cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Cognitive Engagement on Temptation and Decision Making

The purpose of this study is to determine students’ heightened susceptibility to temptation when cognitively engaged. Cognitively straining tasks require considerable focus, which inhibits the brain from the ability to effectively multi-task (Molfese et al., 2006). This may reduce the capacity for executive control during such engagement. This hypothesis was evaluated by offering participants an unhealthy (chocolate) or healthy (celery) food option during a memorization task (experimental group) or following a memorization task (control group). In the experimental group, students are cognitively engaged at the moment of the choice. This allows for the study to compare decision-making between the experimental and control group. Participants required to make a decision while actively participating in the memorization task chose the chocolate option significantly more often than participants who were offered the food after they had disengaged from the cognitive strain. This study could provide insight into how susceptible to temptation students are while under mental strain. It was hypothesized that as students are participating in a cognitively engaging task similar to studying, they will be more susceptible to choosing an unhealthy sugary snack rather than a healthier option. The data supported the idea that students who are cognitively engaged will be more susceptible to this temptation.
COSY INFINITY version 8

The latest version of the particle optics code COSY INFINITY is presented. Using Differential Algebraic (DA) methods, the code allows the computation of aberrations of arbitrary field arrangements to in principle unlimited order. Besides providing a general overview of the code, several recent techniques developed for specific applications are highlighted. These include new features for the direct utilization of detailed measured fields as well as rigorous treatment of remainder bounds.
Implementation Science: Slowing Down to Install a Practice

When organizations adopt a new practice model, many factors influence its success. Implementation science provides frameworks that guide selection, installation, implementation, and sustainability of evidence-based practices. These frameworks describe critical components and drivers to guide development and application of leadership, organizational, and workforce competencies that influence effective service delivery. In this chapter, we present the frameworks of intervention components, implementation drivers, and stages of implementation as well as the importance of embedding high-quality implementation in facilitative contexts.
An African-Type Healer/Diviner and His Grave Goods: A Burial from a Plantation Slave Cemetery in Barbados, West Indies

An adult male buried in the late 1600s or early 1700s and excavated from a plantation slave cemetery in Barbados had the cemetery's richest assortment of grave goods: an iron knife, several types of metal jewelry, an earthenware pipe, and a necklace of money cowries, fish vertebrae, dog canine teeth, European glass beads, and a large carnelian bead probably from India. Most of these artifacts are unique to New World African descendant sites. The individual was probably an African-type diviner/healer whose high status in the slave community is reflected in his relatively elaborate artifact inventory.
PDO Opperdoezer Potatoes in the Netherlands

The Opperdoezer Ronde is a potato variety that was first grown in 1860 in the village of Opperdoes in the province of North-Holland in the Netherlands. In 1996 the Opperdoezer Ronde became a PDO protected product that can only be grown on 450 ha of farmland in Opperdoes every 3 years in the crop rotation. The Opperdoezer Ronde is an early potato, i.e. it has a short growing season of 10–12 weeks, from May till September. The Opperdoezer Ronde is sold at a substantially higher price than regular potatoes while intermediate costs of production are only slightly higher. This leads to a substantially higher value added per ha. The product is marketed via one company that sells the potatoes to mainly large retailers in the Netherlands. However, a maximum of one third of the production can be sold directly by the farmers to end consumers. The environmental impact per hectare of Opperdoezer Ronde is somewhat lower than for reference potatoes due to the shorter growing season. However, it becomes higher on a per ton basis due to the lower yield while it is lower per euro value added due to the high price of the Opperdoezer Ronde. The data to assess the social impact of Opperdoezer Ronde could not be accessed. However, this impact is likely negligible given the small number of producers and the absence of processing. Moreover, farmers have alternative production and employment possibilities. There might be some small impact on tourism as the village of Opperdoes has become more well-known because of the Opperdoezer Ronde.
Determining baseline toxicity of ozone against an insecticide-susceptible strain of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. under laboratory conditions

BACKGROUND Ozone gas is commercially used for deodorization and microbial control. Its efficacy against stored product insect pests is well documented. In the midst of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) outbreak, claims were made that ozone gas was effective for their control. This study was conducted to determine baseline ozone concentrations and exposure times required for the control of an insecticide-susceptible C. lectularius strain under laboratory conditions. Dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate class fumigant insecticide was used as a positive control. RESULTS Nymphs and adults were more susceptible to ozone than eggs. Complete (100%) nymph and adult mortality was achieved at an ozone concentration (C) of 1500 ppm and exposure time (T) of 180 min, or concentration × time product (CT) of 270 000 ppm-min, whereas eggs required an eightfold higher CT (2 040 000 ppm-min). DDVP vapor was 2070-, 2542- and 450-fold more potent than ozone, against nymphs, adults and eggs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Baseline ozone toxicity data provide insights on the practicality of using this gas for the management of common bed bugs. High ozone CT products required for C. lectularius control, particularly eggs, suggest that its use for treating infested human dwellings is not feasible due to logistic, safety and monetary concerns. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Incidental Finding of Hydrops Fetalis in a Full-term Infant

A female infant is born at 37 weeks’ gestation with diffuse anasarca, high-output cardiac failure and respiratory failure. ### Initial Physical Findings
Optimizing Assessment of Surgical Knot Tying Skill

Objectives Knot tying is a fundamental surgical skill. Existing knot tying models assess tying efficiency and errors but do not address respect for tissue. Development of a model that assesses tissue displacement during knot tying may provide a good surrogate for respect for tissue, allow detection of expertise, and offer an improved training platform for skill acquisition. This study aimed to develop a novel, low-cost, knot tying board (KTB) that collects objective, automated metrics of knot displacement, and assesses knot displacement by level of surgical expertise. Design The novel KTB was developed in collaboration between engineering students and surgical educators. Joystick potentiometers were incorporated on 2 parallel rubber tubes to measure vertical and horizontal displacement while tying. Participants used a standardized technique to tie 1- and 2-handed knots. Differences in time and tubing displacement were compared among junior residents (postgraduate year 1-2), senior residents (postgraduate year 3-5), and attending surgeons; p Setting This study was conducted at the Indiana University Surgical Skills Center in Indianapolis, IN. Participants Forty-seven residents and faculty participated in the study (26 juniors, 14 seniors, 7 attendings). Results KTB development required 100 hours and $70.00. The attending surgeons tied 2-handed knots faster and with significantly more vertical tubing displacement than residents. Senior residents tied knots significantly faster but with similar tubing displacement as juniors. Similar trends were found for 1-handed knots. Conclusions A novel, low-cost KTB was developed to measure knot displacement as a surrogate for tissue handling. The new performance metric of vertical knot displacement proved more sensitive in detecting performance differences among groups compared with horizontal knot displacement. This board and its novel metrics may promote the development of robust knot tying skill by residents.
Bilateral Retrocerebellar Arachnoid Cysts Presenting as Peripheral Vertigo: Case Report and Literature Review

Bilateral retrocerebellar arachnoid cysts are exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman, who presented with progressive vertigo and was found to have bilateral retrocerebellar arachnoid cysts. The patient’s clinical presentation was most consistent with benign positional peripheral vertigo, while the cysts were thought to be incidental findings. We review the literature on bilateral retrocerebellar arachnoid cysts and discuss their management.
Advance Care Planning: A Three-Phase Community Initiative, Educating Clinicians and Engaging Employers in NY’s Capital District

Abstract Advance Care Planning (ACP) emphasizes the process of communication necessary to assist individuals in making informed decisions about their future medical care. In response to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) call for enriching preparation of Advance Directives (AD) in their Dying in America consensus report of 2014, this author developed, designed and initiated a three-phase program to heighten awareness of ACP in New York’s Capital Region. Phase I, Community Conversations, is directed toward healthy individuals who are upstream from illness. Individuals in faith-based groups and civic organizations are provided tools and resources to prepare their own Healthcare Proxies, Living Wills and conduct important conversations with their loved ones about honoring their wishes and goals. Phase II, Advancing ACP Education in Medical Practices, is a structured training program for clinical professionals who receive certification as ACP facilitators and conduct ACP activities with their patients including conversations about what matters most and preparation of ADs for their medical records. Phase III, Advance Care Planning Education Through Employers, is a program which reaches people in their workplace. The purpose of this phase is twofold: to meet the needs of individuals who might not be otherwise exposed to ACP information, and to engage employers who sustain the important preparation of ADs through their human resources departments. A blueprint for each phase was designed for replication in other communities. Over a five-year period, and phase implementation, the program has been recognized as a premier resource for Advance Care Planning outreach. The project demonstrates the initiative, scope and activities that have far-reaching implications for the preparedness and health of an aging community. This review represents key elements and discovery with respect to all three phases of the project.
Targeting Leukemia Stem Cells

Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are chemoresistant and able to initiate and perpetuate disease. There is increasing evidence that LSCs contribute to poor prognosis and disease relapse (van Rhenen et al., Clin Cancer Res 11(18):6520–6527, 2005; Eppert et al., Nat Med 17(9):1086–1093, 2011; Jan et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108(12):5009–5014, 2011; Gerber et al., Blood 119(15):3571–3577, 2012). Given their clinical relevance, LSCs are a highly pursued target for improving therapeutic outcomes. Efforts in the past decade have been rapidly expanded to discover novel therapeutic strategies for eliminating LSCs that simultaneously spare their normal hematopoietic counterparts.
The impact of endoscopic sinus surgery and aspirin desensitization on psychological burden in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Abstract Background Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is an aggressive inflammatory disorder of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), aspirin (ASA) desensitization, and biological immunomodulators are currently used to treat the disorder. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the psychosocial impact of ESS and ASA desensitization on AERD patients. Methods All AERD patients who underwent complete ESS were divided into two cohorts based on ASA desensitization status. The psychosocial metrics of the SNOT-22 were collected and analyzed at the following time points: pre-operative, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month after ESS. Results One hundred and eighty-four AERD patients underwent ESS from November 2009 to November 2018. From this group, 130 patients underwent ASA desensitization (AD cohort) and 54 patients remained non-desensitized (ND cohort). AD patients showed a significantly greater reduction in total SNOT-22 scores over the study period compared to ND patients (p = 0.0446). Analysis of SNOT-22 psychosocial metrics showed a significantly greater improvement in patient productivity in the AD cohort when compared to the ND cohort (p = 0.0214). Further, a sub-group analysis accounting for subject attrition showed a significantly greater improvement in both productivity and concentration in AD patients when compared to the ND cohort (productivity: p = 0.0068; concentration: p = 0.0428). Conclusions ESS followed by ASA desensitization decreases the overall psychosocial burden in AERD patients with a significant improvement in perceived productivity and concentration. This has significant implications given the psychosocial impact of chronic diseases.
Public health insurance and birth outcomes: evidence from Punjab, Pakistan

Public health insurance targeted towards low-income households has gained traction in many developing countries. However, there is limited evidence as to the effectiveness of these programs in countries where institutional constraints may limit participation by the eligible population. This paper evaluates a recent health insurance initiative introduced in Pakistan and discusses whether eligibility for the programme improves maternal health seeking behaviour. The Prime Minister National Health Program provides free insurance coverage to low-income families. The programme is in the early phases of implementation and has, since 2016, only been rolled out in a few eligible districts within the country. This allows for a comparison of eligible households in districts where the programme has been introduced to those that are eligible to receive insurance at a future date. Using repeated cross-sectional data from multiple rounds of representative household survey, a difference-in-difference model has been estimated. Results show that at least for a specific beneficiary group (i.e. pregnant women), there has been a positive increase in utilization of hospital services. Furthermore, we provide evidence using mother fixed effects that the programme increased the likelihood of a child's birth being documented. Since possession of a birth certificate can secure civic rights for a child, this is an unintended but positive outcome of the programme.
Microbial Screening Reveals Oral Site-Specific Locations of the Periodontal Pathogen Selenomonas noxia.

Introduction: Selenomonas noxia (SN) is an important periodontal pathogen, associated with gingivitis and periodontitis. Many studies have found associations between SN and indicators of poor health outcomes, such as smoking, low socioeconomic status and obesity. However, less is known about the prevalence of this organism and more specifically about other oral site-specific locations that may harbor this organism. Methods: Using an existing patient repository (n = 47) of DNA isolated from saliva and other oral sites (n = 235), including the dorsum of the tongue, lower lingual incisor, upper buccal molar and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), molecular screening for SN was performed. Screening results were analyzed for associations between demographic variables (age, sex, race/ethnicity) and clinical information (body mass index or BMI, presence of orthodontic brackets, primary/mixed/permanent dentition). Results: qPCR screening revealed a total of n = 62/235 sites or 26.3% harboring SN with saliva and GCF (either alone or in combination with one or more sites) most often observed (Saliva, n = 23/27 or 85.18%, GCF, n = 14/27 or 51%). Analysis of site-specific data revealed most positive results were found among saliva and GCF alone or in combination, with fewer positive results observed among the tongue (33.3%), lower lingual incisor (29.6%), and upper buccal molar (25.9%). No significant associations were found between demographic or clinical variables and presence of SN at any site. Conclusions: These results may be among the first to describe site-specific locations of S. noxia among various additional oral biofilm sites. These data may represent a significant advancement in our understanding of the sites and locations that harbor this organism, which may be important for our understanding of the prevalence and distribution of these organisms among patients of different ages undergoing different types of oral treatments, such as orthodontic treatment or therapy.
Temporal Processes Associating with Procrastination Dynamics

Procrastination, as an act of voluntarily delaying tasks, is particularly pronounced among students. Recent research has proposed several solutions to modeling student behaviors with the goal of procrastination modeling. Particularly, temporal and sequential models, such as Hawkes processes, have proven to be successful in capturing students’ behavioral dynamics as a representation of procrastination. However, these discovered dynamics are yet to be validated with psychological measures of procrastination through student self-reports and surveys. In this work, we fill this gap by discovering associations between temporal procrastination modeling in students with students’ chronic and academic procrastination levels and their goal achievement. Our analysis reveals meaningful relationships between the learning dynamics discovered by Hawkes processes with student procrastination and goal achievement based on student self-reported data. Most importantly, it shows that students who exhibit inconsistent and less regular learning activities, driven by the goal to outperform or perform not worse than other students, also reported a higher degree of procrastination.
Validation of the Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID instrument and ACE GlobalFiler Express sample cartridge

Rapid DNA platforms are fully automated systems capable of processing DNA from biological samples and interpreting the results in approximately 90 minutes with minimal human intervention. With a greater reliance on the system than on the analyst, validation data are especially needed to define the performance and limitations of commercially available Rapid DNA systems. Thus, validation studies of a Rapid DNA workflow consisting of the Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID Instrument and RapidLINK software with a focus on the ACE GlobalFiler Express Sample Cartridge and reference buccal swabs were performed in accordance with Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods Validation Guidelines. These validation studies included assessments of sensitivity, contamination, concordance, reproducibility and repeatability, stability, inhibition, mixtures, sample reprocessing, precision, and first-pass success rate. Overall, the current Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID Instrument with the ACE GlobalFiler Express sample cartridge was found to be a reliable tool for generation of STR profiles from reference-type buccal swabs.
Role of IL-18 transformed CD274-expressing eosinophils in promoting airway obstruction in experimental asthma

BACKGROUND IL-5-dependent residential and IL-18-transformed pathogenic eosinophils have been reported; however, the role of IL-18-transformed CD274-expressing pathogenic eosinophils compared to IL-5-generated eosinophils in promoting airway obstruction in asthma has not yet been examined. METHODS Eosinophils are detected by tissue anti-MBP and anti-EPX immunostaining, CD274 expression by flow cytometry, and airway resistance using the Buxco FinePointe RC system. RESULTS We show that A. fumigatus-challenged wild-type mice, and different gene-deficient mice including naive CC10-IL-18-transgenic mice, accumulate mostly peribronchial and perivascular CD274-expressing eosinophils except naive CD2-IL-5-transgenic mice. Additionally, we show that CD2-IL-5 transgenic mice following rIL-18 treatment accumulate high number of CD274-expressing perivascular and peribronchial eosinophils with induced collagen, goblet cell hyperplasia and airway resistance compared to saline-challenged CD2-IL5 transgenic mice. Furthermore, we also show that even A. fumigatus-challenged IL-5-/- mice and rIL-18 given ΔdblGATA mice accumulate CD274-expressing eosinophil-associated asthma pathogenesis including airway obstruction. Most importantly, we provide evidence that neutralization of CD274 and IL-18 in A. fumigatus-challenged mice ameliorate experimental asthma. Taken together, the data presented are clinically significant in establishing that anti-IL-18 neutralization is a novel immunotherapy to restrict asthma pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that IL-18 is critical for inducing asthma pathogenesis, and neutralization of CD274 is a potential immunotherapeutic strategy for asthma.
Flea exchange between deer mice and some associated small mammals in western Utah

Fleas obtained from deer mice and each of three sympatric rodents collected at the same times and places are quantified. When deer mice and canyon mice were caught together, 18.9 percent of the infested deer mice had canyon mouse fleas while 20.8 percent of infested canyon mice carried deer mouse fleas; long-tailed vole fleas were collected from only 3.9 percent of the deer mice but 67 percent of the voles associated with deer mice had fleas normally found on the latter; reciprocity was lowest between deer mice and desert wood rats, with three wood rat fleas found among 155 fleas collected from 33 deer mice, and 12 deer mouse fleas among 403 fleas found on 52 wood rats. Rodent nesting habits, particularly the willingness of deer mice to den in a wide variety of situations, is thought responsible for many stray associations. The long-term evolutionary effect of flea dependency on wood rat denning habits is briefly discussed.
Progress toward the Crystal Structure of a Bacterial 30S Ribosomal Subunit

In 1991, Yonath and coworkers, after nearly a decade of pioneering work on the crystallization of ribosomes, showed that it was possible to obtain diffraction to beyond 3 A from crystals of the 50S subunit of Haloarcula marismortui. This work marked a milestone in ribosome crystallography, because it established that in principle an atomic-resolution structure of a ribosomal subunit could be obtained. In the meantime, work on whole-ribosome crystallography was also carried out with Thermus thermophilus. The problem of nonisomorphism can be alleviated by the use of multiwavelength anomalous dispersion, in which phase information is obtained by data collection on the same crystal at different wavelengths. Alpha helices of proteins are also visible in the structure, so that it is possible to find and to determine the orientations of proteins of known crystal structure in the map. It is possible to see protein-RNA complexes in many cases. It was possible to determine a fold for it even though the resolution is well below the traditional “atomic” resolution of 3.5 A required for a new trace because the central domain contains a high density of proteins of previously known crystal structure and well-characterized biochemistry. It is tempting to model much of the ribosome at an intermediate resolution, where one can see double-stranded RNA and recognize known protein structures, or at even-lower resolution, as has been done by others in conjunction with biochemical and electron microscopic data.
Power and Power Inequality

Although a variety of terms have been used to conceptualize and define power across various disciplines, the most traditional and prevailing conception views power in terms of a potential to influence others. In everyday language, power refers to getting one's own way, to having “clout.” Power permeates various aspects of human existence, such as family, friends, jobs, and community. Power differentiation appears to be a universal factor of social life driving the functioning of social institutions. The need for power is one of the basic motivators of individual behavior. In a seminal cross-cultural study involving 20 societies, identified power as one of 10 universal individual values or principles guiding individual selection and evaluation of behavior or events. Individuals who value power endorse social status and prestige, and power differentiation, as well as control and dominance over people. Research on power identified a variety of sources of power as well as a number of outcomes of power across individual and cultural levels of analysis, which we discuss below. Keywords: social influence; power-distance; cultural values
Molecular signals in B cell activation: I. Differential refractory effects of incomplete signaling by lonomycin or PMA relate to autocrine IL-2 production and IL-2R expression

The molecular signals required by resting (G0) B cells for the induction of cell cycle entry, IL-2 production, and high-affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression were defined and the effects of incomplete activation signals on the subsequent response to complete signals were examined. Highly enriched rabbit peripheral blood B cells were activated with a calcium ionophore, ionomycin, and a protein kinase C (PKC) activating phorbol ester, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). It was observed that cell cycle entry to early G1 was induced by either reagent acting alone, but both reagents were required to stimulate IL-2 production, IL-2R expression, and DNA synthesis. These effects of ionomycin and PMA were shown to be mediated by increased intracellular calcium ion concentration [Ca2+]i and PKC activation, respectively. Although, increased [Ca2+]i or PKC activation each led to cell cycle entry, the subsequent response of these preactivated cells to complete activation with both signals was different: Cells pretreated with PMA alone for up to 24 hr could progress further to DNA synthesis after the addition of ionomycin. In contrast, cells activated with ionomycin alone, or those cultured without any stimulus, progressively lost the ability to show DNA synthesis after complete activation. The failure to progress to DNA synthesis in these two cases was, however, differentially regulated by the ability of these cells to produce IL-2 and to express IL-2R. Ionomycin-pretreated cells retained the ability to produce IL-2 but showed about 70% reduction in the numbers of IL-2R; whereas cells cultured without any stimulus lost the ability to produce IL-2 after subsequent complete activation, but showed lesser reduction in IL-2R expression.
Hubble Space Telescope Imaging of the Mass-losing Supergiant VY Canis Majoris

The highly luminous M supergiant VY CMa is a massive star that appears to be in its final death throes, losing mass at high rate en route to exploding as a supernova. Subarcsecond-resolution optical images of VY CMa, obtained with the Faint Object Camera (FOC) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, vividly demonstrate that mass loss from VY CMa is highly anisotropic. In the FOC images, the optical "star" VY CMa constitutes the bright, well-resolved core of an elongated reflection nebula. The imaged nebula is ~3'' (~4500 AU) in extent and is clumpy and highly asymmetric. The images indicate that the bright core, which lies near one edge of the nebula, is pure scattered starlight. We conclude that at optical wavelengths VY CMa is obscured from view along our line of sight by its own dusty envelope. The presence of the extended reflection nebula then suggests that this envelope is highly flattened and/or that the star is surrounded by a massive circumstellar disk. Such axisymmetric circumstellar density structure should have profound effects on post–red supergiant mass loss from VY CMa and, ultimately, on the shaping of the remnant of the supernova that will terminate its post–main-sequence evolution.
High-Temperature Protective Coatings Produced by EB-PVD

The paper presents some new technological sequences of electron beam evaporation and deposition of high-temperature metal-ceramic coatings. The main attention is given to two-layer Me-Cr-Al-Y/ZrO 2 -Y 2 O 3 coatings with transition layers of the total thickness of up to 0.2 mm. Chemical composition and structures of the main layers (metal, ceramics) and substrate/metal and metal/ceramics transition layers, as well as the respective physico-mechanical properties are considered. A method of deposition of these coatings in one technological cycle of evaporation and condensation with application of evaporation composite ingot is proposed. Examples of coating â€œdesignâ€ and respective equipment for practical application in gas turbine construction are given.
Identity and violence: the illusion of destiny, by Amartya Sen

In 1944, when he was a boy of 11, Amartya Sen witnessed first-hand some of the Hindu–Muslim violence that tore British India apart on the eve of the partition of the country into India and Pakistan...
Propuestas preliminares para la reconstrucción genealógica de la comunidad morisca de Baeza

In this paper the author tries to analyze the kinship networks of the morisco community of the Andalusian city of Baeza. To do so, it is made also a critical study of the historical sources available.
Toxicity and SidJ-Mediated Suppression of Toxicity Require Distinct Regions in the SidE Family of Legionella pneumophila Effectors

ABSTRACT Intracellular bacteria use a variety of strategies to evade degradation and create a replicative niche. Legionella pneumophila is an intravacuolar pathogen that establishes a replicative niche through the secretion of more than 300 effector proteins. The function of most effectors remains to be determined. Toxicity in yeast has been used to identify functional domains and elucidate the biochemical function of effectors. A library of L. pneumophila effectors was screened using an expression plasmid that produces low levels of each protein. This screen identified the effector SdeA as a protein that confers a strong toxic phenotype that inhibits yeast replication. The toxicity of SdeA was suppressed in cells producing the effector SidJ. The effector SdeA is a member of the SidE family of L. pneumophila effector proteins. All SidE orthologs encoded by the Philadelphia isolate of Legionella pneumophila were toxic to yeast, and SidJ suppressed the toxicity of each. We identified a conserved central region in the SidE proteins that was sufficient to mediate yeast toxicity. Surprisingly, SidJ did not suppress toxicity when this central region was produced in yeast. We determined that the amino-terminal region of SidE was essential for SidJ-mediated suppression of toxicity. Thus, there is a genetic interaction that links the activity of SidJ and the amino-terminal region of SidE, which is required to modulate the toxic activity displayed by the central region of the SidE protein. This suggests a complex mechanism by which the L. pneumophila effector SidJ modulates the function of the SidE proteins after translocation into host cells.
Biomedical engineering design education

Summary form only given. University of Wisconsin biomedical engineering majors take design courses starting the first semester of the sophomore year and continuing every semester throughout the curriculum (6 semesters). All the design projects are client-based, real-world design problems, solicited primarily from the medical and life sciences faculty around the university, as well as from biomedical engineering companies, and occasionally from individuals with specific needs. Each team of students then interacts with their client and advisor to define the specifications for their project. Each client maintains a dialog with the design team throughout the course, providing meaningful feedback as the design progresses, and access to the appropriate clinical or research setting. The faculty is fully responsible for all aspects of the design courses. Each faculty member has a weekly two-hour meeting in a computer lab with his/her teams. Each student keeps an engineering notebook. Each team submits a weekly progress report to their advisor and client by email. Each team does a mid-semester PowerPoint presentation and written report. Each team produces an end-of-semester poster presentation, final report and physical prototype. Each team maintains a web site. Each student does a self and peer performance evaluation.
Formation of PCDD/Fs from the Copper Oxide-Mediated Pyrolysis and Oxidation of 1,2-Dichlorobenzene

Formation of polychorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) has been demonstrated to occur via surface-mediated reactions of chlorinated phenols. However, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are observed in much lower yields in laboratory studies than in full-scale combustors where PCDFs are in higher concentrations than PCDDs. This has led to the suggestion that at least PCDFs are formed from elemental carbon in the de novo process. However, the potential for PCDF formation from reactions of chlorinated benzenes has been largely overlooked. In this study, we investigated the potential contribution of chlorinated benzenes to formation of PCDD/Fs using 1,2-dichlorobenzene as a surrogate for reactions of other chlorinated benzenes and CuO/silica (3 wt % Cu) as a surrogate for fly ash. Results were similar for oxidative and pyrolytic conditions with a slight increase in more chlorinated products under oxidative conditions. Reaction products included chlorobenzene, polychlorinated benzenes, phenol, 2-monochlorophenol (2-MCP), dichlorophenols, and trichlorophenols with yields ranging from 0.01 to 2% for the phenols and from 0.01 to 10% for chlorinated benzenes. 4,6-Dichlorodibenzo furan (4,6-DCDF) and dibenzofuran (DF) were observed in maximum yields of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively, under pyrolytic conditions and 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, under oxidative conditions. In previous studies of the pyrolysis of 2-MCP under identical conditions, 4,6-DCDF and dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) were observed with maximum yields of ∼0.2% and ∼0.1%, respectively, along with trace quantities of 1-monochlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1-MCDD). Under oxidative conditions, 1-MCDD, DD, and 4,6-DCDF were observed with maximum yields of 0.3%, 0.07% and 0.1%, respectively. When combined with the fact that measured concentrations of chlorinated benzenes are 10-100× that of chlorinated phenols in full-scale combustion systems, the data suggest surface-mediated reactions of chlorinated benzenes can be a significant source of PCDD/F emissions.
Liquid chromatographic characteristics of ethylenethiourea with HPLC carbon, chiral, polymer and reverse-phase bonded silica columns

Abstract Of the columns investigated, the graphitised carbon column provided the best chromatographic characteristics for the highly water-soluble compound ethylenethiourea (ETU). The stability of the carbon column in strongly acidic media permitted the incorporation of the phosphoric acid electrolyte into the 5% acetonitrile-in-water mobile phase. ETU eluted from the column in 200 s as a sharp symmetrical peak at a mobile phase flow rate of 1 mL/min and a column temperature of 35°C. The k' value was 1.72. ETU peak retention times and responses showed excellent repeatability with coefficients of variation of 0.28 and 1.40%, respectively, for 6 replicates with the high performance liquid chromatographic-electrochemical system using the graphitised carbon column. Although ETU eluted as a sharp symmetrical peak with the cyclodextrin chiral columns, their instability at low pH required post-column addition of the phosphoric acid electrolyte solution. ETU chromatographed poorly or degraded on the polymer colum...
The stochastic properties of term structure movements

Abstract The aim of this paper is to identify a stationary statistical model for Treasury bill discount changes. We find that the sample variance of discount changes are non-stationary over short differencing intervals but stabilize as the intervals increase to quarterly or semi-annual periods. This result has important implications for pricing options and for analyzing the predictive properties of forward rates. We show that the stochastic process structure leads to a downward revision in estimates of forward rate predictive power.
Compositional and Temporal Dynamics of International Migration in the EU/EFTA: A New Metric for Assessing Countries’ Immigration and Integration Policies

In this article, I derive estimates of migrants' expected years of residence in each of 31 countries in the European Union and European Free Trade Association each year from 2002 to 2007. A country-level measure summarizing the temporal dynamics of international migration, I compare my results against the often used compositional measure of the percent foreign born, and show that these two measures reflect different population processes. I likewise demonstrate the utility of the measure derived here as a tool to assess countries' integration policies on long-term residence per their scores in the Migrant Integration Policy Index. Key theoretical and policy implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Kidney–lung cross-talk and acute kidney injury

There is a growing appreciation for the role that acute kidney injury (AKI) plays in the propagation of critical illness. In children, AKI is not only an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality, but is also associated with especially negative outcomes when concurrent with acute lung injury (ALI). Experimental data provide evidence that kidney-lung crosstalk occurs and can be bidirectionally deleterious, although details of the precise molecular mechanisms involved in the AKI-ALI interaction remain incomplete. Clinically, ALI, and the subsequent clinical interventions used to stabilize gas exchange, carry consequences for the homeostasis of kidney function. Meanwhile, AKI negatively affects lung physiology significantly by altering the homeostasis of fluid balance, acid-base balance, and vascular tone. Experimental AKI research supports an "endocrine" role for the kidney, triggering a cascade of extra-renal inflammatory responses affecting lung homeostasis. In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiology of kidney-lung crosstalk, the multiple pathways by which AKI affects kidney-lung homeostasis, and discuss how these phenomena may be unique in critically ill children. Understanding how AKI may affect a "balance of communication" that exists between the kidneys and the lungs is requisite when managing critically ill children, in whom imbalance is the norm.
Europe Divided? Elites vs. Public Opinion on European Integration

This article compares preferences for Europeanizing 13 policies among European elites, national elites, and public opinion. Elites are more willing to cede national authority in sovereignty areas, ...
Murine abdominal sepsis alters splenocyte arginase

Abstract Introduction. Arginase I is a urea cycle enzyme that catabolizes the amino acid L-arginine and is also expressed in cells of the immune system. L-arginine is depleted in sepsis. The etiology of this is unknown and recent reports suggest murine immune cell arginase I gene over-expression in sepsis. We hypothesize that polymicrobial murine abdominal sepsis increases arginase activity and protein levels. Methods. C3H/HeN mice were anesthetized and underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), surgery alone (Sham), or anesthesia only (Control). After 24, 48, or 72 h ( n ≥ 7 per group), splenectomy was performed. Spleen lysates were created. Arginase activity as L-ornithine synthesis (nmol/min/mg) and Western blotting were performed. Results. CLP significantly increases spleen arginase activity compared to Sham (ANOVA, P Conclusions. These results indicate that sepsis increases expression and activity of arginase I in murine spleen. This supports previous evidence that arginase I is a component of a common murine inflammatory response gene cluster in sepsis and that immune cell arginase may limit available L-arginine in sepsis. TABLE—ABSTRACT P25 . Groups Splenocyte Arginase Activity (mean ± SEM) 24 h 48 h 72 h Control 8.74 ± 1.45 — — Sham 14.4 ± 1.16 24.5 ± 1.68 21.8 ± 5.83 CLP 19.3 ± 1.69 35.8 ± 1.17 58.1 ± 3.40 Figure Arginase I Control (Pos) 24 Control 24 48 Sham 24 48 72 CLP ( h )
Particle Clogging in Radial Flow: Microscale Mechanisms

Summary Fluid-flow-driven particle migration through porous networks reflects the interplay between various particle-level forces, the relative size between migrating particles and pore constrictions, and the spatial variability of the velocity field. Experimental evidence shows that particle migration in radial fluid flow results in selfstabilizing annular clogging patterns when the particle size approaches the constriction size. Conversely, flow localization and flushing instability are observed when the particle size is significantly smaller than the pore-throat size.
High-resolution x-ray and light beam induced current (LBIC) measurements of multcrystalline silicon solar cells

High-resolution, spatially-resolved x-ray Laue patterns and high-resolution light beam induced current (LBIC) measurements are combined to study two multicrystalline solar cells made from the Heat Exchanger Method (HEM) and the Sting Ribbon Growth technique. The LBIC measurements were made at 4 different wavelengths (488, 633, 780, and 980 nm), resulting in penetration depths ranging from 100 µm. There is a strong correlation between the x-ray and LBIC measurements, showing that some twins and grain boundaries are effective in the reduction of local quantum efficiency, while others are benign.
Efficient modular glass box software model checking

Glass box software model checking incorporates novel techniques to identify similarities in the state space of a model checker and safely prune large numbers of redundant states without explicitly checking them. It is significantly more efficient than other software model checking approaches for checking certain kinds of programs and program properties.This paper presents Pipal, a system for modular glass box software model checking. Extending glass box software model checking to perform modular checking is important to further improve its scalability. It is nontrivial because unlike traditional software model checkers such as Java PathFinder (JPF) and CMC, a glass box software model checker does not check every state separately---instead, it checks a large set of states together in each step. We present a solution and demonstrate Pipal's effectiveness on a variety of programs.
Design of a model-based online management information system for interlibrary loan networks

Abstract The inputs to mathematical models of library operations require periodic updating. The data collection effort necessary for such updating can be quite expensive. However, if the data collected can serve multiple purposes, the costs can perhaps be justified. A management information system offers a vehicle for multiple uses of data and thus, offers an appropriate environment for implementation of models of library operations. Within this paper, the design of a model-based management information system is discussed in terms of mathematical /statistical, information processing, and human factors issues. A prototype system for interlibrary loan networks is discussed.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in overweight and obese patients

Objectives To assess outcomes of robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) in overweight and obese patients, defined as those with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30 kg/m2 and greater than 30 kg/m2, respectively. Methods This was a nonrandomized study evaluating all of our RLRP patients. Patients were divided into three groups: BMI of 25 kg/m2 or less (group 1), BMI greater than 25 kg/m2 and less than 30 kg/m2 (group 2), and BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more (group 3). Patients were evaluated prospectively with the validated Rand 36-Item Health Survey (version 2) and with the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index questionnaire. Results Between February 2003 and November 2004, 150 RLRPs were performed at our center. Average follow-up was 8 months. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had 39, 65, and 46 patients, respectively. Average BMIs for all three groups were statistically different (P <0.01). When compared with group 1, open conversion rates, hospital stay, positive margin, and complication rates were not statistically different for groups 2 or 3. Operative time (P <0.004) and estimated blood loss (P <0.03), however, were statistically greater for group 3 compared with group 1. Transfusion rate was highest in group 2 (P = 0.04 compared with group 1). Prostate weights were also statistically greater in groups 2 (P = 0.003) and 3 (P = 0.02) compared with group 1. Overall, BMI did not increase perioperative and postoperative morbidity. Conclusions Robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is safe in overweight and obese patients and might be the surgical management of choice in this subset of patients. Further long-term follow-up with more patients is required to verify this initial observation.
A reliability assessment for regional water quality management

Abstract Deterministic criteria have always been employed in establishing managerial goals for urban water quality management. However, the different parameters, such as quantity and quality of waste treatment discharges, irrigation return flows and urban runoff, that characterize regional water quality are probabilistic in nature. Thus, the attainment of managerial goals will inherently exhibit the characteristics of uncertainty. In this article the concept of reliability of water quality of a stream system is introduced. Reliability is defined herein as the percentage of time that specific water quality managerial goals can be attained. A simulationoptimization model was developed for decision-making in regional water quality management. Stochastic quadratic programming techniques have been used in optimizing the basin-wide quality control strategy subject to a probabilistic constraint which reflects the desired reliability of the stream system. The optimization scheme facilitates the determination of the best pollution control decisions for each treatment facility while minimizing the total regional annual cost, subject to the quality criteria, and the desired level of reliability. Practical application of the developed model to the San Antonio River Basin, Texas, was analyzed and a sensitivity analysis was conducted based on varying degrees of the system reliability.
Preventive Spraying Schedules for Dairy Farm Fly Control

Fly control was improved on dairy herds and in barns by making the first insecticide application before flies were numerous and repeating at reduced intervals to prevent fly build-up between applications. On herds, weekly applications of 0.5 to 1% Ciodrin®, ( al pha -methylbenllzyl-3,hydroxy-erotonate dimethy1 phosphate). 0.5 to 1% Sevin® (1-naphthyl- N -methylcarbamate), or 0.25% Co-ral ( O.O -diethy1 O -3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-7-yl phosphorothioate) at 1.2% to 1.4 pints per animal, provided good control of, or prevented severe infestation by, stable flies ( Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)), face flies, ( Musca autumnalis DeGeer, and horn flies ( IIaematobia irritans (L.)) when applications were started before the flies were numerous. In barns, house fly ( Musca domestica L.) control was greatly improved over that of previous years by applying 1.25% dimethoate or 1% ronnel at 4- and 2-week intervals, respectively, and making the first application of the season before flies were noticeable.