty left behind also benefit indirectly from the learning climate created in that time and space.
Bartonella Bacteria in Urban Rats: A Movement From the Jungles of Southeast Asia to Metropoles Around the Globe

Despite the widespread recognition of the risks of diseases transmission associated with international trade in domestic animals and movement of exotic animals, little is known about the role of rats in carrying pathogens between continents. The genus Bartonella, a highly prevalent and extremely diverse group of bacteria, includes species that are excellent sentinel organisms for evaluating the transoceanic and intra-continental movement of the pathogens carried by rats of the genus Rattus. The patterns of prevalence and diversity of Bartonella species infecting rats and their ectoparasites depend on the geographic locations within metropolitan areas of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. One of the points addressed in this review is a comparison of the diversity of Bartonella species carried by rats in their original habitats in Southeast Asia and in the cities occupied by rats recently. The establishment of rats in urban areas and their invasion of new territories can have significant implications for human health.
Effects of stepping practice with postural support on gross motor abilities of a pre-ambulatory child with cerebral palsy: A case report.

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe the impact of family-centered, imbedded practice of stepping with postural support on the motor function of a pre-ambulatory child with cereb...