cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modular microinstrumentation for endothelial cell research

Microfabrication technology is implemented to realize a fluidic microinstrument for the study of endothelial cell elongation and cell responsiveness to fluid flow. The microinstrument contains arrays of microchannels, 30 - 300 micrometer wide, that are fabricated by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) of silicon and anodic bonding to glass. Silicon fluidic input/output modules, also micromachined in silicon, provide modular connections between the microchannels and off- chip devices for flow monitoring and control. Image analysis of cells cultured in microchannels shows that the cells become progressively more elongated as channel width decreases. When subjected to a fluid shear stress of 2 N/m2, cuboidal cells grown in 200 micrometer wide microchannels progressively align and elongate in the direction of flow.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Caring as Everydayness

This article examines caring from an ontological perspective. Believing that the caring practices of nursing are often hidden from view because they constitute the everydayness of practice, it is proposed that one way to reveal caring practices is through storytelling. Brief stories from practice are shared and the author describes how caring practice is embedded within the experience of nursing.
Genetic Correlations Between Testicular Traits in Holstein Bulls and Milk and Fat Production of Their Daughters

Abstract Scrotal circumference of 585 Holstein sires and testicular consistency of 490 Holstein sires were available to compute genetic correlations between these measurements and the bull's predicted difference for milk and fat production by Northeast Artificial Insemination Sire Comparison. The genetic correlation coefficients and standard errors between scrotal circumference and predicted difference for milk and fat were −.19±.12 and −.12±.12 while the corresponding coefficients for testicular consistency were −.08±.09 and −.05±.09. For USDA Herdmate Comparisons for production 730 sires with scrotal circumference measurements and 649 sires with testicular consistency measurements were available. The coefficient between scrotal circumference and predicted difference for both milk and fat production was .01±.01. In contrast the coefficients between testicular consistency and predicted difference for milk and fat production were −.31±.35 and −.24±.31. The genetic relationships between these traits were near zero, indicating that the traits essentially are inherited independently. Because the majority of the estimates are negative, the data also could be interpreted to indicate that selection resulting in gene combinations for higher milk or fat production may have slight deleterious effects on these testicular traits. Any such possible effect may be offset by practices within bull studs whereby bulls with inferior reproductive capabilities are culled.
Role or thyroid hormone in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy

Thyrotoxicosis is associated with an increase in cardiac work and in experimental animals leads to the development of cardiac hypertrophy (1,2). Thyroid hormone (T4) exerts its biologic activity by binding to discrete nuclear receptors, with the subsequent alteration in the rate of RNA transcription leading to the synthesis of specific proteins (3). Previous studies have suggested that increases in cardiac protein synthesis and cardiac contractility can be a result of a direct effect of thyroid hormone on the heart (1,2,4). In various models of cardiac hypertrophy produced by an increase in cardiac work there is a similar rapid increase in both RNA and protein synthesis (5). Thus it is possible that the development of cardiac hypertrophy in hyperthyroidism is due to either a direct effect of thyroid hormone on the heart or alternatively is a response of the myocardium to an increase in cardiac work.
Social Dominance Orientation Relates to Believing Men Should Dominate Sexually, Sexual Self-Efficacy, and Taking Free Female Condoms Among Undergraduate Women and Men

Gendered-based power affects heterosexual relationships, with beliefs in the U.S. prescribing that men dominate women sexually. We draw on social dominance theory to examine whether women’s and men’s level of support for group-based hierarchy (i.e., social dominance orientation; SDO) helps explain gender-based power beliefs and dynamics in heterosexual relationships. We conducted a laboratory study at a Northeastern U.S. university among 357 women and 126 men undergraduates who reported being heterosexual and sexually active, testing three sets of hypotheses. First, as hypothesized, women endorsed SDO and the belief that men should dominate sexually less than men did. Second, as hypothesized, among women and men, SDO was positively correlated with the belief that men should dominate sexually, and negatively correlated with sexual self-efficacy (confidence in sexual situations) and number of female condoms (a woman-controlled source of protection) taken. Third, structural equation modeling, controlling for age, family income, number of sexual partners in the past month, and perceived HIV/AIDS risk, supported the hypothesis that among women and men, the belief that men should dominate sexually mediates SDO’s association with sexual self-efficacy. The hypothesis that the belief that men should dominate sexually mediates SDO’s association with number of female condoms taken was supported for women only. The hypothesis that sexual self-efficacy mediates SDO’s association with number of female condoms taken was not supported. Results suggest SDO influences power beliefs and dynamics in heterosexual relationships. Although female condoms are an important woman-controlled source of protection, power-related beliefs may pose a challenge to their use.
Promises and limitations of hitchhiking mapping

Building the connection between genetic and phenotypic variation is an important ‘work in progress’, and one that will enable proactive diagnosis and treatment in medicine, promote development of environment-targeted varieties in agriculture, and clarify the limits of species adaptation to changing environments in conservation. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and genome wide association (GWA) studies have recently been allied to an additional focus on ‘hitchhiking’ (HH) mapping — using changes in allele frequency due to artificial or natural selection. This older technique has been popularized by the falling costs of high throughput sequencing. Initial HH-resequensing experiments seem to have found many thousands of polymorphisms responding to selection. We argue that this interpretation appears too optimistic, and that the data might in fact be more consistent with dozens, rather than thousands, of loci under selection. We propose several developments required for sensible data analyses that will fully realize the great power of the HH technique, and outline ways of moving forward.
Emotional Bonding and Restaurant Loyalty

Abstract There's a big difference between a loyal customer and a frequent one, and the shrewd operator will figure out how to earn and sustain guests' loyalty.
Formation Kinetics of Thermal Donors in Silicon

The kinetics of thermal donor formation in Czochralski-silicon at ca. 450° C are explained by a simple model based on the work of Suezawa and Sumino which derives forward and reverse reaction rates for each electrically active species from the general features of the infrared electronic absorption spectra. The model, which is independent of the chemical nature of the thermal donor core, assumes that all thermal donors beyond the first donor species are chemically stable at the donor formation temperature, and approximates the reactions for species smaller than the first thermal donor as being in chemical equilibrium. The model is shown to be consistent with both sets of the available IR spectra of thermal donors (Oeder-Wagner and Suezawa-Sumino) when differences in the annealing temperature and initial oxygen concentration are taken into account.
Consensus-based distributed detection algorithm in wireless ad hoc networks

This paper presents the consensus-based distributed detection (CBDD) algorithm for wireless ad hoc networks, where no fusion center is involved in collecting local information and all nodes reach global decision consensus based on local information exchange. The convergence properties and probability of error of the CBDD algorithm are investigated assuming independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Gaussian observations with shifted mean under both an ideal and practical multiaccess (MAC) channel. Specifically, with appropriate algorithm design, there exists an optimal number of iterations that yields the minimum probability of error. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify these analytical results.
Pay dispersion and workforce performance: moderating effects of incentives and interdependence

The compensation literature is replete with arguments, but lacking in empirical tests, regarding the effects of pay dispersion on organizational outcomes. Pay dispersion may increase effort and provide incentives for high workforce performance levels, but may also inhibit cooperation and goal orientation among employees. Drawing on several theoretical perspectives (individual motivation, institutional theory, organizational justice, and neoclassical economics), this study predicts that pay dispersion will be associated with higher levels of workforce performance when accompanied by formal individual incentive systems and independent work, while pay compression is desirable in the absence of individual incentive systems and when work is interdependent. Survey research studies in two industrial sectors (the motor carrier and concrete pipe industries) were conducted to address these issues. Interactive regression results were generally supportive of the predictions across several measures of workforce performance (accident rates, safety violations, and productivity). Implications of these studies for strategy implementation in terms of compensation theory and practice are addressed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green-Marl: a DSL for easy and efficient graph analysis

The increasing importance of graph-data based applications is fueling the need for highly efficient and parallel implementations of graph analysis software. In this paper we describe Green-Marl, a domain-specific language (DSL) whose high level language constructs allow developers to describe their graph analysis algorithms intuitively, but expose the data-level parallelism inherent in the algorithms. We also present our Green-Marl compiler which translates high-level algorithmic description written in Green-Marl into an efficient C++ implementation by exploiting this exposed data-level parallelism. Furthermore, our Green-Marl compiler applies a set of optimizations that take advantage of the high-level semantic knowledge encoded in the Green-Marl DSL. We demonstrate that graph analysis algorithms can be written very intuitively with Green-Marl through some examples, and our experimental results show that the compiler-generated implementation out of such descriptions performs as well as or better than highly-tuned hand-coded implementations.
Winter Distribution and Conservation Status of the Sierra Nevada Great Gray Owl

ABSTRACT Little information is available on the winter ecology of the small, geographically isolated, genetically-unique population of great gray owls (Strix nebulosa) in the central Sierra Nevada, California. This population is comprised of facultative, elevational winter migrants and access to winter habitat is an important component of their ecology. Winter observations and remotely sensed habitat variables were used to inform a predictive model of the environmental requirements and geographic distribution of this owl population. Using the modeled distribution map we assessed the distribution of 20% probability of occurrence classes relative to owl habitat associations, ownership, current development, and projected future development patterns. Our findings indicate that high probability class (81–100%) areas and the broader joint medium/medium-high/high probability class (41–100%) areas are uncommon on the landscape (0.2% and 5.0% of study area, respectively). High probability areas were characterized ...
l-Canavanine Made by Medicago sativa Interferes with Quorum Sensing in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a gram-negative soil bacterium, capable of establishing a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with its legume host, alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Quorum sensing plays a crucial role in this symbiosis, where it influences the nodulation process and the synthesis of the symbiotically important exopolysaccharide II (EPS II). S. meliloti has three quorum-sensing systems (Sin, Tra, and Mel) that use N-acyl homoserine lactones as their quorum-sensing signal molecule. Increasing evidence indicates that certain eukaryotic hosts involved in symbiotic or pathogenic relationships with gram-negative bacteria produce quorum-sensing-interfering (QSI) compounds that can cross-communicate with the bacterial quorum-sensing system. Our studies of alfalfa seed exudates suggested the presence of multiple signal molecules capable of interfering with quorum-sensing-regulated gene expression in different bacterial strains. In this work, we choose one of these QSI molecules (SWI) for further characterization. SWI inhibited violacein production, a phenotype that is regulated by quorum sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum. In addition, this signal molecule also inhibits the expression of the S. meliloti exp genes, responsible for the production of EPS II, a quorum-sensing-regulated phenotype. We identified this molecule as l-canavanine, an arginine analog, produced in large quantities by alfalfa and other legumes.
Optimal design of a tunable thomson-scattering based gamma-ray source

Thomson-scattering based systems offer a path to high-brightness high-energy (> 1 MeV) X-ray and gamma-ray sources due to their favorable scaling with electron energy. LLNL is currently engaged in an effort to optimize such a device, dubbed the "Thomson-Radiated Extreme X-ray" (T-REX) source, targeting up to 680 keV photon energy. Such a system requires precise design of the interaction between a high-intensity laser pulse and a high-brightness electron beam. Presented here are the optimal design parameters for such an interaction, including factors such as the collision angle, focal spot size, optimal bunch charge, and laser energy. These parameters were chosen based on extensive modelling using PARMELA and in-house, well-benchmarked scattering simulation codes.
A numerical procedure for recovering scattering coefficients from measurements with wide-beam antennas

A numerical procedure for estimating true scattering coefficients, sigma /sup 0/, from measurements made using wide-beam antennas is discussed. The use of wide-beam antennas results in an inaccurate estimate of sigma /sup 0/. To reduce this error, the authors propose a correction procedure that estimates the error resulting from the use of narrow-beam approximation and utilizes the error to obtain a more accurate estimate of sigma /sup 0/. An exponential model is assumed to take into account the variation of sigma /sup 0/ with incidence angles, and the model parameters are estimated from measured data. Based on the model and knowledge of the antenna pattern, the procedure calculates the error due to the narrow-beam approximation. The procedure is shown to provide a significant improvement in the estimation of sigma /sup 0/ obtained in wide-beam antennas. The proposed procedure is also shown to be insensitive to the assumed sigma /sup 0/ model. >
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of turbulent flow laden with finite-size particles

The paper describes a particle-resolved simulation method for turbulent flow laden with finite size particles. The method is based on the multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann equation. The no-slip boundary condition on the moving particle boundaries is handled by a second-order interpolated bounce-back scheme. The populations at a newly converted fluid lattice node are constructed by the equilibrium distribution with non-equilibrium corrections. MPI implementation details are described and the resulting code is found to be computationally efficient with a good scalability. The method is first validated using unsteady sedimentation of a single particle and sedimentation of a random suspension. It is then applied to a decaying isotropic turbulence laden with particles of Kolmogorov to Taylor microscale sizes. At a given particle volume fraction, the dynamics of the particle-laden flow is found to depend mainly on the effective particle surface area and particle Stokes number. The presence of finite-size inertial particles enhances dissipation at small scales while reducing kinetic energy at large scales. This is in accordance with related studies. The normalized pivot wavenumber is found to not only depend on the particle size, but also on the ratio of particle size to flow scales and particle-to-fluid density ratio.
Phospho‐ΔNp63α‐dependent microRNAs modulate chemoresistance of squamous cell carcinoma cells to cisplatin: At the crossroads of cell life and death

The tumor protein p63/microRNA functional network appears to play a decisive role in chemoresistance of human epithelial cancers. The cisplatin- and phosphorylated-ΔNp63α-dependent microRNAs, whose expression was varied in sensitive and resistant squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC, which were derived from larynx and tongue tumors), were shown to modulate the expression of multiple members of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy pathways. The specific microRNAs were further shown to modulate the resistant phenotype of SCC cells in vitro, thereby providing groundwork for novel chemotherapeutic venues for head and neck cancer.
Solution of the perturbed eigenvalue equation by the low-rank perturbation method

In its simplest form, the low-rank perturbation (LRP) method solves the perturbed matrix eigenvalue equationsAΨ ≡ (B + V)Ψ =eΨ, whereA, B andV are nth-order Hermitian matrices, and where the eigenstates and the eigenvalues of the unperturbed matrixB are known. The method can be applied to arbitrary perturbations V, but it is numerically most efficient if the rank ρ ofV is “small”. A special case of low-rank perturbations are localized perturbations (e.g. replacement of one atom with another, creation and destruction of a chemical bond, local interaction of large molecules, etc.). In the case of local perturbations with a fixed localizability I, the operation count for the calculation of a single eigenvalue and/or a single eigenstate isO(l2n). In the more general case of a delocalized perturbation with a fixed rank p, the operation count for the derivation of all eigenvalues and/or all eigenstates is O(π2n2). For largen, the performance of the LRP method is hence at least one order of magnitude better than the performance of other methods. The obtained numerical results demonstrate that the LRP method is numerically reliable, and that the performance of the method is in accord with predicted operation counts.
Oral fat exposure alters postprandial lipid metabolism in humans.

Accumulating evidence indicates that oronasal sensory stimulation influences nutrient metabolism. This work examined the effects of oral exposure to dietary fat on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (triglyceride) concentrations. Fifteen (six male, nine female) healthy adults were exposed to each of four treatments presented in random order. After ingestion of a 50-g load of safflower oil in capsules (to preclude oral exposure to the fat), they masticated and expectorated 1) crackers with cream cheese, 2) crackers with nonfat cream cheese, 3) crackers alone, or 4) nothing. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 h after load ingestion. Sensory discrimination tests were con- ducted with the cream cheese samples after these sessions. Oral exposure to the full-fat cream cheese led to a significantly greater area under the plasma triacylglycerol curve than did the other treatments (P < 0.05). The increment was attributable to both a significantly higher peak concentration and a more enduring ele- vation (P < 0.05). The oral stimuli were not ingested (so did not add to the load), subjects were not aware of the macronutrient composition of the cream cheese samples (thereby eliminating cognitive effects), and subjects could not distinguish between the cream cheese samples in sensory tests (minimizing a sensory influence). Consequently, these data suggest that there is a che- mosensory or tactile mechanism in the oronasal region of humans for detecting some aspect of the chemical composition of dietary fat, or a component derived from or carried in fat, that elicits a change in postprandial lipid metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;63:9l 1-7.
Functional genomics approach to hypoxia signaling

Mammalian cells require a constant supply of oxygen to maintain energy balance, and sustained hypoxia can result in cell death. It is therefore not surprising that sophisticated adaptive mechanisms have evolved that enhance cell survival during hypoxia. During the past few years, there have been a growing number of reports on hypoxia-induced transcription of specific genes. In this review, we describe a unique experimental approach that utilizes focused cDNA libraries coupled to microarray analyses to identify hypoxia-responsive signal transduction pathways and genes that confer the hypoxia-tolerant phenotype. We have used the subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) method to create a cDNA library enriched in hypoxia-regulated genes in oxygen-sensing pheochromocytoma cells and have used this library to create microarrays that allow us to examine hundreds of genes at a time. This library contains over 300 genes and expressed sequence tags upregulated by hypoxia, including tyrosine hydroxylase, vascular endothelial growth factor, and junB. Hypoxic regulation of these and other genes in the library has been confirmed by microarray, Northern blot, and real-time PCR analyses. Coupling focused SSH libraries with microarray analyses allows one to specifically study genes relevant to a phenotype of interest while reducing much of the biological noise associated with these types of studies. When used in conjunction with high-throughput, dye-based assays for cell survival and apoptosis, this approach offers a rapid method for discovering validated therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and tumors.
Electrode Luminescence of ac Anodized Aluminum: a Study of the Brightness Waves

The brightness waves emitted during ac anodization of 99.7% pure aluminum (Sample 1) in aqueous solutions of oxalic acid (OA) or oxalic acid plus borax (OA+B) were investigated. Electrode luminescence in OA was observed from 5 cps to 350 kcps. The suppression of the cathode flash at 60 cps in OA+B appears to be a secondary phenomenon due to the fact that there is only a small potential drop across the oxide surface layer during a cathodic half-period. At higher frequencies a cathode flash can be observed in OA+B. A 99.995% pure aluminum sample (Sample 2) was observed to luminesce as brightly as the less pure sample, contrary to other reports in the literature. The long-wavelength “phosphorescence,” which appears as a tail on the brightness waves during ac anodization of Sample 1, was not discernible for Sample 2.
PS2-43: Sensible Use of ICD-9 Diagnosis of Observational Data in Breast and Endometrial Cancer Research

Background/Aims Utilization of administrative data (such as EHR data) in population-based research is resource advantageous, despite its potential limitations. Few studies have fully assessed the validity and efficiency of EHR-retrieved data. We developed ICD-9 based algorithms and operational processes to evaluate applicability of EHR-derived cancer data.
Effects of oral contraceptive pill use on vaginal flora and vaginal epithelium

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of oral contraceptive (OC) use on vaginal discharge, epithelium, and flora. Thirty women who planned to use OC for contraception were evaluated before and 2 months after the start of OC use. At both visits, genital symptoms and exposures were assessed by questionnaire; vaginal signs were assessed by speculum examination and colposcopy; vaginal microflora was evaluated by quantitative culture; and a vaginal biopsy was obtained for histopathologic evaluation. Variables were compared between the initial visit and after 2 months of OC use. It was found that OC use did not change the gross, colposcopic, or histologic appearance of the vaginal epithelium or characteristics of vaginal or cervical discharge. Vaginal flora essentially remained unchanged after 2 months of OC use, except that a small decrease occurred in the number of subjects with > or =10(5) colony forming units/mL of H(2)O(2) producing Lactobacillus from 16 at baseline to 9 (p = 0.04) and in the total number of subjects with Ureaplasma urealyticum from 17 at baseline to 10 of 29 (p = 0.04). The results indicate minimal effect of OC use on the vaginal epithelium and vaginal and cervical discharge, and a small effect on vaginal flora.
PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF SUGAR-FREE JELLY*

ABSTRACT The increase in diabetes and obesity has increased the demand for sugar-free/low-calorie products. Three jelly formulations were prepared usingsucralose, low-methoxyl pectin and maltodextrin with either xanthan gum orlocust bean gum (LBG) used singly or in combination and stored at 4C or43C for shelf life evaluation. Jelly treatments were evaluated for chemical,physical and sensory properties. The combination of xanthan gum and LBGsigniﬁcantly reduced syneresis compared with either gum used singly. Thecombination of xanthan gum and LBG resulted in signiﬁcantly higher ﬁrmnessand springiness values than using xanthan gum or LBG alone. The overallacceptability, aroma, taste, texture, spreadability and sensory attributes forno sugar-added grape jelly averaged 5.8–6.4 in a 9-point hedonic scaleconsumer acceptance study. INTRODUCTION Low-calorie foods were originally targeted to speciﬁc consumers withhealth issues such as diabetes, but their use has expanded to disease preven-tion, to weight control and to ﬁt within the pattern of a healthier diet andlifestyle (Sandrou and Arvanitoyannis 2000). The consumption of low-
Analysis of Spectral Space Properties of Directed Graphs Using Matrix Perturbation Theory with Application in Graph Partition

The eigenspace of the adjacency matrix of a graph possesses important information about the network structure. However, analyzing the spectral space properties for directed graphs is challenging due to complex valued decompositions. In this paper, we explore the adjacency eigenspaces of directed graphs. With the aid of the graph perturbation theory, we emphasize on deriving rigorous mathematical results to explain several phenomena related to the eigenspace projection patterns that are unique for directed graphs. Furthermore, we relax the community structure assumption and generalize the theories to the perturbed Perron-Frobenius simple invariant subspace so that the theories can adapt to a much broader range of network structural types. We also develop a graph partitioning algorithm and conduct evaluations to demonstrate its potential.
Authoritarian and compassionate religious messages have different impacts on body esteem

Religiousness has been correlated with better body esteem, but it is not clear how religious messages may shape the way people feel about their bodies. One hundred and twelve Catholic undergraduate students (76% women) at a mid-sized Jesuit university in the USA were randomly assigned to one of three reading conditions: Authoritarian religious, Compassionate religious, or Academic competence. All then viewed “thin ideal” (women) or “muscular ideal” (men) images and completed the Body Esteem Scales for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA). Students who received the Authoritarian reading had lower BESAA attributions esteem, an indication of how respondents think others view them. Students with higher religious commitment were more sensitive to the Authoritarian reading. They reported significantly better BESAA appearance esteem than students with lower commitment, except in the Authoritarian condition. Examination of Tradition and Spirituality, specific values often associated with religion, revealed that partici...
Sobriety and alcohol use among rural Alaska Native elders

Background . Although notable health disparities related to alcohol use persist among Alaska Native people living in rural communities, there is a paucity of research examining drinking behaviour in particular segments of this population, including elders. One explanation for this is the distrust of behavioural health research in general and alcohol research in particular following the legacy of the Barrow Alcohol Study, still regarded as a notable example of ethics violations in cross-cultural research. Objective . The present study reports findings from one of the first research studies asking directly about alcohol abuse among rural Alaska Natives (AN) since the study in Barrow took place in 1979. Design . We report findings regarding self-reported alcohol use included in an elder needs assessment conducted with 134 Alaska Native elders from 5 rural villages off the road system in Alaska. Data were collected in partnership between academic researchers and community members in accordance with the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research. Results . Findings showed very high rates of sobriety and low rates of alcohol use, contradicting stereotypes of widespread alcohol abuse among AN. Possible explanations and future research directions are discussed. Conclusions . This research represents one step forward in mending academic–community relationships in rural Alaska to further research on alcohol use and related health disparities. Keywords: CBPR; alcohol research; rural Alaska; Alaska Native health; elders (Published: 4 February 2016) Citation: Int J Circumpolar Health 2016, 75: 30476 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v75.30476
Genetic disorders of granulocyte function: what they tell us about normal mechanisms.

Clinically significant genetic defects of phagocyte function have been most clearly defined for polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Several important lessons have been learned from an analysis of these defects. These include: 1) Defining the role of oxidative metabolism in the microbicidal activity of PMNs; 2) determining the existence and activity of “back-up” killing mechanisms when deletions in normal pathways occur, and; 3) discerning the importance of PMNs relative to other cells in host defense against different microorganisms.
Synchronic Seriality: The Dissolving of Diegetic Borders Through Metalepsis

In dialogue with Gerard Genette’s literary concept of metalepsis to television, this paper considers instances of meta-textual actor/character portrayals in serial narratives to show that meta-narrative intrusion fosters a greater empathetic link between the spectator and character, whilst simultaneously inviting the viewer to appreciate the technique as an artifice-aware gesture. The fluidity of diegetic borders brought on by the conflation of performer/performance replicates Baudrillard’s simulacra, creating a synchronic form of seriality and transcending rigid genre classifications.
Confinement in the three-dimensional anisotropic t-j model: A mean-field study

Abstract We consider the anisotropic t−J model with the c-axis parameters tc and Jc different from their in-plane counterparts, t and J. Within the slave-fermion mean-field approximation it is shown that the spiral state exhibits charge-confinement in the intermediate δ regime. In the confined state the hopping amplitude iσ † c jσ >= 0 along the c direction so that c-axis resitivity is infinite at T = 0.
Integrative Nutrition for Pediatrics

Food is essential for life. Yet, poor food choices may cause poor health. Dietary manipulation is frequently integrated into the management of common chronic pediatric conditions. Parents seek dietary information to have more control over child's condition and to avoid side effects of medicine. This article reviews selected diets for a few common pediatric disorders including eczema, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, headache and migraine, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Single cell profiling of surface carbohydrates on Bacillus cereus

Cell surface carbohydrates are important to various bacterial activities and functions. It is well known that different types of Bacillus display heterogeneity of surface carbohydrate compositions, but detection of their presence, quantitation and estimation of variation at the single cell level have not been previously solved. Here, using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based recognition force mapping coupled with lectin probes, the specific carbohydrate distributions of N-acetylglucosamine and mannose/glucose were detected, mapped and quantified on single B. cereus surfaces at the nanoscale across the entire cell. Further, the changes of the surface carbohydrate compositions from the vegetative cell to spore were shown. These results demonstrate AFM-based 'recognition force mapping' as a versatile platform to quantitatively detect and spatially map key bacterial surface biomarkers (such as carbohydrate compositions), and monitor in situ changes in surface biochemical properties during intracellular activities at the single cell level.
Cortico-hippocampal systems involved in memory and cognition: the PMAT framework

In this chapter, we review evidence that the cortical pathways to the hippocampus appear to extend from two large-scale cortical systems: a posterior medial (PM) system that includes the parahippocampal cortex and retrosplenial cortex, and an anterior temporal (AT) system that includes the perirhinal cortex. This "PMAT" framework accounts for differences in the anatomical and functional connectivity of the medial temporal lobes, which may underpin differences in cognitive function between the systems. The PM and AT systems make distinct contributions to memory and to other cognitive domains, and convergent findings suggest that they are involved in processing information about contexts and items, respectively. In order to support the full complement of memory-guided behavior, the two systems must interact, and the hippocampal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex may serve as sites of integration between the two systems. We conclude that when considering the "connected hippocampus," inquiry should extend beyond the medial temporal lobes to include the large-scale cortical systems of which they are a part.
Rare case of simultaneous enterococcal endocarditis and prosthetic joint infection

A 59-year-old man was admitted with a 3-month history of daily fevers as well as bilateral knee pain and swelling. Medical history was significant for bilateral knee arthroplasties 4 years prior to admission. Two sets of peripheral blood cultures as well as bilateral knee synovial fluid grew Enterococcus faecalis within 10 hours. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed aortic and mitral valve vegetations suggestive of infectious endocarditis, with severe regurgitation secondary to large size. The patient9s hospitalisation was complicated by acute heart failure, necessitating emergent mitral valve repair and aortic valve replacement, followed shortly thereafter by bilateral total knee arthroplasty resection with placement of antibiotic spacers. He was treated with intravenous penicillin and gentamicin for 4 months and recovered fully. He underwent repeat bilateral knee arthroplasties and was placed on amoxicillin for 6 months postoperatively, with no further evidence of infection.
Nanoscale Internal Fields in a Biased Graphene-Insulator-Semiconductor Structure.

Measuring and understanding electric fields in multilayered materials at the nanoscale remains a challenging problem impeding the development of novel devices. At this scale, it is far from obvious that materials can be accurately described by their intrinsic bulk properties, and considerations of the interfaces between layered materials become unavoidable for a complete description of the system’s electronic properties. Here, a general approach to the direct measurement of nanoscale internal fields is proposed. Small spot X-ray photoemission was performed on a biased graphene/SiO2/Si structure in order to experimentally determine the potential profile across the system, including discontinuities at the interfaces. Core levels provide a measure of the local potential and are used to reconstruct the potential profile as a function of the depth through the stack. It is found that each interface plays a critical role in establishing the potential across the dielectric, and the origin of the potential discont...
Evidence-Based Treatment for Musculoskeletal Infection

Musculoskeletal infection (MSKI) in children is a common cause of hospitalization in the pediatric population worldwide. Severity of disease is dependent upon the amount and type of tissue involved. Though common, pediatric MSKI diagnosis and treatment can be challenging. In this chapter, we have critically reviewed and summarized the evidence that underpin the current practice in the developed world. Evidence-based treatment guidelines applied by a multidisciplinary team resulted in better care of children with MSKI (Grade B). Non-contrasted MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice to distinguish isolated septic arthritis from adjacent infection (Grade B). Septic arthritis is the most common diagnosis with synovial fluid WBC counts between 25,000 and 75,000 cells/mm3 and can be adequately treated by both arthroscopy or traditional arthrotomy (Grade B). Acute haematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) can be treated with short course of IV antibiotic, followed by oral antibiotic for 3–4 weeks (Grade B).
We Don't Say "H" Here.

ABSTRACTThis article is focused on building interdependence among diverse learners through four specific engagements in the art room: Friend/Family Involvement, Team-Building, Leadership Habits, and Service Learning. These strategies have been beneficial to the author in creating a sustainable model for high-quality visual arts instruction.
Evaluation of Control Strategies for Reducing Rooting-Out Problems in Pot-In-Pot Production Systems

Abstract Research has shown that a problem in pot-in-pot (PIP) production systems has been the growth of roots out of the planted container, through holes in the holder pot and into the surrounding soil. A study was conducted with Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei ‘Acoma’ to evaluate methods for reducing rooting-out problems in a PIP production system. The products tested were Biobarrier™, a geotextile fabric impregnated with trifluralin; Root Control™ fabric bag material; and Spin Out™, a commercial formulation of copper hydroxide (7.1%) in latex paint. Biobarrier™ reduced plant height, shoot dry weight, percent root dry weight outside of the planted container and total biomass compared to the non-treated control. For the control, 7.1% of the total root dry weight was found between the holder pot and planted container compared to 0.2% for the Biobarrier™ treatment. When the holder pot and planted container or the planted container and Root Control™ fabric were both treated with Spin Out™, plant height and s...
A novel interaction between dynorphin(1-13) and an N-methyl-D-aspartate site.

Abstract Dynorphin injected intrathecally in the rat results in a neurotoxicity behaviorally expressed as an irreversible loss of the thermally evoked tail-flick. The excitatory amino acid antagonists dl -2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (APV) and γ- d -glutamylglycine (DGG) blocked the loss of the tail-flick reflex. The order of potency (APV > DGG) suggests that the N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) subclass of excitatory amino acid receptors participate in the neurotoxicity. Additionally, intrathecal injection of APV results in a reversible loss of the tail-flick reflex, whereas with DGG doses which block the tail-flick reflex also result in hindlimb paralysis. These data suggest that neurotransmission in the tail-flick reflex pathway is, in part, mediated by NMDA receptors. From these and previous findings it was concluded that dynorphin neurotoxicity resuls from enhanced, excitotoxic, transmission across these synapses utilizing NMDA receptors.
Empirical treatment of bacterial keratitis: an international survey of corneal specialists.

Background/aims New antibiotic agents and changing susceptibility patterns may have changed the empirical treatment of bacterial keratitis. Our objective in this study was to survey cornea specialists’ practice patterns in the initial treatment of bacterial ulcers. Methods This study consisted of a short online survey emailed to members of the Cornea Society listserv for an international sample of cornea specialists. Data collection began July 2014 and ended October 2014. Results A total of 1009 surveys were emailed, and we received 140 (14%) responses. The majority of US clinicians surveyed (n=83, 80%) chose fortified antibiotics empirically, with 55% (n=57) selecting fortified vancomycin and 16% (n=17) using fluoroquinolone alone. International respondents were twice as likely to use fluoroquinolone monotherapy (31%, n=11, p=0.07) and less likely to use fortified vancomycin (33%, n=12, p=0.03). Forty-five per cent (n=46) of US respondents reported that their initial antibiotic choice covered methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , compared with 22% (n=8) of international respondents (p Conclusion Practice patterns for the initial treatment of bacterial keratitis vary with clinicians in the USA being more likely to use fortified antibiotics versus fluoroquinolone monotherapy and more concerned with resistant organisms than their international peers.
Slow Dynamics and Strength Recovery in Unconsolidated Granular Earth Materials: A Mechanistic Theory

Rock materials often display long-time relaxation, commonly termed aging or “slow dynamics”, after the cessation of acoustic perturbations. In this paper, we focus on unconsolidated rock materials and propose to explain such nonlinear relaxation through the Shear-Transformation-Zone (STZ) theory of granular media, adapted for small stresses and strains. The theory attributes the observed relaxation to the slow, irreversible change of positions of constituent grains, and posits that the aging process can be described in three stages: fast recovery before some characteristic time associated with the subset of local plastic events or grain rearrangements with a short time scale, log-linear recovery of the elastic modulus at intermediate times, and gradual turnover to equilibrium steady-state behavior at long times. We demonstrate good agreement with experiments on aging in granular materials such as simulated fault gouge after an external disturbance. These results may provide insights into observed modulus recovery after strong shaking in the near surface region of earthquake zones.
Tagging effects of passive integrated transponder and visual implant elastomer on the small-bodied white sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa)

Abstract One of the greatest limiting factors of studies designed to obtain growth, movement, and survival in small-bodied fishes is the selection of a viable tag. The tag must be relatively small with respect to body size as to impart minimal sub-lethal effects on growth and mobility, as well as be retained throughout the life of the fish or duration of the study. Thus, body size of the model species becomes a major limiting factor; yet few studies have obtained empirical evidence of the minimum fish size and related tagging effects. The probability of surviving a tagging event was quantified in White Sands pupfish ( Cyprinodon tularosa ) across a range of sizes (19–60 mm) to address the hypothesis that body size predicts tagging survival. We compared tagging related mortality, individual taggers, growth, and tag retention in White Sands pupfish implanted with 8-mm passive integrated transponder (PIT), visual implant elastomer (VIE), and control (handled similarly, but no tag implantation) over a 75 d period. Initial body weight was a good predictor of the probability of survival in PIT- and VIE-tagged fish. As weight increased by 1 g, the fish were 4.73 times more likely to survive PIT-tag implantation compared to the control fish with an estimated suitable tagging size at 1.1 g (TL: 39.29 ± 0.41 mm). Likewise, VIE-tagged animals were 2.27 times more likely to survive a tagging event compared to the control group for every additional 1 g with an estimated size suitable for tagging of 0.9 g (TL: 36.9 ± 0.36 mm) fish. Growth rates of PIT- and VIE-tagged White Sands pupfish were similar to the control groups. This research validated two popular tagging methodologies in the White Sands pupfish, thus providing a valuable tool for characterizing vital rates in other small-bodied fishes.
Fuzzy one-dimensional models

The aim of formal modeling under the research agenda of The New Institutionalism is to predict political outcomes on the basis of the preferences of political actors and the design of institutions that aggregate those preferences into a single policy choice. Spatial models plot preferences and policies in n–dimensional issue space and use rules of geometry over that space to make predictions. In this chapter, we introduce the single dimensional model.
Implementing the ANSI Z 136.3 Laser Safety Standard in the Medical Environment

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is an organization comprising several committees of expert volunteers who have traditionally determined the industry consensus standards in various fields. The existing federal legislation and the suggested state laser-safety regulation are based on the 1980 ANSI Standard, “For the Safe Use of Lasers.”1 It was quickly recognized that the safety needs of the industrial and medical environments differed sufficiently to prompt the American National Standards Institute to form a committee to write a new set of standards for “Laser Safety in the Health Care Environment” (ANSI Z 136.3). This standard will apply not only to hospitals but also to offices, clinics, and anywhere else that the laser is used for medical purposes. This paper will outline this important laser-safety standard and describe in detail how best to implement it in the environment in which the otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon practices.
Valuation of GMWB under stochastic volatility

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the pricing of the variable annuities with Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) options, which are deferred, fund-linked annuity contracts, usually with a single premium payment up front. We use the Heston model for the financial market, which assumes the risky asset dynamic follows a stochastic volatility model. The structure of the GMWB policy enables us to adopt the pricing problem of a barrier option. We derive a GMWB pricing partial differential equation (PDE) and the insurance fee is computed by solving an optimization problem. The computed insurance fee is found to be underpriced in the market with a stochastic volatility model. A sensitivity analysis is performed to see the impacts of various parameters on the value of the policy, and the sensitivity of the pricing function with respect to the market risk.