cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of fine sediment, hyporheic flow, and spawning site characteristics on survival and development of bull trout embryos

Successful spawning is imperative for the persistence of salmonid populations, but relatively little research has been conducted to evaluate factors affecting early life-stage survival for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a threatened char. We conducted a field experiment to assess the relationship between site-specific environmental factors and bull trout embryo survival and fry emergence timing. Survival from egg to hatch was negatively related to percent fine sediment (<1 mm) in the redd and positively related to the strength of downwelling at spawning sites. Survival of eggs to fry emergence was also negatively related to fine sediment, and the best statistical models included additional variables that described the rate of downwelling and intragravel flow within the incubation environment. Fry emerged at an earlier stage in development from redds with high percentages of fine sediment. Increased hydraulic conductivity via redd construction and selection of spawning sites with strong downwelling a...
The Synergistic Action of the Sulfonamides and the Polymyxins against Serratia marcescens

Among the Enterobacteriaceae only members of the genus Proteus and Serratia marcescens are regularly resistant to the action of the polymyxins. In 1959, a synergistic action of sulfonamides and polymyxins against Proteus was first noted [1]; subsequently, the majority of isolates of Proteus from clinical specimens was found to exhibit this interesting susceptibility to the combined action of the drugs [2]. In some institutions, S. marcescens is a major cause of nosocomial infections due to gram-negative organisms [3, 4]. Since the organisms are often resistant to many antibiotics, including the polymyxins, we examined the effect of sulfadiazine and polymyxin B on clinical isolates of Serratia, with a view toward evaluating this antimicrobial combination for therapy of infections with gram-negative bacilli.
Evaluation of tropical cloud and precipitation statistics of Community Atmosphere Model version 3 using CloudSat and CALIPSO data

[1] The combined CloudSat and CALIPSO satellite observations provide the first simultaneous measurements of cloud and precipitation vertical structure and are used to examine the representation of tropical clouds and precipitation in the Community Atmosphere Model version 3 (CAM3). A simulator package utilizing a model-to-satellite approach facilitates comparison of model simulations to observations, and a revised clustering method is used to sort the subgrid-scale patterns of clouds and precipitation into principal cloud regimes. Results from weather forecasts performed with CAM3 suggest that the model underestimates the horizontal extent of low-level and midlevel clouds in subsidence regions but overestimates that of high clouds in ascending regions. CAM3 strongly overestimates the frequency of occurrence of the deep convection with heavy precipitation regime but underestimates the horizontal extent of clouds and precipitation at low and middle levels when this regime occurs. This suggests that the model overestimates convective precipitation and underestimates stratiform precipitation consistent with a previous study that used only precipitation observations. Tropical cloud regimes are also evaluated in a different version of the model, CAM3.5, which uses a highly entraining plume in the parameterization of deep convection. While the frequency of occurrence of the deep convection with heavy precipitation regime from CAM3.5 forecasts decreases, the incidence of the low clouds with precipitation and congestus regimes increases. As a result, the parameterization change does not reduce the frequency of precipitating convection, which is far too high relative to observations. For both versions of CAM, clouds and precipitation are overly reflective at the frequency of the CloudSat radar and thin clouds that could be detected by the lidar only are underestimated.
Stack-based access control and secure information flow

Access control mechanisms are often used with the intent of enforcing confidentiality and integrity policies, but few rigorous connections have been made between information flow and runtime access control. The Java virtual machine and the .NET runtime system provide a dynamic access control mechanism in which permissions are granted to program units and a runtime mechanism checks permissions of code in the calling chain. We investigate a design pattern by which this mechanism can be used to achieve confidentiality and integrity goals: a single interface serves callers of more than one security level and dynamic access control prevents release of high information to low callers. Programs fitting this pattern would be rejected by previous flow analyses. We give a static analysis that admits them, using permission-dependent security types. The analysis is given for a class-based object-oriented language with features including inheritance, dynamic binding, dynamically allocated mutable objects, type casts and recursive types. The analysis is shown to ensure a noninterference property formalizing confidentiality and integrity.
l-3-Hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase: Crystallographic properties of the pig heart enzyme

Abstract Crystals of l -3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase from pig heart that are suitable for X-ray analysis have been prepared and characterized. The enzyme is a mitochondrial protein important in the beta oxidation of fatty acids. It is of special interest because it requires coenzyme A-related molecules for its catalytic activity. For one of the crystalline forms of the enzyme, the X-ray data tend to confirm chemical observations that the molecule is a dimer of identical subunits.
Building implicit interfaces for wearable computers with physiological inputs: zero shutter camera and phylter

We propose implicit interfaces that use passive physiological input as additional communication channels between wearable devices and wearers. A defining characteristic of physiological input is that it is implicit and continuous, distinguishing it from conventional event-driven action on a keyboard, for example, which is explicit and discrete. By considering the fundamental differences between the two types of inputs, we introduce a core framework to support building implicit interface, such that the framework follows the three key principles: Subscription, Accumulation, and Interpretation of implicit inputs. Unlike a conventional event driven system, our framework subscribes to continuous streams of input data, accumulates the data in a buffer, and subsequently attempts to recognize patterns in the accumulated data -- upon request from the application, rather than directly in response to the input events. Finally, in order to embody the impacts of implicit interfaces in the real world, we introduce two prototype applications for Google Glass, Zero Shutter Camera triggering a camera snapshot and Phylter filtering notifications the both leverage the wearer's physiological state information.
The Electrostatic Unbalance of Transmission Lines and Its Effect on the Application of Petersen Coils

RECENTLY three Petersen coils were installed on the 66-kv transmission system of the Metropolitan Edison Company of Pennsylvania. These Petersen coils provide service protection to approximately 320 miles of overhead transmission lines against outages and voltage dips which would otherwise result when single phase-to-ground flashovers occur on the system. Much of the 66-kv transmission system consists of two-circuit lines with vertical configurations of the line conductors with no transpositions prior to the Petersen-coil installation.
Abortion: A Social-Psychological Perspective

More than most medical procedures, abortion is embedded in a social context that has implications for psychological reactions of patients. Following a brief history of legislation and research on abortion, correlates of post-abortion reponses are reviewed. A social-psychological framework is suggested which views abortion as a stress experience. Responses to the experience will be a function of the nature and meaning of the pregnancy to the individual woman, her defensive and coping style, and the social environment surrounding the abortion experience. Psychological effects of the procedure on the partner and on health professionals who perform abortions are also considered.
Analysis of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Workforce in the United States

A shortage of RNs is a problem that has reached crisis levels in the United States and many other countries. The inadequate supply of RNs translates into limited access for individuals who need health care. The U.S. psychiatric-mental health RN (PMH RN) workforce is virtually unstudied. The purposes of this article are to present a nationally representative demographic, education, and employment profile of PMH RNs, analyze issues associated with the supply of PMH RNs, and discuss options for building the PMH RN workforce.
Towards a realistic Kaluza-Klein cosmology

Abstract Einstein's equations are solved for a class of spatially homogeneous, anisotropic, perfect fluid, cosmological models in 1 + d + D dimensions ( d , D arbitrary). Is is found that they can in general lead to universes with 3 dimensions expanding and D contracting. Furthermore, assuming this process to be isentropic, the temperature T is found to eventually drop below 1/ R ( R = radius of the compact space). A scenario for how the universe can pass from the multi-dimensional phase to the usual Friedman-Robertson-Walker one at this point, is then outlined. The horizon problem for these models is examined. It is found that the entropy falling within a causal horizon at the point of dimensional reduction is essentially a free parameter.
A SURVEY OF THE PREVALENCE OF CELL PHONES CAPABLE OF RECEIVING HEALTH INFORMATION AMONG PATIENTS PRESENTING TO AN URBAN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Abstract Background Mobile devices have been shown to assist patients with comprehension of health information, yet sparse data exist on what mobile devices patients own and preferences for receiving health information. Objectives To determine the prevalence of mobile devices capable of receiving health information among patients/visitors presenting to an urban Emergency Department (ED). Methods A random sample of patients/visitors ≥18 years was surveyed. The primary outcome was prevalence of mobile devices capable of receiving health information among patient/visitor units presenting to the ED. Means and 95% confidence intervals were derived for continuous data; proportions with Fisher’s exact 95% confidence intervals were derived for categorical data. Institutional review board approval was received before study initiation. Results Surveyors approached 1307 subjects: 68% (885) were eligible; 70% (620) agreed to participate; 4 participants were excluded, leaving 70% (616) in the final sample. Of the 616 participants, 82% stated cell phone ownership (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.85). Among cell phone owners (n = 507), 90% had the device with them (95% CI 0.87–0.92) in the ED. Of these participants (n = 456), 77% had text messaging (95% CI 0.73–0.81), 51% had Internet (95% CI 0.47–0.56), 51% had e-mail (95% CI 0.46–0.56), 39% could download audio content (95% CI 0.34–0.43), and 35% could download videos (95% CI 0.31–0.40). Even among those having an annual income ≤$20,000, nearly 80% of persons owned cell phones. Conclusions Cell phones capable of receiving health information are prevalent among patients/visitors presenting to an urban ED.
Relapsing polychondritis presenting as meningoencephalitis with valvular abnormality: a case report

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare rheumatologic disorder that is characterized by recurrent inflammation of selected connective tissue sites and destruction of cartilage throughout the body. We report a case of newly diagnosed relapsing polychondritis in a 40-year-old man presenting with episcleritis, deformed "cauliflower" ears, aortic regurgitation, and aseptic meningoencephalitis. Steroid therapy was instituted with good resolution of his clinical symptoms.
VPSS: a verifiable proactive secret sharing scheme in distributed systems

With the increase in the Internet usage and the load on the servers, replication is used as a standard approach for improving availability of an online service. However, replication of a secret increases vulnerability, so replication must be used in a strategic way if both security and dependability need to be addressed simultaneously. In this paper we propose a verifiable and proactive secret sharing framework in which the secret of the distributed system is sampled and the samples, called shares are scattered in the cluster and refreshed proactively in a periodic manner. In this approach, the secret is never transferred over the network and is never reconstructed at a replicated site. Our scheme increases the number of servers the adversary has to compromise in order to discover the secret, thereby hardening security. We present various algorithms to distribute, refresh, recover and reconstruct the secret in an asynchronous environment. As a proof of concept the framework has been simulated using Opnet and preliminary results are reported.
Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder and Risk for Incident Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective To examine the association between symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk in a prospective cohort and to characterize the role of smoking in this relationship. Methods A subset (n = 54,224) of the Nurses’ Health Study II, a prospective cohort of female nurses, completed the Brief Trauma Questionnaire and a screen for PTSD symptoms. Participants were categorized based on trauma exposure and number of PTSD symptoms. Incident RA cases (n = 239) from 1989 to 2011 were identified. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) between PTSD symptoms and incident RA. To identify the impact of smoking, secondary and subgroup analyses were performed. In all analyses, PTSD and smoking were lagged 2 years before the development of RA. Results Compared to no history of trauma/PTSD symptoms, the HR for ≥4 PTSD symptoms and incident RA was 1.76 (95% CI 1.16–2.67) in models adjusted for age, race, and socioeconomic status. The risk for RA increased with an increasing number of PTSD symptoms (P = 0.01). When smoking was added to the model, the HR for RA remained elevated (HR 1.60 [95% CI 1.05–2.43]). In a subgroup analysis, excluding women who smoked before PTSD onset, results were unchanged (HR 1.68 [95% CI 1.04–2.70]). Conclusion This study suggests that women with high PTSD symptomatology have an elevated risk for RA, independent of smoking, adding to emerging evidence that stress is an important determinant of physical health.
Non-linear dependency between spiking response and gamma-band power of local field potentials in the human auditory cortex

Recent advancement in recordings of extracellular potentials from multiple sites in the human brain [1] has allowed us to simultaneously record spiking activity and local field potentials (LFP) to examine the brain's response to experimental stimuli. Various mechanisms have been suggested for the generation of the LFP. A point of special interest is that LFP reflects not only the inputs to the tissue, but also local processing. For example, spike contribution to the high-frequency LFP through increased spike rate or increased synchrony has been suggested [2]. Subjects (n = 19 ) were epilepsy patients who needed intracranial electrode implantation and chronic monitoring of for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Protocols were approved by University of Iowa IRB. Recordings were made from micro contacts implanted in the Heschl's gyri during pure tone presentations. Single-trial gamma-band responses were extracted using band-pass filters (40-150 Hz). Spike trains at the same contacts were analyzed with Poisson generalized linear models (GLM) with coded stimulus convolved with finite impulse-response (FIR) function which was estimated from the data, as well as spiking history (up to 80 ms duration, determined by minimum BIC criterion) as covariates. We treated the system as a time-invariant black box and the relationship between spiking activity (rates) and gamma-band LFP power was analyzed with Volterra kernel expansion (memory length of 200 ms) up to the second-order to examine potentially non-linear dependencies [3] (Figure ​(Figure1A).1A). Estimated discharge rates were used as the inputs and gamma LFP power was used as the outputs of the system. Weighted least-squares support-vector machines were utilized for estimating the regression coefficients [4], and the kernels were expanded using Laguerre orthogonal basis. First order kernel (linear filter) typically decreased toward zero within 150 ms lag time (Figure ​(Figure1A1A and ​and1B),1B), and 2nd -order kernels typically contain negative components, indicating non-linear suppressive effect on the gamma. (Figure ​(Figure1B).1B). A separate correlation analysis between spike count and gamma-band power within post-stimulus 200 ms shows strong positive correlation (Figure ​(Figure1C1C). Figure 1
Three-Dimensional Structure Determines the Pattern of CD4+ T-Cell Epitope Dominance in Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin

The structural context of a CD4+ T-cell epitope is known to influence immunodominance at the level of antigen processing, but general rules have not emerged. Dominant epitopes of influenza virus hemagglutinin are found to be localized to the C-terminal flanks of conformationally stable segments identified by low crystallographic B-factors or high COREX residue stabilities. The bias toward C-terminal flanks is distinctive for antigens from the influenza virus. Dominant epitopes in antigens/allergens from other sources also localize to the flanks of stable segments but are found on either N- or C-terminal flanks. Thus, dominance arises from preferential endoproteolytic nicking between stable segments followed by loading of fragment terminal regions into antigen-presenting proteins. This mechanism probably arose in order to direct CD4+ responses onto sequences that are conserved for structure and function. Structure-guided presentation could enhance protection against genetically drifting influenza virus variants but most likely reduces protection against new viral subtypes.
Clinical Findings in Individuals with Angelman Syndrome without a Molecular Deletion or Uniparental Disomy

About 60% of people with Angelman Syndrome (AS) have a cytogenetic deletion of chromosome region 15qll-ql3. The deleted chromosome has consistently been demonstrated to be of maternal origin (Magenis et al, 1987; Knoll et al, 1989; Pembrey et al, 1989; Williams et al, 1990). The Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is often associated with a deletion of the same chromosomal area but with paternal origin of the deleted chromosome (Knoll et al, 1989; Butler et al, 1983; Butler et al, 1986). Recently, maternal uniparental disomy has been found in some patients with PWS (Nicholls et al, 1989b) and a report of two patients with AS and probably disomy has been published (Malcolm et al, 1991). The purpose of the present study was to perform molecular analysis of 15(q11-ql3) in lymphocytes of individuals with AS and then review their clinical findings to determine if deletion negative patients could be clinically distinguished from deletion positive ones. Clinical differences would imply that genetic heterogeneity exists in Angelman Syndrome.
Detecting epistatic effects in association studies at a genomic level based on an ensemble approach

Motivation: Most complex diseases involve multiple genes and their interactions. Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown some success for identifying genetic variants underlying complex diseases, most existing studies are based on limited single-locus approaches, which detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) essentially based on their marginal associations with phenotypes. Results: In this article, we propose an ensemble approach based on boosting to study gene–gene interactions. We extend the basic AdaBoost algorithm by incorporating an intuitive importance score based on Gini impurity to select candidate SNPs. Permutation tests are used to control the statistical significance. We have performed extensive simulation studies using three interaction models to evaluate the efficacy of our approach at realistic GWAS sizes, and have compared it with existing epistatic detection algorithms. Our results indicate that our approach is valid, efficient for GWAS and on disease models with epistasis has more power than existing programs. Contact: [email protected]
Evolution of Combustion-Generated Particles at Tropospheric Conditions

This paper describes particle evolution measurements taken in the Particulate Aerosol Laboratory (PAL). The PAL consists of a burner capable of burning jet fuel that exhausts into an altitude chamber that can simulate temperature and pressure conditions up to 13,700 m. After presenting results from initial temperature distributions inside the chamber, particle count data measured in the altitude chamber are shown. Initial particle count data show that the sampling system can have a significant effect on the measured particle distribution: both the value of particle number concentration and the shape of the radial distribution of the particle number concentration depend on whether the measurement probe is heated or unheated.
Enhancement of ATP-sensitive potassium current in cat ventricular myocytes by beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation.

1. To address the questions of whether beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation can augment ATP-sensitive potassium current (IK(ATP)), and what the mechanism of such an effect might be, action potentials and whole-cell ionic currents were recorded from adult cat cardiac ventricular myocytes using a conventional whole-cell patch technique. 2. An outwardly directed, ohmic, non-inactivating, glyburide (10 microM)-sensitive current reversing near the reversal potential for potassium (EK) developed slowly (10-25 min) in cells dialysed with an ATP-free pipette (intracellular) solution. During this time, action potential duration markedly decreased while the resting membrane potential hyperpolarized closer to EK. Extended (> 30 min) periods of internal dialysis with ATP-free solution eventually resulted in run-down of the outward current. 3. Externally applied isoprenaline (1 microM) caused a rapidly developing ( 18 h). Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (1-2 microgram ml-1, > 18 h) did not attenuate the isoprenaline response, whereas internally applied GTP-gamma-S (100 microM) or F- (20 mM) caused IK(ATP) to increase rapidly in the absence of the beta-agonist. 6. Although externally applied forskolin (10 microM) also stimulated IK(ATP), neither 1,9-dideoxyforskolin (10 microM) nor 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (200 microM) had any effect on the current. Internal application of the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2'-deoxyadenosine-3'-monophosphate (100 microM) resulted in a reduction in the response to isoprenaline, while internal application of a protein kinase A inhibitor (PKI5-24, 22.5 microM) did not attenuate the response to the beta-agonist. 7. IK(ATP) developed slowly during internal dialysis with ATP-free solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Linear dependency in the refinement of force constants with the Jacobian method

The Jacobian method in the refinement of force constants is studied. Theoretical and experimental frequencies and other observables, νs, are matched by minimizing ΣsWs(ν – ν)2, where s = 1, 2, 3,…, proceeds over all normal modes and isotopes, and Ws are weighting factors. Modification of the theoretical frequencies is accomplished with the Jacobian matrix, J, with elements Jsi = ∂νs/∂ki involving each force constant or associated parameter, ki, i = 1, 2, 3,…, by Δν = JΔk. The parameters are adjusted directly with Δk = (JTWJ)−1(JW) Δν, where W is a diagonal matrix which weights the frequencies. The linear dependence problem must be addressed prior to inversion of JTWJ. The approach entails diagonalization of JTWJ, analysis of the components of the eigenvectors associated with zero and small eigenvalues, identification of the linearly dependent parameters, successive elimination of selective parameters, and a repeat of this procedure until linear dependency is removed. The Jacobian matrices are obtained by differencing the frequencies when the parameters are varied and by numerical and analytical evaluation of the derivative of the potential. The unitary transformation, U, used to calculate J = UT (∂F/∂k)U or J = UT (ΔF/Δk)U, is obtained from the diagonalization of the Hessian, Fmn = ∂2ν/∂pm∂qn, where p, q = x, y, z are the Cartesian coordinates for atoms m, n = 1, 2, 3,…, at the initial value of ki, i = 1, 2, 3, The accuracy of and the ability to evaluate the Jacobian matrix by these methods are discussed. Applications to CH4, H2CO, C2H4, and C2H6 are presented. Linearly dependent and ill-conditioned parameters are identified and removed. The procedure is general for any observable quantity. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Severe Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, spore-forming, gram-positive bacillus that can produce severe colitis resulting in death. There has been an overall increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease and, particularly, an increase in the more virulent forms of the disease. Treatment of severe C difficile infection includes management of severe sepsis and shock, pathogen-directed antibiotic therapy, and, in selected cases, surgical intervention. Ultimately, prevention is the key to limiting the devastating effects of this microorganism.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF PLANT MATING SYSTEMS: STUDY BIAS AGAINST OBLIGATELY OUTCROSSING SPECIES

Early models of plant mating-system evolution argued that predominant outcrossing and selfing are alternative stable states. At least for animal-pollinated species, recent summaries of empirical studies have suggested the opposite-that outcrossing rates do not show the expected bimodal distribution. However, it is generally accepted that several potential biases can affect conclusions from surveys of published outcrossing rates. Here, we examine one potential bias and find that published studies of outcrossing rates contain far fewer obligate outcrossers than expected. We approximate the magnitude of this study bias and present the distribution of outcrossing rates after compensating for it. Because this study examines only one potential bias, and finds it to be large, conclusions regarding either the frequency of mixed mating or the shape of the distribution of outcrossing rates in nature are premature.
Effects of COX Inhibition on Blood Pressure and Kidney Function in ACE Inhibitor-Treated Blacks and Hispanics

Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors attenuate the antihypertensive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and reduce kidney function. The study tests the hypothesis that these two classes of drugs have similar effects on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 24-hour blood pressure. The primary endpoint was change in 24-hour systolic blood pressure. Using a randomized crossover design, 25 black and Hispanic hypertensive participants (mean age 58+/-3 years) with osteoarthritis were studied. All participants received an ACE inhibitor at baseline. Once systolic blood pressure was <140 mm Hg, either celecoxib 200 mg/d or diclofenac 75 mg twice daily for 4 weeks was started. After measurements were obtained, all participants underwent a 2-week washout period and crossed over to the other drug for 4 weeks. A significant difference in mean 24-hour systolic blood pressure was noted between groups at 4 weeks (+4.1+/-1.1 mm Hg diclofenac versus +0.6+/-0.6 mm Hg celecoxib; P=0.01). However, because celecoxib has duration of action shorter than 24 hours, we compared ambulatory values at celecoxib trough and peak activities. At peak, no difference in systolic blood pressure was noted between agents (+3.6+/-0.04 mm Hg diclofenac versus +4.2+/-1.9 mm Hg celecoxib; P=0.67). GFR was also differentially affected at 24 hours (-9.9+/-2.4 mL/min diclofenac versus -0.4+/-1.2 mL/min celecoxib; P=0.01). We conclude that diclofenac and celecoxib increase systolic blood pressure at peak levels; however, these agents differ in their 24-hour effects. Differences observed in blood pressure response between COX inhibitors may not be related in their sensitivity but rather their dosing frequency.
Sn-induced surface modification of EUV plasma-facing collector mirrors

Generation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light for nanolithography requires the use of hot, dense plasmas. Gas discharge produced plasma (GDPP) and laser produced plasma (LPP) are the primary configurations used to generate these plasmas. Both GDPP and LPP collector mirror systems face serious issues regarding lifetime and EUV light reflectivity performance. For both configurations debris, fast ions, fast neutrals, and condensable EUV radiator fuels (Li, Sn) interact with nearby collector mirrors. Sn, in particular is used due to its high conversion efficiency in the 13.5-nm in-band spectrum. In addition to debris, collector mirrors are exposed to impurities (H,C,O,N), off-band radiation (depositing heat) and highly-charged ions leading to their degradation and consequently limiting 13.5 nm light reflection intensity. This work presents results of Ru and Rh-based collector optics irradiated by Sn ions between at 1.3 keV and exposed to Sn thermal atoms at room temperature. In-situ metrology monitors the effects of ion implantation on ion-induced erosion and EUV reflectivity changes using low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results find that Sn implants at the first few monolayers leading to a mixed layer at the surface. Sn thermal atoms deposit on top of the mirror surface leading to 10-20% loss of collector mirror EUV light reflectivity.
Esophagography predicts favorable outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with esophageal dysmotility.

Background We undertook this study to determine if clearance of a food bolus at preoperative esophagography predicts acceptable outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with manometrically abnormal esophageal motility. Study design Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or symptomatic hiatal hernia with evidence of esophageal dysmotility by stationary manometry underwent videoesophagography to document the ability of their esophagus to clear food boluses of varying consistencies. Sixty-six patients were identified who had manometric dysmotility yet were able to clear a food bolus at esophagography, and subsequently underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. These patients were compared with 100 randomly selected patients with normal motility who underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Symptom reduction and satisfaction were assessed through followup. Patients with normal motility were compared with those with manometrically moderate and severe dysmotility. Results Preoperative patient demographic data, symptoms, and symptom scores were similar among patients with normal motility and moderate or severe dysmotility. After fundoplication, symptom reduction was notable for all patients regardless of preoperative motility (p t- test). There was no notable difference in postoperative symptom scores (p = NS, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) or in patient satisfaction (p = NS, chi-square analysis) among patients stratified by esophageal motility. Conclusions Patients with esophageal dysmotility documented by manometry who are able to clear a food bolus at contrast esophagography, have functional results after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication similar to patients with normal motility. Preoperative esophagography predicts successful outcomes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for patients with manometric esophageal dysmotility.
Correction of factor IX deficiency in mice by embryonic stem cells differentiated in vitro

Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent, but significant functional engraftment does not occur when they are introduced into the liver. However, here we demonstrate that functional liver engraftment does occur if the ES cells (from strain 129 mice) are first differentiated in vitro for 7 days in the presence of FGF. Strikingly, when these differentiated cells, termed putative endodermal precursors (PEPs), were injected into their livers, two of six C57BL/6 and four of eight BALB/c factor IX (F-IX)-deficient mice survived for >7 days, even though the recipients were of a different strain and, in the case of the BALB/c recipients, had a complete MHC mismatch. F-IX was detected in all six of the PEP-injected survivors. Two mice subsequently died of causes unrelated to F-IX; the others survived until death at 38 or 115 days after the transplantation. No uninjected control F-IX-deficient mice survived for >7 days. Large confluent regions of sinusoidal PEP engraftment were demonstrated by immunofluorescence in the long-term BALB/c survivors. The PEP engraftment was not associated with detectable cell fusion, and the transplantation was accompanied with only a low incidence of teratoma formation.
Availability of Lipid Emulsion in United States Obstetric Units

BACKGROUND:Lipid emulsion is recommended in the guidelines for the management of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. In this study, we sought to identify the current level of lipid emulsion availability in U.S. obstetric units.METHODS:A survey was developed addressing lipid emulsion availability and
GSK-3β negatively regulates skeletal myotube hypertrophy

To determine whether changes in glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) phosphorylation contribute to muscle hypertrophy, we delineated the effects of GSK-3β activity on C2C12 myotube size. We also ex...
Chime: Checkpointing Long Computations on Interm ittently Energized IoT Devices

We develop Chime , a set of mechanisms and methodologies that enable long-running computations on low power IoT devices with scarce and intermittent energy sources. We address the power transiency and unpredictability problem by optimally inserting checkpoints that save the intermediate states. Chime automatically locates and embeds checkpoints at the register-transfer level. We define an objective function that aims to find low-overhead checkpoints which minimize the recomputation energy cost. We develop and exploit a dynamic programming technique to solve the optimization problem. For real-time operation, Chime adaptively adjusts the checkpointing rate based on the available energy level in the system. Chime is deployed and evaluated on algebraic, data transformation, and cryptographic benchmark circuits. For storage of checkpoint data, we evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various non-volatile memories including NAND Flash, PCM, and STTM. Extensive evaluations show that Chime reliably enables execution of long computations under different source power patterns with low overhead. Our benchmark evaluations demonstrate that the area and energy overheads corresponding to the checkpoints are less than 9 and 11 percent, respectively.
Effects of marital status on negative affect in elderly

Objectives:To analyze the effects of marital status on negative affect in elderly.Methods:The two indices of "do you often feel fearful or anxious" and "do you often feel lonely and isolated" were used to assess the negative affect.Utilizing the data from 2002 and 2005 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS),and controlling demographic,economic,and physical factors,the related factors,such as the shock of widowing or remarrying event,of negative affect were analyzed by means of logistic static and dynamic models.Results:Regression models showed that the risks of negative affect for widows and widowers were 6.2% and 4.7% higher than that of married women and men.The event of being widowed would let the risk of negative affect for men and women increase by 8.2% and 11.3%,respectively,in the coming three years.The event of remarriage had no significant effect on the risk of negative affect of elderly.Conclusion:Marital status has significant effects on the negative affect in elderly.Death of a spouse may increase the risk of negative affect,and remarriage may have no significant effect on improvement of negative affect.
Local Dynamic Range Compression for High Order Super-Resolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI)

The addition of Superresolution Optical Fluctuation Imaging (SOFI)[1][2] to the arsenal of superresolution methods offers a simple and affordable alternative to the more sophisticated techniques (such as STED, localization microscopies, and structured illumination). Calculations of higher order cumulants lead to a larger improvement in SOFI resolution, but also introduce a large nonlinear expansion in brightness dynamic range. Balanced SOFI (bSOFI)[3] provides a way to correct for the expanded dynamic range, but at the same time it introduces artifacts in the corrected image. In this work, we introduce a novel local dynamic range compression method, where the brightness dynamic range of a high (up to 6th-) order SOFI image is locally self-calibrated by the brightness of the corresponding second order SOFI image. The method is implemented for both auto- and cross- correlation SOFI with 36 fold extra pixels, and is combined with deconvolution. Local dynamic range compression SOFI (ldrc-SOFI) is demonstrated for simulated data and for QD625 labeled alpha-tubulin in fixed 3T3 cells with a 4-fold resolution enhancement. We show that ldrc-SOFI suffers from fewer artifacts compared to bSOFI, while exhibiting faithful dynamic range compression. A large library of simulated data of filaments networks with variable filaments density, labeling density, labeling uncertainty, noise level, background level and nonspecific binding probability was generated and examined by both bSOFI and ldrc-SOFI. When the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and other sample conditions are favorable, both algorithms perform well. In fact, under very low filaments density bSOFI performs better. However, under challenging imaging conditions (high feature density, non-specific background, high noise level), ldrc-SOFI yields better performance with less artifacts.[1] PNAS, 106(52):22287, 2009.[2] Optics express, 18(18):18875, 2010.[3] Optical Nanoscopy, 1(1):1, 2012.
Altered assembly of spectrin in red cell membranes in hereditary pyropoikilocytosis

Abstract Red cells from hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) are unstable and more susceptible than normal to thermal damage in vitro. We have investigated whether or not the HPP instability results from alterations in spectrin assembly in the membrane. We identified the nearest membrane protein neighbors employing oxidative crosslinking by intermolecular disulfide couplings. We subsequently separated the crosslinked complexes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), subjected them to reductive cleavage and identified the crosslinked proteins by PAGE in the 2nd dimension. To prevent changes in membrane protein organization due to decrease of ATP and GSH levels during incubation, we used anaerobic incubation with adenine, inosine, and glucose. When incubated at 46°C (15 min) or 37°C (> 16 hr), HPP red cells were fragmented and converted to poikilocytes and spherocytes. Subsequent oxidative crosslinking of HPP red cells with diamide or of their ghosts with CuSO4, o-phenanthroline produced a high mol wt (>1 × 106) protein complex selectively enriched in spectrin. A similar complex was produced by crosslinking of HPP ghost amino groups with glutaraldehyde, suggesting rearrangement of spectrin to closer contacts. Normal red cells formed such aggregates only at temp >49°C. In both normal and HPP cells, aggregate formation paralleled red cell fragmentation and poikilocyte formation. In fresh HPP red cells, the crosslinking failed to produce the spectrin enriched complex. However, fresh HPP membrane protein PAGE revealed decrease in spectrin, presumably due to its aggregation in vivo followed by removal of the aggregate by the spleen. Spectrin-actin skeletons of heat treated HPP ghosts were poikilocytic, unstable and exhibited irregularities in electron density, suggesting abnormalities in cytoskeletal protein assembly. These data demonstrate that spectrin from HPP red cells is more susceptible than normal to aggregation in the membrane. Abnormal spectrin assembly may be responsible for membrane instability and shape of alterations of HPP erythrocytes.
Apprenticing with H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.: A Tribute to the Founder of Our Thing

Serving as a graduate assistant to H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. was truly an academic apprenticeship unlike any other. In part, this was because the apprenticeship extended far beyond strictly academic matters like philosophy and bioethics; and, in part, this was because Tris is a force of nature, an endlessly fascinating man and loyally committed mentor who seemed to me never to require sleep or downtime. He wants his students to come out of the apprenticeship with experience publishing papers and books, teaching undergraduate and medical students, managing professional journals, organizing and participating in academic conferences, and so on, but he would count it as a disappointment if they did not also know the three necessary conditions for something’s being a single-malt Scotch (and have sufficient experience in appreciating the resulting product of those conditions from a variety of distilleries); the major dates, events, and colorful characters (especially one “Big Drunk”) in the history of the Republic of Texas (T.R. Fehrenbach’s magisterial history, Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, was esteemed on a level approaching the works of Kant, Hegel, and Husserl); and a host of other items regarding philosophy, history, medicine, religion, politics, economics, science, gastronomy, culture, world travel, personal finance, and, of course, Texana (to name just a few areas of major interest). One never knew exactly what to expect on any given day (aside from exhaustion at trying to keep up with Tris!), but it was always interesting and enlivening.
Traditional and Unexpected Partners, From All Aspects of American Life, Must Come Together to Develop Public Health Solutions.

The article focuses on public-private partnerships used in public health solutions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to reduce childhood obesity rates. It comments on partnerships between Philadelphia agencies, academia, businesses, health care providers and nonprofit organizations. It mentions the use of media campaigns to reduce soda and salt consumption and the taxation of sugary beverages. It talks about Action Areas in Spartanburg, South Carolina, San Diego, California, Camden and other areas.
The impact of human–robot multimodal communication on mental workload, usability preference, and expectations of robot behavior

Multimodal communication between humans and autonomous robots is essential to enhance effectiveness of human–robot team performance in complex, novel environments, such as in military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in urban settings. It is imperative that a systematic approach be taken to evaluate the factors that each modality contributes to the user’s ability to perform successfully and safely. This paper addresses the effects of unidirectional speech and gesture methods of communication on perceived workload, usability preferences, and expectations of robot behavior while commanding a robot teammate to perform a spatial-navigation task. Each type of communication was performed alone or simultaneously. Results reveal that although the speech-alone condition elicited the lowest level of perceived workload, the usability preference and expectations of robot behavior after interacting through each communication condition was the same. Further, workload ratings between the gesture and speech-gesture conditions were similar indicating systems that employ gesture communication could also support speech communication with little to no additional subjectively perceived cognitive burden on the user. Findings also reveal that workload alone should not be used as a sole determining factor of communication preference during system and task evaluation and design. Additionally, perceived workload did not seem to negatively impact the level of expectations regarding the robot’s behavior. Recommendations for future human–robot communication evaluation are provided.
PVF coatings for multi–application surface protection of metals, plastics and composites

Automobile design engineers are constantly preoccupied by functionality, safety and aesthetics. Du Pont have developed products in TEDLAR and PV 116 that satisfy these criteria simultaneously. TEDLAR film and its sister product PV116 resin are based on a polyvinyl fluoride and are finding increasing use in the automotive industry for their high tensile strength, resistance to UV radiation and resistance to most chemicals encountered in the industry. This paper concentrates, in particular, on applications inside and outside the automotive industry and the six properties that make TEDLAR and PV116 of interest to the car maker.
Novel Application of Branched Endograft for Preservation of Pelvic Circulation

Background Endovascular repair of a proximal anastomotic pseudoaneurysm (APSA) of an end-to-side aortobifemoral bypass (ABF) can lead to pelvic ischemia. We present a novel application of branched aortic endograft to repair such pseudoaneurysm while preserving flow into the ABF and native aortoiliac system. Methods A 71-year-old male with history of aortoiliac occlusive disease resulting in lifestyle limiting claudication was treated with an aortobifemoral bypass in 1999. The patient developed an 8.8 cm pseudoaneurysm at the aortic anastomosis. CTA demonstrated patent right common and internal iliac arteries with an occluded right external iliac artery and occluded left common and external iliac arteries. Results A 24 × 80 mm endograft with an 8 × 15 mm posterior branch based on the Cook Zenith device (Bloomington, IN) was delivered via a right femoral artery exposure. The preloaded wire of the main body was snared via left brachial access. A 10F sheath was advanced into the side branch of the graft to deliver a 10 × 10-mm Bard Fluency (Covington, Georgia) stent graft into the right common iliac artery. The branch was reinforced proximally with an 8 × 17 mm Boston Scientific Express (Marlborough, MA) stent. The patient was discharged after 5 days. At 1 month, CTA demonstrated patent ABF, patent branch graft into the pelvis, and exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. Conclusions Branch grafts can provide minimally invasive revision of a failing ABF, in this case an APSA, while preserving pelvic circulation and lower extremity perfusion.
Indeterministic Causation and Two Patches for the Pairing Argument

The pairing argument aims to demonstrate the impossibility of non-spatial objects (including minds) standing in causal relations. Its chief premises are (roughly) that causation requires pairing relations between causes and effects and that pairing relations require spatial relations. Critics have argued that the first claim suffers from counterexamples involving indeterministic causation. After briefly rehearsing the pairing argument and the objection from indeterministic causation, I offer two ways of revising the pairing argument to meet the objection from indeterministic causation.