cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catheter Ablation of Atrial Tachycardia Following Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial tachycardia (AT) occurs frequently during and after catheter or surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanism of AT may be focal (automaticity or microreentry) or macroreentry.
Character as Conscience

If Henry Fleming (The Red Badge of Courage) is my doppelganger, then Jean Valjean (Les Miserables) is my conscience. By conscience, I am referring to Valjean’s capacity to illuminate the depths of my spiritual/ethical core as a human being and as a teacher. Henry’s journey revealed outer and inner realities that were often ‘at war’ with each other.
Rational Design of DNA Anticancer Agent That Targets Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (Stat3) for Cancer Therapy

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) has been identified as an important target for cancer therapy, since it participates in oncogenesis through the upregulation of genes encoding apoptosis inhibitors (Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and survivin), cell-cycle regulators (cyclin D1 and c-myc), and inducers of angiogenesis (VEGF). Also, Stat3 is constitutively activated in many human cancers. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that Stat3 is constitutively activated both in tumor cells and in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting Stat3 is expected to decrease the survival and angiogenic potential not only in tumor cells but also in immune cells in the tumor stroma. We have laid the groundwork for the development of the G-rich oligodeoxynucleotide (GQ-ODN) T40214 as a potent inhibitor of Stat3 activity. Our studies demonstrated that T40214 represents a novel anti-cancer agent based on: (a) selective inhibition of Stat3 activity in vitro and in vivo, (b) significant suppression of tumor growth and increased survival time in a nude mouse xenograft model of prostate cancer, (c) T40214 transport using a novel and effective intracellular delivery system, and (d) low toxicity of T40214. Here we introduce the developed Stat3 inhibitors and review the rational development of T40214 as a novel Stat3 inhibitor by providing previous experimental results.
Related Party Transactions

The economic substance of a related party transaction may differ materially from its form. Thus, the objective of the auditor is to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to determine whether related parties and relationships and transactions with related parties have been properly identified, accounted for, and disclosed in the financial statements.
The FUNPET-a New Hybrid Ion Funnel-Ion Carpet Atmospheric Pressure Interface for the Simultaneous Transmission of a Broad Mass Range.

An atmospheric pressure interface transports ions from ambient pressure to the low-pressure environment of a mass spectrometer. A capillary coupled to an ion funnel is widely used. However, conventional ion funnels do little to negate the large amount of energy picked up by high-mass ions from the gas flow through the capillary. There has been little work done on the effects of gas flow on ion transmission, and the previous studies have all been limited to low-mass, low-charge ions. In this work, we account for the effects of gas flow, diffusion, and electric fields (static and oscillating) on ion trajectories and use simulations to design a new hybrid ion funnel-ion carpet (FUNPET) interface that transmits a broad mass range with a single set of instrument conditions. The design incorporates a virtual jet disruptor where pressure buildup and counter flow dissipate the supersonic jet that results from gas flow into the interface. This, and the small exit aperture that can be used with the FUNPET, reduces the gas flow into the next stage of differential pumping. The virtual jet disruptor thermalizes ions with a broad range of masses (1 kDa to 1 GDa), and once thermalized, they are transmitted into next region of the mass spectrometer with low excess kinetic energy. The FUNPET interface is easy to fabricate from flexible printed circuit board and a support frame made by 3D printing. The performance of the interface was evaluated using charge detection mass spectrometry.
First Carpometacarpal Joint Denervation for Primary Osteoarthritis: Technique and Outcomes.

Background First carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is commonly encountered in clinical practice. The preferred surgical option when conservative therapy fails varies with the stage and nature of the disease. Denervation of the first CMC joint is a relatively new procedure for managing stable thumb CMC joint OA. Our objective was to review our experience and surgical technique with first CMC joint denervation surgery. Methods All patients who underwent first CMC joint denervation surgery from January 2015 through September 2017 were retrospectively identified. Before undergoing surgical CMC denervation, patients received a joint block at the first CMC joint with 0.25% bupivacaine. Only patients with a good response to injection were selected for surgical denervation. Patient demographics, preoperative and postoperative pain scores using a numeric rating scale, and grip strength using the Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer were analyzed. Results Of 10 patients (13 hands) with CMC joint OA, 8 patients (11 hands) met the inclusion criteria. Patients' average grip strength improved significantly after the procedure (from 38.4 ± 26.7 foot/lb to 50.2 ± 27.6 foot/lb; P = 0.007). The numeric rating scale pain score improved significantly from 7.8 ± 2.4 to 2.4 ± 1.8 (P Conclusions First CMC joint denervation provided good pain relief and improvement in grip strength in patients with thumb CMC joint OA. This minimally invasive technique proved to be a good option for providing optimal pain control and improvement in strength with minimal and mild complications.
Muscle action VR: to support embodied learning foundations of biomechanics in musculoskeletal system

Traditional anatomy education has struggled with teaching students muscle movements in the mindset of three-dimensional anatomical structure. We present Muscle Action VR, an embodied learning virtual reality system that allows students to explore the effects that muscles have on the body. This application was created for studying musculoskeletal structures through playful and creative engagement, while staying accurate to anatomical structures and terminology. Users learn the basics of the biomechanics of human anatomy by either moving their own body with VIVE trackers, or directly manipulating specific muscles using VIVE controllers. We believe this application contributes to teach three-dimensional spatial awareness and foundational biomechanics in anatomy education.
On the Varying Fortunes of darla and darlo in Italian

Darla (‘give it-fem.’) ‘of women, to have sexual relations with someone, especially in a loose manner’ (De Mauro 1999, 2000: II, 469) and darlo (‘give it-masc.’), which is attributed two meanings, ‘to lend oneself to sodomy’ (De Mauro 1999, 2000: II, 470) and ‘of men, to sexually possess a woman’ (Boggione and Casalegno 2000: 152; 2004: 166), have enjoyed varying fortunes in the Italian language. While darla is well-established in the average speaker’s lexicon, darlo (in both meanings) remains highly marginal. These two verbs attest to a lexical asymmetry resulting from the misogynistic view ingrained in Western culture of women as inferior, inherently immoral, and wanton, and their different fates show that sociocultural attitudes and stereotypes shape language change.
Attending to Total Pain in Juvenile Huntington Disease: A Case Report Informed by Narrative Review of the Literature.

Objectives:To consider the impact of juvenile Huntington disease (JHD) from a biomedical, symptom burden, and total pain palliative care perspective.Methods:This case report was informed by a narra...
Anesthetic Considerations in Pregnant Patients with Pulmonary Disorders

The neuraxial blocks vary in distribution and intensity, depending on the clinical requirements. For example, the afferent pain signals for the first stage of labor (cervical dilation) enter the spinal cord through the T10 to L1 spinal nerve roots (Figure 8.1). In the second stage of labor, additional afferent pain signals arrive via the S2 to S4 spinal nerve roots. Therefore, the ideal neuraxial labor analgesic would be distributed at and below the T10 dermatome, which corresponds to the umbilicus. Based on empiric observations, patient comfort during a cesarean delivery requires an anesthetic neuraxial block that extends cephalad to at least the T4 dermatome, which corresponds to the nipple line. Analgesic and anesthetic blocks differ in the intensity of sensory and motor effects. An analgesic block is characterized by a sensation of light touch when a sharp object is lightly applied to the block area. In contrast, an anesthetic block is ‘‘more dense’’ and characterized by the absence of sensation when a sharp object is lightly applied to the block area. Based on distribution and intensity, a neuraxial anesthetic for cesarean delivery is more likely to have an impact on pulmonary function compared to a neuraxial labor analgesic. Whenever it is clinically feasible, most anesthesiologists and patients prefer neuraxial over general anesthesia in obstetrics, to maximize safety and birth experience satisfaction. For example, general anesthesia for cesarean delivery is usually limited to those situations where neuraxial anesthesia is contraindicated (Table 8.1), or when
Evaluation of Pharmacist Medication Review Service in an Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist medication reviews on drug-related problems (DRPs) in a population with ambulatory heart failure (HF).Methods:The HF pharm...
Engaging Students into Their Own Learning of Foundational Genetics Concepts through the 5E Learning Cycle and Interleaving Teaching Techniques.

Students in a mixed majors undergraduate microbiology class often struggle with basic genetics concepts, generating gaps in their overall understanding of genetics. This can be a result of employin...
Epidural Abscess: A Propensity Analysis of Surgical Treatment Strategies.

Study design Observational analysis of retrospectively collected data. Objective A retrospective study was performed in order to compare the surgical profile of risk factors and perioperative complications for laminectomy and laminectomy with fusion procedures in the treatment of spinal epidural abscess (SEA). Summary of background data SEA is a highly morbid condition typically presenting with back pain, fever, and neurologic deficits. Posterior fusion has been used to supplement traditional laminectomy of SEA to improve spinal stability. At present, the ideal surgical strategy-laminectomy with or without fusion-remains elusive. Methods Thirty-day outcomes such as reoperation and readmission following laminectomy and laminectomy with fusion in patients with SEA were investigated utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program database. Demographics and clinical risk factors were collected, and propensity matching was performed to account for differences in risk profiles between the groups. Results Seven hundred thirty-eight patients were studied (608 laminectomy alone, 130 fusion). The fusion population was in worse health. The fusion population experienced significantly greater rate of return to the operating room (odds ratio [OR] 1.892), with the difference primarily accounted for by cervical spine operations. Additionally, fusion patients had significantly greater rates of blood transfusion. Infection was the most common reason for reoperation in both populations. Conclusion Both laminectomy and laminectomy with fusion effectively treat SEA, but addition of fusion is associated with significantly higher rates of transfusion and perioperative return to the operating room. In operative situations where either procedure is reasonable, surgeons should consider that fusion nearly doubles the odds of reoperation in the short-term, and weigh this risk against the benefit of added stability. Level of evidence 3.
20) Temperature Strategies During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery and Outcomes in Infants With Congenital Heart Defects

Purpose: Many known risk factors for adverse outcomes in children with congenital heart defects (CHD) are not modifiable; however, the temperature during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is an important risk factor, which may be altered in an attempt to improve outcomes. Moderate-to-deep hypothermia (MDH), traditionally used during CPB, has been associated with short-term and long-term neurologic sequelae. Therefore, a handful of centers have adopted mild hypothermia (MH) on CPB during surgical repair in infants. There is no comparative study of short-term outcomes following MH versus …
Expanding our paradigms: Intersectional and socioecological approaches to suicide prevention.

Despite increasing research on suicide, we continue to see rising rates, particularly among youth. In answering recent calls for critical suicidology and transdisciplinary approaches to research, I...
GNSS Signal Quality Monitoring

This chapter begins with an explanation of the importance of signal quality monitoring (SQM) of global navigation satellite system, (GNSS) followed by a description of SQM requirements, and an overview of current monitoring systems. Next, SQM algorithms and methods are summarized for six parameters: signal power, cross‐correlation, cycle slip, excessive acceleration, code‐carrier divergence, and signal deformation. SQM is a subset of signal monitoring that specifically deals with the assessment of carrier waveform and code performance to ensure that they are within designated limits. The Civil Monitoring Performance Specification provides a section with clarifications and algorithms that provides insight into incomplete SQM requirements including verification of absolute power delivered by each satellite and response time, received carrier‐to‐noise ratio, code‐carrier divergence, signal distortion, carrier phase discontinuities, and bit inversions. Challenges remain for many aspects of GNSS SQM, including algorithm design and implementation for monitoring and assessment.
Decline in Pediatric Emergency Department Behavioral Team Activations After Institution of an Agitation Protocol.

Objective Aggressive behavior among pediatric patients with psychiatric complaints in emergency departments is a growing problem. An agitation protocol was instituted in 1 pediatric emergency department to provide scaled recommendations for differing levels of aggression. The study objective was to determine if the frequency of activation of an emergency behavioral response team changed after protocol initiation. Methods A protocol for escalating management of agitation in pediatric patients was introduced in February 2016. The electronic medical record was queried for subsequent behavioral response team activations over the next 16 months. Patient demographics and specific features surrounding the activation were retrospectively recorded from the medical record, including length of stay, medications administered, and documented deescalation techniques. Frequency and features of behavioral team activations were compared with activations from a period before the planning and implementation of the protocol (May 2014 to May 2015). Results Twenty-one patient visits were found to require behavioral response team activation over 16 months, compared with 31 for the 13-month preprotocol period. Attempts at verbal/ environmental redirection were seen in 77% and deescalation by medication administration before the activation occurred in 14% of patients. During the behavioral team activation, 81% of the patients were given psychiatric medications and 81% were placed in physical restraints. Conclusions A decrease from a baseline of 2.4 to 1.3 behavioral response team activations per month, or a 46% decline, was noted following the institution of a clinical protocol for pediatric agitation.
Universal Upper Bound on the Blowup Rate of Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation with Rotation

In this chapter, we prove a universal upper bound on the blowup rate of a focusing nonlinear Schrodinger equation with an angular momentum under a trapping harmonic potential, assuming that the initial data is radially symmetric in the weighted Sobolev space. The nonlinearity is in the mass supercritical and energy subcritical regime. Numerical simulations are also presented.
Linking Input Inequality and Outcome Inequality

Inequality often appears in linked pairs of variables. Examples include schooling and income, income and consumption, and wealth and happiness. Consider the famous words of Veblen: “wealth confers ...
Robotic microlaryngeal surgery: feasibility using a newly designed retractor and instrumentation.

Objectives/Hypothesis Robotic surgery is increasingly used for a variety of head and neck surgical procedures but has yet to be adapted for routine robotic microlaryngeal surgery (RMLS). Current retractor technology is limited by the following: poor tongue retraction, poor oral commissure retraction, poor larynx visualization, and laryngeal blades that do not take advantage of the robot's ability to operate without line-of-site exposure. Additionally, adequate instrumentation for RMLS is lacking. Study Design Feasibility study. Methods We performed a feasibility study of RMLS using a newly designed robotic retractor in a cadaver model with the goal of routinely exposing the glottis. Microlaryngeal instrumentation was also adapted for the da Vinci Surgical Robot effector arms. Results RMLS surgery was successfully performed including microflap elevation, anterior commissure surgery, false cordectomy, true cordotomy/cordectomy, and arytenoidectomy. Photographic and video documentation was obtained demonstrating feasibility. Conclusions We present a newly designed laryngeal robotic retractor and novel microlaryngeal instrumentation in a cadaveric model. This allows for glottic and anterior commissure exposure, effector arm access to the glottis, and performance of delicate endolaryngeal procedures with the robot. The overall efficacy of our retractor will need to be examined in an in vivo human model. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 124:1624–1630, 2014
What Can Lattice QCD Theorists Learn from NMR Spectroscopists

The Lattice QCD (LQCD) community has occasionally gone through periods of self-examination of its data analysis methods and compared them with methods used in other disciplines [22, 16, 18]. This process has shown that the techniques widely used elsewhere may also be useful in analyzing LQCD data. It seems that we are in such a period now with many groups trying what are generally called Bayesian methods such as Maximal Entropy (MEM) or constrained fitting [19, 15, 1, 7, 5, and many others]. In these proceedings we will attempt to apply this process to a comparison of data modeling techniques used in LQCD and NMR Spectroscopy to see if there are methods which may also be useful when applied to LQCD data.
Action and Passion at a Distance

Quantum mechanics permits nonlocality — both nonlocal correlations and nonlocal equations of motion — while respecting relativistic causality. Is quantum mechanics the unique theory that reconciles nonlocality and causality? We consider two models, going beyond quantum mechanics, of nonlocality — “superquantum” correlations and nonlocal “jamming” of correlations — and derive new results for the jamming model. In one space dimension, jamming allows reversal of the sequence of cause and effect; in higher dimensions, however, effect never precedes cause.
Ghrelin and leptin have a complex relationship with risk of Barrett's esophagus.

Abdominal obesity is a risk factor for Barrett’s esophagus independent of GERD symptoms, but little is understood about the biological mechanisms between obesity and the carcinogenic pathway of esophageal adenocarcinoma. To evaluate whether ghrelin and leptin may partially explain the association between obesity and Barrett’s esophagus. We conducted a case–control study using patients with a new diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus (cases) and two control groups frequency matched to cases for age, gender, and geographic region: (1) patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and (2) a sample of the general population. We generated odds ratios using logistic regressions to evaluate quartiles of serum ghrelin or serum leptin, adjusting for known risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus. We evaluated potential interaction variables using cross products and ran stratified analyses to generate stratum-specific odds ratios. A total of 886 participants were included in the analysis. Higher ghrelin concentrations were associated with an increased risk of Barrett’s esophagus, when compared to the population controls, but not the GERD controls. Ghrelin concentrations were not associated with the frequency of GERD symptoms, but ghrelin’s relationship with Barrett’s esophagus varied significantly with the frequency of GERD symptoms. Leptin concentrations were positively associated with at least weekly GERD symptoms among the population controls and were inversely associated with Barrett’s esophagus only among the GERD controls. Adjusting for waist circumference did not change the main associations. Higher levels of ghrelin were associated with an increased risk of Barrett’s esophagus among the general population. In contrast, leptin was positively associated with frequent GERD symptoms, but inversely associated with the risk of Barrett’s esophagus among the GERD controls.
Modeling breakage rates in mills with impact energy spectra and ultra fast load cell data

Abstract A new era in modeling particle size distribution in grinding mills started at the beginning of 2000s. A direct estimation of breakage parameters became possible via computation of collision energy by discrete element method (DEM) and material breakage data. The material breakage data can be obtained for primary modes of breakage. In this study, impact and abrasion are assumed to be the primary modes of particle breakage, which are readily studied in the laboratory. The impact breakage mode is studied in a drop-weight apparatus and in a specialized device known as the ultra fast load cell. The abrasion mode of breakage is studied in a laboratory scale ball mill. Next, the particle breakage versus energy data is converted into breakage rates via impact energy spectra of the grinding mill computed by a DEM code. The fundamental material breakage information is converted into energy based breakage distribution function. The verification of the modeling concepts is shown for a 90 cm laboratory scale ball mill. In the batch mill, approximately a 10 kg mass of limestone in the 30 mm size is ground with around 100 kg of 50 mm steel ball charge. The breakage rate and the breakage distribution functions constitute the parameters of the energy based batch population balance model. It is shown that accurate particle size distribution predictions are possible with this modeling approach for different grinding regimes.
Rat cerebral cortical synaptoneurosomal membranes. Structure and interactions with imidazobenzodiazepine and 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel drugs.

Small angle x-ray scattering has been used to investigate the structure of synaptoneurosomal (SNM) membranes from rat cerebral cortex. Electron micrographs of the preparation showed SNM with classical synaptic appositions intact, other vesicles, occasional mitochondria, and some myelin. An immunoassay for myelin basic protein placed the myelin content of normal rat SNM at less than 2% by weight of the total membrane present. X-Ray diffraction patterns showed five diffraction orders with a unit cell repeat for the membrane of 71 to 78 A at higher hydration states. At lower hydration, 11 orders appeared; the unit cell repeat was 130 A, indicating that the unit cell contained two membranes. Electron density profiles for the 130-A unit cell were determined; they clearly showed the two opposed asymmetrical membranes of the SNM vesicles. SNM membrane/buffer partition coefficients (Kp) of imidazobenzodiazepine and 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel drugs were measured; Kp's for DHP drugs were approximately five times higher in rabbit light sarcoplasmic reticulum than in SNM. Ro 15–1788 and the DHP BAY K 8644 bind primarily to the outer monolayer of vesicles of intact SNM membranes. Nonspecific equilibrium binding of Ro 15–1788 occurs mainly in the upper acyl chain of the bilayer in lipid extracts of SNM membrane.
HEAT STABILITY OF STAPHYLOCOAGULASE MEASURED BY A CAPILLARY TUBE METHOD

Staphylocoagulase is highly heat resistant. Inactivation profiles of crude staphylocoagulase at 80, 100 and 121°C showed that total inactivation occurred after heating for 5 h,2 h and 30 min, respectively. Heat treated coagulase has the ability to reactivate when placed at 25°C for 24 hrs similar to previous observations on staphylococcal enterotoxins B and C. Staphylocoagulase could be recovered from beef broth and chicken broth before or after heating at 80°C for 5 min. Coagulase activities were measured by a quantitative capillary tube method.
An effective trapping method for field studies of opiine braconid parasitoids of tephritid fruit flies

A simple but effective trap for conducting field studies with opiine braconid parasitoids of fruit fly larvae was designed from yellow plastic balls containing an internal odor source and coated on the exterior with Tanglefoot. Tests of the trap in large field cages showed that it was simpler to use, less expensive, and more effective than previously reported designs.
Independence of motor unit recruitment and rate modulation during precision force control

The vertebrate motor system chiefly employs motor unit recruitment and rate coding to modulate muscle force output. In this paper, we studied how the recruitment of new motor units altered the firing rate of already-active motor units during precision force production in the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Six healthy adults performed linearly increasing isometric voluntary contractions while motor unit activity and force output were recorded. After motor unit discharges were identified, motor unit firing rates were calculated before and after the instances of new motor unit recruitment. Three procedures were applied to compute motor unit firing rate, including the mean of a fixed number of inter-spike intervals and the constant width weighted Hanning window filter method, as well as a modified boxcar technique. In contrast to previous reports, the analysis of the firing rates of over 200 motor units revealed that reduction of the active firing rates was not a common mechanism used to accommodate the twitch force produced by the recruitment of a new motor unit. Similarly, during de-recruitment there was no tendency for motor unit firing rates to increase immediately following the cessation of activity in other motor units. Considerable consistency in recruitment behavior was observed during repeated contractions. However, firing rates during repeated contractions demonstrated considerably more fluctuation. It is concluded that the neuromuscular system does not use short-term preferential motor unit disfacilitation to effect precise regulation of muscular force output.
Optimizing Halley's Iteration for Computing the Matrix Polar Decomposition

We introduce a dynamically weighted Halley (DWH) iteration for computing the polar decomposition of a matrix, and we prove that the new method is globally and asymptotically cubically convergent. For matrices with condition number no greater than $10^{16}$, the DWH method needs at most six iterations for convergence with the tolerance $10^{-16}$. The Halley iteration can be implemented via QR decompositions without explicit matrix inversions. Therefore, it is an inverse free communication friendly algorithm for the emerging multicore and hybrid high performance computing systems.
Degrees of morphophonemic abstraction

Abstract This paper sets forth a classification of morphophonemic data based on the complexities involved in abstracting a morphophonemic representation from the phonemically-represented alternate forms of morphemes. Four degrees of abstraction are recognized according to whether the morphophonemic shape for a morpheme 1) appears to be identical to an actual allomorph, 2) appears to be pieced together from the alternating phonemes of actual allomorphs, 3) includes special segmental distinctions established to deal with alternate forms of a morpheme which are not automatic on the surface, or 4) includes special segmental distinctions established for the purpose of conditioning alternations affecting adjacent morphemes. The usefulness of this classification in both metatheoretical discussion and linguistic pedagogy is discussed. It is further suggested that the distinctions set forth may have some validity in the study of strategies in language learning. It is pointed out that such distinctions need not be directly reflected in a theory of language structure, however, inasmuch as there is no particular reason to insist that a structure reflect directly the processes involved in its establishment. All that is required is that a model of structure be compatible with the appropriate theory of acquisition.
Strategies of Health Sciences Librarians Working Without a Traditional Health Sciences Library

The concept of library as place is a current topic of conversation among health sciences librarians. Both national and regional symposia have been organized around discussions of what a physical pl...
Mixing and convection driven by particles settling in temperature-stratified ambients

Abstract We use numerical simulations and analytical modeling to describe the long-term effects of settling particles on a temperature-stratified fluid. In particular, we examine the final state of the stratification and determine under what circumstances a stratification can be mixed by settling particles. We use a two-dimensional model, for computational efficiency, and find a criterion describing when fluid motions around settling particles result in significant mixing. Taking into account the potential of particles to act as heat carriers, we also find that if the particles carry sufficient heat to the bottom of the container, a stable stratification may be destabilized as the heat released by deposited particles triggers convective motions.
Everything Said Is Said by Someone

In this reply, I respond to some of the objections raised by the reviewers. In particular, I comment on the rhetorical style of my original paper, the uniqueness of an educational semiotic, the possibility of deriving precise prescriptions for educational practice, and the value of semiotics as a foundation for education.
Comparative studies of prosthetic materials in the left atrium of the dog.

To assess the healing process of various intracardiac prosthetic graft materials, we inserted autologous left atrium (control), autologous pericardium (AP), bovine pericardium (BP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTEE) and woven Dacron (WD) patches into excised defects in the left atrial wall of 15 dogs. Two patches were implanted into each heart utilizing six patches for each material. Three months after graft placement, histological examination revealed chronic inflammation and fibrosis for all materials. Dense connective tissue surrounded the grafts in which fibrosis was most prominent. Cartilage formation occurred in 11 grafts 5 BP, 4 PTFE, 1 control and 1 AP site. This change was not evident with WD. The extent of cartilage formation was greatest in BP. Bone formation occurred in 3 BP sites, 2 PTFE and 1 control site. Quantitative calcium concentrations were similar for all of the grafts without bone formation. Calcium concentrations at sites with bone formation averaged 15.13 mg/g±6.39 mg/g compared to 0.939±0.419 for sites without bone formation (p<0.0001). We conclude that while inflammation, fibrosis and connective tissue thickening occur with healing of all graft materials, cartilage and bone formation differ with respect to the material employed.
High-Resolution19F MAS and19F–113Cd REDOR NMR Study of Oxygen/Fluorine Ordering in Oxyfluorides

Abstract The ordering of fluoride ions on the anion sites in the oxyfluorides Ba 2 WO 3 F 4 , Ba 2 MoO 3 F 4 , CdWO 3 F 2 , NaMoO 3 F, and K 2 NbO 3 F has been studied with very fast magic angle spinning 19 F NMR. 19 F MAS NMR of Ba 2 WO 3 F 4 shows that the fluoride ions are disordered within the four equatorial anion positions on the W–O/F chains, but that the anion positions between the chains are fully occupied by fluorine. No difference in fluoride-ion ordering is observed between samples synthesized under a wide variety of conditions (e.g., hydrothermally at 3 kbar at 800°C, and at 227°C at 2 MoO 3 F 4 are almost completely ordered both between and on the W–O/F chains. Two-dimensional NMR is, however, used to demonstrate that a weak 19 F resonance corresponding to ≈0.35% of the total fluoride-ion content is not due to a BaF 2 impurity but that it results from a small amount of disorder in the tungsten chains. The fluoride ions order on one site in NaMoO 3 F and K 2 NbO 3 F, consistent with earlier studies. The 19 F and 19 F– 113 Cd REDOR NMR of CdWO 3 F 2 show that the fluoride ions are ordered on two anion sites, each equidistant from a cadmium ion, in contrast to the isostructural compound CuWO 3 F 2 where ordering on only one anion site has been proposed. A new model for the structure of CdWO 3 F 2 is proposed.
Administrative Use of Student Evaluation of Faculty

In three previous papers, it was noted that while a controversial history of research on the reliability and validity of student evaluation of faculty (SEF) exists, it has not been typically viewed as an infringement on academic freedom. As a consequence, legal aspects of SEF are neither readily apparent, nor available. Moreover, SEF has not been generally seen as an infringement on, and detriment to, academic standards and quality instruction. The article is a review of SEF legal rulings analyzed in terms of their implications for academic freedom and quality of instruction in higher education.
Planetary Gear Modal Vibration Properties Torque Sensitivity

The effect of preload torque on planetary gear behavior is investigated with experiments and mathematical models. Natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping are influenced by mean torque levels. Natural frequencies increase with greater torque. Damping increases in some modes and decreases in others. The mode shapes undergo various changes as torque increases as demonstrated in the trajectory of a planet gear in a high frequency mode. A finite element bearing model is used to obtain the load dependent stiffness of the planet bearings, and these values greatly increase the accuracy of a lumped parameter model in predicting the natural frequencies measured in experiments.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Respirable dust concentration distribution model on longwall faces — multiple dust source approach

Abstract A mathematical model is developed for description of the dust concentration distribution on the longwall faces of coal mines involving multiple dust sources of various particle sizes. Longwall mining is an efficient and productive coal-mining method. However, it generates a large quantity of respirable dust in the working area during the shearing and transportation of coal. Multiple dust sources on the longwall face make dust distribution prediction very difficult. In this paper, the primary sources of respirable dust and transportation of dust particles on a longwall face are determined. The dust particle size distributions at various locations of the longwall face are analyzed, classified and incorporated into the dust distribution model. General trends of dust concentration obtained at different working positions on a longwall face are discussed. The mathematical model takes into account the characteristics of airflow, the effect of particle size, various dust sources, and the mechanisms of dust transport along a longwall face. It predicts the dust behaviors and dust distribution in the longwall mining atmosphere under various operating conditions. Computer programs based on the respirable dust distribution model are also developed. The predicted results are compared with the field data from several longwall faces.
Isolation of yeast mutants defective for localization of vacuolar vital dyes

An application of flow cytometric sorting is used for isolation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants that mislocalize vacuolar vital dyes. This screen is based on the ability of a lipophilic styryl compound, N-(3-triethylammoniumpropyl)-4-(6-(4-(diethylamino)phenyl)hexatrienyl)pyridinium dibromide (FM4–64), to label endocytic intermediates from the plasma membrane to the vacuole membrane at 15°C. Cells stained at 15°C for both FM4–64 and carboxydichlorofluorescein diacetate (a vacuolar luminal vital stain), had a pronounced shift in red/green fluorescence from cells stained at 30° or 38°C. Flow cytometric selection based on this characteristic shift allowed the isolation of 16 mutants. These comprised 12 complementation groups, which we have designated SVL for styryl dye vacuolar localization. These groups were put into three classes. Class I mutants contain very large vacuoles; class II mutants have very fragmented vacuoles; and class III mutants show the strongest svl phenotype with punctate/diffuse FM4–64 staining. Limited genetic overlap was observed with previously isolated mutants, namely svl2/vps41, svl6/vps16, and svl7/fab1. The remaining svl mutants appear to represent novel genes, two of which showed temperature-sensitive vacuole staining morphology. Another mutant, svl8, displayed defects in uptake and sorting of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Our flow cytometric strategy may be useful for isolation of other mutants where mislocalization of fluorescent compounds can be detected.
Activation of 5HT1B receptors inhibits glycinergic synaptic inputs to mammalian motoneurons during postnatal development.

We investigated whether 5-HT(1B) receptor-mediated inhibition of evoked glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) changed postnatally. In HMs from postnatal days 2-3 (P2-3, neonate) and P10-11 (juvenile) rats bath application of 5-HT (10 microM) caused a not significantly different large reduction in eIPSC amplitude to 35.0+/-22.5% (mean+/-S.D.) and 35.4+/-10.6% of control; respectively. The dose-response relationship for the 5-HT(1B) receptor agonist, CP-93,129, revealed that the mean agonist concentration at half-maximal inhibition (IC(50)) was similar, 1.6 and 2.0 nM, respectively. Additionally, strong antibody labeling of 5-HT(1B) receptors in the hypoglossal motor nucleus was observed in neonates, juveniles and adults. These results demonstrate that over the postnatal period studied, 5-HT(1B) receptor-mediated inhibition of glycinergic eIPSCs is not age dependent.
Tree mortality from a short-duration freezing event and global-change-type drought in a Southwestern piñon-juniper woodland, USA.

This study documents tree mortality in Big Bend National Park in Texas in response to the most acute one-year drought on record, which occurred following a five-day winter freeze. I estimated changes in forest stand structure and species composition due to freezing and drought in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park using permanent monitoring plot data. The drought killed over half (63%) of the sampled trees over the entire elevation gradient. Significant mortality occurred in trees up to 20 cm diameter (P < 0.05). Pinus cembroides Zucc. experienced the highest seedling and tree mortality (P < 0.0001) (55% of pinon pines died), and over five times as many standing dead pines were observed in 2012 than in 2009. Juniperus deppeana vonSteudal and Quercus emoryi Leibmann also experienced significant declines in tree density (P < 0.02) (30.9% and 20.7%, respectively). Subsequent droughts under climate change will likely cause even greater damage to trees that survived this record drought, especially if such events follow freezes. The results from this study highlight the vulnerability of trees in the Southwest to climatic change and that future shifts in forest structure can have large-scale community consequences.
Les voyages outre-mer d’un nom : de Loreto en Italie à la Jeune-Lorette au Canada

Au XVIIe siecle, des centaines de chapelles, hors du territoire de l’Italie, recurent le nom de Loreto en memoire de la celebre basilique mariale sur la cote adriatique italienne. L’attribution de noms est souvent associee a l’occupation imperiale ou culturelle. Mais j’adopte ici une autre position. Je demontre plutot que les catholiques de differents empires et de cultures differentes s’inspirerent spontanement du nom Loreto pour etablir une confrerie au-dela des mers. Leurs reseaux improvises revelent un monde de l’epoque moderne bâti sur des frontieres poreuses et sur un terrain d’entente plutot que sur la rigidite imperiale monolithique. Dans cet article, j’etudie trois groupes dissemblables de passeurs autodesignes du nom Loreto : les marchands picenes de la region des Marches, en Italie, ou se trouve la basilique ; des missionnaires jesuites francais et espagnols qui ont dedie des chapelles a Notre-Dame de Lorette, ou Loreto, au Canada et au Mexique, respectivement ; et des convertis hurons de la mission de Lorette, pres de Quebec. Le catholicisme qu’ils partageaient rendait familiers les symboles etrangers et resituait ces acteurs dans le cadre d’un empire francais (catholique). Pourtant, ces echanges compliquent aussi l’idee d’un monde atlantique « francais », puisqu’ils montrent des catholiques du XVIIe siecle qui vont au-dela de leurs collectivites – italienne, francaise ou huronne – pour bâtir une communaute mondiale de freres et de soeurs dans la religion.
p16 Is upregulated in proliferative inflammatory atrophy of the prostate

BACKGROUND Proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) of the prostate is a common histological finding that has been postulated to be associated with prostate cancer. We examine PIA lesions for the expression of p16/CDKN2, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor frequently altered in prostate cancer. METHODS Within tissues from two independent patient populations (“Test Set” and “Validation Set”) undergoing radical prostatectomy, PIA lesions were identified and subjected to immunohistochemical staining for p16. Atrophic epithelial cells and regional normal epithelium were scored for the extent of p16 staining. In the Test Set, staining was also performed for the proliferation marker Ki-67. Double label immunofluorescence was employed to co-localize staining for p16 and Ki-67. RESULTS p16 expression was elevated in PIA in both data sets compared to normal epithelium (mean percent of cells staining positive in PIA = 11.1%–16.2%; mean percent of cells staining positive in normal = 0.6%–1.3%) (P = 0.0001). As expected from prior studies, the mean Ki-67 index was higher in PIA lesions (mean 8.2% staining positive) versus normal epithelium (mean 1.9% staining positive) (P = 0.0001), and the extent of staining for p16 correlated with Ki-67 (r = 0.7, P < 0.0001). However, co-localization immunofluorescent studies did not demonstrate staining for nuclear p16 and Ki-67 in the same cells. CONCLUSIONS Increased p16 expression accompanies increased cell proliferation in PIA lesions of the prostate. Yet, on the individual cell level, the upregulation of p16 in PIA lesions appears to represent a non-proliferative stress response, possibly to oxidative damage. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potential for North American Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to Transmit Rift Valley Fever Virus

To determine which arthropods should be targeted for control should Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) be detected in North America, we evaluated Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab), Culex erythrothorax Dyar, Culex nigripalpus Theobald, Culex pipiens L., Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex tarsalis Coquillett, Aedes dorsalis (Wiedemann), Aedes vexans (Meigen), Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, and Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones from the western, midwestern, and southern United States for their ability to transmit RVFV. Female mosquitoes were allowed to feed on adult hamsters inoculated with RVFV, after which engorged mosquitoes were incubated for 7-21 d at 260C, then allowed to refeed on susceptible hamsters, and tested to determine infection, dissemination, and transmission rates. Other specimens were inoculated intrathoracically, held for 7 d, and then allowed to feed on a susceptible hamster to check for a salivary gland barrier. When exposed to hamsters with viremias > or =10(8.8) plaque-forming units/ml blood, Cx. tarsalis transmitted RVFV efficiently (infection rate = 93%, dissemination rate = 56%, and estimated transmission rate = 52%). In contrast, when exposed to the same virus dose, none of the other species tested transmitted RVFV efficiently. Estimated transmission rates for Cx. erythrothorax, Cx. pipiens, Cx. erraticus, and Ae. dorsalis were 10, 8, 4, and 2%, respectively, and for the remaining species were < or = 1%. With the exception of Cx. tarsalis and Cx. pipiens, all species tested had moderate to major salivary gland barriers. None of the C. sonorensis became infected and none of the An. quadrimaculatus tested transmitted RVFV by bite, even after intrathoracic inoculation, indicating that these species would not be competent vectors of RVFV. Although Ae. vexans from Florida and Louisiana were relatively efficient vectors of RVFV, specimens of this species captured in Colorado or California were virtually incompetent, illustrating the need to evaluate local population for their ability to transmit a pathogen. In addition to laboratory vector competence, factors such as seasonal density, host feeding preference, longevity, and foraging behavior should be considered when determining the potential role that these species could play in RVFV transmission.
Processing and characterization of Sr2−xVMoO6−δ double perovskites

Abstract In this study, the analysis and characterization of the processing and sintering of Sr 2− x VMoO 6− δ perovskites, where x = 0.0, 0.1 and 0.2, was investigated with application potential in high temperature fuel cell electrodes and electro-catalysts. Sr 2− x VMoO 6− δ substrates were sintered in a reducing (5%H 2 95%N 2 ) atmosphere at 1100 °C, 1200 °C, and 1300 °C. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the double perovskite is the primary phase for Sr 2− x VMoO 6− δ pellets sintered at 1200 °C and 1300 °C for 20 h; however, these pellets show a secondary phase of SrMoO 4− δ . X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed a deficiency of vanadium on the pellet surfaces, in which samples yielded surface vanadium concentrations of less than 5%. The vanadium inhomogeneity can be explained by the formation of the SrMoO 4− δ scheelite phase (ABO 4 ) due to oxygen exposure on the surface of the pellets, which indicates inward vanadium migration to the bulk, and was exhibited in redox cycling. Sr 2− x VMoO 6− δ pellets sintered at 1300 °C showed the lowest resistivity at both SOFC operating temperature (800 °C) and room temperature. The resistivity tests also show a semiconductor to metallic transition for all double perovskites, from heating up to 800 °C to cooling down to room temperature in a reducing atmosphere, related to the reduction of Mo 6+ to Mo 4+ .