cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms for Soil-Water Retention and Hysteresis at High Suction Range

AbstractConventional conceptual mechanisms for the hysteresis of soil-water retention are the ink-bottle pore neck and the solid–liquid–air-contact angle. However, these mechanisms fail to explain hydraulic hysteresis for matric suction greater than 10 MPa. A conceptual model, based on hydration-water retention, is provided in this paper. Two hydration mechanisms, namely, particle-surface hydration and crystalline cation hydration, are distinguished to explain hydraulic hysteresis. The former is mainly involved in water retention by anions of oxygen and/or hydroxyls on particle surface, leading to reversible water adsorption and desorption. By contrast, cation hydration is controlled by both exchangeable cations and the intermolecular forces such as Coulomb attraction and London dispersion, leading to hysteretic water-retention behavior. Based on this hysteresis model, the highest total suction for any soil can be identified. From the isotherms of various soils at 25°C, it is found that the highest total ...
Effect of Feed Composition on the Selection of Control Structures for High-Purity Binary Distillation

This paper discusses the selection of an effective control structure for a binary distillation column producing high-purity products. Results show that this selection depends on the feed composition. If the concentration of the light component is large, the reflux ratio is small. Control of a single appropriate tray temperature by manipulating the reboiler heat input and using a fixed feed-to-reflux ratio provides effective control for both feed-rate and feed-composition disturbances. The reflux-drum level is controlled by the distillate flow rate. For intermediate concentrations of the light component and for high-purity products, this study shows that a two-temperature control structure with reflux and reboiler heat input manipulated is required to handle feed-composition changes. Small concentrations of the light component yield small distillate flow rates and high reflux ratios. Conventional distillation control wisdom advises that the reflux-drum level should be controlled by the reflux flow rate whe...
The influence of organizational market orientation on individual‐level market‐oriented cognitions

This study addresses the psychology of individual-level market-information use by examining aspects of firm market orientation and employee cognitions related to information use. Consistent with expectations, employee perceptions related to firm market orientation influenced employee-perceived capabilities, which, in turn, influenced benefit perceptions related to using customer information. This research holds important implications for the management and future exploration of employee market-oriented behavior. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Use of Analog Model to Predict Streamflow Depletion, Big and Little Blue River Basin, Nebraskaa

The States of Nebraska and Kansas are negotiating a compact for apportionment of the waters of the Big and Little Blue Rivers. So that the negotiating officials could allocate the water equitably, the amount of streamflow depletion caused by ground-water withdrawals upgradient from the State line needed to be determined. At the request of the Nebraska officials, the U. S. Geological Survey constructed an electric analog model which could be used to determine the amount of streamflow depletion expected to occur in the next 60 years. The model simulates hydraulic conditions in an area of 7,400 square miles which includes the entire area drained by the Big and Little Blue Rivers in Nebraska. The trans-missibility of the aquifer (Pleistocene in age) ranges from less than 1,000 to as much as 300,000 gallons per day per foot, and the storage coefficient averages about 0.20. The transmissibility values are based on examination of test- hole samples from more than 400 test holes in and adjacent to the basin. Analysis of the model indicates that predicted maximum ground-water withdrawals between 1962 and 2022 will not deplete the base flow of the Big or Little Blue Rivers by more than 5 percent.
FiPy: Partial Differential Equations with Python

Many existing partial differential equation solver packages focus on the important, but arcane, task of numerically solving the linearized set of algebraic equations that result from discretizing a set of PDEs. Many researchers, however, need something higher level than that.
Restoration of olfactory mediated behavior after olfactory bulb deafferentation.

Abstract Transection of olfactory nerve fibers leads to deafferentation of olfactory bulbs and a loss of olfactory mediated behavior. Nerve transection studies have shown that during recovery, olfactory nerve fibers can reestablish connections with the olfactory bulbs. Two groups of experimental animals were studied to determine if olfactory mediated behavior returns after recovery. One group ( n = 18) received bilateral olfactory nerve transection (BTX), while the second group ( n = 4) received a sham surgical procedure. Performance on odor detection and discrimination tasks was measured during recovery periods ranging from 1–120 days. Return of olfactory mediated behavior was first observed 19 days after nerve transection. Performance levels improved with recovery time and by day 40 animals returned to criterion level (≥ 90% correct response). Sham animals maintained a criterion level of performance throughout the recovery period. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to trace reconnection of olfactory nerve fibers. The absence of HRP label in the bulbs of animals examined one day after BTX, verified the completeness of the nerve transection procedure. After 10 days of recovery, a few HRP labeled axons were observed and the amount of HRP in the bulb increased with recovery time. The results of this study demonstrate that olfactory receptor axons can reestablish functional connections with the deafferented olfactory bulb and these connections are sufficient to restore olfactory mediated behavior.
Phenotypic and genetic analysis of a large family with migraine-associated vertigo

Objectives.— To describe a large multigenerational family with migraine-associated vertigo (MAV) combining a detailed phenotypic and genetic analysis. Background.— Migraine-associated vertigo is said to be highly prevalent in the general population and, like other migraine syndromes, its etiology is felt to have a strong genetic component. However, so far, there have been no reports of large families with MAV. Methods.— Detailed clinical study was conducted on a large multigenerational family with MAV. Genetic study using identical-by-descent analysis with dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays was performed to examine consistent inheritance pattern among the affecteds. Results.— Clinical features of MAV were variable although most had other migraine symptoms with at least some of their attacks. We did not find a region of the genome shared by all eight subjects with MAV indicating a polygenetic inheritance for MAV even in this single large family. Conclusions.— A region on 11q shared by most affected females may contain a susceptibility allele for MAV that is expressed exclusively or predominantly by women.
Pharmacogenomic testing and outcome among depressed patients in a tertiary care outpatient psychiatric consultation practice.

The authors tested the hypothesis that pharmacogenomic genotype knowledge is associated with better clinical and cost outcomes in depressed patients, after controlling for other factors that might differentiate tested and non-tested patients. Medical records of 251 patients, seen in the Mayo Clinic Rochester outpatient psychiatric practice, who had patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores before and after consultation, were reviewed. Comparisons of differences in pre-consultation and post-consultation depression scores and slopes between tested and non-tested patients and between genotype categories of tested patients, were evaluated, along with healthcare cost and utilization comparisons between tested and non-tested patients, using Kruskal–Wallis tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and group mean comparisons, controlling for significant univariate demographic and clinical differences. Tested patients had significantly higher depression diagnosis frequency, baseline PHQ-9 scores, family history of depression, psychiatric hospitalization history, and higher numbers of antidepressant, mood stabilizer and antipsychotic medication trials. After controlling for these differences, there were no differences between tested and non-tested patients in post-baseline depression scores or slopes for CYP genotype categories. For patients with 5-HTTLPR testing, there was significantly more depression score improvement for patients with the long/long genotype at time 4 (N=55, χ2-value=8.0492, P=0.018) and at time 5 (N=44, χ2-value=6.1492, P=0.046). For a subgroup (n=46) with ⩾two pre- and ⩾two post-baseline PHQ-9 scores, the mean difference between pre-baseline and post-baseline PHQ-9 score slopes for tested patients was −0.08 (median −0.01; range −1.20 to 0.15) compared with 0.13 (median 0.02; range −0.18 to 2.16) for non-tested patients (P=0.03). Among genotype categories, mean differences between pre-consultation and post-consultation slopes were significantly better for poor CYP2D6 metabolizers than intermediate or extensive metabolizers (P=0.04); there was a trend for slope differences to be better for 5-HTTLPR long/long genotype patients (P=0.06). Subsets of local tested and consultant-adjusted non-tested controls (n=19), who had 8 years of longitudinal care within the health system, had similar overall mean healthcare costs before and after testing; however, tested patients on average had significantly fewer time-adjusted post-baseline psychiatric admissions (0.8 vs 3.8, P=0.04) and fewer time-adjusted psychiatric consultations and comprehensive mental health-specialty evaluations (4.2 vs 9.9, P=0.03). Prospective study is indicated as to whether and how pharmacogenomic testing in a psychiatric consultation practice may improve clinical and cost outcomes.
Language proficiency matters in group chat: supporting cross-cultural communication processes

Cross-cultural group chat is an important communication method in organizational and educational settings. Studies have shown that communication problems exist persistently due to non-native and native speakers' unmatched levels of language proficiency. Realizing the profound problem and increasing need for better communication from the real world, in my dissertation I am studying the communication processes associated of cross-cultural group chat and explore possible tools to assist both non-native and native speakers to communicate better.
A Mirrored Data Structures Approach to Diverse Partial Memory Replication

Software memory errors are a growing threat to software dependability. In previous work, we proposed an approach for detecting memory errors, called Diverse Partial Memory Replication (DPMR), that utilized automated program diversity and memory replication. The original design aimed to maximize coverage by making the pointers stored in different memory replicas comparable. In this paper, we propose and evaluate an alternative design called Mirrored Data Structures (MDS), which sacrifices pointer comparability to gain three primary benefits. 1) MDS significantly increases DPMR's applicability by eliminating all DPMR restrictions on memory allocation, pointer arithmetic, and pointer-to-pointer casts. 2) For programs that store many pointers to memory, MDS reduces DPMR's overhead, as is demonstrated in experimental results. 3) MDS significantly reduces DPMR's memory footprint.
Chemically Enhanced Sunlight for Killing Bacteria

Solar ultraviolet (UV) photocatalyzed oxidation of chemicals with titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) has received considerable attention. Much less recognized, however, is the ability of the same system to destroy bacteria. This study examined this phenomenon and the conditions that effect it. Bacteria in aqueous solution were given solar exposure with titanium dioxide and their survival with time was detected. Lamps with a predominantly solar ultraviolet spectrum were also used in the experiments. Without exposure to UV light, TiO{sub 2} does not affect the bacteria. However, several common bacteria were killed in just a few minutes on solar exposure in the presence of TiO{sub 2}. Whereas without TiO{sub 2} it took more than an hour to destroy them. A concentration of 0.01 percent TiO{sub 2} was most effective in killing bacteria and tenfold concentrations lower or higher were successively less effective. Inorganic and organic compounds in solution, even in small amounts, interfered with the efficiency of killing. An alkaline solution also reduced the bactericidal activity. Circulation and agitation provided by stirring to keep the TiO{sub 2} particles suspended reduced the time necessary to kill the bacteria. Time-intensity curves for killing bacteria were the same general shape with or without TiO{sub 2}.more » This suggests that TiO{sub 2} served merely as a catalyst to increase the rate of the reaction but that the mechanism of action was not changed. The shape of the curves shows that the organisms are sensitized with a minimum intensity of radiation and that an increase doesn`t greatly increase the rate of the kill. Below this critical intensity, however, the time required for killing markedly increases as the intensity is decreased.« less
Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Human Fetal Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Purpose: To isolate and characterize fetal trabecular meshwork (FTM) cells for study in culture. Cultured adult trabecular meshwork (TM) cells often possess a slower rate of growth and restricted number of population doublings, limiting the ability to perform expanded testing. Methods: Fetal eyes from 24-week gestation abortions were delicately dissected to isolate the developing trabecular meshwork tissue. Three primary cultures were achieved and passaged. Light microscopy was used to compare the FTM cells to two cultured adult TM cell lines. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis were utilized to identify specific protein expression. Results: The FTM cells demonstrated similar microscopic characteristics to adult TM cells, including monolayer formation, cobblestone pattern, and comparable size. FTM cells exhibited faster, more consistent doubling times when compared with adult TM cells. They grew rapidly even after passage 8, whereas their adult counterparts slowed significantly with each success...
Targeted Gene Delivery to the Enteric Nervous System Using AAV: A Comparison Across Serotypes and Capsid Mutants

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are one of the most widely used gene transfer systems in research and clinical trials. AAV can transduce a wide range of biological tissues, however to date, there has been no investigation on targeted AAV transduction of the enteric nervous system (ENS). Here, we examined the efficiency, tropism, spread, and immunogenicity of AAV transduction in the ENS. Rats received direct injections of various AAV serotypes expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) into the descending colon. AAV serotypes tested included; AAV 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, or 9 and the AAV2 and AAV8 capsid mutants, AAV2-Y444F, AAV2-tripleY-F, AAV2-tripleY-F+T-V, AAV8-Y733F, and AAV8-doubeY-F+T-V. Transduction, as determined by GFP-positive cells, occurred in neurons and enteric glia within the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the ENS. AAV6 and AAV9 showed the highest levels of transduction within the ENS. Transduction efficiency scaled with titer and time, was translated to the murine ENS, and produced no vector-related immune response. A single injection of AAV into the colon covered an area of ~47 mm2. AAV9 primarily transduced neurons, while AAV6 transduced enteric glia and neurons. This is the first report on targeted AAV transduction of neurons and glia in the ENS.
The Political Framework of the United Nations' Financial Problems

It has frequently been asserted that the financial problem of the United Nations is, in reality, a political problem. This proposition contains enough truth to serve us well, provided it is used not to dispose of the problem but to introduce serious consideration of it. Properly conceived, the political emphasis does not entail the denial of the meaningfulness and significance of the financial issue, but rather suggests the nature of the context within which that issue must be examined, and proposed solutions must be evaluated. Without an understanding of the political background of the fiscal difficulties of the United Nations and the political determinants of its future role in world affairs, one cannot deal intelligently with the problems and prospects of the Organization's treasury.
Mate retention in marriage: Further evidence of the reliability of the Mate Retention Inventory

The Mate Retention Inventory (MRI) assesses the performance of behaviors that function to maintain and retain a romantic partners exclusive involvement with the individual. We first review existing evidence for the psychometric utility of the MRI. We then examine in the current study agreement between selfreports and partner-reports of mate retention behaviors using data from married couples. Both members of 107 couples completed the MRI for their own and their spouses use of mate retention behaviors. Mens and womens self-reports of their mate retention behaviors are substantially congruent with their spouses reports of their mate retention behaviors, indicating that men and women can provide reliable accounts of spousal mate retention using the MRI. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Generic test chip formats for ASIC-oriented semiconductor process development

A novel approach towards test chip and test structure design is accelerating the introduction of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-oriented CMOS process generations. Specialized test chips address quality manufacturability and process integration issues within the proper time frame. Six generic test chip design formats repeat from generation to generation with scaled layout rules. >
Experiential Anamnesis and Group Consensus: An Innovative Method to Teach Residents to Teach

Objective Using a novel method, residents generated examples and principles of good medical teaching from their experiences of being taught as medical students. This article describes and evaluates this method of teaching preparation, gives the main teaching principles the residents derived, and provides representative examples of their experiences which illustrate each principle.
Canine Indolent Nodular Lymphoma

Sixty-six cases of indolent canine lymphoid proliferation were reviewed. Age ranged from 1.5 to 16 years (median 9.0 years). Dogs of 26 breeds, plus 13 of mixed breeding or unknown lineage, were represented. B-Cell lymphomas (CD79a+) predominated. Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), the largest group, involved lymph node (33 cases) and spleen (13 cases), with both tissues involved in five of these cases. Follicular lymphoma (FL) involved lymph nodes (five cases), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) occurred as solitary splenic masses (three cases). Nodal CD3+ T-zone lymphomas (TZL) (10 cases), were included since they resembled late-stage MZL at the architectural level. Two cases of marginal zone hyperplasia (MZH) were included to aid in differentiation of early MZL. Clonality status was determined in 54 cases by analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and T-cell antigen receptor gamma (TCRG) gene rearrangement. Clonal rearrangement of IGH was detected in 28 of 35 MZL cases (80%), four of four FL cases (100%) and three of three MCL cases (100%). Concurrent cross lineage rearrangement of TCRG was detected in six MZL and two FL cases. Clonal rearrangement of TCRG was documented in five of eight TZL cases (63%). Limited survival data obtained for 18 dogs indicated that the B-cell lymphomas (MZL, MCL, and FL) and the T-cell lymphoma (TZL) were associated with indolent behavior and long survival. Although to the authors' knowledge, the true incidence of canine indolent lymphomas is unknown, the tumors are not rare and may have been underrecognized. Recognition of their architectural features, routine application of immunophenotyping, and molecular clonality assessment should alleviate this.
Stable patients on left ventricular assist device support have a disproportionate advantage: Time to re-evaluate the current UNOS policy

Over the years, policies adopted by United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) have directed allocation of donor hearts in the USA. These policies have been based on algorithms that allocate a higher priority status to those patients who are the most infirm, and would thereby benefit patients in the most dire of circumstances. Over the last 2 decades, the increased use of LVADs as a bridge to transplantation has had a major impact on lowering the mortality among those on the heart transplant waiting list. Given the constant risk of potential complications related to these devices, early UNOS policies were implemented to specifically allocate higher priority status to patients on LVADs. However, recent advances in LVAD technology coupled with refinements in patient selection and management have dramatically improved patient survival and led to a reduction in complications. It is inevitable that favorable experiences with the current generation of LVADs coupled with continued improvements in technology will lead to increased use of these devices as a bridge to transplantation or to candidacy.
Modeling tides in Monterey Bay, California

Abstract In the process of developing a tide-permitting coastal ocean forecasting system, tidal signals are added to an oceanic general circulation model for Monterey Bay, California. The model, which is configured from the regional ocean modeling system (ROMS), has three one-way nested domains with the finest resolution of 1.6 km in the horizontal direction and 32 levels in the vertical direction. In present research, the tidal simulation of the system is validated against tide gauges, ADCP current observations, high-frequency radar surface-current observations, and compared with the output from two barotropic tidal models. The results indicate that the barotropic tides from the model compare well with observations in terms of sea-surface height, with discrepancies in amplitude of less than 10% of the amplitude of the most energetic M 2 constituent. However, the discrepancy for the barotropic tidal currents can reach 30% among models with similar accuracy in sea-surface height. The generation and propagation of baroclinic tides associated with the Monterey Submarine Canyon are qualitatively reproduced by the model with weaker strength. The surface tidal current simulation is improved, especially in terms of magnitude, when the model has a more realistic stratification through changes in both barotropic and baroclinic tidal currents.
Creating space for sustainable food systems: Lessons from the field

In response to growing trendsin the current food system toward globalintegration, economic consolidation, andenvironmental degradation, communities haveinitiated alternative, more sustainable foodand agricultural systems. Lessons may now belearned about the development and maintenanceof local, sustainable food systems projects –those that attempt to integrate theenvironmental, economic, and social health oftheir food systems in particular places. Fourkinds of space need to be created and protected– social space, political space, intellectualspace, and economic space. Three importantthemes emerge from these community spaces:public participation, new partnerships, and acommitment to social, economic, andenvironmental justice principles.
Partial shoot reiteration in Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae) does not arise from ‘axillary meristems’

†Background and Aims Conifers are characterized by the paucity of axillary buds which in dicotyledonous trees usually occur at every node. To compensate, conifers also produce ‘axillary meristems’, which may be stimulated to late development. In juvenile material of Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae: Massart’s model) first-order ( plagiotropic) branches lack both axillary buds and, seemingly, axillary meristems. This contrasts with orthotropic (trunk) axes, which produce branches, either within the terminal bud or as reiterated orthotropic axes originating from axillary meristems. However, plagiotropic axes do produce branches if they are decapitated. This study investigated how this can occur if axillary meristems are not the source. †Methods The terminal buds of a series of plagiotropic branches on juvenile trees were decapitated in order to generate axillary shoots. Shoots were culled at about weekly intervals to obtain stages in lateral shoot development. Serial sections were cut with a sliding microtome from the distal end of each sample and scanned sequentially for evidence of axillary meristems and early bud development. †Key Results Anatomical search produced no clear evidence of pre-existing axillary meristems but did reveal stages of bud initiation. Buds were initiated in a group of small starch-rich cortical cells. Further development involved de-differentiation of these small cells and the development of contrasting outer and inner regions. The outer part becomes meristematic and organizes the apex of the new branch. The inner part develops a callus-like tissue of vacuolated cells within which vascular cambia are developed. This kind of insertion of a branch on the parent axis seems not to have been described before. †Conclusions Axillary meristems in Wollemia characterize the leaf axils of trunk axes so that the origin of reiterated shoots is clear. Plagiotropic axes seemingly lack axillary meristems but still produce axillary branches by distinctive developmental processes. These observations demonstrate limited understanding of branch initiation in trees generally.
Schism: a workload-driven approach to database replication and partitioning

We present Schism, a novel workload-aware approach for database partitioning and replication designed to improve scalability of shared-nothing distributed databases. Because distributed transactions are expensive in OLTP settings (a fact we demonstrate through a series of experiments), our partitioner attempts to minimize the number of distributed transactions, while producing balanced partitions. Schism consists of two phases: i) a workload-driven, graph-based replication/partitioning phase and ii) an explanation and validation phase. The first phase creates a graph with a node per tuple (or group of tuples) and edges between nodes accessed by the same transaction, and then uses a graph partitioner to split the graph into k balanced partitions that minimize the number of cross-partition transactions. The second phase exploits machine learning techniques to find a predicate-based explanation of the partitioning strategy (i.e., a set of range predicates that represent the same replication/partitioning scheme produced by the partitioner).The strengths of Schism are: i) independence from the schema layout, ii) effectiveness on n-to-n relations, typical in social network databases, iii) a unified and fine-grained approach to replication and partitioning. We implemented and tested a prototype of Schism on a wide spectrum of test cases, ranging from classical OLTP workloads (e.g., TPC-C and TPC-E), to more complex scenarios derived from social network websites (e.g., Epinions.com), whose schema contains multiple n-to-n relationships, which are known to be hard to partition. Schism consistently outperforms simple partitioning schemes, and in some cases proves superior to the best known manual partitioning, reducing the cost of distributed transactions up to 30%.
Identifying the Impacts of Rail Transit Stations on Residential Property Values

Abstract Prior studies that have empirically investigated the impact of rail station proximity on property values have not fully investigated the factors that may account for this relationship. Stations may raise the value of nearby properties by reducing commuting costs or by attracting retail activity to the neighborhood. Possibly countering these positive effects are negative externalities emitted by stations and the access to neighborhoods that stations provide to criminals. This paper sorts out these effects by presenting the results from estimating a hedonic price model and auxiliary models for neighborhood crime and retail activity. Results show that all four effects play a role in defining the relationship between property values and rail stations, but the relative importance of these effects varies with distance from downtown and the median income of the neighborhood.
FAB/MS/MS for the determination of biomolecules: A compendium

Revue sur la spectrometrie de masse tandem combinee a la spectrometrie de masse FAB, de composes biologiques
Nerve-Injury Induced Changes to GluR1 and GluR2/3 Sub-unit Expression in Area 3b of Adult Squirrel Monkeys: Developmental Recapitulation?

The primate somatosensory system provides an excellent model system with which to investigate adult neural plasticity. Here, we report immunohistochemical staining data for the GluR1 and GluR2/3 AMPA receptors subunits in somatosensory area 3b one week after median nerve crush in adult squirrel monkeys. We find transcortical increases in the staining intensity of GluR1 AMPAR subunits and transcortical decreases in GluR2/3 AMPAR subunits. This pattern of change in the staining intensity of these subunits differs from the changes one would expect if the deprived cortical neurons were undergoing homeostatic synaptic scaling, or from ones that would follow NMDA receptor-mediated long-term potentiation. Indeed, this pattern of change appears to recapitulate proportions that exist early in development as if the deprived cortex has reverted to an immature state. We suggest that this state represents yet another stage of peripheral nerve injury-induced reorganization in adult primate somatosensory cortex, and may well be essential for subsequent NMDA receptor-mediated plasticity.
Emergent Name-Writing Abilities of Preschool-Age Children With Language Impairment

Purpose The 2 studies reported in this manuscript collectively address 3 aims: (a) to characterize the name-writing abilities of preschool-age children with language impairment (LI), (b) to identif...
Mechanical Properties of Textiles, VIII The Stress-Strain Relationship of a Plush Fabric

In this paper the spring-dashpot theory which has been applied in previous papers in this series to single fibers and to yarns is applied here to the experimental investi gations of a plush fabric which have been published by Fox and Schwarz. This serves to outline the experimental methods which should be followed if the data are to have maximum theoretical significance.
Short-Course antimicrobial therapy for upper respiratory tract infections.

Abstract Objective This review examines the issues surrounding short-course antimicrobial therapy of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis, acute (suppurative) otitis media, and acute sinusitis. Background Accumulating evidence suggests that short-course (ie, ≤5 days) antimicrobial therapy may have equivalent or superior efficacy compared with traditional longer (10- to 14-day) therapies. Results In GABHS tonsillopharyngitis, short-course therapy with 6 days of amoxicillin, 4 or 5 days of various cephalosporins, and 5 days of azithromycin (10 mg/kg once daily on all 5 days in pediatric patients) are all reasonable alternatives to traditional 10-day penicillin therapy. In uncomplicated acute (suppurative) otitis media, single-dose intramuscular ceftriaxone or 3- to 5-day short-course oral antimicrobial therapy should be effective in ≥ 80% of patients. However, more research is needed in children aged Conclusions Cost-containment in antimicrobial therapy should include consideration of short-course therapy in the management of upper respiratory tract infections.
Improvement of accuracy in deformable registration in radiation therapy

In this paper, we propose a segmentation assisted registration model. It partitions the domain of images into several regions such that the residue image in each region is identically distributed with zero mean and variance to be optimized. In this model, we minimize an energy that combines negative log-likelihood of the residue in each region, smoothness of the deformation field and length of the partition curve. It can be viewed as a generalization of the sum of squared difference model and global Gaussian model where the variance is a constant in the entire domain. By taking different variances in different regions, the registration becomes more efficient and accurate, which are demonstrated by the experiments on synthetic and clinical data.
Standards of Fairness in 4-Person Monopolistic Cooperative Games

Six quartets of players participated in a sequence of 16 4-person nonconstant-sum characteristic function games in which one player (the monopolist) was necessarily a member of any coalition that could form. The sixteen games were four repetitions each of four game types, arranged in a 2 x 2 design depending on (i) whether or not the grand coalition of all four players was allowed to form, and (ii) whether or not the monopolist players were symmetric. The outcomes of these games were compared to predictions derived from the M 1 (i) bargaining set [Maschler, 1963b], and from a modification of Maschler’s [1963a] power model. The results indicated that each quartet established a standard for the range of the monopolist’s payoff early in the sequence, and that this standard took on the function of a norm in defining the legitimate bargaining ground for that quartet for the remainder of the sequence. Two quartets’ standards were well within the prediction of the bargaining set; one quartet supported the power model. Analysis of the patterns of coalition structure and rudimentary analyses of the bargaining processes indicate that the central concept of standards of fairness underlying the power model is appropriate and timely.
Asymptotic convergence of the ensemble Kalman filter

This paper formally addresses the asymptotic convergence of the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), a state estimation procedure that, when combined with a technique called localization, provides computationally tractable solutions to large-dimensional state estimation problems. The proof presented in this paper shows that the estimates given by the EnKF converge to the optimal estimates given by the Kalman filter (KF) and provides a formal justification for the use of the EnKF in dynamic remote sensing image formation. The implications of the proof are twofold: it shows that the EnKF converges to a well-defined limit and provides a formal argument that the EnKF is in fact a Monte Carlo algorithm that converges to the KF.
Ziprosidone-Induced Transient Agranulocytosis; Delayed Onset of Cardiac Adverse Effects with Fingolimod; Telmisartan-Induced Myotoxicity; Severe Dilated Cardiomyopathy Induced by Adalimumab and Ustekinumab

*Chair and Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Temple University School of Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Clinical Advisor, Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Horsham, Pennsylvania The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) MedWatch program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting, preventable ADR to MedWatch, please consider sharing the account with our readers. Write to Dr. Mancano at ISMP, 200 Lakeside Drive, Suite 200, Horsham, PA 19044 (phone: 215-707-4936; e-mail: mmancano@temple.edu). Your report will be published anonymously unless otherwise requested. This feature is provided by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) in cooperation with the FDA’s MedWatch program and Temple University School of Pharmacy. ISMP is an FDA MedWatch partner.
Synthetic, Register-Specific, AAB Heterotrimers to Investigate Single Point Glycine Mutations in Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a disease caused primarily by mutations of glycine in the standard (Xaa-Yaa-Gly)n repeat of a type I collagen triple helix. Type I collagen is an AAB heterotrimer which means that, depending on whether the A or B chain is mutated, the glycine substitution will appear once or twice. In this work we use designed axial charged pairs to self-assemble an AAB triple helix with controlled composition and register. We then substitute a single glycine of the B chain with alanine, serine, valine, aspartate, or arginine and assess the impact on the structure and folding of this OI mimic by CD, NMR, and restraint-guided modeling. We find that alanine and serine substitutions are tolerated, resulting in localized disruptions to the triple helix structure, while bulkier amino acids result in alternatively folded structures. This work demonstrates the potential of axial charged pairs to control the structure of low stability triple helices and also helps to elucidate the structure and fol...
von Willebrand Factor and Aging

von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays critical roles in initiating primary hemostasis and extending the half-life of coagulation factor VIII in circulation. VWF levels increase with age and elevated levels are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) due to a deficiency or dysfunction of VWF may have symptoms that ameliorate with aging or may have exacerbation of their disease. Bleeding sites of particular challenge in the aging patient include gastrointestinal bleeding and hematuria. Some medications used to treat VWD should be used with special precaution in older patients, including desmopressin and VWF-containing factor concentrates. Patients with VWD may have some protection from CVD, but in those patients who develop CVD, management is very challenging, given the role of antiplatelet therapy as the mainstay of treatment.
Electrochemical Conversion of Muconic Acid to Biobased Diacid Monomers

Electrocatalysis is evolving as a competitive alternative to conventional heterogeneous catalysis for the conversion of platform chemicals from biomass. Here, we demonstrate the electrocatalytic conversion of cis,cis-muconic acid, a fermentation product, to trans,trans-muconic acid, trans-3-hexenedioic acid, and adipic acid used for the production of biobased polyamides and polyesters such as nylon, nylon derivatives, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The electrocatalytic hydrogenation in this work considers a wide range of early, late, and post-transition metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Mo, Pb, Pd, Sn, and Zn) with low and high hydrogen overpotentials, and varying degrees of metal hydrogen binding strengths. The binding strength was determined to be an important factor for the conversion rate, faradaic efficiency, and product distribution. Selectivities are also discussed in relation to thermodynamic data, which suggests the possibility to tune the kinetics of the reaction to allow for the variable production of...
Reversible Pulse Tube Refrigeration

The recently introduced Pulse Tube Refrigeration [1,2] is primarily of interest because of its great simplicity which should lead to very high reliability. The capability of reaching and maintaining temperatures in the range of 30°-150°K with no low temperature moving parts, relatively low pressures (50–400 psia), and low pressure ratios (3–5) are very important advantages for small low temperature spot coolers requiring relatively small refrigeration capacities.
Robust data driven H-infinity control for wind turbine

Abstract This paper proposes data-driven H ∞ feedback control which is synthesized based on LMI formulation. With I/O data, a closed-loop output predictor is parameterized by stochastically uncertain Markov parameters. Those Markov parameters are estimated by least squares. The estimation error due to bias and noise is minimized using H ∞ approach. The state is composed of I/O data, which makes stability analysis possible. The stochastic bounded real lemma plays the key role to derive mean square stable condition and the problem is solved using numerically efficient LMI method. This research is applied to wind turbine benchmark model to demonstrate its effectiveness. The output power trajectory is successfully tracked by data-driven H ∞ feedback controller.
Expression of blood group precursor T antigen as a prognostic marker for human bladder cancer treated by bacillus Calmette-Guerin and interleukin-2.

AbstractThe relationship between T antigen expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and response to bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus interleukin-2 treatment was studied. A total of 25 patients received combined treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin and interleukin-2 at weekly instillations for 6 consecutive weeks and then monthly for 1 year. T antigen expression in all patients was studied before treatment. Of the patients 16 had positive T antigen expression in the tumors: 13 (81%) remained free of tumor for an average of 28 months, 3 had a noninvasive recurrence each at 8 to 27 months (mean 18 months) and all responded well to a repeated treatment cycle. Nine patients were negative for T antigen: 1 (11%) remained free of tumor for 11 months, while 8 had recurrence within 12 months. Of the latter 8 patients 2 had noninvasive recurrence each at 4 to 5 months but they responded to a repeated treatment cycle and remained free of tumor for 4 to 22 months (mean 13 months), 4 had subsequent repe...
Studies in Mediterranean (Cooley's) Anemia. II. The Suppression of Hematopoiesis by Transfusions.

Abstract The Effectiveness of transfusions in the correction of anemia in many types of disorders has been so striking that the possibilities of their depressant effect on blood formation are frequently overlooked. This side-effect, long recognized, was suspected as a causative factor in explaining one of the puzzling features in severe Mediterranean anemia, namely, that even with removal of the spleen, an anticipated rise in hemoglobin level is not obtained from a particular volume of blood. The release from an inhibitory influence was suggested in the preceding study 1 by the rise in fetal hemoglobin, a component strictly of endogenous origin, when transfusions were reduced in the post-splenectomy period. This aspect of transfusions in Mediterranean anemia was, therefore, deemed worthy of further investigation in order to elucidate still another mechanism involved in the maintenance of hematopoietic equilibrium in this and other chronic anemias.
Endothelial function, fibrinolysis, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition

Experimental and clinical studies with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have suggested that these agents may reduce the risk of atherothrombotic events. Recent studies have identified the role of angiotensin II and ACE in the regulation of fibrinolysis. There is now substantial evidence that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular fibrinolytic balance. This recently recognized relationship may contribute to the vasculoprotective effects of ACE inhibitors.
Perceived Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Preventive Healthcare Use.

Introduction Neighborhood social cohesion has been linked with better health and health behaviors, but its association with patterns of preventive healthcare use remains understudied. The hypothesis was that people with higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion would display increased use of preventive healthcare services. Methods Participants (N=7,168) were drawn from the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study—a prospective and nationally representative panel study of American adults aged >50 years—and tracked for one wave (2 years). Analyses were conducted in 2016. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and baseline health, each SD increase in neighborhood social cohesion was associated with a higher likelihood that people would obtain influenza vaccinations (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.04, 1.15) or cholesterol tests (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.02, 1.19). Further, women were more likely to receive mammograms/x-rays (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.01, 1.19) or Pap tests (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.00, 1.17). However, men were not more likely to receive prostate exams (OR=1.06, 95% CI=0.96, 1.17). Conclusions With additional research, findings from this study may inform the development of new strategies that increase the use of preventive healthcare services and enhance the quality of life among people moving through the ranks of this aging society.
The Use of Hamstring Fatigue to Reduce Quadriceps Inhibition After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition, an inability to fully activate the quadriceps muscles, has been persistently observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr) surgery. Reductions in quadriceps activation may be partly due to the flexion reflex pathway, hamstrings activation, and reciprocal quadriceps inhibition. Since central fatigue has been shown to modify hamstring excitability and change the hamstring reflex response, hamstring fatigue might alleviate quadriceps muscle inhibition by counteracting the flexion reflex. In this study, nine young adult athletes (age: M = 19.9 years, SD = 1.7) with unilateral ACLr and nine control athletes (age: M = 24.0 years, SD = 2.4) with no previous history of knee injury performed tempo squats to induce fatigue. The ACLr group tended to use hamstrings for more hip flexion and trunk forward flexion than the control group. We assessed each participant’s quadriceps inhibition through the central activation ratio (CAR), measured by twitch interpolation, befor...
Usability for Social Justice: Exploring the Implementation of Localization Usability in Global North Technology in the Context of a Global South’s Country:

As a discipline and a set of practices, technical communication focuses on designing technical products through the effective implementation of usability to facilitate users in performing tasks wit...
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in climate change limits species' dispersal capabilities and adaptive potential

Global climate change has already caused local declines and extinctions. These losses are generally thought to occur because climate change is progressing too rapidly for populations to keep pace. Based on this hypothesis, numerous predictive frameworks have been developed to project future range shifts and changes in population dynamics resulting from global climate change. However, recent empirical work has demonstrated that seasonally asynchronous climate change regimes – when a region is warming during some parts of the year, but cooling in others – are constraining species' responses to climate change more strongly than rapid warming, leading to intra-specific variation in responses to climate change and local population declines. Here, we couple a review of the literature related to asynchronous climate change regimes with meta-population simulations and an analysis of long-term North American climate trends to show that seasonally asynchronous regimes are occurring throughout most of North America and that their current spatial distribution may be a strong barrier to dispersal and gene flow across many species' ranges. Thus, even though adaptation to climate change may potentially be more common and rapid than previously thought, species whose ranges overlap with asynchronous regimes will likely succumb to local declines that may be difficult to mitigate via dispersal. Future climate-related predictive frameworks should therefore incorporate asynchronous regimes as well as more traditional measures of climate velocity in order to fully capture the array of potential future climate change scenarios.
Birth of the Regime

Hitler moved quickly by sending elite paratroopers to rescue Mussolini from his mountain incarceration. After having been flown to safety in Germany, Hitler persuaded the bedraggled Duce to be his puppet ruler of the Italian Fascist Republic headquartered in Salo. A nascent partisan movement immediately sprang into existence to challenge the fledgling RSI regime.